Ancillae-Assumpta Academy

COMMUNICATIONS - Each child should bring the AAA tote bag to school every day.  School bags will be checked each morning for any written communications for the office or teachers.  School and teacher communications will also be sent home in your child’s bag so please check daily.  School tote bags are available through the school store.

If you have the need to talk with your child’s teacher, please drop a note with the time frames and numbers where you can be reached.  If you call school, you will be connected to the Montessori Unit voice mail.  Please leave a message with whom you would like to speak and the number(s) where you can be reached.  Teachers will return your call as soon as possible but are unable to leave your children to come to the phone. The Montessori Unit voice mail is extension 182. Teachers each have individual  voice mail and e-mail addresses.  The teachers will share the best way to communicate and give individual numbers and addresses at orientation night. Faculty/Staff Directory

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL -  Children should arrive at school between 7:50 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. Enter the property from Church Rd. Teachers and assistants  will assist your child(ren) from the car. Cars dropping off children for only Stepping Stones, Preschool and Kindergarten are asked to make your first left onto the property for your child to be let out at the ramp of the Sacred Heart Center.  Cars dropping off with graders should turn at the second left (child safety zone) for drop off and form a single line along the curbside. Should you or your child need a few moments when dropping off, please let the teacher on duty know and follow her direction to park your car.  For the safety of your child, after 8:20 a.m. you will need to walk your child inside.  Please enter by the front door facing the McCoy Center so as not to interrupt the Preschool activities.  Children should be connected with a teacher and not left to enter the building or classrooms on their own.

Stepping Stones 11:30 dismissal- Parents enter at the side door along the main path.  A teacher will open the door at 11:30 and parents come down stairs for pick-up.

Stepping Stones Lunch Bunch and halfday Preschool dismisses at 12:30 p.m. at the ramp.  Teachers will bring your child to the car.  Please form a double line by pulling forward past the ramp with a middle space for cars to get through.

Dismissal begins at 3:00 p.m.  All cars are asked to arrive by 3:20 p.m.  Please place a sign with your last name in the windshield. Pick-up is at the ramp of the Sacred Heart Center. Cars picking up children only in Preschool and Kindergarten are asked to enter the property at 2:50.  If picking up older siblings, please do not enter the property until 3:05. This will allow time for the older children to cross over while keeping our transportation line moving.   This should help speed up our dismissal process.  Please put in writing any changes in your child’s dismissal.  If an unforeseen change is necessary, you should contact school by phone to leave a message.  Messages will be checked daily at 2:30 p.m. 

FULL DAY PRESCHOOL - Full Day Preschool dismisses at 3:00pm.  The afternoon offers a comfortable rest and story time for children under the age of four and an option of rest for those four year olds still in need of rest.  For four and five year olds who do not rest, a curriculum of enrichment  activities in science, culture, social skills, handwriting readiness, computers, Spanish, religion, and yoga as well as extended individual work with the Montessori material unfolds throughout the week. Any child currently enrolled as half day may make the switch to full day at the beginning of each trimester by contacting Rita Cullison ext. 101.  Our full day curriculum is a five day program.  There is not an option for per diem or partial afternoon weeks.

SECURITY - All doors to the Sacred Heart Center are locked following morning arrivals at 8:20 a.m.
To gain access to the  building for late arrival, early pick-up, volunteer time, music lessons, etc., you will need to go to the receptionist in the McCoy Center lobby to sign in and receive a pass to the Sacred Heart Center.  Passes must be returned to the lobby after your visit.  

MEDICATIONS/ILLNESS –  School policy does not allow children to carry any medications (prescription or over the counter) in their school bag. All medications must be handed to an adult. Medications cannot be sent home in school bags but will be returned to the parent at pick-up.  A doctor’s note and parental instructions for administering need to accompany all medications.  You may wish to have your doctor write a note for any medications (i.e. Tylenol, Benadryl) that your child may need to take during the year and have it on file at school.  Please send medications in original containers. Parents will be contacted to pick-up children that have a fever.  Children must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

LUNCH -  Kindergarten children will eat in the student dining room.  Preschool will be served lunch in the Preschool room.  If your child has any individual dietary needs or restrictions please contact Jane Diorio at ext. 182.

CALENDAR - When you receive your school calendar, please check for important dates (i.e. picture day, holidays, conference dates, end of year picnic). The calendar also contains school policies, faculty/ staff listings, and explanation of many programs.

