August 22 Back to School/Supply Drop Off /Yearbook Pictures and Student Photo-4:30-6:30 PM
August 23 First Day of School
August 23 Quarter 1 begins
September 1 First Mass
September 5 No School/Labor Day
September 12 STAR Reading and Math Assessment Begins
September 16 First Friday Count Day
September 20 Fire Drill
September 21 Alternate Date for Fire Drill
September 23 No School for Students/Staff In-Service Day
September 30 Fountas and Pinnell Reading Assessment Begins
September 30 Picture Retake
October 15 SOLES WALK/ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
Oh dear! The excitement is in the air as we have now reached August! While still plenty of time for summer fun, it is also time to start thinking about returning to school! It is a good idea to mark several important dates down on your calendars.
First---August 22 is St. Rita's Back to School/Drop off School Supplies Night. Please feel free to bring your child's school supplies and drop them off in his/her room. Meet the teacher and take a school ID. Uniforms are not required for the school ID. LifeTouch will be in the gymnasium/cafeteria.
Second--August 23 is our First Day Back! School uniforms are required for 4K-8 grade. Students in 3K are not required to wear uniforms. It is VITAL that you review this newsletter regarding the 2022-23 Uniform Dress Codes which includes: Uniform Dress Code and Out of Uniform Day (OOU) information as well. We will be focusing on proper dress code attire from day 1. While, the school uniform colors have not changed, there are some specific changes that need to be noted as a difference from last year. We will be holding tight to this Policy so please spend time reading. in addition, please consider reviewing the Uniform Dress Code section with your child. We will be sending out a hard copy (1 per family) of our 2022-23 School Handbook. You and your child(ren) will be required to sign off indicating acknowledgement of the Handbook.
A digital copy of the 2022-23 Handbook is noted in this newsletter. Please continue to scroll down for the digital version. There is a lot of helpful information.
I am so honored to announce that we are completely staffed with several outstanding new educators to St. Rita's. I am delighted that our staff is ready and eager to welcome your children back to school. Please see the section below as I highlighted their names. You will learn more about them in the coming months.
Please make sure you review the cell phone policy included in this newsletter. The expectations are clearly defined. We understand the importance of cell phones; however it is imperative that these devices remain out of sight and in student lockers at all times. We are always accessible via the main office phone line if in the event you do not want your child to bring their phone to school. We welcome this. Social media and use of the cell phones are a major distraction to the learning environment. Please spend time reviewing the cell phone policy with your child.
Parent Back To School Quick Tips!
Use a calendar to count down the days.
Start bedtime routines earlier.
Back to school shopping.
Find a go to school friend or car pool buddy.
Talk about studying time/reading time/homework time-what this might look like for you child after school.
Show and tell them you think about them, even when in school.
Plan to write little notes to them to place in their lunchbox or back pack.
Show up on August 22 to meet and greet staff and friends.
Plan for child care before or after school as needed.
Chat about what school might look like for your child.
Chat about what you did while you were their age in school.
Ease into the routine.
Consider setting goals and expectations for your children while in school.
Consider joining St. Rita's Royal Parent School Association-RPSA!
They will be available on August 22nd!
Blessings,
Dr. Sue
4K Educational Assistant (EA)
Ms. Amanda Wagner
3K Grade Teacher
Ms. Terrie Zondag
1st Grade Teacher
Ms. Julie Bach
2nd Grade Teacher
Ms. Susan Wiemer
5th Grade Teacher
Mr. Marquell Moorer
8th Grade Teacher
Mr. Ken Hinkle
Cell phones or other personal technology devices (cell phones, iPods, iPads, tablets, or other such personal devices) are unacceptable during the school day which includes lunch and lunch recesses, recesses and anywhere in the building or church building; as it is best not to disturb the learning environment If a family insists that a student must carry a cell phone to school, the phone must be kept out of sight and in a locker the whole day. Cell phones are not allowed out at any time during the school day. If in any fashion a cell phone is being used during the day, in the building or outside during the school day, the student is required to give their cell phone to the adult who noticed the behavior. The adult will wrap it up with a piece of paper with the student’s first name, last name, and grade level on it. All cell phones will be turned into the main office to the administrative assistant. Parents/guardians will be notified as time permits within one or two days of the confiscated phone and ready for pick up. Parents/guardians are required to pick up the cell phone before 3:45pm or the following day. No student will be allowed to retrieve their cell phones. It is a parent/guardian’s responsibility. If this happens more than twice, the student will be considered for expulsion. All cell phones and activities such as Instagram, TikToks, group chats, chats, and the like are causing a disruption to the learning environment. Therefore, there are very few exceptions to this condition as this results in social media behaviors that are significantly disturbing and disrupt the learning environment. Students will be considered for expulsion for
Confiscated cell phone more than twice.
