July 19, 2010

Dear Families,

            I hope that these summer days are a time of rest and relaxation for you and that you are enjoying being with your children and sharing time as a family.  With Summer School, the Summer Math Enrichment Program, Summer Playhouse, and Vacation Bible School, the school continues to be a very busy place during the summer.  Even though we still have a month of vacation, the following information will be helpful in planning for the new school year.

Opening of School

The New Parent Orientation is Tuesday, August 10, at 7:00 p.m. in the library.  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 have an additional orientation on Thursday, August 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the Pre-K classroom.  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 for Kindergarten-Grade 8 on Wednesday, August 25.  The first bell rings daily at 7:50 a.m. Students arriving after 7:55 a.m. are marked late. All parents are invitedfor 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. August 25-27 are minimum days and school will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.  No lunch will be served.

The Pre-Kindergarten students begin class the week of August 30.  This week Pre-K will be on a minimum day schedule.  The morning session students will attend from 7:50-11:45 and full day session students from 7:50 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Beginning Monday, August 30, 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 Tuesday, September 7, 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”.

The Hot Lunch Program will begin on Monday, August 30.  The price for lunch is $2.75 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          $39/month          1 child         $113/month

                                    2 children     $54/month          2 children    $157/month

                                    3 children     $70/month          3 children    $196/month

**Drop in Fees of $10 per day/per child for each time period will apply for August 25-31.

Back to School Activities

Don’t miss the Used Uniform Sale on Tuesday, July 27, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., in the Faculty Room.  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 Cindy Arcand at 951-675-1676.  If anyone is interested in taking over the Used Uniform Sale after this year, this would be the perfect time to come check it out! J

Dennis Uniform will be at school on Thursday, July 29, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and on Friday, July 30, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., in the library.  Grades Pre-K – 2 do not need P.E. uniforms.

“Back to School Night” for parents only will be held on Thursday, September 16, 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.

Our next Virtus training is September 2, from 6:00-9:00 p.m., in the Faculty Room.  Please call me at 909-542-0449, ext. 226 to reserve a space. Fingerprinting locations for August include: 

St. John the Baptist                     Wednesday. August 4

3848 Stewart Avenue                  12:00 – 3:40 p.m. & 5:20 – 7:20 p.m.

Baldwin Park                                Please call for an appointment call, 626-962-1004.

Holy Family                                  Friday, August 6

1527 Fremont Avenue                 12:00 – 3:40 p.m. & 5:20 – 7:20 p.m.

South Pasadena                          Please call for an appointment call, 626-403-6106.

St. Therese                                  Saturday, August 28

520 North El Molino Street          10:00 a.m. – 1:40 p.m. & 3:20 – 5:20 p.m.

Alhambra                                     Please call for an appointment call, 626-284-0020, ext. 225.

Immunization Requirements

All students entering Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten will need to present documentation of chickenpox immunization as well as other required immunizations. Students entering 7^th grade are required to have had 3 Hepatitis B shots.  This law ensures that California preteens will be protected from potential danger of Hepatitis B. 

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.

We look forward to seeing you and your children on August 25.  We will have outdoor assembly on the first day of school, on the recess lines by the basketball courts.  You are invited to join us for prayer and then refreshments after the children have gone to class. Please take good care of yourself and your family.  We continue to pray for peace in our world and for happy, healthy and holy lives for the children under our care.

                                                                                                                       
Sincerely,

Candice Kuzmickas, Principal