WELCOME to St. Mary’s School!

1. WELCOMEto St. Mary’s School! New Parent Social/Information Meeting

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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?