FOR FAMILIES

FAQs

Please let us know if you have questions that aren’t answered here or elsewhere on our site.

Does my student have to be Catholic or a member of Nativity of Mary Parish to attend Saint Mary School?

No. We are grounded in our Catholic/Christian tradition and we therefore welcome everyone. There is no requirement to be Catholic or a member of the parish.

When is Mass for students? Can parents attend?

There is an all-school Mass at 8:15am on Wednesdays when school is in session, unless otherwise noted in the calendar. Parents are always welcome and are encouraged to attend. This is an opportunity for families to grow in faith with their student or simply observe them grow as they practice their public speaking skills or take up the gifts during Mass.

School Calendar

Are you able to provide more information on becoming Catholic?

Yes, please contact our parish office for information.

Nativity of Mary Parish

How much is tuition? Are there sibling discounts?

Tuition information is here, and we do offer sibling discounts. Tuition assistance is also available.

Tuition

Is 4K/P4J free at Saint Mary School?

Yes, if you live in the School District of Janesville – thanks to our partnership with the Preschool 4 Janesville (P4J) program.

Preschool 4 Janesville

How do I register for P4J?

If your student attends the 3K program at Saint Mary School and you indicate you will be returning to Saint Mary School for the following school year, your student will have a saved spot. However, you will still need to enroll with P4J and the school.

P4J

P4J Enrollment

If your student has not attended Saint Mary School before, you would enroll your student during the first week of February for the next school year.

How do I register my student for other grades?

We welcome you to take a tour and talk with our principal to get to know Saint Mary School! We encourage early enrollment, but it’s not required.

Enroll Your Student

What time does school start in the morning? When does school end?

Children may enter the school at 7:50 AM and instruction starts promptly at 8:00 AM. From 8:00 AM to 8:15 AM, there is a short religion class. If you choose not to have your student attend, school will start for that student at 8:15 AM. On Wednesdays, there is an all-school Mass until 9:00 AM. If you choose not to have your student attend Mass, school will start for that student at 9:00 AM on Wednesdays. The school day ends at 3:00 PM for grades 1-8, and at 11:30 AM for everyone else.

(P4J starts at 8:00 AM on MTThF, and at 9:00 AM on W.)

What happens if I deliver my student late in the morning?

Students that arrive after 9:30 AM will be marked one-half day absent. Students that arrive after 1:00 PM will be marked as absent for the entire day. The school also has a policy for excessive/repeated tardiness.

What happens if I am late picking up my student?

The adult outside will stay with your student until about 3:10 PM, then will walk with them to Extended Care and give you a call.

What if we have a snow day?

The school will send out a school-wide email to alert families about school closings. There will also be a banner on this website’s home page. You might want to check the Closings page on the WCLO website or on the NBC 15 website to learn if the school is closed due to weather.

How safe is drop-off/pick-up and where is it?

The school is located on Wall Street, which is a quiet street with ample parking.

Is there a school bus?

There may be bus transportation if you live in Janesville or Milton. You would need to contact the School District of Janesville (for Janesville) or Riteway Bus Company (for Milton).

Does Saint Mary School provide after-school care?

Yes – Extended Care is available both before and after school.

After-School Care

What safety measures are taken at Saint Mary School?

Entry to the school is limited. Doors are locked at all times, and visitors must be actively allowed in by a staff member. In the mornings, older students line up on the playground and are greeted by a staff member, while younger students are met at the doors. There are adults actively present at all recesses. Fire drills are conducted once a month, while tornado drills and lockdown drills are held at least once a year. The school has a system to be able to quickly provide important communications to all families.

If my student is not feeling well, should I keep him/her at home?

If your student has a sore throat, runny nose, fever, rash, cough, or a stomach bug, please keep the student at home to prevent contaminating other students or faculty members. Please report any contagious diseases to the school office. Your student should be fever free-for 24 hours before returning to school.

Does my student need to be immunized/vaccinated?

State law requires all public and private school students to present written evidence of immunization against certain diseases within 30 days of admission. The school will issue the current Rock County Health Department age-/grade-specific requirements at the time of enrollment.

Does Saint Mary School provide vision/hearing/dental screening?

Vision/hearing screening is available by making a written request to the school office. Each year, dental screening is provided in the P4J program.

What is the uniform exchange program?

Families donate uniforms (which must be in very good condition) to the school closet. Families wishing to take advantage of this program are welcome to contact the school secretary and then come in to choose what they need, subject to availability.

Do students wear uniforms?

Yes, except on school-specified Casual Days, or on their birthday or half-birthday!

School Uniforms & Supplies

What is acceptable for students to wear on Casual Days?

Students may wear casual clothes, with a few restrictions. We ask families to use common sense.

How do I know what supplies my student will need?

At the end of each school year, an updated list for the next school year is provided to each student and is also here.

School Supplies

Do I need to buy school supplies for P4J at Saint Mary School?

P4J provides all needed school supplies. A backpack is suggested and is not provided. Saint Mary School provides a list of optional extras that families can purchase for their student.

What is Class Dojo?

Class Dojo is an application that our teachers use to communicate with students’ families. Teachers send notes and photos to individual families or to all families in their class.

Do you have a Student of the Month program? How are choices determined?

We do! Each teacher selects a student, and selection criteria vary according to the class. Students of the Month are highlighted in the school’s main hallway and at our monthly assemblies.

Is participation in school fundraisers mandatory?

Fundraising activities help keep our tuition low, and family cooperation in these projects is very strongly encouraged and essential to their success!

What is scrip? How do I participate in scrip?

Scrip is an alternate name for gift card fundraising. Scrip participants can benefit Saint Mary School by using gift cards to pay for everyday purchases. We use RaiseRight for our scrip program. When you enroll, use the code 4EDDFD274532. Physical gift cards that are bought through this program are delivered to the school for collection/distribution to participants, or they can be sent to a participant directly for an additional fee. There are FAQs on the RaiseRight website that provide additional information.

Raiseright.com/shop

Can my student have a phone in school?

Students in PK3-4th grade are not allowed to have phones at school. Students in 5th-8th grades may bring phones to school, but must keep them turned off and in their lockers or backpacks during the school day.