BACK TO SCHOOL!

September 2022

Blessing to you and your families as we get ready to return to school and to our Visitation Academy family. I pray that you have enjoyed a summer of relaxation and refreshment... A time to charge your batteries for the year ahead.

As we do every morning at Visitation Academy, ahead of the announcements and business, let us all take a moment to pray together and unite our minds and hearts:

A BACK TO SCHOOL PRAYER

Gracious God, we come to you at the beginning of this academic year with our many feelings, expectations, fears, and hopes. Please help us to remember, however, we have the comforting assurance from you: "I will always be with you."

Loving God, for all of us, this is a time of transition. It is a transition from the work and leisure of summer back to the classroom. It is a transition from time spent with family and friends. Give us patience with ourselves as we transition as well as patience with one another.

Faithful God, the beginning is new for some among us. Turn the sadness of leaving families to openness to new friends and opportunities. Turn the anxiety about academics to a quiet confidence in the way You have blessed us in the past. Please give us a new perspective to see persons, events, and academic work as an Invitation to develop the many gifts you have given us to be used in service to others.

Creator God, some in our community are moving into their last year at Visitation Academy. Bless them with the gifts of awe and wonder at the friends they have made, the way their minds and hearts have been changed, and the many opportunities that lie ahead. Give them the gift of discernment to make the right choices about the future.

Finally, God, give to each member of the Visitation Academy community the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence and awe in Your greatness.

Amen

Welcome Back Visitation Families!

I hope that you have been enjoying a fantastic summer and are feeling refreshed and ready to begin a new school year! I am so happy that you have chosen to be a part of our wonderful learning community; we are a family of faith dedicated to academic excellence. The faculty, staff, and I look forward to working with you this school year. I hope that you have been assisting your children in keeping up with their summer reading... All Summer Reading Lists and applicable projects, as well as supply lists, are posted on the front page of our school website at www.visitationacademyparamus.org

We have been planning and preparing for your children. The office staff has registered new students, ordered books and learning materials, and updated our PowerSchool files. The Home School Association (HSA) has also been busy planning welcoming events, preparing for our family fun nights, and putting the finishing touches on a schedule of special fundraisers and galas for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year that will delight everyone! If you have NOT done so already, please go on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and "like" Visitation Academy and Visitation HSA to receive special news and event bulletins.

Together as parents, students, and administration, we form a caring community with the common goal of nurturing responsible, loving, and caring students while promoting academic excellence; who will respond to the call to... "ACT JUSTLY, TO LOVE TENDERLY, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD"... Micah 6:8

FACULTY AND STAFF - Our faculty has been planning classroom activities and fun events to engage all Visitation Academy students in their learning. Our teachers utilize research-based best practices and analyze academic data to develop curriculum and set goals for growth and achievement. We invite and encourage parents to become partners with their child's teacher to have a successful school year. All teachers may be contacted through their emails, school website, and Google Classroom, and they will respond directly to you.

Each new school year brings positive change. This year includes the addition of a few new staff members for the 2022-2023 school year, as well as some who are moving to different positions. I know you will join me in giving them all a warm welcome in September along with our returning faculty and staff!

• Ms. Kerrie Dorney will join our faculty as our new PK4 teacher.
• Mrs. Leslie Scheinzeit will be our PK4 aide
• Mrs. Rubino will be teaching Kindergarten
• Ms. Mary DeSpirito will be our new 2nd grade teacher
• Ms. Sharon Bragin will start the year as our new 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Fasanella will again be teaching 5th grade
• Mrs. Jaime Carcich will be our new Spanish teacher
• Ms. Sherman-Peluso will be our new Art teacher

There are also some new staff changes within the building:
• Mrs. Elodia (Ellie) Dioses is our new school secretary.

FACILITY UPDATES:

• Thanks to federal and state funding, we have updated and increased our fiber optic/wi-fi capacity, internet speed, and purchased new iPads, Chromebooks, and laptops for students and faculty.

