FAQS

Revised: September ‘06

What is “Middle States Accredited”?

Does gym start the first week of school?

What do the children wear for portraits?

What is the “uniform exchange”?

What is “tag day”?

What is “mission day”? 

When does the uniform change from fall to winter and winter to spring?

Has the school considered a bulk purchase of supplies at Staples or a similar company with a rewards program?

What is the purpose of the unit program and why do families need to do units?

Why does the unit program end on May 31^st?

What kinds of morning snacks are recommended?

Why can’t I write one check for all fees (lunch, after school care,…)?

How do you purchase lunch?

Do you refund lunch tickets for absences?

What is the school’s curriculum?  Is it the same as in the public schools?

Who is the first person to contact when I have a concern?

How long does the after school care program run?

How do I start a committee for an improvement project?

What is the H&SA and purpose of the H&SA Executive Council?

What is a “Star School”?  This program is run by the diocese.  A Star School in the Paterson Diocese is a school identified as being on the "cutting edge." It promotes high student achievement and has an identifiable specialization which addresses the educational services and needs of students. The faculty is engaged in professional development; there is administrative and fiscal efficiency demonstrated in the educational program. Outstanding performance is measured in terms of student results and school accomplishments and there are collaborative efforts between parents, parish and community.  SJRS achieved the designation in 2004.  More information on the school’s specific accomplishment is available on our website.

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What is “Middle States Accredited”? The Middle States Association was established by the academic profession in 1887 to set standards for American education. It is a non-profit corporation. Originally chartered by the New York Board of Regents it is presently registered as such by the State of Delaware. It serves Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and certain regions overseas. It is a member of the Board of the International Council of School Accreditation Commissions, Inc. (ICSAC), and participates in the accreditation protocols of the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA).  The Middle States Association serves elementary, secondary, and higher educational institutions through programs of self-study, evaluation, and accreditation, as well as other developmental services.  Accreditation is the means of self-regulation and peer review adopted by the educational community. Middle States accreditation is an expression of confidence in a school's mission and goals, its performance, and its resources. Based upon the results of a self-study and an on-site evaluation by a team of peers and colleagues who are assigned by the Commission, accreditation attests that the school has met the following criteria:

• Defined appropriate educational goals and provides educational programs to achieve them;
• Maintains a qualified faculty and an effective school organization;
• Assesses outcomes of school experiences and controls the quality of educational programs;
• Responds to the concerns of parents and the needs of the school community;
• Provides for the continuity of its programs and plans for their future;
• Describes with accuracy the content of its services and programs.

Does gym start the first week of school? Gym typically starts the first week of school.  The children are given their class schedule during the first few days of the school year and are notified of their gym day(s) at that point.  (Junior High, grades 6-8, has gym two days a week.)  The teachers will send home a class schedule for all younger grades; you will also be given the class schedule on “back-to-school night”.

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What do the children wear for portraits?  Pictures taken in the fall are placed in the school yearbook and the children are therefore required to wear their school uniforms.  You are notified of the date for portraits a week or more prior to the day; you can also refer to the monthly calendar released in the Wednesday communication envelope.  We sometimes also offer spring portraits which are typically taken with the children wearing their own clothes, subject to “tag day” rules.

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What is the “uniform exchange”?  The program allows all families the opportunity to swap their used, “gently worn” uniforms that no longer fit their child(ren) in exchange for used uniforms that will fit your child(ren) for the next school year.  The uniform exchange is held over a two or three day period in June, typically during the week prior to the last week of school.  You can send in your used uniforms with your child but you are required to make your own choices in exchange.

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What is “tag day”? Tag Day is a fundraiser run by the student council for items such as junior high dances and other student activities.  The children donate $1.00 for the opportunity to wear their own clothing (versus their uniform), subject to rules set by the administration.  On average there is one tag day per month during the school year.   All tag day clothing is required to be clean, neat and respectful.  There are no sleeveless or revealing shirts allowed; girls cannot wear shorts.  Sandals, flip-flops, backless shoes are not allowed.  You will receive further information regarding the program and applicable rules prior to the first tag day of the school year.

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What is “mission day”?  The school participates in a mission program which is run by one of the teachers.  Each class in grades 3-8 has a mission representative; as a whole they work with the teacher to determine the specific charity/program they will sponsor for the school year and develop ideas for mission day.  The intent is for the entire student body to build a sense of community and charity, working for a common cause to help those less fortunate.  Mission day is a specific fun day set to raise money for the year’s mission cause.  The children donate a nominal fee (under $5.00) to eat lunch and participate in fun activities centered on the year’s theme (e.g. a luau or country theme); the day is identified as a tag day and the children wear clothes that center around the theme.   

