September, 2011

Welcome back to a new school year!  While the weather has been hot, it’s been a very quiet beginning to the year.  The first school Mass was yesterday and we are thankful to be celebrating our faith as a community.  A special “welcome” is sent to our new families and students.  St. Catharine students are very welcoming to those who join our school community!

A couple of reminders as we begin the year:

•  Beginning Tuesday, September 6 and continuing through Friday, September 16, our students will be learning about the changes that will be taking place this fall in the celebration of the mass.  Fr. Lumpe spent time with the faculty in reviewing these changes, and the teachers have new materials that they will use in the classrooms with our students.  They will bring this home every night to share with their parents.  Please remember to ask your children what they have learned and let them be your teachers on the changes in the New Roman Missal.
•  There is a “sign-off” sheets enclosed in this Parent Pack.  We ask that you read the information thoroughly and then return the Parent Signature form:
  1. Permission to use student photographs (without names) on either our school website or for marketing/ public relations/ news articles.
  2. Acknowledgement of parent understanding of the policies contained in the updated Parent Handbook (found on-line at www.stcatharineschool.com).  If you do not have access to a computer, please call the school and we will send home a “hard copy” of the handbook.
  3. Acknowledgement of the AR Reading Program in regard to books found in the public libraries.
•  Please carefully review the September calendar, particularly the Curriculum Nights for parents (Thursday, September 8 for grades 1 – 4; Tuesday, September 20 for grades 5 – 8).
•  Please remember to check the school website (www.stcatharineschool.com) for current information, reminders, school calendar, lunch menus, volunteer schedules, and the daily student homework from teachers.  This website is a valuable information and communication tool for parents and the school….please visit often!
•  Please remember to call into the school before 8:30 if your child will be out of class due to illness.  Requests for homework must be made at this time if you are planning on picking up student work at the end of the day.
•  Please read the changes in celebrations for birthdays that is found in the Parent/ Student Handbook.  Given the increase in food allergies, this change still allows for a celebration of a student’s birthday…..but in a different format.  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding with this change.

•   Emergency cards contain important information.  If you have a change of address, phone number, and/or medical issues, please call the school or write a note so that this information can be changed on the card.
•  Drop-off and pick-up of students should happen in the back parking lot of the school for those parents who drive their children to and from school.   The dismissal of the final students from the back of the school has been less than 10 minutes! Thank you for your cooperation with this.  Please remember not to park or stop on the west side of Broadleigh or the east side of Gould.  It is difficult for Safety Patrol to safely cross students with parked cars in these areas.

Again, welcome to our new students and new staff:
 Miss Logan  Grade 1
 Miss Smith  Grade 6
 Mrs. Pitstick  Music
 Mrs. Case   Tutor
 Mrs. Morford  School Nurse
 Miss Stebelton  Preschool Head Teacher
 Mrs. Richards  Preschool Head Teacher
 Mrs, Abel  Preschool Aide
 Mrs. Eramo  Preschool Aide
 
As always, please call if there are any questions or concerns.  Questions regarding classroom concerns or student progress should begin with the classroom teacher.  Working together as a faith community, our students will continue to increase in both their faith development and their academic work.

Sincerely,

Janet L. Weisner
Principal