Dear Parent, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to Saint Joseph School.  It is our sincere hope that we may work together in order to bring about the development of your child's potential and build a strong sense of self-confidence.  This is the beginning experience of formal education for your child and it will provide the foundation upon which the rest of your child's learning will be based.  In order to make the first experience in our school a positive one we ask you to please abide by these and all other school regulations.

SAFETY FIRSTPlease do not go directly to your child's classroom upon entering the school building.  You must first report tot he office.  We want to monitor the adults who would have direct access to the children.   It is important to us to know exactly who is in the school building.  We want you to be comfortable that we have the safety and security of the children as our primary priority and we can accomplish this goal if everyone cooperates in the effort.

SAFETY FIRSTOnce the teachers are on duty in the morning in the school yard please exit the school yard and stand outside the fence.  We want to be able to monitor the adults and have a clear view of the children.  This is not the time to distract the teachers from his/her duty with conversation.   The same request applies at dismissal as well as this is a time when the teachers are trying to send the children home with the correct adult and distraction makes this task more difficult.   If you need to speak with the teacher, please call the school office and make an appointment.   If it is something you need to address right away please report to the office and someone will assist you.  The teachers are willing and happy to communicate with you but this communicaiton must take place at the appropriate time.

SAFETY FIRSTOn the first day of class we will ask you to fill out information form as to who will be responsible for picking up your child from school.   We will only allow your child to leave with the person you have indicated, unless we are otherwise instructed in writing.  If for some reason you need to make other plans on a given day please send in a note with the name of the person who will be responsible for picking up your child.  We will also ask that person to show us a form of picture ID.

SAFETY FIRSTTeach your child never to accept candy, a ride, or gifts from any stranger.

Write an excuse each time your child is absent, tardy or needs to be excused for any reason.   For absence of 3 days or longer we will require a doctor's note as to the reason for the absence.   Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten are important formative years in schooling for your child, please make every effort to have your child attend class each day class is in session. We would like to address the question of lateness.  Many of the children are late for the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten school day.   It is most important that your child be on time. When a child is late it disrupts the enire class who is already settled and beginning their lesson.   Lateness can cause your child to fall behind scholastically. Know the procedure for emergency school closing.   (This information can be found in the parent handbook.) Know the school calendar and days school will not be in session.   Be aware of days when there is a half-day of school for faculty meetings and workshops.   On these days dismissal will be promptly at 12:00 noon.   Please have the person picking up yor child be responsible for picking them up on time. This is very important. Place any money for school in an envelope.  Write your child's name and the purpose for which the money has been sent on the envelope.  Please have the correct amount, as change cannot be given. Separate after school, lunch program etc. into different envelopes as different members of the office staff take care of these programs. Teach your child to say his/her name, address and telephoen number clearly.

In order to avoid confusion or difficulties for your child in the classroom we would like you to please follow these classroom management procedures. Write your child's name on their lunchbox as well as thermos. Put your child's name on coats, sweaters, umbrellas, books, etc. Painting and other objects are a vital part of our program but can sometimes be messy, we ask students to bring in a smock or large shirt to cover their clothing during these activities. When purchasing jackets, coats raincoats etc. please choose those that your child can get in and out of on their own.  This should be practiced with your child so they become proficient at dressing themselves and packing their own book bags.  This builds confidence and independence.  It also takes a great deal of teaching and learning time if we must stop class early because the teacher needs to button and zipper for twenty-five children. Please send a light healthy snack and drink for your child each day.  We will be learning about the food groups and healthy eating.  Your example in this matter is most important.  We realize that you are all busy and pressed for time and chips and snack foods are easy but replacing them with fruit or bags of carrots a few times a week would help the children develop better eating habits. You child will need a book bag.  Please make sure the book bag is large enough for the children's textbooks when they must bring them home for homework assignments.  Please check your child's book bag each day for any correspondence from school.  Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, Mr. John Richards Principal SAFETY FIRST STUDENT IN BOTH PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN MUST WEAR SLIP ON OR VELCRO CLOSURESHOES FOR CLASS AND SNEAKERS FOR GYM.  SHOES AND SNEAKERS WITH TIE CLOSURES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE AS CHILDREN CAN BE BADLY INJURED BY TRIPPING OVER A SHOE LACE.