August 10, 2025

Dear Hill Families,

Prayer for the Children

As they start nursery or school for the first time - 

give them joy in new experiences 

As they move to new classes - 

give them confidence in growing friendships 

As they move to new schools - 

give them strength in their growing independence 

As they move on to college or university - 

give them wisdom in their maturity 

And for all the teachers, assistants, helpers, carers and volunteers who teach and nurture our children and young people, we ask for your blessing, your joy, your wisdom and your patience as they re-charge their batteries over the summer break, ready for the new term!

Amen

News from the Hill

Summer vacation is winding down, and like many of you, I am not yet ready for it to end. This week many teachers will be returning to the school building to set up and decorate their classrooms for the start of the new school year. As expected, we passed our triennial asbestos inspection and our amazing maintenance staff, cleaning crew and have all been hard at work making sure that everything is ready for the first day of school. The building has been cleaned and sanitized, the floors polished, paint touch ups and minor repairs have been made. 

Many of you may have taken notice of my absence during morning arrival last school year.  In October of 2023 I moved my parents in with me full time to assist my mother in caring for my father who is both blind and paralyzed. Last year as his condition worsened his care in the morning became a bit more unmanageable and that often prevented me from arriving at school prior to 7:15 am. I miss greeting the students and parents every morning and am going to make it a priority to be at school earlier to make sure that I am outside every morning. I thank you for your understanding as I navigate through these lifestyle changes. 

We have many wonderful events to look forward to in September including our Booster-thon. I will be meeting with the Booster-thon team this week to work on our goals. Last year's Booster-thon funds allowed us to upgrade the wireless access points in the building and fund the professional development and material for the new PLTW Flight and Space program. We also purchased a variety of new materials for PreK to 8 STREAM classes that were used throughout the year. Funds from last year's Booster-thon were also used to make upgrades to our STEM lab including a new microscope counter and storage cabinets for STREAM materials. This project was completed during this summer. 

Cafeteria & Lunch

Information will be forthcoming by the end of the week and will also be posted on our school website and social media.  

Clubs & Activities

Information will be forthcoming by the end of the week and will also be posted on our school website and social media. 

Teacher and Staff Announcements

We are pleased to formally announce that Mrs. Katie Casella will be returning to St. Joseph Hill Academy in the position of full-time Kindergarten teacher for class K-1. Mrs. Casella has taught 3rd and 5th Grades prior to leaving to start her family. Most recently, she taught PreK 3 during Mrs. Maccarone’s maternity leave and our Mommy and Me class.

As Ms. Loretta O’Hara decided to retire after an amazing three-decade-long career in our Elementary School, Mrs. Christina Bouroudis will take on the role of Movement and Dance teacher. After 16 years as our Kindergarten teacher, she is thrilled to take on this new challenge. Joining Mrs. Casella as our Kindergarten aide is Ms. Alyvia Proscia former Early Childhood floater aide. Also joining us as a full-time Early Childhood floater aide is Ms. Caitlyn Cuffe. Ms. Cuffe has worked extensively as an Early Childhood aide for the last 5 years, and we are overjoyed that she is joining our Hill family.

Mrs. Lynch has decided to retire as the 5th Grade ELA and Science teacher. We wish her well in her retirement and pray for her health. Mr. Joseph Continanzi will join Mrs. Nunziante as our new 5th Grade homeroom teacher. He will be teaching ELA and Social Studies in the 5th Grade and Mrs. Nunziante will teach Math and Science. Mr. Continanzi, as his 8th Grade students called him Mr. C, was our 8th Grade ELA and Social Studies Student Teacher with Ms. Mongelli. He also spent a great deal of time the last 2 months at school, subbing in 4th to 8th Grade, and has already built a wonderful rapport with our students and staff. 

As Mr. O’Keefe joins the staff at Staten Island University Hospital as a Project Manager, Ms. Amanda McPolin will assume the role of Project Lead the Way STREAM teacher and Writers’ Workshop teacher. She has been working diligently for months to complete the rigorous training for her PLTW modules. She is proud to be joining our multi-award-winning STREAM program under the direction of our multi-award-winning Assistant Principal, Mr. Pablo. 

Ms. Natalie Stasi will assume the role of 2nd Grade homeroom teacher as Mrs. LaPreta finishes her maternity leave with her beautiful twin girls. We are grateful for Ms. Stasi’s willingness to assist.

