Dear St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School Families,
TWELVE DAYS until your Dolphins are back on campus! We can’t wait to have them here! Hopefully you had some time to carefully read the letter sent last Friday sharing many of the exciting changes for this upcoming year.
In these continued times of COVID, the safety and health of our students continues to be our top priority. Additionally, the desire to create opportunities for our students to experience a more traditional year is also a desire of myself, my administrative team and our faculty/staff.
Empowered by consultation with Archdiocesan leadership, other principals, nurses, parents and medical personnel, we have decided to allow masks to be optional as we start the school year. We encourage you to consult with your health care providers for direction on whether you, as a family, choose to wear masks or not. Decisions such as these are difficult to make. I know this decision will be praised by some and disliked by some. The protocols we are putting in place are what we feel is most prudent in protecting the health of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School students and staff while also providing a more normal traditional classroom environment. The document linked below includes our most current protocols as of today, July 30th. (Attached also are two documents from the Catholic Schools Office including the screening flow chart for determining admittance to campus and the 2020-2021 Archdiocesan COVID-19 protocols.)
Please understand that this protocol can change quickly. We will continually review our decisions in light of the threat level in our area and make adjustments as needed. I appreciate your support and prayers as we venture through these unique times.
Only by His Grace,
Veronica D. Tucker
Principal
|
|
 |
All families are asked to review the Family Handbook, Return-to-learning procedures & COVID Screening protocols prior to the start of the 2021-2022 school year. |
MEET THE TEACHER
Tuesday, August 10 | 4 – 6 pm (Doors open at 4 pm)
- Meet teachers, visit your student's classroom, medication drop-off and clinic information.
|
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Wednesday, August 11 | 8 am – 12 pm (Doors open at 7:40 am)
- There is no car line on the first day of school. Students should be dropped off and picked up in their classrooms.
- There is no Beyond the Bell on August 11th.
|
SPIRIT DAY AT CRUST PIZZA ALDEN BRIDGE
Wednesday, August 11 | Open 11 am - 9 pm
- Join your friends for lunch or dinner on our half-day! Be sure to let them know that you are supporting St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School when you order and a portion your purchase will be donated back to the school.
|
|
|
|
WHAT DO I BRING TO SCHOOL?
School supplies have been purchased in bulk and will be in the classroom when students arrive. Students need to bring a zippered backpack and lunchbox if they are bringing snack/lunch to school (lunch is not served on the first day of school). Information about snacks will be provided by the classroom teachers. Backpacks must be large enough to hold textbooks and a 9 1/2” x 11” folder but small enough to fit into classroom cubbies or middle school lockers as storage space is limited. We highly encourage Pre–K & K students to have non—rolling backpacks due to safety concerns. Please label backpacks and lunchboxes.
UNIFORMS, SHOES & DRESS CODE
Uniforms are required beginning on the first day of school. Here are a few reminders:
-
Shopping for socks and shoes will be easier if you read the requirements first and refer to dress code in the Family Handbook and the uniform color chart.
- Before getting back to school haircuts, please read the requirements.
-
Uniform information is available at: ap.school/uniforms
IMPORTANT – Uniform and dress code infractions are reflected in conduct grades.
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL REMINDERS
- There is no car line on the first day of school. All students should be dropped off and picked up in their classrooms.
- All families will receive car line numbers, tags and instructions on the first day of school.
-
Arrival & Dismissal Form for walkers & bikers should be filled out and turned in at Meet the Teacher or on the first day of school to teachers or front office.
-
Car line will begin on the second day of school (August 12). Please review the Arrival & Dismissal Instructions & Diagrams so you are prepared for a safe drop-off or pick-up.
DISMISSAL CHOICE SURVEY
For the 2021-2022 School Year we are returning to 3 Dismissal Options for students: Carline, Personal Pick-up (in the rear of the school), or Bike/Walk.
-
There are 3 options for afternoon dismissal: Carline Pick Up, Personal Pick Up, or Walker/Biker. Walkers & Bikers must complete the permission form below and turn into the front desk prior to the first day of school or students will not be allowed to leave campus.
- Please choose one dismissal option that will serve as the “default” option for your family.
