Dear St. Jerome Family,
Welcome to the new school year at St. Jerome Regional School. SJRS begins its 97th year educating the youth of Tamaqua and the surrounding communities. We are proud to continue the tradition which began in this building so long ago; a tradition which continues to spread our Catholic faith and the gospel message to our students. The faculty, administration, students, parents and pastors are united in our commitment to continue the tradition of a value-centered Catholic education at SJRS. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us this school year as we strive to educate our students in faith, morals and discipline.
As of today, we are excited to welcome 101 new children to SJRS! Our present enrollment is 199 students! We have all worked hard to spread the good news of SJRS. A healthy enrollment helps to ensure our future.
Our faculty and staff for the 2016-2017 school year includes:
Advancement Director- Ms. Manda J. Smarr
Administrative Assistant- Mrs. Debbie Smarr
Business Manager- Mrs. Pattie Radocha
PreK and ECP- Mrs. Jessica Mieczkowski
PreK Aide- Mrs. Michele Griffin
Kindergarten- Mrs. Mary Dakosty
Kindergarten- Mrs. Angelina Degler
Kindergarten Aide- Mrs. Patti Inama
1st Grade- Mrs. Mary Beth Klein
2nd Grade- Mrs. Lisa Lindenmuth
3rd Grade- Ms. Laurie Daukshus
4th Grade- Mrs. Teri Roberts
5th Grade- Mrs. Angela Purin (Grades 5-6 are departmentalized)
6th Grade- Mrs. Beth Williams
7th Grade- Mrs. Alice Miller (Grades 7-8 are departmentalized)
8th Grade- Mrs. Leslie Confer
Computers/Gym/Aide- Mrs. Karissa Montgomery
Art- Mrs. Kathy Odorizzi
Music- Miss Laura Cressley
Library- Mrs. Karen Moyer
Maintenance- Mr. Tom Griffin
Custodian- Mrs. Celia Pohold
Cafeteria Staff- Mrs. Celie Zubris and Mrs. Kathy Carnish
We also are joined by the Healey Foundation who will partner with SJRS for three years (2015-2018) as we plan for the future. Our focus will be on enrollment management, school governance, development and communications.
At SJRS we are committed to improving our educational programs and facilities to continue to provide a superior learning environment conducive to the spiritual and academic growth and development of our students. New for the 2016-2017 School year is our SJRS School Board.
S
JRS Board Members are:
Dave Bielen
Joe Ligenza
Dr Carmella Shemansik
Amy Butler
Tammy Chrin
Father John Frink
Nathan Johns
Pat Stefanek
Toni Marie Macaluso
Dismissal Procedures
Please be sure that your child knows how he or she is going home from school- by bus, car, etc. It is a good idea for kindergarten and grade one students to write the mode of transportation on a card and pin it like a nametag to your child. Your child's safety is our greatest concern. We also want each child to feel safe and secure the first days of school. Please plan transportation ahead of time. Last minute calls to the school office are stressful for the children and the staff. Only call in case of an emergency change.
School Liturgy
Our opening school liturgy will be on Friday, September 16th at 9:30AM. Please join us as we come together as a school community for this Eucharistic celebration to ask God’s blessings on this new school year.
Back to School Night
September 13th will be Back to School night at SJRS. There will be time to gather information and talk with other parents at 6:00 and a general meeting in the gym at 6:30. The Scholastic Book Fair will also be open for students and parents to shop that night. Parents will begin to go to the classrooms at 6:45. Teachers in Grades K-8 will give classroom presentations at 6:50PM to discuss classroom procedures. We look forward to meeting with you and sharing our plans for the 2016 – 2017 school year.
Back
To School Night Agenda- September 13, 2016
6:00-6:30 Information station in gymnasium
Stop by and learn more about our gift card programs, the dress code policy, the new ECP Program, Home and School and upcoming fundraiser events, etc. Orders for Spirit Wear will also be taken. Scholastic Book Fair will also be in the gym that night.