Please join me in wishing them all the best this school year!

First day of School

September 4th is our 1st day of school for 1st to 8th grades. This will be a full day. Friday, September 5th will be a half-day with a 11:15 dismissal. 

PreK and Kindergarten students, please follow the schedule and procedures provided by the teachers in IRIS alerts from August. 

Daily Arrival

All students 1st to 8th are expected to arrive at school daily no later than 7:30 and be present for morning prayers and announcements. Classes will begin at 7:45. 

Students arriving after prayers and announcements have started will be marked late. 

Morning Drop Off

During morning drop off we strongly suggest parking on Landis Avenue, Columbia Avenue, Chicago Ave or Major Avenue. These are all great alternatives to parking on Hylan Blvd. Likewise you may briefly park in the Landis parking lot in the morning, drop students off and exit through the Landis lot. The lot is shared by the high school, the elementary school and high school seniors. There are many available spaces in the morning that can be used briefly for parking as long as you do not linger. 

No vehicle is permitted to drive onto or through the campus other than parking briefly in the Landis lot. 

Morning Care

Morning care will start on the first day of school. Doors open at 7:00. 

Morning care ends at 7:25, as students begin moving from the lower gym to their classrooms. 

• Students in grades PreK-5 Grade will be using the lower gym for morning care. PreK-5th Grade students must enter through the Golden Doors upon arrival. 
• Students in grades 6-8 will be using the upper gym for morning care. It is preferred that students in grades 6 to 8 enter the school on the 4th Floor by the main office near the gazebo.
• 6th to 8th grade students with lower-grade siblings should use the Golden Doors. Younger siblings will go into the lower gym and 6th to 8th graders will walk up the stairs to the upper gym for morning care.

Students are actively supervised by multiple faculty staff and security in the gym and as they move from the gym to their classrooms.

Parking

Please do not attempt to drive on to the campus. Driving and parking on campus is NOT permissible. It is important that at no time should a family attempt to drive onto the campus for drop off or pick up EVER. We urge all families to utilize our stop and drop at the Hylan gate or find legal parking on Hylan Blvd, Columbia Ave, Major Ave, Landis or Chicago. 

Please, I implore you NOT to block the driveways of our neighbors on Columbia Ave, nor should you pull directly up to the gate to drop off students on Columbia. Columbia Ave is quite narrow and backing up from the gate is hazardous. 

Lingering to talk with other parents and drop off and pick up prevents other families from finding suitable parking. Though everyone loves to stay and chat, parking is at a premium and your assistance is greatly appreciated. 

Additionally, the NYPD has indicated that they will be ticketing double parked cars and cars that park on the median. Please park responsibly. 

Cafeteria Service

Students 1st to 8th will begin eating lunch daily in the cafeteria starting on Monday, September 8th. There is no lunch on Thursday, September 4th  or Friday September 5th

Daily Dismissal

Buses will begin on Monday, September 8th. There is no bus service on Thursday, September 4th or Friday, September 5th.

• Bus students will begin boarding the school buses at 2:15 P.M. 
• Following the bus departures, dismissal of students will be staggered. 
• Siblings in grades 1 to 8 who have siblings in PreK and Kindergarten will be dismissed through the Van Doors (side door) at 2:10 P.M. 
• PreK and Kindergarten parents please follow the times and procedures provided by your teachers. 
• Students in grades 1 and 2 will be dismissed at the doors located between the Golden Doors and the high school, near the stop sign ramp  at 2:25. 
• All other grades, 3 to 8, will be dismissed through the Golden Doors  at 2:25 - 2:30 P.M. 

Parents are not to stand on the steps or the walkway in front of the steps. Please remain on the asphalt or side walk near the lawn. To cut down on dismissal times, parents should exit immediately after students are picked up. 

Students are NOT permitted to play in the road way or on the lawn after school and NO student should be running on the Hill outside the cafeteria near the PreK. 

We wish to expedite the process of having students exit the building and campus quickly. This will require the assistance of all families during drop off. Lingering on the campus for conversations or in nearby parking spaces will prevent the flow of traffic and cause congestion. Once everyone is settled it will help us to begin our normal routine and begin our day. 

Security will be regularly present around the campus immediately after dismissal. 

Afternoon Pick Up

During dismissal parking on Landis Avenue, Columbia Avenue, Chicago Ave or Major Avenue are all alternatives to parking on Hylan Blvd. Likewise you may briefly park in the Landis parking lot walk to pick up students and exit through the Landis lot. 

