School theme for 2010-2011:  As the upcoming school year unfolds, our children will understand more about the importance of “change” in their lives.  The idea that everyone lives in a state of transition will be emphasized, and we constantly change as a result of things that happen in our lives. It should always be our goal to transform ourselves to be more Christ-like. You will see this addressed in many ways, one of which is the new name for our weekly newsletter, formerly known as The Galaxy. The Monarch will serve as your weekly guide to school events, reminders, and important announcements.  This newsletter will be sent home with the ‘youngest/only’ child in each family every Wednesday.

 

Faculty/Staff Announcements:  We are pleased to announce some staff additions for the upcoming school year.  We welcome Ms. Taylor Poirier as our new Physical Education/Health instructor for all grades. We welcome back Mrs. Snow as part of our Second/Third Grade team. Mrs. Gail Ferrell will be joining our junior high staff as our upper level English teacher. Welcome to all of our new folks!

 

Exciting New Art Program:  Your hard-earned PTO dollars are being put to work for the upcoming school year!  Our school art curriculum will be greatly enhanced by the addition of a wonderful new program, Meet the Masters, an interactive multi-media art education based on the lives and works of the master artists. This three-step system includes art history, technique, and activity.  Watch for your little artist to show signs of ‘becoming a master!”

 

Calling All Volleyball Players!!!!  The Lady Raiders will hit the court this fall, again, under the leadership of Coach Kitty Knaus.  We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to all young ladies in grades 6-9.  The Coaches have asked that all interested girls contact Coach Knaus ASAP to receive information regarding conditioning practices prior to the start of the school year.  She can be reached at 799-1676.  Go Lady Raiders!!!!

 

Spanish in a whole new way!!!!!  We are pleased to announce that our Spanish Program for students in grades PK4 – 7 will be administered through a proven on-line program, Rosetta Stone.  This self-paced curriculum which will be monitored by the homeroom teachers, will be the basis for weekly sessions in our computer lab.  The beauty of this approach is that each student and staff member’s account will also be accessible through a home computer so that all may progress at home as well. What a great way for our children to gain knowledge and confidence with a foreign language!

 

Piano Lessons:  Once again this fall, Mr. B will be offering piano instruction for the children at Sacred Heart School.  All lessons will be held in the Music Room.  There will be limited openings on Monday-Thursday this year.  If you are interested in having your child participate you need to register now. You may reach Mr. B at 434-429-0231 at any time for additional information concerning times and costs.

 

Cafeteria Volunteers….IMPORTANT!!   PLEASE contact Kitty Knaus (799-1676) if you are interested in working in the cafeteria this school year.  Please leave a message if necessary. A SPECIAL TRAINING SESSION will be held each day during the first week of school as each group reports for duty. Even if you are a “veteran,” your attendance is most important due to state health regulations and diocesan volunteer policies.

 

 

Playground Supervisors:  We still have some openings in the schedule which must be filled in order to provide optimum coverage for the children’s safety. The schedule is as follows:

1^st Grade:        11:20-11:40

4^th Grade:        11:50-12:10

Kindergarten:  12:10-12:30

2^nd/3^rd Grades:            12:30-12:50

5^th/6^th Grades:  12:55-1:15

If you are a new kindergarten family, recess supervision is a wonderful way to become part of the great volunteer program here.  We are also in need of substitutes for all of the shifts. You may not be able to obligate yourself every week but could help out in an emergency.  If you are interested in working as a playground volunteer, please call Amy Grogan at 822-1140 (cell, 203-0034) or the school office at 793-2656.

 

Summer Reading Requirements:  Just a reminder to students entering grades 4 to 9 that reading requirements must be completed before school begins.  Fifth and sixth grade students are reminded to follow the specific guidelines for the summer journals.

 

Supply Lists: Grade-level supply lists are now available in the hall outside the school office or on-line.  Many of the needed supplies will be available at school on the first day. Students are required to cover books.  Please do not purchase the adhesive covers as they will not come off (as they say they will) without leaving behind a sticky residue.  If you are purchasing the stretchy fabric covers, please be sure that you purchase covers large enough for the books.  We are finding that some of our larger textbooks are being damaged by these covers if they are too small, as they pull on the bindings.  New item:  all students in grades 5-9 are to use our SHS Student Planner.  This organizational tool has been specifically designed for SHS and will benefit the students with short and long-range planning for assignments and projects.  Cost is $9.00 and it will be available for purchase in the school office after August 10.