Behaviors that cause disruption, hurt, and bullying in any fashion after the first warning will be considered for expulsion. There are no second chances.
We advise all parents to monitor their child’s cell phone and put parental notices on their phones to prevent this serious type of behavior surrounding social media incidents. These are not tolerated and police will be called.
Any inappropriate item, electronic device, or cell phone seen in use without permission at school (during school hours) will be confiscated and may be claimed by a parent or guardian after school hours only if the administrative assistant is available after school. If the administrative assistant is not available, the parent/guardian may return the next day to retrieve the phone.
POLICY 6161.2 (ARCH) ACCEPTABLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY
New technologies are changing the ways that information may be accessed, communicated, and transferred. Use of computers and the Internet are designed to serve students, faculty, staff, and volunteers of the parish/school. Network and Internet access is provided to further the legitimate educational goals of this institution. All use of the parish/school computer system must be in accordance with the goals and purposes of the institution and conducted in an ethical and legal manner. The equipment, software, network capacities, and electronic communications systems provided through the parish/school computer system are and remain the property of the parish/school. Access to the Internet and the use of the computer network, including independent use of parish/school grounds, shall be subject to this policy and accompanying regulations. The purpose of these regulations is to define guidelines for students, staff, and volunteers for the use of parish/school networked computer equipment, including those that provide Internet access. Rules for Acceptable Use of Computers and Telecommunications
Each individual student accepts responsibility to act in a moral and ethical manner when using the computer system and Internet. General parish/school rules for behavior and communication apply.
Network storage areas and parish/school-issued or personal devices may be treated like school lockers or desks. Administrators have the right to review email, files, device content, and communications to maintain system integrity and ensure that users are using the system responsibly. They may also request access to these types of documents maintained on third-party servers being used for educational purposes. Students should not expect that files will always be private.
The following are not permitted:
Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
Using obscene language
Harassing, insulting, or attacking others
Tampering with or damaging computers, computer systems, or networks
Violating copyright laws and plagiarism
Using another’s password
Trespassing in another’s folders, work, or files
Wasting limited resources
Employing the network for personal financial or commercial gain
Circumventing security measures on parish/school or remote computers or networks
Disclosing, using, or disseminating personal identification information regarding minors without authorization
Violations may result in a loss of access to computer technology, as well as disciplinary, legal, and/or monetary consequences.
The decision of the principal regarding the inappropriate use of the computer system is final. Mandatory reporting guidelines apply to all users of the parish/school computer system.
PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES
A personal electronic communication device means any device that a student is in possession of which electronically communicates, sends, receives, stores, reproduces, or displays voice and/or text communication or data. These include, but are not limited to cellular phones, pagers, smart phones, wearable devices, Wi-Fi enabled or broadband access devices, laptops, tablets, personal digital assistants, portable gaming devices, and other devices that allow a person to record and/or transmit, on either a real time or delayed basis, sound video or still images, text, or other information.
It is the user’s responsibility to:
View Internet sites that are allowed at the parish/school.
Respect the privacy rights of others.
Receive explicit consent to capture, record, or transmit the words (i.e., audio) and/or images (i.e., pictures/video) of any student, staff, or another person during any school/religious education/youth ministry activity.
Make sure no unauthorized copyrighted materials enter the network.
Ensure that the use of the device does not disrupt the learning environment. Unauthorized use of personal electronic devices includes but is not limited to the following:
Possessing, viewing, sending, or sharing video or audio information having sexual, violent, or threatening content on parish/school grounds, at parish/school events, or on school buses shall be prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.
