The Holy Family Catholic School Website contains all information regarding the school on the parent’s private side; this includes newsletters, calendar of events, lunch purchase record, volunteer record keeping, students’ grades, etc. Students receive a Friday Folder or packet of work, tests, and grades with a cover sheet. The cover sheet is to be signed by the parents/guardian and returned every Monday. Many teachers have individual websites which provide specific information regarding their class. The school also has the Honeywell Instant Alert system that sends reminders and important announcements out to families via email and phone messages. Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, all school information, newsletters, etc. will be posted on the school (or teacher) websites.

You may contact the school office by phone at 727-526-8194 or the church office at 727-526-5783. Individual email addresses can be located on the school website, www.holyfamily-school.com

Please inform the school office by phone before 8:00am. Should you call before school hours, you may leave a message on the answering machine. If you know in advance that your child will be absent you may send an email to jdesrosiers@holyfamilycatholicschool.com

The school uses the Honeywell Instant Alert System to inform parents of any emergency and also as a means of communication to inform parents of upcoming events or changes in schedule. Registered members of the school will need to set up their profile for the ways they want to be contacted.

The private side of the school website contains a school directory of teachers and faculty. Contact can be made through email, write a note to the teacher, or call the school office to leave a message for the teacher or faculty member.

Please email, write a note, or call the school office to communicate a change in your child’s dismissal arrangements. If someone other than yourself is picking up your child be sure that their name has been submitted to the office to authorize their release to that person. No child will be allowed to go home with a person who is not on your authorization list.

The lunch menu is found on the website, under the Calendar tab, or Click Here

Most of the forms sent from school are on the website. Contact the teacher directly if the form or letter came from him/her.

The school curriculum includes art, music, Spanish, Computer and enrichment classes based on standardized tests and teacher’s recommendations. After school activities are offered depending on the grade level. Some of those activities include Bookworms (a book club for grades K through 2), Chess Club, Music Ministry, Parish Children’s Choir, Odyssey of the Mind, Mad Scientist, Band, Junior Tech Team, Scouts. Some of these activities are seasonal. A full listing of student opportunities can be found in the Family Handbook.

Computer instruction is included in the curriculum for grades K-8; the middle school Language Arts classes use a computer generated Criterion program to improve their writing skills.

Holy Family School is a member of the Lower Pinellas Catholic League which issues all rules and schedules. Soccer, volleyball, basketball, track and flag football are offered through the league. Students in grades 5 – 8 are eligible to participate.

The Home and School Association which plans the Fundraising activities has a calendar that is on the website. Families are expected to support these fundraisers since all the children benefit from the proceeds. The Spring Auction is the main fundraiser of the year; each family is required to perform four hours of the twenty service hours on this fundraiser.

Contact the president of the Home and School Association or any member of the Home and School Association Board. These names are listed in the INBOX on the private side of the website. Their information is also found in the school directory.

We are located in northeast St. Petersburg. Mapquest directions are available on the website.

The calendar is similar but not all days coincide with the Pinellas County calendar. School typically begins two weeks before Labor Day and ends the second week in June. Christmas and Easter break coincide with the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church.

Yes, once students arrive at school they are to remain on campus the entire school day unless they have a pre-arranged, excused reason to leave. All doors are locked during the day, with the main entrance allowing visitors in upon request. The office has view of all outside doors via security cameras.

Hot lunch is available for purchase each day. Students choose from a variety of menu items. Full lunch includes the main entrée, a side, and a drink. Students may bring their lunch and purchase a drink only. A debit system is used. Families establish a family account. On the private side of the website parents may view their balances and child’s purchases. The account may be replenished by sending money to the school office or by paying directly through PayPal.

Yes, detailed information regarding the dress code may be found in the Parent-Student Handbook on the website.

There is no bus or public transportation. Transportation is the responsibility of the family. Children may walk home or ride a bike provided a letter authorizing permission is registered in the school office.

We desire HFCS to be a safe place, not only from physical harm, but also from emotional and verbal abuse. Parental involvement is critical to assist us in achieving our goals. A detailed description of our approach to discipline is listed in our Family Handbook.

The majority of our families reside within Holy Family Parish community. The remaining are within reasonable driving distance to the school.

Day-today matters are handled by the school administrator, in compliance with the directives of the Office of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The pastor is the final authority in all parish matters.

Lunch is available for all students. Breakfast is normally eaten at home. In ECC, children who are remaining for the afternoon session, bring their lunch. Upon request, others are allowed to join the Lunch Bunch.

Because careless disposal of gum presents sanitation and cleaning problems, gum chewing is not permitted anytime or anywhere on school property.

A supply list for each grade level is available on the school website. All books related to the academic subjects are provided to the students for the year.v

No student may carry or administer his/her own medication. All medications are kept in a secure location in the school office and are administered by the school official. Full directives are in the Family Handbook. Parents are notified if a student has a fever or serious injury.

Students may not use any type of electronic device at school. Cell phones must be turned off and “parked” in the school office. If an electronic device is visible, it will be taken away and a parent will be required to pick it up in the office. If a cell phone is discovered in the student’s possession, it will be confiscated and will not be returned until the end of the school year. The school is not responsible for any lost or damaged property. Students may not call home for lunches, homework, projects, etc. If a student needs to make a call to the home, there are school phones available.

The state of Florida requires a current record of immunizations and health exam by a physician within one year prior to admission. Immunizations are to be documented by the Florida Certification of Immunization (Form 680).

School families can contact other school families through the School Directory which is on the private side of the website.

Students are requested to be on the school grounds no later than 7:45. Students are ‘dropped off’ at the east end of the school and remain in a designated area until the supervising teacher sends them into the building. If a student is late, the parent must park, bring the child into the office and sign in the child(ren).

