Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find the answers to some of your most frequently asked questions. If you’d like further information after reading the answers below, please take some time to review the Holy Name School Student Handbook found on the Home page. As always, you are welcome to give us a call with any additional questions you may have.
What should students know about the use of computers at Holy Name School?
Students at Holy Name School have access to computers and are welcome to use those computers. We just have a few stipulations to keep everyone safe while they access appropriate content. A link to our Acceptable Use Policy for Students document can be found on our website's page for important documents.
Back to TopWhat is considered unacceptable dress?
What can be worn to Holy Name School and what needs to be left at home? Our dress code will answer all your questions. Find a link to it on the Helpful Links page.
Back to TopHow can I register my child for attendance at Holy Name School?
To register your child, we'll need:
- Birth certificate
- Immunization record
- Previous year’s report card, if applicable
- Baptismal certificate (Catholics only)
- A non-refundable registration fee per family after the child is accepted into the school
Please see all of the immunization and registration requirements on the Apply to Our School page.
What are your school hours?
School begins at 8:00 a.m., and dismissal is at 2:20 p.m. School doors open at 7:45 a.m. Any child on school grounds before that time must sign in with Extended Care.
Back to TopDo you offer extended day care?
Extended Care Fees:
- Morning care is offered from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. at a $5 flat fee
- After care is offered from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at $3 per half hour or any part of a half hour
This bill is emailed weekly on Tuesday and is due in full.
If a child is picked up after 5:30 p.m., the following guidelines will be followed for billing:
- 5:30 to 5:40 p.m. - parent is charged for three (3) full hours plus a $5 late fee
- After 5:40 p.m. - parent is charged three (3) full hours plus a $10 late fee
- After 6:00 p.m. - parent is charged three (3) full hours plus $10 late fee plus $1.00 per minute
Every student must be registered for Extended Care. Even if you don't think you will use the service, you must register in case of an emergency.
How should I pay my child’s tuition fees?
Please make tuition payment arrangements through FACTS. Payments begin July 1 for the upcoming school year (10-month cycle). Please keep tuition payments current, so we can issue a report card.
Back to TopWhat are your attendance and tardy policies?
Students who are absent may not attend any extra-curricular activity, including a school dance, held that day. If there are extenuating circumstances requiring the absence, please notify Principal Flanagan or Mrs. Chippendale. An exception to the rule may be possible.
Regularity of attendance is of prime importance to the child from the very first day of school. We encourage parents to emphasize this importance by keeping children home for serious reasons only and by training children to be punctual.
If, for any reason, a student is absent from school, parents must call the school office by 8:30 a.m. to report the absence. If the office staff does not receive notification, we will contact the parent to verify the absence. If no verbal contact is made, the child must bring a note from home stating the cause of the absence. After five (5) days absent, according to state law, we require a doctor's excuse before we will re-admit the student.
We require that students make up all work and homework missed in all subjects because of absence. The school office will honor phoned homework requests made early in the day. We will be happy to fill them by dismissal time, and parents may pick up the assignments and books in the school office, or we can send them home with a sibling or another student.
Tardies have continued to be an extreme issue, so we have decided to change the procedure. Keep in mind that not only is it very disruptive if a student comes in late, it is also detrimental for that student who has now missed morning prayer and instructions for the day. Please read and keep this for your records, as this will be the policy going forward.
We will return to a more strict tardy policy, much like we had pre-Covid. That means anyone arriving after 8:00 a.m. will be considered tardy. The drop-off window is 7:45 to 8:00 a.m. Each child will receive one excused tardy for the month. This is for traffic, car issues, waking up late, etc. After that, every tardy needs to have a doctor's note to be excused. This covers all appointments, chronic illness, etc. After the "free" one for the month, the consequences will be according to the following:
Per month:
- 1st tardy: Free
- 2nd tardy: 15-minute detention
- 3rd tardy: 20-minute detention
- 4th tardy: 30-minute detention
- 5th or more: One-hour detention
On the first of the month, we will begin a new count.
Any student that is tardy more than 25 times in a year (without a doctor's note) will have a one-hour detention each time they are tardy.
A link to our Holy Name School student handbook is on our Helpful Links page.
What is the correct protocol for inclement weather/snow days?
In the event we have to cancel school due to inclement weather (or other reason), we will post the announcement on this website, and it will be announced over radio stations WSAR or WHTB. Our school follows the decisions of the Fall River Public School Department regarding "no school days." The school is also part of the SchoolReach Program which allows the school to call all parents announcing early dismissal, no school, and other important information.
Please do not call the school. Listen to these radio stations on any day during which weather changes may cause schools to dismiss earlier than usual. If this occurs, please make arrangements for your child to be picked up at the announced dismissal time as soon as possible. We will not dismiss any child on these days without clearance through the school office. Be assured that we will supervise your child until your arrival.
Does the school offer student insurance?
No. The school does not offer insurance. However, the Lefebvre Insurance Company does offer student accident insurance protection for purchase, if you would prefer that. There is a choice between school time coverage and 24-hour coverage, and either can be purchased with or without the dental benefit. For detailed information and the enrollment form, download the Student Accident Insurance brochure.
Back to TopWhat is the parking policy for Holy Name School?
Arrival:
Parents using the President's Avenue entrance are encouraged to drive into the lot, staying in line, and their students will be met by staff and escorted from the cars into the building. Parents should not park and attempt to walk their children across the line of traffic unless necessary.
We are fortunate this year that the city of Fall River will provide a crossing guard each morning and afternoon on the Stetson Street side of our building. Please be aware that no vehicles are allowed to park in the designated drop-off area, and parents should remain in their vehicles and allow the children to exit the vehicle on the school side only. This will allow for an efficient drop off and smoother traffic flow during this busy time. The crossing guard will assist in crossing students arriving from vehicles that are parked down the street or across from the school.
Dismissal:
Students will be dismissed according to grade. The teachers will bring them outside where the students will be handed off to the individual who is picking them up. ID will be required. There will not be parking in the lot available at this time, so we ask that you plan accordingly.
The students will absolutely not be handed off to anyone parked in the middle of the street. Everyone who is picking up is required to park their car and walk over to the schoolyard. The safety of all students is our top priority.
For students in pre-k and grades 6–8, the teachers will have the students exit the building upon dismissal. Pre-k students will be released to their parents upon showing the proper ID cards issued to all families by the school. Middle school students can proceed to their parent/rides after dismissal outside. (Parents are reminded that since there is no designated parking on the Pearce Street end of the building, they might be up the street some distance from the school at both arrival and dismissal. Caution should be taken when crossing to the school.)