Back to School Newsletter - Important 1st Day of School Information

Dear Friends,

Welcome Back! We are excited to welcome the forty kindergartners who have replaced the thirty-six graduates who left in June, eighteen of whom recently graduated from Utopia Preschool. Another special welcome goes out to the eighteen, new, first through eighth graders who are joining us this year. It is our expectation that all our new students and their families will again be warmly welcomed and enjoy their time at St. Thomas More School. Our school continues to thrive because of your wonderful community spirit and the precious children you entrust to our care.

Tomorrow you are receiving your first and, probably, biggest Envelope of the school year! Please, watch for this Envelope again next week, on Wednesday, August 29^th, and throughout the school year each Wednesday.  It contains useful information from the Archdiocese, STM parish, the school, Parents’ Club, Athletic Board and various other groups. Please return the signed purple envelope with your child no later than Friday each week and include any necessary forms or responses. Important forms that require your attention will be included in your Envelope tomorrow. Please complete and return them immediately.

• Universal Medical Information/Emergency Contact Release and Consent Form
• Disaster Form
• AM Extended Care Sign up
• PM Extended Care Sign up/Authorization

When the school bell rings at 8:10, all parents will be required to leave the schoolyard so that students may line up and prepare for morning assembly. Immediately following the assembly, the Parents’ Club will host a “Welcome Back” reception in Carroll Hall. Coffee and breakfast treats will be provided. The Parents’ Club will also be selling used uniforms and school supplies at this time. The following school supplies will be available tomorrow (cash or checks only):

Nap Mats (Kindergarten)        $10
STM School Planner (3-8)      $10
Atlas (4-8)                               $15
Bible (6-8)                               $15
FX-55 Calculator (5-8)            $10
TI-108 Calculator (3-4)            $5

These items will also be available through the school office beginning Friday and at Back-to-School Night.

After tomorrow’s early dismissal we will ease into the school year. Friday, the 24^th is a minimum day according to the schedule provided. Both morning and afternoon extended care programs will begin on Friday. In order to use the extended care program, please complete the form/s you are receiving tomorrow. The first full day of school, and the beginning of the hot lunch program is Monday, August 27^th.

SCHOOL HOURS:
School hours and dismissal times:

	Monday-Thursday	Friday	Minimum Days
Kinder-3rd grade	8:10-2:45	8:10-2:15	8:10-12:15
4th-8th grade	8:10-3:00	8:10-2:30	8:10-12:30

UNIFORMS:
Please follow closely the uniform regulations and pay special attention to the shoe requirements. Students wearing incorrect footwear will be required to replace them. If you are unsure of the suitability of a particular shoe, please check with the school office. The Parents’ Club will also be selling good quality used uniforms at Back-to-School Night on August 30^th.

MORNING EXTENDED CARE:
Morning Extended Care in under the direction of Sue Kapovich, our first grade teacher. The before school extended care program is NOT a drop-in program. The program is held in the 1^st grade classroom each morning from 7:00 a.m. to 7:45. Students may arrive for the program at any time during that period. If you sign up for morning care, please understand that, while the commitment to this program is for the school year, you do not need to have your child present for the program each day. The cost of this program is $350 per year, payable in 4 installments. An enrollment form will be included in your envelope tomorrow.

AFTER-SCHOOL EXTENDED CARE:
Our Extended Care Director is John Kavanagh. This is a drop in program and can be used at any time. However, in order to attend it is important that the necessary forms are prepared in advance. If you think your child may use this program any time during the school year, please complete the necessary forms at this time. Advance sign up is not necessary for the after-school extended care program. It is a good idea for parents of lower grade students to notify their children’s teachers, in writing, when they are planning to use the extended care program. The hourly charge is $4 per hour or fraction thereof. Extended care runs from dismissal each day until 6:00 p.m. Families of students not picked up by 6:00pm will incur a charge of $1 per minute, per child. Billing will be sent out at the end of each month. Further information and a pick-up authorization sheet will be in your envelope tomorrow.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
While you will receive a full calendar of September events in next week’s Wednesday Envelope, we ask you to please mark your calendar for some important upcoming events.

• Thursday, August 23^rd, 10:30am: Kindergarten families will meet in the Kindergarten classroom for orientation and the 1^st-8^th grade new families will meet in the 1^st grade classroom.
• The school lunch program will begin on Monday, August 27^th. This will be included in your envelope tomorrow and is always available on our website.
• Thursday, August 30th, is our Back-to-School Night beginning at 6:30pm in the gym. This is a mandatory meeting for all families. At least one parent from each family is required to attend.
• All students and their families are expected to join us for our Back-to-School Family Mass and School Picnic on Sunday, September 9^th.

The new school year always brings with it a mixed bag of emotions. Disappointment at the end of summer vacation and excitement and anxiety over what the new school year will bring. We look forward to partnering with you and your child as they begin their journey here at St. Thomas More School!

Sincerely,

Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal