SMS Weekly Newsletter

I am resending last week's newsletter with some more updated information! We have had a great first few days of school.

Happy First week of school!

It was so great to meet so many of you this week! I know this is going to be a fabulous year!! So far, we are off to a great start

Tuesday, September 3rd was our first day of school for our 1st graders through 8th graders! Please remember the first week of school is all half days and there is no AfterCare.

The first day of schools for the other grades are:

• Kindergarten- Wednesday, September 4th
• PK3 and PK4- Monday, September 9th

You will receive many forms on your child's first day of school, including: technology use, photograph permission, handbook signature form, textbook form and others. All these forms are extremely important. Please make sure you send those back as soon as possible!

Have a fabulous rest of your week and enjoy your weekend,

Ms. Kazan

The Sports Mile Run Test is this Saturday , September 7th. if your child is interested in joining our basketball team, they must participate in the Mile Run test. The times are as follows:

3rd and 4th grade 10am-10:45

5th and 6th grade 10:45-11:30

7th and 8th grade 11:00-12:15

Please see the welcome letter below.

I am happy to announce that we have filled the Advanced Math and Art positions. Mr. Nan Wang, our new Advanced Math teacher will be beginning on Tuesday and is looking forward to sharing his love of math with the 6th-8th graders. Ms. Denyce Wacaster, our new Art teacher is excited to explore new art concepts with our students. The final position that I have to fill is that of a new Music teacher.

Mrs. Sherry Powell found another opportunity and will no longer be our 1B teacher. However, I am excited to announce that Ms. Jhakima Cuencas, our previous music teacher will be joining us in 1st grade. She is very happy to be rejoining our faculty in this new position.

Mrs. Lora Dultz will be joining us as our Full time nurse.

I have attached the parent student handbook below. Please make sure you read it thoroughly as it has been updated.

Students are to wear the school uniform daily. The teacher is required to enforce the dress code.

All uniforms are to be from Flynn and O'Hara:

Boys Grades K – 8: (Summer Uniform)

• Khaki shorts – no cuff
• White sports sock – no decoration
• Blue* polo shirt with St. Michael’s logo
• White sneaker (mostly white) No high tops
• Belt - black, brown
• School uniform Shirts must be tucked in

Boys Grades K-8: (Winter Uniform)

• Blue* polo (long or short sleeve) with a logo
• Uniform trouser – Khaki
• Shoes black dress shoes – no sneakers
• St. Michael’s Green Sweater or Fleece
• Belt - black, brown

Girls: Grades K – 8 (Summer Uniform)

• Khaki shorts – no cuff
• White sports sock – no decoration
• Blue polo shirt with St. Michael’s logo
• Uniform shorts - Khaki
• White sneaker (or mostly white) No high tops
• Belt - black, brown
• School uniform Shirts must be tucked in
• Uniform kilt or jumper may be worn at any time – they should be no shorter than 2” above the knee

Girls: Grades K – 4 (Winter Uniform)

• New Plaid Uniform jumper with white blouse
• Khaki uniform slacks with Blue Polo
• Green/ blue tights- No leggings or knee socks
• Shoes – black
• (heels no higher than 1 inch)
• No sneakers
• St. Michael’s Green Sweater or Fleece

Grade Gr 6-8 (Winter Uniform)

• Uniform skort- new plaid
• Uniform jumpers and skorts should be no shorter than 2” above the knee
• Khaki uniform slacks
• Green or blue tights - No leggings

·Gym Uniforms:

• All students must have a regulation physical education uniform
• SMS shorts (Summer uniform only)/ SMS sweat pants
• SMS Grey T-Shirt
• Sneakers
• sports sock
• Gym Uniforms can be purchased at Flynn and O'Hara.

*Last year's uniform may be worn this year as we phase it out

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Only uniform store (Flynn & O’Hara) school head bands are permitted or small, plain headbands, barrettes or clips. NO big bows, Cheerleading style bows or headbands with ears or horns are permitted
• All students are expected to present a clean, neat appearance
• Only one, small post earring per ear for girls(no hoops or dangling earrings) is permitted
• Boys are not permitted to wear earrings
• Students in Grade 3-8 may wear a watch (No SMART or Apple Watches)
• Only one necklace allowed
• No makeup, colored nail polish or tips are permitted
• No boots, clogs or work boots are permitted
• Fad hair styles are not permitted
• All trousers must fit at the waist and have a belt that fits
• Boys hair should not touch collar or go over eyes

Parents will be notified via note if the student is not adhering to the dress code. This initial contact enables the parent to review the dress code with the student and correct the situation. Should the unacceptable practice continue, additional action will be taken. Full parental cooperation is expected. If for any reason a student is out of uniform, he/she must submit a letter of explanation to the homeroom teacher. IF a student is given three warnings, they will have a detention.

Students are not permitted to wear any jackets, sweaters other than the official St. Michael sweater.

School Arrival

• School doors open at 7:45. Children will enter the building through the cafeteria door. Teachers will be in the gym to greet the children. Parents may not enter the cafeteria. If you arrive before 7:45, you must utilize before care, as there are no teachers on duty in the cafeteria. The doors close promptly at 8 and your child will be considered late if they arrive after 8. If your child is late, they must be walked to the main door. Late children may not enter through the cafeteria.

• Parking Lot- enter on Orange Ave. You may utilize the drop off lane or park and walk your child to the door. Adults must walk children to the door if they park. Parking is not permitted between the red lines.

Before Care

• Before Care begins at 7am. please walk your child to the main door and wait with your child until the door is buzzed open. Before Care begins on September 9th.

After School

• After care is from 2:30-6:00. Registration packets will be sent out the first day of school. Aftercare begins on Monday, September 9th. Please provide a snack for your child. When you come to pick up your child from aftercare, you must first sign your child out in the main office.

If your child has permission to walk home, we will need new written notification this year.

Please make sure to regularly check the school calendar located on the updated school website. You can also subscribe to it there as well. I will always keep the website calendar up to date.

September 3rd- First day of school for grades 1st-8th, Half Day

September4th- First day of school for grades kindergarten, Half Day

September 5th- Half Day

September 6th Half Day

September 9th- First day of school for Prek/ First day of before and after care

Permission slips will be sent at a later date.

Email: mkazan@smsunion.org
Website: smsunion.org
Location: 1212 Kelly Street, Union, NJ, USA
Phone: 908-688-1063
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smsunion
Twitter: @stMichaelsunion