The most important resource is the Parent/Student Handbook, which can be accessed electronically on Digital Academy, the school’s learning management system. The handbook contains important information about school policies. Many of your questions will likely be answered by referring to the appropriate section of the Handbook. Periodically, a section in the handbook may be updated. At the start of the year, you will asked to sign an acknowledgement that you have reviewed the school handbook. For additional information on all the topics addressed below, please consult the following resources, including Digital Academy, the monthly PATHS’ meeting, the Buzz Book, and the weekly Parish bulletin. And don’t forget…your child’s backpack!

The Buzz Book is a directory of parents, students, and teachers at Saint Christopher School. It shows class lists, gives information about PATHS Executive Board and Council members and committees, lists addresses and phone numbers of families and gives important dates throughout the year. A Buzz Book is sent home in September to each PATHS family that paid dues.

Digital Academy is the website where grades are posted and much, much, more! It is also a valuable resource for school calendar, spelling words lists, classroom calendars, lunch menus, Parish athletics information, in addition to new items that are being added all of the time. Upon acceptance for the current school year, each family member will have a user name and password to access Digital Academy. The students can access their grades and parents can view all their children’s grades . Please contact Mrs. Fuerst  at mfuerst@scsrr.org with any questions.  Digital Academy is a web-based program that can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.

You will receive a School Belle’s catalog. They have the approved styles. You can order from the catalog, online, or in their store. You may purchase clothing anywhere as long as it complies with uniform standard. Please see the Parent/Student Handbook or the School Belle’s catalog you receive from the school for details regarding uniform specifics.

On days your child has physical education, students wear a Gym Uniform purchased through Hometown Threads, 25313 Lorain Road, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070 440-779-6053. Gym uniforms include t-shirt, athletic shorts, sweatpants/track pants and athletic shoes. Students will not be able to use the locker/changing rooms. This gives students more time to participate in physical education activities. Students will wear the gym uniform at school for the entire school day on the assigned gym day. When there is a school Mass on an assigned gym day, students will wear the School Uniform to school for Mass and change after Mass.

Gym Day takes place in May. It is held in the parking lot and playground area and the children compete in a variety of team activities and obstacle course challenges.

The uniform exchange occurs several times a year. It is held to give all parents an opportunity to get gently worn shirts, blouses, pants, shorts, skirts, jumpers and gym uniforms. No money is paid. If you are not in need of anything but would like to donate, we gladly accept items for the exchange.

Rocky River and Fairview Park Schools Transportation Department send postcards to all eligible bus riders in August regarding where the bus stop is located, what bus your child will be taking, and the time of pickup and drop-off. If you have questions about busing or if your child has a problem on the bus, please contact the school transportation departments directly. For Rocky River, contact (440) 356-6042 and for Fairview Park (440) 331-5500, ext. 1128.

Remember, the bus WILL NOT drop off Kindergartners unless a parent or caregiver is there to receive them.

If your child is sick, they will go to the office and see the nurse. You may be called to pick them up. If we are unable to reach you, the alternate contact person on your child’s medical card will be called. A nurse/aide is on duty Monday through Friday from 8:30 -2:30. The nurse handles illnesses and minor injuries. If your child is badly hurt, you will be called and your child may be taken to the emergency medical facility indicated on your child’s medical card. It is important to update the office with any change in your address, phone number, cell phone, or emergency contact information. Contact information is to be included on the medication forms.

A Morning & After Care program is available to students. Morning Care operates from 7:40 am in the morning until 8:00 a.m. and can be used on a drop-in basis. After Care operates from 2:45 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 2:45 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Fridays.  You must register and pay for this service in order to have your child attend. Additional details can be found in the Campus Life section on the website.

The child or child’s teacher will notify the office that the student arrived without their lunch. The office will attempt to contact the parent(s). Lunches may be left in the office and the student will be notified to pick it up. Please write the child’s name and room number on the lunch. Another option is for your child to purchase a lunch through the Automated Lunch System. Each child has an account that a parent deposits money into that is used for lunch. As the child purchases lunch, the amount is deducted from the balance in the account. More information will be provided in regard to setting up and using this system.

Christmas Shoppe is held during the month of December. Students in grades K-8  may purchase small Christmas presents for their relatives. Information and order envelopes will be sent home prior to the event.

There is a winter and spring concert  put on through our music program. Information is sent home at the beginning of the year with the dates of the concerts and what grades are involved. The school Band program, available to students in grades 4-8, also has a winter and spring concert each year.

At the beginning of each year, every family will receive an updated letter regarding dismissal specifics. Please familiarize yourself and go over the information with your children. All children are dismissed over the PA system and will be allowed to leave when their group is called.

The drop-off and pick-up procedure is “Enter from Detroit Rd. and Exit out onto Northview”.

• In the morning, all cars are to enter from Detroit Road, drive to the school doors and drop-off students. Faculty members are at the school door to greet students as they are dropped off. All cars must exit through the parking lot to Northview Ave.

• In the afternoon, please park your car and come up to the school doors to pick up your child. Kindergartners must be signed out by a parent or guardian. Please be aware of traffic as you are walking through the parking lot.

