Dear St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School Families,
Five days! In five days, we are together again after too much time apart. The energy on campus this week is almost tangible as our teachers and staff prepare to welcome your children on campus and remotely. This week, we have spent a great deal of time working on our procedures, discussing curriculum, learning more about our faith and building community. Please take the time to carefully read this Messenger. One area to read very carefully is the information on arrival and dismissal which is very different this year as we strive to keep our students, families and staff safe. I am asking for your patience as our faculty adjust to our new procedures to ensure your safety. We can’t wait to see you next week!
Only by His Grace,
Veronica Tucker
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REMOTE LEARNING SUPPLY PICK-UP
Monday, August 10 | 1- 4 pm OR
Tuesday, August 11 | 10 am – 12 pm
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Parents will be asked to pick up materials for quarter one on Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. Textbooks and some supplies will be given at this time in addition to Middle School Chromebooks. One person per family will be allowed in to pick up at front desk of the school. Please wear your mask.
- Additional information about Remote Learning will be sent to families in a separate email.
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MEET THE TEACHER
Tuesday, August 11 | 4:30 – 5:30 pm
- This will be a virtual event.
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Your students' teachers will email out introductions & instructions for each "Meet the Teacher" session on Monday, August 10th. They can't wait to meet their students!
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FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL
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Wednesday, August 12 | 8 am – 12 pm (Screening begins at 7:30 am)
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Thursday, August 13 | 8 am –12 pm (Screening begins at 7:30 am)
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Friday, August 14 | 8 am – 12 pm (Screening begins at 7:30 am)
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ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES |
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As we begin our school year, please review the following important Arrival and Dismissal procedures. Thank you in advance for following these newly implemented procedures that will help keep us all safe!
ARRIVAL (all students):
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Doors open at 7:30 AM for arrival. School staff will monitor student arrival at that time.
- PARENTS MUST REMAIN WITH THEIR STUDENT(S) UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN CLEARED AT THE TEMPERATURE SCREENING.
- All students arriving at school will have their temperature checked with contactless thermometers before entering the building. If the temperature registers 100.0 or higher, you will be directed to wait so that it can be re-checked. Our school nurse will then determine whether the student may stay at school or must return home.
- Anyone exiting a vehicle on campus must wear a face covering (students, family members, school faculty/staff). For the safety of students and staff, we ask that students exit the vehicle without assistance when possible.
- If the school declares an Inclement Weather arrival, student temperature checks will be administered in the classrooms.
THERE ARE FOUR OPTIONS FOR ARRIVAL:
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CAR LINE DROP-OFF: Cars enter through the south Kuykendahl entrance (see diagram) and proceed along the driveway at the back of the school. Please stay to the far-right side of the driveway to allow cars to pass on the left. Staff will be stationed near the playground to ask screening questions, check temperatures and enforce social distancing. Students should exit the vehicle on their own when possible to maintain social distancing. Cars exit via the St. Teresa Center drive and turn left.
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FRONT WALK UP ARRIVAL: Cars enter through the main campus driveway on Bay Branch and park in the lot directly in front of the school main entrance (see diagram). Students (with parent) line up along either front sidewalk, maintaining social distancing as designated by the sidewalk decals. School staff will administer screening questions and temperature checks. In the interest of safety, please do not congregate on campus before or after dropping off your student. Cars exit via the main campus driveway on Bay Branch and turn right.
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PreK-3 Students, along with one parent and siblings, enter the building through the door leading from the piazza at Sheltz Hall (see diagram). Staff will conduct screenings and temperature checks at the Sheltz Hall door. Parents may escort their PreK-3 students to their classroom door. Enrolled siblings will walk to class on their own. Parents must exit through the same door near Sheltz Hall. Please do not congregate on campus before or after dropping off your student.
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Students may walk or bike to school with a permission form signed by a parent. Those students will enter through the school main entrance to be screened and have their temperature checked.
DISMISSAL:
All students will dismiss through car line. We have two car lines this year—front and rear. Families with car line numbers 1-100 will use the front car line. Families with car line numbers 101 and higher will use the rear car line. There will be no Middle School Park & Walk nor Personal Pickup.
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Families with car line numbers 1-100 will use the front car line, entering through the main campus driveway on Bay Branch, proceeding to the “holding area” in the parking lot adjacent to Bay Branch, then feeding into the line of cars along the sidewalk in front of the school (see diagram). Staff will be stationed at the colored cones along the sidewalk to enforce social distancing and assist with loading when needed. Cars exit via the main Bay Branch drive and turn right.
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Families with car line numbers 101 and higher will use the rear car line, entering through the south Kuykendahl entrance and proceeding to the colored cones near the playground (see diagram). Staff will be stationed at the cones to enforce social distancing and assist with loading when needed. Cars exit via the St. Teresa Center driveway and turn left.
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Please stay to the far-right of the drive to allow cars to pass on the left. Thank you to the Harris, Belhumeur, Hurtado, & Brennan families for purchasing “First in Car Line” at our A Million Wishes Gala! They will advance directly to the front of the REAR car line.
