2019-2020 Parish Theme:
Live by the Spirit, Walk by the Spirit
3 Games Today - Go Crusaders!!!
Boys Soccer at St. William of York (Early Dismissal at 2:30 pm) - Game Time 4:00
    
Girls Field Hockey at Fredericksburg Academy (Early Dismissal at 2:50 pm) - Game Time 4:00
    
Girls Volleyball vs SWOY, Home in FBH - Game Time 4:00 pm
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Carline Safety Reminders
Safety is our number one concern during morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal. Please always be patient and cautious when driving on campus.

In the morning, please pull as far forward as possible to maximize the number of children who can safely exit their cars to the sidewalk. The line goes all the way to the kindergarten end of the building, where there is also a teacher there to help. It is important that you not pull around and cars in front of you.

If you need to park to bring your child in before school begins, we ask that you stay parked until car line concludes at 8:10. Cars backing up into the car line creates an unsafe situation for our students.

In the afternoon, if your child is late exiting the building and we are ready to dismiss the cars, you may be asked to pull into a parking space to wait for your child.  In either case, if you have pulled into a parking space, you MUST wait until the end of carpool to back out and leave!

Thank you for keeping the safety of our students in mind.
Opening Year Paperwork Reminder
If you haven't already done so, please turn in your Permission for Emergency Care, Handbook Acknowledgement, Media Release, and Acceptable Use Policy forms. The Emergency Care Forms were due on the first day of school. It is important that we have all this information on file for each student.
Drama Club Information
Please visit the Holy Cross Academy Drama Club website with the link below. Our 2020 production will be Singing in the Rain, Jr. Performance dates are March 26, 27, & 28.


Download the word document below and follow our private group on Facebook and the Wixapp.


Please contact Ms. F with any questions. November seems far away, but it will creep up quick! Can’t wait to see you, 

Marty Ferraioli 
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Nurse Notes:
The classroom allergy lists can be found on the HCA website in the newsletter links and attachments under Classroom or Health and Wellness.

Please let Mrs. Richardson know if your child has an allergy that is not listed.

The following guidelines from our Food Allergy Management Plan should be followed for any food or beverage provided for school parties or celebrations:
• Commercially prepared, pre-packaged, unopened and, when possible, individually wrapped snacks are recommended.
• Consult the classroom teacher and check the classroom allergies list before planning any activities that involve food or serving food products. Food allergies, especially peanut butter, are very common and must be taken into consideration when planning any classroom event.
• A list of ingredients must accompany any food brought into the classroom.
• Parents of students with food allergies are encouraged to provide snacks labeled with the child’s name to be kept in the classroom and/or clinic.
• If there is any question about a food distributed in the classroom, it should not be consumed, but may be sent home in the original wrapping for parent review.
Dress Shoes
A reminder that students need to wear black dress shoes for their school uniform. This is not a new rule but one that will be enforced as it was written in our handbook.

As I realize this came as a surprise to many families, I gave a grace period until the end of September. Please make sure that your child is wearing black dress shoes as our calendar flips to October.
SCRIP Program at HCA
Are you wondering what Scrip is? It's a year long fundraiser we do for the school that doesn’t cost you any extra money! Buy a gift card for the places you usually shop and use it at that store. The retailer gives us a discount on the card and that is our revenue! 

Some of our best selling retailers are Giant (4%), Walmart (2.5%), Panera Bread (8%), Wawa (1.5%), Sheetz (3%), McDonalds (10%), Kohl’s (4%), Macy’s (10%), Belk (8%), Outback/Bonefish (8%) and Olive Garden (9%). 

There are many more retailers that can be ordered for you. Check out www.shopwithscrip.com to see the full retailer list. Orders can be emailed or placed on-line. Orders placed by Monday will be sent home by Friday. Order today!! Can’t decide which Scrip cards to buy, we also have Visa debit cards that are accepted anywhere debit cards are accepted. 

