Welcome Back! We are excited to welcome the thirty-six kindergartners many of whom recently graduated from Utopia. 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.
On Monday, the first day of school, you will receive your first and, probably, biggest Envelopeof the school year! Please, watch for this Envelope again the following week, on September 4th, 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. 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
STM School Planner all students (3-8) $10
The following items need to be purchased only for new students:
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 at Back-to-School Night and through the school office.
Please know that parking will be very limited and difficult on the first day. Be patient. Consider dropping off you child first and finding parking over at Park Merced. There will be a few spots in the yard for Parent Club volunteers who arrive before 7:40.
Monday and Tuesday we will dismiss according to the minimum day schedule and not at 10:00am as in previous years. Wednesday will be our first full day of school. Both morning and afternoon extended care programs will begin on Tuesday, August 27th. In order to use the extended care programs, please complete the form/s you will receive on Monday. The beginning of the hot lunch program is Tuesday, September 3rd.
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 |
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 30th. We are aware that the patch that students are required to wear on their sweaters are on back order in both uniform stores. Students will have until September 30th to be compliant with this new addition to the school uniform.
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 1st 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.
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.
- Monday, August 26th, 11:15am: Kindergarten parents and all other parents new to the school will meet in the gym for orientation. We will open the schoolyard for parking following recess at 10:45am.
- The school lunch program will begin on Tuesday, September 3rd. A menu will be in your envelope and is always available on our website.
- 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. We will have a raffle for $500 off tuition for all who arrive on time! Please sign in with you child’s teacher(s). One ticket per child.
- All students and their families are expected to join us for our Back-to-School Family Mass and free School Picnic on Sunday, September 15th
Sincerely,
Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal
