AUGUST 2007

                                   

Dear Parents,

            I hope the summer has been renewing for each of you and your families!   Since the time for the opening of school is fast approaching, I want to give you some back-to-school information!   We¹ll be seeing you soon!

                                                                                                            Sincerely,

                                                                                                            Sister Marilyn Miller

 

Registration Day

Registration of all students will be on Thursday, August 23, from 11:00-1:00.  Your child¹s room assignment will be posted on a chalkboard in the schoolyard and outside each classroom.  Registration of students in Grades 1-8 will be in each classroom while registration for the Kindergarten will be in the Lower Church.  You must check in with each child¹s teacher who will give you additional information and forms.  There are no classes on Registration Day, and therefore, student attendance is optional.  If students do accompany parents, uniforms are not worn.

           

Remember, no child will be registered on this day if the first tuition payment of the year (due on August 10) has not been paid.

 

There will be opportunities in the auditorium to enroll your child for music lessons, altar servers, boys¹ soccer (Grades 3-8), and girls¹ volleyball (Grades 3-8).  The Mothers¹ Club will have St. Cecilia spirit items available for purchase:  school sweatshirts, t-shirts, and 2-pocket folders.  The Men¹s Club will have a table for sign-ups, and uniforms will be available from the Uniform Exchange.  Extended Care personnel will also have a table. 

 

A sample of the UNIVERSAL MEDICAL INFORMATION/EMERGENCY CONTACT/RELEASE AND CONSENT FORM is included with this mailing.  This form provides school authorities with the necessary information and permission to act promptly in case of an emergency.  It is important to list as many people as possible and inform them that you are doing so!  Listing only one or two persons limits your options in case of an emergency.  Make sure you provide the names of at least FOUR individuals (other than parents) who speak at least minimal English, who live not more than twenty minutes away by car, and who have automobile transportation.  You may attach additional names and phone numbers if you wish!  Parents should notify the office if there is a change in telephone numbers.    

           

The actual form will be given to you on Registration Day and must be completely filled in at that time.  Make sure you have names and phone numbers with you!  Each child must have an accurate UNIVERSAL MEDICAL INFORMATION/EMERGENCY CONTACT/RELEASE AND CONSENT FORM on file in the school office.  We will not accept a child into St. Cecilia School without a completed form.

           

           

Items that need to be purchased on Registration Day

Students who are new to St. Cecilia School will purchase a calculator from the classroom teacher on Registration Day:

            Grades 4 and 5                 $   6.00

            Grades 6, 7, and 8            $ 17.00

 

Family Fees

Annual Family Fees will be collected on Registration Day.  Fees will collected per family, in your oldest child¹s classroom:  One Child Family                        $ 45

                        Two Children Per Family              $ 65

                        Three Children Per Family                        $ 85

                        Four Children Per Family             $105

In addition to supporting the many services and activities of the Mothers¹ Club which benefit all children, these fees include a classroom donation to the Parish Festival and the Mothers¹ Club Fundraiser and a class gift to the teacher for his/her birthday and the end of the year gift.  There should not be any more monetary collections during the school year.  Please make your check payable to:  St. Cecilia Mothers¹ Club.  It will be collected from the representative in your oldest child¹s classroom.

           

Athletics

Please be prepared for both soccer and volleyball tryouts and practices to begin on the first day of school.   Check with the Athletic Directors in the auditorium on Registration Day for the schedule. Athletic Fees for the year will be:

                        1 child               1 sport               $  90

                        1 child               all sports            $160

                        2 children           all sports            $320

                        3 children           all sports            $480

 

There will be a mandatory meeting for all new coaches on Tuesday, August 28, at 7:00 P.M., in the Serra Room.  The mandatory meeting for returning coaches will be on the same evening at 7:30, in the Lower Church.  Any person planning on coaching or assistant coaching for the 2007-2008 school year must attend these meetings. 

 

Please check at home for any sports uniform which was not returned at the end of the school year and give it to the Athletic Director on Registration Day!

 

Men¹s Club Work Day

The annual Men¹s Club Work Day to ³spruce up the school² will be on Saturday, August 18, beginning at

8:30 A.M.  In the past years these volunteers have painted and made minor repairs before school begins.  If you are able to join the work crew, please call Robert Sobranis 334-4291.

 

eSCRIP

Please register your Safeway Club Card, ATM/VISA/MC, Macy¹s, or Chevron card with eScrip.  When you use that card to pay for purchases, St. Cecilia School will receive a rebate from the participating stores which include Payless, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Carl¹s Jr., Eddie Bauer, Whole Foods Market, and Budget Rent-a-Car just to name a few.           For current members--you must RENEW your membership by NOV. 1, 2007 by:

·       Calling 1-800-810-4973

·       Visiting www.escrip.com and click on ³Yes! Renew²

            For new members—join by:

·       Visiting www.escrip.com and register on-line

·       St. Cecilia Parish ID  #136952501

 

Thank you for your support.  If you have any questions or need any help, please do not hesitate to call Sally Brien Holper 415-587-7187   Email:  sally.brien@worldnett.att.net

 

Extended Care

The Extended Care program is offered daily from 8:10 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and begins on Friday, August 24.   All pre-registered Extended Care participants must check in on Registration Day to receive the Information Packet for the year.  If you have not pre-registered for Extended Care by Registration Day, please check in with the director to discuss availability.  All children must be registered in the program before attending Extended Care. 

 

If a student is not enrolled in Extended Care and is not picked up by fifteen minutes after dismissal, he/she will be brought to Extended Care, and the parents will be charged $10.00/hour.   

Schedule For All Grades           

                                                            Minimum Day Schedule

 

            Friday, August 24, Monday, August 27

                        Kindergarten A. M. session                         8:10-10:10

                        Kindergarten P. M. session                        10:30-12:30

                        Grades 1-8                                               8:10-12:30

 

If you ordered school supplies through the Mothers¹ Club, they will be available in each student¹s classroom on Registration Day.  Students should bring all school supplies with them on Friday, August 24.

 

GRADES 2-8 begin REGULAR SCHEDULE on Tuesday, August 28.      

                        8:10-3:00   (M, T, Th, F)             8:10-2:30    ( W ) 

                       

GRADES K-1 have MINIMUM DAY SCHEDULE from Friday, August 24 through

Friday, August 31.

                        Kindergarten A. M. session                         8:10-10:10

                        Kindergarten P. M. session                        10:30-12:30

                        Grade 1                                                    8:10-12:30

Arrangements should be made for Kindergarten students and First Graders to be picked up on minimum days since there is no supervision provided except for those enrolled in the Extended Care program.

 

Tuesday, September 4 the Kindergarten and First Grades will begin a FULL DAY session.       

                        Kindergarten A. M.          8:10-11:45

                        Kindergarten P. M.           11:25—3:00

                        Grade 1                          8:10—3:00 ( M, T, Th, F )          8:10--2:30 ( W )

 

Parent Welcome

The Mothers¹ Club invites all parents to the auditorium for coffee and donuts on the first day of school, Friday,

August 24, beginning at 8:10 A.M.  Parents with children in the P.M. Kindergarten are welcome to join us in the auditorium either before your designated school arrival time or after you leave your child in the classroom.  This is a nice way to catch up with the summer news and/or to meet new friends!

 

Mandatory Parent Meetings

New Parent Meeting

If your family is new to St. Cecilia School this year, we invite you to attend the meeting for new parents on Thursday, August 30, at 7:30 p.m., in the Lower Church.  Park in the schoolyard and enter by the open door.  At this meeting we will explain school procedures, discuss ways you can be involved in either school or parish ministries, and answer any questions you may have.  Please mark your calendars now.

 

Sacramental Parent Meetings

Each year we have parent meetings for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation.  Please put these dates on your calendars!  The first meeting for parents of children receiving these sacraments will be on Tuesday, September 4, at 7:30 in the Lower Church.  Each family must be represented.

 

There are two additional parent/child meetings for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.

                        Saturday, November 10, from 9:15-12:30 (Reconciliation Meeting)                                                                                                                              Meeting)

                        Saturday, February 2, from 9:15-12:30 (Eucharist Meeting)

 

Back to School Nights for Parents Only

                        Grades 7-8          Wednesday, September 5               7:00     

                        Grades K-6         Thursday, September 13                7:00

 

Parent Meetings for Grades K-3 and Grades 5 and 6

Again this year we have invited Steve Saso to address parents of Grades Kindergarten and 5- 6.  Steve currently teaches at Bellarmine College Prep, in San Jose, and is committed to assisting parents and educators in raising respectful and responsible children.

            Kindergarten Parent Meeting:

All parents of Grades 1-3 are welcome to attend, but this meeting is mandatory for Kindergarten parents.

                        Topic:   ³Equipping Parents with the Tools to Help Their Child Succeed in School²

                        Date and Time:    Tuesday, September 25, from 7:00-9:00                  

 

            Grades 5-6 Parent Meeting:

All parents of Grades 5-8 are welcome to attend, but this meeting is mandatory for parents of Grades 5 and 6.

