8/25 Newsletter
Good Afternoon St. Mary Catholic School Families,
Welcome back!! Tomorrow is the first day of school!! I want to highlight three important things: it is a full school day for grades K-8, our new dismissal time is 3:15, and that all students need to bring lunch tomorrow as there is no cafeteria service on the first day.
This year we will be implementing Virtues in Practice, a program by the Dominican Sisters to help children learn about, grow in, and practice virtue. Virtues, or good practices, are not just something to know, but to do. This entire year we will emphasize the theological virtue of Faith and the virtue we highlight each month will focus on Catholic devotions and the idea that “faith works” (Galatians 5:6). There are take-home projects each month that students will complete and house points will be awarded based on completion of these projects. Our first project will be sent home next week.
If you have any questions or concerns as we go through this year, please know that my door is always open.
In Christ,
Dr. Amy Summers
Drop-off and Pick-up
Our day will begin at 8:15 a.m. and end at 3:15 p.m. Students may be dropped off at 7:50 a.m., and may enter the building at 7:55 a.m., going directly to the gym (Grades K - 8). Gates will close at 8:10 a.m. and after that students must be brought in through the front door. Students must be in the classroom by 8:10. Dismissal will be at 3:15 p.m. The gates will open up for dismissal at 3:00. All students must be picked up by 3:25 or they will be sent to Aftercare.
House System
This year we will be using a House system. Each student will belong to one of four Houses: St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, or St. John. Houses will have monthly meetings, competitions, service projects, prayer and activities to help build school culture and community. Students will remain in the same House for their tenure at St. Mary Catholic School. Students found out at the Meet and Greet which House they are in. If you were unable to attend, please check the packet we will send home on Monday.
House T-Shirts
All students will be billed for a “house” t-shirt that we will be ordering for you. Please use this Google Form to choose your child’s size. Please complete this form by August 30th.
Forms in Finalsite
Please be sure to login to Finalsite to complete mandatory forms. They must be completed by every family prior to the start of school. Please check for an email you received from Jenny Beck for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Jenny (jbeck@stmarycatholicschool.org).
Photo ID for Students Picked Up Early
Safety is our number one priority. We are asking that anyone who picks up a student from school during the school day present a photo ID at the office. Please do not be insulted if we ask for one as we will be asking all parents/emergency contacts to present one if they are picking up the student at a time outside of our normal dismissal.
Before and After Care
Before care is available at 7:30 AM. After care begins at 3:15 and is available until 5:30. Before care is a flat rate of $4. After care is $8/hour prorated by the minute.
Before and after care will be available beginning the first day of school. Students attending before care will need to be dropped off at the Primary Door and signed in by an adult. After care will be held on the second floor of the primary wing. Parents will need to ring the bell outside the Primary Door and wait for an attendant to bring their children to them.
No Lunch for Purchase on First Day
All students must bring a lunch from home on 8/26. There will be no school lunch for purchase.
School Calendar
Tomorrow, August 26,will be the first day of school for Kindergarten through 8th grades. It will be a full day of school. The school year calendar is available here and on the school website. The Google calendar on the website is updated and we will continue to add dates as events are planned. You can sync the school’s Google calendar to your own calendar using the “+GoogleCalendar” button at the bottom right of the calendar on our website.
PreK3 will begin on August 27 and PreK4 will begin on August 27 with a staggered start. Please check your email from the PreK3/4 teachers about this.
Daily Mass
Please join us for Mass at 8:25 each day. Our first school Mass will be on August 30th.
School Uniforms
Here is a link to the uniform policy.
Restaurant Nights
Please support SMCS at the following restaurant nights that have been arranged by HSA. A percentage of the sales that evening benefit SMCS.
September 5 - Jimmy John’s (Spark Drive location) 4 pm - 8 pm
September 23 - Panera Bread 4 pm - 8 pm
Lunch Menus
Please use these links for the August Menu and September Menu.
Availability of Asbestos Management Plan
In October 1986, the U.S. Congress enacted the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). Under this law, comprehensive regulations were developed to address asbestos problems in public and private elementary and secondary schools. These regulations require most schools to inspect for friable and non-friable asbestos, develop asbestos management plans that address asbestos hazards in school buildings and implement response actions in a timely manner.
These regulations assign schools many new responsibilities. Our program for fulfilling these responsibilities is outlined in our asbestos management plan. This plan contains information on our inspections, reinspections, response actions and post- response action activities, including periodic surveillance activities that are planned or are in progress. This plan is on file in the Principal’s Office. You can review this plan during normal business hours without cost or restriction. If you have any questions about reviewing our management plan please contact asummers@stmarycatholicschool.org.
Upcoming Dates
August 26 First Day of School (K-8)
September 2 No School (Labor Day)
September 5 Jimmy John’s Restaurant Night
September 10 Picture Day
September 11 Lockdown Drill
September 12 Back to School Night (PreK-2 6-6:30; 2-5 6:30 - 7)
September 13 House Spirit Day
September 16-19 MAP Testing
September 19 Back to School Night (Middle School 6-7)
September 23 Panera Bread Restaurant Night
September 26 TAG Day (Hat Day)