Welcome to St. Patrick Catholic School
We hope to assist each child to become aware of his own worth and integrity as a human person... to develop his potential as a student, as a member of the human family to which he must respond with faith & concern, and finally as a creature destined for union with God.
St Patrick’s School is a small, close knit community. This booklet is to assist you in finding out all of the opportunities that exist at this wonderful school. It will also give you a definition of some frequently used terms.
A
Adoration- Every Friday at 2:30, the St. Patrick School community attends Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The children hear the readings for the upcoming Sunday and Father Sharrett talks to the children about the readings.
Art Aide- Volunteer to help the art teacher during Art class, especially with the younger children.
B
Back To School Night- BTS night is an evening for parents to meet the Home and School Board, learn about volunteer opportunities, meet the teachers, see the classroom, learn the curriculum for the year, and meet new parents.
Box Tops- Simply clip Box Top logos from participating products and send them to school. School receives $0.10 for each Box Top. For a complete list of participating products please visit www.boxtops4education.com (lots of great coupons on this site too!) General Mills Box Tops For Education Coordinator: Angela Crognale
C
CARES- St. Patrick School provides an extended day program entitled C.A.R.E.S – “Children Are Receiving Extended Services”. The CARES program provides professional care, snacks, homework time, and both indoor and outdoor recreational activities before and after school. It is available for children in all grades. The CARES Program is open from 7:00-8:15 Monday through Friday and from 3:30-6:00 Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, the CARES Program closes at 5:30.
Car Line - Many children are picked up in car line at dismissal time. Please do not arrive before 3:10. Students are not dismissed until 3:15. Cars are to enter the alley from Mulberry Street and not Magnolia Street. Cars should come across Mulberry from the bottom alley. Please do not cut in front of parents who have been waiting. It would be helpful for you to have a sign with your family’s name in your windshield, so we can identify you and have your children ready to be picked up.
Calendar- Monthly calendar is posted on the website with lots of good information. Hot lunch items, special events, etc. There is a last name listed every school day on the calendar; prayers are offered up for that family on the day their name is listed.
Clubs- There are several clubs to take advantage of- for example Lego League, Math 24, Math Counts, Art class, Chinese club, Choir. These clubs are before or after school. Some are free, some with nominal fee. Info comes home with contact info.
CYO- Catholic Youth Organization. St Patrick’s Parish offers athletic teams for a variety of sports, including, but not limited to, baseball, volleyball, cheerleading, and basketball. The CYO sports program usually begins in grade five.
D
Drop Off- If you are driving your child you may drop your child off no earlier than 8:15. Children should be dropped off on Cypress Street, NOT the alley way. An older child (Safety) will help get them either to the play yard or inside depending on weather.
F
Fundraising- Several events and sales throughout the year raise money for HASA(Home and School Association). These monies help off set some of our costs to keep tuition affordable and keep the school current and updated. Fundraising also provides many opportunities to volunteer.
G
Giving- There are many opportunities to give at St Pats. We do not expect you to participate with everything. Find what you or your children are passionate about and choose those.
Good Search- Go to www.goodsearch.com and select: St Patrick School - Kennett Square under "WHO DO YOU GOODSEARCH FOR?" and begin searching the internet. St Pat's receives 1-2 cents for each search made through GoodSearch (powered by yahoo). You can also make GoodSearch your home page or you can include it on your toolbar. GoodSearch also gives a percentage back for on-line shopping at popular eMerchants. Check this website before you do any on-line shopping. GoodSearch Coordinator: Christine Buek
H
HASA- Home and School Association. There are four general meetings held each school year that are very informational. The meetings are announced on the monthly calendar and weekly parent update. Parents are encouraged to come to each meeting. The Home and School Board is made up of a group of elected parents.
Health Room Volunteers- We do not have a full time nurse. We have volunteers cover the health room for basic first aide during the hours 11:00-1:30pm, covering the recess time when most accidents occur. Health Room Coordinator: Rebecca Avello
Hospitality committee- To provide refreshments and baked goods for St. Patrick School socials and other functions. Coordinator: Jackie Brison.
Hot Lunch- Hot lunch is prepared by volunteers on Mon, Wed, Fri. You must order in advance for Hot Lunch. Ordering online requires a login. Ordering usually happens the first week of the month for the following month. Hot Lunch order Coordinator: Marie Friedman
Hot Lunch Volunteers- Volunteers to help make, warm up, or pick up lunch. Commitment is usually once or twice a month. Hot Lunch coordinator: Pam Ramagano
I
Ink cartridges – Certain used ink cartridges are collected at school and returned for money to help fund our programs. Used cartridges may be sent to the school office.
