New Family Information
Thank you for choosing St. Peter School! We are so happy that you have decided to join our school community.
We put this guide together to alleviate some of the anxiety that all parents face when sending their children to a new school. This guide is a compilation of school information and parent tips. It is not meant to replace any of the information you will receive throughout the school year - it is more of an easy-to-use guide to have over the summer to help you prepare for September.
St. Peter School is a community. There are lots of friendly, knowledgeable people who are very willing to answer your questions and lend a hand, so please do not hesitate to ask!
Principal - Mrs. Kathy O'Callaghan (ocallaghan@stpeterschool.org)
School Secretary - Mrs. Roma Leach(info@stpeterschool.org)
Advancement Director - Ms. Amy Hollinger (hollinger@stpeterschool.org)
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for fun updates throughout the school day!
School Mission
Our mission is to teach, nurture, and model Gospel values in the Catholic tradition within the St. Peter School Community.
St. Peter School exists to convey the message of the Gospel, and to empower children to make choices based on Gospel values. The resulting faith formation will enable students to respect themselves, others, and to treasure all as God's gifts. Service is viewed as a way of life and is encouraged on all levels.
Individual excellence is promoted by the faculty as an attainable and necessary goal within the realms of each individual student's development. We champion a superior learning environment that integrates technology and artistic experience.
Root Beliefs
We believe in encouraging one another.
We believe we are all special in the eyes of God.
We believe that we can be a positive influence on others.
We believe that we matter and deserve respect.
We believe that kindness is contagious.
We believe that knowledge is a superpower.
We believe our Catholic Faith is at the center of everything we do.
School Handbook
Please be sure to review the school handbook with your child. It includes important information regarding student appearance, phone usage and device usage guidelines, school day details, and more.
The first week of school, paperwork is sent home for signatures; both parents and students are expected to review the handbook and sign a document indicating they understand and agree to the rules and guidelines set out in the Handbook.
The link above is to last year's handbook. Updates for the next school year will be made in August.
First Days of School
Tuesday, September 3
Grades 1-8:
Half Day (11:30 dismissal)
Kindergarten:
Welcome Meeting (for Students and Parents)
9am-11am
Preschool:
Starts tomorrow for students!
Parent Orientation 6:30 PM
Wednesday, September 4
Preschool
Welcome Meeting (for Students and Parents)
9-11 AM
Grades K-8:
Full Day
Thursday, September 5
Pre-School:
Half Day (dismissal at 11:20 AM)
Grades K-8:
Full Day
Friday, September 6
Pre-School:
Half Day (dismissal at 11:20 AM)
Grades K-8:
Half Day (dismissal at 11:30 AM)
Preschool Orientation
Tuesday, September 3
6:30 pm
Parents Only
Back-to-School Nights
Grades 5-8:
Monday, September 9, 6:30 pm
Grades Pre-K through 4:
Tuesday, September 10, 6:30 pm
Sharing Gospel values during Monday Morning Magic
School Day
K—8th grade 7:50 - 2:30
PreK (full day) 8:00 - 2:20
PreK (half day) 8:00 - 11:20
K-8 Students can enter the building after 7:30 and must be in the classroom before 7:50.
Pre-K can enter the building at 7:50.
Except Mondays!
Monday Morning Magic
Every Monday, St. Peter School teachers and students (grades K-8) start their morning in the gym to kick off an exciting school week! We celebrate birthdays, acknowledge our sports teams and other accomplishments from the previous week, and award students who have exemplified virtues and demonstrated our Root Beliefs in the classroom. Then our older students lead small group discussions, inspired by Sunday's gospel reading. We close out the morning with a dance party. It's the highlight of the week!
Monday Morning Magic begins at 7:50 am for grades K-8. Drop off can be done directly at the gym at 7:30 am. (Preschool does not participate in Monday Morning Magic.)
Communications
Uniforms
All students must wear a uniform. STUDENTS WHO DO NOT TIE THEIR OWN SHOELACES MUST wear school shoes and gym shoes that do NOT require laces.
