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

• 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, at 401-723-8100, ext. 116, or via email.

We look forward to seeing you in the Fall.

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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 also may help to use this checklist as a guide as you move through this page.

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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, 2010.

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State Law requires that student immunization records and health forms be on file for all students with 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, 2010.

Additionally, please ensure you complete and return the form titled "Student Emergency Health Information Sheet" to the Admissions Office by June 30, 2010, as well. (A copy of the Student Emergency Health Information Sheet can be found here.)

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

Barrington | Birstol/Warren | Central Falls | Cranston | East Providence
Johnston | Lincoln | North Providence | Smithfield

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

If you live in Providence, a free RIPTA bus pass will be provided to you at the start of the 2010-2011 academic year, provided you have completed the proper paperwork (see details below for more information about this paperwork).

If your city or town is not listed above, but you are interested in car pooling, please contact the Admissions Office at 401-723-8100, extension 116 or via email.

Details for Students from Providence:

Students who live in Providence are provided a free RIPTA bus pass each month from the City of Providence to get to and from Saint Raphael Academy each day. In order to be eligible to receive this bus pass, parents must complete the Transportation Request Form and submit this form to the appropriate individuals at the City of Providence. Please note: Students who fail to complete the Transportation Request Form will not receive a RIPTA bus pass.

Details for Students from Barrington and Lincoln:

Students who live in Barrington and Lincoln are responsible for contacting the appropriate city or 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 Bristol/Warren, Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Johnston, North Providence, and Smithfield:

Students who live in Bristol/Warren, Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, 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 August 6, 2010. Transportation requests submitted after August 6, 2010 will receive the closest point to pick-up or a depot stop location for a temporary bus stop. For registrations received after August 6, 2010, students will receive their permanent bus stop information by September 13, 2010.

Bus route and stop time information will be mailed the third week in 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 keep ride times within reasonable limits, bus stops that are used infrequently, less than once a week, will be deactivated and the student will be assigned to the nearest active stop.

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

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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. Gorman 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.

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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.

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A copy of the section of the Student Handbook that details the Uniform Dress Code for 2010-2011 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.

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A listing of all required textbooks for all courses being offered at Saint Raphael Academy for the 2010-2011 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 them. 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 provide the 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 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" can be found here. 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 Religious Studies classes, workbooks, and other reference books). These books must be purchased online from Follett Virtual Bookstores.

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

The Follett Virtual Bookstore for Saint Raphael Academy will be open for business as of June 21, 2010.

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.

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

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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 your 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 with school or class information; see what homework is not turned in 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 announcements, lunch menus, school policies, and classroom news; and much more.

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

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Freshmen Class (Class of 2014):

• English 9A & B: A Separate Peace by John Knowles
  English 9C: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

• History (All Levels): The Gift of the Jews by Thomas Cahill

• 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 (Cliffnotes,    
     Sparknotes, etc.)
  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.
  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.
  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.
  

Sophomore Class (Class of 2013):

• English 10A, B, & C: The Road by Cormac McCarthy

• History A: No Graves Yet by Anne Perry
  History B & C: Night by Elie Wiesel

• Religion (All Levels): Did Adam & Eve Have Bellybuttons?... by Matt Pinto

Junior Class (Class of 2012)

• English 11A & B: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

• History 11A: 1776 by David McCullough
  History 11B: April Morning by Howard Fast

• Religion (All Levels): The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Senior Class (Class of 2011)

• English AP: Beloved by Toni Morrison & Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
  English 12 B: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

• History 12A & B: Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters First 100 Years  by The Delany Sisters.

• Religion (All Levels): Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Extraordinary Journey to Promote Peace by Greg Mortenson, et al.

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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. The following is a list of co-curricular and athletic activities offered at the Academy:

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.

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 19, 2010, must contact Mr. McKay in the Admissions Office at 401-723-8100, extension 116, 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 to 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.

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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 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, 2010. A copy of the Disclaimer Form can be found here.

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• June 15, 2010 - Last day to order uniforms from Donnelly's to receive free home shipping and 10% off your order.

• June 21, 2010 - Follett Virtual Bookstore Opens for Business (for textbooks and summer reading books)

• June 30, 2010 - Final Official Transcripts, Health Form & Immunization Records Due to the Admissions Office

• June 30, 2010 - BCI Disclaimer Form Due to the Admissions Office (if applicable)

• July 19 - 30, 2010 - Signum Fidei Summer Readiness Program (details will be mailed to applicants this program applies to)

• July 01, 2010 - Last day to order state books from your city or town

• August 06, 2010 - Last day to register for Statewide Bussing

• August 30 & 31, 2010 - Orientation for Freshmen & Transfer Students

• September 1, 2010 - 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.

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