August 25, 2010

Dear Parents,

New beginnings are always filled with hope and promise. It was a delight to see you and your children today. The enthusiasm and energy that filled the school was wonderful.  We look forward to a positive year of working in close partnership with you and your student as we continue to strengthen our academic and spiritual expectations. We want you to be passionately and eagerly involved in our efforts to increase community building and spirit, which are permeated with Christian values and opportunities for growth.

There are many activities coming up in the next few weeks. A few of the highlights are:

This week grades K-8 are on minimum day schedule (12:30 p.m. dismissal). No lunch will be served.

The Pre-K students begin class next week. Morning session students will attend from 7:50-11:45 and full day students from 7:50-12:30 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)

• Hot Lunch begins on Monday, August 30. If you have any questions, please call Mrs. McFadden at (909) 542-0449, ext. 239.
• Our Back-to-School Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 3, at 8:30 a.m. All parents and families are always invited to attend and be a part of our worshipping community. Students are required to be in dress uniform on all Mass days. We will go to Mass this Friday.
• There is no school on Monday, September 6. Enjoy Labor Day with your family.
• The  Booster  Club  is  planning  an  Aloha  Family  Fun  Night  for  Friday,  September  10,  starting  at 6:00 p.m. on the basketball court.  Hamburgers,  hot  dogs  and  other  items  will  be  available  for  purchase. Please  wear  your favorite Hawaiian shirt and join us for the fun.
• School Pictures will be on Tuesday, September 14. This will be a non-uniform day according to the dress code in the handbook.
• This month’s Booster Club meeting is September 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the library. All parents interested in our sports program are invited to attend these monthly meetings and become involved.
• Back-to-School Night for parents will be held Thursday, September 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the church. We hope to have our usual 100% attendance and look forward to seeing you. 
• Look for your BLUE SCRIP ENVELOPE.  Be sure to review the enclosed information and complete the Authorization Form and the Ralph's/Albertsons Registration Form as soon as possible.   Thank you for supporting your school by purchasing Scrip!
• Paper Drive is held on the 2^nd weekend of each month.  Please bring your recyclables to the east end of the parking lot over those weekends. Students who participate will receive a non-uniform day the following month.
• Students who arrive late to school must report to the health room for a tardy slip before they will be admitted to class.

There are a few other important items in the envelope that need your immediate attention.

FAMILY CALENDAR/HANDBOOK – Every student and his or her parents should be familiar with the contents of this handbook. It provides valuable information regarding the policies and procedures, and also the events that occur each month. Our school philosophy, which is presented in the handbook, has the ideals towards which we strive. You will also find our Schoolwide Learning Expectations. The SLEs bring our philosophy to life in the persons of Holy Name of Mary students.  Please sign and return the Parent Handbook Acknowledgment form, found inside your calendar, to the school office by September 3

SAFEGUARDING THE CHILDREN – HNM School is committed to safeguarding our children. Anyone coming to volunteer at our school, or driving children to and from field trips of sporting events, must be fingerprinted and VIRTUS trained according to the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  Be sure to return the livescan form and Virtus certificate to Mrs. Kuzmickas

Fingerprints

The next VIRTUS Training is scheduled for September 2, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., in the faculty room.  Please contact Mrs. Kuzmickas at ext. 226 to register. 

Please place the enclosed family name card on your dash board whenever you use the car pool line.

EMERGENCY-EARTHQUAKE DISASTER INFORMATION – Please fill out the white form and return it to school by TOMORROW.  It is extremely important that we have this form on file with complete and accurate information at all times.  Please do not put your name as the emergency care person listed on the back of the form.  We need additional names to call if we cannot contact either mother or father.  You must sign the form at the bottom.  Should you change your address or home/work phone number during the year, please let us know immediately.

FIELD TRIP DRIVERS – Requirements for adults who drive for field trips, after school sports, or any school related events:

• Parent/guardian volunteers driving students in their own cars must be at least 25 years of age, have a clean driving record for the past three years, a valid Class C driver’s license and current, valid California automobile insurance at least $100,000/$300,000.  Each vehicle must have individual seat belts for each student.  A copy of the parent/guardian’s driver’s license, insurance declaration page, and driver’s insurance verification form, must be on file at the school.
• Be fingerprinted and Virtus trained according to the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles; A copy of the Virtus Adult Training Certificate must be on file with the principal.
• Follow the directions of the supervising teacher. 
• Drive directly to and from the field trip location without making unscheduled stops while students are in the car.
• Not take siblings on field trips.
• No private, non-charted vehicle, including vans, with more than nine seats may be used.
• No one may ride in the bed of a pick-up truck.
• Parents may not send friends or relatives to serve as drivers in their place.
• The driver is liable for any car accident while driving students.

Drivers should be aware that their auto insurance will be used before any Archdiocesan insurance comes into play.

Please be aware of these Field Trip Driver Requirements and fill out the enclosed driver’s insurance verification form if you wish to drive on a field trip any time this school year. (These forms need to be updated yearly). Remember we also need a copy of your driver’s license and current declaration page of your insurance policy. Please send in as soon as possible so we do not have last minute delays on field trip days.

PARENT NOTIFICATION FOR ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION – Medical treatment is the responsibility of the parents/guardian and family physician.  Medications, both prescription and over the counter, are rarely given at school; the only exceptions involve special or serious problems where it is deemed absolutely necessary by the physician that the medication be given during school hours.  The parent/guardian is urged, with the help of your child’s physician, to work out a schedule of giving medication at home, outside of school hours, whenever possible.

In the event that it is necessary to administer medication during school hours, school personnel will assist in carrying out the physician’s recommendations.  Medication will be stored in a secure location, as defined by school policy.

If medication is to be administered at school all of the following conditions must be met:

• Completion of an authorization form for the administration of medication at school by both the parent and physician.  This must include the condition for which the medication is to be given, name, dosage, routine, and specific instructions for emergency treatment. 
• Medication must be delivered to the school and picked up by the parent/guardian or other responsible adult. 
• Medication must be in a pharmacy-labeled container or a sealed and labeled package.  Loose unlabeled pills will not be accepted.  (Ask the pharmacy to provide you with a second labeled container for school use.) 
• An appropriate measuring device must accompany all liquid medication.
• A separate form is required for each medication.
• Additional authorization forms are required for inhalers and diabetic management.

This request is valid for the duration of one academic year.  Whenever there is a change in medication, dose, or time, the parent(s)/guardian and physician must complete a new form.

We have been sending out email communications frequently to all our families. If you have not received these emails, please check your junk email folders and add us to your “safe senders” list. Go to our website www.holynamemaryschool.org and click on “Join our Email List” (in the left margin) to update your email address. You can also contact drohrer@holynamemaryschool.org to resolve other possible problems.

Our school is in the process of implementing RenWeb School Management Software. This will allow us better record keeping and communications with you. Once our new system is in place, you will be able to log in to check your child’s grades, assignments and other important information. Look forward to receiving further information.

Please know how much we look forward to serving you.  All of us at HNM School pray that God will bless you and your family abundantly in the days and months ahead. And certainly, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us immediately.

                                                                                                      Sincerely in Christ,

                                                                                                      Candice Kuzmickas