All people are sons and daughters of a loving God and share equally in God’s unconditional love. All of our formational programs for the students reflect this loving, inclusive experience.

Our formational programs strive to be pro-active in the promotion of an appreciation for diversity and inclusiveness in language and behavior. This appreciation is demonstrated in the curriculum and is evidenced by our Mission/Philosophy Statements and by all of our school policies included in our Parent/Student Handbook.

School personnel will respond appropriately when instances of discriminatory or exclusive language or behavior is detected or reported. Consequences of such discriminatory and/or exclusive language or behavior are articulated in our school's handbooks for faculty, students and parents.

Organization

St. Dominic School provides instruction for children in 3 Year, 4 Year and 5 Year Kindergarten through Grade 8.

Religion Program for All Students

• Presents our Catholic faith in a way consistent with the age and readiness of the student.

• Empowers students with Catholic knowledge and the ways to best practice their Catholic faith.

• Engage the family and students in faith sharing and Scripture reflection.

Religious textbooks used are Silver Burdett Ginn Company

Children's Liturgies and Sacrament Preparation

Students in grades K-4 through 8 attend Liturgy weekly as a total School Community. These liturgies are planned by students, teachers, parish music minister and priests. Parents/guardians are always welcome to join in our children’s liturgies.

Sacramental preparation is done in cooperation with the Director of Religious Education. Parents/guardians play an important role in this area. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are received in Grade 2.   For more information click on the link below.

• Reconciliation

• First Communion

Kindergarten: K3, K4, K5

The 3 Year Kindergarten features a 2-day session (Tuesday/Thursday), a 3-day session (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) from 7:50 am to 10:15 am and a 5-day session (Monday-Friday) from 12:00 pm to 2:45 pm. Children must be 3 years of age on or before September 1 to qualify for this program.

The 4 Year Kindergarten features a morning session from 7:50 am to 10:30 am and an afternoon session from 12:00 pm to 2:45 pm. Children must be 4 years of age on or before September 1 to qualify for this program.

Our 5 Year Kindergarten features a morning session from 7:50 am to 11:30 am and a full-day session from 7:50 am to 2:45 pm Children must be 5 years of age on or before September 1 to qualify for this program.

Emphasis is placed on religious education and the development of reading and math readiness skills. However, the following subjects are also included in the Kindergarten child’s curriculum: social studies, science, music, art, physical education and computer education.

Extended Care

The Extended Care facility provides care for children before school, during and after school from 7:00A.M. until 5:45P.M. The Extended Care reinforces the school's philosophy of teaching Christian values. The program provides a balance of structured and non-structured activities for the children. Learning activities are balanced with free play activities.

The Extended Care facility is located in Room 6 until after school when rooms 5 and 6 are both used. The children are divided according to age, and the activities are age appropriate. From 3:00 until 4:00 we provide a library study program with a St. Dominic's teacher for grades 2-8.

The Extended Care is staffed by state certified persons. The cost for scheduled time is $5.50 per hour, with a maximum fee of $38.50/day. The cost for unscheduled time is $6.50 per hour, subject to availability. Snack fee is $1.00 per day or $125.00 for the entire school year.

Extended Care will be provided only on days when school is in session. Extended Care will be provided until 5:45 P.M. on days when school is dismissed at Noon.

An Extended Care Handbook is given to all families using this service. An annual registration fee of $50.00 is required of anyone using the Extended Care.

Primary - Grades 1, 2 & 3

Language Arts

Language skills and concepts include reading, writing, spelling, penmanship and grammar. These skills are incorporated throughout the curriculum.

Math

The basic concepts of numeration, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are introduced, reinforced and mastered in these grades.

Science

The objectives of this program are to encourage discovery and observation. There will be many hands-on lessons and experiments.

Social Studies

Instruction includes community life, geography, history, map skills and interpretation of graphs and charts.

Intermediate Unit - Grades 4, 5 & 6

Language Arts

To continue to meet the diverse needs of our students, reading instruction is taught in grade level grouping with attention to individual needs. Writing, spelling and grammar continue to be taught at grade level. Trade books will be incorporated across our curriculum.