6:30-6:45 Back-to-School Night Program
Mrs. Miskar, Father John Frink and SJRS Board Chair, Amy Butler, will extend a warm welcome to all of our SJRS Families.
6:50-8:00 Classroom Visits
Parents will be dismissed from the gym to visit their child's classroom(s). Each teacher will give a brief presentation of what their expectations are for the school year.
Home and School Fundraiser
LuLaRoe Back to School Popup
Multi consultant LuLaRoe Sale at SJRS gym Thursday, Sept 1, 2016 6PM to 9PM A portion of each item sold will be donated to SJRS Come shop and support our school at the same time!
(LuLaRoe is a comfortable clothing line including leggings, tops, and dresses for women and girls as well as shirts for boys and men).
Option C
Please be sure to read the information that is being sent home about OptionC. It is very important that you login and update your own contact information. Teachers will report attendance and record grades on this online system. Report Cards will also be generated by Option C. We will also use this to send you important emails, texts and phone calls for emergency weather situations and school announcements. Please be patient with us as we transition to this new student information system.
Save, Save, Save
This year we will continue to save the following items:
- Box tops for education – General Mills products
- Redner receipts – ( must say Save – A – Tape )
- Turkey Hill milk caps
- Capri Sun Drink pouches
- Coke Rewards
Saving these items helps us to obtain educational materials or cash- back for our school. Just send any of the items to school with your child.
Supplies Needed
Every year we receive paper donated by various companies or organizations. If you know of anyone who would like to donate computer paper, copier paper, poster board or any other paper products please call the office. Any donation is truly appreciated. We also use Clorox wipes in the gym and classrooms to disinfect areas and large green/black trash bags daily. If you can donate any of these products or know of a company who would donate these products, it would be
greatly appreciated.
Gift Certificates and Scrip Certificates
These are great ways to help with tuition costs.
Information is enclosed in the family envelope. If you have any questions please call the office. Many people are saving hundreds of dollars in tuition by purchasing certificates. Certificates are sold from the school office daily during school hours and scrip orders are taken on Tuesdays.
School Wellness Policy
St. Jerome Regional School developed a wellness policy consistent with federal and state requirements. As we begin our 11th year with this policy, we
ask parents to continue to help us promote good nutrition habits in our children. SJRS recognizes that student wellness and proper nutrition are related to students’ physical well- being, growth, development, and readiness to learn. The school community is committed to providing a school environment that promotes student wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning experience. In a healthy school environment, students will learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices that can improve student achievement.
SJRS will support the efforts of parents/guardians to provide a healthy diet and daily physical activity for their children. Administrators, teachers, food service personnel, students and parents are encouraged to serve as positive role models in the wellness program. Parents are encouraged to provide healthy snacks for their children daily and also when sending snacks to school for birthday or holiday celebrations. Also we ask if you are sending items for class treats please check with the classroom teacher because of students with food allergies. Working together we will provide a healthy environment for our students. Thank you for your cooperation.
School Lunches
Tamaqua Area School District provides our hot lunch program (grades 2-8). Information about free and reduced lunches is enclosed in the family envelope. If you have any questions, please call the school office. The hot lunch program for grades 2-8 will begin on Sept. 12. Information will be sent home in the family communication folder. Students must bring a lunch and a drink for the first 2 weeks of school.
Nut Free Areas
There are specific areas within the school that designated as NUT FREE areas. Teachers will make ALL students aware of these areas. The areas will also be marked with a NUT FREE sign. We also ask that all students be sure to wash their hands after eating lunch in the cafeteria. If your child's classroom is NUT FREE, more information will be sent home from the office.
Asbestos
In compliance with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) an inspection for asbestos containing building materials was performed at each of our schools within the Diocese of Allentown. A copy of the inspection’s report is on file in each school’s administrative office for your review any time during normal school hours. In the event you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school’s Principal or the Diocesan Asbestos Coordinator.
