September 8, 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians,

St. Bartholomew School is alive with the sounds of children and learning! It is wonderful to have all of our students back in school, and we are enjoying getting back into the routines of school.

This year our school theme is “Hearts Like His,” and will focus around the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We will continue with monthly virtue awards given in individual classes. This year, instead of focusing on one saint all year, we will return to focusing on a different saint each month. The saint for September is St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Additionally, we will be sending home monthly “Family and Faith Connection” bulletins with wonderful activities to do at home to grow in faith as a family.

Thank you to the parents and teachers of our PreK and Kindergarten students who attended Back-to-School Night, as well as to all of the parents and guardians who attended the open HSA Meeting. We are so excited by your enthusiasm and participation. It’s going to be a great year!

Please take some time to read the Parent/Guardian/Student Handbook, which is posted on our school website. I have attached the Signature Page to this letter, which needs to be signed and returned by Friday, September 11. Also attached is the Emergency Dismissal Arrangement Form, which must also be returned by Friday, September 11. This form is different from the Emergency Form you completed during registration and is used only if the school has a non-scheduled early dismissal due to an emergency or weather-related event.

Thank you for your patience at drop-off and dismissal. The first few days of school are always a bit more challenging and require everyone’s patience. Our arrival and dismissal procedures are moving along well. Morning arrival has been quick and efficient, and students are transitioning easily.

School for students in grades K-8 begins at 7:30 AM. We allow a 10-minute grace period for students who may be transitioning from the parking lot to their classrooms. Students arriving after 7:40 AM will be marked tardy. After 7:40 AM, you must bring your child(ren) to the front office (Door #1 – Ryders Lane) to be signed in.

Morning prayers begin at 7:35 AM, and classes begin promptly at 7:45 AM. Please make every effort to have your child on campus by 7:25 AM so that they are settled and ready for morning prayers at 7:35 AM.

As always, when exiting campus, we ask that you remain patient and follow all safety rules and procedures. A reminder that cars should not use Peach Orchard Lane to make U-turns in order to catch the light into our parking lot. Please be aware that children from the surrounding neighborhood may be making their way to school at the same time as our students. As always, please use caution when driving through the surrounding neighborhoods and the school parking lot, where pedestrians may be present.

This year, we expect to have three buses servicing our school. We are working through the initial kinks with bus dismissal, and we anticipate that the process will become quicker and more efficient for our bus riders.

Please remember that instructional time continues until 1:35 PM, and dismissal is at 1:45 PM. Students who need to be dismissed early must be picked up by 1:15 PM at the front office. Students must remain with their teachers and are not permitted to walk across the parking lot to get into a car without an adult. You must exit your car to pick up your child.

On inclement weather days, please make sure your child has appropriate clothing, as dismissal may take a bit longer. Students are encouraged to have a raincoat with a hood and to avoid using umbrellas, as they can present a challenge when navigating crowded areas.

We have a nice variety of after-school clubs and activities available this year. These programs give children the opportunity to explore their interests, develop new skills, and make new friends. Please check the school website for more information and to register your child.

As a reminder, school will be closed on Friday, September 18, for a Teacher Spirituality Day. I look forward to seeing the parents and guardians of students in grades 1-8 at Back-to-School Night on September 17.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful children with us. We are looking forward to a fantastic school year together!

God bless,

Mrs. Theresa Craig, M.Ed.
Principal