Registered Student Information

Spring/Summer 2012

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New incoming students often have many questions about the upcoming year. What is the uniform like and where do I get one? Where and when do I buy books? What are the school rules? What classes am I going to be taking? How do I sign up for a club or sports team?

In order to answer these questions and provide the information new incoming students will need to successfully transition into the Academy, we have created this page. The following topics are covered on this page:

New Student Spring/Summer Checklist
Opening of School
Final Transcripts
Health Records & Student Emergency Health Information Sheet
Transportation
Change in Contact Information
Student Handbook
Dress Code & Uniforms
Textbooks
School Supplies
Edline
Summer Reading
Freshmen Science Fair Project
Co-Curricular & Athletic Opportunities
Parent Involvement Opportunities
Dates to Remember

If you are a new incoming student or the parent of a new incoming student, please review the contents of this page very carefully, as it covers everything you need to know to successfully transition into Saint Raphael Academy.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about the topics covered on this page, please do not hesitate to contact Shawn McKay, Director of Admissions (via phone: 401-723-8100, extension 116, or via email: smckay@saintrays.org).

We look forward to seeing you in the fall.

New Student Spring/Summer Checklist:

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Trying to remember all the necessary steps you need to take to ensure you are ready to start at a new school is always daunting. As such, we have made a New Student Spring/Summer Checklist to help ensure new students can keep track of all the things they need to do for the start of the academic year. A copy of the checklist can be found here.

It is recommended that new students print out a copy of this checklist and use it to record their progress as they prepare to start at the Academy. It may also help to use this checklist as a guide as you move through this page.

Opening of School:

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More information will be sent to you in early August concerning the opening of school and Freshmen and Transfer Student Orientation Days, which will be taking place on August 23 and 24, 2012. Classes for the 2012-2013 academic year will begin on Monday, August 27, 2012.

Final Transcripts:

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Enrollment of an accepted applicant at Saint Raphael Academy is contingent upon the successful completion of the eighth grade (or previous grade attended). All subjects must be passed and recommendations concerning behavior must remain satisfactory. Failure to meet these requirements will constitute cause to rescind the acceptance granted to the applicant. In order to ensure the fulfillment of these requirements, please have your current school mail a final copy of your official transcript to the Admissions Office by June 30, 2012.

Health Records & Student Emergency Health Information Sheet:

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State Law requires that student immunization records and health forms be on file for all students with the Academy prior to the start of the academic year. Please have your current school forward your immunization records and additional health forms to the Admissions Office by June 30, 2012.

Additionally, please ensure you complete and return the form titled, “Student Emergency Health Information Sheet” to the Admissions Office by June 30, 2012. (A copy of the Student Emergency Health Information Sheet can be found here.)

Transportation:

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The cities and towns listed below provide free transportation to the Academy:

To learn how to register for this free transportation, please see the details listed below.

If your city or town is not listed above, but you are interested in car pooling, please contact the Admissions Office (via phone: 401-723-8100, extension 116, or via email: smckay@saintrays.org).

Details for Students from Providence:

Students who live in Providence are provided a free RIPTA bus pass at the start of the academic year (and on the first of each month thereafter) from the City of Providence to get to and from Saint Raphael Academy each day. Application forms to receive a free RIPTA bus pass will be mailed home to these students over the summer.

Details for Students from East Providence and Lincoln:

Students who live in East Providence and Lincoln are responsible for contacting the appropriate city of town office to ensure that they are listed as needing transportation to the Academy and to receive information regarding schedules and routes.

Details for Students from Barrington, Bristol/Warren, Central Falls, Cranston, Johnston, North Providence, and Smithfield:

Students who live in Barrington, Bristol/Warren, Central Falls, Cranston, Johnston, North Providence, and Smithfield must request transportation through the statewide transportation website at:

http://www.ride.ri.gov/finance/transportation/default.aspx

The website is now open to take transportation requests for the fall. The state is asking parents to register for transportation directly through the website. If parents have problems with the website or do not have access to a computer, call the statewide transportation office at 401-222-5024.

The deadline for transportation requests for the statewide transportation system is July 31, 2012. Transportation requests submitted on or after August 1, 2012, will receive the closest point to pick-up or a depot stop location for a temporary bus stop. Additionally, students who register on or after August 1, 2012, will receive their permanent bus stop information by September 17, 2012.

Bus route and stop time information will be mailed mid-August.

Parents who are new to the statewide system will receive a letter with information about the system shortly after their request is submitted.

In order to be as efficient as possible with routing, bus stops that are used infrequently, less than once a week, will be deactivated and the student will be assigned to the nearest active bus stop.

The historic transportation regions are still in place, which mean that transportation will only be provided within regional boundaries.

For questions and additional information, please contact the statewide system manager’s office:

Phone: 401-222-5024 | Email: transinfo@ride.ri.gov | Fax: 401-222-5025

Change in Contact Information:

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If for whatever reason, there is a change in your contact information (address, telephone number, email address, etc.) prior to the start of the academic year, please contact the Admissions Office at 401-723-8100, extension 116.

