Welcome to HFE

We are thrilled to have you at Holy Family Elementary. In order to help your family transition easier to our school we have compiled the following frequently asked questions. Please feel free to contact the school if you have any other questions.

 

School Website and PowerSchool

 

Holy Family’s Website offers a wealth of information to parents. Classroom, teacher, calendar, and fundraiser information is all available with the click of a mouse. Parents can navigate to powerschool and create their own personal account to monitor their student’s grades, attendance, and lunch account. By clicking on the “email notifications” tab parents may sign up for email notifications about their student’s grades and lunch account balance.
 
Parents who have multiple students in the school can access all of their information through one account by putting necessary information. Letters will be distributed with the students’ names and ids so that parents can create the accounts. Additionally, parents with students at both HFE and TMP-M can access information for both schools through one account.

 

What is ASC?

 

After School Care (ASC) is available from 3:15-6:00 with either part-time (3:15-4:30) or full-time (3:15-any time past 4:30) options. You only pay for the days you attend, but you are asked to establish an estimated schedule. Afternoon preschool children are also welcome.

 

After school the ASC helpers pick up the children in the gym and  take them to the cafeteria for snack and homework When homework is completed they may play. Children can be picked up in the cafeteria, gym or playground. There is usually a note on the main south doors telling you where the kids are. Once in a while the kids do go to Massey Park. A note will be attached to your child’s backpack the day before they plan on going to the Park. Parents must sign out their children with one of the caregivers . When you sign up for ASC, you must provide a list of people who are authorized to pick up your child.

 

Each child is also responsible for bringing snacks about 3-4 times throughout the year. A snack bucket will be sent home with your child when it is their turn to bring the snacks. There is also an envelope attached to the podium in the cafeteria with items that ASC could use. You are welcome to pick one of those cards and buy that item for ASC. This is completely voluntary, but is a nice way to help out the ASC program.

 

HFE Fundraisers

What is Red Wheel?

 

The Red Wheel fundraiser kicks off at the beginning of the school year. Children will bring home a form with food items to be purchased/sold. The children are motivated with prizes for the number of items they turn in. Once forms are turned in, parents are notified of the date that Red Wheel delivery will take place. Parents will have a set amount of time (usually a 2 hour time span) on the day of delivery to come by the school to pick up all frozen items. Families are responsible for delivering items. If items cannot be delivered immediately, make sure to leave ample freezer space to accommodate all items.

 

What is the HFE Chili Supper?

 

This is one of HFE’s largest fundraisers each year traditionally held on the Sunday of the start of Catholic Schools Week from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. It takes all families to be involved to make this activity successful. All parents are asked to help by volunteering their time on the Saturday prior to the event or on Sunday. Parents can get involved with helping cook or setting up the game room on Saturday. On the day of the event, Volunteers are needed to serve the meal, clean up, help with games and other activities. Prior to the event, parents will also be asked to send “food type” items to be used for game prizes, and bake desserts.

 

What are HFE Bucks?

 

HFE Bucks are gift certificates that can be used like cash at local and national businesses. The program is an ongoing fundraiser that costs you no extra money! The Home & School Association gets the certificates at a discount, and you buy them at face value. HFE Bucks can be given as gifts or you can use them at participating stores and restaurants. Grandparents, friends, or anyone can buy HFE Bucks. They are available through the school office. If you have not already received a flyer with more information, watch for one.

 

What is the label program?

 

HFE participates in three national food label collection programs. With Box Tops for Education, our school earns $.10/label. In the Campbell's Labels for Education program, HFE earns points to be used for educational supplies. With the Tyson Project A+ program, HFE earns $.24/label. Students are encouraged to turn in labels to their classroom teacher every Wednesday. This is an ongoing program.

 

What is Race for Education?

 

The Race for Education is a fundraiser that culminates with an hour “walk” or “run” in the school parking lot. Prior to the event, parents are asked for names of family members and friends to receive mailers for donations for the event (either a flat rate donation or based on the number of laps the child makes). Volunteer parents are needed to assist students in making their mailing labels. This takes approximately one hour. The day of the event, usually in April, parents often join in with their children by walking a few laps, volunteering to help out with punching “lap cards”, serving water or just to simply sit back and watch the children enjoy the event.