Edward M. Ritter, Facilities Manager
Absences
Please call us if your child is going to be absent/tardy from school. This will ensure that we know where he/she is and that nothing has happened to him/her on the way to school. If your child is going to be absent or arrive late at school, you are required to call the school by 8:30 AM. Please leave a message if necessary. The number to call to report absences or lateness is 570-668-2757. Your call to let us know your child is not going to be in school does not take the place of an excuse note. PA State requirements and those of the Diocese of Allentown require that for the student’s return to school, the student must be accompanied by a written note stating the particular reason for the absence and the specific date(s) of the absence(s). This note must be signed by the parent/guardian which will become an official document to be placed into the attendance files. A written excuse must be returned within three days to the student’s homeroom teacher when the child returns to school. Note: If an absentee note is not received after three days of absence, the student is considered unexcused and truant. For absences of three or more days, a formal written doctor’s excuse is required. If a student enters school after 11:00 AM or is excused before 2:00 PM, he/she will be considered present for a ½ day only. If your child’s name appears on an attendance report from the homeroom teacher and you have not phoned to inform the school, please expect a call from the school personnel to verify the absence or check on your child’s whereabouts. Your child’s safety and welfare are of prime importance to us.
Arrival in the Morning
The building will open for students at 8:15AM. For safety reasons, no student may be dropped off before 8:15AM.
Safety at Dismissal
Parents are reminded to meet the car riders and walkers in the school parking lot, unless you are parked on Broad St. on the same side as the school. The front of the school needs to be clear at dismissal for the designated spots for bus riders. In the past, we have had some students running out of their lines to meet their parents. Some parents and students have crossed in the middle of Broad St. Both of these create unsafe situations. Please go to the corner so the crossing guard can safely cross the children.
Thank you
for your cooperation.
Extended Cared Program
We will continue the Extended Care Program (ECP) at SJRS this school year. The hours will be 7- 8 AM. and 3:20-4:20 PM. Please see the website for forms and more information on ECP.
Family Survey
Please be sure to return the family survey that will be sent home the first week, which is required for us to participate in federal programs for materials and services, please do so immediately. We need
100%
of our families to respond before we can receive federal dollars.
Thank you for your
prompt attention to this important matter. (If you misplaced the form, please send a note to the office for another one.)
Tuition Chance
This year we will again sell tuition chances to help you win money toward your tuition bill. The chances are $1 each and paper slips are in the family envelope. If you want to purchase the chance, fill out the slip and enclose money in an envelope marked tuition chance. This is not a fundraiser. All money collected will be awarded to the winning student’s tuition account. If your tuition is fully paid, credit will be applied to next year’s bill. The first drawing will be on Sept.26.
Boyer's Key Cards
W
e receive money for using Boyer’s key card when shopping at Boyer’s. Boyer’s donates 1% of purchases made using the key card. We received a check for $517 from
Boyer’s Caring and Sharing
rebate program last year. If you need additional key cards please contact the school office.
School Pictures
Professional School Photography will take student Group (class) pictures on Friday, September 16. All students must be in full dress uniform. Individual student pictures will be taken on Friday, October 21 and students will be permitted to wear dress down clothes on this day. More information on individual pictures will be sent later.
REMINDERS:
There is no school on Friday, September 2nd.
Please fill out and sign all first day envelope papers and return by September 9th.
Please check the August/September calendar for important dates.
The faculty, staff and administration ask for your continued prayers, support, cooperation and dedication to Catholic education.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can the school office at 570-668-2757. We will be happy to help you! Thank you for being part of the SJRS Family! Thank you for all the sacrifices you make to send your child to this school! In order to save time and money, we will continue to use email to communicate with you. If you have an email address, please check it and look for our messages. (Please also be sure to update your contact information in OptionC).
Enjoy these last days of summer!
God bless you and your families,
Mrs. Amy M. Hannis-Miskar, Principal