• Our cones and signs will be placed in the parking lot to help keep everyone safe, and we ask that you continue to do your part by NOT SPEEDING in our parking lot... Stopping at all crosswalks so families can cross safety... And obeying the school handbook's drop-off and pick-up rules.

  COVID GUIDELINES – AS YOU KNOW, we are still dealing with Covid19 and its many variants.

• Masks are optional and Visitation Academy has a NO BULLYING POLICY.
• We will be adhering to CDC/BOH guidelines for students/ staff members who test positive. That means 5 days of quarantine, and then a student/ staff member can return but MUST wear a mask for an additional 5 days and keep their social distance during any unmasked period (e.g., lunch).

• To help limit the spread of Covid and other communicable illnesses, we will continue to advocate for frequent washing of hands, wiping of shared desks/ community areas and ventilating classrooms and shared spaces.

• Stay HOME when you feel ill.

• If your child is home with a Covid like illness, please do an at home test to ensure that they are

  not returning with an active Covid infection. We are our brother’s keepers! Keeping students and staff healthy and IN SCHOOL is our goal this year.

  COMMUNICATION – Timely communication is a priority for us. We are always thinking of new ways to communicate to make it more convenient and keep you abreast of important information and all of the good things happening at Visitation Academy!

• SCHOOL MESSENGER - Our electronic communication system is being utilized more often, not just for emergencies. We contact you through phone, email, or text. Please be sure to listen to or read all messages. Please let us know if your email or cell/home phone numbers have changed. That is the only way to ensure that you receive emergency messages and the most updated information.

• WEEKLY NEWSLETTER-Each week, I will communicate with families through our school Newsletter emailed through School Messenger and posted on our website. It is imperative that you look for and read this newsletter each week. It will contain information, school event dates, and updates from our HSA and feature our students' accomplishments! You will also receive calls, emails, or texts from our School Messenger system for reminders.

• SCHOOL WEBSITE- PLEASE look for all other pertinent information on our school website. We are very diligent in posting ALL school information that you need. Please check the website calendar for important first-week dates! Please remember to refer to the Calendar on our website, which is frequently updated.

• SOCIAL MEDIA- Visitation Academy also posts pertinent information on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Please visit and "like us" on Facebook.

• HSA SHARED FOLDER- The HSA in addition to sending out information through the school website and School Messenger will send out a link to parents. This link will enable parents to open a “shared folder” which will contain a digital copy of forms, flyers, and pertinent information that YOU can print if needed. It will enable parents the ability to know where to find HSA information quickly... You can’t lose the form/ flyer... And it will save money and conserve resources/ paper.

  INFORMATION UPDATE FORM – In a few weeks you will receive an email asking you to complete your child’s online Student Update Information Form. This is required for all students for emergency information and signatures for our Technology Acceptable Use Policy, School Handbook and Photos.

THE SCHOOL HANDBOOK - Please reference our School Handbook on our website at www.visitationacademyparamus.org. If it becomes necessary, due to policy changes or necessity, the Handbook may be updated during the school year. If a needed change is made, all parties will be notified.

FORGOTTEN ITEMS DURING THE DAY - According to grade level, with or without your help, your child needs to learn the responsibility of remembering their school items each day. If your child forgets a required item or lunch and you have to bring it to school, you can come up the elevator and leave it on the "Drop Off Area" that will be clearly marked next to the church entrance door. Please be sure to put the item(s) in a bag that is clearly marked with your child's name and grade.

Teachers will allow one day for students to bring in forgotten projects or uniform pieces. If your child forgets their lunch, and you cannot bring it to the school building, you can also arrange for them to receive lunch through the school's lunch vendor by placing an order on the website BEFORE 8AM. More detailed lunch information can be found on our website.

Mrs. Dioses will check the cart periodically and deliver the items to students. Students will not be allowed to call home once the school day has begun for forgotten items since this interrupts their learning and takes them out of their class.

