Preschool
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 Preschool Orientation Day. You can also bring the supplies on 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 in the classroom on Preschool 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 do we do on this day?
Preschool Orientation Day is August 26, 2010 for PreK3 and, August 27, 2010 for PreK 4 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00am. This will be held in the preschool classrooms. On this morning, you will learn about school and classroom procedures, hand-in medical forms, pay school fees, sign-up for volunteer groups, pick-up Spirit Wear orders placed in the summer, and pick-up pre-ordered school supply boxes.
Is there a dress code?
Preschool students are asked to dress in clothing that is comfortable and easy for the child to manage in order to make bathroom visits less difficult. We encourage closed-toe shoes.
What time does Preschool start/finish?
3-year-old preschool: 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Tuesday/Thursday
4-year-old preschool: 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Monday/Wednesday/Friday
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 to the North parking lot and park your vehicle between 8:50 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Take your child to the double beige colored doors and an aide will escort your child to the classroom where the teacher will be waiting with the first activity of the day. Please be careful when pulling out as others will be dropping off their children.
If you walk your child to school, walk them to the North double beige colored doors and an aide will escort your child to the classroom; please do not enter the building with your child.
What if my child cries at drop-off? How is this handled and what should I do to help facilitate?
Many children will be apprehensive the first day, week or even month of school. If your child cries, the teacher or teacher’s aide will gently take the student’s hand and bring him or her inside. We ask that the parent encourage their child to have a great day and calm their child’s fears by telling him or her that mom/dad will be back soon to pick them up. Please do not come inside with your child. History has shown us that a crying child calms down faster when the parent is not present. You’ll be amazed how happy your child comes out of school and how much he or she will have to tell you at pick-up! Most of the tears we see are from the parents!
What is the Pick-up Procedure?
Drive up the south drive, form single-file lines. Teachers will bring students out to you at the west door and you will pick-up your child/ren, help them into your vehicle and wait for the signal for each line to be dismissed, 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 a typical day in preschool?
9:00-9:20 Free Flow
9:20-9:40 Circle (Pledge, Prayer, Calendar, Songs, Weather, Jobs)
9:40-10:30 Center/Free Flow
10:30-10:40 Clean-up/Story
10:40-11:00 Prayer & Snack/Quiet Library Time
11:00-11:20 Gross Motor Play
11:20-11:30 Group Game/Song/Prayer
Can I observe my child in preschool on certain days?
We encourage parents to visit at scheduled times throughout the year through the direction of the teacher. We have parent volunteer days in the classroom and sign-up sheets will be available at the beginning of the school year.
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 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?
Our room parents help plan parties for Halloween, Thanksgiving Feast, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Alleluia Party and our last day of school picnic.
How is snack handled?
There are no snacks allowed in the preschool that contain nuts or were made in a factory that might contain nuts. At the beginning of school each family signs-up for a week of snack duty and provides healthy snacks and a drink. We encourage grapes, carrots, strawberries, pretzels, and crackers. We like to keep sweet treats for birthdays and holiday celebrations. We will work with you and the school nurse to make necessary changes to accommodate any student with food allergies.
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.
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.
How can I celebrate my child’s birthday at school?
We celebrate your child’s birthday with a school birthday ribbon and birthday crown. The birthday child may bring birthday treats to school as long as they are peanut-free.
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.
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 preschooler meet other SJS students during the year?
The 4-year-old preschool students have a prayer buddy with a 5th grade student and they get together for functions throughout the school year.
The sixth grade students also organize a Fun Fair for Halloween. All of the children in preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade are invited to attend. The upper grade students also provide a day of Christmas present shopping in the parish center for the younger grades, including preschool.
Do preschoolers attend Mass?
Although preschool children do not attend all school Masses, the parish priests and Mrs. Pat Farrell, the Director of Spiritual Formation, visit the classroom frequently throughout the school year and there are prayer services for St. Francis Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Lent and the end of the year.
Is there an afternoon program for PreK4? How do I sign-up? When are they dismissed?
“Fun for Fours” is an extended day offered to PreK4 on most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. There is an additional cost for this program. Calendars are sent home a month in advance for parents to select days for students’ attendance. Children are dismissed at 3:00 p.m. If siblings attend St. James School, arrangements can be made for dismissal at 3:35 p.m. with the rest of the school.
What is the best way to communicate with my child’s teacher?
The best way to communicate with your child’s teacher is via email or leaving a message with the school administrative assistant.
What is spirit wear attire and where can I purchase it?
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.