Any files known to carry harmful malware.
Use of a device at any time in any parish/school situation where a reasonable expectation of personal privacy exists.
These locations and circumstances include but are not limited to locker rooms, shower facilities, restrooms, and any area where students or others may change clothes or be in any stage or degree of disrobing or changing clothes. The administration has the authority to determine other specific locations and situations where possession of a personal electronic device is prohibited. The student user of a personal electronic device shall accept sole responsibility for its preservation and care.
Student users understand:
The parish/school is not responsible for content already existing on student-owned devices; this would include music, lyrics, movies, pictures, games, etc.
The parish/school will not be held liable for any lost, stolen, or damaged personal devices.
The administration may confiscate and search personal electronic devices when there is reasonable suspicion that such devices are being used in violation of the law and/or parish/school rules or to hurt others such as cyberbullying and the like.
POLICY 3250 (ARCH) PROPERTY DAMAGE
Parents of students will be held responsible for the replacement cost of any materials or property which are lost or damaged through their children's negligence.
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Regular attendance at school is essential to the success and well-being of the students. Irregular attendance or frequent tardiness is detrimental to the student’s education.
SCHOOL START, TARDY AND DISMISSAL TIMES
Arrival Times
The main office opens at 7:45am. and closes at 3:45pm.
Start time during the school year
All students may enter at 8:00am.
Student tardy bell rings at 8:10am.
Students are expected to be in their classrooms by 8:10am. Failure to do so results in the following:
Parent notification KSwift.
Repeated tardiness, lunch detentions, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspensions, and expulsions.
Progressive discipline will apply to repeat offenders.
Dismissal time during the school year
3K and 4K dismissal at 2:50pm.
3K and 4K students will be walked to the main entrance and brought outside for parent pick up specifically at 2:50pm.
Students who are not picked up by 3pm will be escorted to the After School Care Program
Families will be charged for time in the after-school care program.
If waiting for another child, you may remain outside with your child or report back to your car but the younger one must be picked up no later than 2:50pm.
Kindergarten through grade 8 dismissal begins at 3:10pm.
Any student not picked up by 3:15pm is escorted to the after-school care program.
Parents are charged for the time their child spends in the room.
Parents are required to register for this care service.
To register, call 262-639-3333.
Students whose families do not pay and/or are routinely late for the 3150pm. time may be denied their enrollment.
Repeated late pick-ups- 2:50 (3K/4K) and/or 3:15pm (K-8) and/or closing time of the after-school care program (6pm) will be subject to denial of enrollment.
This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Siena offers Before and After Care for families. Please review the BASC brochure for more information on the program.
The Before and After School Care 2022-2023 hours of operation are from 6:30 to 8:05 am and 3:10 to 6:00 PM.
A $50 per family fee will collected prior to attending BASC. If not collected, the fee will be billed with the first use of services. This fee is for all families that use BASC. Checks can be made payable to the school or Siena Catholic Schools.
Hourly Rate per child: $3.75/ hr (3K-8th), Fees will be charged in 15-minute increments.
Billing is done through SMART Tuition. If a family has an existing SMART account for paying tuition, BASC Billing is done through SMART Tuition. If a family has an existing SMART account for paying tuition, BASC charges will be added to their monthly bill. Choice students will have a SMART account created for them and BASC charges will be billed monthly and due on the 28th of the following month. SMART Tuition will charge a $40 late fee for payments not received by the 28th. Cash or checks can be paid in the school office. Families that have unpaid charges may not be eligible to continue using the program.
All billing questions should go to David Adrian:
(262)833-5507 or dadrian@sienacatholicschools.org
To register for BASC please fill out the registration form here.
Please see this very IMPORTANT information from Siena’s Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. If you have any questions, please contact them at the number in the body of the message.
Please read this very IMPORTANT information from Siena’s Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. If you have any questions, please contact them at the number in the body of the message below.
