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.  Any non-staff members are required to ring the bell at the front entrance, be recognized by the staff monitoring the surveillance cameras and then check-in and receive a name badge at the office.  Staff members will question an individual who is not wearing a badge.  Plans for “lock-down” and weather-related procedures are maintained in the office and practiced periodically with students and staff.  Additionally, the diocese requires all adults working with the children, including volunteers, to have 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. and Spanish.   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 at 7:30am.

Q.        What is "Sycamore" and how do I sign up for it?

A.      Sycamore is a secure site that is endorsed by the Diocese of Kansas City / St. Joseph that St. Gabriel School uses to store and track student data.  Teachers use this program to keep grades, communicate with parents, do attendance, share documents, calendars and important information and keep track of lunch accounts.  Parents use Sycamore to communicate with teachers and other parents, see middle school grades, find calendar information and news, track their child's lunch account and track fundraising and social hour opportunities.  To sign up for Sycamore, contact Mrs. Tulipana in the computer lab.

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.  When the balance is low a notice is sent home requesting another deposit.  Parents may check their family balance by logging on to Sycamore.  Balances that drop below $0 will not be able to charge, but accommodations may be arranged with the kitchen staff.  Monthly menus are distributed ahead of time and are available on Sycamore. A headcount for hot lunches and milk orders is taken each morning.

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

A.      Through Sycamore parents may easily communicate with  any teacher at St. Gabriel's. Secured accounts are set-up for families and staff through the computer lab.  These accounts allow parents to view grades privately via any Internet-connected computer and to correspond with a teacher (similar to instant message).  Additionally, 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 in the evenings and uniforms are provided as well.  The cost for each sport is usually about $40 for the season, including post-season tournaments.  Another benefit of the sports program is the opportunity to really get to know the other parents!  (See the SPORTS page of this website for more information.)

Q.        What other extracurricular activities are offered?

A.      In addition to Girl and Boy scouts, the students are provided the opportunity to participate in choir, Student Council and EDGE, a middle-school youth group.  Additionally, service projects are integrated into the school calendar, such as the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Math-a-thon, Hoops-for Heart, and food 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-2nd-Language, Title I Math, 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.  Contact your child's teacher with any concerns you might have.

Q.        How much fundraising is required?

A.      Through the St. Gabriel Parent-Teacher Exchange’s (P.T.E.) successful fundraising efforts, many improvements and additions to the school have been funded.  Recent examples include: air conditioning, updating the computer network, and replacing flooring. Involvement in these 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 commit a minimum of 20 hours to working in the 3 main fundraising events: Bingo, Spaghetti Dinner and the Auction Gala.  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 1 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.