Back to School Info

Back to School Info

2024-2025 General Information

Quick Links


Important Dates

  • Clinic Appointments/Medication Drop Off – Book Now for Mon. Aug 12 - Mon. Aug. 19
  • Meet the Teacher Day – Monday, August 19th from 8am until 11am
  • First Day of School - Tuesday, August 20th
  • Labor Day (NO SCHOOL) - Monday, September 2nd
  • PTO Kick Off Cookout - Friday, September 6th
  • School Picture Day (formal uniforms required) - Thursday, September 12th
  • Boosterthon Fun Run - Friday, September 20th
  • High School Info Night (G6-G8) - Thursday, September 26th


School Communications

Weekly Email Communications

A shortlist of Weekly Reminders are sent via email to parents and grandparents each Monday followed by a Recap/Preview email called the Friday Flash sent every Friday. Friday Flash emails occasionally include Sport, Club and Resource class updates, but more detailed information may be sent directly by teachers, coaches and sponsors.


Homeroom teachers in ECDC and Elementary grades have their own parent communication schedules that will be communicated to you during Meet the Teacher Day. Middle School parents can expect to receive a weekly Middle School Snippets email from our IB Coordinator, Mr. Hicks, featuring contributions from all IB MYP faculty members.


Website & Social Media Channels

St. Mary's makes every effort to keep its school website and social media content accurate and moderated in accordance with Diocesan policies. We invite you to follow us on Instagram and Facebook and to tag us at @saintmarysrva. We always invite you to share Good News and Sports Report submissions (score, description and photos) via email. Our PTO also moderates a Private Facebook Group Page for members of the SMCS Community.


FACTS Student Information System (SIS)

FACTS Family Portal: Directory, Grades + More

Current families can access two major components of FACTS SIS using two separate online portals. FACTS Family Portal is where parents can find a school directory, student grades and attendance as well as a family profile section where updates can be made throughout the school year.


Please make sure all of your information is updated regularly in FACTS Family Portal including your address, contact information, emergency contacts and family/friends/guardians who have permission to pick your student(s) up from school.


Saint Mary’s School uses data from FACTS Family Portal to manage important email and text notices including, but not limited to emergencies, school-wide events and weather related updates. If you are not receiving text or email updates, please contact Mrs. Bisese, our Admissions Director.


FACTS Tuition Payments & Billing Portal

As a parent, you will periodically receive emails through FACTS Billing for tuition and other miscellaneous items throughout the year (field trips, activities, etc.). If you have any trouble accessing FACTS or have questions about Tuition or Financial Aid, please contact Anne Leigh Bisese. For other Billing questions, please contact our Bookkeeper, Denise Kelly.


Volunteering at SMCS - New Requirements as of July 2024!

Click here to learn more about our updated requirements and safety policies

Volunteering as a carpool helper, mystery reader, field trip chaperone or lunchtime helper are just a few of the many ways to support our community and get to know other families!


School Lunch Orders & Important Reminders (New!)

Mrs. Osborne is our Lunch Coordinator and can be reached at SMCSlunch@saintmary.org.


Morrissey’s Catering will provide lunches Monday through Wednesday. Every Thursday and Friday lunch is provided by Pizza Express.


Families wishing to purchase lunches must register with Boonli, our online ordering system. New families may follow these Boonli Account set up instructions. Families already registered with Boonli must sign in and update their account each new school year. Usernames and passwords from the previous school year are still active.


New Water Bottle Requirements: Water bottles must seal (no open straws); No glass.


Please remember that our campus is NUT-FREE. This policy extends to snacks, lunches and special treats. Need suggestions? Click here or contact our Clinic Nurse team.


Clinic Reminders & Appointment Bookings

Parents/Guardians who have School Action Forms and/or Medications to drop off must click here to schedule an appointment prior to the start of school with the clinic nurses, Carli Simpson and Kelly Jones.


Please review the following information and have your child’s health care provider(s) complete/sign forms as applicable and submit to the clinic prior to the start of the school year.

