Principal's Corner
What a difference six weeks makes! If you have not travelled Dover Point Road this summer, be prepared to be amazed. It seemed as though excavators began disassembling parking lots and moving earth as soon graduates from the class of 2008 left the stage that hot Sunday afternoon back in June. Six weeks later I am happy to report that Phase One of our campus master plan is almost complete. The campus is awash with retaining walls, miles of pavement and sidewalks, ample parking for our students, parents, and guests, courtyards, gardens, and, of course, a loading dock! Most important, we now have a safe traffic pattern for our students and parents, and a campus design that can allow for future expansion of our facilities, enhancing the educational opportunities for our students. So many individuals have given of their time and talent to make this construction project a reality. Please know how thankful St. Thomas is for their efforts. A special word of thanks to Paul Connolly, the Chair of our Facilities Committee, who volunteered to serve as Project Manager for St. Thomas.
I wanted to personally update you on the Principal Search process. Ms. Moran, Superintendent of Catholic Schools has informed me of her decision to temporarily suspend the Principal search at this time. She indicated that, while the Search Committee has been very diligent in their efforts, the right candidate has yet to surface. In light of the fact that we are rapidly approaching the beginning of the school year and an October NEASC Accreditation visit (for which we have been preparing for two years) are upon us, she believes it is more prudent for a Search Committee to resume, and if necessary, expand the active search later this fall. Ms. Moran shared with me the belief that our patience and diligence will yield the best possible leader in due time. She is confident, as am I, that we are poised to transition into the new school year ready and confident.
I want to explain a few of the dramatic shifts in the day to day operation of the school that you will experience with the new traffic patterns developed around campus. As I mentioned earlier, the new traffic patterns have been developed with safety in mind, so having everyone on the same page will be extremely important. Most important to understanding the new traffic flow is to see the back of the school (the atrium and back entrance) as the primary source of entry into St. Thomas. When you enter campus, the road will travel by the 'old main entrance' in front of the school but there will be no curb area for drop-off or pick-up. Consequently, drivers will not be allowed to stop in front of the school at any time. Drivers should follow the traffic pattern to the back of the school to the adjacent courtyard where students may be dropped off. The road will loop back to the front of the school toward the appropriate exit. We would like to shift the process for student pick-up as well. Because the roadways are not wide enough to allow for vehicle stacking, we would like parents to park in our parking lots when they are waiting for their students. Hopefully this operational adjustment will eliminate a long line of vehicles blocking the normal flow of traffic. Attached to this publication you will find a detailed description of the new traffic flow. Thanks to Jason Strniste and Gordon Quimby for their attention to these details. I would welcome any feedback you have as we work together to acclimate to the new expectations.
As we begin the school year, you will notice several other changes to our school community. After three years of excellent service as Admissions Director, Gary Finley is excited to return to the classroom as a full-time English teacher. Patty Krupsky, who has dedicated so much time to the admissions process while serving as the assistant to the Principal, will devote her full time to the admissions process as our Director of Admissions. The Admissions Office has also relocated to the Advancement Suite of Notre Dame Hall. Evonne Kill-Kish will become our full-time receptionist and administrative assistant (serving in that capacity the past two summers) and Lisa Puffer will serve as the administrative assistant to the Principal along with supporting the general operations of the Main Office. Sarah Laczynski will continue in our English/Fine Arts department as our full-time music teacher. Karen Ladebush will join our staff as a Teacher's Aid, assisting with cafeteria supervision. I am also pleased to welcome new members to our teaching and guidance staff. Amie Gingras (Class of 2001) will join the Guidance Staff as a counselor for 9th and 11th grade students. Catherine Donndelinger will teach Theology, Jacqueline Zick will teach Spanish, and Kathryn Burns will teach Science.
I pray that the remaining weeks of summer bring you rest and relaxation. We are all enthusiastically awaiting the opening of the 2008-2009 school year. See you in a few weeks!
Peace,
Ron Holtz
August Parent eNotes
Upcoming Events and News
Important Dates
- Monday, August 18- Freshman Jumpstart Day
- Tuesday, August 19- Senior Leadership Night
- Thursday, August 21- Back to School Dance 7-11pm
- Monday, August 25- 9th Grade/Transfer Student Orientation
- Tuesday, August 26- First Day of school
- Tuesday, August 26- School ID/Picture Day, Grades 9 & 12
- Wednesday, August 27- School ID/Picture Day, Grades 10 & 11
- Wednesday, August 27- Summer Reading Test Day
- Thursday, August 28- Summer Reading Test Day
- Friday, August 29- No School
- Monday, September 1- No School
- Friday, September 5- 9th Grade Clubs Assembly
- Wednesday, September 10- Opening School Mass
- Monday, September 15- Back to School Night
- Friday September 19- 23rd Annual Golf Open
- Saturday, September 20- STA Homecoming Events: Homecoming Mass, Cornerstone Rededication & Reception and more!
Attention all drivers! New roadways and parking lots mean a major change of habit for parents, students, and staff. Here are some crucial keypoints:
Please follow this link for a complete explanation of drop-off/ pick-up and parking procedures. Please help us make St. Thomas a safe school by understanding the expectations before you arrive at school for the first time this year. Thanks.
Attention Juniors and Seniors! Only juniors and seniors may drive vehicles to school. However, 2008-2009 parking permit forms must be completed before cars may be driven to school. Please visit the attendance or main office and pick up your form. The form, signed by both parent and student, must be returned with a $75 check for each vehicle to be registered. Students driving vehicles without a purple oval sticker will be subject to detention and loss of driving privileges. Student drivers should check this link for instructions about where to park and how to enter and exit campus this year.
