PARENT Letter: August 2024
Dear Parents,
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all
understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
A mixture of emotions can be seen on the faces of parents as they drop their children off
for the first day of school – joy, excitement, pride, nervousness, and relief (to name a
few). Whatever the emotion might be, do not worry. Be assured the faculty and staff at
St. Philip Preparatory school are dedicated to guiding your children spiritually and
academically.
Looking forward to a great year,
Ms. Danielle Gonzalez
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
NEW Faculty
● Mrs. Judy Banyai is transitioning from Middle School Science Teacher to Art and
PE Teacher.
● We welcome Mrs. Patricia Blevis to the St. Philip Prep family as the new Middle
School Science Teacher and 8B Homeroom Teacher. Mrs. Blevis has a BA from
Thomas Edison College and a Masters in Educational Administration and
Supervision from St. Peter’s College. She comes to us with over 14 years of
various science teaching experiences in both high school and elementary school.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM
Perfect Time Music, LLC, has been invited back for another year of instrumental
instruction. The company offers instrumental music lessons, at a separate cost,
to students in Grades 1-8. Students who register will have a lesson once a week
during school hours on a rotating schedule. This way a student does not miss
the same class each week. Music lessons are 30 minutes long and the instructor
will pick them up from the classroom. Academics always come first! Students
will be responsible for all work missed. If a test is scheduled for the period, then
students will not be pulled at that time.
The staff of Perfect Time Music will be present at the Back to School Nights.
Please arrive early to ask questions should you be interested in signing
your child up for lessons. A flyer with prices and more information will be
available.
FACILITY and SECURITY UPDATES
● The faculty bathroom in the middle school wing has been updated.
● The roofing company and electrician are called in each summer to address and
repair any problems and issues.
● Floors – all floors in the classrooms, hallway, auditorium, and gym have been
stripped and rewaxed.
● SECURITY
○ New door installation is complete (glass gym doors, lobby auditorium
doors, early childhood wing doors, copy room door, nurse’s door, foyer
door that leads downstairs)
○ New/Additional key swipe pads have been installed at the gym’s doors,
Russo Room doors, and all interior lobby doors (creating a mantrap area).
PreK UNIFORMS
Remember uniforms (St. Philip Prep PE uniform) are now mandatory for PreK3
and PreK4 this school year (2024-2025). You can visit Flynn O’Hara’s website
https://flynnohara.com or visit the closest store in the Baldwin Shopping Center in
Parsippany, NJ, to purchase the uniform.
MORNING and AFTERCARE
Morning and After Care will start on Monday, September 9th which is the first full
week of school. The cost is $11 per hour ($5.50 per half-hour).
Morning Care starts at 7:00 AM. Any student arriving before 7:30 AM will be
charged $5.50 for the use of Morning Care.
* Students should enter through the main lobby doors.
MORNING ARRIVAL
* Entrance through the auditorium doors will be available once 8th-grade
carline monitors are on duty (7:45 AM). Any student arriving at school
before the 8th graders are on duty (before 7:45 AM) should enter through
the main lobby.
REDIKER/Parent Portal
The Parent Portal via the Rediker system will open on Wednesday, August 28.
Once the Portal is open you will be able to view the monthly calendar and
student homeroom and class assignments. Unless there is a major
discrepancy or conflict, changes to homerooms and classes will not be
made – please do not contact the main office. However, mistakes are
possible. We ask for your patience as corrections are made and adjusted in the
system during the first few days of school.
NEW FAMILIES
Rediker is an online system used throughout the schools in the Diocese of
Paterson. The School Calendar can be viewed when logged into Rediker. The
system also helps parents track the academic progress of their child in addition
to keeping parents and guardians aware of emergency situations at school.
Report Cards will be distributed via the Rediker Parent Portal system as follows:
● Grades 2-8: Four times a year
● Grade 1: Three times a year (Grade 1 does not receive a report card at
the end of the first quarter.)
● PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten: Twice a year (January and June)
You may print and save your child’s report card or save it on your computer.
An invitation email will be sent when the portal is officially open for the 2024-2025
academic year (usually a week before school starts). Should you need
assistance, kindly call Mrs. Debbie Neglia at the school and she will be happy to
assist you. Please call 973-779-4700 x. 2.
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Important Dates to Remember:
● Monday, August 26
6:00 PM New Beginnings for students new to St. Philip Prep and their
families. RSVP to Anton Meindl, HSA President sppshsa@gmail.com
● Wednesday, September 4 – First day of school
○ Grades 1-8 have a full day of school (Arrival time 7:30-8:00 AM in the
auditorium. Children arriving after 8:00 AM will be marked late.)
○ PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten have orientation from 9:30 – 11:00 AM.
All children and at least one parent should be in attendance.
● Thursday, September 5 – First full day of school for PreK & Kindergarten
Back to School Nights
● 7:00 PM Tuesday, September 10 for PreK3 through Grade 3 (Parents
only).
● 7:00 PM Thursday, September 12 for Grades 4-8 (Parents only)