For the 22-23 school year, the FDA will not be covering the cost of breakfast and lunch for school children. It is very important that you take a moment to complete the National School Lunch Program application to secure benefits for the upcoming school year. Once the application is processed, you will receive a letter in the mail stating the benefit received or if the application was denied, the reason for the denial.
For questions regarding the Free and Reduced Lunch Application, please contact Cintia Sanchez at (262) 753-1471 or csanchez@sienacatholicschools.org. Para preguntas o ayuda traduciendo a español, por favor contacte a Cintia Sanchez al 262-753-1471.
Students and families are bound by the following uniform and appearance code. Parents are responsible to see that the child(ren) conform to policies. If you have questions about a uniform item, bring the item to school or call. In cases of repeated violations, we reserve the right to have the parent bring appropriate clothing items from home, or we would provide used items to wear.
UNIFORM-DRESS CODE AND APPEARANCE
Students and their families are bound by the following uniform and appearance code for all students in grades 4K-8.
3K students are not required to wear uniforms; however, they are required to wear tennis shoes. No other shoes/boots are permitted as a “day type” shoe.
Parents are responsible to see that the child(ren) conform to this required policy. If you have questions about a uniform item, bring the item to school. In cases where a child may simply forget, we reserve the right at any time to have the parent bring appropriate clothing items from home while the child waits in the main office. Students will not be allowed to return to class until the proper uniform is worn. In addition, (pending size) we may provide used uniform items for the student to wear so that we do not disrupt their learning environment waiting for proper clothes.
The administration reserves the right to administer progressive discipline. Violations will result in disciplinary action including detention, suspension, and up to expulsion for repeated offenders.
GENERAL STUDENT APPEARANCE
Appearance of Clothing: Clean, free from wrinkles, no holes, tears, repairs, faded, or stained clothing of any kind.
Personal Hygiene and Perfume: Students in grades four through eight should shower daily and apply antiperspirant or deodorant. Perfume/cologne in any form is not allowed.
Hair: Clean and neat/combed appearance, with cut or style above the eyebrow line. Hair may not be purposely styled to stand out from the head more than an inch, and hair styling that is extreme in any way will not be permitted. Noticeable coloring, highlighting, or streaking of hair is not allowed and must be returned to the original color within 24 hours. Simple hair bands or barrettes in modest style and color may be worn.
Jewelry, Accessories, Etc.: Earrings must be smaller than a dime in circumference or length and limited to one per ear (no ear gauges or other types of piercings can be permitted). Modest necklaces and bracelets are allowed but no large medallions or noisy charms. Wallets, belt chains, keys, and purses are not permitted in class. No visible permanent or temporary tattoos can be permitted.
Spirit Wear
St. Rita Spirit Wear (separate from the uniform jacket) is purchased for outerwear or casual dress and may not be worn to class except on out-of-uniform days. Hooded sweatshirts may not be worn in class. Opportunity to purchase St. Rita spirit wear will be sent home and announced during the school year.
Special cases
In the event of a cast or medical condition, special allowances may be made to the uniform policies to accommodate individual needs.
Uniform and Appearance Violations
If students are not wearing the correct uniform, they shall be given available items from the used uniform collection to wear or a parent/guardian will be required to deliver proper attire upon notification if there is not correct sizing in the used uniform collection.
Uniform Requirements
Students and their families are bound by the uniform information noted in this communication. If questions arise about a purchased uniform item, bring it into school to check before wearing it.
Shirts and pants can be found at JCPenney, Kohls, Target, Children’s Place, Old Navy, or other stores and online. Plaid skirts or jumpers can be purchased online from RC Uniforms (Plaid 49), Catholic Supply of St. Louis (Plaid 49), Shaheen’s Department Store (Plaid 49), and Dennis Uniform (Lloyd Plaid). The nylon/fleece, t-shirts and other types of spirit wear can be ordered periodically throughout the school year; all spirit wear orders will be advertised and announced. All items must conform to stated policies.
If an undershirt is needed, students may wear a plain white T-shirt style only, and the sleeves may not show. Bras, as needed, are to be white or nude only.
Navy short/long-sleeve polo. Logo on the shirt is not a requirement.
