September 7, 2010

Dear Parent / Guardian:

Thank you for choosing Oakview Preparatory School for your child. As you are aware, our institution provides a Bible-based, quality education that will facilitate the spiritual, moral, mental, social and physical growth of each student. With a dedicated staff, your child’s involvement in his/her own learning and with your constant support, we can make great things happen every year. If you do not receive my monthly letter from your child between the 1st and the 5th of each month, please ask for it or print it off the website under “OPS Correspondence” at: www.oakviewprep.com.

There are a few items that we would like to bring to your attention:

1. Thursday, September 9, will be Parent / Teacher Orientation from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 pm & 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. All parents should be there to get acquainted with the teacher(s) and your child’s Curriculum. This is a mandatory meeting; parents must be involved in their children’s learning process. At 7:00-8:00 p.m. Home and School election will be held.
   
   
2. Tuesday, September 21, will be Picture Day. “Lifetouch” will take two poses of each child and a group picture of each class. They will send home the proof for you to select the package you want.
   Please make sure that your child is dressed in full uniform before he/she leaves the house everyday.

3.   In order to reduce the amount of clothing lost in the building, we are asking you to write your child’s name on his or her belongings.  All students are allowed to come to school wearing the gym uniform which is white T-shirt and blue shorts/Sweat pants on gym days only. Parents, please make sure that your child dresses appropriately and follow the school rules. If not, please be aware at the second offence, your child will be suspended for breaking the school rule. Those who want a white T-shirt with the school logo, Grade 8 students will place an order for you. Please fill out the order card and return it to Mr. Hislop ASAP.
   
   
4. . Tuesday, September 28, weather permitting we will go apple picking (date was changed due to the fact that the Superintendent called a special meeting for all Principals). The permission forms (see attachment) should be signed and returned to the Homeroom Teacher with the money by Friday, September 24. The total cost for the trip is $35.00 per student. The Coach buses will leave school by 8:30 a.m. and will return to school by 5:30 p.m. On that day we will provide transportation as usual. However, you are welcome to pick up your child from school due to the fact that the busses will get them home extremely late. We want all the students to wear their gym uniform on that day.

5. The Schedule for Dress Down Days for the year 2010-2011 is in the Student Handbook pp. 34 and
it is posted  on the event calendar on the website. We are asking each student who would like to dress down on these
days to pay $1.00 each time.  The money collected helps to subsidize other student activities in the school.

6. Your child has received a package to sell some items as a fundraising venture for the school. The profit will be used to upgrade computers, or any other capital expenditures needed in the school.

7.  a) This year we will continue with the music program. The practices will be held on Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for recorder, clarinet and Flute. Classes will be 30 minutes per session during school hours. These students will be dismissed as usual. Those who choose violin, guitar and trumpet, classes will be from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. after school hours.  These children will have to be picked up on time after music class. Ten trumpet instruments are available for those who sign up first or you may want to purchase one for your child. Since it is an after school program, we will have to contract someone from outside to come and teach the children. Therefore, there will be a small cost of $45.00 per month per child, and $10.00 for materials. We would like to have at least 40 children to start the sessions early on Wednesday, September 22, due to the fact November and December months are short. We would like every parent to pay the fee ahead of time by Monday September 20, for two months ($100.00). Both parties will benefit from this system. This will help us a lot in maintaining the program. Last year many parents forgot or found it difficult to keep track of the monthly payments.  This program must be self sustained, if not, we will regrettably have to cancel it or ask your child to withdraw. Please fill out the “Orchestra Application form” and return it ASAP.

b) Yearbook committee will start on Tuesday, October 12, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
c) Step Team & Pantomime will also start on Tuesday, October12, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
d) Basket ball try out (grades 5-8) will start on Thursday, October 14, from 3:15 – 5:00.

8. We are trying to improve the accounting / billing system for you.   We want to thank you for your cooperation on this matter by paying the tuition on time which means 10 days before the beginning of each month and participating in the fund raising programs. The school needs to plan ahead of time in order to function adequately. Unfortunately some parents do otherwise, and the school needs the funds to meet its financial obligations.
Last summer we had $35,000 out between July and August. We were unable to make payroll, pay the bills and order textbooks on time.  We will only accept cash, money orders, visa or master card (there will be a charge of 2.5% for the service), and /or teller’s check in order to protect the school. The final payment is due on May 20, 2011 before all final examinations. You will receive your last statement on May 1st , 2011. Please be aware that the school policy requires everyone to register with “Smart Tuition” unless payments are made ahead of time at school every 3 months, 5 months or 10 months. This will allow parents to monitor themselves. Please do not forget to keep your receipts in a special envelope so you may refer to them as needed.

9. Many children bring lunch to be warmed at school. We are asking these parents (Pre K – Grades 4 only) to purchase a special thermos for these children so they can bring their food warmed up from home.  The teachers do not have the time to supervise the children, served others, and warm up their food at the same time. This is humanly impossible. Please cooperate with us on this matter.

10. Please make sure to keep your child at home if he/she is sick. We are asking the children to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer inside their school bags so they can keep their hands clean at all times.

Sincerely yours,
J. Eric Imbert, Principal