Dear
Friends
Greetings
from St. Thomas More School! In just a short time, Monday,
August 26th, we will be back in school. Time does pass too
quickly!
Here
at school, we have been busy preparing for the new school year. The office
reopened on August 1st and Melody and Rita have been busy ordering
textbooks and supplies, taking care of tuition payments, checking
immunizations, paying bills, and taking care of the myriad details involved in
keeping a school running smoothly. Ezequiel has cleaned and polished all
classrooms and hallways and the building is looking great. Teachers have begun
to prepare their classrooms, decorate their bulletin boards, and are excitedly
awaiting their new students.
Our
first day of school, Monday, August 26th, will begin at 8:10, with
dismissal at 12:15/12:30pm. This is a departure from previous years when we
dismissed at 10:00am on the first day. There is no after school care that day
so please make arrangements to have your child picked up at dismissal. Complete
school uniforms are to be worn and all students will need their backpacks. The
Parents’ Club will host a “Welcome Back” reception in Carroll Hall from 8:00am
until dismissal. This is such a pleasant way to meet other school parents while
students are being oriented to the new school year. School supplies will also
be available for sale as well as a quantity of used uniform items. All Kindergarten
families, as well as all other families new to the school are required to
attend an orientation beginning at 11:00am in the gym.
Following
are a few reminders to get you orientated for the coming school year.
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
|
After
Monday’s early dismissal we will ease into the school year. Tuesday, August 27th
is also a minimum day according to the schedule provided. Both morning and
afternoon extended care programs will begin on Tuesday, August 27th.
The first full day of school will be Wednesday, August 28th. Our hot
lunch program will begin after Labor Day, on Tuesday, September 3rd.
UNIFORMS:
Do
you have your child(ren)’s school uniforms yet? The closer we get to the
start of school, the busier Dennis Uniform and Simply Uniforms get. Washed and
neatly pressed (pleated) uniforms are required for all students on the first
day of school. 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.
Don’t forget that this year we have introduced a patch with the school logo to
be placed on the school cardigan. Both Dennis Uniform and Simply Uniforms carry
this patch. The Parents’ Club will be selling good quality used uniforms on
several occasions during the month of August. These include during the social
on the first day of school and also at Back-to-School Night on August 29th.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL
SALES:
Items
such as planners, atlases, bibles, and calculators will be available during the
first day of school (in Carroll Hall) and also at Back-to-School Night.
MORNING
EXTENDED CARE:
The
Morning Extended Care Program is under the supervision of Sue Kapovich and is
held in the 1st grade classroom each morning from 7:00 to 7:45. Students
may arrive for the program at any time during that period. The before school
extended care program is NOT a drop-in program. 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. Further information and an enrollment form will be sent home to
you on the first day of school. This program will begin on Tuesday, August 27th.
AFTER-SCHOOL
EXTENDED CARE:
Our
Extended Care Director is John Kavanagh. 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 sent home to you on the
first day of school.
UPCOMING
EVENTS:
While
you will receive a full calendar of September events in your first Wednesday
Envelope, we ask you to please mark your calendar for some upcoming events.
- Thursday, August 29th, 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. Students will need to stay home that evening.
- The school lunch program will begin on Tuesday, September 3rd. As soon as the menu is prepared, we will post it on the school website.
- All students and their families are invited to join us for our Back-to-School Family Mass on Sunday, September 15th.
If
you have any questions or concerns between now and the start of school do give
us a call. The school office will continue to be open by 9:00am each day during
the remainder of the summer with the exception of August 14th and
August 22nd which are set aside for faculty in-services and retreat.
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 and/or continue their journey here at St. Thomas More School!
Sincerely,
Marie
Fitzpatrick
Principal
