Kindergarten
What school supplies are required?
Please refer to the school supply list.
When should I bring school supplies to school?
Please bring the school supplies to the classroom on Orientation Day or the first day of school. Make sure all supplies are marked with the child’s name.
When/where do I pick-up my school supplies if I ordered them through the school?
If you placed a school supply order through Parents’ Club, the supply boxes will be available on Orientation Day.
When do I find out my child's teacher?
The class rosters will be posted on the Parish Center doors on the Friday before the first day of school.
When is Orientation Day and what does it involve?
Orientation Day occurs on August 23, 2010 in the Parish Center from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. On this morning, you can hand-in medical forms, pay school fees, sign-up for Parents’ Club and other volunteer groups, pick-up Spirit Wear orders placed in the summer, pick-up pre-ordered school supply boxes and see your child’s classroom.
What is the uniform code?
The uniform code is available in the student handbook on page 17.
What time does Kindergarten start/finish for morning and all day?
Morning Kindergarten: Enter building between 8:20 a.m.-8:40 a.m., 8:40 a.m. first bell, 8:50 a.m. start time, 11:30 a.m. end time
All Day Kindergarten: Enter building between 8:20 a.m.-8:40 a.m., 8:40 a.m. first bell, 8:50 a.m. start time, 3:35 a.m. end time
What is the Drop-off Procedure?
If you are driving your child to school, approach the West Campus from the south drive (Deacon Drive) and pull-in in a single-file line close to the west side of the building. Teachers will be there to help your student from the car to the west or northwest door and take him to his classroom. This is strictly a Drop-Off and Leave arrival procedure.
If you are walking from the west side of Arlington Heights Road, there is an access walkway for student walkers from both north and south Evergreen Street to the west or north double doors.
If you wish to park and visit with other parents at drop-off, please park on the east side of campus and cross with your child at the light. Walk around the north end of the building to the north double doors entrance.
If your child takes the bus, walks from the east side of Arlington Heights Road with older siblings or friends, or you choose to drop-off on Pine Street, your child will be directed to cross Arlington Heights Road at the north stoplight and enter the north double doors of the school.
What is the Pick-up Procedure for Half-Day Kindergartners?
Drive up the south drive, and form single-file lines. Do not block or park on Deacon Drive. Teachers will bring students out at the west door and deliver them to you. Please proceed to your vehicle and safely buckle all passengers. Once all are secured, a teacher will direct each line out of the parking lot, one line at a time. If someone else is picking-up your child that day, a written note must be given to the teacher with specific instructions.
What is the Pick-up Procedure for Full-Day Kindergartners?
All vehicles enter from the south drive (Deacon Drive) and park stadium style facing north. When the bell rings, at 3:35 p.m., students are dismissed from the west door to the parent/caregiver and load the vehicle. Staff will initiate the exit starting with the first row of vehicles on the east side. Vehicles will be guided by staff row by row down north side drive. Vehicles not prepared to leave must turn left in lot and re-enter the line from the south.
What is a typical day in Kindergarten?
Opening with Prayer, Calendar, & Weather
Centers/Jolly Phonics
Restroom break, Snack, Read a-loud
Centers continued
Closing Prayer for ½ day students
Restroom break, Recess, Lunch, Quiet Time
Related Extension Activities
Gym/Recess
Snack
Choice Time
Closing Prayer for all day students
Do Kindergartners go to the library? Do they go to the computer lab?
Once a week, starting in November, the kindergarten students attend computer lab and library.
How can I get involved?
We have a number of opportunities for parents to be part of their child’s SJS educational experience. We have opportunities to help as room parent, computer helper, and library helper. We also have a school Parents’ Club that handles fundraising events for the school and other extracurricular activities for the children, a school board that advises the principal and pastor on school marketing, communications, social/fundraising, operations and finances. We encourage you to become involved!
What is the Parents’ Club?