Lloyd plaid or Plaid 49 skirts or jumpers (old and new patterns); Tan pants, shorts or pleated skirts (any style of pleat, no embellishments). Shorts, skirts, and jumpers should be no more than two inches above the knee. Cargo or athletic shorts are not acceptable. The required shorts are with button, zipper, and belt loops for boys and girls.
White, navy, or black ankle/shin-height socks; White, navy, or black tights, or navy or black leggings worn under skirts. Fleece black or navy leggings are permitted for the winter months. Sweatpants are not allowed at any time. ALL leggings must be PLAIN. No logos, designs, or writings on any leggings. Any type/color of athletic or Tennis shoe with laces or Velcro and a rubber sole. *Crocs, flip flops, or sandals of any kind are NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TIME (which includes OOU days).
Nylon/fleece spirit wear or plain knitted white or navy cardigan/pullover sweater may be worn over the uniform for warmth.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ART DRESS REQUIREMENTS
Students in grades 3K, 4K, K through grade 2 are required to wear a large white T-shirt with the student's name written in permanent marker on the front. No designs, just their first name on the front. All other students will wear their school uniforms during gym and art classes.
OUTERWEAR REQUIREMENTS
Students should wear outerwear appropriate to weather conditions and must be labeled with the student's name. If the temperature is less than 40 degrees, students will be expected to wear a proper outdoor coat. Sweatshirts are not considered coats. Snow pants, boots, mittens/gloves, and hats are needed for below-freezing temperatures, and snowy days are required for students in 3K, 4K, and kindergarten through fourth grade.
Snow pants are required for any grade-level student who would like to play in the snow. In the fall, students may wear their uniform shorts and/or skirts/skorts from August through November 15. Tights, leggings, fleece-type leggings, and/or black or navy sweatpants must be worn under the girls' skirts/skorts from November 15-March 30. Long pants are acceptable at any time. In the Spring, students may wear their uniform shorts starting April 1 through the end of the school year. Students wearing uniform skirts or skorts do not require legging/sweatpant undergarments for warmth starting from April 1 until the end of the school year.
OUT OF UNIFORM DAY REQUIREMENTS
Out of Uniform Days (OOU) are communicated by the school office through handouts, the weekly newsletter, and/or KSwift messaging and/or the classroom teacher. OOU clothing must be modest and appropriate and follow the rules as outlined in the communication sent home.
The following are not allowed on OOU days:
No tank, crop, low cut, midriffs or sleeveless tops
Shirts must fully cover the belly
No spaghetti straps, straps less than one inch
No shorts during the winter months noted above in the previous section
No holes, tears or repairs in any tops or bottoms or tops
No midriffs even with a shirt beneath pulled down
No inappropriate slogans or symbols on clothing
Sheer fabrics require a sleeved dark shirt underneath so that no skin color is shown
No caps or hats are allowed during the day; unless deemed as part of the OOU fun day.
If a hooded sweatshirt is worn, the hood must remain down at all times; unless deemed as part of the OOU fun day.
No crocs, flip flops, or sandals will be allowed
For certain OOU days and for Halloween costumes, other special restrictions, allowances, or color limitations (as for Valentine’s) will be provided in school communications.
If a student elects not to participate in the OOU day, their school uniform is required.
Violation of OOU policies/restrictions may result in exclusion from future OOU days and/or other progressive disciplinary actions from detention to possible expulsion.
SHORTS/ATHLETIC SHORTS REQUIREMENTS (UNIFORM AND FOR OOU DAYS)
3K-3rd Grade
4-inch inseam
4-8th grade
6-inch inseam
Failure to comply will result in the student being removed from the classroom until proper clothing is brought from home. Or, if the correct size is available students will wear selected uniform clothing from school. Repeated violations will result in disciplinary action including detention, suspension and up to expulsion.
COSMETICS
Only cosmetics used to treat or conceal acne, allergic condition, or skin condition are allowed. Non-colored lip balm to treat chapped lips is acceptable. All other cosmetics worn are treated as uniform infractions and subject to consequence. Any student coming to school wearing makeup will be asked to wipe it off.
Safe Environment: How to sign up: Instructions.
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