-
Any changes from the default dismissal option should be communicated to the classroom teacher and to attendance@staopcs.org by noon of that day. This allows teachers time to check email and direct your student to the correct dismissal line. Please try to keep dismissal changes to a minimum.
-
PLEASE COMPLETE THE DISMISSAL CHOICE FORM BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 6TH.
|
|
BEYOND THE BELL (Before & After Care)
The August and September calendars are available on our website at: ap.school/beyondthebell. If you plan to use Beyond the Bell during the months of August and September, please complete the calendars and email to Charlotte Aldrich at caldrich@staopcs.org. Payments are invoiced through FACTS© accounts. There is no Beyond the Bell on the first day of school (August 11th).
SUMMER REQUIRED READING
You still have time to finish up your summer reading. Requirements and forms are posted on the school web site, ap.school/summer–reading–lists. Please keep summer reading logs and projects at home until teachers ask for them.
ABSENCES
Parents are required to contact the school office at attendance@staopcs.org by 8:30 AM on the day of an absence or in advance, if known. Calls made by students are not acceptable. If a student’s absence is not confirmed by 8:30 am, the school office attempts to contact the parent to verify the student’s whereabouts. Please let us know in advance if your child will be absent due to a scheduled appointment.
CAMPUS SECURITY & SCREENING: VISITORS & VOLUNTEERS
Access to school building during school hours is through the main entrance. Other entrances including those into the Bishop Sheltz Fellowship Hall are locked for the safety and security of our students, staff, and visitors. All visitors, including school parents are required to check in through the school office and show valid picture identification. Visitors approved to enter the building will be issued nametags that must be worn while on campus. All visitors to campus will be screened at the front desk through questionnaire and temperature – taking.
FACTS FAMILY PORTAL (ParentsWeb©)
Our school management system is FACTS FAMILY PORTAL (ParentsWeb©) – a private and secure parents’ portal that allows parents to see academic information specific to their children, while protecting their children’s information from others. If you went through the online enrollment process, you should already have a FACTS FAMILY PORTAL Login. However, if not, please follow the directions listed on our website at: https://ap.school/parentsweb
LUNCH PROGRAM
We are pleased to welcome Geomar© back as our hot lunch vendor. Lunch service will begin on the second day of school. Orders and payment must be placed through their website at geomar.h1.hotlunchonline.net. You can access their website directly or through a link on the school web page. Online menus are available for viewing, and orders must be placed at least 2 days in advance to ensure that enough meals are prepared each day.
Students may bring lunches from home. Information about snacks will be provided by the homeroom teachers. Students do not have access to cold storage, heating appliances or utensils.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHROMEBOOKS
We are excited once again to offer our middle school students the use of Chromebooks™ to enhance their educational experience. The purpose of this 1:1 Chromebook™ Program is to have a seamless integration between technology and the curriculum in order to promote a 21st century classroom. This device is for educational purposes only. If you have any questions about our Chromebook program please contact our Information Technologist, Arlene Failde.
ATHLETIC PROGRAM
Calling all cross country, soccer, football and volleyball players!
Practices start:
Soccer: 5th-8th Grade Boys and Girls - Thursday, August 12, 3:30-5:30 pm
Volleyball: 6th-8th Grade Girls - Thursday, August 12, 3:30-5:30 pm
Cross Country: 5th-8th Grade Boys and Girls - Thursday, August 12, 3:30-5 pm
Football: 6th-8th Grade Boys- Thursday, August 12, 5-7 pm
All athletes must have a current physical on file at school before they will be able to participate.
|
|
PADUAN PARENTS & VOLUNTEERING |
|
We are very excited to announce our new Paduan Parent Coordinators for the 2021-2022 school year! If you have any questions about our school and getting involved, please contact any of our coordinators. They might not know all the answers, but are willing to help you figure them out and welcome you to our St. Anthony Community!
|
|
Early Childhood
Paduan Parent Coordinator
|
|
Elementary
Paduan Parent Coordinator
|
|
Middle School
Paduan Parent Coordinator
|
|
SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING (VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENT)
Our school requires anyone wanting to participate in volunteer activities to complete Safe Environment Training. As a community of faith it is our moral responsibility to safeguard children, the most important gifts God entrusts to us. NOTE: All volunteers/parents must be current with safe environment training in order to participate in volunteer opportunities within our school.