No vehicle is permitted to drive onto or through the campus other than parking briefly in the Landis lot. 

After Care

After care begins on Monday, September 8th. If you plan on utilizing After Care, you must already have registered on our school website.

Bus Service

Bus Service will begin Monday, September 8th. As always, please be patient while waiting for buses to pick up and drop off the first week. It usually takes the drivers a bit of time to adapt to routes, and traffic is always a factor. 

The school can not change bus stops. Bus stops are provided by the DOE and OPT, these are city agencies that contract with Pioneer bus. Requests for variances and or changes to stops, despite what OPT and or Pioneer bus may say, are not in the purview of any Catholic school. 

Immunizations

All immunization documents were due to the nurses' office before the beginning of August. Please submit all Medical forms to Nurse Claudia cdebrosse@stjhill.org no later than August 15th, as we do not want to exclude children from school for non-compliance situations. 

No student will be able to attend on the first day of school unless their immunization records are up to date. 

Please do not delay in addressing this important matter. In accordance with New York State law and our school’s handbook, all students must be immunized in compliance with the most updated New York State Immunization Chart. We are required to exclude children from school in non-compliance situations. 

We are strongly encouraging all families to visit their primary care provider or local health clinic as soon as possible to ensure they are up to date with their required immunizations and the school health form that is linked below.

These documents can also be found on our school website here.

• New York State Immunization Chart: 2025-2026 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/ Attendance 
• New York City Health Form: CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH EXAMINATION FORM
• New York State School Health Form: Required New York State School Health Examination Form

Summer Work

All summer work has been posted prior to the end of the school year, and reading materials were given to students in June. Individual teachers and or content area teachers provided specific instructions and due dates. All summer work is posted online here Summer 2025 Work.

Please continue to check your child/children's work. Continuous checking will help to ensure that students keep up with Summer work at a gradual pace to avoid a stressful end of their Summer break. 

Aftercare

St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School provides parents with the flexibility of a safe environment for their children after school hours.  Aftercare students are dismissed from their classrooms and go directly to Aftercare daily. 

The SJHA Aftercare program gives students the opportunity to complete their homework assignments with some assistance.  When homework is complete, students can relax, watch a movie, play board games or read a good book.  All students must be picked up by 5:30 pm.  

All information regarding aftercare pricing and plans can be found using the link here.

Helpful Links:

• Online ordering for uniforms
• Tentative 2025-2026 calendar

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media! If you'd like to share photos or video and story to be featured, please email Lindsey Minkoff.

Pre-K 3

Dear Pre-K 3 Parents,

Welcome to St. Joseph Hill Academy’s Pre-K 3 program! We are looking forward to a fun and exciting year with your children, filled with many new and wonderful experiences. The following is some general information that will be helpful to you this year. 

Curriculum

The curriculum will change and evolve based on children’s abilities. We will move as fast or as slow as they need. We will teach them by doing multi-sensory projects, discussions, learning games, Show & Tell, center time, and circle time. 

This year, your children will learn to: 

● celebrate God’s love and goodness through stories, music, prayer, and art

● use songs and instruments to learn to follow directions, take turns, and participate  cooperatively as a socially-distanced group 

● follow oral directions and develop listening skills 

● share space and experiences 

● use their manners with adults as well as their peers 

● identify colors, shapes, their names, numbers, and letters 

● develop socialization, communication, and tolerance skills 

● experience many types of literature 

● increase their attention span 

● develop fine motor skills and gross motor skills through sensory experiences 

Our Parent Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 3rd at 5:30 P.M. in each teacher's classroom. Please bring 2 current 4x6 and 4 wallet-sized pictures of your child to be used in the classroom. 

First Day of School

3-day students: For your child, on Thursday, September 4th from 8-9:30 or 10-11:30 there will be a special “get acquainted” session for the Pre-K 3 students. Your child’s teacher will confirm your child’s “get-acquainted” session time in August. This is a great chance for your children to meet their teachers, get used to saying goodbye to you at the front door and ease into their daily schedule, without being overwhelmed. Please send your child in their uniform. We will greet them at the front door and escort them into the classroom. At dismissal you will pick them up at the appropriate door. More information regarding your child’s “get acquainted class” will be provided by your child’s teacher. The first full day of school for 3 day students will be Tuesday, September 9th. On this day the children will come for their regularly scheduled day. All children should come to school in uniform. Please no toddler-sized backpacks; we cannot stress this enough. They also need a backpack (any color) that your child can open and close and that is big enough to easily fit their lunch bag and their large 81/2 x 11 folder and other belongings. 

