General Information
Frequently Asked Questions, re:
Absence
The parent should call the school office at 588-6171 prior to 8:00 AM on the day that a student is absent. Leave a message with name of child, room number and reason for absence on the answering machine. Telephone calls ALONE are not sufficient.
The student must also bring a NOTE signed by the parent and clearly stating the dates of absence, REASON of absence and the student’s name and homeroom number. When a student is absent, there is a specific legal requirement that the REASON for the absence must be written and the note kept on file.
Absentee notes must be presented to the homeroom teacher on the morning the student returns to school. For reporting purposes, an absence of more than 3½ hours is considered a half-day absence.
Calendar
A tentative yearly calendar is sent home at the beginning of each year, or can be accessed online. An additional monthly calendar is sent home to list the dates and times of special Masses and events for that particular month. This monthly calendar reflects the names of families each day who have been designated for prayer.
CARES
St Pius X offers a state-licensed supervised care program before and after the regular school day. This program is available beginning the first day of school in August and continues through the last day of school in June. Details are sent out annually at the beginning of each year. Any parent deciding to use these services after that time may obtain information and registration forms from the school office. There is an additional fee for this program and each student should have an emergency form on file for participation. We also offer a summer camp program – click here for more information.
Celebrations
Parents should check with the classroom teacher about individual policy concerning celebrations. Students bringing a treat for the class on their birthdays are to take it directly to their classrooms. Any other celebratory items (balloons, flowers, etc.) are discouraged and, if they arrive, will not be given to the student until dismissal.
Communication Envelopes (The Communique)
The oldest child in each family will receive a communication envelope weekly. All information (forms, memos, Newsletters, etc.) will be sent home on Wednesdays. Parents are asked to read the information, remove all contents and sign the envelope on the appropriate line to indicate the information has been received, read, and understood. The envelope is to be returned on Thursday morning to the homeroom teacher. This is our attempt to keep you informed. Lunch orders will be sent home in the Communication Envelope and must be received by Friday morning of the same week.
Conferences
Conferences with all parents will be scheduled with teachers at the time of the first progress report. In addition, teachers will schedule conferences, as needed, throughout the school year. Parents wishing to request a conference should send a note to the teacher or call the office and leave a message.
Parents wishing to speak with the principal should either send a note with the student or call the office and leave a message. If a discussion of a student’s academic/behavioral performance is needed, parents are advised to conference with the teacher prior to requesting administrative involvement. A conference will be scheduled with the principal for parent's of any student with multiple failures in a grading period.
Daily Schedule
Students are not permitted inside the school building before 7:45 AM except in inclement weather. Children should report to their respective classrooms at this time. Classes begin promptly after the 8:00 AM prayer bell. The day concludes with the 3:10 PM bell (2:10 on Wednesdays) for dismissal.
HEALTH SERVICES
St. Pius X School employs a full time nurse. The school nurse is responsible for the care of emergencies and illnesses that occur while the student is in school. The school nurse also maintains all files and records according to the requirements of the Department of Health.
The following information must be presented to the school:
- Any specific medical, physiological, and psychological testing profiles that the child may have.
- A completed emergency card (issued to the parents the first week of school). This card contains names of persons that may be contacted should the school be unable to reach the parents/guardians. Please notify the school any time this information changes.
- A Permission to Administer Medication form must be completed and signed by the attending physician and parents and returned to school before the school may administer medication
Inclement Weather (Emergency Closing)
Delayed opening or cancellation of school due to inclement weather will be announced on the following TV stations:
- Channel 3 - WTKR
- Channel 10 - WAVY
- Channel 13 - WVEC
The stations will not announce a normal opening. Therefore, if you do not hear an announcement for St. Pius X School, we will be open on a normal schedule. Most emergency closing announcements are made by 6:00 AM unless unusual weather conditions develop rapidly. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE CONVENT OR SECRETARY. When school is CLOSED FOR THE DAY the following will be CANCELED:
- CARES PROGRAM
- all extracurricular activities
- team practices
- field trips
- non-school activities in the school building
Exceptions may be made by the Principal.
Items Brought to School
Items requested by the teacher for show and tell or projects are appropriate. If any other item is brought to school, the teacher's permission should be obtained prior to bringing in the item. Students may bring balls to play on the playground with the understanding that the school is not responsible for loss, theft or damage. Headphones, electronic games, laser beam, pointers, tape recorders, beepers, or any such items are not acceptable items to bring to school.
In addition Portable Communications/Electronic Devices ie: cellular phones may not be used during school hours. They must be turned off at all times and kept out of sight. Such items may not be kept in the students’ possession. If such items are seen or heard, the item will be confiscated by the administration/teacher/staff member and turned into the office. For the first offense the phone must be picked up by a parent or guardian. For the second offense the phone will be kept by the school until the end of the school year.
Lateness
A student who arrives late to their classroom (after 8:00 AM) must report to the office for a late slip. He/she must also sign in accompanied by a parent. (student handbook has more detailed information)
Lost and Found
The administration strongly urges that all articles of clothing, school bags, lunches, etc., be marked clearly with your child's name and grade. All articles lost or found should be reported or turned in to the office. Boxes of lost and found items will be located in the gym.
Meal Programs
Hot breakfast and lunch programs are provided by the school on a daily basis for each full school day. The program is staffed by a paid certified cafeteria manager and assistant. Any parent with the time to assist in this program is encouraged to do so. Click here for more information and weekly menus.
School Counselor
Each week a licensed counselor is available to talk with students or parents wishing this service. A student, parent, or teacher may ask for the counselor to have a student visit his/her office if and when the need arises. Parents who wish to speak to the counselor should leave a message with the school office and the counselor will return their call.
School Liturgies
The school community attends Mass on Holy Days and special occasions in the church year. Family members are always welcome to join and participate with us in the celebration. Notice of these events will be on the monthly calendar found in the weekly Communiqué or online.
Stationery Store
Students are expected to have the necessary supplies each school day. Stationery may be purchased from the St. Pius X School Store located next to the main office. School Store hours are 7:45 AM - 8:00 AM, Monday through Friday. PLEASE NOTE THAT THEME PAPER AND COPY BOOKS MUST BE PURCHASED FROM THE SCHOOL.
Telephone Policy
No student is permitted to call for forgotten homework, projects, P.E. clothes, lunches, etc. If a parent finds that a student has left an item at home, it may be dropped off at the school office and the child will receive it at lunch time. Lunches should be taken directly to the Parish Hall after signing in at the office. Forgotten items may not be taken directly to the classroom. Classes will not be interrupted to deliver forgotten homework, projects, or P.E. attire. Students are responsible for having all items needed for class that day.
Title 1 Program
St. Pius X School participates in the government funded Title 1 program through the Norfolk Public Schools to give support to children in reading and math. Teacher recommendation and parental consent forms insure participation in the program.
Viewing of Records
By law parents and students have a right of access to official records involving the student. Please follow these guidelines when requesting access:
- Notify office in writing as to legal name and the homeroom of the student and the date and time requested for viewing.
- Submit request at least 24 hours prior to viewing.
- The office will confirm the appointment by phone.
Visitors
Visitors are welcome! In order to insure safety and continuity of the instructional day, it is requested that the following procedures be adhered to:
- Report to the office to check in.
- Drop off items or messages to the office.
- DO NOT visit a classroom or teacher without an appointment. No unscheduled conferences, however brief, are permitted during regular school hours.
- School age students who do not attend St. Pius X School may not be on school grounds or in the building during any St. Pius X school day and/or event (i.e., pep rallies, fun day, graduation reception, etc.).
St. Pius X Dress Code
Click here for the 2010-2011 Boy's Uniform Dress Code (PDF)
Click here for the 2010-2011 Girl's Uniform Dress Code (PDF)
Click here for the 2009-2010 Boy's Uniform Dress Code (PDF)
Click here for the 2009-2010 Girl's Uniform Dress Code (PDF)
Students should be in full uniform on the first full day of school. New students will be given sufficient time to procure uniforms. If an emergency arises at home, we understand as long as a written note from a parent accompanies the student that day. Tennis shoes or sneakers are needed for P. E. classes only.
Uniforms are purchased from:
Flynn & O’Hara Uniform Company
www.flynnohara.com
800-441-4122
Rose Uniform Company
Woods Corner Shopping Center
1920 Centerville Turnpike, Suite #113
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
www.roseuniforms.com
1-757-479-2100
Measuring for uniforms takes place in May and July. Order blanks are available in the school office throughout the year. Second-hand items are available at Used Uniform Sales held periodically. Parents will receive notification of these sales through the communiqué envelope. It is expected that students will arrive at school looking clean and well-groomed each day.
Spirit Days
Some days in the year are declared “Dress Down Days”. On these occasions, students should use good taste and common sense and observe the guidelines given by the administrators.
- Tank tops, halter tops, T-shirts that advertise alcohol or tobacco or other inappropriate sayings, frayed or torn shoes, and frayed, torn or unsightly jeans are NOT permitted to be worn.
- Short- shorts and mini-skirts are NOT allowed.
