Before the School Year Begins

When and where will I find out which class my child is in?
Do we need to buy school supplies?
Is there an informational meeting for parents who are new to Loyola?
Will new kinders get to meet their teachers and other students before school starts?

The School Year

What should my child bring on the first day of school?
Where should my child go on the first day?
What are the school hours?
What if my child needs to miss school?
What if we’re late to school?
For the first three weeks of school where kindergarteners’ schedule is half day, should parents pack a snack/water for their child?
How does lunch work?
What if the students forget to bring their lunch?
Are there any food restrictions when we pack our snack and lunch?
Where do I pick up my child after school?
Can I help out in the classroom?
How I can volunteer if I can’t do so during the day?
Is there after-school care?
What after-school activities are available?
Is there a Facebook group or something similar for Loyola community members to connect online?
How do I subscribe to Loyola's event calendar?
I still have questions! Who can I contact?

Before the School Year Begins

Q. When and where will I find out which class my child is in?

A. Classroom assignments are typically sent out via email after 4PM on the Friday before school starts. For the 2023-24 school year, it will take place on Friday, August 11.

Q. Do we need to buy school supplies?

A. When the students come into the classroom on the first day of school, they will find all the supplies they need supplied by their teachers. We ask that you consider making an optional donation of $50 per student through the Back-to-School Packet, which you will receive via email in August.

Q. Is there an informational meeting for parents who are new to Loyola?

A. Yes! New Family Orientation typically take place on the Monday night before school starts in mid-August. New TK-6th grade families, including both adults and kids, are invited to join the principal, representatives from the PTA and other programs, and student speakers for a short presentation, followed by a Q&A.

For the 2023-24 school year, this event is scheduled for Monday, August 14, 6:30-7:30PM. New families will receive an official email from Loyola School soon. Adults and kids are welcome! Kids will go on a tour of the campus with student representatives while the adults hear from Loyola speakers.

Q. Will new transitional kindergarten students and kindergarteners get to meet other students before school starts?

A. Yes! There are group playdates throughout the summer. If you're an incoming kinder family, please reach out to our Kindergarten Liaisons, Sarah Hem & Emily Pichel, for more information on the playdates, email list, and Whatsapp group. Incoming TK families should reach out to our TK Liaisons, Elinor Wahrmann and Nazy Davani. 

The School Year

Q. What should my child bring on the first day of school?

A. A healthy snack, bottled water, lunch (1st through 6th graders; TK and kinder students will not have lunch at school until mid-September), and a backpack. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your child before you head out the door! Please note kinders do not start having lunch at school until mid-September.

Again, you will not need to purchase your own school supplies directly--families will receive a Back-to-School Packet via email in August, with information on optional donations for school supplies, library, PTA, etc.

Q. Where should my child go on the first day?

A. Students grades 1-6 may enter campus at any entry point they choose and must report directly to their respective blacktop areas, gr. 1-3 lower blacktop and gr. 4-6 upper blacktop. There they will gather by their designated teacher sign.  TK and Kindergarten students will arrive in the TK and Kindergarten area and report to their teacher sign. We have found this procedure to be an extremely efficient and safe way for students to arrive, and the best method for us to supervise our Lions.

Q. What are the school hours?

Please see our Bell Schedule.

Q. What if my child needs to miss school?

A. If your student will be absent or tardy for any reason, please fill out the online Absence Report Form or notify the school office attendance line 650-254-2424 before 9AM. If you plan to miss more than five days, contact the office to arrange for an independent study option.

Q. What if we’re late to school?

A. Students who are late must first pick up a tardy slip in the school office before they may proceed to the classroom. They may be required to make up the instruction time they miss during recess or after school. If a pattern of tardiness develops, they may be called for a parent/school conference.

Q. For the first three weeks of school when TK and Kindergarteners’ schedule is half day, should parents pack a snack/water for their child?

A. Definitely. Please pack a snack and water for the rest of the year too, not just the first three weeks.

Q. How does lunch work?

A. Please see the Universal Meal Program page for additional details.

Q. What if the students forget to bring their lunch?

A. Sometimes lunches are forgotten at home; occasionally parents forget to place orders on time. In such situations, the school office will call parents to request approval for students to receive a light snack in lieu of a regular entrée.

Q. Are there any food restrictions when we pack our snack and lunch?

A. The school has no restrictions. However, for the safety of students with food allergies, please check with your child’s teacher because each classroom may have its own food policy as to what is allowed. Lunch areas have designated “nut-free” tables.

Q. Where do I pick up my child after school?

A. TK and kindergarten students are picked up outside the kindergarten playground. The student will only be released if a parent, guardian, or designated caretaker is there to pick them up.

For 1st through 6th graders, parents and caregivers may wait by the lunch tables near the lion statue. While waiting for older siblings, students must remain with parent(s) and are not permitted to use the play structure, basketball courts, field etc.

Alternatively, the car pick-up zone is a great place. Please note that cars exiting the U-shaped driveway may NOT turn left onto Berry; they must turn right and proceed down the street.

Q. Can I help out in the classroom?

A. The Welcome Breakfast (morning of the first day of school) and Back-to-School Night (early evening of Friday during the first week of school) are both excellent places to evaluate volunteer opportunities and sign-up. Each classroom will have a “room parent” who solicit volunteers via an online form such as Google Form or Signup Genius. A few examples of volunteer opportunities in the classroom include field trips, library visits, class parties, subject stations, etc. Kindergarten tended to utilize parents the most. Often there are more opportunities in lower grades than upper grades, but are determined by teacher and classroom needs.

Q. How I can volunteer if I can’t do so during the day?

A. Ask your teachers. They are creative thinkers and planners, and appreciate the help. Some examples include cutting, sorting, copying, hole punching, stabling, etc. See Volunteer Opportunities & PTA Programs for more ideas.

Q. Is there after-school care?

A. Many families use Children’s House, located at the northwestern corner of the Loyola campus. Please contact them directly for information.

Q. What after school activities are available?

A. Please see our After School Programs for details.

Q. Is there a Facebook group or something similar for Loyola community members to connect online?

A. Each grade has a Whatsapp group for the parents in that grade. Parents set up and use these groups to discuss topics such as grade-specific questions, extracurricular activity signups, etc. If you'd like to join the conversation, please contact the room parent for your class (contact your teacher if you don't know who it is) or ask our New Family Liaisons Christy Johnson & Laura Herrmann.

Q. How do I subscribe to Loyola's event calendar?

A. Please follow the instructions on the Calendar Subscription page.

Q. I still have questions! Who can I contact?

A. Our New Family Liaisons are here to help! Please contact Christy Johnson & Laura Herrmann.