March 3, 2014 MARCH NEWSLETTER

From the Principal: A NOTE ABOUT COMMUNICATION Hello Families: March is here and isn’t it true that if this month comes “in like a li- In our effort to cut back on paper use on” it will go “out like a lamb”? Well, I’ve felt the “lion”, so am looking and thus reduce our costs (and your forward to the “lamb” and the warm weather it should bring soon! recycling!), we plan to send our monthly We anticipate that March will be another busy month here at St. newsletter via email. If you don't Michael’s School. We will start with parent-teacher conferences this week. We are all looking forward to discussing your child’s progress currently receive our communications with you. It’s also a time for us to thank you for your continued in- via email, please call, email, or stop by volvement and support of all of our activities here. Also, don’t forget the office and provide your email to also stop by our Book Fair in the resource room when you come address to Mrs. Strande. for conferences. It’s also time to start planning for the next school year. This spring we will require that you pre-register your children for the next school year. We can be more efficient in making plans for fall if we have solid information about our anticipated enrollment. See the additional information in this Pre-registration newsletter. for the 2014-15 As we make plans for the next school year, I am happy to inform you that next year Sara Dudley will serve as the intern school principal School Year as she pursues additional coursework to become fully certified as an elementary school principal in . I will continue in a part In order to assist in planning for -time position as the certified principal; we are both looking forward next year, enrollment information to serving as your “leadership team”. and forms for the 2014-2015 As always, if you have any questions or would like to provide input school year, will be sent out on about what is happening here, please give me a call and we will March 20th. Please complete and schedule a time to meet. return the enrollment form by April 1, 2014 to take advantage of Ken Schill, Principal the “Early Bird Special” registra- tion fee of $75.00. After that date, the registration fee will increase IMPORTANT DATES to $150.00. The completed forms March 5 can be returned to your child’s teacher or to the school office. Ash Wednesday School Mass 8:45am March 7 Strong in Faith, No School March 25 Strong in Education. Pre-School and Kindergarten Round-Up 1:30pm & 6:30pm School Board Interest Crosswalk Safety Any one interested in serving a term on the St. Michael’s We must continue to work together to be safe before and after school. For our students that School Board should contact get picked up and dropped off, remember to use Nichole Fontaine Vonesh, our sidewalks and our crosswalks to get to and current school board presi- from your car. I have been very thankful heavy after school. Your patience and attention to safe- dent, for more information. ty has been noticed and appreciated. Let's all get Her e-mail is: nmfon- home safely each and every day! [email protected]

SNOW MAKE UP DAY

Because of this winter’s snow day cancellations (to date), we will now have school on April 22. If there are more unanticipated school closings before the end of the school year, we will need to find other make-up time during other currently scheduled vacation days. Even though par- ents and students knew this could happen, make-up days are unexpected and unwelcome for all of us. St Michael’s SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS OR POSTPONEMENT PROCEDURES School postponement and cancellation alternatives will be as follows: a. Hold school as normal. b. Open school but delay sending buses. c. Delay the start time in all schools by two (2) hours based on school start time

St Michael’s School’s start time is 8:15, so when the opening is delayed two hours, school will start at 10:15 am. When school starts late, there will be no 8-11 Preschool classes. Full day Preschool classes will be held.

Decisions related to the delayed opening or closing of St. Michael’s school will always be consistent with those made for the Grand Forks Public schools.

Once school is in session, it will not be terminated until the regular closing time except in very severe weather situations. However, school buses may leave early. Radio, TV stations and Call One Now will be used to notify parents.

The decision to close or delay school will be made as early as possible. Announcements are made on lo- cal radio stations: KNOX-AM, KKXL-AM, KCNN-AM, K-LITE-FM, KFJM-AM, KQHT-FM, KYCK-FM and TV stations: WDAZ (Ch.8), KVLY(Ch.11), KXJB (Ch.4), Channel 15 (School District Channel). Many of these media outlets also have web sites where the closure listings are posted.

St Michael’s School will be using our Automated Calling system to call parents if school will be delayed or cancelled due to severe weather conditions. This call will be made as early as possible. Parents or guardians may always exercise their right to keep students home or pick them up early during stormy conditions.

If an emergency situation should develop during the time school is in session, children will be cared for in school until the storm has subsided.

If the bus is sent home early, note the following: a. Radio and TV stations and One Call Now will make the announcement of the departure time. b. The lead-time needed for the procedure is approximately one (1) hour. c. If conditions are dangerous, the bus driver must use common sense in discharging students that must walk a considerable distance. Drivers will have parents meet the bus or be on the lookout for their children. If the driver is unable to contact parents and conditions are dan- gerous, they will not let students off the bus but return to school and notify the principal.