STM Newsletter for August 14th, 2015
Dear Parents,
Greetings and welcome from St. Thomas More School! In just a short time, Tuesday, August 25th, 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, and making some limited repairs, we have also updated and made some fantastic additions to our library. All this in an effort to maintain our level of academic excellence and to keep the facilities in good shape.
Unfortunately, the building of the stage has not gone ahead as hoped. The architects are still working out final details. We hope to proceed sometime over the next couple of months without interfering too much with the regular of the gym.
We've had a few staff changes over the summer. Mrs. Santillan will be taking over as home room teacher in the 6th grade classroom. Replacing her as Junior High math teacher, will be Mr. McKillion. We also welcome Mrs. Goel who will be working as a teachers' aide in the primary grades.
We would like to congratulate our Kindergarten teacher, Anna Tyaglo and her husband, Oleg, on the birth of their second child, Robert in July. We know David (2nd grade), is doing a great job of being an older brother and helping mom take care of the baby.
SCHOOL HOURS:
Our first day of school, Tuesday, August 25th, 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.
After Tuesday's early dismissal we will ease into the school year. Wednesday, the 26th is also a minimum day according to the schedule provided. Both morning and afternoon extended care programs will begin on Wednesday, August 26th. The first full day of school will be Thursday, August 27th. 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 | UNIFORM SALES AT STM:
Do you have your child(ren)'s school uniforms yet? Don't forget that tomorrow, Saturday, August 15th we have the new and used uniform sale in the gym from 9-11am. The Parents' Club will also sell used uniforms on first day of school and also at Back-to-School Night on August 27th. 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.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES: The K-8 school supply lists are all online. Planners for grades 2-5 will be delivered directly to your child's classroom within the first two weeks of school and will billed through FACTS ($10 each).
MORNING EXTENDED CARE BEGINS 8/26:
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 8/26:
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. 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 27th, 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. As per the 2015-2016 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. A lucky attending family will receive $500 off their 2015-2016 tuition in our raffle. Be there on time as we draw the winning name promptly at 6:30pm.
- The school lunch program will begin on Thursday. August 27th. 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 13th.
We welcome our new pastor, Father Marvin Felipe. Please introduce yourself and welcome him to our community.
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!
If you have any questions or concerns between now and the start of school do email us at office@stmsf.org.
Sincerely,
Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal
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