LUNCH PROGRAM – We have again contracted with "School Eatery" to provide hot/cold lunches for our students Monday through Thursday. This year School Eatery will be utilizing the services of Mario’s Italian Restaurant, Wendy’s, Chick-fil-A, and Moe’s. Additional information and menu details will be posted on our website shortly.

HSA PIZZA FRIDAYS- The HSA will again be hosting Pizza Fridays!!!! The information and ordering form can be found on our website. Orders will be taken IN ADVANCE. Please visit the website for more details on how to order your child’s pizza lunch.

MORNING ARRIVAL – All students will be dropped off at the lower lot doors. You may pull up to the curb and drop your child off or park IN THE UPPER PARKING LOT and walk your child to the doors. No parent will be allowed in the building per Homeland Security. Please remember that the lower lot door opens at 7:55 am. No student should be dropped off at the lower doors BEFORE 7:55 am. If your child needs to come to school before 7:55, please make arrangements to attend our Before Care Program.

THERE WILL BE TWO DISTINCT MORNING DROP OFF PERIODS:

• Drop-off for grades 1 -8 takes place between 7:55 am - 8:10 am; lower parking lot doors.

• All parents MUST drive down to the lower parking lot and let their children off at the curb. Children in grades 1-8 will go directly to the auditorium for morning assembly. Teachers will be stationed at critical points to assist in that transition.

• Drop-off for grades Pk3, Pk4 & Kindergarten will take place between 8:15 am - 8:30 am; lower parking lot doors. ECC students will be met at the back doors and will be escorted directly to their classrooms.

• Although it is unnecessary, parents who need to walk their children to the door must park in the upper lot and walk their children to the lower parking lot door.

• NO PARKING IN THE LOWER LOT DURING MORNING DROP-OFF. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.

• The main school entrance (blue gym doors) and Mosaic doors will be locked at all times.

• Late arrivals (any student in grades 1-8 who arrive AFTER 8:10 am) must ring the bell and enter through the main school entrance (Blue gym doors). They will be given a late pass.

• No parking is allowed in handicap spaces without a legal handicap sticker. In New Jersey, the penalty for illegally parking in a handicap spot is $250. Subsequent offenses come with a minimum $250 fine or up to 90 days of community service.

The lower lot door will be closed at 8:10 am. Any student (G1-G8th) who comes to school AFTER 8:10 will be considered late and must come through the main front entrance (Blue doors). Please see the lateness policy in the school Handbook.

The lower lot doors will reopen from 8:15-8:30 am. For ECC students ONLY.

Before and After Care Programs begin on Monday, September 13.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - All students Grade 1-8 will be dropped off in the lower parking lot and enter the school. Dismissal the first week of school is 12pm for all students.

• ALL students (G1-G8) will meet their teachers in the auditorium. School personnel will be throughout the building to assist students.

• NEW STUDENTS will be welcomed at the lower lot doors and escorted to the gym.

• Early Childhood (ECC) Drop off for the first day of school will be communicated to parents directly by the classroom teachers.

  AFTERNOON DISMISSAL - I ask for your continued cooperation and patience as we make dismissal as quick and safe as possible:

1. PreK3 to Kindergarten will dismiss at 2:45 pm through the lower lot doors.
a. Please pick up your children and exit the back parking lot to allow for the next group of students to be dismissed.

2. Grades 1 through 3 will dismiss at 3:00 pm through the lower lot doors

3. Grades 4 and 5 will dismiss at 3:00 pm through the Mosaic doors

4. Middle school will dismiss at 3:00 pm through the main front entrance (Blue doors)

5. All students will stand in line with their homeroom teacher and will await being released directly to their parent/ guardian.

AT DISMISSAL: All parents are asked to park in the Upper Parking Lot, Geering Terrace, or the Lower Parking Lot behind the cones. No student will be permitted to leave or walk to a car. Homeroom Teachers must see students leave with a parent or guardian. Once you pick up your child, I ask that you leave promptly so that other parents may park and pick up their children.