Our school uniform supplier is:
Flynn and O'Hara
Garden State Pavilions
2240 W. Marlton Pike
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
(856) 931-8838
Click here for full details on the school uniform.
Occasionally, St. Peter Student Council (and sometimes, Mrs. O'Callaghan!) will offer dress-down days for students who wish to contribute to a chosen charitable cause (or for a fun school spirit event!) Details are shared in Notable Notes and with take home flyers.
Student Council leading SPS Morning News (in uniform)
1st grade celebrating Advent (in uniform)
Arrival and Dismissal
Morning Drop Off (K-8)
7:30-7:50am
Drop off can begin at 7:30. Students must be in their classroom by 7:50.
Enter through Chestnut Avenue. Pull up to the area behind the school and the church to drop off your child. A staff member will be there to assist you. Your child will enter the door closest to the parking lot (the one without the steps). A staff member will be at the door. Exit via Morris Street or Chestnut Avenue.
There is no parking behind the church to walk your child into school. Students that walk to school can enter the building via Maple Avenue. A staff member will be at the door. Parents that wish to walk their children to the Maple Avenue door can park along Maple Avenue. A crossing guard will be present to assist with crossing Maple Avenue.
Afternoon Pickup (K-8)
2:30pm
Enter through Chestnut Avenue ONLY on the left hand side. We do not want cars entering through the right hand side since the busses will be exiting the parking lot from that side.
You may park behind the church and the rectory. Once the students have been dismissed please exit on the left hand side of the parking lot, facing Chestnut Avenue. Do not use the rectory driveway.
Morning Drop Off (Pre-K)
7:50 - 8:05am
Enter through Chestnut Avenue. You may park and walk your child to the door on the side next to the convent. A Pre-K teacher will be outside to greet you.
Please do not get in the car line. The car line is for Grades K-8 and should be finished by 7:50.
Afternoon Pickup (Pre-K)
11:20 am (half day) and 2:20pm
Pre-K will be dismissed outside by their teachers at the Pre-School Entrance (in the back of the school).
Please use caution when you exit the parking lot as some parents will still be entering the parking lot.
Entering the Building
Our school is secure at all times. During school hours, you (and any children or students with you) may only enter through the side door closest to Maple Avenue, between the church and school. There is a white button outside the door, which buzzes into the office indicating that there is a visitor. Our school secretary or someone assisting her will buzz you in. This is for the safety of our children.
Once you are in the school, you must report to the office and sign in. Please take a badge from the basket located on top of the mail slots. Next to the basket is a notebook; please sign your name, time of arrival, and the reason for your visit. Display the badge at all times while on school property. When you leave, please sign out and return the badge.
If you need to drop off something to your child during class hours, you may leave it with our school secretary in the main office, clearly labeled with your child's name. You will not be able to deliver directly to your child's classroom. (For parties, other arrangements can be made with your child's teacher and room parents when necessary.)
If you need to come to school while it is in session, please park along Maple Avenue, or in one of the spaces off Morris Street (look for the trailer). The main parking lot will be blocked off so that the children can participate in outdoor recess and gym class safely.
Celebrating National Siblings Day
...as we enter the building!
Illnesses and Absences
If your child will be absent from school, please call the main office at (856) 665-5879 before 7:50am. When your child returns to school, you must send in a written excuse stating the dates and reason for absence. An extended absence for illness (more than 3 days) must be explained, in writing, by a doctor. If you child will be out for an extended period of time, arrangements can be made for your child's assignments to be sent home.
Please do not send your child to school if she/he has a fever, diarrhea, is vomiting, or has a contagious skin rash. Be sure your child is free of these symptoms for 24 hours before allowing them to return to school.
If your child begins to show symptoms at school, the nurse will provide general first aid and assess the health of your child. The nurse will attempt to make your child feel comfortable and keep them in school.
