St. Ann's Catholic School New Family Booklet by StAnnsSchoolMidland

St. Ann's Catholic School joins with families to form students' faith, knowledge, and character.

Educating the Saints

To help in leading all souls to heaven

St. Ann’s Catholic School is a vibrant community that provides an exceptional education in a faith-filled environment. The school's mission and vision work in conjunction with each other to motivate all in working together to form students in every aspect of their education. Through our Catholic faith, we base our instruction in pursuit of academic growth through the tenants and teachings of the Church. St. Ann’s Catholic School began in 1950 to be united with the corresponding parish. The original school doubled as a convent. We have prospered throughout the years because of the generosity of many. In 1956, Mr. and Mrs. C.A. McClintic donated a half block of land west of the main building, now known as "McClintic Field." Through other generous donations, the Early Childhood Center was built in 1994, and a Middle School building was established soon after. Our doors have been open for over 70 years and countless students have passed through her hallways. Each of our "Saints" receive an unmatched opportunity to explore and develop their fullest potential, spiritually and academically. While specific to the Catholic faith, our school is open for enrollment to students of all backgrounds. At the school's dedication ceremony in 1950, Most Reverend John L. Morkovsky, Bishop of Amarillo, stated, "This school is a monument to the Catholic faith in Midland. It reveals a high state of development. Congratulations are due for the sacrifices that have been made and have to be made for this contribution to Catholic Christian civilization. This school is your gift- a legacy to this generation and the generations to come. It is a monument of your faith, and Almighty God will bless you for your children- an institution wherein they may seek the Good, the True, and the Beautiful in Almighty God- wherein they may learn to love God, His Church, and the Sacraments. May this school be a blessing for generations to come."

We are so happy to welcome you to the St. Ann's Catholic School community, and want the best start possible for our new Saints!

This booklet is intended to answer some of the questions that may arise during your first few weeks as a St. Ann's Catholic School parent. Our goal is to make your transition as smooth as possible!

Campus & Grounds

School Information

Pick-Up, Drop-Off, & Parking

Dress Code

Cafeteria & Lunches

Communication

Religious Education

Academics & Curriculum

Sports & Organizations

School Events & Getting Involved

Tuition, Fees, & Financial Matters

Helpful Links

St. Ann's School Glossary of Terms

Buildings and Structures on Campus St. Ann's Catholic School has several buildings to accommodate our students, including our main building that includes the administrative offices, cafeteria, library, computer lab, elementary classrooms, as well as some specialty and elective classes. The science building is located across the blacktop, housing our middle school and elementary science labs. The upper grade homerooms are located in four portable structures on McClintic Field, and a gymnasium that incorporates P.E. classes, basketball and volleyball games, and the Band room is in between the portables and science building. Finally, an early childhood center that accommodates our PreK 3 and 4 year old students is directly behind the Gym. A Church belonging to St. Ann's Catholic Parish is located right next to campus where our children attend Mass each week.

Visitors on Campus Parents and visitors are welcome anytime that they wish to visit the school; however, for the safety and security of all on our campuses, no visitors are ever permitted to go directly to any classroom. This policy is intended for preservation of an optimal learning environment for all by limiting disturbance to the class and the teaching taking place at that time. It vital to ensuring the safety of all on campus. Parents or guests are asked to go directly to the receptionist’s office to sign in and receive a visitor pass. A Visitor's Tag is required anytime someone other than a student or staff is on campus for any reason. For the safety of our children, all doors are locked at all times. If you need to have something delivered to your child, let the receptionist know; and she will see that it is taken to him or her. 3

Map of Campus

SCHOOL HOURS 7:55 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

SCHOOL HOURS ATTENDANCE & TARDIES 7:55 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

In order to receive school credit, students In order to receive school must attend 90% of yearly class time or ATTENDANCE & TARDIES credit, the student must 18 unexcused absences. The tardy bell attend 90% of yearly class rings at 8:00 a.m. Six unexcused tardies in time or 18 unexcused a semester equates to an unexcused absences. absence. Tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m. six unexcused tardies in a FIRST & LAST DAY OF SCHOOL the student will First: Augustsemester, 17th FIRST & LAST DAY OF SCHOOL receive an unexcused absence Last: May 25th First: August 17th Last:

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Please click HERE to view the tentative calendar for the 2022-2023 school year. 5

Drop-off and Pick-Up Drop-off and Pick-Up procedures are crucial to follow as they allow for the most efficient and safe method for unloading and loading many cars

during a short period of time. Morning Drop-Off's route asks cars to travel south on "L" Street, then take a right on Texas Avenue flowing the traffic west to the front of the school. A line of about six to eight cars may pull up on the drive, and staff will unload your children. Afternoon Pick-Up for families with the last names of "M-Z" follow the same route, however will snake the line through the parish parking before rejoining Texas Avenue to the front of the school. Afternoon Pick-Up for families

with the last name of "A-L" will move south on "L" Street, but take a right in the alley between the Church and the parish parking lot. The line will move toward the blacktop where staff will load your children and you can exit through the second gate on to Texas Avenue. Early Childhood’s Drop-Off and Pick-Up procedures follow the same route for both, asking cars to proceed on “O” Street and drive in through the gate. A staff member will assist your child in unloading and loading.

