Q. What is the structure of the school day?
A. The school day for all students begins at 8:10am. For Pre-K and K students the day ends at 2:30pm, while for grades 1-8 it ends at 2:45pm. Our school day is structured for all students, with approximately 30 minute classes for our youngest students, and 45 minute periods for students in grades 1-8.
Q. How do I participate in my child’s academic and social development at school?
A. By staying in touch with your child’s teacher and frequently monitoring your child’s progress, you can have a big impact on your child’s educational development. In addition, by attending report card meetings, partnering with the school, and participating in the overall life of the school, you help your child have the best possible educational experience here at Ascension.
Q. What specials classes does my child participate in?
A. Ascension School offers students classes in Art, music, physical education and creative movement once week. Foreign Language instruction is offered twice a week to all students in grades Pre-K through 8th. The names of our special subject teachers can be found on the “staff” page of our web site.
Q. How can I become more involved in the school?
A. On our web site you can find information about the Ascension School Fundraising Association (ASFA) and the Parent-Teacher Advisory Board (P-TAB), our parent organizations, under the “Parents” tab. Both organizations help the school raise money and develop new ideas to enhance our children’s experiences here at Ascension School. Information can be found on each homepage as well as contact information.
Q. Does Ascension have any sports teams?
A. YES! Ascension participates in the CYO league (Catholic Youth Organization) and plays other participating Catholic Schools. It is a great opportunity for our youngsters and yet another way for us to help us students develop their talents.
Q. How do I schedule meetings with my child’s teacher?
A. You can call the main office and leave a message for your child’s teacher. He or she will then return your call to set up a meeting. You can also email your child’s teacher at their Ascension School email address to ask questions or request meetings. Speak to your child’s teacher to find out their school email address if you do not know it.
Q. Is Ascension affiliated with any colleges or universities?
A. Yes. Since 2004 Ascension has had a wonderful partnership with Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. Dr. Patricia Vardin, Chair of the Early Childhood Department at Manhattanville and program advisor to Ascension’s early childhood prgoram, Pre-K through 2nd grade, helped Ascension develop one of the best programs on the Upper West Side. You can find out more about our early childhood program by clicking on the “Early Childhood” link on the homepage.
Q. How do I know what my child eats for breakfast and/or lunch?
A. The Archdiocese of New York nutrition program provides our students with breakfast and lunch each day. The menus for breakfast and lunch are posted every month on our web site under the “documents” tab. In addition, a hard copy of the menus will always be posted on the bulletin board outside the main office.
Q. How do I keep updated on upcoming events?
A. At the beginning of the school year, each family should have received a school calendar. If you did not for some reason, you can download the calendar from our school web site by clicking on our “2010-2011 Calendars” tab in the upper right hand corner of our homepage. Messages are also posted on the white board that is usually positioned by the front door each day.
Q. How does the school contact me in case of emergency?
A. Ascension uses the IRIS Alert System to immediately contact all families in the event of a school closing due to weather, or if a major announcement must be communicated at that particular moment. In order for the system to be as efficient as possible, all families must make sure the school has the correct contact information, including home, work and cell phone numbers, and an email address.
Q. What high schools do Ascension students attend?
A. Ascension students go on to some of the best Catholic High Schools in the city. Those schools include Cristo Rey, Cardinal Hayes, Cardinal Spellman, Notre Dame, Mother Cabrini, Xavier and other fine Catholic High Schools. Two years ago we had students gain admission to Bronx High School of Science and Brooklyn Tech. We are very proud of our graduates and hear wonderful stories about their performance in their high schools.
Q. How can I find out what’s going on in other classes and grades?
A. There is a “class page” tab on our web site that enables visitors to see what is happening in all grades in our school. Even if you are a Pre-K parent, you can click on an upper school class page and see the work they are doing there. It has become a great way for families to see what is happening across our school, so take a few minutes and explore the great things our kids are doing!
