general information

St. Brigid School is a Pre-K through 8, Elementary School, Located on Stevens Avenue in Portland Maine. Our school is somewhat like a campus with the main school building set back on the parking lot, adjacent to St. Joseph's Parish Church and Parish Center. Please feel free to visit our school in order to get a glimpse of what a Catholic School Community can do for your child, as well as for your family. For more information please contact us at 207-797-7073.

		One Child	Two Children	Three Children	Four Children
Registration Fee/Family	$200
*Pre-K Half Day Rates (8:00 am to 11:30 am) Full Day Rates (8:00 am to 2:45 pm)	5 half days 3 half days ----------- 5 full days 3 full days	$3,775 $2,365 ------------ $6,125 $3,775
K-8 No Parish Affiliation		$4,550	$9,000	$13,450	$17,900
K-8 Parish Subsidized		$2,900	$5,700	$8,500	$11,300

FACTS is a secured automatic debit payment plan through your bank. Visit the FACTS website for more information: www.factsmgt.com.

Families of St. Brigid School will participate in the Total FACTS system of tuition billing as outlined in the Tuition Billing Policy.
Families will have the option to pay their tuition in one of the following ways:

2. Monthly payments through FACTS which must be completed by March 2010 (Timely enrollment will result in a 10-month payment plan beginning in June. Elected payment dates are the 5th or 20th of each month. (NOTE: An additional $41.00 FACTS enrollment fee is paid directly to FACTS and debited upon receipt of your enrollment form.)

The contract/registration fee is $200.00 per family. This amount is to be paid at the time that the contract is remitted to the office. The application fee of $200 that is paid by new applicants will be applied to this amount. The contract should include a signature from your pastor and a check for the tuition and fees. Contracts are due June 1st. If we do not receive your contract with payment in full by this date we will assume that you are not enrolling your child for this year.

The actual cost per child for the school year is more than the actual tuition. You may not have realized that your tuition alone does not cover our costs.

Students should arrive at school between 7:45 and 8:00 each morning. Please see our Before and After School Program below.

Volunteer parents and students provide a convenient drop-off area on Elmwood Street. This keeps the playground clear and the parking lot open to teachers. Enter from the Stevens Avenue side and a volunteer will show you where to go and help your child get safely into the school. Please do not go into the front lot; it is reserved for school staff. If you choose to park and walk your child in, please park on Stevens Avenue or in the back parking area. Also, please avoid parking in or blocking the driveways of neighboring houses.

School ends at 2:45. Those being picked up leave though the back door. Students not picked up by 2:45 will be sent to our After School Program.

Our Before and After School Program can provide a safe, supervised place for your child from 7:00-7:40 each morning and 2:45-5:30 each afternoon. The cost for aftercare is $4.50 billed on the half-hour, and there is a late fee for picking up children after 5:30. Payment should be made each Friday to the adult in charge or in the school office.

Students in aftercare are provided with snacks. On half days, please send a lunch with your child. The program is structured to provide an opportunity for children to play, do their homework and participate in activities while they await parent pick-up or transition to other after school activities. Activities may include movies and outdoor play. Students may do homework during aftercare (quiet places will be provided for K-3 and 4-8). Help will be given when possible, but personal tutoring is not available unless a homeroom teacher is staying after school with his/her students for extra help.

If the Portland Schools are cancelled due to inclement weather, St. Brigid is also closed. Please listen to the radio or the local news for cancellations. Many of our students live quite a distance from school; please use your best judgment on stormy days when school is not cancelled.

Report cards are issued at the end of each quarter. Student-teacher conferences are held at the ends of the first and third quarters.

The federally approved but optional hot lunch program and milk is available for all students. Forms and menus will be sent home every two weeks and must be returned by the specified date. If you choose to send lunch with your child, please avoid glass containers and foods that need to be heated.

Friday folders are envelopes sent home at the end of each week with your child's papers, any notes from the teacher, a memo from the principal, and any notices or forms to be returned. The envelopes must be signed by a parent and returned the following Monday. It is vital that parents read the contents of the Friday folders to stay up-to-date!

Each year a few of our teachers are able to offer personal tutoring to students who need extra help, during the summer. Hours and availability vary, so please contact the office for more information. Students in need of support during the school year are helped by their own classroom teacher in after school help sessions immediately following the school day.

Our school has a number of associations that support our needs and are a great way to participate in your child's education. Some of these include the HSA (Home and School Association - similar to a PTA), the Athletic Association, and the Development Committee, an ad hoc committee of school board whose purpose is to help solicit, fund raise, grant write and develop activities to ensure the future progress of our school.

We have countless volunteers who help with things like hot lunch, morning drop off/drive-thru, office work, fundraising, organizing events, and much more. Contact your child's teacher , the H.S.A. executive committee or the office to find our what you can do to help!

Valuable items should not be brought to school. St. Brigid School is not responsible for such items if lost. Electronic devices that are distracting to class are also not allowed. Cameras, iPods, MP3 players, etc. are to be kept in backpacks or lockers during school hours, and if seen will be confiscated by a staff member.
Cell phones are for after-hours use for students involved in after school extra curricular activities. Cell phones are not to be used in school as each classroom is equipped with a telephone for student calls and emergencies. They should be kept in the pocket display in the room, and the ringer should be in the "off" position. Cell phones not in the appropriate pocket display will be confiscated by a staff member. Picture taking and recording is also prohibited with cell phones.