If there is a change in your contact information after the start of the academic year, please contact Mrs. Collamati at 401-723-8100, extension 148.

If an error appears in the contact information listed on your billing invoice, please contact the Business Office at 401-723-8100, extension 112.

Student Handbook:

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The Student Handbook, which contains information about school policies, procedures, requirements, and much more, will be given to new students at the August Orientation. Please note, however, that parents/guardians and students are expected to thoroughly read the Student Handbook and return the signed contract page within the first week of the academic year to the student’s homeroom teacher.

Dress Code & Uniforms:

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A copy of the section of the Student Handbook that details the Uniform Dress Code for 2012 – 2013 can be found here. Please read it over carefully. With the exception of the necktie and footwear, all uniform components are to be obtained from Donnelly’s School Apparel, Providence, RI (1-800-498-0045) or at DonnellysClothing.com.

To obtain an uniform order form, please contact the Admissions Office or Donnelly’s directly.

Textbooks:

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A listing of all required textbooks for all courses being offered at Saint Raphael Academy for the 2012-2013 academic year can be found here.

Students are responsible for making sure that they have all the required books for the courses which they are scheduled to take prior to the start of the academic year.

Once a student registers to attend Saint Raphael Academy, a listing of the courses that they are scheduled to take is provided to them. For most students, this course listing is given to them at the New Student Welcome Night held each May. For students who register after the New Student Welcome Night, their course list is mailed to the. If you do not have your course list, please contact the Admissions Office as soon as possible to obtain it.

Once a student has a copy of their course list, then they simply have to refer to the textbook list to see which books they will be expected to have for the start of the academic year.

If you are a resident of Rhode Island, your city or town will provided textbooks for subjects: Math, Science, Foreign Language, Social Studies, and English. (“State Books” are marked as such on the textbook list.) If you are a resident of East Providence, Pawtucket, or Providence, these “state books” will be given to you at the August Orientation. If you are a resident of any other Rhode Island city or town, you must pick up these “state books” yourself by contacting the appropriate city or town office. A full listing of where, when, and how you can pick up your “state books” will be posted to this space as that information becomes available. Most cities and towns require you to order “state books” by July 1.

Please note that Rhode Island cities and towns will not provide you with certain books (for instance, books for Theology Classes, workbooks, and other reference books). These books can be purchased online from Follett Virtual Bookstores.

If you are a resident of Massachusetts, all books must be purchased and can be purchased from Follett Virtual Bookstores.

The Follett Virtual Bookstore for Saint Raphael Academy will be open for business as of July 18, 2012.

More information about Follett Virtual Bookstores can be found here.

If you have questions or concerns about text books, please contact our Campus Bookstore at 401-723-8100, extension 128.

School Supplies:

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Teachers will notify students on the first day of classes what materials, in addition to required textbooks, will be required for classes.

Edline:

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At Saint Raphael Academy we utilize an online tool called Edline to allow parents an easy way to keep up-to-date with our academic community. Once you have activated you account, and there is information to post, you can use Edline to: check your child’s latest grades; receive email alerts when new grades are posted; receive emails and text alerts with school or class information; see what assignments are due and read notes from your child’s teachers; view team and club activity information; verify attendance; view your “Combined Calendar” to see all the events from the school calendar and your child’s own classes and activities automatically collected and personalized; read daily announcments, lunch menus, school policies, and classroom news; and much more.

Information sessions about Edline will be held in the fall and more details about how to activate your account, etc. will follow once the academic year is underway.

Summer Reading:

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Freshmen Class (Class of 2015):

Social Studies/History:
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Intro to World Cultures/Civilizations (610) (All Levels): Dawn by Elie Wiesel
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In addition to reading Dawn, students must also complete a series of discussion questions on the assigned reading. Your answers to these questions will be due the first week of classes. A copy of these questions can be found here: Dawn Discussion Questions.

English Book #1:
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English 9A (210) & 9B (211): A Separate Peace by John Knowles
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In addition to reading A Separate Peace, students must keep a literary journal on this assigned reading. Your journal will be due the first week of class. A copy of the prompts that need to be responded to in your journal can be found here: A Separate Peace Journal Prompts.
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English 9SF (212): A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
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In addition to reading A Single Shard, students must complete a series of summer reading activities associated with this assigned reading. The results of these activities will be due the first week of classes. A copy of these activities can be found here: A Single Shard Summer Reading Activities.

