Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School
March 11, 2015
Pray for us Saint Euphrasia
Dear Parents,
Today marks the end of the 2nd Trimester; Report Cards will be sent home on Friday
March 13th; please sign and return the envelope. The award ceremony will be held on
Tuesday March 17th at 8:00 am. Thank you to our students who have put in so much
effort these two trimesters; keep up the great work!
It is time to start planning for the new school year! All registrations materials for next
year are included with this letter. Thank you in advance for choosing to send your child
to Mary Star of the Sea and for giving them the advantage of a Catholic Education.
Mary Star will not be offering Summer School this year. I am sorry for any
disappointment or inconvenience this may cause families. All information that we
receive on Summer Programs is sent home with the communicator.
Important Dates:
Fri. Mar. 13,
Report Cards sent home
Fri. Mar. 13
Mon. Mar. 16
Tues. Mar. 17
Thurs. Mar. 19
Fri. Mar. 20
Fri. Mar. 27
Stations of the Cross / 12:00
Teacher Inservice / No School
2nd Trimester Award Ceremony / 8:00 am
Variety Show / 7:00 pm /Auditorium
Stations of the Cross / 12:00
Stations of the Cross / 12:00
Mary Star Thanks You:
 Students who studied and produced great Science Fair Projects!
5th Annual MSSE Jog-A-Thon-! Prize selection sheets will be sent home this week.
Variety Show: Please join us Thursday March 19th at 7:00pm. Try outs will be in the 3rd
grade classroom after school on Thursday March 12th and dress rehearsal will be
Wednesday March 18th in the auditorium at 3:15.
PI Day: Student Council is hosting a PI Day celebration on Tuesday March 17th.
Student Council will purchase Pizza Pi”s to join in the National Celebration which is held
on Saturday 3.14. Preorders will be taken on Thursday 3/12 and Friday 3/13 on the
school patio. See enclosed flyer.
Pechanga Fundraiser: MSSE’s first Casino Resort Trip is scheduled for Saturday May
9th. All proceeds will benefit Mary Star Elementary and Preschool. See the enclosed
flyer.
IMPORTANT:
Re-Registration: Packets are enclosed for students returning for the 2015 – 2016
school year. It is vitally important that the dates for Re-registration are met. Currently
enrolled families have priority for grades slots until April 30th. If registration paperwork
and fees have not been submitted spots will be given to families on waiting lists. If you
have any questions, problems or concerns please call Judy in the office.
2014-2015 Christian Service Hours and Scrip: April 30th is the final date for all service
hours and scrip purchases to apply to this school year. All time sheets must be turned
in by May 1st.
Mary Star Financial Assistance: Mary Star has its own Financial Aid program
sponsored by our parish and private donors. You must apply through PSAS (Private
School Aid Service). Your first step was to apply to the Archdiocese Tuition Assistance
Program and then to send in an application to PSAS. PSAS Applications will be
available at the office and must be submitted to PSAS by May 15 th.
Please adhere to the deadlines as our award schedule follows the Archdiocese and if
you apply late you may be left out! All applications are also available in Spanish at the
front office.
Financial Obligations: All outstanding amounts due to the school must be made
current. We do not receive outside funding, all expenses are paid through tuition, fees,
and fundraising. Families with outstanding accounts may be jeopardizing reregistration.
8th Grade Financial Obligations: All outstanding obligations must be met in full before
graduation gowns are distributed and before students participate in graduation
exercises or the Knott’s Berry Farm trip.
God Bless,
Noreen Maricich
February 25, 2014
Dear Mary Star of the Sea Families,
Thank you for choosing to re-register your child at Mary Star. This years’ Catholic Schools’
Week slogan: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service summarizes 100 years of
excellence at MSSE! This year we took a leap as a faculty to increase the rigor and academic
programs in both Language Arts and Math. The Reading Workshop model has given all of our
students the chance to work at their personal level and growth rate. The new GO MATH has
proven challenging to both students and parent homework helpers! The Lap Tops in Junior
High have changed the Math Program and our New Social Studies program has on line learning
at everyone’s fingertips. Both students and teachers continue to grow and learn in this 21st
century world.
Time spent in a Christ-centered environment, growing in their faith, being challenged
academically, and learning to serve others is the experience of children here at Mary Star. We
are grateful that you allow us to participate in this journey with your child.
Tuition is increasing by a small percentage for the 2014-2015 school year. This is not a decision
that Father Brian and I make lightly as we recognize that the cost of a Catholic School is a
commitment for your family. We work hard to create a budget that keeps expenses as minimal
as possible and at the same time offers quality education and just salaries to our faculty and
staff.
Tuition:
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Tuition is used for salaries, insurance benefits, and operating costs for the school.
For the 2013-2014 school year the cost to educate each child was $4,213
That was a deficit of $713 for the first child in a family
There is a discount for families with more than one child but it still cost the school $4,213
for each child.
Tuition rates are kept significantly lower than costs by:
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Substantial assistance commitment from Mary Star Parish
Fundraising Obligations
The Catholic Education Foundation
Parents play an important part in this delicate balance by their timely tuition payments and their
participation in school activities. Together as Families, Parish and Administration we fulfill our
Mission to the children of Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School.
God Bless You,
Noreen Maricich
Principal