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Parents Q & A

Welcome to St. Benedict’s Prep Frequently Asked Questions

General:
What is the St. Benedict’s Preparatory School main phone number and contact information?
Who do I call if my son will be late for school or absent due to illness?
What is my son’s ‘GROUP’?
What is the difference between a beginner and a member?
How often will my son have Homework?

Financial:
Where do I pay my tuition?
Who do I talk to concerning Financial Aid?
Who do I call if I have questions about my bills, statements, late payments, or payment schedules?
What fundraising responsibilities do the parents have for the school year?

First Term:
What are the dates for the opening of school?
What is the daily schedule in First Term?
Who must do the overnight?
What does my son need for the overnight?
My son is a beginner, but not a freshman, what does he need?

Dress Code:
What is the current Dress Code?
Where can I purchase the hoodie?
Are their uniform pants and shoes?
My son has not yet received his hoodie, what do I do?
Can I pick up a hoodie up at the store?
I don’t know my son’s group.

Parents:
What is the Parents Organization?
Who are the St. Benedict’s Prep Parents Organization Executive Board Members?
When does the Parents Organization meet?
When are the Parents Meetings Scheduled?
How will important notices to parents be sent home?

Student Services
Who do I speak with about health forms and lunch accounts?
If my son receives medication during the school day whom do I contact?

Lunch forms
I’m pretty sure that my son will not qualify for free or reduced lunch; do I still need to complete a form?
Is the information on the lunch form used for anything else?
How do I get more information on how to complete the form?

Physicals
Does my son need a new physical each year?
I have a note from the doctor saying my son’s in good health, is that acceptable?
When are physicals due?
Will there be an opportunity to receive a physical at the school?

General:

What is the St. Benedict’s Preparatory School main phone number and contact information?
The school’s Main Phone number is (973) 792-5800. You can dial a specific extension and leave a message for a teacher, the administration or staff. To send a fax dial (973) 643-6922.

You can contact Ms. Hauck at (973) 792-5776, liaison to the Parents Organization, who will answer general inquiries and questions about the Parents Organization.

Faculty E-mails are listed in the directory.
The SBP website is www.sbp.org. The site contains information including faculty/staff E-mail addresses, school calendar, contact names/phone numbers, scheduled events, school activities including the Athletic Department’s schedule and opportunities for parent volunteers.

Who do I call if my son will be late for school or absent due to illness?
Parents must call Mr. Cassidy at (973) 792-5740 so that the school is aware of the student’s excused lateness or illness.

What is my son’s ‘GROUP’?
Students are divided into groups that meet everyday in the morning or after school. Each ‘Group’ is identified by a monk/teacher’s name.

What is the difference between a beginner and a member?
In general, beginners are any first year students at SBP. Members are students who have successfully completed their beginner year and are returning for the next year. For this year (08-09), we will be considering all 7th, 8th, and 9th graders beginners for the First Term. All 8th graders will continue to be considered beginners for the entire year. 9th graders who have been here since seventh grade will be considered members. Anyone who transfers to the school above 9th grade is automatically a beginner for their first year.

How often will my son have Homework?
Homework is usually assigned each night. It is the responsibility of the student to complete all assignments on time. Ask your son to check his homework assignment book.

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Financial Information:

Where do I pay my tuition?
Parents or students can bring tuition payments to the Business Office located in the Bishop Joseph A. Francis Hall. You can pay your tuition bill and fees by several methods. SBP accepts credit card payments using Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Call (973) 792-5755 or 792-5754 for information.

Who do I talk to concerning Financial Aid?
Doris Lamourt is our Financial Aid Director. If you have questions concerning your student account you can reach her at (973) 792-5744.

Who do I call if I have questions about my bills, statements, late payments, or payment schedules?
Judy Simpson is the Business Manager for SBP. She handles all questions that relate to billing and can be reached at (973) 792-5754.