5 day students: For your child, on Thursday, September 4th or Friday, September 5th, from 8:00-9:30 there will be a special “get-acquainted” session for the Pre-K 3 students. Your child’s teacher will confirm your child’s “get-acquainted” session date in August. This is a great chance for your children to meet their teachers, get used to saying goodbye to you at the front door and ease into their daily schedule, without being overwhelmed. Please send your child in their uniform. We will greet them at the front door and escort them into the classroom. At dismissal you will pick them up at the appropriate door. More information regarding your child’s “get acquainted class” will be provided by your child’s teacher. The first full day of school for 5 day students is Monday, September 8th. On this day the children will come for their regularly scheduled day. All children should come to school in uniform. Please no toddler-sized backpacks; we cannot stress this enough. They also need a backpack (any color) that your child can open and close and that is big enough to easily fit their lunch bag and their large 81/2 x 11 folder and other belongings. 

Arrival

Pre-K is an important time for your children to develop independence and we ask that you follow the school policy which states that parents are not allowed past the front door. Once the children are inside, tears go away very quickly and we promise to work with you to address any transition problems. NO cars are allowed to drive on school grounds during arrival or dismissal times. Even if you are late, you must not pull onto the school grounds and never park in fire lanes. Please hold your child’s hand at all times. Please try your best to adhere to your time and have patience the first week or so as we work out the process. 

Pre-K 3 arrives at 7:40 am. 

Pre-K 3 arrival is at 7:40am. Your child will be marked late if they come after 7:50am. For parents with older siblings, or if early drop off is needed, there is early morning drop off at 7am at the golden doors where one of our aides will go and bring the children to our PreK building. 

Dismissal

If someone other than a parent will be picking up your child, a note or email must be sent. Exceptions will be made in emergencies. Dismissal is at 2:00. Dismissal Procedures will be discussed by your child’s teacher at Meet the Teacher Night. 

E-mail

If you need to contact us during the day, please send an email and you will hear back from us at our earliest convenience. We will check several times a day but may not respond to you until rest time or the end of the day so as not to take away from teaching time. Our email addresses are: gnoe@stjhill.org, kmaccarone@stjhill.org, and gbenson@stjhill.org 

Absences & Sicknesses

If you know your child will be out, please email and let us know as soon as possible so our attendance can be entered. If your child is absent from school an absent note is required. Please send the absent note to your teacher via email or in their folder when they return. If your child vomits or has a fever, they must stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours. We try to keep a germ-free environment because with early learners come lots of germs! If your child gets sick in school we will call you to come pick them up. 

Messages/Notices/Calendar

Notes/communication will be sent home via their folder or email, so please check it every night. If there is anything important for us to know, you can also send a note in their folder or email. Please read the school’s monthly calendar very carefully since days off and dates for special events may change from the tentative summer calendar. 

School Rush

You will be receiving an email about an app called School Rush. Please use the link to download the app. The Pre-K uses this secure app to share pictures and send updates related to Pre-K. 

Uniform

Your child is expected to be in uniform every day. This includes the short and long sleeve polo shirts, short sleeve t-shirt, crewneck sweatshirt, zip-up fleece, gym shorts, or sweatpants. White Velcro sneakers must be worn every day; light-up sneakers and character sneakers will not be allowed. The children can wear any color or kind of backpack and jacket. If uniform pants are too large, please use generic navy pants instead of the uniform. 

Snack/Lunch

● All children must come to school with food and a drink every day. 

● Children must have a drink (12oz bottle or less), a snack, and their lunch. 

Please pack their lunch in a lunchbox or bento box, labeled with their name, and place it in their backpack. Please use a brown bag, labeled with an “S” for snack. It is easier to separate that way. Also, please send straws, forks or spoons with their lunch/snack if they are needed. 

NOTE: The Pre-K building is a nut-free building and we ask that you comply with this important request.

Change of Clothes

Please send in 2 complete changes of clothes (any type of clothing is fine) for your child. Please send everything (shirt, pants, socks, underwear, and 1 pair of shoes) in a Ziploc bag labeled with your child’s name. If your child has an accident, please make sure you send in a new change of clothes the following day. Please send in your child’s change of clothes at Meet the Teacher night on Wednesday, September 3rd. 