• If you come at lunchtime, use Detroit Road to enter and exit and avoid parking near the playground. Children may be at recess and both the Lakeview and Northview exits will be blocked.

Please drive slowly when entering the parking lot. For the safety of all our children, refrain from using cell phones while driving in the parking lot. Never park or drop-off at the rectory.

Any and all parents or volunteers that work or are in the school or coaching any sport with children must have a background report on file along with an application and participate in the national VIRTUS program, an awareness program for identifying sexual abuse in children. This includes room mothers, art helpers, lunch room, field trips supervision, library aides, and any other help given to our school. Please contact the Religious Education Office for VIRTUS training. There is also an ongoing computer program with VIRTUS updates as well as a manual and guidelines to follow. You must be in full compliance to volunteer or coach. There must be two forms signed and on file in the office. You must be up to date on your computer bulletins.

All parents with students at our school are automatically members of PATHS. However, to receive the Buzz Book and become a voting member, families must pay yearly dues. There is a form sent home at the beginning of the year and it is also a checklist of areas to volunteer. This form can also be found on Digital Academy under the PATHS section, as well as in the school’s office.

The art show is held in conjunction with our annual Open House event during Catholic Schools Week; typically during the last week of January. Selected thematic pieces created by all of our students are displayed throughout the school.

Kindergarten promotion occurs on the last day of school for the kindergarten class. The kindergartners have a ceremony in the morning which family members and older siblings are welcome to attend. After the ceremony, kindergarten students go home with their families.

Second graders receive their First Communion in the spring. Parents of second graders will receive information about classes and meetings in preparation for this sacrament from the St. Christopher Religious Education Office.

This event is typically held in the evening on the last day of school for the eighth graders. The eighth graders celebrate their graduation from St. Christopher School with a prayer service. Within the prayer service students receive their graduation certificate. This is followed by a social for the graduates and their families.

Please contact your child’s teacher. Due to the wellness policy, only non-edible treats are permitted. No food should be brought to school. Any invitations for parties must be mailed/emailed directly to the classmates’ home. No invitations or thank you notes can be passed out at school.

Catholic Schools Week (CSW) occurs at the end of January/beginning of February.  It is a whole week of activities to celebrate Catholic education and St. Christopher School. It begins with our annual Open House/Art Show on last Sunday in January. Parents are welcome to attend many of the events that take place during this week.

There is a family orientation morning the day before the first full day of school.  Students and their families meet their new teachers and drop-off supplies. Parent-teacher conferences are in November and provide another opportunity to discuss how your child is doing. You will receive a note home to schedule a conference. You may also request to meet with the other teachers your child has at any time during the school year.

We have two major fundraisers each year. The Journey to Success Raffle and  the annual school auction.

Journey to Success Raffle occurs in the late fall. Families are asked to sell raffle tickets to raise funds for the school. Prizes are awarded each day for a month following ticket sales and there are incentives for the students.

The auction is held in the winter and the theme varies each school year. Auction funds provide critical support for virtually every school function. Please consider attending and/or volunteering your support for this fun and worthwhile event.

• Box Tops for Education – This is a fast and easy way for you to help our teachers and students. Buy participating products and use the Box Tops mobile app to scan your store receipt. The app identifies eligible products and automatically add Box Tops to your school’s earning online. Even if you’re shopping online or doing grocery pickup, you can still submit your e-receipts and earn Box Tops. You may also find some physical Box Tops on products-these can still be clipped and sent in to school.

• Scholastic Books / Book Fair – You can order books through fliers that come home and there is a book fair in the October. Our school earns money and books based on what is spent.

• 11:30 – 12:10 K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd at lunch/recess

• 12:20– 1:00 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th at lunch/recess

  Students have 20 minutes for lunch and 20 minutes for recess. This includes having to get through the hot lunch line.  For the first few weeks of school the Kindergarten students have an “angel” from the 6th grade who sits with them and helps them get adjusted to the lunch routine. Monthly lunch menus are found on Digital Academy. Any additional items sold at lunch will be announced during lunch the day before.  A teacher and 1-2 parents monitor recess. Volunteers must be VIRTUS compliant!

Parent volunteers are needed for inside and outside supervision each day.  Please contact the office if you are interested in helping with outdoor recess.

It is very important to dress children for the weather. Only when it is raining or EXTREMELY cold will the children be kept inside for recess.

All school volunteers must be Virtus compliant. You can volunteer to become a Room Parent, or for various events and field trips throughout the year.  In the fall, your student’s room parents will send out a notice asking for volunteers for class events. Each class has a retreat and parents are also needed to help during the day.

A permission slip will come home for each field trip. You may contact the child’s teacher about the need for chaperones. Currently, PATHS sponsors a few trips per year for each class including the busing expense. Any parent chaperones will have to pay their own admission and drive separately. Volunteers must be VIRTUS compliant.

Yes! In fact, we encourage parents to attend these religious events so they can appreciate and share in the spiritual education their child receives here at St. Christopher School. Check the monthly calendar for dates, locations, and times.