July 17, 2012

Dear Families,

Hoping this letter finds you having a fun, safe and restful summer with your family and friends. Summer is a great time to create memories. Learning does not stop during the summer. What changes are the opportunities. It might be a vacation, a day at the beach, or going to away to camp. Good luck making every day a special day!

Although we still have more than a month of vacation, I wanted to give you some pertinent information regarding the 2012-2013 school year.

Opening of School

The New Parent Orientation is Wednesday, August 8, at 7:00 p.m., in the Faculty Room.  At this meeting you will learn all about Holy Name of Mary School and have an opportunity to meet your mentor parent, who will be your guardian angel during your first year at HNM.

Pre-K parents are invited to a clean-up day on Tuesday, August 14, from 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon. Get your volunteer hours early and help get your child's classroom ready. Pre-K parents have a parent orientation on Monday, August 20, at 7:00 p.m., in the Pre-K classroom. Parents who are new to HNM School should plan to stay after this meeting to go over Pre-K policies.  In order for your child to have a successful first day of school, it is very important that at least one parent attend this meeting.  No children please.

School begins on Thursday, August 23.  The first bell rings daily at 7:50 a.m. Students arriving after 7:55 a.m. are marked late. All parents are invited for refreshments on the basketball court after the children have gone to class. Kindergarten parents will have an orientation session from 7:50 a.m.-9:00 a.m., in the classroom. Friday, August 24, is a minimum day and school will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. No lunch will be served.

The Pre-Kindergarten students will be on a minimum day schedule August 23-Sept. 3. Morning session is from 7:55-11:45 a.m. Full day session is from 7:55-12:30 p.m. Children enrolled in the full day session must bring a sack lunch each day.

Beginning Monday, August 27, school hours are as follows:   

Grades K-8:

Monday – Thursday                      7:50 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Fridays and minimum days            7:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (no lunch).

Beginning September 4, school hours are as follows:    

Pre-Kindergarten

Morning Session - 7:50 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. (Monday – Friday)

Full Day Session - 7:50 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.   (Monday – Thursday)

                              7:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Fridays and minimum days)

Students are expected to be in uniform and neatly groomed on the first day of school. Hair is to be neat, clean, and well groomed.  Hair should be its natural color.  Exaggerated or extreme hairstyles are NOT acceptable.  Styles such as spiking, stepping, cropping, and shaving are not acceptable. Tails, excessively short or long hair, or other fad-type hairstyles are not permitted. Hair cannot interfere with vision. Boy’s hair cannot touch the collar of their shirts.  Shoes are brown, black, navy, gray or white leather or canvas without pattern or design. Socks must be worn; sandals or open toed shoes are not permitted.  No characters, lights or wheels are permitted on shoes

Students attend Mass each Friday morning. Days we celebrate liturgy or other special occasions are considered “Dress Uniform Days”. Girls are not permitted to wear walking shorts or slacks.  Only uniform blouses/polos and jumpers, skirts or skorts may be worn.  Boys are not permitted to wear walking shorts.  Only uniform shirts and pants are to be worn on “Dress Uniform Days”.

We are pleased to announce that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles School Food Service Program has selected a new food company for the 2012-2013 school year. The new company is Royal Dining Foods. The Hot Lunch Program will begin on Monday, August 27.  The price for lunch is $3.00 per day (including milk).  More information will be sent home the first day of school.

All families must be current on their tuition payments in order to start their children on the first day of school.  As a reminder, in-parish tuition status will be checked on a quarterly basis. Any family not meeting their monthly commitment to Holy Name of Mary Church, through the weekly envelopes, will revert to out-of-parish tuition for a minimum of one quarter.

Kids’ Club Information

Before and After School Care will begin on the first day of school.  Please note: There is no before school or after school child care for Pre-K students. Extended Care operates on days when school is in session from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. and from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m.  You may register for this on the first day either before or after school.

The fees are:   Before School Program                    After School Program

1 child             $41/month                   1 child             $120/month

2 children        $57/month                   2 children        $165/month

3 children        $74/month                   3 children        $205/month

**Drop in Fees of $10 per day/per child for each time period will apply for August 23-31.  The regular drop off fee of $15 per day/per child will begin on Tuesday, September 4.

Back to School Activities

Don’t miss the Used Uniform Sale on Tuesday, July 24, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., in the Sisters of Saint Louis Pavilion.  We have all types of clothing items in all sizes. All items are sold “as is.” Cash or checks only please.  All proceeds will benefit our sister school, Immaculate Conception, in Los Angeles.  Interested inservice hours?  Contact Laura Alvarado at 909-949-6012. 

Dennis Uniform will be at school on Wednesday, July 25, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., and on Thursday, July 26, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., in the science lab.  Grades Pre-K – 3 do not need P.E. uniforms.

“Back to School Night” for parents only will be held on Thursday, September 6, at 6:30 p.m., in the church.  Please mark this important date on your calendar.

Calendar and Handbook

The Holy Name of Mary School Calendar and Handbook will be sent home to each family on the first day of school.  We ask you to read it carefully and review it with your child(ren) so that the philosophy, schoolwide learning expectations, policies, and school regulations will be clearly understood by everyone.  Please sign the parent handbook acknowledgement inside the calendar and return it to school.

Safeguarding the Children

HNM School is committed to the safeguarding our children. Anyone coming to volunteer at our school or driving children to and from field trips or sporting events must be fingerprinted and VIRTUS trained according to the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Livescan fingerprinting is free of charge if you visit the locations listed below. Be sure to return the livescan form to us after fingerprinting.

Fingerprinting locations for August include: 

Holy Angels                                         Saturday, August 4th

370 Campus Drive                               10:00 a.m. - 1:40 p.m. & 3:20 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.

Arcadia                                                 For appointment call (626) 447-1671

St. Luke the Evangelist                          Saturday, August 11th

5605 Cloverly Avenue                           10:00 a.m. - 1:40 p.m. & 3:20 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.

Temple City                                              For appointment call (626) 291-5900

Nativity                                                   Wednesday, August 15th

3743 Tyler Avenue                                12:00 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. & 5:20 p.m. - 7:20 p.m.

El Monte                                                   For appointment call (626) 448-8895

Our next VIRTUS training is August 16, from 6:00-9:00 p.m., in the Faculty Room.  Please call Charlie Martinez at 909-542-0449, ext. 234, to reserve a space.

Immunization Requirements

All students entering Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten will need to present documentation of chickenpox immunization as well as other required immunizations. A new California school entry law requires all students entering the 7th grade to show proof of a pertussis booster vaccination before starting school.

CHILDREN WHO DO NOT HAVE THE PROPER IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM SCHOOL.  If you do not have a doctor, please call 1-800-427-8700 to find the clinic nearest you that offers free immunizations for children. If you have any other questions or require additional information, please call the health office at 542-0449 ext. 227.

I have enclosed an interesting article for you to read and also want to remind you of the Guadalupe Celebration at the L.A. Coliseum on Saturday, August 5. Our parish is coordinating a group trip. For more information please contact Joe Jimenez at 909-374-4545. We look forward to seeing you and your children on August 23.  We will have outdoor assembly on the first day of school.  You are invited to join us for prayer and then refreshments after the children have gone to class.

                                                                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                                                                        Candice Kuzmickas

                                                                                                                        Principal