Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities designed to develop leadership, responsibility, a sense of Parish and community service, and team work. Students must maintain an acceptable attendance record, satisfactory grades, and demonstrate appropriate Christian conduct in order to participate in any school-related activity, including field trips. Student activities include:

Student Council We value and encourage student input into decisions affecting St. Martin’s and student involvement in parish activities. Consequently, the Student Council is a vital part of our school and parish community. The Student Council sponsors food drives for the poor, beautifies the school, says morning and afternoon prayers, and makes recommendations for improvement and growth of the school. Their classmates elect students to the Council. Candidates for the Student Council must maintain a B average, demonstrate exemplary conduct, and show leadership ability and school spirit. Officers must be in the following grades and are elected in a school-wide election. President: Grade 8 Vice-President: Grade 7 Treasurer: Grade 6 Secretary: Grade 5

Safety Patrol The Safety Patrol works as a unit of the Montgomery County Safety Patrol program. The members are volunteers from Grades 6 through 8 and serve under the direction of a faculty moderator and a member of the Montgomery County Police Department. The faculty moderator appoints safety Patrol Officers. Safety Patrols are charged with helping to maintain safety on the playground, at street crossings, and during dismissal time. Safety Patrol members must demonstrate excellent conduct (no detentions) and maintain grades of C and above.

Sports In addition to regular classes in Physical Education and lively inter-class competition, students at St. Martin’s School enjoy a growing athletic program offering participation in a variety of sports. Teams are organized at several class levels and may compete in CYO or local area leagues. The program is operated on a volunteer basis and is open to all Parish children, as well as all St. Martin’s School students in the proper age groups.

Altar Servers Eligibility for Altar Servers begins in Grade Four for boys and girls. The opportunity for signing up occurs at the end of third grade. A period of training is given. The Servers have meetings several times a year in addition to serving at their assigned Mass times. Being an Altar Server is an excellent way for a student to become involved in the Liturgy.

Scouts Scouting is available to St. Martin’s School students in groups directly sponsored by the Parish. These groups include Girl Scouts (Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes), Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts. For additional information, please call the coordinator listed in the Who’s Who section of this handbook.

Band Students in Grades 4 through 8 may receive music lessons as part of the Archdiocesan Music Program. A part-time teacher, designated by the Archdiocesan music program, conducts the classes and trains the band. A participation fee is charged.

Class Trips Class trips are planned by the faculty in order to provide enrichment of classroom learning. A standard permission slip, approved by the Archdiocese of Washington, is sent home and must be signed by the parent or legal guardian and returned by the due date. Telephone approval by the parent is not a legally binding permission and therefore is never acceptable.