2024 Primary New Family Welcome Guide

WELCOME → TO PRIMARY DIVISION!

BEFORE

THE FIRST DAY

This section explains a few key things you’ll need to know or do in advance, to help ensure that your child’s “big day” goes smoothly.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

All student required uniforms must be purchased from Educational Outfitters, Lands’ End, or St John’s Used Uniform Store.

New Uniforms:

Educational Outfitters: St John’s uniform source that offers in-store and online (tampa educationaloutfitters com) shopping The Educational Outfitters store is located at 3904 West Hillsborough Avenue, Unit D, 33614, and phone number 813.350.0222. Lands’ End: St. John’s uniform source that offers online shopping (landsend.com/school). Scan the QR code to view the uniform requirements in the family handbook (pg. 32-33).

Used Uniforms:

Our Parents’ Association collects gently used uniforms throughout the year and offers them for sale online. Scan the QR code to the right to place your order.

Spirit Wear:

Every Friday students are permitted to wear SJE spirit wear in lieu of their uniforms. Some spirit wear can be found in the used uniform supply. Additional items can be purchased from Educational Outfitters in person or online.

SNACKS/LUNCH

Please be prepared to send a healthy snack and lunch with your child(ren) each day. For Primary Division, please make sure snack baggies and water bottles (no taller than 16 inches) are labeled with your child’s name.

In lieu of packing a lunch, you have the option to pre-order and purchase a lunch through the school’s outside lunch program vendor, tampalunch.com. Use the code sjeprimary. Parents are not permitted to bring soft drinks, coffee drinks, or fast food to students. Food delivery services are not permitted on school property.

BEFORE

THE FIRST DAY

This section explains a few key things you’ll need to know or do in advance, to help ensure that your child’s “big day” goes smoothly.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES BACKPACKS

As part of comprehensive tuition, St. John’s provides students the school supplies needed.

Backpacks should be large enough to hold a large book and lunch box. Backpacks with wheels are not permitted.

PLEASE LABEL ALL YOUR CHILD(REN)’S ITEMS: BACKPACKS, LUNCHBOXES, SWEATERS, WATER BOTTLES, UNIFORMS, ETC.

REVIEW HANDBOOK

The family handbook is full of important information that should be able to answer any remaining questions you may have Scan the QR code for access

REVIEW CALENDAR

The major dates for 2024-'25 have been published The detailed calendar will be available in MySJE in July Scan the QR code for the major dates

CHECK OUT PAGE 5 FOR BEFORE SCHOOL ONLINE TASKS

THEFIRSTDAY

You’ve ordered hot lunches for the week, packed snacks, labeled their backpacks and made sure they’re dressed in their new uniforms. Here’s what you need to know when you ’ re driving to campus to drop them off for their first day:

HOURS, ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

The guiding principles behind our parking and carline policies are safety, efficiency, and respect Accordingly, parents and other drivers are asked and expected to adhere to the established procedures. Parents should be respectful of other drivers and surrounding streets and driveways. Parking in or otherwise blocking private driveways and public streets are inappropriate behaviors.

7:30am Doors open. Children may not be dropped off earlier than 7:30am.

8:00am Doors close and school starts

8:05am

Chapel begins. If your child is tardy, he/she must be signed into the school office. Your child will be escorted to class by the Division Administrative Assistant.

11:00am Students cannot be dropped off at school after this time.

12:00pm

K(4) students have the option of M-F noon dismissal K(5) students and K(4) students have the option of Friday noon dismissal Sign up is required; please contact Ana Ibanez if interested

2:45-2:50pm Walk-up dismissal.

2:50pm School ends and carline begins.

3:10pm

6:00pm

After School Program (ASP) begins Children not picked up by 3:10pm will be checked into ASP as “drop-ins,” and charged the daily rate, regardless of how long they stay

ASP ends Parents picking up children late from ASP will be charged $1 per minute, per child, for each minute late.

THEFIRSTDAY

You’ve ordered hot lunches for the week, packed snacks, labeled their backpacks and made sure they’re dressed in their new uniforms. Here’s what you need to know when you ’ re driving to campus to drop them off for their first day:

CARLINE

Drop-off and pick-up take place in the driveway directly in front of the Primary Division entrance.

Please do not block the driveway at any time.

Please do not stop or park in any red or yellow curb area or block any driveway while waiting in line.

Drivers should approach the Division driveway on Rome Avenue from the south (Bayshore Boulevard).

U-turns in front of the Primary Division campus are not allowed.

Please avoid turning left from the Primary Division driveway.

Parents should wait their turn, one car at a time, directly in front of the Division entrance.

Arriving children should be ready to exit the vehicle immediately, from the passenger door only

Departing children should enter the car on the passenger side, as well Pull out of the driveway and pull over safely before getting out to buckle your child into his or her car seat

Parents who are walking should approach the Division only from the Watrous Avenue side and accompany their children to the main entrance door

DISMISSAL PROCEDURE

Please place the sign with your child’s last name on the dashboard of your vehicle (you will receive these signs at the start of the school year)

The School must be notified of any dismissal change by phone call (813-849-6200) or email to the Division Administrative Assistant by 12:00pm.

If a child has a medical appointment before dismissal, parents must sign the child out in the office.

CAMPUSMAP

GET INVOLVED

The St. John's Community is truly a family! There are so many ways you can get involved, from volunteer opportunities to parent socials and more.

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteerism is the heartbeat of the St. John’s community, and a cornerstone of philanthropy within the independent school experience. Parents, grandparents, alumni, and community partners model our school’s core values of citizenship and diligence, and provide the support and service we need to provide a superior educational experience within a nurturing Christian environment. SJE volunteers, especially parent volunteers, collaborate and partner with school administration and faculty to promote a healthy parent partnership experience and engage their peers in school life in the most meaningful way possible

PARENTS' ASSOCIATION

All parents and guardians with children enrolled at the School are automatically members of the Parents’ Association and are encouraged to participate. The PA supports the mission and strategic goals of the School, encouraging parent involvement by promoting community among SJE families All levels of participation are welcomed and encouraged

PARENTS' NIGHT DADS' CLUB

Parents’ Night is held early in the fall each year

The aim is to enable our teachers to share with parent-specific course content and class activities

We look forward to this opportunity to meet with all of our parents and strongly encourage full attendance. This event is for parents only.

The Dads' Club is a school-based, volunteer-driven service organization open to all fathers or guardians of current St John’s students The Dads’ Club provides fathers/guardians the opportunity to engage with one another and be involved in their children’s school experience, contributing their time, talent, and resources to support St. John's.

GRANDPARENTS & GRAND FRIENDS DAY

Grandparents and 'grand friends' are valued members of our SJE community and enhance our students’ lives and experiences. Grandparents & Grand Friends Day is held each year and provides an opportunity for grandparents and their grandchildren to spend time together with classroom visits, hands-on activities, and more.