Math

Reinforcement of basic skills as well as application of problem solving skills related to daily usage.

Science

Emphasis on hands-on activities that reinforce the basic principles in science.

Social Studies

The focus is on the expansion and development of the United States. In grade 4, there is a special emphasis on the State of Wisconsin.

Junior High - Grades 7 & 8

Instruction in the junior high is departmentalized. Each teacher is responsible for his/her area of expertise. Academic core areas are Science, Math, Literature, Social Studies, Religion, English and Spanish.

Additional Curricular and Extra-Curricular Areas

Reading Specialist & Academic Support Specialist

St. Dominic School has a Reading Specialist to work with students in grades 1 through 4. Our Academic Support teacher provides diagnostic testing and support for all grades and subject areas.

School Guidance Counselor

A School Counselor is available to provide classroom instruction for our students on a part-time basis.

Language - Spanish

Students in Grades 1-8 have formal instruction by a certified teacher in Spanish. Spanish curriculum will involve skill development, speaking with fluency and cultural awareness.

Art

Ms. Cynthia Lorenz teaches art to our K5-6th grade students.  Mrs. Sheila Barker teaches art to our 7-8 grade students.

Music

Music is provided twice a week by the music specialist for children in Kindergarten through grade 5 and once a week for students in grades 6, 7 and 8.

Music is an important part of our school liturgies. The parish music minister directs the Youth Choir which includes students in grades 3 to 6. A music minister also assists our students and teachers in planning liturgies. 6th, 7th and 8th graders have the option of joining a Jr. High Choir. 4th and 5th grade students may join the extra-curricular choir. These choirs meet after school.

Children in grades 4 through 8 who are interested may join in our school band. Private band lessons are held during the school day. Students are responsible for work missed during these class periods. Band students from St. Dominic join with Band students from St. John Vianney in concerts held periodically during the school year.

Children in grades first through eighth may also join the String Program. Private violin lessons are held during the school day with group lessons after school.

Physical Education

A physical education specialist provides Physical Education at least twice a week by a physical education specialist. Students will not be excused from physical education classes unless they present a doctor’s excuse or a parental/guardian excuse signed by the principal. Tennis shoes are required for participation.

Library

Library is available to students throughout the school day for research and reference. It is staffed by a library resource teacher along with parent volunteers, who instruct the students in library skills, shares the joy of oral reading with younger students, and handle circulation of books.

Computers & Telecommunications

Technology Report
SMART Boards at St. Dominic School:  View the slideshow...

The use of the computer is integrated into the school's curriculum.  Children in K4 through grade 5 use commercial and teacher-made software to reinforce basic skills.  All students will be given experience with keyboarding software.  All students will be given some experience in word processing, power point and spreadsheet manipulation and other activities designed to help children use the computer as a learning tool.  A technology aide is available in the computer lab to provide support.

Any person wishing to use the school’s/parish’s computer and/or telecommunications equipment is to sign an Acceptable User Policy before being permitted to use such equipment.   This policy will be given to each family & student at the beginning of the school year.

Academic Expectations

Whenever school personnel and administration suspect a student may have exceptional educational needs, the parents/guardians are contacted immediately. After thorough discussion of the student’s needs, a referral for testing is made with either the St. Dominic Supportive Consultant or the local Public School District within which the parents/guardians reside. If the child requires more than St. Dominic can provide, then a public school referral or other support agency may be recommended. Each student will be evaluated on a yearly basis.

Standardized Testing

Each spring, students in grades 3, 5 and 7 take the Iowa ITBS Achievements Test and Educational Ability Series. Vacations, dental and doctor appointments during these two weeks is highly discouraged, since the tests have to be administered by a teacher in a standardized setting. Therefore, any student missing one or more of these tests due to vacations, routine dental and/or doctor appointments will not be able to make up the missed test(s). His/her report will be incomplete.

If a student misses one or more of these tests due to illness or some other emergency, the teacher will arrange for a time to make up that particular test(s).

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Religion assessment is administered to all students in Grades 3, 5 and 7 at the scheduled March Iowa Testing time.

The Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination is also administered to students in 8th Grade.