Dear Parents:
Welcome to St. Martin’s in-the-Field Day School. We are delighted that you have chosen St. Martin’s for your child’s education. Our teachers are looking forward to meeting their students and have many exciting, interesting, and challenging activities planned that will meet the social, emotional, and educational needs of each child throughout the school year. We welcome your participation. With parents and teachers working together, this year is sure to be a successful and happy experience for each family.

We are very excited about this school year, our new students, our new staff, and the new changes to our campus. We hope you will take a moment to walk through our Preschool, Elementary School, Middle School, and campus on Visitation Day, or at the upcoming get-acquainted coffee for all parents on Friday, August 28, in the Parish Hall.

In order for our school to run smoothly and safely for you and your children, it is very important that we have a mutual understanding of the school’s goals, procedures, guidance policies, and basic educational philosophy. With this in mind, please carefully read through the literature in this package and the PARENT HANDBOOK, which you will receive in early September.

As you read, please note further explanation of the method of entering from Tewkesbury Lane and the Parish Hall security entrance.

Enclosed in this mailing are all the forms that we are asking you to complete and return to us. Please use the enclosed checklist as a guide, and return all the necessary forms to the school business office by August 15. Additional forms may be downloaded from our website at www.stmartinsdayschool.org. Contact the office for username and password if needed- 410-647-7055 or info@stmartinsdayschool.org.

As required by the State of Maryland, no children are allowed to attend school unless their Immunization Certificate is updated and on file by August 15. St. Martin’s Day School requires that a Vital Information/Emergency Form and Permission Form (enclosed) be on file, as well.

Please carefully read the Opening Information and Visitation Schedule. I suggest posting this schedule on your refrigerator. To help you form carpools, class lists will be available on the website after August 1. A 2009-2010 Parent/Staff Calendar is enclosed to help you plan for the school year ahead.

The Parents’ Association (PA) is hosting a get-acquainted coffee on Friday, August 28, mornings and afternoons, in the Parish Hall. We hope you will be able to join us to meet new friends, ask questions, and maybe sign up to volunteer on one of the PA committees. Siblings are welcome to attend. I urge you to get involved. We have a very active PA, which for years has improved our campus and enriched the lives of our students and staff through their many projects and endeavors.

We understand that each new school year may bring anxiety to students and their parents, and especially to those children in Preschool. Let me assure you that our teachers understand and are experts in handling the separation problems children may experience as school begins. Please follow their lead and advice and leave your child in their very capable hands as quickly as possible. As hard as it may seem, it is best for your child. Usually, within a month, your child has adjusted to the school routine.

To help your children with the adjustment from summer to school schedules, some helpful hints are provided below:

 A week before school, start adjusting bedtime and “awake” time 5 to 10 minutes a day/night. By the time school begins, your child will be well rested and accustomed to a new sleep pattern. All children need at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep. An early bedtime will reap benefits for both students and parents.

 For Preschool, discuss what your child will do at school and how much fun it will be. Read a story about the first day of school, such as Will I Have a Friend? by Miriam Cohen.

 For the Elementary and Middle schools, dust off the flash cards to sharpen math skills and continue reading every day.

 For Middle School, have summer assignments completed by August 15.

 Have a family outing or activity to celebrate the ending of summer and the start of school.

 Make it a priority to arrive at school on time each morning. It gives your child time to interact with the other children before the day starts. Our teaching begins at 8:30 a.m. for the Elementary and Middle schools and at 9:00 a.m. for Preschool.

 Turn off all cell phones in the carpool lines (a huge safety issue) and talk with your children while waiting for car doors to be opened for them.

 Have fun together and relax for the rest of the summer.

Again, welcome to our school. Anne Andrews, Head of Middle School, and I look forward to meeting you on Visitation Day or the first day of school.

Sincerely,
Sharon Holsclaw
Head of School