To assist our duty teachers during pick-up, it is crucial for all families to have the child's last name prominently displayed in the upper window corner of their vehicle.

Walkers & Crosswalk There is a designated area for families that choose to walk up to pick up their child. If you would like your child to be a "Walker," we ask that families adhere to the following procedures to ensure the safety of all children, staff, and families during pick up. • Please tell your child that they will be a "Walker" before they come to school. A duty teacher will escort them to the area and supervise their pick up. Families are not allowed to retrieve their child from the carpool crowd as it can distract the carline pick up process and interfere with safety procedures. • Families must park in the lot across from the Church. No one is permitted to park in the small parking lot between the Church and school during pick-up and drop-off as it greatly hinders the carline process. • Families MUST cross the street the assistance of our Crossing Guard, Mrs. Amy Kerr. Children are never permitted to cross the street without their parent and the assistance of the crossing guard.

Walking Children Up During Drop-Off Families are permitted to walk their children up to school during drop-off, however must adhere to the following procedures to ensure the safety of all children, staff, and families. • If walking your child to school in the morning, families must park in the lot across from the Church. No families should park in the small lot between the Church and the school as it greatly hinders the car-line and can impede the safety process for others. • Families may walk their children up to the front ramp. For the safety of all in the building, we ask only the children to come in the building. If parents need to come in the building to attend to something, they must visit the front office to gain a Visitor's Pass. • Please follow the all the rules of our Crossing Guard. Mrs. Amy is wonderful and loves to see you and the children in the morning and works so hard to keep us all safe. For a message from her, please see the next page.

St. Ann's Catholic School has a uniform for students in grades Kindergarten through

8th. The purpose of the uniform is to identify our students as a member of St. Ann’s Catholic School. It also shows a sense of community on campus. Mills School Wear is the approved uniform company for St. Ann’s Catholic School. Uniforms are purchased from Mills School Wear only (excluding shoes). Clothing pieces are available through their website or store. Website: www.millswear.com School Code: 3365 Store: Ft. Worth (found on website) Phone: 817.563.7100 The school also has a uniform closet that has gently used items of all sizes. Ask the office for the key to access the closet. We just ask that clothing is put back up neatly. We appreciate anyone that has clean, gently used pieces 11 to add. Donations can be brought to the office.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

• Simple and comfortable clothing that children can handle independently in the bathroom • Shorts should be worn under skirts or dresses • Shoes with Velcro closures and no open toed shoes, sandals, flip-flops

KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 2ND

• • • • •

Red Monogrammed Polo Navy Blue Twill Shorts (Short Season Only) with Belt Navy Blue Twill Pants with Belt Plaid Jumpers for Girls Only Light Blue Monogrammed Oxford Shirt on Mass Days ⚬ Navy Twill Pants for Boys on Mass Days (No Shorts) ⚬ Plaid Jumper for Girls on Mass Days (No Shorts or Pants)

3RD THROUGH 5TH

• • • • •

Red Monogrammed Polo Navy Blue Twill Shorts (Short Season Only) with Belt Navy Blue Twill Pants with Belt Plaid Skirt for Girls Only Light Blue Monogrammed Oxford Shirt on Mass Days ⚬ Navy Twill Pants for Boys on Mass Days (No Shorts) ⚬ Plaid Skirt for Girls on Mass Days (No Shorts or Pants)

MIDDLE SCHOOL

• • • • •

Red, Navy, or Green Monogrammed Polo Khaki Twill Shorts with Belt Khaki Twill Pants with Belt Khaki Skirt for Girls Only Light Blue Monogrammed Oxford Shirt on Mass Days ⚬ Khaki Twill Pants for Boys on Mass Days (No Shorts) ⚬ Khaki Skirt for Girls on Mass Days (No Shorts or Pants)

SHOES • Athletic or Tennis Shoes in Black, Dark Brown, Gray, Navy, Uniform Red, or White in any Combination Including Laces and logo. No patterns of any kind. • Socks may be black, navy, white, or uniform red, and should be visible above the ankle.