What fundraising responsibilities do the parents have for the school year?
Each family at St. Benedict’s Prep is expected to support our annual fundraising events, which include the Athletics & Activities Fundraiser held in October and the Annual Tricky Tray Auction to be held on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at St. Benedict’s Prep. In addition, all families are required to participate in the Annual Fundraising Raffle; participation is a $250 commitment. Several options are available to make your payment. There are no exceptions. Raffle books will be sent home with the students by December 19, 2008. If you have not received your tickets by that date, contact Mary Hauck to make the arrangements to receive your books. Raffle money ($250) and ticket stubs are due back to Mary Hauck in the Business Office no later than Friday, January 30, 2009. The drawing will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at St. Benedict’s Prep. Prizes are as follows:

First Prize $3,000 Gift Certificate to Store of Choice
Second Prize $1,500 Gift Certificate to Store of Choice
Third Prize $500 Gift Certificate to Store of Choice

Families who are able to contribute more than tuition and the fund-raising minimum are encouraged to do so as a tax-deductible gift to the Parents Annual Giving Program.

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First Term

What are the dates for the opening of school?
First Term begins on Monday, July 28th. Beginners must report at 8:00, Members at 10:00. Freshmen will begin the Overnight on Sunday, July 27th at 6:30 PM. For other dates, please consult the school calendar which can be found on the Student Services page of the website.

What is the daily schedule in First Term?
Aside from the first day (see above), Convocation will begin each morning at 8:30 AM. Members will be dismissed around 1:30 each day. Beginners must report each day at 8:00 and will finish around 2:30.

Are breakfast and lunch available during First Term?
Yes, both will be served each day and students will be able to use their government benefits and/or their declining balance account in the cafeteria.

Who must do the overnight?
The overnight is a freshman experience. It is only for 9th graders, regardless of their beginner/member status in the school.

What does my son need for the overnight?
Every day needs for First Term Pens and pencils, Books, Gym clothes, towel. For the Overnight: Sleeping bag and sheet or Blanket and sheet, Good slacks and shirt for evening meal, shoes, and shorts for recreation. Students must wear Shirt and tie each day and khaki dress or casual slacks (jeans and cargo pants are not acceptable). Underwear and socks (5 sets), Gym Clothes: shorts, T‑shirt, supporter, socks, towel, sneakers. Clean‑up kit: washcloth and towel, soap, shampoo, toothbrush and paste, deodorant. D0 NOT BRING You do NOT need money, cell phones, I-Pod’s, MP3’s, CD players, PSP’s and other games or any other electronic equipment, jewelry, air mattresses. Do not bring any of these items!

My son is a beginner, but not a freshman, what does he need?

Every day needs for First Term Pens and pencils, Books, Gym clothes, towel.

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Dress Code:

What is the current Dress Code?
The main dress code is as follows: Members: Black SBP hoodie, black pants and black dress shoes Beginners: Gray SBP hoodie, khaki pants and brown dress shoes

Where can I purchase the hoodie?
Uniformity is located on 305 3rd Ave. in Newark (next to Kasberger Field). You can order in store or online if you wish at www.shopuniformity.com . The school code is 360. You can also call 973-485-4500. It is recommended that hoodies be purchased as early as possible, as Uniformity gets very crowded around the traditional ‘back-to-school’ period and has extensive delays at that time.

Are their uniform pants and shoes?
There is no specific style of pant that is required, just that the pants be the correct color for the student’s designation (beginner or member). They should be in the form of dress or casual slacks, not jeans, carpenter pants, etc. Dickies pants are acceptable. Shoes also must be of the correct color, but there is not a specific shoe style required. However, shoes must be ‘dress’ shoes (hard or rubber sole is acceptable). Other styles of casual, walking shoes, etc. are not acceptable. If in doubt, consider what kind of shoes would be appropriate for more formal dress.

My son has not yet received his hoodie, what do I do?
Please contact Uniformity directly (information above).

Can I pick up a hoodie up at the store?
Yes, again as September gets closer, lines at the store will grow dramatically, so please plan accordingly.

