It's About the Children
First Safety Drill of the Year
At 1:45 today, we held our first fire drill of the year. Practicing our various safety plans is so important to the safety of our students. We will practice one of our safety drills each month and communicate with parents on the day they are conducted.

Earlier this week, we were blessed by a visit from Major C.S. Kimmitz, Operations Bureau Commander of the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. He was on campus to welcome our faculty, staff, and students back for a great school year. Holy Cross Academy is fortunate to have a great relationship with our Sheriff's Office.
Division of Administrative Duties
A parent asked a really good question at the Middle School Back to School Night. They asked if I give some clarity on the roles assumed by Mrs. Tomayko, our assistant principal, and I. With both of us being new to our roles at HCA this year, that was a great idea!

The assistant principal and principal job descriptions provided from the Diocese of Arlington are several pages (single spaced/tiny print), but I boiled it down to some bullet points for each of us that will be useful for parents to know. Mrs. Tomayko and I's biggest task is to make sure that things run smoothly at Holy Cross Academy and that our students, parents , faculty, and staff are supported with all of their needs.

If you ever need to reach me, my email is [email protected]. Mrs. Tomayko's email is [email protected]. We each have voice mailboxes as well if you call the school and we are not available to take your call.
Dr. Fry's responsibilities:
  • Faculty and staff evaluations
  • School communications
  • Budgeting/financial oversight
  • Discipline support for grades 5-8
  • Diocesan compliance
  • Safety coordinator
  • Strategic planning
  • P.M. Aviat Care support
  • All other duties as assigned by Fr. Mosimann
Mrs. Tomayko's responsibilities:
  • Planbook site monitoring
  • Scantron coordination and scheduling
  • Chromebook initiative
  • Powerschool oversight
  • School event coordination
  • Discipline support for graders K-4
  • Substitute teacher coordination
  • A.M. Avait Care support
Dress Code at HCA
I made very few changes to the dress code when I arrived as I'm sure many families already had their uniforms purchased for the school year when I arrived. The two changes that were made was allowing more time for students to wear their summer uniform and allowing 6th through 8th grade students the option of wearing a sweater vest as part of their winter uniform.

Mrs. Tomayko and I support our teachers (and correct students ourselves) in enforcing our school dress code. I thank parents for partnering with us to help ensure your child(ren) are adhering to our school dress code. Below are reminders about the most common areas where we are seeing our students out of dress code to start the year.

Dress Code Reminders:
For grades 1-8 students, shoes worn on non-gym days must be black dress shoes that fasten. Black canvas sneakers/skate shoes are not an option on uniform days.

Students are not to wear nail polish to school.

Skirts for girls should be no more than 2 inches above their knee.

Shoes worn on gym days should be primarily white. Logos or minimal accent color is okay.

First Dress Down Day of the Year - September 12
Dress code news isn't all gloom and doom...we are coordinating our first dress down day of the year on Thursday, September 12th. We are urging students to support a very worthwhile cause to earn the right to dress down that day. It is a great way to show students that service can be fun.

We will invite students (along with faculty and staff) to bring in a canned good(s) or $2 donation the week of September 9th in order to earn their dress down day. Donations will benefit St. Mary's Manna Project.
Car Line Safety
For new parents and guardians, these items below are brand new and for returning families these are reminders of car line safety practices.

-It is important to never pull out of car line to pass a car in front of you. With students exiting on both sides of vehicles, this is dangerous.

-If you need to park your vehicle to come in the building, please remain parked until car line concludes at 8:10.

-Please know if you find your self being corrected for car line procedures by a faculty or staff member, we are only looking out for the safety of our students.

-The most important thing is that everyone be alert and cautious as you drive on campus. The safety of our students is the most important thing!
Fall Middle School Sports Try-Outs
-Middle school boys soccer try-outs continue Thursday afternoon from 3:30 until 5:00.
-Girls field hockey try-outs are today and Friday from 3:30 until 5:00.
-Girls volleyball try-outs are Tuesday and Thursday of next week 3:30 - 5:00.
cartoon-soccer-ball.jpg
K - 5th Grade Parent Meeting Thursday
Thursday at 7:00 p.m. is our Back to School Night for grades K-5. Following a presentation in Fr. Brisson Hall, parents will visit their child's classroom to hear a presentation from their child's classroom teacher.

This event is intended for parents only.
Volunteer Opportunity - Recess Duty

We are looking for volunteers from any grades for Recess Duty this week! Come out during recess and get to know our students and parents! If you are able to volunteer please contact our front office staff to lock in your date and time! When you come in, just sign in at the front desk and we will direct you as to where to go from there!

Recess Times:  K-2= 11:20-11:40   3-5 - 11:40-12:00  
Middle School Lunch/Recess - 12:37-1:17
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.
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