Rest Time

Please send in a fitted crib sheet. Sleeping bags and nap buddies are not permitted. The sheets will be sent home for washing every 2-3 weeks. 

Supplies

Supplies will be discussed at the Meet the Teacher night. Nothing needs to be bought at this time. 

Parties/Birthdays

On your child’s actual birthday (or day close to) we will celebrate their special day in our classroom. Teachers will contact you as their birthday approaches to assist in a plan for the day. 

Cubbies

Each child will have a cubby with his/her name on it, please label everything (jackets, mittens, scarves, hats, lunch boxes, etc.) with a permanent marker to ensure things are not lost or sent home with the wrong child. 

Toilet Training

Every child must be toilet-trained prior to entering school; Pull-Ups are not permitted. We understand that accidents will occur as the children are getting used to the new environment and we will help them accordingly. Excessive accidents on a daily basis will need to be addressed so please work with your child over the summer. Please teach them to wipe properly (with toilet paper, not wipes) as the staff at SJHA is not permitted to help a child wipe when they go to the bathroom. If your child is not fully potty-trained, they cannot begin our program. You will receive our toilet training policy in September. 

Toys

Toys from home are not permitted in school. If your child does travel to school with a toy, please leave it in the car. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. 

Emergency Cards

Emergency cards will be sent home the first day of school. Please fill out your emergency card as completely/accurately as possible and include a wallet-sized picture of your child. If you are a working family, please make sure you have at least one available person nearby to pick-up your child in your absence. 

We are looking forward to working with each of your children and watching as they grow and mature. It is an incredible transformation that we will experience together. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to speak to us. Thank you for entrusting your most treasured possession to our care as they begin their educational journey at St. Joseph Hill Academy. We look forward to a wonderful year! 

Sincerely, 

Ms. Gina Benson PreK 3-1 

Mrs. Gail Noe PreK 3-2 

Mrs. Kelsey Maccarone 3-3

Pre-K 4

Dear Pre-K 4 Parents,

Welcome to the St. Joseph Hill Academy Pre-Kindergarten 4-year-old program. We are looking forward to a fun-filled, exciting year for your children. Here is some general information that will be helpful to you this year. Please note that all items discussed below will be within the guidelines of SJHA School Implementation Plan, policies, and procedures.

Class Assignment

We will send an email with your child’s class assignment.

Meet the Teacher Night

We will hold a Meet the Teacher night on September 3, 2025, at 5:30 PM.  Location will be in the Pre-K building.  You will receive a separate email with more information regarding this meeting.

Curriculum

The children will be learning many new and exciting things this year.  We are very excited to introduce the Frog Street Curriculum. This engaging interactive curriculum program celebrates the joy of learning while children travel down the road to success. Some of the learning activities will be socialization and communication skills. Academic skills will focus on Math, Phonics, Early Literacy, and Religion.  We will have Creative Arts, Music and Movement activities. Your children will participate in group projects, discussions, and many learning games. We will have practice activities in centers. We will also learn the alphabet, the sounds, and the numbers through various types of experiences and the Letter People Preschool Program. Most importantly the children will learn to socialize and be a part of the group. They will learn to take turns, and share and work cooperatively together. 

Arrival

We will have two transition days for Pre-K. 

Thursday , September 4th from 8:30-10:30 AM and Friday, September 5th from 8:30-10:30 AM.  Your teacher will notify you by email which session your child will be attending. 

Please send a snack and a drink in a brown paper bag for the transition days with their name clearly written on the bag. 

The first full day of school for PreK-4

Monday, September 8, 2025 (unless you are a three-day scheduled student, then you attend school on the first day of your scheduled days). Children should come to school in their uniform; they also need a backpack (any color). Your child should be able to open and close it themselves and it must be big enough to hold many items including a large 9x12 folder. We will ask for an emergency contact number and send home an emergency card to be sent into school the next day. Please let us know who will be picking your child up at dismissal. 

All children are to be dropped off at the Pre-K building at 7:40 AM sharp! Your child will be marked late.

Pre-K 4-1: Mrs. Kelly’s class 

Pre-K 4-2: Ms. Donato’s class

Pre -K 4-3 Mrs. Azzarello’s class

Pre-K four classes will enter in the front of the Pre-K building.  