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Bikers and walkers will dismiss through the school main entrance.
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In the event of an Inclement Weather dismissal, you will receive a Parent Alert. Students and staff will not leave the building. Parents may park and sign out students from the following locations:
- Car line numbers 1-100 -- Sheltz Hall
- Car line numbers 101 and higher – Gym
- Please remember to bring your orange car line tag, wear a face covering, and maintain social distancing when entering the school building. We ask that you refrain from congregating before or after picking up your student.
A printable version of these procedures & diagrams detailing the changes are featured at the button below.
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FAMILY HANDBOOK & RE-OPENING PLANS |
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Please review the Family Handbook & Revised 2020-2021 Calendar prior to the start of the school year. Additionally some of our handbook procedures have been changed for COVID-19 safety. As we work out final details of processes and procedures with our reopening, please continue to refer to our website (https://staopcs.org/reopeningplans) for detailed reopening procedures and changes.
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SCREENING AND ON-CAMPUS REQUIREMENTS
We will continue to work closely with our local health department officials and the Catholic Schools Office to ensure the safety of our students and staff should the school experience a positive case of COVID-19. Please see the attached documents regarding screening of your students and on-campus requirements should someone test positive for COVID-19.
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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 three days 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. We highly encourage Pre–K & K students to have non—rolling backpacks due to safety concerns. Please label backpacks and lunchboxes.
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Arrival & Dismissal Form (for walkers or bikers ONLY) should be filled out and turned in on the first day of school to teachers or front office.
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With our current guidelines, we require all Pre-K3 – 8th grade students to have masks. Students would need to wear masks during transitions and at other times as designated by the teacher and administration depending on the guidelines at the time.
- All masks/face coverings should cover the nose and mouth and fit securely over the child's face.
- Masks/face coverings may be any color and have a design as long as they are school appropriate.
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To help your child become accustomed to wearing a mask, see this helpful infographic from Behavioral Interventions and Solutions, LLC.
UNIFORMS, SHOES & DRESS CODE
Uniforms are required beginning on the first day of school. Here are a few reminders:
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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.
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Uniform information is available at: staopcs.org/uniforms
- Spirit Shirts (and St. Anthony tops from SquadLocker) may be worn with uniform bottoms during the 1st quarter of 2020. Ordering details are further down in this newsletter.
- Uniform and dress code infractions are reflected in conduct grades.
BEYOND THE BELL (Before & After Care)
The August and September calendars are available on our website at: staopcs.org/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 after care on the first day of school (August 12th).
SUMMER REQUIRED READING
Students (1st through 8th Grade) still have time to finish up summer reading. Requirements and forms are posted on the school web site, staopcs.org/summer–reading–lists. Please keep summer reading logs and reports at home until teachers ask for them.
ABSENCES
Parents are required to contact the school office at attendance@staopcs.org, as well as your student's teacher, 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. You may also let us know in advance if your child will be absent due to a scheduled appointment. Please do not send in notes with your students - use email as the preferred method.
HEALTH & SAFETY: VISITORS
- For the time being, visitors will not be allowed on campus.
- Parents will not be allowed to drop off forgotten items, including lunches (a lunch will be provided by Geomar© for forgotten lunches; parents will be billed).
- There will be no in-person gatherings or events held on campus until deemed safe.
- For the time being, birthday treats and birthday lunches are not allowed.
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://www.staopcs.org/parentsweb
PARENT HOMEWORK – ONLINE FORMS
All Back–to–School forms should be completed by August 31. Forms are in ParentsWeb © under School Information>Web Forms>STAOPCS 20–21 Back To School Forms:
- Student TB Questionnaire
- COVID-19 Acknowledgement
- Family Handbook Acknowledgment
- Student Demographic Information
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Parent Information (please verify address, email & phone information)
- Student Medical
- Student Emergency Contact
LUNCH PROGRAM
We are pleased to welcome Geomar© back as our hot lunch vendor. Lunch service will begin the second week of school. Orders and payment must be placed through their website at geomar.h1.hotlunchonline.net. Geomar© will continue to provide a sack lunch option Monday – Thursday with a pizza option on Fridays. 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.
- Lunch will be eaten in classrooms to foster social distancing. Purchased lunches will be delivered to classrooms.
- Students may also 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.
- Extra staff will assist with cleaning after lunch.
- When it is safe to do so, outdoor lunches will be introduced.
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EMERGENCY LUNCHES - During the 2020-2021 school year, St. Anthony will be unable to accept forgotten lunches. If a student forgets his/her lunch Geomar© will provide an emergency lunch and parents will be invoiced.
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.
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SHOW YOUR ST. ANTHONY SPIRIT |
New STAOPCS Yard Signs are now available! Show off your St. Anthony spirit at home. You may pick one up during our office hours or we will have them available to pickup at the front of the school on the first day!
There is no charge for yard signs - we just ask that you please prayerfully consider how your family can support our school in 2020-2021.