2008-2009 Emergency/Athletic Information Form If you have not already done so, please return your 2008-2009 Emergency/Athletic Information Form which was mailed to you in July along with the Parent/Student Handbook. Please review the information on your form, correct the form as needed, and sign the form as appropriate. This form must be completed and returned prior to the start of school and prior to fall sports. Note that parent and student signatures are required; these signatures indicate understanding of and compliance with all school expectations.
Student I.D. photos Student I.D. photos will be taken on August 26 and August 27. All students will have a picture taken; grades 9 and 12 will be taken on Tuesday, August 26, and grades 10 & 11 are scheduled for Wednesday, August 27. Underclass students will have the option of purchasing a photo package. Watch your mail for brochures and picture envelopes. Seniors should be making arrangements for senior portraits on their own; the school photo is intended for I.D. cards only, but will be used for the yearbook in the absence of any other picture. Reminder: All school photos must be in dress code.
Back to School Dance Campus Ministry will be hosting the Back to School Dance on Thursday, August 21 from 7-11 pm. Plan to join your classmates for the first social event of the year. Only St. Thomas students may attend and the cost is $5 per student. Dress is casual. Please review the Handbook for rules and expectations at St. Thomas social events. Remember you must arrive at the dance before 9 pm and must remain at the dance until 10:30 pm. (Exceptions must be arranged in advance with Mr. Quimby.) Parent chaperones are needed. Please leave a message at school for Mrs. Finan if you can help. Please note: New roadways and parking lots will change drop-off and pick-up locations to the rear of the school. Please do not wait on Dover Point Road or in front of the gymnasium; all student will enter and exit from the rear of the school. Please check this link for instructions about how to enter and exit campus this year.
2008-9 Calendar 2008-2009 School Calendars will be available for pick-up in the Main Office as of Wednesday, August 13.
From the Music Program Hello and welcome back, St. Thomas! The music program is looking forward to a very exciting and active new school year. Ms. Sara Laczynski and Mrs. Jennifer Larson are geared up and ready to go. They are going to dive right in to preparing for Homecoming with the band and the fall concert entitled "Tour of Europe" and since it will fall on Halloween this year, there are a few surprises in store as well! If you haven't signed up for an in-school music group this semester, be sure to check out the many after-school groups. Please come and visit in the music room any time with questions. Our doors are always open to new members, and it's always a good time with good people!
Guidance
Back to School Night- Monday, September 15-5:30 pm to 8:30 pm A very important "next" orientation to St. Thomas just for parents. A presentation starting at 5:30 for 9th grade parents is designed to share the expected early challenges in high school life and how parents can best support their student's transition. Then at 6:30, all St. Thomas parents will follow a bell schedule of their students and meet teachers for a brief introduction to the course. During lunch or study periods, there will be optional presentations for parents to learn how to access the online grading system.
Grade 9 Jumpstart- August 18-9am to 1 pm Important Notice: Jumpstart Day will not be held on campus at St. Thomas this year. It will be held at Holy Trinity Church on High St. in Somersworth. (Driving Directions). Please plan to drop off and pick up your student at the church that day. Freshmen Boy's soccer will be practicing back at St. Thomas at 1:30. A bus will be made available to transport those players and anyone else needing a ride back to school after Jumpstart. It is very important that your student get on the transportation list for the bus whenever he/she checks in for Jumpstart. Dress for the day is casual; sneakers are recommended. Ninth graders not yet registered may still do so. Mail in registration form from Orientation II packet with fee, or email or call Patty Krupsky.
Guidance Counselor Updates The St. Thomas Guidance Department welcomes a new counselor to the staff, Amie Gingras. She will be replacing Deb Kane who announced her retirement last spring. This staff change coincides with a new plan for how students are assigned to their counselor. To see this plan click here. Please contact Gale LeClair, Guidance Director, with any questions.
Dinner Table Conversation Parents and students at St. Thomas are encouraged to have conversation at home about how to create a smooth academic start to the school year. On the first day of classes, students will be given a handout that lists needed school supplies for the course, as well as introductory information on how the course is organized and how grades are earned. Imbedded in each of those handouts are the course expectations and guidelines for students. This is excellent "dinner table conversation." Parents should be fully informed about expectations in each course from the first day. St. Thomas courses are designed for developmentally appropriate rigor in each of the four grades. Students and parents might discuss systems at home for organization of materials, where and when to study in a quiet space, and how to communicate about daily progress. An important note is that the first few weeks of school is a transition at each grade level. New courses, new teachers, and higher expectations may require some adjustment. Students and parents are all encouraged to discuss progress frequently in these early weeks. Course or level changes will be possible, but only after students have attended classes long enough for teachers and students and parents to fully assess the placement. An early poor quiz grade should not panic anyone; instead, use it as a learning experience and discuss ways to improve. Contact teachers by email or phone if concerns persist. Guidance counselors will ask a student to speak with their teacher and parents before any schedule change will be approved.
Advancement
CAST
Golf Open The 23rd Annual Golf Open is on Friday, September 19th at the Portsmouth Country Club. Invitations to the entire St. Thomas community are in the mail. THIS EVENT FILLS EVERY YEAR. If you would like to register before the flyer arrives you can DOWNLOAD IT HERE. You can also register ONLINE
PARENT SOCIAL SAVE THE DATE!!!! This annual social gathering is always great fun for our community. Mark the date in your calendar and be sure to attend. Anyone interested in joining the planning committee should contact the committee.
Volunteer Form Thank you to all those who have sent in the volunteer form. Please send the form to school indicating your interest and ability to volunteer. We are truly grateful for all the help you can provide.