Student Life
Day in the Life
A Typical Crusader DayFrom Drop-Off to Dismissal
Every Crusader’s day looks a little different depending on age and campus, but each one begins and ends with the same sense of routine and community. Here is what families can expect at the Primary Grade Center and the Upper Grade Center.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
Primary Grade Center
Regular hours: 8:45 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. for Kindergarten through third grade; preschool hours vary by program.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Dismissal begins at 3:10 p.m. Enter the lot through the St. Patrick Church entrance on Everett Road.
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Arrival
Doors open at 8:30 a.m., and classes begin at 8:45 a.m. Students who arrive before 8:30 a.m. are signed into Extended Day, with charges applied. Students remain in their cars until the doors open and staff are present. Enter the lot through the St. Patrick Church entrance on Everett Road and follow the lot around the church, so we do not block the church’s other entrances.Staff along the curb direct cars and students and help children out of the car, but they do not unbuckle seat belts or car seats. If your child cannot unbuckle independently, please park and walk your child to the door.- Kindergarten through third grade: Students exit at the curb, enter through the north doors or gym wing, and walk directly to their classrooms.
- Four-year-olds: Parents may drop students at the curb if the child is comfortable walking to the Early Childhood or south door, or park in the center spaces and walk the child to the door.
- Two- and three-year-olds: In mild weather, parents park in the spaces along the southern edge of the lot, walk their child to the Early Childhood fence, and enter the playground by the stepping stones, where teachers welcome students at their classroom doors. When the weather turns colder, arrival for preschool students moves to the curb.
Please use the designated crosswalk between the lot and the building. Once your child is inside, return to your car and exit the lot with a right turn. -
Dismissal
Dismissal begins at 3:10 p.m. Enter the lot the same way, then follow the north edge to the curb.Display your family identification number on the dashboard where staff can easily see it, such as a bright-colored card with a letter and digits. Use only the card issued to you this school year. Staff relay each number to indoor supervisors and escort students to the curb.Anyone who picks up your child must appear on your authorized list and have a carpool code. The office can print extra codes for grandparents, nannies, and others.Please be patient and do not pass the cars in front of you. If your child needs help with a car seat, pull to the buckle zone at the end of the curb.We sign students not picked up by 3:30 p.m. into Extended Day, with charges applied.
Upper Grade Center
Regular hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
The drop-off line opens at 8:20 a.m. Dismissal begins at 3:40 p.m. Enter the Oakwood Lot through the north entrance off Oakwood Avenue and turn right.
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Arrival
The drop-off line opens at 8:20 a.m. We cannot supervise students dropped off earlier, so we sign them into Extended Day, with charges applied.- Enter the Oakwood Lot through the north entrance off Oakwood Avenue and turn right. A left turn backs up traffic from the north and blocks the south exit.
- Pull all the way forward along the curb to the south end of the sidewalk, and let your child out at the school doors.
- Leave through the south exit, turning right and heading south on Oakwood Avenue.
For safety, students never walk through the lot during drop-off, and they never exit the car on Illinois Road or Oakwood Avenue.Students arriving after 8:40 a.m. enter through the main entrance and sign in at the front desk. -
Dismissal
Dismissal begins at 3:40 p.m.- Enter the Oakwood Lot through the north entrance and turn right.
- Park in an open space with your engine off. Please do not form a line in the lot, because it blocks other cars from entering.
- Tell your child where you parked, so they can meet you at your car.
- Wait to exit until the teachers on duty at the south exit wave you through. Then turn right and head south on Oakwood Avenue.
Dismissal takes a little while, so we appreciate your patience.Please do not pick up along Oakwood Avenue. Pick-up along the avenue encourages students to cross the street at the busiest time of day, with cars moving in both directions, and puts them at risk. The safest practice is to pull into and park in our school lot.We sign students not picked up by 4:00 p.m. into Extended Day, with charges applied.There is no drop-off or pick-up in the lot off Green Bay Road. Half days and early dismissal days follow the School Calendar in MySOSM.
Safety in Our Lots
- Cars never pass in the arrival or dismissal lines.
- State law makes school parking lots cellphone-free zones, including hands-free devices.
- Please follow faculty directions.
- Curbside drivers stay in their vehicles.
- Children stay buckled until the car stops at the curb.
Thank you for respecting our neighbors, including St. Patrick Church and the Church of St. Mary, and for keeping every child safe. Please contact the school office or your child’s teacher with any questions.
Extended Day
Extended Day offers before- and after-school care at both campuses, led by School of St. Mary staff. Mornings open at 7:30 a.m., and afternoons run until 5:30 p.m. There is no afternoon Extended Day on early dismissal days.
Extended Day offers before- and after-school care at both campuses, led by School of St. Mary staff. Mornings open at 7:30 a.m., and afternoons run until 5:30 p.m. There is no afternoon Extended Day on early dismissal days.
Extended Day is open to full-day preschoolers and to students in Kindergarten through eighth grade; see our preschool pages for program details. Families register each child once a year in MySOSM, then reserve sessions in advance as needed. Monthly passes and discounted annual rates are available for families who use Extended Day often. Rates and reservation forms are in MySOSM.
Shuttle Bus Service
School of St. Mary offers an optional shuttle that connects Lake Bluff families with both campuses and carries students between the Primary Grade Center and the Upper Grade Center. Families may register for morning-only, afternoon-only, or round-trip service. Registration is a separate form in MySOSM, one per student, and we bill the annual fee through Tuition Management. Contact the school office for current pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I request a specific classroom or teacher?
You may express a preference, but we may not be able to honor it. We balance each classroom across many factors, including skill level, gender, and student temperament. -
Is there a school nurse?
Yes. A registered nurse serves both campuses. Health forms, illness guidelines, and other family resources are in MySOSM.< -
Can my child walk or bike to school?
Students may walk or ride bicycles to the Upper Grade Center with signed parental permission on file. We discourage bicycles at the Primary Grade Center. Students lock bicycles in the racks provided, and School of St. Mary accepts no responsibility for bicycles left on school grounds. For safety, students may not ride bicycles or skateboards on school grounds. -
Does my preschooler need to be toilet-trained?
Children in Little Angels, our 2-year-old program, need not be fully toilet-trained. Teachers call parents when a diaper change is needed. -
Are microwaves available for lunch?
Upper Grade Center students have access to microwaves during lunch. There are no microwaves at the Primary Grade Center. -
Are birthday treats allowed?
We discourage edible birthday treats because of potential allergies in the classroom; items like pencils or stickers are a much safer choice. If you send a treat, it must be individually wrapped, store-bought, and in a sealed package. We never allow homemade treats.
See It for Yourself
Prospective families are always welcome to visit. Current families can find schedules, forms, and reservations anytime in MySOSM.
A Roman Catholic School Since 1917
To Learn, To Serve, To Lead
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