ACCESSORIES & GROOMING • Hair should be neat and tidy and naturally colored. ⚬ Boys' hair should not touch the top collar of the shirt, cover any part of the ear, and must not be longer than the top of the eyebrows. ⚬ Girls' hair should be worn away from eyes and all hair accessories should be uniform colors. • No nail polish or enhancements of any kind. • Jewelry and accessories should be limited, and religious in nature. Girls may wear stud earrings only. • No caps or hats may be worn in the building.

OUTERWEAR • Monogramed Navy Blue Sweatshirts, Cardigans, or Sweater Vests Purchased Through Mills are Permitted. • School-Approved St. Ann’s Navy Blue Jackets, Hoodies, and Rain Jackets with the Monogrammed Crest are Permitted to be Worn in the Classroom. • All Non-Approved Outwear Should be Removed Upon Entering the Classroom

Hot Dog Days SPIRIT DAYS

Non-uniform days occur throughout the year. Students may wear a St. Ann's Spirit Shirt of choice with jeans on Hot Dog and Spirit Days. Students may wear an appropriate top of choice with jeans on Free Dress Days. Uniform approved shoes 14 should be worn on all non-uniform days.

Students in Kindergarten through 8th have the option of purchasing a "Hot Lunch" or they can bring a lunch from home. The St. Ann's Catholic School Lunch Program is managed by Silver Platter Catering (Mike and Vicky Sanchez)

• A weekly menu is sent home in the Tuesday Folder and Parent Update for preordering lunches for the next week through www.myschoolaccount.com • All lunch orders and monies will be handled by the Sanchez family. All checks should be made payable to: Sanchez Family. • All students must eat lunch. (If a student cannot eat lunch for whatever reason, a parent must send a dated, signed note to the office.) • Should a student forget to bring a lunch, one can be charged so your child has a meal. All teachers check with students for their lunch in the morning and verify that each child has brought one or has ordered for the day. 16

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez Mike Sanchez and his wife, Vicky have been a part of the St. Ann's Catholic School staff for 30 years! He enjoys seeing the students everyday, and he loves when he runs into former students and they tell him how much they miss his food!

Vicky Sanchez and her husband, Mike have been a part of the St. Ann's Catholic School family for a long time. She "loves the children at St. Ann's; We are all family!" Mrs. Sanchez has raised four boys that attended school here. She also has one grandson that is also an alumni, and another grandson who is currently enrolled. Vicky says, "We absolutely love St. Ann's!"

Silver Platter Catering 17

Kindergarten

10:50 a.m.-11:20 a.m.

First

11:00 a.m.-11:25 a.m.

Second

11:30 a.m.-11:55 a.m.

Third

11:30 a.m.-11:55 a.m.

Fourth

12:00 p.m.-12:25 p.m.

Fifth

12:00 p.m.-12:25 p.m.

Middle School

12:40 p.m.-1:10 p.m. 18

Communication is vital is ensuring that our families are well connected and aware of what is going on in school. St. Ann's has several different methods of communication to keep our families in the know. 19

See below are the many forms of communications that parents can expect throughout the year to track their child's upcoming activities, plans in the classroom, and track their academic and social growth.

FACTS Parent Portal (formerly known as RenWeb) is our school information system that connects teachers, administrators, and parents via the internet. It is a private and secure software allows us to maintain data including student attendance, classroom grades, and family tuition accounts. Parents in grades 2nd-8th can easily check on their child’s progress, and all families can view tuition information. To Access Please Visit: https://logins2.renweb.com/logins/ParentsWeb-Login.aspx District Code: SAN-TX

Each month our teachers create an Agenda for the objectives that are anticipated to be covered in their classes. Families will be provided a good preview of what they can expect their child(ren) to be learning throughout the month. The agendas are sent out via email at the beginning of each month. A weekly Tuesday Folder is sent home with your child. In the folder, families can expect their child's work from the previous week, lunch menus, order forms and/or flyers, and other pertinent information from the classroom teacher. A Weekly Update is sent every Friday. The newsletter contains highlights from the previous week, information about what is coming up, the upcoming weeks' lunch menus, a monthly calendar, and any events that the school, parish, or community are hosting. Sometimes quick reminders or immediate and emergency information needs to be given. The Parent Alert system allows the school to send a text message to families when needed. We utilize the same system within RenWeb to send out email communications to families. All faculty have a school designated email account. Email addresses are the first letter of the first name, followed by the full last name at stanns.us. (Kathy Smith: ksmith@stanns.us). Email addresses for faculty can also be found on our school website. Please allow for up to one full business day for faculty to respond to emails.

Our Catholic Identity is very important here at St. Ann's Catholic School. Our goal is to nurture the spiritual and emotional development of our students by providing a strong foundation in the Catholic faith. At St. Ann’s Catholic School, our faith is evident throughout our school; we strive to incorporate our faith throughout our curriculum. These faith celebrations provide our students with the opportunity to practice Catholic principles in their daily lives and gives students the opportunity to extend classroom learning and come together as a spiritual community.

School Masses are held every Friday during the school year, with the exception of Holy Days, wherein the school will attend on Daily religion lessons are taught in those occasions. At every Student Mass, each grade level. Cross-curricular connections in all subject areas back to students in Kindergarten through 8th grade attend, and will get opportunities our faith are encouraged in our throughout the year to participate as classrooms. Emphasis in important lectors, altar servers, and choir members. Church seasons such as Advent, Parents, family, and friends are always Christmas, Lent, and Easter are welcome to attend Mass with us at 8:30 incorporated in our religion a.m. Each class will have the opportunity to curriculum. plan and lead the liturgies.

Each day begins and ends with prayer, and all students pray before meal times. Students learn how to pray both structured and spontaneous. Students learn the importance of the rosary and prayer intercessions.

St. Ann's School values the many religious and traditional celebrations. Feast of St. Francis Pet Blessing, The All Saints Day Wax Museum, Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day Celebrations, and May Crowning Ceremony, to name a few, are religious traditions our school has established for our students to participate and/or attend over the years.

Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, and First Holy Communion takes place during the 2nd grade year. Students' religion curriculum will have added emphasis on preparing for these important sacraments in the Church.

Community service is another that our students work to incorporate their faith in their daily life and it is an integral part of the religion curriculum. Through performing these service projects, students gain a sense of human compassion, learn the importance of civic responsibility, and realize the blessings bestowed upon them. Projects completed in the past have been a Diaper Drive benefitting the Life Center, Operation Christmas Child Boxes, Food Bank and St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry Donations, Blessing Baskets to the Hope House, various pharmacies, and community service workers.

St. Ann's Catholic School is accredited by the following institutions and organizations: • Texas Private School Accreditation Commission

St. Ann's Catholic School operates under the guidelines of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo and fully exceeds all state qualification requirements.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

PRIMARY

The Preschool Program, serving 3 and 4 year-old children, is a half-day session everyday that provides a safe, loving, and organized learning environment of play, guided exploration, and hands-on activities appropriate to each child's needs. The Center-Oriented program establishes a preparation for Kindergarten in a manner which demonstrates a respect for the dignity and needs of the whole child: spiritual, physical, intellectual, social, and emotional. Optimizing the early years of children's lives is the best investment we can make for our children!

Grades Kindergarten through 2nd are provided quality instruction that prepare students for high order thinking skills practiced frequently in the intermediate grades. The Reading and Language Arts Curriculum is Wonders through McGraw Hill and Shurley English. Stemscopes Mathematics is taught daily. Nancy Larson for Science and Studies Weekly for Social Studies and History are incorporated several times a week. Sadlier's We Believe leads the Religion Curriculum, and students are also given Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion.

INTERMEDIATE Students in grades 3rd through 5th can expect high-level thinking skills to be practiced to ready children for Middle School years. A well-established foundation is provided in the primary level, and our intermediate grade students extend their existing knowledge by utilizing the same curriculum publishers that they've previously used in earlier classes at St. Ann's Catholic School. Students in grades 3rd through 5th shift to daily Science and Social Studies/History lessons that make them core content areas, and a gradual transition from self-contained classrooms in the primary level to departmentalized instruction will begin to the prepare students for the secondary grade levels.

MIDDLE SCHOOL Our 6th through 8th grade students are provided a rigorous curriculum that prepare them to become independent learners equipped for high school. A NovelBased program along with Savvas myPerspectives form the English, Language Arts curriculum. Savvas Learning company also provides our Social Studies and History Curriculum, and StemScopes Science provides lab-based instruction for Middle School. Math skills are developed with Glencoe Mathematics and Stemscopes Mathematics’ online component and 7th and 8th grade have the opportunity to be assessed for placement in Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 to earn high school credit. Students’ faith is formed through Sadlier's We Believe and We Live Our Faith Curriculum in 6th and 7th, and our 8th graders utilize the Catholic Connections Curriculum.

ENRICHMENT CLASSES IN KINDERGARTEN Our Kindergarten students attend one enrichment class daily. They receive Physical Education three times a week and attend Library once a week. They also attend Elementary Science Lab that is solely lab-based instruction with coinciding activities once weekly.

ENRICHMENT CLASSES IN PRIMARY & INTERMEDIATE GRADES Along with the classes and weekly frequency mentioned in Kindergarten, 1st through 5th grades attend both Computer and Spanish twice weekly, and a Music and Art Class once each week.

ENRICHMENT & ELECTIVE CLASSES IN MIDDLE SCHOOL 6th through 8th grade students attend both Physical Education and Computer classes at least twice each week. Students also have the choice of an Elective Class. Students have the choice of Guitar, Band, or Spanish, and receive the opportunity to try out for Worship Choir beginning in the 7th grade year.

Integrating technology in education helps student engagement, and allows for more creative lessons and learning opportunities. In an increasingly technologically-driven world, it is only logical to align today's schools with that notion in mind. St. Ann’s students use tablets and laptops to support their learning experience. Each classroom is equiped with a SmartBoard or Learning Panel. Our students are provided with opportunities to use technology to practice basic skills in math, reading, and other core subjects. Students may also use our technology resources to complete research projects and assignments.

We are fortunate to provide technology based learning opportunities that allow students to meet the needs of the 21st century.

St. Ann's Catholic School participates in The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) assessment. This test is administered to the 3rd through 8th grade students as a benchmark in the fall, and the full battery of the test is given to grades 1st through 8th in the spring to show academic growth, as well as assist in planning for the next school year. Scores of these achievement tests are not used to promote or retain students. In turn, the results are utilized to aid teachers and parents in working with the child toward greater accomplishments, and help to set goals for the current and upcoming school year. Students do take the STARR test at St. Ann's Catholic School to assess academic progress.

There are many different ways for our students get involved at St. Ann's Catholic School.

Athletics at St. Ann's!

Football, Volleyball, Cross Country, Track, Tennis, and Spirit Squad St. Ann's Catholic School offers a variety of athletic programs. The mission of our school sports program is to offer a positive experience for students, emphasizing the development of athletic abilities, good sportsmanship, an appreciation of teamwork and unity. Academic work goes hand in hand with athletics, and St. Ann's has an athletic eligibility requirement to make sure that students maintain academic requirements. (More information on this can be found in the Athletics Handbook which is located at end of the Parent-Student Handbook) The cost for participation varies per sport. These fees pay for uniforms and sports equipment, as well as tournament entry fees, officials, and awards. Fees are kept as low as possible to allow greater participation. If a child is not financially able to pay a particular sports fee, there is help available. Please contact our Sports Coordinator, Lety Martinez for more information.

Athletics at St. Ann's!

FOOTBALL The Saints Football Program began in 2008. It is six-man team consisted of students in 6th through 8th grades that plays in the fall.

VOLLEYBALL

TENNIS Students in grades 6th through 8th grades can participate on the Saints Tennis Team in the spring. The team practices at Bush Tennis Center.

SPIRIT SQUAD

The Saints Volleyball Students in 2nd Teams are made up through 5th grades of girls in the 7th can participate in the and 8th grades. Spirit Squad. The There is an squad promotes opportunity for Coschool spirit and Ed Volleyball in the participates in various 5th and 6th grades. athletic events and other school functions.

CROSS COUNTRY & TRACK There is a St. Ann's Track Program that takes place in the spring, and a Cross Country Team in the fall.

BASKETBALL

The Saints Basketball program is divided into multiple teams in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Grades.

STUDENT COUNCIL St. Ann's Middle School students select class representatives and officers to participate in the Student Council. Representatives help with a variety of community service projects, including Red Ribbon Week. Our goal is to provide a variety of opportunities for spiritual and personal growth while creating lasting memories and a strong foundation at St. Ann's Catholic School.

HOUSE SYSTEM St. Ann’s Catholic School has a “House System” in Middle School. Through this House System, the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are divided amongst five houses: St. Bernadette, St. Blaise, St. Cecilia, St. Jude, St. Luke, St. Joan of Arc and St. Michael. The students are assigned to their house at the beginning of 6th grade and they remain in that House until they graduate. The system also creates opportunities for students to develop relationships with those in other grade levels, participate in Works of Mercy that help others and create a sense of accountability and responsibility.

WORSHIP CHOIR

The St. Ann’s Worship Choir is an elective for students in the 7th and 8th grades. They participate in many events throughout the school year. They sing for special events and Masses and carol during Christmas. The students' voices are classified and are placed in the proper vocal section. These students truly love to sing!

32 29

Throughout the year, St. Ann’s Catholic School participates in and hosts a variety of fun activities/events for our students and families.

Fundraisers MARDI GRAS GALA Held the first Saturday in February each year, this gala includes an evening of delicious cuisine, live music and dancing, auctions, and of course much enjoyment. The money raised from the Mardi Gras Gala goes towards the St. Ann’s Endowment Fund.

ST. ANN'S FAMILY FAIR Run entirely by volunteers, the annual St. Ann's Family Fair has become a tradition loved by not only the school and parish, but Midland community! The Fair consists of carnival rides, over 50 food and game booths, smoke-free bingo, a "Fun Run", an "Odds and Ends" garage sale booth, and many more fun activities for the entire family that benefit St. Ann’s Catholic School.

