Wednesday, August 20, 2014

STM Newsletter for August 20, 2014

Dear Friends,

Greetings and welcome from St. Thomas More School! In just a short time, Tuesday, 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. Besides ordering textbooks and supplies, cleaning the school building inside and out, servicing the bleachers and the basketball hoops, and making some limited repairs, we have also updated and painted the girls and boys bathrooms, and installed a new kitchen in the teachers room. All this in an effort to maintain our level of academic excellence and to keep the facilities in good shape.

There have been some additions to the faculty and some juggling, from last year to this, of the roles some faculty will play. Taking over the reigns in 2nd grade are Megan Kennedy and Judy DeMicheli. Fourth grade will be taught by Alison Verzosa. We are happy to have Joanne Kane as the new 5th grade teacher. Anna Tyaglo will be joining us as an additional full time kindergarten aide. Helping out in 3rd and 5th grade is Carla Blenkinsop, and we welcome Jeannette Santillan-Gray who will aide in 6th, 7th and 8th grade.
 
SCHOOL HOURS: Our first day of school, Tuesday, August 26th, will begin at 8:10, with dismissal at 12:15/12:30pm. There is no after school care that day. 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. There will be limited parking in the schoolyard for those who arrive before 7:45am. 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. All families new to the school are required to attend an orientation beginning at 11:00am in the gym.

After Tuesday’s early dismissal we will ease into the school year. Wednesday, the 27th is also a minimum day according to the schedule provided. Both morning and afternoon extended care programs will begin on Wednesday, August 27th. The first full day of school will be Thursday, August 28th. From this point on, we will follow regular school hours and dismissal times.

Regular 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: 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. The Parents’ Club will be selling good quality used uniforms on several occasions during the month of August. These include the first day of school and also at Back-to-School Night.
MORNING EXTENDED CARE BEGINS 8/27: 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 to 7:45. Students may arrive for the program at any time during that period. The cost of this program is $350 per child, per year, payable in 4 installments. Billing will be through FACTS. Further information and an enrollment form will be sent home to you on the first day of school.

AFTER-SCHOOL EXTENDED CARE BEGINS 8/27: 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 through FACTS. 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 28th, is our Back-to-School Night beginning at 7:00pm in the gym. This is a mandatory meeting for all families. At least one parent from each family is required to attend. As per the 2014-2015 Parent Participation Requirements, families without a representative in attendance will be assessed a $25 fee for a missed meeting. While it would be ideal if children could stay at home, we understand this is not always possible. Childcare for younger children enrolled at STM will be available in Carroll Hall at $10 per family. Please click here to make a reservation for childcare. We can only accommodate families who have pre-registered.
  • The school lunch program will begin on Tuesday, September 2nd. 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 and picnic (following Mass) on Sunday, September 7th.
If you have any questions or concerns between now and the start of school do email us at office@stmsf.org.

Please keep Monsignor Labib in your thoughts and prayers.  He has been hospitalized several times during the summer and has now returned to the rectory and is under hospice care. We welcome Father Bernard Poggio to the St. Thomas More Community.

The city is currently in the process of re-striping Brotherhood Way. They will also be installing an additional signal at the new development at Summit 800 and Brotherhood Way next week. Please be prepared for delays and allow extra time when dropping off and picking up your child from school.

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 or continue their journey here at St. Thomas More School!

Sincerely,

Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal