About IHMS

IHMS Fast Facts

As an independently operated, privately funded Catholic school serving children from Junior Kindergarten to Level III, Immaculate Heart of Mary School has been providing an educational alternative for the past 18 years. Our Principal, Mrs. Elaine King, has 39 years of educational experience including duties in Mathematics, French and 19 years in Administration. Mrs. King, along with our professional teaching staff, promote academic excellence, good organizational, study and research skills and the ability to think critically. We believe that academic, character and spiritual education are the foundation for lifelong learning.
Why Parents Choose Our School:
• Small class sizes
• Respectful, safe, family-oriented environment
• Full day Junior Kindergarten program
• Full day Kindergarten program (English & French Immersion)
• Grade 1 - 8 French Immersion
• Kindergarten - Level III English
• Enhanced provincial curriculum (A Beka Program)
• Provincial testing
• Catholic Religious Education Program and Sacramental Preparation
• Additional time allotted each day for Language Arts
• Student uniforms
• After-school Program/Extra Curricular until 5:00 pm
• Core French from Kindergarten to Level III
• Music, Physical Education, and Art introduction beginning in Kindergarten
• Instrumental Program beginning in grade 5
• Junior/Senior High Enrichment Program encompasses areas such as:

- robotics, website design, videography, digital animation, and many outdoor pursuits.
- Annual participation in:
* Intermediate Skills Challenge Competition in Mt. Pearl including First Lego League Robotics
* Model Bridge Competition in Corner Brook.
* Underwater Robotics competiion in St. John's.
* Let's Talk Science Challenge (Gr. 6-8)

• Strong technology focus including classroom smart boards, updated Computer Lab and computers in all classrooms, Macbook and iPads available to students.
• New fully equipped Media Broadcast Centre where students video tape, edit and broadcast school events, as well as live broadcasts sent to LCD TVs in hallways and each classroom
• Lego Robotics, website design and video production units beginning in Grade 3

History
In 1997, a committee was formed by a group of concerned parents and educators to investigate means to provide an enriching spiritual and educational environment for children. This committee came as a result of the ending of publicly funded Roman Catholic schools in the province. The committee proceeded to assess interest and based on those findings, in March of 1999, the Catholic School Foundation of Corner Brook Inc. was incorporated with the mandate of opening an independently operated, privately funded Catholic school. The former All Hallows school is now part of our history and our future. The Latin motto of All Hallows school, “Pro Deo et Patria” (For God and Country), has been incorporated into the Crest of IHMS. We acknowledge and thank the Presentation Sisters for their service to the All Hallows school community since 1949 and we appreciate their current support and prayers. We also acknowledge the contributions of all of the lay people and Religious Congregations who have faithfully served Corner Brook and surrounding areas in Catholic schools and the students at IHMS will know that they are part of a great tradition.

After much work and help from many individuals and groups we continue to grow each year. With God’s grace and the continued support of parents, volunteers, and the Foundation, our school can look forward to much success and many Blessings.

Code of Student Behavior
At Immaculate Heart of Mary School, we have developed a Code of Conduct based on responsibilities that each member of the community must live up to. There are guidelines in place so that students know what is appropriate and what is not. We must always respect ourselves and others, our school building and books. We have developed a general Code for self-discipline which teachers will make part of the curriculum. Teachers speak often about this.

Mission Statement
Immaculate Heart of Mary School is a community of students, faculty, staff, administrators, directors and parents dedicated to educational excellence in a Christian environment. All aspects of school life are guided by Gospel values and our Catholic heritage.

School Vision
Immaculate Heart of Mary is committed to the following goals:

• To develop in each student the ability to think, inquire and strive for excellence
• To teach Christian values and encourage students to apply them to all aspects of their lives
• To structure programs that provide strong academic skills
• To provide a Religious education rooted in the values and traditions of the Catholic faith
• To encourage the fulfillment of individual abilities and social responsibilities
• To help each individual become a part of the school faith community and to help create an atmosphere of prayer, understanding, forgiveness and above all, Christian love and service.

Governance
A volunteer Board of Directors that highly values Catholic education governs Immaculate Heart of Mary School. The school receives no government funding for its operations, relying on modest fundraising, the generosity of its benefactors and the tuition of its students. The school complies with the provincial Schools Act, and in particular, the section pertaining to "Private Schools."

Academic Program

School Hours
The school opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. The Breakfast Program operates daily from 7:30 a.m. until 8:20 a.m. School begins for all students with Home Room at 8:20 a.m. Lunch is from 12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Classes end at 2:50 p.m. The After-School Program begins at 3:00 p.m. and concludes at 5:00 p.m.

Attendance
Regular attendance is essential to ensure the success of each student. Students are required to attend punctually and regularly all classes unless prevented from doing so by illness or other legitimate reason. IHMS adheres to the Provincial School’s Act regarding attendance. Accurate recording and reporting are essential. If a child is absent from school, parents are asked to notify the office by 9:00 a.m. If a parent is unable to do so, the office will make every effort to contact the home regarding the child’s status. A note from the parent/guardian is required to explain any absence.

Punctuality/Late Slips
A student arriving late must sign in at the office. In order to maintain a well organized learning environment, parents are asked to make every effort to have their child to school on time.

Early Dismissal & Telephone
Students who need to leave during the instructional day for any legitimate reason are required to provide a note of explanation from the parent or guardian. This will also apply to those participating in the After-School Program. Please try to schedule appointments during after-school hours or workshop days. If you need to get in contact with your child during the day, please contact the office and the message will be delivered as soon as possible.

Report Cards
Reporting on your child’s work will take place three times per year. A 1st term Progress Report will be issued the last week of November, followed by a Parent - Teacher Conference. The 1st Term Report Card will be issued the month of February (This allows for the completion of the Junior/Senior High Exams). A Parent - Teacher Conference is held after this reporting period. Students will receive the June Report Card on the last day of school before summer vacation.

Parent - Teacher Conference sessions are only one way for parents to check on the progress of their child. Therefore, we encourage regular contact between parents and teachers. Parents may also schedule appointments with staff by telephoning the office (634-1700).

Uniforms

The IHMS uniform ensures the Christian modesty of our student body.

The uniform consists of the following:

Boys (JK-Gr. 6):

• Long sleeve white button down dress shirt
• School Tie
• Grey dress pants
• Navy blue School Vest (includes Crest of School)
• Black shoes

Boys (Gr. 7 - Lvl III) may also wear:

• White polo and v-neck sweater (with school crest) and grey dress pants.

Girls (JK - 3)

• Long sleeve white button down blouse
• Grey Tunic (includes Crest of School)
• Navy Blue Tights or knee socks
• Black shoes

Girls (Grades 4 - 6)

• Long sleeve white button down blouse
• School Tie
• Navy kilt
• Navy blue School Vest (includes Crest of School)
• Navy blue tights or knee socks
• Black shoes

Girls (Gr. 7 - Lvl III) may also wear:

• White blouse and cardigan (with school crest) and navy dress pants.

During the Physical Education class, clothing consists of a plain t-shirt, sweat pants or shorts. Parents should label all clothing. On P.E. days, JK to Grade 2 students should wear their P.E. clothes instead of their uniform.

Please note: To avoid injury, dangling earrings are not permitted during school hours.

Chapel
Each morning at 8:30 a.m., the school community will meet in the Monsignor Boone Memorial Chapel for Prayer. This is considered part of the students' school day.

Safety and Transportation
Transportation to and from school is the responsibility of the parents. Parents are asked to use extreme caution when entering the parking lot. When facing the school, parents should enter on the right hand side of the parking lot and exit on left hand side. To help avoid congestion, we ask parents of older students (Grades 4-10) to deliver students to the front of the school and have them walk to the main entrance, the entrance facing All Hallows Church. Parents may accompany their child into the building. At dismissal time, parents are welcome to wait for their child on the first floor near the main office area. For the safety of the students, parents will be required to inform the school their child’s usual way of returning home from school. On those days when a child is to go home by another means.

Technology Policy
Elementary - High School Technology Policy
Primary Technology Policy