 

Lunch Room FAQs

 

Can I eat lunch with my child?

 

Yes, however the you must notify the office by 9:00 a.m. on the morning you wish to eat with your child. This helps ensure that the kitchen staff can prepare enough meals for the day.

 

Where do I go when I arrive to eat lunch?

 

Please check in at the office. They will have a lunch ticket for you to turn in at the lunch line (there will be a small box near the silverware & milk).

 

After getting your ticket you may wait outside your child’s classroom until the class is ready to line up for lunch. Some teachers may invite you to wait in the classroom. If you arrive and the class is not in the room they may be at a special or already in line. You may then meet them at the bottom of the stairs by the serving line.

 

Do I have any other menu choices besides what is being served to the children?

 

Yes. A chef salad is offered to those who do not wish to eat the menu item of the day. Just let the office know when you call in your reservation.

 

Are there any days when I should make special plans to eat with my child?

 

You are encouraged to watch the calendar for special days when parents are encouraged/invited to eat with the children. These include birthday mass days, Catholic Schools Week and when the Pancake Man visits. For several of the special days you will receive an invitation with plenty of advanced notice.

 

Are there any days when I should NOT eat with my child?

 

Parents are welcome anytime, however traditionally HFE observes “quiet Fridays” during the season of Lent. Each Friday of Lent students are asked to be prayerfully silent during the lunch period. While you are welcome to eat with your child you will be expected to follow the same prayerful silence.

 

 

If I do not meet the 9:00 a.m. deadline for a lunch reservation, can I bring a lunch and sit with my child/children anyway?

 

Of course, but the lunch you bring cannot be from a fast food restaurant. If you pack a lunch, it cannot include any peanut products such as peanut butter sandwiches, cookies, etc. Also, soda cannot be brought into the school cafeteria at any time.

 

How can I get involved at HFE?

For more information on all committees, please go to the HFE website at www.hfehays.org and visit our parent volunteer page.  The page includes a complete list of committees and contact information for the Chair or Co-Chair. 

Home & School

 

All families pay a $5 membership fee at the beginning of the year. All parents are welcome to attend our meetings and to volunteer on any committees. Meetings are held every other month on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. in the Activity Center. All agendas and meeting minutes are available on the website. Home & School sponsors McDonald’s night, Pizza Hut night, Red Wheel, Chili Supper and Race for Education Fundraisers. The fundraisers provide opportunities to assist the school in many ways including school supplies, classroom needs, teacher appreciation and other special events and activities. Home & School also promotes HFE pride items for parents and teachers. T-shirts and sweatshirts are available.

 

Green School

 

HFE prides itself in being a “green school”. A committee of staff and volunteers coordinate the efforts to implementing "green school" programs, environmental projects, recycling programs, and educational activities and resources throughout the year.

 

Homecoming Float Committee

 

Each year HFE has a float in the TMP Homecoming Parade. All children are asked to participate in the parade by walking behind the float wearing their HFE Pride shirt or a TMP shirt. A parent or guardian is required for them to walk in the parade. They are also allowed to bring candy to throw out to the crowd as the walk down the street.

 

Playground Committee

 

A group of parents work together to ensure that the HFE/IHM playground facilities are up to code. The group oversees equipment inspections; recommends improvements, and assists in the handling of safety and security concerns related to the playground.

 

School Yearbook

 

A school yearbook is created each year and parents are asked to help by providing photos of activities at school for submission.

 

Family Support

A Family Support Committee is established to provide meals to families during times of joy and sorrow for their immediate families. Perhaps a parent is hospitalized, critically ill or a death has occurred. In addition, new babies to the family are also recognized. A chair person contacts the family and offers for an appropriate number of meals to be provided. The Family Support Committee takes turns making and delivering meals to families as needed.