Principal’s Bulletin

Wednesday Letter: August 31, 2011

Dear Mission Dolores Academy families,

Pre-orders from Lands End continue to come in. Just a reminder that as pre-orders continue to arrive, we will notify students and/or parents, and when shipments of free uniforms arrive we will notify all families. We are still waiting on the free uniform orders.   We will notify all families who are waiting once the shipment has arrived.

MDA Logo Patches will be available for purchase on September 6^th. The cost for the patches is $3.00 each. Also, white polo shirts will be allowed, in addition to the blue.  All polos will need to have a patch.

If you are still looking to purchase gray uniform pants, you may want to try the following uniform stores in addition to the stores previously mentioned:

• Simply Uniforms
• Dennis Uniforms
• Mills Uniform

Again, uniforms are required for those who have them. Those who don’t will not be penalized until all of the orders have been fulfilled. Thanks again for your patience.

Dan Storz, Principal

Wednesday Letter: August 24, 2011

Dear Mission Dolores Academy families,

We are off to a good start thanks to the warmth and support of our families, the hard work of our teachers and staff, and the dedication of the students, who have done a great job getting settled into their new classes and routines. Our first Mass will be celebrated this Friday morning at 9 am in the Mission Dolores Basilica. You are welcome to join us. Students who have their uniforms are requested to wear them, and others should be dressed appropriately for Mass, as they would dress for Sunday services.

The P.E., art, and music programs will begin next week. Students have PE on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All students are expecting to be in full uniform, for those who have them, with uniform required shoes (all black or all white) for everyone.

Parents and care providers have been doing a great job cooperating during school pick up. With 230 students this year, the pick up area is much more crowded than in years past. In an effort to reduce the crowds, we are taking the following actions:

1.       Parents and care providers who are not driving may request to meet children outside the main door on 16^th Street. There will be a staff person out front. Please notify your child’s teacher if you choose this option.

2.       We have applied to the city for a white passenger unloading zone in front of the school. We expect to have a decision within a month.

I apologize for the difficulties we have had obtaining all of our uniform orders from Land’s End. We are working hard to get the few remaining orders completed. Below is the latest information regarding uniforms.

The Phaedrus technology program is being rolled out as planned, and you should be seeing regular homework for students. Also, there is still room in the afterschool program if you are interested.

Blessings,

Dan Storz, Principal

Pre-Ordered Uniforms Update: Families, who submitted pre-orders with the schools’ office before July 14, 2011, if your order is ready for pick-up, an announcement was sent home with your child on Tuesday, 8/23… Others will be notified as soon as your order is ready.  If you have not paid for your pre-order items please note that monies are due upon pick-up.  You may pay in the form of cash, check or money order.

Free Uniform Update: When the shipment arrives, we will notify all families waiting for pieces and/ or whole uniforms when your child’s uniform is available for pick-up.

As of today 8/24/2011, over 75% of MDA students have received their uniforms. If your child has his/ her uniform, they are expected to be in full uniform on Monday 8/29/2011. Please note that we have a record of students who have not received their complete uniform and they will not be penalized.

If you still need to purchase uniforms, you may purchase uniforms at the stores listed on the sheet that went home in your Wednesday Folder, and purchase a school logo patch that will be available on Tuesday, September 6^th.

School Logo: MDA school logo patches will be available for purchase in the school office on Tuesday, September 6^th.  The cost for the MDA school logo patch is $3.00 each. They can be either sewn or ironed onto the uniform items. School logo is required on the following items:

• Uniform Sweater
• Polo Shirt
• PE Uniform Jacket
• PE Uniform T-Shirt

Please read the important Back-To-School Letter from Robert Lalanne, President of the MDA Board of Directors, in both English and Spanish.

Letter Mailed to Families: August 8, 2011

Dear Mission Dolores Academy families,

I am honored to join the Mission Dolores Academy community as we begin an exciting new school year. In addition to our beautifully remodeled, state-of-the-art facilities with computers in every classroom, and a refurbished gym and auditorium, we have new curriculum that will engage students and help us more effectively address their learning needs.

I taught for many years in San Francisco schools, have been an instructional coach and curriculum developer, participated in the start-up of a charter school, and have a Masters Degree in Instructional Technologies. As such I am particularly excited by the new technology program we will be introducing to students this year. More recently, I spent two years in Madrid, Spain developing and implementing an ESL program for kids and adults, and was the Academic Director of an adult ESL school here in San Francisco. I look forward to drawing on these experiences as Principal at Mission Dolores Academy.

The first day of school is Wednesday, August 17^th.  School begins at 8:00 am and ends at 12:30.  This schedule will be repeated on Thursday and Friday, August 18^th and 19^th.    There is no lunch or extended care program for the first three days. The extended care program will begin on Monday, August 22. The goal of the first three days is to get to know each other, and build the trust and understanding that is the foundation of a strong and healthy community.

I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you who have stopped by the school this summer, and I look forward to meeting you at Parent Orientation on Thursday evening, August 18^th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, where you will meet your child’s teacher and have the opportunity to get to know other families. I am excited about seeing all of the children on August 17^th.   In the meantime, teachers and staff are working hard to get everything ready for a promising year.