Health Form & School Action Plan Downloads

  • A health form is required for the following students:
  • Students who are new to Saint Mary’s
  • Kindergarten students
  • 7th grade students (MenACWY and updated Tdap booster is required.)
  • Forms may be downloaded and printed from the Virginia Department of Health website.


If your child has Diabetes, Epilepsy, Asthma, or a Food Allergy or any medical condition that requires a school action plan, please fill out the appropriate form below or bring one provided by your child’s health care provider:


  • Asthma Action Plan – This may be partially completed online, printed, and requires health care provider orders and their signature.You will need to make an appointment to drop off the form and your child’s medication.


  • Allergy Management Plan – This may be completed online and printed, requires health care provider orders and signature. A photo of your child is also requested. Please make an appointment to drop off the action plan and your child’s medication(s).


  • Diabetes Action Plan – Information and instructions on website. Please fill out the form and have a health care provider sign it. During your meeting with the nurses, we will discuss a full plan of care so allow a little longer meeting time. 
  • Seizure Action Plan – Please have the form completely filled out and signed by the health care provider. You will need to make an appointment with the clinic to drop off the forms and rescue medication (if applicable). 


Medication Drop Off Policies, Appointments & Form Download

  • Please make an appointment with the clinic nurses to drop off ALL DAILY OR AS NEEDED MEDICATIONS to be administered to students of any age by the nurses during the school day. Virginia law and Diocesan requirements that allow clinic nurses to administer medications are very specific. It is important for the nurses to review that every healthcare provider order, parent/guardian signed form, and prescription bottle or over the counter unopened container meets the mandated state guidelines.
  • All prescription and nonprescription medications (over the counter medications) require a health care provider signature on this form. Parents/guardians, must sign and date the form as well.
  • Parents/guardians must hand deliver all prescription medications to the clinic in the original container/package, with the correct name, medication, dosage information. Expiration dates must be valid for the current school year. Medications not within these requirements will not be accepted.
  • Parents/guardians must hand deliver all nonprescription medications to the clinic in the original, unopened container/package that is not expired. Medications not within these requirements will not be accepted.
  • Students are not allowed to deliver the medications to the clinic.
  • Students are never permitted to carry prescription or nonprescription medications on their person or in their backpack per school and diocesan policy unless they have prior authorization from the School Nurses.
  • Students are never permitted to self-administer prescription medications or over the counter medications per school and diocesan policy unless they have prior authorization from the School Nurses.


Campus Safety: Arrival & Dismissal

Download Carpool “How To” Map

Morning Carpool basics – Students in grades 2-8 should be dropped off at the Front Entrance of the school, unless they have younger siblings in ECDC. ECDC students (and any older siblings) should be dropped off at the ECDC Entrance in the rear parking lot.


Afternoon Carpool basics – ECDC students (and older siblings) as well as students in Middle School (with no younger siblings) should be picked up from the rear parking lot. Students in grades 2-5 (and older siblings) should be picked up at the Front Entrance. If you pick up from the Front Entrance, please help us expedite the process by printing and using this dashboard sign.


Click here for the Bike or Walk Home from School Permission Form

Click here for Campus Safety Overview


Student Attendance

Absence, Early Dismissal & Vacation Notifications

If your student will be tardy, absent, dismissed early, or you have a change in carpool pick up, you must email Attendance@saintmary.org and your student’s homeroom teacher. 


For Early Dismissal it is helpful to provide us with advance notice as this allows us to locate where your student will be at the time you request. Anyone picking up your student must report to the front office, be listed under “Emergency Contacts/Pick Up” in your FACTS SIS account and be prepared to present their photo ID upon request.


After School Care (ASC)

Registration for ASC is now part of our Annual Enrollment process: Request Changes Here

ASC operates on school days from dismissal (2:45pm) until 6:00pm. Hours may vary on half days and holidays. A list of Early Release and Closure information will be made available in the ASC section of our website soon.


Please click here for our 2024-2025 rates. Please note that late fees will be incurred for any child picked up after 6:00pm. The late fee is $1.00 per minute.

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