Please direct questions to the Scrip Coordinator at [email protected] or stop by the Scrip table in the lobby on Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:45.
*Recess Volunteer Substitutes needed! 
If you would be available to substitute for families who are not able to meet their recess volunteer obligations, please contact Mrs. Tomayko at  [email protected]  to be added to the recess substitute list. Families will pay $20 to a substitute to cover their recess duty for them. Thanks for your consideration!
Attention all Future HCA Volunteers: 
"Protecting God's Children ®  for Adults  (VIRTUS)  training session is scheduled for Saturday, September 28 at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Academy. The session will last about 4 hours. Please pre-register at  www.virtusonline.org . 

If you plan to volunteer at Holy Cross Academy this year then you will need to go through this training. This includes fieldtrip chaperones, coaches, Scout volunteers, drama volunteers, etc. It is a one-time training so if you think you might volunteer anytime this year then we suggest you sign up for the HCA session so that you won't have to travel to another location.  

You must also complete the Office for the Protection of Children and Young People (OPCYP) Background Check Application to volunteer but you do not have to complete it prior to attending the VIRTUS training. You may pick up an OPCYP instruction packet in the office or call if you're not able to stop in. Keep in mind that you must arrive on time for the VIRTUS training as there will be no admittance after 9:00 a.m. Thank you!
Knights of Columbus Scholarship
Information on the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program is in the link below. Families that have applied for financial aid through FACTS Grant & Aid may apply for this scholarship for the 2019-20 school year. Applications must be postmarked by  September 30, 2019 . Holy Cross Academy will provide verification that the family meets the school's criteria for financial aid. Parents should not submit any financial information with the application. 

Art Corner
We have partnered with Square 1 Art to create a unique opportunity to celebrate each child’s artistic accomplishments while raising funds for the art department.
 
Currently, students are in the art making phase. In November, your child’s custom keepsake catalog featuring their artwork will arrive. Please consider ordering a Square 1 Art keepsake as a gift for a friend or family member. 

Art Smocks
We will get messy in art class, so a smock of some type is strongly recommended for all students. The smock could be an apron or over-sized shirt and should be something the student can put on and take off by themselves. 
Looking Ahead - Important Dates
September

20: School Mass, in FBH, 8:15am, All are welcome!
Student Council Officer Speeches

21-22: St. Mary Parish Life Weekend, join us and meet with members from
our many ministries!

24: Girls Field Hockey at Walker Grant Middle School (Early Dismissal
at 2:50pm), Game Time 4pm

   Confirmation Meeting at St. Mary, Year 1 Candidates, 7:30-8:30pm

25: Girls Volleyball at Aquinas (JV Team Early Dismissal at 2:30pm),
Game Time 3:45pm, V Game Time 4:45pm

   Girls Field Hockey vs St. Patrick (Early Dismissal 2:50pm), Game
Time 4pm

26: Boys Soccer at Holy Family (Early Dismissal at 2:30pm), Game Time
3:45pm

    Volleyball vs Holy Family, Game Time 4pm

27: ScanTron Testing Window Closes
    Early Dismissal, 11:30am, ‘A’ Schedule, Diocesan Professional
Development Day
    School Mass, in FBH, 8:15am, All are welcome

28: VIRTUS Training, in FBH, at 9:00am, sign up online virtus.org
Mission Statement

At Holy Cross Academy, we are guided by the spirit of Saint Francis de Sales as we dedicate ourselves to: 

  • Create an atmosphere of prayer and reliance on our heavenly Father;
  • Spread the message of Jesus in our families and our community by treating all persons with respect and showing reverence for the gift of God in each one;
  • Build up the Spirit-filled faith community within Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish;
  • Serve those in need in our local community and in the Missions through an awareness of our global responsibility to all humanity;
  • Develop the whole child: spiritually, emotionally, academically and physically;
  • Promote academic excellence by challenging all our students to recognize their gifts and fulfill their God-given potential.

It's About the Children
Holy Cross Academy
250 Stafford Lakes Parkway  
Fredericksburg, VA 22406
540-286-1600 
St. Mary Preschool
1009 Stafford Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-373-7553