As Catholic school educators at Archbishop Rummel High School, we are called to assist parents in fulfilling their obligation to provide for the faith formation and Christian education of their children. With this fundamental responsibility in mind, all communication will be given and received in a spirit of mutual support, charity, and with a desire to help young people grow in knowledge and responsibility.
As educators, we will:
- Respect parents’ right to know and understand factors influencing their son’s progress in school.
- Respect confidential information shared by parents with the school or with individual staff members.
- Work professionally with parents as partners in the education of Rummel students.
Communication will be governed at all times by two key principles. First, we encourage and welcome questions from students and parents. Such inquiries are the first steps toward understanding and progress. Parents and students should not be afraid to raise questions or make inquiries to a staff member because they fear consequences of any kind. Second, anonymous information or complaints will not be accepted or forwarded. Anonymity is a barrier to open communication and problem solving.
It is our hope that students should feel free to approach their teachers, coaches, or moderators with any concerns or questions. This should be the first step toward resolving a difficulty and often a problem is easily correctable with discussion and the sharing of information. Such communication is welcomed and expected as a genuine way of learning. It is often an important step prior to parents needing to become involved in discussion with teachers or other staff members. Staff members are always willing to respond to an inquiry and are committed to responding promptly to their students.
After an initial contact by students and/or parents has been made with a staff member, students and/or parents may feel free to contact an appropriate supervisor should they still have questions or feel that more discussion is needed. As a general rule, students and parents should direct their questions or concerns to the faculty/staff members in the following sequence:
- Teacher or staff member with whom the student is directly involved related to the issue.
- If no resolution, teacher’s department chair, or staff member supervisor.
- Teacher’s supervisor (assistant principal).
- Principal
- President
All general questions regarding academics and curriculum should be directed to the academic assistant principal. Questions involving discipline should be directed to the dean of students. Questions related to athletics should be directed to the athletic director, and those related to student activities other than athletics should be directed to the director of student activities.
While we encourage voicemail and/or email as means to facilitate the scheduling of meetings or as ways to begin communication, these methods cannot serve as substitutes for face-to-face meetings or direct telephone conversations. When concerns/issues need to be addressed, parents, students, and staff members should try to discuss them in person in a direct and courteous manner.
The Archbishop Rummel High School counseling staff is an excellent resource for those students who may have questions or concerns about social development. Your son has been assigned a specific counselor. The director of guidance or the guidance department secretary can assist you in contacting your son’s counselor.
It is our goal as a community founded on Christian values to be forthright and open in all communication with parents, students, and fellow staff members. We look forward to working together to provide Archbishop Rummel High School students a communication model that will serve them for a lifetime.
