Newsletter

ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER FOR AUGUST 17, 2022
 
TUITION - Statements were mailed for Annual, Semi-Annual, and Quarterly tuition payments. They are due now. Monthly payments began this month.

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL
Attn. Dixon families:  The Newman bus has changed Dixon pickup times.  Please note the following!  
St. Mary's Dixon pick up- 7:10 am
St. Anne's Dixon pick up- 7:20 am  
 
ARRIVAL AT SMS
THE FULL BUS LANE NEEDS TO REMAIN OPEN THIS YEAR.  We can not use it for parking as the Newman bus will need the full lane to pull through to safely drop off Dixon students. Please be mindful of this and leave the bus lane open. 
 
DISMISSAL AT SMS
THE FULL BUS LANE NEEDS TO REMAIN OPEN THIS YEAR.  The Newman bus will be picking up Dixon students at 3 pm 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.

INDIVIDUALIZED BIRTHDAY TREATS - Grades K-5 - please check with your child’s teacher prior to bringing in your individualized/store-bought treats. Grades 6-8 individualized/store-bought treats may be given to classmates during their lunch period which is 12:10-12:35.

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.

EMERGENCY FORM – will be sent home today, August 17th on bright orange paper. Please complete BOTH sides of this form and return it to the office as soon as possible. This form is necessary for us to inform us of any special health conditions your child/children may have as well as make us able to contact parents in case of an emergency.  It also gives us names of responsible adults that we could contact if unable to reach the parents. Please be sure and indicate M-Mom or D-Dad on the cell numbers provided.  On the reverse side is the Driver’s Information form. Please complete this form so it is on file for any time you transport children. Once completed, it is good for the entire year, unless you make changes to your vehicle or insurance carrier.  If you make changes, you need to update the form accordingly. PLEASE GET YOURS TURNED IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IT’S SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THANK YOU!!!

PRIVACY/PHOTO RELEASE FORM - is being sent home today. Please complete the form, marking either YES or NO to each question, and return it to the office as soon as possible.  If a form is not submitted, we will assume permission is denied for all events. We will never submit a picture of any student for publication in a community or Diocesan paper without your permission. We do submit pictures without names throughout the year to highlight some of the activities we do here. Please know, that we would never submit a picture with names without your verbal approval.

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 with information 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.)

YARD SIGNS - Official St. Mary’s Yard Signs are available for purchase for $10. They are double-sided and come complete with a sturdy steel holder to keep the sign in place in the ground! Great way to market our school!

STUDENT WATER BOTTLES – Students are NOT required to bring water bottles to school everyday. Our drinking fountains are open, serving ice cold water!! Some teachers may request their students bring water bottles, but if not, please don’t send one.

HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION- Did you miss the Home and School table at Back-to-School night?  No problem!  The Home and School Association is our version of a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization).  This association meets about once a quarter to discuss fun happenings for the students as well as special days for teachers.  If you are interested in getting information about upcoming events and activities, please email [email protected].  Heather Jenkins and Raeann Reyes are the Home and School leaders and will be organizing information for you soon. 

ROOM PARENTS - Thanks to all who signed up during Open House night! We are still looking for a Lead Parent for Grade 5 and 7. Please call the office and let Robbin know if you can help out.

CROSSING GUARD - We are still looking for volunteers for all 5 days. 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!

Volunteers are needed on the following days and times:
Monday- arrival and dismissal
Tuesday- arrival and dismissal
Wednesday- dismissal
Thursday- dismissal
Friday- arrival and dismissal

DRESS CODE DISCIPLINE

1. Students are responsible for knowing and complying with the dress code. Parents have the primary responsibility to see that their child is in compliance. 
2. All staff members have the responsibility and authority for ensuring compliance with the dress code.
3. Repeat violations will be a reason for discipline.
   1. Warnings about dress code violations will be given out at any time.  
   2. The dress code will be checked every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month during the 1st period.  Students not in compliance will have the following consequences:
      1. Kindergarten-Grade 5 = Students in violation will need to walk the perimeter of the playground during one recess on the next school attendance day.  Parents will receive written notification.   
      2. Grades 6-8 = Students in violation will receive a timeout during recess on the next school attendance day.  Parents will receive written notification.
         1. Students that receive 5 or more dress code violations will begin serving 30-minute after-school detentions on the next school attendance day.    
4. The principal may allow variations of the dress code on specific days and will make the final determination regarding dress and grooming not specifically covered by the dress code.