Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Family Messenger, August 5, 2011

Dear Parents:

I hope that you are having a pleasant summer and that your children are enjoying the remaining days of vacation. I would like to extend a warm welcome to our returning families and a special welcome to the newest families of Incarnation Parish School. I am also pleased to welcome our new parish administrator, Monsignor Steven Zak, and our new faculty members – Ms. Lauren Muscarella (grade 4), Mrs. Lauren Mott (grade 5), and Mrs. Cherie Liu-Barba (grade 7; junior high math). Enclosed is some important information that will help you as you prepare for the beginning of the 2011 – 2012 academic year.

Important Dates


  • August 16 – PTO Board’s New Parent Orientation in the Parish Center Patio - All new families with students in grades K-8 are invited to attend this orientation.
  • Social - 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Orientation - 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
  • August 21 – Kindergarten picnic at Nibley Park 12:00 – 2:00 (more information to come)
  • August 29 – First Day of School for grades 1-8 only (½ day: 7:50 - noon); We will have a brief welcome and blessing for the new year, followed by coffee for parents in the auditorium.
  • August 30 – Noon dismissal grades 1-8
  • August 31- First full day grades 1-8; Preschool Parent Orientation 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
  • September 5 – Labor Day – No School
  • September 6 – First day of school for preschool and kindergarten

Parent-Student Handbook

The 2011-2012 Parent-Student Handbook can be found online at www.incaschool.org. Enclosed is the agreement page that is required to be signed and returned to the school office by September 9.

Tdap Immunization Requirement

If your child is entering the 7th or 8th grade, you will be required to submit proof of the Tdap vaccination to the office within 30 days of the start of school.

Emergency Cards

Enclosed you will find two (2) emergency cards. Both cards must be completed and returned no later than Friday, September 2. Please make sure that the cards are completed fully and accurately. We strongly suggest that you list at least four names under the Emergency Care Information section. You may attach an additional sheet with more names if necessary. Persons listed in this section will be the only ones authorized to pick up your child(ren) in an emergency or during the school day.


VIRTUS Training

VIRTUS training is a requirement for all volunteers at Incarnation School. In order to volunteer at the school in any capacity, we must have your training certificate on file in the school office. VIRTUS certification must be renewed after four years. If you were certified in the fall of 2007 or earlier, your certificate is no longer valid and must be renewed by attending a re-certification class. If you have questions about whether or not your certification is current, please call Mrs. Rodela in the school office. For your convenience, Incarnation will be offering VIRTUS training on the following days:

  • Aug. 21 Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Aug. 22 Monday 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. coupled with Wed Aug. 24 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (must be able to attend both sessions for certification)
  • Aug. 23 Tuesday 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. coupled with Thursday Aug.25 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (must be able to attend both sessions for certification)

    For more information about this program to protect our children and to find other trainings in the surrounding area, visit www.virtus.org.

    Fingerprinting

    Though not required of all volunteers, fingerprinting under the Department of Justice is required for regular volunteers or any adult that will work with children in a supervisory capacity. Enclosed are the August and September fingerprint schedules

    Before School Care and After School Program

    Before School Care is offered beginning at 7:00 a.m. for $1.00 per day. Students attending morning care must be signed in by a parent/guardian daily. Parents who do not sign their child(ren) in may lose the opportunity to use this service. Students may not be on campus before 7:00 a.m.

    The After School Program
    (ASP) begins on August 29. The Hours and Fee Schedule and the Registration Form for 2011-2012 are enclosed. Please remember that parents/guardians must sign their child(ren) out of ASP every day.

    Hot Lunch Program

    M&F Kitchenette will provide hot lunch for purchase beginning September 6. Please be sure your child brings his/her own lunch for the week of August 29.

    Supply Lists

    Supply lists are available on the school website (www.incaschool.org) under the Homework Hero tab.

    Carpool

    All students (except winners of convenient pick-up at the 10-11 auction) must be dropped off and picked up through morning carpool. Enter from Dryden and exit on Central. Please remain in your car, be patient, and mind the carpool volunteers. The volunteers will assist your children in exiting and entering the vehicle. For everyone’s safety, please observe the 5 mph speed limit and do not use cell phones while in the carpool lane. In the morning, please be sure your children have their belongings with them (not in the trunk) so that the carpool line moves quickly. Remind students that they may not walk behind or between cars. Do not use the church parking lot to drop off your children. Please note that all campus gates will be closed and locked at 8:10 a.m. every day.
    **Note to kindergarten and first grade parents: Enclosed is a laminated sign to use at morning and afternoon carpool. These signs are to alert carpool volunteers that there are young children that need help exiting the car, and to help the teachers identify parents at pick-up time.
    **Kindergarten parents—During the week of September 6, please park in the church parking lot at dismissal. Ms. Marriott and Ms. Klein will release the students at the side gate adjacent to the church lot.

    Permission to Walk Home After School

    Students who walk home after school must have the permission form on file in the school office. Students without this signed release will not be allowed to leave the campus and will be checked in to ASP. The form is available in the school office and is also in the Parent/Student Handbook online. A new form must be completed at the beginning of each school year.

    Regular Dismissal

    The regular dismissal schedule is 2:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 1:45 p.m. on Fridays unless otherwise noted on the calendar.


    Thank you for choosing Incarnation School. We look forward to working with you as we help our children grow spiritually and intellectually. Enjoy the month of August and we look forward to seeing you very soon!

    Blessings,


    Ms. Olivia Carrillo
    Principal