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When does the uniform change from fall to winter and winter to spring?  The optional fall uniform is applicable from September through October 31^st.  The optional spring uniform is applicable from April 15^th until the end of the school year.  There is also an optional winter uniform for both boys and girls.  Please refer to the handbook for details.

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Has the school considered a bulk purchase of supplies at Staples or a similar company with a rewards program? Quite simply, we don’t have the room available to store bulk supplies here in the school.  We also don’t have the staff (or parental help) required to monitor and administer such a program.  We are excited though about another convenient option we offered for the first time at the end of the 2006 school year.  Supplies can be pre-purchased through an outside vendor at the end of one school year and will be nicely packaged and in the child’s classroom the first day of school the following September.  The vendor has the supply list for each class.  A set rate applies and only allows for all supplies to be purchased; you cannot pick and choose. 

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What is the purpose of the unit program, and why do families need to do units?  The unit program was established to help foster the relationship between school and family.  It is an opportunity for our parents to build and strengthen relationships between and among each other as well as members of the staff.  We believe this interaction helps to strengthen the community in which we live and our children go to school.  It also helps to foster the family atmosphere we so cherish here at SJRS. 

The unit program is outlined in detail on the school website (www.sjccs.org) and in the handbook.  It is our preference that each family takes the opportunity to participate in any small or large way possible in the school and earn their units in whole or in part through that participation.  We also welcome extended family members to participate and earn units for you. That being said, we do recognize hectic schedules and individual circumstances don’t always make participation possible in whole or in part and that is why the option of a payout for any unearned unit(s) is available at a rate of $10 per unit.

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Why does the unit program end on May 31^st? The school year’s unit program ends on approximately May 31^st in order to allow time for accounting and updating of records as well as notification to each family with an outstanding balance.  In order for each student to receive a final report card and the 8^th graders to graduate with their class, all financial obligations of the family must be current.  This is a time consuming project at a very hectic time of the school year; accuracy is very important and is taken very seriously.

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What kinds of morning snacks are recommended?  A nutritious and healthy snack needs to be provided from home.  Fruit, granola, yogurt and crackers are easily available options that are recommended.  A small drink, juice or water, can also be provided if your child typically gets thirsty in the morning.  Please note that candy and soda are not permitted at snack or lunchtime.  Also, some classes have students with nut or other food allergies.  If your child is in one of those classes you will be notified and asked to consider the classmate’s allergy when packing snack and/or lunch for your own child. 

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Why can’t I write one check for all fees (lunch, after school care,…)?

A separate check is required as there are separate banking accounts for various school services and the funds cannot be intermingled.  If only one check is written we must deposit the money into one account and write, document and account for separate checks to the various accounts for each of the items being paid.  Administratively it is much simpler if we get separate checks for each of the services being paid.  We recognize it may be an inconvenience for you and we truly do appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

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How do you purchase lunch?  Lunch is purchased on a monthly basis and is an optional program.  The program is administered by the Administration (Mrs. Higgs and Fr. Peter) with a staff of a few parents.  The lunch staff coordinates the meals and does the shopping and cooking.  We do not have the purchasing power of a food service and therefore have to carefully plan the meals and purchase the supplies required in bulk (where possible), on a monthly basis, in order to receive some monetary savings.

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Do you refund lunch tickets for absences? We do not provide refunds or credit for lunch tickets not used due to absences or other reasons.  The food and supplies are purchased on a monthly basis and the lunches are made each day according to the number of students signed up and paid.  The cost and structure of the program does not allow for adjustments due to absences.

Catholic School faculty members are fully certified and qualified professionals committed to bringing out the best in their students as they grow in knowledge, skills, and values.

Association with agencies such as the Middle States Association and the National Catholic Education Association, as well as with Diocesan Education Offices, helps provide programs and instruments for internal and external evaluations on an ongoing basis.

Saint Joseph Regional School follows the Diocese of Paterson curriculum guides which meet all state regulations and guidelines. In addition, diocesan guidelines require a strong religious education curriculum.  The school’s curriculum is comprised of religion, language arts (reading, english, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and composition), math, science, social studies, handwriting, Spanish, art, music, physical education, library, and computer science.  (This information is also found in the school handbook.)  

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Who is the first person to contact when I have a concern?  If you have a concern regarding your child(ren), the first person to contact is typically the child’s teacher.  Although all of the teachers are equipped to handle your concerns, we do recognize there may be instances where you feel a need to pursue an issue further.  The Principal, Mrs. Higgs, maintains an open door policy to address these circumstances as well as concerns you have that are more global in nature.  Unless it is urgent, it is best to call the office in order to schedule a time that is convenient for both parties. 

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How long does the after school care program run? The after school care program runs from 2:30 until 6:00pm beginning the first day of school and ending prior to the last day of school.  The phone number to reach the care providers after the school day ends is 973-383-0695.  Additional information regarding the program is located in the handbook.