HOT DOG DAYS Each month, we invite families to come eat a delicious Hot Dog Lunch. Proceeds from Hot Dog Days go toward Saints in Action (our Parent-School Organization), that helps the school see special projects to fruition. Students are welcome to wear jeans and a St. Ann's Spirit Shirt on these days. Come join us the second Friday of every month!

Activities and Events SPIRIT DAYS All are invited to show their school spirit by wearing a St. Ann's T-shirt and jeans. Each Hot Dog Day will be a Spirit Day, along with others designated throughout the year.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PET BLESSING Held on the Feast of St. Francis, students' families are invited to bring their pet for a special blessing in honor of the patron Saint of animals.

RED RIBBON WEEK An alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States celebrated with a week of fun, themed dress up days.

ALL SAINTS DAY LIVING WAX MUSEUM Third grade students host Mass and a Living Wax Museum for students to listen about the life of a Saint in our Church for fellow students and parishioners.

VETERAN'S DAY PARADE St. Ann's School honors our Veteran's service with a lively parade and special treat in their honor on Veteran's Day.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK Several appreciation events that highlight all the people and entities that make Catholic Education possible in the last week of January

PEP RALLIES Our St. Ann's family loves to show support for our school teams with Pep Rallies during school!

Getting Involved SAINTS IN ACTION Our Parent-School Organization, Saints in Action, meets once a month. The group meets and collaborates with administration They assist in the creation of planning and projects that help our school.

VOLUNTEER AROUND CAMPUS There's many ways to help on campus, whether it be assisting in the library, helping with projects in the classroom or in the office, or assisting with special events at the school.

M.O.V.E. (MEN OF VIRTUE ENGAGED)

VOLUNTEER FOR FUNDRAISERS

This is the inaugural year of M.O.V.E. (Men of Virtue Engaged). This organization allows men to take an active role in making our school environment the best that it can be. This group of fathers, uncles, male guardians, and grandfathers gather in fellowship to socialize and have fun while performing duties that support St. Ann's Catholic School. Through volunteering time and talent on a united front, this group is a great opportunity to help our school be the best it can be, while putting our children in the best possible environment.

St. Ann's hosts many fundraisers throughout the year that help sustain our school. We are always looking for amazing volunteers to help our frequent and annual fundraisers. Monthly Hot Dog Days, The Annual Family Fair, and Mardi Gras Gala, to name a few, are great opportunities to work with fellow St. Ann's families in a joint effort to benefit the school.

Ethics and Integrity Training

The St. Ann's School and Catholic Diocese of San Angelo is firmly committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for our children and vulnerable adults. It is for this reason, all staff and volunteers of St. Ann's Catholic School must be compliant in Ethics and Integrity Training. This two-step process first requires a completed Background Check that can be found here: ENGLISH -or- SPANISH After completing the Background Check Application, please bring it to the school to be processed for a Background Check. This part of the process must be done before moving to the second step. After your application is processed and you are notified it is cleared, the final step is to complete a Safe Environment Training. Please visit: https://sanangelo.cmgconnect.org to complete this approximately 3 hour course. This program does not need to be completed all in one sitting, and your progress will be saved as you move through. After that, you're fully compliant to volunteer at our school! We can't wait to see you! 37

TUITION SCHEDULE & PAYMENT PLANS The Tuition Schedule for the 2022-2023 School Year is available here: A non-refundable registration fee of $200 per child is due at the time of registration. This fee covers the cost of school supplies for each classroom. Once your child has been accepted into St. Ann's Catholic School, you will need to enroll in the FACTS Payment Plan. To sign up and learn more information about this payment plan, click HERE.

FINANCIAL AID In an effort to assist children who are unable to attend St. Ann's Catholic School due to financial constraints, aid and scholarships are available for qualified families for students in K-8th. Applications must be submitted and verified through FACTS.

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS If you have any questions or concerns regarding financial matters, please contact our school at (432) 684-4563 and someone will be happy to assist you. 38

Below are some helpful thinks that might assist you during the school year.

Much helpful information can be found at our website www.stanns.us

The Student Information System allows parents to view grades, pay tuition, apply for aid, and view other important information at https://factsmgt.com

Our online Spirit Store is a great place to purchase all your St. Ann's gear in support of our school. Check out https://stannsspiritstore.square.site to see what items are available to show your Saint Spirit!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook to see all the great things your kids are up to! Follow us HERE!

St. Ann's Catholic School has a proud relationship with St. Ann's Catholic Parish. We invite you to visit www.stannsparish.com to see all the amazing things the Church has to offer.

