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When are school pictures taken and what should my child wear?
‘Picture Day’ is scheduled on the school calendar and is usually within the first couple weeks of school. Families are not obligated to purchase photos, however, each student will be photographed for class photos that are included with each packet that is purchased. Picture retakes are scheduled for a date, usually later in the fall. Class photos are provided after the retakes. Students are not required to wear uniforms but must have tennis shoes for recess.
How is lunch handled for students?
Lunchtimes are
- Grades 3/4-11:15-11:40
- Grades 1/2-11:40-12:05
- Grades 5/6-12:05-12:30
- Grades 7/8-12:30-1:00
- Kindergarten eats in their classrooms from 11:30-12:00
A schedule can also be found in the school directory. Students are to bring lunch to school. Students may purchase white or chocolate milk at school. A half pint carton of milk can be obtained in the cafeteria in exchange for a milk ticket. In order to purchase milk tickets, send money for tickets to school with your child. Place the money in an envelope and mark MILK MONEY or MILK TICKETS on the outside, also label the outside with your child's name, his/her grade and teacher. Barb Horton, in the office, will fill the 'order' for milk tickets that day so your child will have them for use that day. Send milk tickets in the lunchbox each day and your child can exchange them in the cafeteria for milk from the cooler. The 2010-2011 price for tickets is 10 cents each.
Hotlunch schedules are provided in the 'big packet' and will also be in the directory. If you purchased any of the hot lunches (pizza, hot dog, fresh start or mac-n-cheese), you will not send lunch on the day of hot lunch. Please note the schedule. Hot lunches are normally served on Fridays but are switched to other days of the week during Lent and when school is not in session on Friday.
When will my child and I meet the teacher?
Time is scheduled on the school calendar for students to come in and briefly meet their teacher and become familiar with their classroom. ‘Meet the Teacher’ is usually scheduled for a two hour timeslot a day or two prior to the start of school. You do not need to come for the entire 2 hour time period. It is a very informal way for students and parents to come for a few minutes within that 2 hour period to meet their teacher, see their classroom, locker, desk, etc. Siblings are welcome.
‘Back to School Night’ is TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, FROM 6:30-8:30. The welcome letter from the principal will confirm the dates and times that are scheduled on the school calendar. This event is for parents only. The event begins in the church with a welcome and introductions. Each grade level then hosts an information session in the classrooms. Both grade level teachers will meet together to present. The sessions are repeated so that parents may attend one session for one child and a second session for another. It may be helpful to bring your calendar with you in order to make note of specific scheduled events or to sign-up to come into the classroom to help.
The gym is open on ‘Back to School Nights’ with booths for the PTO committees, distribution of directories, free distribution of used uniform garments, sale of sportswear, samples of Market Day foods, purchase of trash bags, and general socializing! The event may take two hours for parents of one student and longer if you attend the second session for a second child. Parents of young students may well be at school beyond bedtime (on a school night) depending on the start time. If both parents plan to attend, you may need a sitter who can put your children to bed.
What are the school arrival and dismissal procedures?
Arrival: All students arrive at school and line up with by class in the gym. Morning assembly takes place at 7:55 AM and consists of prayer, pledge of allegiance, welcome from Principal Vesper, birthday balloon disbursement, and general announcements. Parents and siblings are always welcome at morning assembly. Students arriving after 7:55 AM will be considered tardy.
Dismissal: Students are released onto the parking lot at 3:00pm (typically 1:00 on early dismissal days).
Half-day kindergartners will normally dismiss at 11:30am from the church steps on Central Ave.
There are crossing guards at both 57th and Central and 57th and Washington. There is a ‘Cone Zone’ at the driveway into the school grounds on Washington Blvd. This zone allows for students to be released directly from cars that pull into a ‘moving line’ from the northbound lane on Washington Blvd. Otherwise drop off and pick-up by cars should be from vehicles parked on either Central Ave or Washington Blvd. 57th Street is closed to all traffic except for IPS buses.
The First Day of School
- All grades except kindergarten will stay through lunch on the first day of school and should bring a lunch with them.
- Kindergarten usually has a modified schedule the first day, and their parents will receive details in a letter from the teachers.
- 1st - 8th grade students usually release at 1:00pm on the first day of school.
- Students should bring their school supplies with them.
- Parents and siblings are welcome at morning assembly, but will not enter the classrooms with the students (except kindergarteners, who have a special activity with parents).
What is the school uniform and where can I get them?
New uniforms (skirts and jumpers) may be purchased from one local source: Campus Outfitters, 8284 Center Run Dr., 570-0898.
Used uniforms are free on an 'as available' basis from Karen Winterheimer. 5615 Central Ave., 254-1708. This supply is also available in the gym on Back to School Nights.
Standard uniform articles of clothing, such as kahki pants and shorts, polo shirts, turtle necks, belts, socks, tights and leggings may be purchased at any number of local stores such as; Target, Old Navy, etc..
Navy or hunter green sweaters may be worn while in the classroom for all students. Navy, hunter, or red IHM sweatshirts without hoods or zippers may be worn while in the classrooms. All other outer garments (including IHM hooded sweatshirts)must be removed when children enter their classroom.
Mondays are referred to as "Spirit day" and students may wear IHM sportswear (t-shirts or long-sleeved t-shirts) instead of the white uniform shirt. Uniform jumpers/skirts and khakis must be worn with spirit wear.
Uniforms (jumpers and skirts) wear well and it is likely that your child may outgrow a well-fitting garment before it wears out. Consider this when selecting sizes to purchase. Also remember the uniform ‘recycling’ effort and pass along your used uniforms to another student or donate to Karen Winterheimer’s supply.
Can IHM accomodate learning disabilities?
Yes, IHM can accommodate most students with learning disabilities. We have two resource teachers, Diane Flora and Jean Hursh, to assist students. We also employ a part-time Social Worker, Tish Pyritz, from Catholic Charities.
In addition, we have both public and private resources available to us for students with special needs. At the request of either the parents or teachers, academic, speech/language and psychological testing is available through the Indianapolis Public Schools or through private agencies. If you have questions, please contact the school office.
Where do IHM graduates attend High School?
Indianapolis is very privileged to have a wide choice of wonderful secondary schools. For the most part, our graduates attend these schools:
There is an application process that begins in the Fall of 8th grade but varies by each high school. It is customary for eighth grade students to spend a day "shadowing" before choosing a high school. Each student may shadow a maximum of two times in a given year. The junior high teachers will give specific details during the eighth grade meeting at the beginning of the school year. "Shadowing" is considered an excused absense. |