L
Labels for Education- Help our school by clipping UPCs from Campbell's products and dropping the UPCs in the special Campbell's collection bin by the front desk. This program covers more than just soup labels! Pepperidge Farm, Pace, V8, Prego, Swanson, and more! For a complete list of participating products please visit www.labelsforeducation.com. Campbell's Labels For Education Coordinator:
Library Aide- Volunteer to help out in the library during classes for the younger children. Help is also needed during the annual Scholastic Book fair.
M
Mass- Mass is held the first Friday of the month at 9:30. Additional masses are posted on the monthly calendar or in weekly parent update.
Mary- A Statue of Mary may come home to your family in a large duffle bag. She is to stay overnight with your family. You may pray the rosary or other prayers as a family while the statue is in your house. She is to be returned to school the next day, preferably by car not bus rider.
N
NUT Pass- No Uniform Today. NUT passes are given out or won periodically throughout the year. They are dated for the correct date to be used. Prize possession by all students. Your children will receive a NUT pass every time you attend a HASA general meeting.
O
Oldest and Only- Information comes home every Monday in a folder with the child that is either the oldest or the only child in St Pats. Check, empty, sign and return the folders every week.
Online Grading- St. Pat’s uses River Valley Software for grading. Parents are given a log-in which will provide access to their child’s grades online. Letters with instructions, user names and passwords are sent home early in the school year.
P
Parent update- Weekly update is either sent home to you through the oldest and only folder, posted on the website, or e-mailed to you. Very important to read- keeps you up to date with all school activities.
Pick up- Many children are picked up in car line at dismissal time. Please do not arrive before 3:10. Students are not dismissed until 3:15. Cars are to enter the alley from Mulberry Street and not Magnolia Street. Cars should come across Mulberry from the bottom alley. Please do not cut in front of parents who have been waiting. It would be helpful for you to have a sign with your family’s name in your windshield, so we can identify you and have your children ready to be picked up.
Pumpkin Patch- Pumpkin patch is held every October- dates TBA. It is a St Patrick Parish Fundraiser but relies a lot on volunteers and participation from the school. There is always a day that each grade gets to go to the pumpkin patch during school hours to purchase pumpkins. Money must be sent in with your child to do so.
S
Santa shop- Santa shop is your child’s turn to shop for you and other loved ones. Just send in money in the envelope provided and he/she will have help picking out a superb gift- all secret!!! Very cute and inexpensive gifts!!
Scholastic Book Fair- The librarians coordinate a Book Fair each year, usually in the fall. This is a good opportunity to purchase quality books at reasonable prices. The children have the opportunity to purchase books during their regular Library time. This is a fundraiser for the library.
School Directory- A list of contact information for the school families. May be a print version or online.
Spirit Wear- Clothing and other items with the school name for sale. Show your St. Patrick School spirit! Use our on-line forms to conveniently place your order and send your payment to school. Several days throughout the year are assigned for spirit wear.
T
Tabs- We collect the tab tops of aluminum cans. We donate them to the Ronald McDonald House in Wilmington, DE.
Teacher Appreciation Day- A day we pamper and show our appreciation for the teachers. Volunteers are asked to come watch the classrooms so the teachers can all get together and enjoy a nice lunch.
Tech Trek- A walk-a-thon that we have each October to raise money for technology and science. Lots of fun and volunteers are welcome to join the school children on our walk.
U
Uniforms- Our uniform supplier is Flynn and O’Hara. Shoes are available at Flocco’s. More specific information on uniforms is available on the website or through the school office.
Used Uniform Sale- Sale usually held in early August and May. You can consign and buy gently used uniforms. Coordinator: Maria Miller
V
VIP Day- Very Important Person day. Your child can invite an individual grandparent, friend of the family, aunt/uncle, etc to show off their work and their school. The VIP comes to school for part of the school day.
Volunteers- The school would not survive without the help of all the wonderful volunteers. There are countless ways to assist- just ask!! Please be aware that for the safety of our students, to comply with state law and the policies of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, all volunteers must successfully pass a criminal background check, obtain a child abuse history clearance, and attend a Safe Environment Program session. If you leave outside PA, you also need an FBI fingerprint check. To volunteer at school and/or to be able to volunteer for field trip chaperons you must have all three clearances.
W
Website- The St Pat’s website is vital- save it as a favorite. www.stpatskennettsquare.org
Wendy’s Night- The first Tuesday of each month is St. Pat's night at the Wendy's located in The Shoppes at Longwood. Tell them you are with St Pat's and they will give 20% of your purchases made between 5-8 pm to our school. Wendy's Night
Y
Yard Duty- Volunteers to help watch the children on the play yard from 11:30- 1:15. Great way to interact with your child and their friends. You can do this as often or seldom as your schedule permits. Yard Duty coordinator: Sue Gow