Changes
There are several changes to our Parent-Student Handbook. Please be sure to review the handbook at your earliest convenience. Below you will find some of the more significant changes pertaining to drop off and pick up that may impact your student on the first days of school.
Arrival
School begins at 8:00 a.m. Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. are considered tardy and must report to the office for a tardy slip before going to class.
Please do not drop students off before 7:30 a.m. If you drop your child off before 7:30 a.m., the school will not be held responsible. Please do not drop your child off before 7:30 a.m. unless you have made special arrangements for him or her. Students are to remain in the area in front of the office until the bell rings to report to class.
Drop off for all preschool students should occur in the back parking lot (Windsor Lane). Students in grades K-8 may be dropped off at the Truman entrance.
The front circle off Truman Avenue is for drop off only, not parking. The traffic backs up quickly so we ask for your cooperation during morning drop off time.
If you want to walk your child onto campus, please park in the back parking lot only (off Windsor Lane). You are most welcome to come and sit in our courtyard or the front entryway. However parents are asked to refrain from walking students to their classrooms; this can be distracting especially to young students. Please check with your child’s teacher for his or her preferences.
Dismissal
All students are dismissed from the cafeteria which is accessed through the back parking lot off Windsor Lane. See below for rainy day dismissals.
Dismissal for all grades is 2:50 p.m.
Students not picked up within 15 minutes of dismissal time will be sent to Beyond the Bell and the family will be charged accordingly.
Rainy Day Dismissal
On rainy days all students are dismissed from the cafeteria. The school will make every attempt to send out a text message announcing rainy day dismissal. Please be sure that your student’s rainy day tag is visible on your dashboard. Please be very careful as traffic backs up quickly. We will do our best to escort the younger children to their vehicles. Stay with your car until your child is walked to your vehicle.
School Updates
• School orientation is Friday, August 15th from 2:00-6:00pm. There will be three 90 minute sessions at 2:00pm, 3:30pm and 5:00pm. Classes begin on Monday, August 18th. Our first school mass will be on Friday, August 22rd at 8:10 am. All families are welcome to join their student for mass each Friday at that time.
• Purchase your lunch cards from Ms. Cindy. Lunch menus will go home with each student on Tuesday, August 19th. The school lunch program will commence on Friday, August 22nd. Until then, please prepare a lunch for your child to bring with them to school.
• Drop Off & Picking Up: Parents, please do not park in the front parking lot of the school. The roundabout is for drop off only. This year, all preschool drop off will occur from the Windsor Lane entrance.
• We will follow the Monroe County School District hurricane and storm closing schedules. If Monroe County schools are closed, the Basilica School will also be closed. Please monitor the internet, our webpage and local radio and television stations for announcements concerning school closings.
• The first PTO Meeting of the year will be held in the renewal center hall on August 26th at 5:30 pm. Child care available.
• The back gates will be close each morning at 8:15am. If you arrive after that time, please use the front circle to drop off.
• In order to volunteer, all parents/guardians must complete requirements established by the Archdiocese of Miami for the safety of all children. The requirements include completing a Level II FDLE background check as well as completing the VIRTUS training. For more information, contact the School Office at (305)294-1031.
Adopt a Classroom
With school right around the corner, teachers and staff at the Basilica School are busy preparing for the coming school year. One of the ways which you can help to support the school and your child’s teacher is to “adopt a classroom.” We would like to get each classroom sponsored for $300 this fall. All proceeds will be used to purchase classroom materials that will directly enhance the curriculum and instruction in each class. We are sincerely grateful for those who have sponsored a classroom in the past and thank you in advance for considering our request again this year.