English Book #2:
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(All Levels: A, B, & SF) Each student must also select a book of their own. The book may be either fiction or non-fiction, but must meet the following guidelines:
-It should be age and subject appropriate.
-It should be over 150 pages.
-It should be new to the student and not something read before.
-It should not be available in a movie or summary form (CliffsNotes, Sparknotes, etc.)
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Once you have chosen and read your book, complete a summer reading project. In your project you must:
-Design an original cover for your project that illustrates your book choice.
-List 20 vocabulary words from the book. Define each word and write the sentence from the book where each is found. Be sure to indicate the page number where you found each sentence.
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In your project, you must also do one of the following:
-Describe at least three main characters in paragraphs of at least five sentences each.
-Draw a map of the location of the story.
-Prepare a timeline, web chart, or graphic organizer of the important events in the story.
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Your Summer Reading Project will be due during the first week of classes. You will be graded on completeness, originality, and presentation. Neatness, spelling, and grammar will count! Typing is preferred, but handwritten work will be accepted.

Freshmen Science Fair Project:

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All freshmen biology students are required to participate in and complete a Science Fair Project. The project is divided into three phases, each having a specific due date and a 100 point value. Failure to meet a deadline will compromise that grade by 50%.

PHASE 1: Complete Topic, Contract, Title, and Pre-Lab Information Worksheet (A copy of this worksheet can be found here: Science Fair Worksheet.)
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Due: Wednesday, August 1, 2012
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Submit by mail to:
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Mr. Michael Santilli, Science Chair
Saint Raphael Academy
123 Walcott Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
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Or submit by email to: msantilli@saintrays.org

PHASE 2: Typed Research Paper
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Due: Early October. Specific date will be announced in Biology classes.
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Format for the paper will be discussed in biology class in September.

PHASE 3: Exhibit and Science Fair (held at Saint Raphael Academy)
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Due: February 2013. Specific date will be announced in Biology classes.
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Details will be arranged with your biology teacher during the academic year.

Please make sure you choose a topic that is both interesting to you and on a high-school level. The topics may include engineering and mathematical concepts as well as any science. The best places to get ideas/topics are from newspapers, former science teachers, science books, and websites. Some websites include:

www.ScienceBuddies.org
www.ScienceNewsforKids.org

Phase 1 is to be completed and submitted by mail or email by August 1, 2012. If you have any questions before August 1, please email Mr. Santilli at msantilli@saintrays.org. This is an exciting adventure and great learning experience!

Co-Curricular & Athletic Opportunities:

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At Saint Raphael Academy 8 out of 10 students participate in some co-curricular and/or athletic activity. Becoming involved in the community is essential to the Academy experience. For more information about the various ways students can get involved here at the Academy, please see the following links:

Co-Curricular Clubs & Organizations
Fine Arts Department
Athletics Department

Please note: any student who wishes to participate in any athletic activity must complete and return the “RI Interscholastic League Warning Acknowledgement, Authorization, Consent and Assumption of Risk Form” to the coach of the sport they wish to play. A copy of this form can be found here.

Additionally, any student who wishes to play a Fall Sport (Football, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Soccer, or Girls’ Tennis) and was not able to sign up to play that sport at the New Student Welcome Night on May 9, 2012, must contact Mr. McKay in the Admissions Office (via phone: 401-723-8100, extension 116, or via email: smckay@saintrays.org) and inform him of which sport you intend to play as soon as possible.

Once you provide Mr. McKay with notification of your intention to play a specific Fall Sport, he will forward your information o the Athletic Director to ensure you are notified of any practices, team meetings, or tryouts that will occur before the start of the school year.

Parent Involvement Opportunities:

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Throughout the year, there will be opportunities for parents of students to become involved with many school activities (field trips, fundraisers, etc.). Due to Diocesan Safe Environment Policies, any parent who wishes to participate in a school activity that involves interaction with students must first pass a Background Criminal Investigation (BCI) Check. Since a BCI Check takes time to complete, it must occur at the start of the school year so that a BCI Check is on file for any parent who wishes to become involved with a school activity. Therefore, any parent who believes that they may one day wish to volunteer their time and become involved in a school activity must submit a completed Disclaimer Form to the Admissions Office by June 30, 2012. A copy of the Disclaimer Form can be found here.

Dates to Remember:

June 15, 2012 – Last day of the 10% discount on all orders from Donnelly’s.

June 30, 2012 – Final Official Transcripts, Emergency Health Form, Health Records & Immunization Records due to the Admissions Office.

June 30, 2012 – BCI Disclaimer Form due to the Admissions Office (if applicable).

July 01, 2012 – Last day to order state books from your city or town.

July 18, 2012 – Follett Virtual Bookstore opens for business (for textbooks and summer reading books).

July 9 – 20, 2012 -Saint Raphael Academy Summer Readiness Program (details will be mailed to applicants this program applies to).

July 31, 2012 – Last day to register for Statewide Bussing.

August 1, 2012 – Phase 1 of Science Fair Due.

August 23 & 24, 2012 – Orientation for Freshmen & Transfer Students.

August 27, 2012 – Classes begin for all students.

TBA: Early in the academic year, there will be an evening for parents of freshmen to meet individual teachers and learn more about the academic services offered by the Academy. More information will follow.