SAINT
THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Where
is Father Feeney Hall?
Father Feeney Hall is the building between the rectory and the convent,
the second building to the west of the church. The Hall was built
in 1955 and served as our original church - when the current church
was dedicated in 1975, this building became a parish social hall dedicated
in memory of our founding Pastor, Fr. George Feeney. Extensively renovated
several years ago, the Hall's main entrance faces north and its west
doors face on to the beautiful Our Lady of Guadalupe Courtyard. Father
Feeney Hall continues to serve our parish and our Diocese as a space
for social events, meetings, classes as well as liturgy and prayer
at Christmas and Holy Week. The Hall is also used for school lunch
when available on those days that weather or temperature makes the
usual outdoor lunch area uncomfortable for the students.
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Do
you have to purchase uniforms from Dennis Uniforms?
Yes and No. The Saint Theresa shirts and sweatshirts and plaid uniforms
are purchased at Dennis. However, the navy blue shorts, pants, and
skorts may be purchased elsewhere, as long as they are plain (no cargo
shorts or pants). Please consult the school dress code for more information.
There is also a used uniform sale every year before school starts,
where you can find some great deals! Remember-Scrip is available for
Dennis Uniform, and we'd encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity
to help Saint Theresa!
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Where
are the Pope John Paul Room and the Monsignor McMahon Center?
The Monsignor McMahon Center is the building directly south of the
church. Built in 1975 as the Parish Center, it was named in honor
of the third Pastor of St. Theresa, Msgr. John J. McMahon, on his
fiftieth anniversary of ordination. The McMahon Center houses a full
size wood floor gym, used primarily by the school for athletics but
also utilized for large social events or meetings. A recently-renovated
commercial kitchen, locker rooms, and smaller meetings spaces [the
Life Teen Room, the Club Room and the Pope John Paul Room] also find
a home in the McMahon Center. The Pope John Paul Room also serves
as the vestibule between the church ramada and the gym.
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When
is the weekly school mass and can we attend?
Absolutely! And feel free to sit with your child and his or her class!
Mass with the School community is normally celebrated at 8:30AM on
Wednesdays, unless a Holy Day falls on another day of the week. The
parish also offers daily Mass at 6:30AM, Monday - Friday and at 8:00AM
on Saturday.
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What
is the Sunday Mass schedule at St. Theresa?
Sunday Masses are celebrated at 5:00PM Saturday (the Vigil Mass),
and on Sunday at 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00AM as well as 6:00PM. Three Sundays
a month, the 9:00 Mass offers Liturgy of the Word with Children (the
young members of our community are dismissed for an age-specific Liturgy
of the Word; they return to church to join their families at the Preparation
of the Gifts). One Sunday a month the children remain in church and
a the entire liturgy is geared primarily to them. The 6:00PM Sunday
Mass is oriented primarily to teens and young adults, though all are
welcome at any Mass at St. Theresa!
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What are opening and closing prayer?
We begin and end our school week with community prayer in the school ramada. Opening prayer is celebrated every Monday morning at 8:30 and is usually
led by either Fr. Chuck (our pastor) or Fr. Johnrita and Fr. Frank (associate pastors). Closing prayer takes place a half hour before school is dismissed
on Fridays. Each class takes a turn leading the school in a prayer service that focuses on the Gospel reading for the upcoming weekend. All parents
are welcome to attend!
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How
do we take a student out of school for appointments?
If you can't schedule appointments outside of school hours, simply
go to the office and let Mrs. Sandahl, the school secretary, know
what class your child is in and she will call the classroom. Your
child will meet you in the office. You must also sign your child out
(and back in again, if you come back to school that day) on the clipboard
on the desk. Don't go directly to the classroom! If you know in advance
you're taking your child out during the day, a note should be written
to your child's teacher so he or she can plan accordingly.
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What
is the drop off procedure in the morning?
If your child is in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade, he or she
may be dropped off in the loading zone behind the church. Simply enter
the parking lot using the driveway to the east of the church and follow
the yellow cones. Faculty and staff members will be available to help
your child out of the car and get to the classroom. This is definitely
the most streamlined way to drop off your child! For children in preschool
and pre-kindergarten, use the north parking lot and walk your child
into the facility, since he or she needs to be signed in.
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What
is the pick up procedure in the afternoons?