VOLUNTEERS - Parents are welcome to their share interests and talents within our school program. If you have an idea for a presentation please contact your child’s teacher.  Other opportunities to assist with preparation work and classroom activities are available.  Please return the volunteer form to school if interested.  All volunteers are expected to attend the school’s volunteer orientation in September where specific needs will be identified. Volunteers will begin in October once the school routine has been established for the children. 

NEWSLETTERS – From the Heart is the monthly communication for the Montessori Unit.  It highlights classroom happenings, curriculum skills and themes, and other important information for the Stepping Stones, Preschool, and Kindergarten programs.

CONFERENCES -  Parent –Teacher conferences are scheduled twice a year.  This year conferences are scheduled  in October and February.   Children do not attend school on these days.  A progress report is given at  the end of each trimester.  You are encouraged to contact your child’s teacher  if you have any questions concerning your child’s progress before or after our scheduled conference times.  

TISSUES / WET ONES – Each family is asked to send in a box of tissues and Wet Ones wipes for use in our classroom.

ATTIRE – Each day the children will have recess outside, weather permitting.  Children should wear shoes appropriate for running and playing.  Children wearing clogs, sandals, and open back shoes will be asked not to climb on the playground equipment for their safety.  Children will also be involved in activities with paint, playdough, glue, etc.  Please consider this when your child dresses in the morning. 

GYM - Child should wear sneakers and pants on gym days for their comfort and safety during gym activities. 

CHANGE OF CLOTHES -  Every child should bring in a change of clothes consisting of socks, underwear, pants, and a shirt in a Ziploc bag.  Each item should be labeled with your child’s name.  Seasonally, we ask that you send in clothes appropriate to the temperature.  Please return a new set of clothes the next day after your child may have used this spare set. Children attending Extended Day are asked to bring in a separate change of clothes bag to be stored in the Extended day area.  Please label this bag Extended Day. 

LOST AND FOUND – Crates are located under the benches in the Preschool cubby areas for the Montessori Unit.  Please check these crates periodically for lost items.  All items entering school should be labeled with your child’s name.  This includes books, clothes, coats, and most especially mittens, hats, and scarves. 

BIRTHDAYS - You will be notified of the day your child’s birthday will be celebrated in school.  To make this day special for your child, you are invited to donate a class book or music cd that is a favorite of your child's.  Time will be given during this day to share this gift and it will be marked in honor of your child's birthday.  Any treats sent in for children must be non-edible trinkets such as a sticker or pencil.  Your child will be honored in a special way on his/her birthday.

RESTERS – Children under the age of four are asked to rest. Cluster teachers will work with parents about the individual needs for rest for your child.  Please contact your child’s teacher if you have questions regarding your child’s schedule. If your child will be resting in the afternoon, please send in a child-sized sleeping bag to be stored at school.  Sleeping bags will be sent  home periodically to be washed.  Resters are also invited to bring in something quiet to snuggle with during rest time.  “Snuggles” will be sent home daily.  Please label each snuggle with your child’s name. 

BOOK CLUB ORDERS – Kindergarten, Preschool, and Stepping Stones will send home order forms from the Scholastic Book club.  Please note the return date for orders you may wish to make.  Orders should be returned in an envelope marked BOOK ORDER with a check made out to Scholastic or can be completed online.  Bonus points earned through your orders are used towards new books, cassettes, and other learning materials.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

HALLOWEEN – Children at the Kindergarten level will create their own masks and costume accessories at school as part of their Halloween festivities. Preschool children will wear costumes from home.  Stepping Stones celebrates Halloween by visiting a pumpkin farm.  This information is given to help you in your planning.  More detailed information will be sent home in October.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS -  Kindergarten has a Christmas performance in the auditorium for parents. Preschool has a sing-along for families in the auditorium.  Stepping Stones performs the Nativity in the Sacred Heart Chapel.  Please check your calendar for dates in December.

FIELD TRIPS -  Stepping Stones visits Merrymead Farm in October.  Preschool attends a production at Keswick Theatre in April.  Kindergarten explores the Elmwood Zoo in May.  Please check dates in calendar.  Transportation is provided by parents attending the trip.  More detailed information will be sent home closer to each trip.

END OF YEAR PICNIC – Our last day of the school year is celebrated with our families at Alverthorpe Park. Check your calendar for the date and plan to join us for a picnic and fun activities.  More information sent home in May.