Below are some details you will want to take note of regarding the start of the school year:

• Wednesday, August 17^th to Friday, August 19^th: Students are expected to arrive by 8:00 am, and will be dismissed at 12:30 pm. No uniforms are required for these three days. No lunch or extended care program.
• Parent Orientation Night is Thursday, August 18^th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A light dinner will be served.
• The regular schedule will begin on Monday, August 22^nd.  Classes begin at 8:00 am and end at 4:00 pm. Uniforms are required beginning August 22^nd.
• Your free uniforms can be picked up in the gymnasium at the concessions window starting on Wednesday, August 17^th until Friday, August 19^th from 7:30 to 8:00 am or from 12:30 to 4:00 pm, and on Thursday August 18^th from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Pre-ordered purchases will also be available at these times, and a limited number of discounted uniforms will be available for purchase on a first come, first serve basis.
• Morning supervision and breakfast from 7:00 am to 7:50 am in the auditorium. Available beginning August 17^th, free of charge.
• The Mission Dolores Academy website is www.mdasf.org. You will find weekly updates, forms, the Principal’s Bulletin and other useful information on the site. You may email general questions and concerns to info@mdasf.org.
• School supply list is attached. Supplies are due the first week of school.
• Physical education will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays for all students.  Students will be expected to wear their physical education uniform beginning Tuesday, August 30^th.
• Academic After School Program will begin on Monday, August 22^nd for families who have pre-registered.  There are still spaces available.  Please fill out the attached registration form if wish to sign-up for the after school care program.  Monthly fees are $125.
• All students will attend Mass every Friday.
• Students will have lunch in the auditorium. No microwave ovens will be available.
• Morning drop off: Parents arriving by car may enter the drop of area from Church St., next to the Childrens’ Council building, and exit onto 16^th St. Student supervision will be in the auditorium just inside the main entrance to the building.
• No parking in the parking lot is available during morning drop off. Limited parking is available against the fence to the yard for appointments during the day. DO NOT park in spots marked for the Childrens’ Council.

I begin this year, and this new chapter in all of our lives, filled with hope and excitement for the good things to come for the children at Mission Dolores Academy.

Blessings,

Dan Storz, Principal

Mission Dolores Academy

Letter to the MDA Community:  June 1, 2011

Dear Mission Dolores Academy families,

I am excited to welcome you to our new school and to update you about what to expect in the new school year.  Mission Dolores Academy brings together not only many of the Mission Dolores Elementary and Megan Furth Academy families but also nearly 50 new families. During the summer we will be remodeling the school grounds. Crews and volunteers will build a new playground for kindergarteners.  Walls will be painted, floors will be refinished, and we will install improved lighting.  We will rewire the entire school, and reconfigure our classrooms so that we can implement our Phaedrus technology-in-learning program.  We have exciting plans to upgrade the gym and put fresh signage at the entrance of the school to welcome our families and the community.  And you will be the first to see these wonderful changes at our Open House on August 18^th from 6-8 p.m.

Prior to the first full week of school we are planning a mandatory “Mission Dolores Academy Orientation” for students on August 17-19^th from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Breakfast and snacks will be provided but students should pack a lunch each day.  During the orientation, students will participate in team building activities and participate in a drama and playwriting workshops.  Students will not need to wear school uniforms during orientation.

The first full day of school will be Monday, August 22^nd. Please remember that we are extending the school day. The day will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. We will offer free child care and continental breakfast to all students, everyday, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.  Our after-school program will begin on August 22^nd from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will cost $125 per month. An enrollment form is enclosed in this mailing. Please return it to Ms. Iacolino in our Office Business before August 1.

The remainder of your registration also is due August 1. Please check with our Business Manager, Ms. Iacolino, if you are not sure how much you owe.

We are in the process of setting up our new Mission Dolores Academy website at www.mdasf.org .  This website will go live on July 8, 2011.  The website will provide parents with useful information, handbooks, forms and updates on the remodeling at Mission Dolores Academy.  Additionally, we are requesting that parents provide us with their contact information so we can communicate with you during the summer.  To receive these emails, we ask you to send an email to info@meganfurthacademy.org In the meantime, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are all here to make this transition to Mission Dolores Academy as seamless as possible for our families.

Although we have not sent home summer packets, we hope that you will encourage your children to read as much as possible during the summer.  Board games are fun family activities and improve math and reading skills. Field trips around the city help children develop a sense of awareness of their community. In the meantime, have a wonderful and restful summer. I look forward to seeing your children in August!

Enclosed with this mailing are these important items:

• 2011-2012 School Calendar

• Summer contact information for teachers and staff

• School Uniform Order Forms-Uniforms can be ordered online starting July 1^st at

www.landsend.com/uniforms or you may purchase uniforms at Mission Dolores Academy for a discounted price. Please use the attached pre-order form provided. Pre-orders should be mailed to 2445 Pine Street by July 14th.  Pre-orders can be paid for and picked up at Mission Dolores Academy the week of August 15^th from 8 a.m. to 5p.m.

• Afterschool Academic Program Information and Reservation Form; Reservation is DUE BY August 1st

Blessings for a wonderful summer,

Nicole D. McAuliffe, Principal

Mission Dolores Academy