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NURSE'S NOTES from Mrs. Leslie Pavlock
Please make sure you send in any updated immunization records for your child . If you have a returning student and I am missing any immunizations, you should have received an e-mail request from me. If your child is a NEW student to our school, please make sure we have a copy of their immunization record. If the immunization is printed from an electronic record from the doctor’s office, the record must be signed or stamped by the physician/office. It can have a signed electronic signature from the doctor. This is a state requirement. Please make sure they are up-to-date by the first day of school.
If your child requires any medication to be administered during the school year (or on field trips), please make sure you have the “Medication Permission” form completed and signed by their physician. This is for any over the counter medications as well. ALL medications must be in either a new unopened box or if it is a prescription it must be in the original box (epi-pen box with labels or inhaler box with labels). Prescription should match the “medication permission forms ” signed by the doctor.
- MEDICATION DROP-OFF: 8:00 am-3:30 pm | Monday - Friday
If your child has a health condition such as severe allergies, asthma, diabetes or cardiac issues, please make sure the care plan is completed and signed by their physician (if medications are needed they should be listed on the care plan or noted on the medication permission form). If your child has asthma or severe allergies and is old enough to carry an inhaler or epi-pen, you must have the paperwork completed (along with the “Self- Carry” form). We must have two inhalers (for asthma), one for the student to carry and one that stays in the clinic as a back up and 2 to 4 epi-pens 1 or 2 to carry and 1 or 2 in the clinic for back up.
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PADUAN PARENTS & VOLUNTEERING |
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We are very excited to announce our new Paduan Parent Coordinators for the 2020-2021 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!
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Early Childhood
Paduan Parent Coordinator
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Elementary
Paduan Parent Coordinator
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Middle School
Paduan Parent Coordinator
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SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING (VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENT)
While we can't currently welcome volunteers and visitors on campus, it is important for all parents to complete Safe Environment Training prior to volunteering for any school activity. 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 3 vignette style 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. Live trainings will no longer be offered, all Safe Environment training will only be available online. For more information about completing Safe Environment Training please visit: https://www.staopcs.org/safe-environment-training
ROOM PARENTS & OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
If you are interested in being a Room Parent or other volunteer opportunities, please complete this volunteer interest form. Room Parents will be notified if they are selected. Additional Volunteer Opportunities will be communicated in The Messenger e-newsletter.
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2020-2021 SPIRIT T-SHIRTS
This year's SPIRIT SHIRT continues to reflect our theme, "Belong. Believe. Bless." The charge for the shirt will be $15 each. Students will be allowed to wear Spirit Shirts with uniform bottoms during the 1st quarter of 2020-2021. These are Gildan SoftStyle t-shirts - the same as last year's spirit shirts. For more info on sizing please visit our website: https://www.staopcs.org/spirit-store.
PLEASE ORDER BY SUNDAY, AUGUST 9TH (Order will be placed Monday morning!)
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SQUAD LOCKER SPIRITWEAR
We also have a St. Anthony Spirit Store through Squad Locker. Our school will receive a percentage of all sales to benefit our programs on campus. Enter coupon code: PLAYNOW for 10% off!
- Outerwear & Sweatshirts may be worn by students over uniforms.
- St. Anthony t-shirts may be worn with uniform bottoms in the 1st quarter.
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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 commitment as 2020-2021 Community Partners!
Grandparents Day Sponsor:
JK Dentistry
Go Texan Day Sponsor:
CHI St. Luke's
Blue & Green Folder Sponsors:
America's Family Dental
Cherry Creek Mortgage | Jason Higham
Liz Flores Listings
Teacher Appreciation Week Sponsor:
Hughes & Cozad Orthodontics
If you would like to support our students through our Community Partner Program, please contact Katie Tressel, Advancement Coordinator at advancement@staopcs.org. Or click the button for more information about this year's program.
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WISH LIST - 2020-2021
Are you interested in making an immediate impact for our students? We have created a list of classroom or school-wide items that we would like to purchase for our students. As a school we will be working to fund these items through the Fund for St. Anthony but if you would like to give to specific items, you may give online at the link below. THANK YOU!
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GIVING BY LIVING
Through just living your life and making purchases, you will be supporting our students. These are some of the simplest ways to support our school!
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AmazonSmile customers can now support St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.
- Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
- Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'
- Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process
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If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app, update your app. Click here for instructions.
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Box Tops for Education - The next generation of Box Tops is here. No more clipping – just scan your receipt using the new and improved Box Top mobile app. Find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school’s earnings online. Giving has never been so easy! And you can still send in clipped Box Tops for double the earnings!
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Mabel's Labels - Mabel’s labels are dishwasher, microwave, and laundry safe personalized labels. Please visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com and search for St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School to place your order and support our school! Great for uniforms, water bottles & lunchboxes!
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Shutterfly or Tiny Prints - Shop at Shutterfly or Tiny Prints and 13% of your purchase will be donated to St. Anthony! Shop here: staopcs.shutterflystorefront.com
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Personal sanitizer donated by an anonymous family for each student! THANK YOU! |
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Enjoy your last few days of summer! See you soon! |
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(281) 296-0300
7901 Bay Branch Dr.
The Woodlands, TX 77382
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