F.A.Q.

Q. What procedures are in place for ensuring a safe and secure environment?

A. All doors to the school are locked during the day except for the main entrance. Visitors are allowed into the school upstairs via an intercom, after being identified. They are required to check-in and receive a name badge at the office. Staff members will question an individual who is not wearing a badge. Plans for “lockdown” and weather-related procedures are maintained in the office and practiced periodically with staff. Additionally, the diocese requires all adults working with the children, including volunteers, to have the attended the “Protecting God’s Children” workshop.

Q. Is the weekly all-school mass a requirement?

A. The weekly mass is part of the religious education the students receive at St. Gabriel School. In addition to the intrinsic value of participating in the Liturgy of the Word and Eucharist, the students develop leadership and presentation skills, singing abilities and the poise and confidence required for speaking in front of an audience. Even 1st grade and Kindergarten students will prepare and lead a mass before the end of the school year!

Q. How many times per week are the “special” classes?

A. All students have instruction in these classes at least once per week: music, art, computers, library and P.E. In addition, all students study a foreign language (Spanish). Depending on the grade and schedule, some classes might meet twice weekly. Religion classes are daily.

Q. How early can I drop off my student without signing up for Extended Daycare?

A. A staff member is assigned library duty for early arriving students beginning at7:30 a.m.

Q. How does the hot-lunch program work?

A. Families make deposits in any amount to their account through payments at the school office. Students in the family make a deduction from the account each time they choose to have a hot lunch or purchase milk for their cold lunch. A headcount for hot lunches is taken each morning. When the family account balance dips below$20, a notice is sent home requesting another deposit. Monthly menus are distributed ahead of time and are available on the school’s website.

Q. What are the methods of communicating with my student’s teachers?

A. Through the diocesan-sponsored program, Sycamore Education,  secured accounts are set up for families and staff. These accounts allow parents to view grades privately via any Internet-connected computer and to correspond with a teacher (similar to email). Additionally, regular e-mail, phone messages and/or notes for staff may be left through the school office. Parent-Teacher conferences are held each semester, and as needed.

Q. What are the benefits of the school’s sports programs?

A. The parochial league in which our teams play basketball (starting in 3rd grade) and volleyball (starting in 4th grade) emphasize learning the skills and rules of the games while ensuring all players receive equal playing time. Our coaches, parents of our students, have had background checks and diocesan training. Practices are held in our school’s gymnasium and uniforms are provided as well. The cost of each sport is usually about $35 for the season, including post-season tournaments.  Another benefit of the sports program is the opportunity to really get to know the other parents!

Q. What other extracurricular activities are offered?

A. In addition to Girl and Boy Scouts, the students are provided the opportunity to participate in a middle-school youth group. Additionally, service projects are integrated into the school calendar, such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Math-a-thon, Hoops for Hearts, and food, clothing, and toy drives for local assistance programs.

Q. If needed, could my child receive extra help to improve schoolwork?

A. Yes, in certain circumstances, students from St. Gabriel receive instruction in the following: speech, English-as-a-2nd-Language, academically gifted programs, and special needs. This instruction is provided by the North Kansas City School District. Supervised tutoring is also available after school in some subjects by St. Pius X High School students.

Q. How much fundraising is required?

A. Through the St. Gabriel Parent-Teacher Exchange’s (PTE) successful fundraising efforts, many improvements and additions to the school have been funded. Recent examples include: air conditioning and heating upgrades, computer network updates, new flooring, fresh paint, a new P.A. system and a newly renovated school office. Involvement in fundraising events adds to the close-knit community feeling of our school, as many parents get well-acquainted working side-by-side. Parents are asked to a) commit a minimum of 20 hours to working the three main fundraising events: Bingo, Spaghetti Dinner and the Auction Gala OR b) 15 hours of fundraising and 5 service hours. Examples of service hours include serving on the P.T.E. or School Board, actively participating on a committee, helping with highway clean-up, etc. In lieu of the time commitment, parents may choose to “buyout” at a cost of $30 per hour.

Q. How can I become a tithing school family instead of paying tuition?

A. When registered parishioners of the parish have established a history (for at least one year) of tithing and continue to maintain this financial commitment, then their children are eligible to attend St. Gabriel School tuition-free. Tithing pledges are tracked by the parish office on a regular basis and may be reviewed by the pastor annually.

Please e-mail Mrs. Marsh, the school principal, with any questions that have not been addressed in this document.