Every school has their own "language," or familiar terms that contribute to their identify.

We hope this Glossary helps to familiarize our families with the terminologies we use at St. Ann's Catholic School. 40

Accreditation - A process to ensure students in Texas' Catholic schools reach academic excellence and experience quality faith formation. The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department (TCCB ED) provides an accreditation program, which is recognized by the state’s Texas Education Agency (TEA). This process focuses on school improvements and accountability. It is intended to strengthen Catholic school mission and identity, and to engage Catholic schools in the ongoing improvement of student academic performance. Each Catholic school is accredited every seven years and provides annual reports for continued school accreditation. St. Ann's will go through this process during the upcoming school year. Pg. 24 After School - A teacher-supervised Extended Day Program after school for St. Ann's Catholic School students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Extended Day operates every day that school is in session (with the exception of early dismissal days). Students have the opportunity to work on homework, participate in supervised play, and other activities as planned by the staff. Parents must reserve a spot for the program as drop-ins are not permitted. To reserve a spot, contact the school office. All Saints Day Living Wax Museum - An annual tradition held every All Saints Day (or another chosen date if it falls on a weekend) where third grade students bring to life a chosen Saint of the Church. The children dress up as their Saint, and when approached, will come to life and tell observers about their contributions to our Catholic faith. Pg. 35

Blacktop - The area between the school, gymnasium and Science building that is often utilized as a recess area for students. Catholic Schools Week - An annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States typically held in late January or Early February. The week hosts appreciation days to show our gratitude for all that make Catholic education possible. Pg. 35 Distinguished Alumni - An annual honor that recognizes a former student whose life exemplifies in an exceptional way the religious, academic and social values that were instilled during the years he/she attended St. Ann’s Catholic School. Recipients must also possess the highest standards of integrity and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the Catholic Church and its principles. Nominations for this honor may be submitted to our Development Director, Kari Rylander. FACTS (RenWeb) - The Student Information System utilized by the school as a database for our school community. All St. Ann's Families utilize this portal to pay tuition, apply for financial aid, and view their child's information and grades. Pg. 20. Pg. 38. Pg.39. Family Fair - The biggest one-day event in Midland each year! General Admission is free and all proceeds benefit the St. Ann’s School and Parish. The Fair features fun and entertainment for all ages with over 65 food and game booths including Smoke Free Bingo, face-painting, games for kids, and the famous Odds & Ends Garage Sale booth. We're always looking for volunteers for this event held the last weekend in September! Pg. 34 Family Fair Shirt - A shirt that is promoted each year at the annual St. Ann's Family Fair! All children in the St. Ann's Catholic School and Parish are invited to submit a design to be chosen for this shirt. Students may wear this shirt on any Spirit or Hot Dog Days. It is often referred to at a "Hot Dog Day Shirt" due to the fact that many students wear it to monthly Hot Dog Days. See also "Hot Dog Day," "Hot Dog Day Shirt," "Family Fair," "Spirit Day," and "Spirit Shirt.“ Pg. 14 Pg. 35 Feathers for Food - An annual fundraiser held during the month of November to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Students may purchase a "feather," which equates to a vote for a staff member. The winning party will wear a Turkey suit on the final day for Thanksgiving break and greet our students at school. Field Day - A day of fun for students during the last week of school. Our P.E. Coach, Donna Reker, plans games and water activities to celebrate the end of the school year.

