All doors to the school are locked during the day. Visitors are required to check-in and receive a name badge at the office window to the left of the main entrance. Staff members will question an individual who is not wearing a badge. Plans for "lockdown" and weather- related procedures are maintained in the office and practiced periodically with staff. Additionally, the diocese requires all adults working with the children, including volunteers, to have the attended the "Protecting God's Children" workshop.
All students have instruction in these classes at least once per week: music, art, computers, library, foreign language and P.E. Depending on the grade and schedule, some classes might meet twice weekly.
A staff member is assigned library duty for early arriving students beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Lunches are ordered for the upcoming month. There will be a notice in the school Messenger when ordering is open for the next month (cycle). You will also see in the Messenger when ordering will be closed. Lunches must be ordered by the closing date or the student will not receive a hot lunch. If a cycle is open for orders, parents can order lunches for their students by logging into their Sycamore account.
Through the diocesan-sponsored program, Sycamore Education, secured accounts are set up for families and staff. These accounts allow parents to view grades privately via any Internet-connected computer and to correspond with a teacher (similar to email). Additionally, regular e-mail, phone messages and/or notes for staff may be left through the school office. Parent-Teacher conferences are held each semester, and as needed.
The parochial league in which our teams play basketball (starting in 3rd grade) and volleyball (starting in 4th grade) emphasize learning the skills and rules of the games while ensuring all players receive equal playing time. Our coaches, parents of our students, have had background checks and diocesan training. Practices are held in our school's gymnasium and uniforms are provided as well. The cost of each sport is usually about $35 for the season, including post-season tournaments. Another benefit of the sports program is the opportunity to really get to know the other parents!
Grades 4-8 may participate in two different after school choirs and our student council. Middle school students may join the yearbook committee. Parish ministries available to our students include Little Saints and EDGE groups. Scouting is offered onsite at St. Gabriel.
Yes, in certain circumstances, students from St. Gabriel receive instruction in the following: speech, English as a Second Language (ESL), academically gifted programs, and special needs. This instruction is provided by the North Kansas City School District.
Through the St. Gabriel Parent-Teacher Exchange's (PTE) successful fundraising efforts, many improvements and additions to the school have been funded. Recent examples include: air conditioning and heating upgrades, computer network updates, new flooring, fresh paint, a new P.A. system and a newly renovated school office. Involvement in fundraising events adds to the close-knit community feeling of our school, as many parents get well-acquainted working side-by-side. Parents are asked to a) commit a minimum of 25 hours to working the four main fundraising events: Bingo, Spaghetti Dinner, Walk with Angels, and the Auction Gala OR b) 15 hours of fundraising and 5 service hours. Examples of service hours include serving on the P.T.E. or School Board or actively participating on a committee. In lieu of the time commitment, parents may choose to "buyout" at a cost of $30 per hour.
When registered parishioners of the parish have established a history (for at least one year) of tithing and continue to maintain this financial commitment, then their children are eligible to attend St. Gabriel School at a reduced, or adjusted, tuition. Tithing pledges are tracked by the parish office on a regular basis and may be reviewed by the pastor annually.
For more information please click here.
For information on school uniforms for St. Gabriel Catholic School, please visit dennisuniform.com.