We are at the halfway mark for the summer holiday. I
hope you have been able to rest, relax, and recreate. Back at school we have been working hard to get ready for another great
school year at Transfiguration.
Enclosed along
with this letter is a menu for our lunch program. We will start the program in September. Please note the deadline for returning
the menus. It is best to either mail the menu directly to the company or order online.
The budget for 2008-2009 school year has been approved. Our goals as always are to provide the highest quality Catholic
education while minimizing the costs that are within our control. Toward that end we continue to make improvements to the
curriculum, the learning environment, and the opportunities for the students to reach their fullest potential. Our schedule
for tuition and other fees for the coming year is attached.
I am delighted to introduce two new faculty and one new staff member. Allyson Garnsey is our new Kindergarten teacher.
She has had six years experience teaching Kindergarten and holds a Masters degree in early childhood education. Robyn Jurgensen
is our new fifth grade teacher. Robyn comes to Transfiguration School with five years experience and a Masters degree in
education. Robyn also has had experience teaching fifth grade in a New York City public school. In addition, I am pleased
to introduce to you Bonnie Feit who will assume the office Administrative Assistant position. She will work side by side
with Sheila Coughlin and will handle a variety of responsibilities including tuition. Please join me in welcoming our new
members. I know I can count on your support as they assume their new responsibilities. We are so fortunate to have such
an experienced, highly qualified, and dedicated faculty. They are the lifeblood of the school. As I reflect on the many
strengths of the school, the teachers are without a doubt at the top of the list.
We are also fortunate, and grateful to you for the value that you place on giving your child a Catholic education
and for supporting our efforts to maintain Transfiguration School as one of the best private schools in Westchester County.
We are cognizant of the financial sacrifice you make to insure that your children have the school experience that only Transfiguration
School can give them and we applaud your commitment. The faculty and I will continue to work diligently to provide the absolute
best value in Catholic education.
The first day
of school is September 3rd . Please remember that the school hours for the first week are from 8 AM to 11 AM and children
should come to school in their uniform from the very first day. Students have the option of wearing the summer uniform of
khaki Bermuda shorts, yellow golf shirt, green school sweater, white socks and sneakers. This may be worn until October 15,
weather permitting. All clothing must be at Flynn & O'Hara, www.flynnohara.com. Students must be in complete uniforms
at all times.
The After School Care program also
begins on September 3. Gym, Art, Technology, Music and Spanish will begin the following week.
Physical exams are
necessary before entering school for the first time, regardless of grade level, and must have been completed within thirty
days of entrance into school. Physical exams are also mandated for students entering grades PK, K, 2, 4, and 7 and must have
been completed within the last year. Immunization records are required by law for all grade levels. New students must have
their immunization records in school before the first day of classes.
Please adhere to the supply lists that were distributed at the end of the school year. Wheeled backpacks, or mini
suitcases cannot be accommodated. Trappers are also not allowed due to space constraints. Soft backpacks, such as duffel
or gym bags, are recommended. PK and K students will be supplied with a uniform book bag by the school which should be used
daily for folders, lunch, etc.
Tuition booklets
will be sent home with your child during the second week of school.
All K-8 Book/Material/SDS fees are due by Friday,
August 29, 2008 (refer to Tuition Schedules)
It is strongly suggested that all students K-8 take a bus. You pay taxes to your community for this service and it would
reduce the numbers of cars in the parking lot, therefore, making it safer for the students who need to be driven. Parents
who must drive their children to school are reminded to park away from the building, outside the cones, and escort your children
to the steps of the school. Only faculty and buses are allowed in the first lane, closest to the building. There are many
vehicles entering and exiting at any given time. Please be mindful of this fact. Also, children may not be dropped and left
on the steps before 7:45 A.M. The school doors will be unlocked at 7:45 A.M.
All children and adults must enter and leave the building through the main entrance doors, only (These are the doors
by the school office and playground area). Parents of children in grades K through 8 should say their goodbyes in the lobby
of the school and allow the students to walk to their classroom unescorted. Parents must not walk down the halls in the morning
or attempt to engage a teacher in an impromptu conference. Teachers who are on morning duty must stay focused on the students
to ensure their safety. The school day begins promptly at 8:00 A.M. Please ensure that your child arrives on time so as
not to disrupt the beginning of classes. If a student is late more than 5 times in a quarter, they will be detained in the
front hall until the first period is over. All visitors, including parents, who have business within the school building
must stop at the office and pick up a visitors pass. This pass must be worn while in the building to let the faculty know
that you have been cleared by the front office.
Enjoy
the rest of the summer. May God bless you and keep you safe. We look forward to seeing you in September.