Glory Be Gift Shop - A Gift Shop is located on the grounds of St. Ann's Catholic Church that provide all types of merchandise and wonderful gifts! All proceeds benefit St. Ann's Catholic School. Hours are: Monday - Thursday, 10am - 2pm and all Sundays following the 8:30am Mass. We are always looking for volunteers to help in the store. To volunteer, please contact the Gift Shop Coordinator (and our school's crossing guard) Amy Kerr at glorybegiftsmidland@gmail.com. Hot Dog Day - A day held each month where we encourage families and friends of our students to join them for a Hot Dog Lunch. All proceeds from Hot Dog Lunch orders benefit our students and school. Hot Dog Days are a great opportunity for families to meet one another and we are always looking for volunteers to make these events possible. Students may wear jeans and a Spirit Shirt on Hot Dog Days. See also "Hot Dog Day Shirt," "Spirit Shirt," and "Saints in Action." Pg. 34. Pg. 36 Hot Dog Day Shirt - A St. Ann's Family Fair Shirt, St. Ann's Sport Team or Organization Shirt, or any other shirt that showcases St. Ann's School Pride. Hot Dog Day Shirt is synonymous with a spirit shirt, and can be worn with jeans on all Hot Dog Days. See also "Hot Dog Day," "Family Fair Shirt," and "Spirit Shirt." Pg. 14. Pg. 34 House System - A system for all Middle School students with the purposes of strengthening school culture, development of deeper bonds between students of different grade levels, providing opportunities to practice leadership, and allow each student to grow in a healthy, heroic, and holy identity. Pg. 32 Mardi Gras Gala - An annual gala held the first Saturday in February that includes an evening of delicious cuisine, live music and dancing, auctions, and much enjoyment. The money raised from the Mardi Gras Gala goes towards the St. Ann's Endowment Fund. Pg. 34 May Crowning - A ceremony hosted by the third grade students following Mass on the first Friday in May. Students are invited to bring flowers to honor our Mother Mary as we crown her in the month of May. Pg. 22 Mass Uniform - The attire worn by students any day that Mass is attended at school. The Mass Uniform is a blue oxford shirt, with pants for our boys, and skirts for our girls. This uniform worn by the congregation of students at Mass shows our reverence for the Liturgy. Pg. 12 Meet the Teacher - An informal event held at the beginning of the year where students and families can come to school to meet their teacher for the upcoming year. Monthly Agendas - A monthly digital packet that included an agendas of the objectives expected to be covered in each grade level. The packet is emailed to all families at the beginning of the month. Pg. 20 Oldest and Only -The term used to describe an effort made by St. Ann's Catholic School to conserve paper. When a flyer, advertisement, or any other important information needs to be dispersed, but only to the family as a whole, the "Oldest and Only" system will be used. Flyers are given to students who are the oldest in the family or the only child to save paper. Saints in Action - The St. Ann's Parent-School Organization. The group is comprised of parents committed to supporting St. Ann's Catholic School by helping to schedule, plan, and host many of the essential community-building and fundraising events for the school such as New Family Orientation, Hot Dog Days, Catholic Schools Week, and Book Fairs, to name a few. Through their fundraising efforts, we have been able to meet many of the needs of St. Ann's Catholic School to help us maintain a sound physical environment for our students and teachers. Pg. 36 Parent Night - An evening event held shortly after the beginning of the school year where parents can come for a presentation from their child's teacher outlining policies and pertinent information for their classroom and the school year.

Pet Blessing - A short ceremony held in the afternoon, either on or close to the Feast of St. Francis, the patron Saint of animals. Families are invited to bring their pet to school or students may bring a picture for a special blessing from a priest or deacon. Pg. 35 Picnic Day - A day during the last week of classes to celebrate the end of the school year for where students enjoy a fun picnic at a local park. Red Ribbon Week - An alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States celebrated with a week of fun, themed dress up days. Pg. 35

Spirit Day - Designated days throughout the year where students may wear blue jeans and a shirt that shows their St. Ann's School spirit! Spirit Days are coupled with Hot Dog Days, along with other designated ones throughout the year. See also "Family Fair Shirts," and "Spirit Shirt." Pg. 14. Pg. 35. Spirit Shirt - Any St. Ann's Family Fair Shirt, St. Ann's Sport Team or Organization Shirt, or any other shirt that showcases their St. Ann's School pride. See also "Hot Dog Day," "Family Fair Shirt," and "Spirit Day." Pg. 14. Pg. 35. Star Event - An annual event held in the spring that honors seniors in the current graduating class that attended St. Ann's Catholic School previously. Tuesday Folder - A weekly folder sent home with students. The folder contains the lunch menus for the upcoming weeks, newsletters and flyers for events around the school, parish, and community, as well as graded student work from the previous week. The folder is expected to be review and signed by a parent and returned to school with the student on Wednesday. Pg. 16. Pg. 20. Uniform Closet - A weekly folder sent home with students. The folder contains the lunch menus for the upcoming weeks, newsletters and flyers for events around the school, parish, and community, as well as graded student work from the previous week. The folder is expected to be review and signed by a parent and returned to school with the student on Wednesday. Pg. 11. Weekly Parent Update - A weekly digital newsletter emailed to families every Friday afternoon. The newsletter contains highlights from the previous week, information about what is coming up, the upcoming weeks' lunch menus, a monthly calendar, and any events that the school, parish, or community are hosting. It is an additional method to ensure our families are informed and connected to all the is going on at St. Ann's Catholic School. Pg. 20.

We are so happy to welcome you, our new families, to the St. Ann's Catholic School community. All of us were, at one time, new to the rules, policies, traditions, and history that are St. Ann's Catholic School. We hope that by reading this book and referring to it during the year, you will feel more “at home” and comfortable about knowing what to do, where to go, whom to see, and more. The Parent-Student Handbook found here: can provide you with additional information. If you do however, have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us! We are so blessed to have you here!

School Phone Number:

(432) 684-4563