The objectives of the Parents’ Club are to support the Archdiocesan Statement of Purpose as outlined in the current St. James School Handbook; to provide a means of communication and understanding among parents, the school administration and the parish; to provide enrichment and support to the school through active parent participation and through financial aid; and to foster a sense of Christian community spirit within the school family.
The Parents’ Club manages teacher appreciation lunches, Science Moms & Dads, Bank Day, Bulldog Press and more. It is a great way to get involved with the school and meet other parents.
What is expected of a room parent?
Attend Room Mom Orientation meeting in August, work in classroom on Orientation Day, be available to work in the classroom for teacher lunches: Catholic Schools Week, Teacher Appreciation Day, accompany class on field trips or find a substitute, help with classroom parties as requested by teachers, attend Parents’ Club meetings as often as possible, support and encourage participation in Parents’ Club activities, organize classroom gift collections for Ladies Night Out, classroom gift, Teacher Appreciation, Teacher Birthday, and End of Year.
If I am interested in attending School Council meetings, what do I need to do?
All School Council meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend the first part of the meeting to present an idea or concern and we just ask that you notify a member if you are coming. All minutes will be made available online under the School Council section of the website. Several sub-committees make-up the School Council and we encourage you to be part of one of them. Please email the member responsible for the area in which you interested in assisting.
How is snack handled?
Kindergarten students are asked to bring their own snacks to school each day and we ask that they be nut free snacks and snacks not made in a factory where nuts are present. We ask that no drinks be sent; students will be given the opportunity to get drinks of water. If your child is staying all day, we ask that you also send an afternoon snack. We also encourage healthy snacks.
If my child attends all day Kindergarten, how is hot lunch handled?
FSP (Food Service Plan) provides milk and hot lunches for our students. Menus are sent home a month in advance. Kindergartners are walked down to the lunchroom by the kindergarten aide. She assists them with opening their packages and milk.
Where do I find a school family directory?
The school's Parents' Club prints the family directory in paper format with addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. If you would prefer to not have your information disclosed, please notify the office. You will receive your paper directory at the beginning of the school year, if you join the Parents' Club.
When is tuition due?
Tuition contracts are managed by Smart Tuition and there are several options for paying tuition from a one time payment to once a month for 9 months or 12 months. Tuition payments are due the 20th of each month and are paid directly to Smart Tuition through check or credit card.
Does my Kindergartner meet other SJS students during the year?
Kindergarten students will be assigned a Prayer Buddy from the 6th grade and they will have several planned activities with each other throughout the year. Also, the 8th grade Junior Honor Society hosts a Christmas bazaar. An honor society member will assist the students with shopping at the bazaar.
Do Kindergartners attend Mass?
Your Kindergarten student will attend Mass every Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. with the entire school. The Kindergarten class will be responsible for planning/participating in at least 1 all-school Mass throughout the year. We encourage you to attend the all school Masses each Friday.
How can I celebrate my child’s birthday at school?
We encourage all family members to make a brief visit on your child’s birthday. A parent or sibling can read a story to the classroom and you may bring treats.
If you have a child party, we ask that invitations be handed-out at school only if the entire class is invited or all the girls or all the boys. If this is not the case, please mail the invitations so we don’t cause any hurt feelings in the classroom.
What is the best way to communicate with my child’s teacher?
If it is an immediate concern, please call the school. Otherwise, we encourage you to use email or write a note in your child’s MOOSE.
Are there parent/teacher conferences/when?
Formal Parent/Teacher conferences are held twice each year; once in November and once in March. Teachers are available to discuss students’ progress with parents any time during the year.
What is spirit day and what should my child wear?
The last Monday of the month is Bulldog Spirit Day where students can wear Bulldog royal blue and white attire. Spirit Wear clothing may be ordered at designated times throughout the year.
What is the Fun Run?
The Fun Run was established by the Parents’ Club as a means for raising funds for technology supplies. Parents donate to the Fun Run and students spend time during the Fun Run day running or walking around a track , listening to music, and winning prizes all for the promotion of school technology supplies and replacements. The students look forward to this enjoyable event each year.