I don’t know my son’s group.
Students who have been to school here at least a year should know their group initials. New students do not need to know their group to get their hoodie.

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Parents:

What is the Parents Organization?
All parents are invited to participate in the Parents Organization. Directed by the Parents Organization Board, this dedicated, hardworking group contributes to the quality of student life by sponsoring many programs and events throughout the school year. It encourages and facilitates communication and strives to unify the efforts of the SBP families with those of the administration and the faculty in carrying out the goals of the school. Various committees staffed by volunteers organize cultural and social programs and events for parents and students. In addition, the Parents Organization sponsors several fundraising events.

For more information regarding the Parents Organization, contact Mary Hauck at (973) 792-5776 or mhauck@sbp.org

Who are the St. Benedict’s Prep Parents Organization Executive Board Members?
President: Regina McFadden (Philmon McFadden, Jr. ’09)
Vice President: Michelle Clanton (Michael Clanton ’11)
Secretary: Grace Lenahan (Kieran Lenahan ’11)
Treasurer: Joanne Waddling (Christopher Waddling ’09)
Honorary Vice President: Rev. Boniface Treanor, O.S.B. ‘47
School/Parent Organization Liaison: Mary Hauck, Br. Patrick Win bush, O.S.B.

When does the Parents Organization meet?
The Parents Organization meetings are open to all members of the community and are held at 7:00 p.m. in the Boardroom. Anyone interested in contributing by volunteering or participating in discussions should attend on the following dates:

September 23
October 21
December 9
January 6
February 3
April 7
May 12

When are the Parents Meetings Scheduled?
Fr. Edwin holds TWO MANDATORY General Parent Meetings during the school year. These community meetings are intended to be informative for all SBP families. The meetings will be held at 3pm in Conlin Auditorium on the following dates:

Sunday, 3pm November 16, Fall Semester
Sunday, 3pm March 8, Spring Semester

How will important notices to parents be sent home?
Letters, automated phone messages or E-mail notices will be used to communicate with parents. Please do not ignore your SBP mail. Open and read it.

Please keep your E-mail address current by sending it to mhauck@sbp.org.

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Student Services:

Who do I speak with about health forms and lunch accounts?
Mike McCree is the Director of Student Services. He is responsible for the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program, as well as other programs at the school. His phone number is (973) 792-5728.

If my son receives medication during the school day whom do I contact?
Regina Blackwell is the school-nurse and can be reached at (973) 792-5782. The infirmary is located outside of the cafeteria. You can drop off physical forms in the Admissions Office (973) 792-5744 or mail forms to Mike McCree.

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Lunch Forms


I’m pretty sure that my son will not qualify for free or reduced lunch; do I still need to complete a form?
Yes, it is helpful for the school to have a lunch form on file for each and every student.

Is the information on the lunch form used for anything else?
No, by law, we may not use the personal financial information on the lunch forms for any other purpose, including financial aid and other programs. To apply for financial aid, please call Doris Lamourt at 973-792-5744 It is true that the school is eligible for certain grants and programs from both the government and private foundations based on the number of students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch. In reporting this information, only the percentage of students eligible is reported, not individual names or information.

How do I get more information on how to complete the form?
Each form should be attached to an instructions sheet and frequently asked questions. However, if additional assistance is necessary, please call Mike McCree at 973-792-5728.

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Physicals

Does my son need a new physical each year?
Yes, every student needs a new physical each school year.

I have a note from the doctor saying my son’s in good health, is that acceptable?
No the physical must be completed on the school’s physical form. A copy can be downloaded from the student services page.

When are physicals due?
Physicals are due at the beginning of First Term. However, if you can not get an appointment until later in August, because of the Doctor’s office or insurance reasons, please bring a note from the doctor’s office stating that date and time of the appointment.

All physicals, including those for which we have received doctor’s notes, must be completed before we return to school on September 15.

Will there be an opportunity to receive a physical at the school?
Yes, the doctor will come back on Wednesday July 23, 2008. In-school physical’s cost $20. Consent forms can be downloaded from the student services page.

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