On most afternoons, students in Kindergarten through 8th grade can
be picked up by the picnic tables under the trees on the south side
of the main parking lot. Each teacher has a designated area where
his or her students will be, so looking for your own child is no problem!
On rainy days, students can be picked up (at 3 p.m.) in the classroom.
Preschool and pre-kindergarten students must be signed out, so you
must go to the classroom and pick up your child there.
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What
is the PTO?
The Parent Teacher Organization at Saint Theresa is a vital part of our school. They are not only a fundraising arm
of our school, but they are also responsible for helping to build our community. The PTO sponsors several events during the year-the biggest being
the Festival and the school auction-that help to bring us all together while working for the good of the school.
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What
is the Festival?
The Festival is one of our main PTO fundraising and community building events. Everyone gets involved-students, parents, teachers, and even the parish
community! It's a day of games, rides, food, drink, and entertainment that lasts from noon until 10 p.m. There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities
at the Festival. For example, each classroom sponsors a game, and we need parents to supervise the game for hour blocks. You can also sell tickets,
help with food sales, or hand out prizes. It's a great way to get to know people in the Saint Theresa community!
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What
is Saint Theresa Catholic School Auction?
The auction is the main PTO fundraising event. This adults-only evening features both a silent and live auction, as well as dinner and dancing. Items
range from dinners at local restaurants to extravagant jewelry and exotic trips. Each class spends a lot of time (guided by an auction volunteer,
of course!) creating their own priceless auction item. Like the Festival, there are hundreds of ways you can get involved. The auction is a great
way to support our school and have fun at the same time!
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What
is a Homeroom Parent and what are his or her responsibilities?
A Homeroom Parent assists the teacher with the many special events that come up throughout the school year-things like holiday parties, field trips,
and the spring retreat. Included in the Homeroom Parent's responsibilities is scheduling parents to work their classroom booth the day of the Festival
and coordinating the auction project.
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What
is the School Advisory Board?
The School Advisory Board is a group of parents and interested community
members who advise the pastor and the principal on school issues.
All parents are invited to the Board's monthly meetings, and new members
are usually welcomed to the Board each May.
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What
is Art Masterpiece?
Art Masterpiece is the school's art program that's run by interested mothers and fathers. The program revolves around introducing students to an artist,
talking a little bit about him or her, and then guiding the students in an art activity based on the artist's own work and style. Each grade level
has a list of artists, and each artist has a complete packet of background materials and activity suggestions. Check with your child's homeroom teacher
if you're interested in helping out.
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Is
there an after-school sports program?
Yes! Students in 5th through 8th grades can participate in organized
CYAA sports teams. Girls play volleyball, softball, and basketball,
and boys play flag football, baseball, and basketball. Both girls
and boys can participate in track in the spring. We're always looking
for coaches!
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What
is Extended Care and how do I use it?
Any student at Saint Theresa is eligible to use the Extended Care program,
which is located in the early childhood building to the west of the school.
Extended Care opens before school at 7 a.m. and runs after school until
6 p.m. Payment is made on a per-use basis. Students are escorted to class
in the morning and to extended care in the afternoons. For more information,
contact Mrs. Cissy Wolf at 602-952-1335.
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Is
there an after-school study hall?
Yes! Students in grades 3 through 8 have the opportunity to sign up
for study hall at the beginning of the school year. Study hall is
held in one of four classrooms, and a teacher is available at all
times to answer questions and supervise. Payment is made on a
per-use basis.
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When
is tuition due and how do I pay it?
Tuition is due at the first of every month (August through May) and considered late by the 10th of the month. Beginning with the 2008-2009 school
year tuition payments were/will be made through Smart Tuition. You can reach them at 1-888-868-8828 if you have any questions or concerns.
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What
is the Dads' Club and what do they do?
The Dads' Club is a great opportunity for the men to get together and socialize and get service hours in the meantime. The Dads' Club puts on a monthly
pancake breakfast, sponsors and runs the grill at the Festival, sponsors the school's big Halloween costume party, and has a golf tournament every
year.
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How
do I contact my child's teacher?
Feel free to correspond with teachers/staff through email. Or, send a written note. Please communicate in whichever manner is most convenient and
accommodating for your needs. Since individual teachers have their own styles, we suggest you contact your child's teacher and ask how he or she prefers
to be contacted.
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