The Pre-K building is easy to access from Columbia Avenue. Please park in the Upper Landis Ave. lot, which you can access by making a left onto Chicago Ave. and then making a right into the parking lot. 

All students should arrive by 7:40 AM.

Lateness

Your child is expected to be in school by 7:40 AM SHARP! Latenesses will be documented.

Dismissal

All children are to be picked up at the Pre-K building. If someone other than the parents will be picking up your child, a note must be sent prior to dismissal. There will be exceptions made in case of emergency. The children are dismissed at 2:00 PM on full days and 11:00 AM on half days. Please be on time for dismissal.

Absences and Sickness

If your child is absent from school an absent note is required. Please send the note the next day.  If your child vomits or has a fever, please keep them home until they are fever free for 24 hours. We try to keep a germ-free environment because with early learners come lots of germs!! If your child gets sick in school we will call you to come pick them up. 

Messages and Notices

All notes that need to be sent home will be sent via the blue SJHA folder or other folder sent home by your child’s teacher. All correspondence with the teacher will be through this folder. However, we are always available at arrival and dismissal if you would like to speak to us. The folder is to be sent to school every day. Please check it every night.

We can be reached via voicemail throughout the day at the following extensions:

Mrs. Kelly Prek4-1

1-718-981-1187 Ext. 9503

diane.kelly@stjhill.org       

Ms. Donato Prek4-2 

1-718-981-1187 Ext. 9506 -  

ddonato@stjhill.org  

Mrs. Azzarello

Prek4-3

1-718-981-1187 Ext 9505

jazzarello@stjhill.org

We check our phone messages at least 3 times a day. If it is an emergency you can contact the general office and they will get us ASAP. The number is: 1 (718) 981-1187 Ext. 9136. 

We find one of the best ways to communicate with us is by email. Please provide us with an e-mail address that you check on a regular basis. We always check our email throughout the day.

Uniforms

Your child is expected to be in uniform every day. The blue SJHA sweatpants with the school golf (polo) shirt under the blue SJHA sweatshirt is the winter uniform. In the warmer weather the children are permitted to wear blue gym shorts with the SJHA golf (polo) shirt. The SJHA fleece jacket is an optional item. White Velcro sneakers must be worn every day. Please buy plain sneakers; no sequins or lights.

NUT FREE ZONE

Due to many allergies, the entire Pre-K building will be a NUT FREE ZONE. 

Snacks and Lunch

All children must have a snack with a drink and their lunch (including a drink). Please do not send in sippy cups, thermoses, glass bottles, super size large drink/water bottles. Plastic small bottles of water are the best. Try not to send canned snacks that are hard to open, food that needs to be heated, soda, candy or popcorn. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Lunch boxes are permitted, Please note if you are using a bento box no lunch box is needed this only complicates lunch set up and clean up.  Please be sure to put their snack in a separate bag. Please wash lunch and bento boxes at least once a week.

Change of clothes and toilet accidents

Please send in a complete change of clothes for your child (if your child attends aftercare please send in another set of clothes), including underwear, socks, sneakers, shirt and pants. Please label all. Put them in a large Ziploc bag with your child’s name clearly printed on the outside of the bag. We need these on the first day of school. We realize that accidents do happen, but all children must be completely potty-trained.  If there is an accident, you will be called to pick up your child.

Hair

Girls’ hair should be neatly arranged and long hair must be pulled back or up. Boys’ hair must be neat at all times, combed and groomed, not to exceed the bottom earlobe.

Newsletter and Calendar

A monthly newsletter to update you with themes and special events will be posted on the school website under the Pre-K heading. It will also be emailed on the first day of each month. Please read the calendar each month very carefully. Days off and dates for special events may change from the tentative summer calendar.

Class Website Page

Each class has a website page. You can access the page from the school website. https://elementary.stjosephhillacademy.com/

Select the Academics  tab, then select Early Childhood and Pre-K tab, and then the Pre-K 4. We post information here as well as upcoming events. Please subscribe to the page to receive updates.

School Rush App

You will receive an email with directions to sign up for the app. This app is an important part of communication within the Pre-K. More information to follow.

Seesaw App

You will receive an email notification to sign up for the app. Weekly homework will be posted using this application.  More information to follow.

