How do I get in touch with my child’s teacher?

Teachers may be contacted by calling 658-7158. Voice mail extensions are listed in the school directory. Email addresses for teachers are the teacher’s first initial and last name followed by @ursuline.org.

What are the school hours?

The gate to the playground opens at 7:45 AM. Students who are dropped off or arrive on buses go to the playground. The school building is open to students at 8 AM. The school day starts at 8:15 AM.

The students’ day ends at 2:40 PM.

What about absences and late arrivals?

Regular attendance is vital to success. Each absence interferes with schoolwork and tends to impede a student’s success. Teachers at Ursuline are always willing to help those students who have been ill.

If a student will be absent form school, the parent should call the school, ext. 429 before  8:30 AM. This policy is important for the personal safety of students. The school will attempt to reach parents who do not call to confirm that the parents are aware that their son or daughter is absent. Excused absences count against attendance records.

Parents who wish homework and make-up work for a student should call before 8:30 AM or email the receptionist (mduus@ursuline.org)  before 8:30 AM with that request. Work will be left in the lobby for parents to pick up at the end of the school day.

Planned absence

When a student is to be absent from school for a planned absence, he or she must bring a written request from her parents to the homeroom teacher.  This request should be brought in 7 to 10 days before the planned absence. A Planned Absence Form should be obtained from the office.  A student must present the form to the teacher or teachers for signature.  Then the Planned Absence Form should be signed by the parents and returned to the homeroom teacher.  If the student fails to return the form before departure, the student must make up all work within 48 hours after returning to school. When the form is signed and returned before the planned absence, the teacher will indicate the date work should be submitted.  That date will be up to a week after the student’s return to school.

Early Dismissal

No student is permitted to leave the building without written permission from a parent/guardian. Students should bring a note to the teacher about the early dismissal.  The teacher will then notify the main office.  Parents, please make every effort to schedule appointments during non-school hours.

Change in Dismissal

A student who will be dismissed from school to a different location than is the regular location for that student (for example, a student who will be picked up by a parent rather than going to Extended Day) should bring in a a note stating the arrangement to the teacher, who will notify the Main Office. The school’s concern for the safety of the students is foremost in this policy.

Late For School

When a student arrives at school after 8:15, he or she must report to the Main Office and obtain a pass to be admitted to the classroom. When a school bus arrives late, the lateness is excused.

What happens if the school closes early for an emergency or inclement weather?

Parents will be notified via the homeroom phone chain. The school receptionist will start the chain from school. Parents will be called at the number provided to the school.  In addition, the information will be announced on the radio, and published on the link on the school web site.
Parents who wish to be notified by email in addition to the methods above should send in that information to the school receptionist.

What happens if school is cancelled or there is a late opening?

We will use TV, radio, our web site, and the homeroom phone chain.

Radio stations to listen to are: WDEL, WILM, WSTW, WJBR, WSNJ

TV stations: Channel 6

Ursuline web page (www.ursuline.org) Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the WDEL Snow Watch icon.

During the day, what events may parents attend?

Parents are welcome at school liturgies, concerts, and classroom parties. Most events and times are listed on our school calendar.  If not on the calendar, they will be published in the weekly newsletter prior to the event.

Where do we park during the school day?

Due to very limited parking, all of the spaces on campus are assigned to faculty and staff duringt he school day.  Street parking is available for visitors.

If I drive my son or daughter to school, where do I drop him/her off?

Van Buren Street is used for drop-off and pickup. Please respect other families and the safety of our children by staying in the line.

Who should I contact if I have a concern?

Lower School curriculum, programs, activities: Mrs. Grace

Your child’s performance in a class: The child’s teacher

A discipline problem:  Mrs. Grace

Athletics:  Lower School Athletic Director

School policies/procedures: Mrs. Grace or Miss Looby

Bus transportation:  Mr. Milhiser

School trips, plays, or concerts: The faculty member in charge

How do I contact my child during the day?

In case of emergency only, contact the receptionist, Mrs. Duus.

What if my child forgets his or her lunch money or lunch?

Parents may drop the lunch off at the Main Office, or the student will be lent lunch money, which should be repaid the next school day.

How do I know what letter day it is, so I know when to send my  primary age child to school in his gym clothes?

Letter days are printed on the school lunch menu, and also will be published in the weekly newsletter for the coming week.

What happens if my child forgets his or her gym clothes?

When a Montessori-2nd grade student forgets her uniform, she participates in her school uniform.  When a  3rd-6th grader forgets her gym uniform, she can borrow from other students, check the lost and found, or  participate in her school uniform.  In the 3rd - 6th grades,  if a student forgets her uniform after a third time,  the gym teacher will call home to remind the parent(s) when their child has gym.

What is available in the Ursuline Academy Store?

The school store is located in the Auditorium, and is open Tuesdays and Thursdays form 11:00 to 1:30 as well as during certain Academy-wide events. Shirts, hats, gym uniforms, sports bags, pencils, and other items are available. Catalogs are distributed in homerooms and are also available in the store.

UA Store phone number: During the day, call 658-7158 and ask for the school store voice mail. After hours, dial the same number and select ext. 462.

How can I stay current on school happenings?

For your child’s classroom, see classroom newsletters and visit the teachers’ web page by going to the Ursuline web site (www.ursuline.org), clicking on the "Copernicus" button on the left side of the page. At the Copernicus page, click on "Find Your Class" on the right hand side, and select the name of the teacher.

In addition, a principal’s weekly newsletter will be sent home in the Friday folders.
 
If my child has to take medications during the day, what is the policy?

Students are not permitted to have medication in their personal possession during the school day.  All medication will be kept in the nurse’s office.

If the school closes early as in the case of bad weather, is there a bus?

Yes, the buses will make regularly scheduled runs.

What if our address or phone number changes during the school year?
Please contact Jamie Jones, Acting Director of Admission by e-mail (jamiejones@ursuline.org ) or phone ext. 209.