Living as members of our Catholic Faith Community;
Loving God and all of His creation; and
Learning for our future on Earth and in Heaven.
August 21 Back to School/Supply Drop Off /Yearbook Pictures and Student Photo 4:30-6:30 PM
August 22 First Day of School
August 22 Quarter 1 begins
September First Mass
September 4 No School/Labor Day
September STAR Reading and Math Assessment Begins
September 15th Third Friday Count Day
September 12th Fire Drill
September 13th Alternate Date for Fire Drill
September 22 No School for Students/Staff In-Service Day
September 22 No school- Staff In-service
September TBA Fountas and Pinnell Reading Assessment Begins
September 30th Picture Retake Day 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
October 5 No school- Staff In-service
October 6 No School-Staff In-service
October 14 SOLES WALK FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION/ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
Hello St. Rita Parents and Students,
I am honored to join you as your new principal this year. This will be my 24th year working in education and I am excited to begin it with your children! It is my personal mission to help children reach their full potential and I believe St. Rita has a dedicated staff who work hard to do this. Here is a bit more about me if you are interested.
As you continue to enjoy everything summer has to offer, on behalf of St. Rita's, I would like to welcome our new and returning families. The purpose for this communication is to provide you with some priority notices as you prepare for the fall school year. I cannot wait to meet everyone!
August 21st is St. Rita's Back to School/Drop off School Supplies Night from 4:30-6:30 p.m. 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.
August 22nd 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 2023-24 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 regarding skirt/jumper length that we have addressed from last year. In addition, please consider reviewing the Uniform Dress Code section with your child. You can find the link to the revised Handbook at the bottom of the newsletter. All of this and much more will be contained in the Student/Parent/Staff Handbook. Stay tuned.
Please note the arrival and dismissal times. It is important that each and everyday your child arrives to school on time and is picked up on time. Note the differences for 3K/4K students vs. K-8th grade students. Details forthcoming in the Handbook. However, a quick glance is provided below for you as a reference and early planning.
Please also note that we do not allow beverages other than water in the classrooms (outside of celebrations). Enjoy your Starbucks and lemonade before and after school!
I look forward to meeting everyone during the first days of school and I know we will have a great school year!
Yours,
Beth Woodward
bwoodward@sienacatholicschools.org
Principal, St. Rita School
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. 3K students should bring winter boots in appropriate weather with a change of tennis shoes.
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. Artificial nails and painted nails are not allowed. Clear polish is acceptable.
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). 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. Black or navy tights, leggings, fleece-type leggings 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/ tights 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.
We Make T-shirts is an online store where spirit wear shirts and sweaters can be purchased. T-shirts and hooded sweaters can only be worn during out of uniform days. Fleece zip ups or track jackets can be worn as part of the daily uniform. Purchase your uniform jackets here.
Arrival 3K-8
Bus riders exit the bus at 8:00am
8:00am K-8 students enter building
8:00am 3K and 4K students enter through the school doors off of Douglas Ave.
Staff will be available to guide families.
Parents will be allowed to walk up student to the doors.
Parents will not be allowed to enter the building.
Please come visit on August 21 to walk through the routine with your child as many times as needed.
8:10am students in their classrooms (tardy bell)
8:15am announcements
8:20am classes start
*Any student arriving after 8:10 is tardy and is required to report to the main office for signing in. Repeated offenders may result in progressive disciplinary action.
Dismissal 3K-8
3K and K4 students are required to be picked up at 2:50pm
Student not picked up by 3pm will be escorted to the after school care program and families will be charged.
K-8 students are required to be picked up at 3:15pm
Students not picked up by 3:15pm will be escorted to the after school care program and families will be charged.
Free and Reduced Lunch Application for 23-24 OPENS JULY 6
The 2023-24 school year free and reduced lunch application is now open. This form needs to be completed annually before the beginning of the school year. The online application is the preferred method to apply (attached is a paper copy). Please take a moment to complete the online form to renew or apply for benefits for the 23-24 school year.
When using the Meal Magic Family Portal make sure to use your username and passphrase from last school year. If you are a new family this fall, click "I need to register as a Family Portal user".
Please note that any benefits received in the 22-23 school year will not transfer over to the 23-24 school year so completing this application is very important.
Rita's Parish website is: https://www.st-ritas.org/
The "News & Events" menu has the events scheduled for the parish.
The "Welcome" page also has an "Upcoming Events" list with a link to the "News & Events" page.
The link to the bulletins is on the "Welcome" page as well.
The online Signup link is live and posted on the Parish website Festival page. /here
Feel free to forward to relatives and people that you have already recruited.
Safe Environment: How to sign up: Instructions.
Be sure to check out our Facebook page and all the great videos we post! We need you to "LIKE" us and share with family, friends and future St. Rita Royals!
We ignite a spirit of excellence in faith, knowledge,
and service, inspiring students to be who God created them to be.