Class Birthdays

We will celebrate individual class birthdays with the “Star of the Day” activity. More details to follow.  We will celebrate monthly birthdays with a class celebration.   When your child’s monthly birthday celebration is scheduled you will receive an email with a list of items like pizza, mini cupcakes, ice cream, etc to select and send in for a monthly celebration. There will be at least 3-4 students in a monthly celebration.

Supplies

Please no supplies are to be brought on the first day of school.  You will get an email explaining supplies.  Please do not buy anything until you receive the email.  Thanks for your cooperation.

We hope that we have provided you with valuable information to help you and your child have a great year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Kelly Pre-K 4-1

Ms. Donato Pre-K 4-2

Mrs. Azzarello Pre K 4-3

Kindergarten

Dear Kindergarten Parents,

We welcome you to our Kindergarten program here at St. Joseph Hill Academy. We are excited to meet so many new families and are equally excited to continue our relationship with the younger siblings of so many kindergarteners that have passed through our doors.

This is surely an important milestone for both you and your child, as he or she begins their formal educational, social, and spiritual journey at St. Joseph Hill Academy.  Our kindergarten program is designed to support the comprehensive development of each child—spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Through a structured and nurturing environment, students engage in daily, developmentally appropriate learning experiences across a range of subject areas, including literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, technology, the arts, health, and physical development. Emphasis is placed on cultivating foundational academic skills while encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. The program aims to foster a lifelong love of learning and to prepare students for continued academic success by recognizing and nurturing each child’s individual strengths and potential.

You are a very important part of your child’s educational team. We recognize that parents are their children’s most important teachers and when we work together amazing progress can be made!  We look forward to meeting you at our Orientation /Meet The Teacher Night to discuss the necessary school supplies as well as the procedures and goals of our kindergarten program.  Our September opening day procedures are outlined below.

Sending smiles, 

Mrs. Casella & Mrs. Ettinger

KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION & MEET THE TEACHER

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Our Orientation and Meet the Teacher night will be on Wednesday, September 3rd at 5:30pm in the Kindergarten classrooms. Please use the gray van doors at Columbia Avenue to enter and exit. 

KINDERGARTEN OPENING DAYS

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Only students whose last names begin with letters A-J attend from 8:00-10:00 am. Drop-off and dismissal will be at the gray van doors on the Columbia Ave. side of our campus. Your child will need a snack & drink, they may bring their lunchbox or  a disposable bag labeled with their name. 

Friday, September 5, 2025

All students whose last names begin with letters K-Z will attend from 8:00-10:00 am. Drop-off and dismissal will be at the gray van doors on the Columbia Ave. side of the building. Your child will need a snack & drink, they may bring their lunchbox or  a disposable bag labeled with their name. 

Monday, September 8, 2025

All students will attend a full day session from 7:30-2:00 pm.  

***Morning drop-off will be at the Golden Doors on Hylan Boulevard ONLY by 7:35 the latest, classes are dismissed to the classrooms at 7:30, Mrs. Roe and Miss Alyvia will be in the gym to receive and walk the children to the classrooms. 

***Early morning care begins at 7 AM

***Dismissal will be at the grey van doors on the side of the building. 

***Aftercare and bus service begins

Your child will need lunch and a snack. 

Supplies

All supplies will be provided during the first week of school. These supplies will stay in school and are used for classwork only. Students should have a pencil, scissors, glue and crayons at home to use for their homework. 

Backpacks must be large. They must easily fit a 9X12 folder and their lunchbox. Please place something on your child’s backpack to help them identify their backpack. Please place a key ring on the main zipper. The children have difficulty finding their belongings in multi-zippered backpacks. All backpacks must be labeled with your child’s name. 

Uniforms

Please send your child to school in their complete SJHA Gym Uniform. 

Your child’s name should be inside ALL garments and sneakers.

Sneakers must be all white with a Velcro closure only. 

Hair should be neatly arranged. No shaved or sculptured hair 

designs. Boys hair should be combed and groomed, not to exceed 

the bottom ear lobe. Girls may wear small post earrings, other than

that jewelry is not permitted. No make-up including nail polish is 

allowed at any time. No artificial hair color may be worn in school.

Should you have any questions please feel free to email Mrs. Ettinger or Mrs. Casella at kettinger@stjhill.org or kcasella@stjhill.org. 

“August is the slow, gentle month that stretches out the longest across the span of a year. It yawns and lingers on with the light in its palms.” — Victoria Erickson