Yard Duty Changes

     Through the years, parents of St. John School students in grades K5 - 8 have been asked to serve as recess monitors two days per child each school year.  This opportunity has increased parental involvement in the school, and many of the parents enjoy serving i this capacity.  Recently, however, some working parents have found it impossible to take time away from their jobs.  This year we are trying something different.

     Instead of two days per child, we are asking parents to serve three days per family.  The time involved is 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.  If parents find this an impossible request, they will have the option of paying someone $10/day to serve their yard duty for them.  Parents may make the payment up front, in which case they will not be scheduled for yard duty; they may choose to be scheduled and serve their three days; or they they may be scheduled and then be billed if if someone else has to fill in for them.  Parents will be notified in advance of their scheduled days, and the schedule will continue to be published in the Rainbow Connection each week as it has in the past.

     This procedure has been successful at other Catholic schools in our diocese, and the suggestion for the change came from parents who are unable to fulfill their commitment but still want to meet their obligation.  St. John School has several people who have agreed to serve as paid yard duty substitutes.  Hopefully this plan will alleviate  some of the problems we experienced last year with no-shows.

     We certainly welcome and encourage parents to serve their yard duty, as this affords them a look into their child's school life that they might otherwise miss.  "Buying out" is only meant to be an option for those who cannot serve.

Please complete the form below and return it to the school

 
  _____ Please schedule me for my three days of yard duty.  The best days for me to serve are:

             ______________________________________________________________________

             I understand that if I do not serve on my scheduled days, my school account will be
             billed $10/day to pay a substitute.

  _____ I would like to pay someone to serve my yard duty for me.  (Please enclose a check
             for $30, and you will not be scheduled.)

  Parent's Signature ____________________________________________________________