Safe Environment Program - The CMG Safe Haven online training consists of training videos that is approximately 60 minutes and will include a criminal background check that must be completed. These trainings will be available in English and Spanish. For more information about completing Safe Environment Training please visit: https://ap.school/safe-environment-training
|
|
CAR LINE VOLUNTEERING
We are seeking volunteers to assist on a regular basis with morning and afternoon car line.
- In the mornings, volunteers will help with directing traffic and assisting students safely out of their cars. Volunteers will need to be present from 7:30AM - 8:05AM.
- In the afternoon, volunteers will assist with lining up cars and directing traffic. Volunteers will need to be present from 2:45PM - 3:30PM.
-
All volunteers must be in compliance and complete Safe Environment Training. More info is available at: https://ap.school/safe-environment-training
If you are able to help once or twice a week, we are extremely grateful! Thank you for being a dedicated volunteer to our school.
|
|
ROOM PARENTS & OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
If you haven't already indicated your interest in Paduan Parent volunteer roles or Room Parents, please fill out the form at the button below. We will finalize Room Parent & Leadership assignments when we return in August! If you already filled this form out earlier this summer or at the end of the school year, there is no need to fill it out again unless your interests have changed.
|
|
2021-2022 SPIRIT T-SHIRTS - $20
This year's Spirit Shirt reflects our theme, "Belong. Believe. Bless." Students may wear Spirit Shirts with jeans on planned Spirit Shirt & Jeans days and other designated day throughout the school year. A portion of our t-shirt sales will go towards supporting various ministries as we focus on BLESSing others as a part of our mission this year. T-shirts are GILDAN SOFTSTYLE like last school year.
All orders must be received by Friday, August 13th. Click button below to order.
**Students wearing Spirit Shirts from previous years will be asked to contribute $1 to the sponsored ministry on $1 Spirit Shirt & Jeans Days.**
|
|
SQUADLOCKER SPIRITWEAR
Our school Spirit Store through SquadLocker features items for the whole family. Our school will receive a percentage of all sales to benefit our programs on campus. Outerwear items may be worn by students over uniforms.
|
|
COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM
Our school would not exist without the support and engagement of our community members and businesses. Thank you to the following organizations for their early commitments as 2021-2022 Community Partners!
Folder Sponsors:
America's Family Dental - Dr. Diego Flores
Cherry Creek Mortgage - Jason Higham
LizFloresListings.com - Liz Flores, Realtor
Showtime Orthodontics - Dr. Jeff Shao
Coachingandconsultingexperience.com - Dr. X. Carmen Qadir
Woodlands Sports Medicine - Dr. Jason Piefer
Halloween Science Day Sponsor:
JK Dentistry
Teacher Appreciation Week:
St. Luke's Health
Fun Field Day Sponsors:
Hughes & Cozad Orthodontics
St. Luke's Health
Gold Sponsor:
Knights of Columbus Council 12327
Silver Sponsors:
Wheeler Pediatric Dentistry
If you or your organization would like to support our school as a community partner, please let us know! Click the button for more information about this year's program.
|
|
GIVING BY LIVING
Shop at Amazon, need school supply labels, or collect Box Tops? Through just living your life and making purchases, you can raise money for our school and students. These are a few of the simple ways you can support our school!
STAOPCS students, parents and teachers have been collecting Box Tops coupons through the BoxTop app and earning money for our school.
Sign up for AmazonSmile and select St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School as your preferred charity at smile.amazon.com/ch/76-0652692. Remember to shop for deals at smile.amazon.com, or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon app, and AmazonSmile will donate to us at no cost to you.
Personalized labels are great for uniforms, water bottles & lunchboxes! Never lose your student's items again! Visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com and search for St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School to place your order and support our school!
|
|
Enjoy your last few days of summer! See you soon! |
|
(281) 296-0300
7901 Bay Branch Dr.
The Woodlands, TX 77382
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
‌
‌
‌
‌