If the nurse feels that your child needs to leave school, you will be contacted. please make sure you fill out the emergency contact sheet provided at the beginning of the school year, and include back up numbers. If any numbers change during the school year, please update the information in your FACTS Family Portal account, and notify our school secretary as soon as possible.
In addition to the submission of the Medication Admission Permission Form signed by you and your physician, if your child is given medication in school, it must be properly labeled and in the original container. This is mandated by the State of New Jersey.
Health and Medical Forms
Snacks, Lunch, Beverages, Parties
Snacks
All students are permitted time for a morning snack in the classroom. We encourage parents to pack healthy, peanut-free snacks that are easy for children to open and eat. Snacks should be packed separately from lunches (and labeled, if needed.)
Additionally, students should bring a water bottle to drink during the day. We have water-bottle filling stations located on each floor of the school.
Breakfast is not provided by the school. Students who arrive early to school (before 7:45 am) may bring something to eat at that time. Snack time is dependent on class and day of the week, but usually between 9-9:30 AM.
If your child attends after-school care, please send a snack along as well.
Lunch
Students eat lunch in their classrooms under supervision by our teachers and aides. Students may bring their lunch or order from our hot lunch program.
During lunchtimes, the Saints Snack Shack is available for students to purchase various snacks. These are for snacks only; none of the items available replace a nutritious lunch. The Saints Snack Shack is managed by 8th grade students under the direction of the school music teacher, Mrs. Pearson. (The Snack Shack is NOT open after school.)
We have contracted with School Eatery for our hot lunch program. Lunches are pre-ordered online, packaged individually, and delivered to the classroom.
Birthdays
If you would like the class to celebrate your child's birthday in school, please check with the teacher ahead of time. You may drop off a treat in the morning. Please bring something nut-free that can be easily distributed to the children (Munchkins, cookies, muffins, cupcakes, soft pretzels, etc.) during snack time.
Invitations to outside parties can be distributed in the classroom as long as the invitations are addressed to ALL the girls, ALL the boys, or ALL the children in the class. Most parties are the talk of the school the next day and we do not want any hurt feelings.
Kindergarten celebrating the Phillies 2022 World Series run with a party and a special "Wear Your Phillies Red" dress-down day!
Before and After Care
We have a Before- and After- School Care program, available to all students from Pre-K through 8th grade. After Care runs until 5:30 pm for both full and half days of school (with a few half-day exceptions). Segments of the program include homework, snack, projects, games, and educational video. The Before School Care program starts at 6:30 am.
Specials
Students in grades K-8 participate in Art, Music, Gym, Technology, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) once a week.
Pre-K students participate in music, gym, technology, and STEM.
Pre-K through grade 4 students receive Spanish instruction once a week. Students in grades 5-8 receive Latin instruction several times a week.
Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 participate in a weekly special program. The specials rotate every quarter, and include Visual and Performing Arts, Debate, Digital Media, and other life skills subjects.
Google Classroom
All teachers grades K-8 will use Google Classroom to post assignments. Students will be given their own school Google Account to access these classrooms. Parents can also access the classroom and view the assignments.
For more information on Google Classroom, click here.
More information on parent access for Google Classroom will be shared at Back To School Night.
FACTS
4th grade teaching Pre-K how to use a computer mouse
St. Peter School PTA
An SPS Mom (and a future Saint!) cheering on Preschool at the annual Race for Education
Welcome to Our School Family!
Thank you for choosing St. Peter School. Once you feel comfortable and have some free time, we invite you to GET INVOLVED! Volunteering is a great way to meet people. You do not have to volunteer for a specific project - an hour here or there would be great. Your participation will make a huge difference in our community, and your child will love knowing how involved you are in their school.
We hope you find our school community to be warm, inviting, and nurturing. If you have any questions at any time during the summer or throughout the year, please contact our Principal, Kathy O'Callaghan, at 856-665-5879 or ocallaghan@stpeterschool.org.
Principal Mrs. O'Callaghan and virtue awardees at Monday Morning Magic