St. John the Baptist Catholic Church          

Teaching a Christ-Centered, Catholic Way of Life.   

Safe Environment Program

Safety & Security Letter

Tardy Policy

Parking Guidelines

Supply List

New Teachers

Childcare

Medication Consent

Volunteer Form

Medical Consent Form

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August 30, 2010

Dear Parents,

I hope the school year is going well for everyone. The faculty at St. John’s is trying very hard to help each individual student achieve their own personal best. Encourage your child to always give 100% to everything that they do at school.

I want to thank you, parents, for choosing St. John’s for your child’s education. If at any time you have a question or concern, please contact your child’s teacher or the school office. Without parental support our school community could not thrive and grow. A contact list with teachers’ phone extensions and e-mails was available Move-In Night. Hopefully, this will help keep the lines of communication open. If you did not pick a list, let the school office know, and one will be sent home. May God bless all of you during the school year.

Please remember that each student’s safety is our primary concern at arrival and dismissal times. Patience is needed. Encourage your child to walk quickly into the building in the morning and return to his/her vehicle at dismissal. A child wandering between parked and moving vehicles is extremely dangerous. Thank you for following the parking and driving guidelines sent home earlier.

The September calendar is enclosed with this letter. Please remember that the ½ hour early collaboration dismissals on Wednesdays begin on September 1, 2010 and continue until May 25, 2011.

Picture day is Monday, September 13^th. Students may dress up for their photos in non-dress code clothing. Please remember to keep the clothing modest and appropriate for your child’s age level. (No bare midriffs, short-short skirts, etc.) Students who do not normally attend school on Monday (P-K 3) will have their pictures taken on Tuesday, September 14^th. All picture order forms must be turned in before pictures are taken if you wish to order the photos.

The cafeteria ladies would like your help. They are asking for donations of pre-packaged food to give to students who forget their lunches. The food must be individually packaged by the manufacturer. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.

Please send in immunization records for your children if you have not already done so. The State of Indiana requires all schools to keep accurate records on file for every enrolled student. Our school nurses are in the process of updating all the student records, and need their immunization information.

Reminder: The school office would like to send out newsletters and calendars via the internet. If you have not already sent a contact e-mail address to school, please send it in promptly. If your e-mail address changes at any time during the year, let the office know so that your contact information can be updated. We will continue to send home monthly envelopes. However, information that must be sent out quickly will be sent between envelopes via e-mail.

Again, thanks for choosing St. John the Baptist Catholic School and have a great year!

Sincerely,

Janice L. Comito, Principal

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August 2010

Students and parents are asked to bring all of the student’s school supplies and attend an orientation meeting before school on Monday, August 16, 2010. The HASA meeting will begin at 7:00 pm. The classrooms will be open between 5:00 and 7:00 pm for the students to move-in their stuff before the HASA meeting. The teachers will be available to help the students move-in and answer any questions you may have. We hope this makes the transition from summer break to the first day of school easier for everyone. The emergency cards, school handbooks, and various forms will be available at this time to get a jump start on all the records before school begins. These forms are available in the cafeteria during Move-In Night from 5:00-7:00 pm. Please be sure to stop at the cafeteria and fill them out. See you the evening of August 16, 2010.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2010, St. John’s begins. Grades 1-8 will ALL begin class at 7:50 am and end the day at 1:00 pm. Wednesday, August 18, 2010 classes will be held from 7:50 am to 2:40 pm. No EACS bus service is available on these dates. EACS bus service begins on Thursday, August 19, 2010.

Kindergarten orientation will be on Tuesday, August 17, 2010. Kindergarten classes begin on Wednesday, August 18^th. Pre-Kindergarten classes begin on Monday, August 23^rd or Tuesday, August 24^th. Separate mailings are being sent to all parents with children in either program.

Hepatitis B vaccinations are required for all incoming KINDERGARTEN students. The law, effective July 1, 1999, requires all incoming kindergarten students to receive the hepatitis B vaccination, which consists of three shots over six months. All incoming kindergarten students must have at least begun the first of the three shots needed by the first day of school. For more information about free hepatitis B vaccinations call 424-SHOT.

All medical information forms must be turned into the school before the first day of student attendance. Any student without the correct immunizations will not be allowed into the classroom.

Attached is an updated St. John’s school calendar. Depending on snow days, this calendar is subject to change in the future. Please note the dates when St. John’s will be in session and EACS will not. On these dates no bus service will be available.

Remember, when poor weather looks as if it may close or delay school, St. John’s follows East Allen County Schools on the radio or television. In the event that St. John’s needs to close or delay without following EACS, please listen for the announcement to state St. John the Baptist, New Haven.

Please pack cold lunches for your children during the first week of school. Milk will be available beginning on Tuesday August 17^th. Lunch program information and order forms will be available during Move-In Night. Free and reduced applications will also be available at that time. Remember to check the box asking for textbook assistance; this means the state will reimburse the school for some of your child’s book bill in the spring of 2011. Please fill them out and return as soon as possible, but applications may be turned in at any time during the school year. The hot lunch program start up information and menus will be available at Move-In Night. Orders are to be turned in by noon on Tuesday every two weeks. Lunches must be ordered in advance.

HASA will have used uniforms available at Move-In Night.

Streaked, highlighted, and dyed hair is not allowed for students. No color enhancements-professional or homemade. Please take the time before school starts to change back to your naturally beautiful hair color if you have colored your hair over the summer.

Also, just a reminder that make-up is not to be worn at school. We increasingly have had younger and younger students wearing make-up. This has been excessive at times. It simply is not necessary. You are beautiful just the way God made you! Thank you.

A word about shorts length. Please be modest in your dress. Shorts should be at least mid-thigh in length. If in doubt, please go for the longer look.

Sandals are not allowed. This is for all students Pre-kindergarten through 8^th grade.

Finally, not everything can, nor should, be put into a school handbook. Modesty, common sense, safety, etc…may require that we ask a student, or group of students, to change their appearance or an article of clothing. This is done in the best interest of the school and student(s). We’ll always try to be fair and nice about it. Please comply when asked. A complete uniform code is in the school handbook; please refer to it. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please remember that Diocesan Policy requires all workers, volunteers, and coaches who work with parish children to attend an annual meeting on safety guidelines and procedures. This meeting is mandatory. Background checks, receipt of Diocesan volunteer policies, driver’s license and proof of car insurance are required of all parents who plan to drive for field trips or help in the classroom. Thanks.

Lists were sent home last spring for school supplies, which will be needed the first week of school. We have enclosed another copy for your convenience.

Returning students were notified regarding their homeroom assignments in the final report cards. New students can find out their placement by phoning the school office.

A childcare booklet will be available at Move-In Night or the first day of school. If interested in using the service, please fill out the application form and return the form as soon as possible. Karen Fox is the director of the extended care programs and can answer any questions about the program you may have.

Forms are available in the school office for those who wish to use the Central Lutheran Bus Service. This bus services families in the Tanglewood and Highland Terrace subdivisions and the area north of the Maumee River. Please contact the EACS transportation department for bus service in the district area. The school office has all necessary bus forms available.

You will receive a medication permission slip for those children who need to take medication on a daily basis the first week of school. For example, if your child must take a daily allergy medicine, the medicine must be stored in the office and a medication information/permission slip must be on record. Please turn in the form and medication to the office during the first week of school.

Please turn into the office copies of all custodial court orders. Schools are required to know who has custody, and who is entitled to pick-up students besides the custodial parent/guardian. For your child’s safety, please inform the office as soon as possible. St. John’s is not responsible for any mix-up when no paperwork is on file for your child.

The 7^th grade parents will be continuing the Market Day Program. Proceeds go toward the 8^th grade class trip. You may find ideas for your dinner table!

You will find the plan for dropping off and picking up students attached to this letter. I ask your cooperation in following the drop-off and pickup plan to ensure the safety of students and adults. I understand that time is precious before and after school, but please take an extra minute or two and ensure the safety of both the students and the adults. Remember to drive slowly on and around the school grounds. Thank you for your cooperation!

Mr. Heddens and his staff have worked hard all summer to make the school look great. All the floors got several coats of wax. Thank them for all the work they have done to make St. John’s shine. The school also had new lighting and some boys’ restroom remodeling done over the summer. Be sure to take a look at the improvements.

Please remember that classes for St. John’s students begin on Tuesday, August 17^th with dismissal for grades 1-8 at 1:00 pm. EACS bus service will not be available until Thursday, August 19, 2010.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and we’ll see you throughout the school year.

Sincerely,

Janice L. Comito and the Staff of St. John the Baptist School