• If your child's dismissal schedule changes or someone other than yourself is picking them up, please call the school's office and email the teacher to let us know AHEAD of dismissal time.

• NO Uber or Lyft services can be used to pick up your child.

  TRAFFIC SAFETY- PLEASE be cautious of other cars and people as you drive through our parking lot and follow instructions given by teachers and administration. PLEASE STOP at all crosswalks and intersections. Any student not picked up by 3:15 pm will be escorted to our After Care Program, and a minimum one-hour fee will be charged.

  BEFORE CARE and AFTER CARE- Before Care Program is held under the supervision of qualified school personnel. It is available to students in grades PREK3 through Grade 8 daily from 7:00 am – 7:55 am. We offer After Care until 6:00 pm. After Care is a supervised play program. Students in After Care may work on their homework, but caregivers are NOT REQUIRED to ensure that a child's homework is completed before the student leaves. Homework is not checked or corrected by After Care staff.

  HOMEWORK HUB- This year, we will again offer a Homework Hub Program. For a small fee, students may attend Homework Hub and work on Homework with certified teachers. It will run until 4:30 pm, separate from After Care. At 4:30 pm students will be dismissed through the Mosaic doors.

For an additional fee, parents have the option to have their students participate in the After Care Program until 6:00 pm. Please refer to our website for more detailed information about these excellent programs.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS – Our uniform outfitter is Flynn and O'Hara. Please see our school website for details and locations as some of our uniform pieces may have changed. Dress Code is under the Admissions Tab.

• Students may wear their polo shirts the entire year if they desire.

• Visitation Academy has a "Gently Used Uniform Closet" that is always available to parents needing uniform pieces. Parents donate gently used or new uniform pieces, which are then laundered and added to our Uniform Closet.
  It works like this... When a parent needs a uniform piece, they can inquire by calling the school's office. Donations cover the laundering and care, and any additional money collected is channeled toward educational programs for our PreK-8 students. Donations and gently used uniform pieces are always welcome.

  SOCIAL MEDIA - All students that enter the building with a cell phone or tablet are required to hand in their technology pieces to their teacher in homeroom each morning. The devices will be returned at the end of the day. NO STUDENT is permitted to use personal technology in the building during school hours and must ask permission and get approval from the teacher to use it in the building after hours.

  Control of social media use and incidents that happen on social media between students outside of school is the parent's responsibility. If you have not already done so, it is suggested for your child's safety that parents have a monitoring system on their child's technology at home. Please see the school handbook for rules about social media use. We will conduct several social media use seminars for students and parents throughout the school year.

  TUITION: With so many choices in education, we appreciate you choosing the Visitation Academy school community for your child. Our school operates on student tuitions and Home School Association fundraising. Please be sure that all tuition payments are made through our school tuition collection service, Blackbaud Tuition. Tuition and HSA fees must be paid on time for our school to thrive so that we may pay faculty, purchase educational materials, and pay our bills. Any tuition that is two months in arrears will result in your student not being able to return to school until payment arrangements are made. If you have any questions about tuition or fees, please get in touch with Mrs. DeVito, our Bursar, at [email protected]

  PARENT VOLUNTEERS: All parents who enter the school building and are in proximity of students must have an active Protecting God's Children certification and Sterling background check. We are ACTIVELY looking for parents to go through the Volunteer Process and become available to volunteer for lunch/ recess duty, field trips, HSA fundraising events, and classroom participation. To become a volunteer please go to our website and complete the application process. https://visitationacademyparamus.org/protecting-gods-children

  Again, welcome back! I know by working together, we will achieve great things during the 2022-2023 school year. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call Mrs. Ellie Dioses in the school's office at 207-262-6067 or email me at [email protected]

  I eagerly look forward to seeing everyone in September.
  It remains an honor and privilege to serve as your principal.

  Blessing and Peace to You and Your Families,

  Mrs. Drew