Newsletter

ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER FOR AUGUST 31, 2022
 
DISMISSAL AT SMS
THE FULL BUS LANE NEEDS TO REMAIN OPEN THIS YEAR.  The Newman bus will be dropping off and picking up Dixon students and the lane will need to remain open. 

SAFE ENVIRONMENT - Anyone who plans on being in contact with students at St. Mary’s School must sign into VIRTUS and complete the Diocesan mandated requirements. Log into VIRTUS and use 2train! to open your account. Then you can set your own password.

NO SCHOOL - Monday, September 5th in honor of Labor Day.

SCHOOL PICTURES - will be taken Tuesday, September 6th. This year the students will be given a form to take home to you with instructions on how to order online. Pictures are mailed directly to you. Students need to be in uniform on picture day. This would be a polo shirt with a collar. NO spirit wear t-shirts on this day.  (Students will be able to dress down when spring pictures are taken.)

EARLY DISMISSAL – We will dismiss at 11:15am for Professional Development.

OPEN HOUSE/BOOK FAIR/GRANDPARENTS DAY – will be Sunday, September 25. The school and library will be open from 9-12. Bring your grandparents to visit your classrooms, meet your teachers and then take them to the library to explore our annual Book Fair!! There will be lots of fun games and many new books to explore! More information will be coming home.

FRUIT SALE – Believe it or not, online ordering for our Fruit Sale Fundraiser will begin on September 30^th! The website will remain open until November 3^rd. More information will be coming home.

STUDENT HEALTH INFORMATION DUE SOON
PreK & 4 yr programs: Physical
Kindergarten: Physical, an eye exam by optometrist or ophthalmologist, dental exam, vaccination record.
2nd Grade: Dental Exam
6th Grade: Physical and dental exam, *Tdap-1 immunization, and *Meningococcal-1 (*new 2020-2021)

IDPH new vaccine requirements for the 2021-2022 school year: requirement consists of one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) for 6th-grade entrance, and two doses of the vaccine for 12th-grade entrance. If the first dose of MCV4 vaccine was given on or after the 16th birthday, then only one dose is required. This is a progressive requirement.

All students in grades 5, 7, and 8 that will be participating in sports need to have a "sports physical on file in the office. If the student is a 6th grader they will NOT need a separate sports physical. A "sports physical" does not fulfill the school physical requirement. A school physical must include proof of immunizations.

MUSIC/CHOIR
Our partnership at Woodlawn Arts Academy is expanding! Not only are all K-8 students now receiving music instruction once a week, but Mrs. Mardi Huffstutler is now offering to organize a St. Mary's choir.

SPIRIT WEAR/JERSEYS – As a reminder, every Friday we will have spirit wear Friday. Shirts are to be worn tucked in with uniform bottoms. On game days, students are permitted to wear game jerseys with uniform bottoms. If jerseys are a tank top style (i.e. basketball), please wear an undershirt. No hoodies please.

LUNCH DRINKS – MILK/WATER ONLY
Drinks other than milk/water are not allowed at lunch except on special occasions. Please do not send lemonade, Kool-Aid, flavored packages, or juice boxes in your child's lunch. Thank you!

MEDICATION
If your child takes medication that is required to be administered at school, please bring the medication in a prescription container, marked with the child's name, physician's name, and dosage to be given. You will be required to sign a form giving us the authorization to administer the medication. Also, if you would like to leave over-the-counter medication here for your child/children to take, you may bring it in a small unopened container and sign an authorization form giving us permission to administer the medication to your child. Suggested medications to be brought in: Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, etc. We may NOT administer ANY medication that is not on the approved list and supplied by the parents.

CROSSING GUARD - We are still looking for Monday both before and after, Tuesday before, and Wednesday after. Morning duty is 7:45-8:00am; afternoon duty is 2:55-3:10pm. Please consider spending 15 minutes outdoors helping our students stay safe. When students are indoors due to weather, crossing guards are not needed.  Give the office a call and let Robbin know. Thank you so much!