Extended Day is offered after school until 6PM.

You may visit your child’s classroom if an appointment is made. You may also sign up to be a volunteer in your child’s classroom if you have taken the required Safe Environment workshop and Fingerprinted through the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Yes, there are early dismissal day during the year. Hours for daily dismissal days are 7:50-12:00. They are listed on the school calendar.

HFCS is associated with Holy Family Catholic Church.

98% of our student body is Catholic.

Currently, there are 206 students in grades K-8. Early Childhood has 64 students in PreK 3, 4, 5 year old program. There is one class for each grade level; there is a maximum of 30 students per class with teacher assistants in K-3. ECC follows the licensing regulations for teacher/child ratio.

We have and encourage respect for all races, color, national or ethnic backgrounds. Over the years we have seen increased diversity in our population.

There is a school Mass or Prayer Service almost every Thursday. Father John Tapp is the Pastor; Father Paul Mangiafico is the Associate Pastor. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered twice a year for the students, but they are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly outside of school time.

At this time, the school’s administrator is Sister Florence Ann Marino, IHM. She is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary whose IHM Center is in Scranton, PA.

Our children in school prepare for the sacraments within the parish sacramental program, in compliance with the requirements of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Our school has been blessed with ‘longevity’ of its teachers. At the end of the 2010 school year, three teachers retired from Holy Family after teaching here for 110 years collectively!!

All teachers are certified. The school is accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference. The Early Childhood Center is licensed by the Pinellas County Licensing Board and Childcare Coordinated Services.

The curriculum of Holy Family Catholic School is in compliance with the recommended requirements set by the Office of Catholic Schools and Centers of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and the standards for Accreditation of Early Childhood and Elementary Schools by the Florida Catholic Conference. Support materials, including textbooks, resources, and software are periodically updated and reviewed.

The following subjects are included in the school curriculum:

• Religion (Catholic doctrine, Scripture, Family Life Education, Safe Environment Education)
• Language Arts (reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing)
• Mathematics (including pre-algebra and algebra for students in grades 7 and 8; honors algebra for grade 8 who meet the criteria).
• Social Studies
• Science
• Computer Technology
• Music
• Art
• Spanish
• Physical Education

The school administers a standardized achievement and abilities testing program (ITBS) required by the diocese. These tests are administered annually to students in grades 2-8. Test results are available to parents. Students in grades 5 and 8 also participate annually in the Assessment of Catholic Religious Education (ACRE) survey sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association. Holy Family ECC utilizes an assessment tool for the three- and four-year-old students. This assessment identifies and monitors normal development and possible developmental delays.

Holy Family students do well in comparison to national standards. Results are posted to the parents.

Conference days are scheduled during or immediately following the first trimester. Teachers are available for conferences and welcome the communication at other times during the year.

We do request that all incoming students provide a copy of the previous years’ report cards and standardized test results. Incoming students in grades 3 through 8 also take a short reading, vocabulary, and math test. Students entering Kindergarten “visit’ the kindergarten classroom in May, and new 1st and 2nd graders are given a one-on-one screening test to determine basic reading and math skills.

Students with special needs can be staffed through ADAPT of the public school system or through private agencies.

A Student Support Team has been formed to systematically address the individual learning needs of its students in consultation with the teachers. The team seeks to meet this goal in the following ways:

• Facilitate the use of resources both within the school and outside the community
• Facilitate communication between and among teachers and parents

No, but children who are registered for kindergarten attend a 1 1/2 hour session in May. If the teacher observes any concerns the parent will be invited to have a conference to discuss the concerns.

Parents interested in transferring their child/ren should first meet with the principal. Copies of the student’s academic records from the current school will be reviewed. A placement test might be required and an interview with the family is required. During the first trimester, all new students have a probation period.

The present tuition schedule is listed on the school website, under the forms section.

There is a family rate for registered, contributing members of Holy Family Catholic Church.

In the spring at the time of reregistration, each family has an opportunity to request financial assistance. After preregistration is accepted, the family is given the necessary information to apply for financial assistance. If, during the year, a family’s financial situation changes, a parent may seek financial assistance.

Tuition assistance is determined based on the family’s income, number of dependents and any extenuating circumstances; tuition assistance awards vary depending on each family’s financial situation.

Notification depends on the foundation offering the financial assistance; once the school receives the information, the family is informed. Usually, the first month’s tuition might need to be paid in full; adjustments are made when grants are finalized.

Registration fee is non-refundable.

This is the outside Financial Management Company that collects the monthly tuition beginning in July. Payment is an automatic withdrawal from your bank account.

Those choosing to pay in full receive a 3% discount; paying in two payments, they receive a 1% for each payment. If the payment is paid by credit card, there is no discount.

Our school relies on the volunteer work of our parents to help things run smoothly. Twenty hours of volunteer service is required in many areas of the school’s needs; four are required for the annual auction. Single parents are required to 10 hours but must request, in writing, the adjusted hours. Parents attending the Home and School Association General Meetings may receive two hours for each meeting attended. Most parents generously give more than their required hours of service, either in the classroom, with projects, or with events.

Volunteer information is in the volunteer handbook on the website. There is a designated night before the end of the school year where parents can sign up. At the beginning of the school year, there is an opportunity to again sign up or make adjustments if necessary.

There are many creative opportunities for volunteering outside of the school hours. Also, many of the fundraiser hours are also outside of school hours.

Family members over 18 years of age may help with the volunteer hours, if they complete the necessary Diocesan requirements.

In order to volunteer where children are present, all volunteers must have Level II Fingerprinting ($50 required payment) through the Diocese and complete the Safe Environment Workshop which is available at various times of the year in different locations.