 

Sports Physicals: Any student in grades 6-9 intending to participate in our sports program (soccer, basketball, cheerleading, tennis, volleyball, or golf) must have a physical prior to participation.  Information regarding physicals will be distributed to interested students on Wednesday, August 18.  Junior high students planning to play soccer should expect to begin practicing on Thursday,

August 19, from 3:00-4:30.

 

Arrival & Dismissal Procedures:  Upon arrival at school, students may enter the building either through the front or rear door (next to the primary classroom door).  Alarms on doors between the church and school buildings may still be set during school arrival time.  Please avoid exiting the building through these doors during that time. Parents who drop their children off have the responsibility of seeing their children safely from the parking lot to the door.  A teacher will be on duty inside the building but will not have a line of sight out to the parking lot.  Again, parents are responsible for ensuring a safe entry for their children into the building.  Students arriving close to the tardy bell (8:15) should enter through the front door as teachers will send them back to the office for a tardy slip. Students in grades K to 4 will be dismissed at 2:45 PM.  Those students who car-pool with older students (who are dismissed later) will remain in the classroom with their teachers.  Parents coming in from the rear parking lot to pick up their children are not to remove children early from classes.  This is disruptive to the class schedule and, unless a student is checked out through the office, we assume they are our responsibility.  Students in grades 5 and 6 are dismissed at 2:55 while grades 7-9 are dismissed at 3:00. During the first two weeks of school please remember to hold up a card large enough for us to read identifying your car pool or individual student. Thank you.

 

 

School Year 2010/2011:  Just a reminder that school will begin on Wednesday, August 18, from

8:10 – 12:30.  Students will receive the necessary information on that day that will enable them to begin the first full day of school on Thursday, August 19.  Preschool Orientation (pre-K 3 & 4) will be held on Wednesday evening, August 18 at 5:00 PM, and New Family Orientation (K-9) will be held on Thursday, August 19, at 6:00. Our "K-4 Back to School Evening" will begin at 7 PM.  This will be an opportunity for K-4 parents to meet their child's teachers.  Kindergarten classes dismiss at noon during the first two weeks of school.  Parents of students in grades 5 to 9 will gather on Thursday evening, August 26, 2010, at 7:00. 

 

IMPORTANT FOR ALL SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS! 

This is for anyone who works with our children in the cafeteria, on the playground, in the classroom, or even as drivers for field trips!  In order to provide maximum protection for all of your children, we require that any and all volunteers, regardless of their involvement with children here at SHS, complete the following:

1)    A volunteer packet of information which includes a background screening.  This is done to ensure that your children are safely supervised and assisted during their time at school.  We depend upon volunteers for so many things and it is our responsibility to keep your children safe.  This packet is available in the school office and only needs to be completed once.

2)    A training session required by the Diocese of Richmond entitled “Protecting God’s Children.”  As a positive response to the abuse issues raised in recent years, the United States Council of Catholic Bishops has recommended that each Catholic church and school provide training sessions for all who work with our children.  This session is intended to heighten awareness of this issue and provide constructive recommendations to prevent abuse from occurring.  If you plan to volunteer your time, and you have not completed the VIRTUS course, your presence at a training session is required.  The next scheduled session will be held on Sunday afternoon, August 29, from 1:00-4:00 PM. The information you will take away from this session is invaluable for all facets of your child’s life…not just school.  When you pick up your volunteer packet in the office, you will receive instructions to register for the session online.  Please contact Mrs. Meadows with any questions you might have.  Please note that this is a “one-time” course.  The only retraining necessary should be done through the on-line bulletins one receives following the completion of the course.

 

After-School Program:  Students in K-6 who cannot be picked up by 3:15 PM must attend the after-school program.  This program operates from 3:15 to 5:30 each school day and this year will also operate on 12:30 dismissal days.  The program does not operate when school is not in session.  Please contact Ms. Tammy Adams (489-6106) or the school office to enroll your child. 

 

Junior High Study Hall for 7-9 Students:  This program will be supervised by Miss Tammy in a separate environment from the After-School Program.  Any junior high students remaining on grounds after 3:30 (with the exception of student athletes) will be required to report to study hall.  Please contact Miss Tammy for more information,

 

UNIFORM POLICY: Parents should remember that children leave their homes in the morning dressed as they are allowed.  Sacred Heart School maintains a uniform dress code and all students (K-9) are expected to adhere to all of the policies regarding this code.  The administration seeks parental support in the adherence to the school’s dress code.