WELCOME to St. Mary’s School! New Parent Social/Information Meeting

What is expected of parents? Some of your time. Please volunteer! Parents and families make St. Mary’s work Each family’s minimum requirement: 20 hours (5 for the ball and auction – October 14th) Track your St. Mary’s volunteer hours and record them Hours are audited in the spring

What is expected of parents? Opportunities to volunteer: PTO-sponsored events Parish activities In the classroom (ask your child’s teacher) Field trips Library assistance Lunch servers & monitors After-School Activities Program

What is expected of parents? ALL volunteers are required to take the SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING! Includes training class + background check Opportunities to attend are limited so RSVP and attend ASAP! Required before volunteering in classroom, on field trips, at events

What is expected of parents? Know the field trip driver rules: Take the Safe Environment Training Leave a copy of your valid driver’s license and car insurance with the office NO texts or calls! No videos No unauthorized stops

How do I know what’s going on? READ THE SPARTAN SPOTLIGHT! Weekly newsletter e-mailed on Friday Contact Roni Pratt if you don’t receive it! rpratt@stmarys-boise.org

How do I know what’s going on? Check out the St. Mary’s School website: http://www.stmarys-boise.org/ Friend the St. Mary’s Facebook page -https://www.facebook.com/StMarysBoise/ Friend St. Mary’s Boise PTO Facebook page Read your email from the school Call the school: 208-342-7476 Ask your child’s teacher Connect with families

What is the dress code? Complete information is in the uniform policy Shorts OK until Thanksgiving (except mass day) Wednesdays are MASS days! Girls: White dress shirt + skirt or jumper Boys: White dress shirt + tie + pants + belt(no shorts) K-1 – no belt; 2-8 must have a belt

What is the dress code? Every Friday is Spirit Day St. Mary’s t-shirt OK for top Blue jeans or uniform bottoms (shorts, pants, or skirt) No jeggings, skinny or ripped jeans Buy spirit shirts from Idaho Sporting Goods – online store

What time does school start? The day starts with prayer in the gym. Students should be in the gym by 7:55 a.m. The school day starts at 8:00 a.m. sharp! On Wednesday, we will have a late start day. Students should be in the gym by 8:15 with school starting at 8:20.

How does drop off work? Please drive slowly in parking lot! Turn into the parking lot from the 28th Street gate entrance Avoid using the alley Avoid parking in front of the school Parents are welcome to join morning prayer in the gym

What is the morning routine? Prayer Square every day: 8: a.m. in the gym Students stand with their class Mrs. Emerich rings the bell to start the day! Announcements Birthdays Prayer and song Pledge of Allegiance Students & teachers to classrooms Wednesdays: Students & teachers go to 8:30 Mass

What’s for lunch? When is it? Lunch schedule: Grades K-5th: 11:40 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Grades 6th-8th: 12:15 to 12:35 p.m. Allergy-free table available if necessary Parents are welcome to come and have lunch with their child/children – check in at the office Blimpie will be available on Tuesday – order form available in front office Pizza will be available on Friday $4.00 per lunch

What happens after school? School ends at 3:20 p.m. All students must be picked up by 3:35 p.m. Each class leaves together and comes to the front of the school Students in the School Enrichment Program meet at the gate between the Parish Hall and School.

What is the “Parish Hall”? This is St. Mary’s Parish Hall Inside: Parish and clergy offices, meeting rooms

What happens at Wednesday Mass? We celebrate Mass as a school community Starts at 8:30 On Wednesdays students bring gifts to mass Spartan Spotlight tells you what to bring: Food = Non-perishable food for Food Bank Corpus Christi = Toiletries for shelter Treasure = Monetary offering Time = Personal commitment Parents are welcome to attend

What is the Buddy Program? Students in grades K-3 are paired up with a buddy in grades 5th-8th Buddies sit together at Mass, work together in classroom Buddy serves as: Mentor Cheerleader Support system Role model Friend

What if I have a question? Ask your child’s teacher about: Your child’s schoolwork and progress How you can help in the classroom Ask the principal about: School program and administration How you can make our school better Ask the PTO about: How you can help Advice from other parents

What is the School Advisory Board? Our Parish Priest, Father Worster, oversees the Parish and its ministries (Church, School, Food Bank) School Advisory Board advises the pastor/principal on big-picture decisions such as - budget, programming, sustainability, etc. SAB includes parishioners, parents of present and former students

What is the Creegan Foundation? Long-term endowment that makes annual contribution to St. Mary’s School Annual contribution is based on success of portfolio performance Keep in mind for estate planning, large gifts Connect with St. Mary’s Creegan Foundation through Amazon Smiles To donate or learn more, contact the school

What is the PTO? PTO is charged with covering the difference between tuition and operating expenses PTO Board makes decisions about how to raise this money All parents and teachers are members of the PTO! Board elections are in the spring PLEASE consider volunteering! Ron Goodwin is president for the 2017-2018 school year

We’re glad you’re here! You’re at St. Mary’s because you believe in the value of a Catholic education – thank you! Please ask questions and share your ideas about how we can make our school even better! Questions?