Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Thursday Note Home

Dear Families,

Greetings to all as we enjoy the last few weeks of August. I hope that this summer has been restful, restorative, and fun for everyone. It has been a busy week as we opened the school office for our eighty-second year. As a reminder, the office is open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM every day.

The school office will be closed on Friday, August 31st and Monday, September 3rd. If you have any questions, need additional copies of the calendar, uniform guidelines, etc. or are just in the neighborhood, please stop by. We would love to see you.

I’m sure many of you have already begun purchasing school supplies and additional uniform items. Teachers have returned to begin getting their classes ready. In addition to getting some well deserved rest, many of them spent time this summer working on their professional development.

The teachers, staff, and I begin our in-service days with a retreat on August 27th directed by Fr. Bryan Dolejsi. The 28th and 29th will be devoted to "housekeeping" duties associated with the start of a new year as well as focusing our efforts toward the goals identified by last year’s Accreditation study.

In staff news, Beverly Falsetta is rejoining our staff as the 7th/ 8th grade Math/Science teacher.

We are also pleased to welcome Colleen Lardie as our new 5th grade teacher and Mandi McDonald as our new Kindergarten teacher. Both these teachers come with great enthusiasm, energy, and new ideas.

We are also very excited to welcome Victoria Kristy Zalewski (Mrs. Z.) to our staff. Mrs. Z will be working part time as our art/drama teacher. She comes to us from Sacred Heart in Bellevue and before that Villa Academy.

Collette Ferdig will also be rejoining the staff as an educational aide to the faculty.

Aracely Perez is rejoining the staff as a kitchen assistant.

Our playground assistant supervisor, Bridget Gardner, will continue in her position until she goes on maternity leave.

A few reminders regarding the beginning of the year to make you aware of:

ORIENTATION DAY/SUPPLIES: PK – 8 orientations are scheduled for Thursday, August 30th from 9:00 – 12:00 and 1:00 – 3:00. The building will be closed from 12:00 - 1:00 so the faculty can enjoy lunch traditionally prepared for them by the PTO.

Orientation Day is an opportunity for your child to drop off supplies, say hi to their teacher, and pick up a short assignment that will be due the first day of school. Please remember that comfort kits have been ordered for every Pre-K- 8th grade registered student, so you do not need to bring one.

If you would like to add a note/letter, family picture and/or special treats into your student’s kit, please bring those things with you on the 30th in an envelope/bag marked with your child’s name and grade. It is expected that all students will stop by at some point during the day unless arrangements have been made with your child’s teacher before then.

All of our affiliated organizations (CYO, PTO, Auction Committee, Development, Scrip, Extended Care, Boy Scouts, Campfire Girls and others) will also be available in the cafeteria to hand out information and give you an opportunity to sign up to complete commitment hours and fund-raising opportunities, so be sure to stop by.

MONDAY EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS: Please remember that we will be dismissing at 2:00 PM on Mondays, beginning Monday, September 10th. Extended Care will be available beginning at 2:00 on those days. As a reminder, students must be pre-registered to attend Extended Care. Sign up will be available on Orientation Day or you can stop by the office to pick up the form daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM between now and August 30th or call us and we will be happy to send one to you.

HOT LUNCH: Our hot lunch program is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 10. Hot lunches, which cost $3.00 per student, are sold by weekly tickets. Don’t forget to pack lunches for the Sept. 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th! Milk will be available for $0.35.

PARENT DIRECTORY: Every year we make a parent directory available to all of our families. If you do not want your address and phone number published, please call the office by Friday, September 14th.

REMINDER OF IMMUNUNIZATIONS: There is a new immunization requirement for SIXTH GRADERS . As of July 1, 2007, children attending 6th grade who are 11 years and older, are required to show proof of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) vaccination if it has been five years since receiving a tetanus-containing vaccine.

Also, please remember that students in grades K, 1st, and 6th must have had the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. Students in grades Kindergarten through Grade 10 must have the Hepatitis B vaccine and all grades must show proof that they have had their second MMR immunization prior to the first day of school. For additional information on these requirements, forms and other immunization information, go to http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/schools.htm .

SPECIAL REMINDERS FOR PRE-K PARENTS: The first day of class for our pre-kindergarten students is on Wednesday, September 5th. Classes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, September 5th, 6th and 7th will be held from 8:10 am until noon at our Visitation campus and 8:30 am until noon at our St. Ann campus. We will not be having lunch at the school on these days and there is no after school extended care for pre-kindergarten students during that first week.

Our regular class schedule begins on Monday, September 10, 2007.
  • Visitation Pre-K Morning Class is from 8:10 - 11:10 and All Day Class is from 8:10 - 2:45.

  • St. Ann Pre-K Morning Class is from 8:30 – 11:30 and All Day is from 8:30- 2:45.


We look forward to seeing all of you on Orientation Day!

Blessings,

Sheila Harrison

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