 Topic:  ³The Onset of Adolescence: Managing Your Changing Child²

Date and Time:    Tuesday, November 13, from 7:00-9:00

 

Hair

Boys must have their hair combed and trimmed neatly with hair length not extending below the collar.  Any designer-type or fad haircut is expressly forbidden.  Shaved heads and blade cuts less that ³two² are not acceptable.  Tails and spiked hairstyles are not permitted.  No student will be admitted to school with bleached or dyed hair. Students should come to school each morning looking well groomed.  This means combing hair before arrival at school.  Students who come to school with an objectionable haircut may be prohibited from attending school until the haircut is remedied.  Boys are to be clean-shaven at all times. 

 

Uniforms

All students are expected to be in perfect uniform on Thursday, August 24.  Uniforms are purchased at Classic Designs, 1515 Taraval St., San Francisco, CA  94116        415.661.4700     www.eclassicdesigns.com

 

            Shoes for boys and girls (K-8):   All white leather, low-cut, tie or velcro tennis shoe with court sole                                                                             (no zipper style shoes) White leather Keds are acceptable.

 (no zipper style shoes)

 

Girls are not allowed to wear make-up, nail polish, acrylic nails, multiple, dangling, or hoop earrings.  A single post in each ear is acceptable.  Boys are not to wear earrings.  Neither boys nor girls wear necklaces or bracelets.  Wearing one watch is acceptable!

 

If boys or girls wear a T-shirt under the blouse or shirt, the T-shirt must be all white, without printing or pictures on it.  Girls¹ bras should be solid white or beige.  Girls have the option of wearing navy, thin-wale corduroy pants which can be purchased at the uniform company.  Boys¹ pants must fit properly in both waist and length size.  Girls in Grades K-3 should wear the uniform shorts under their uniforms on P.E. days.  Shorts should not show below the skirt line.  All students must wear socks which are clearly visible and above the ankle.

 

School sweaters are required for formal school assemblies and school Masses.  Blocks and Stars from Sports Awards for Grades 7-8 are sewn on the lower right of the sweater.  School sweatshirts are not worn in the classrooms.  If students choose to wear a sweatshirt outside at recess times, it must be a school sweatshirt.  All boys must wear a belt!

 

Tuition

By this time you should have received a tuition packet in the mail (coupon booklets and envelopes).  The yearly tuition is divided into ten equal payments--payable August 10 through May 10.  If you have questions or problems, please call the school office (731-8400).

 

            Plan P

            A participating parishioner refers to those whose:

                        €Child is Catholic, and

                        €Parents are registered in the parish, and

€Parents contribute to the community life of the parish by participating in either a parish or a school ministry, and  

                        €Parents regularly use the Sunday envelopes.

                                    One child                      $ 4,400

                                    Two children                 $ 4,400+ $3,080 (30% discount) = $7,480

                                    Three or                        $ 4,400 + 3,080 (30% discount)                                        

                                        more children                            + $3,080 (30% discount) = $10,560

 

            Plan NP

            A non-participating member refers to those whose:

                        €Child is not Catholic, or

                        €Child is Catholic, but parents do not contribute to the community life of parish, and

                        €Parents do not use the Sunday envelopes regularly.

                                    Per child tuition                        $ 5,270

 

Arrival and Dismissal Drive-Through

We encourage all families to drive through the gates on 18th Avenue in the morning to drop off their children and in the afternoon to pick-up.  (There is no drive-through for dismissal of the A.M. kindergarten.  These parents meet their children at the 18th Avenue door.)  Using the Drive-Through for both morning and afternoon is optional.  However, if you choose not to drive through, please do NOT double park on Vicente Street or 18th Avenue.  If you choose to park and walk into the yard, there are places available on the blocks adjacent to the school and in the upper parking lot.

 

                        Arrival Drive-Through:

                                   No parking or stopping on Vicente Street.

                                   Enter 18th Avenue from Vicente Street only. 

                                   Turn right into the schoolyard.

                                   Stop at designated area to unload passengers.

                                   Make a U-turn to exit the yard.  Be careful of pedestrians!

                                   Turn right onto 18th Avenue.

 

                        Dismissal Drive-Through:

                                   If the line of waiting cars extends beyond 18th Ave. & Vicente St., cars should line up on 18th Avenue between Vicente and Wawona Streets.  Do not block the intersection, Vicente Street, or private driveways.       

                                   When the gates are open, turn right into the schoolyard.

                                   Place a placard with your family name on the dashboard. For car pools--The driver must have the names on the dashboard of each family in the car pool. 

                                  An adult will call the family name as the car approaches.

                                   Stop at designated area to pick up passengers.

                                   Make a U-turn to exit the yard.  Be careful of pedestrians!

                                   Turn right onto 18th Avenue.

 

Volunteers supervise both Drive-Through procedures, and we count on parent volunteers to assist, so please sign-up on the Parent Volunteer Sheet which you will receive on Registration Day.