Handbook

STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK

The Alvernia Preparatory School is a Roman Catholic School, owned by the Franciscan Sister of Allegany. A private, non- governmental school, Alvernia is funded entirely by the school fees and fund-raising events. Through its curricular and extracurricular activities, it provides quality early education which thoroughly prepares students for secondary level education.

Children from ages three to twelve years are educated at the school through the Kindergarten Department and Grades 1-6. The School is recognized and registered by the Ministry of Education, Kingston, Jamaica, and is an active member of the Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association (JISA).

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HISTORY

Alvernia Preparatory School was opened by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany at the property named “Alvernia” in Cross Roads in January 1941. It then had a faculty of two Franciscan Sisters, and a student body of fifty. Classes were held in two rooms on the east side of what is now the Sr. Goretti Lowe Villa at St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College.

The name “Alvernia” is an adaptation of the name “Mount La Verna”. This mountain in Italy played a significant part in the life of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron Saint of the School, and the Franciscan Sisters, who are such a vital part of the history. It was on Mount La Verna that Saint Francis spent much time contemplating the beauty of God’s creation and praying. It was on that mountain that Francis became absorbed in meditating on the suffering of Christ that he actually bore the marks of Jesus’ passion. The statue in the garden of the School is an attempt to portray this desire of Saint Francis to share in the suffering of his Saviour.

At Alvernia Preparatory School, trained teachers, efficient office staff and ancillary workers, provide an environment in which young children from varied socio-economic backgrounds are educated and evangelized in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. We seek to involve parents and/or guardians in this process as together we prepare the young for the future.

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VISION STATEMENT OF THE SCHOOL

We seek to build a community that is guided by Franciscan Values based on the Gospel and which will foster and sustain a culture of excellence a way of life.

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MISSION STATEMENT OF THE ARCHDIOCESE

The Education Board of the Archdiocese of Kingston is committed to Catholic education centered in God’s love for each person as revealed in Jesus Christ, and therefore, we believe that each person is called to achieve full potential of mind, body and spirit.
We commit ourselves to formulate, develop and encourage policies, and make recommendations which will:

• Create caring school communities in which competent and committed staff treats each person with dignity, respect and compassion.
• Provide a curriculum which links faith, culture, community and the promotion of justice.
• Help parents and guardians in the faith and human development of their children.
• Promote an active educational partnership with parents, the school community, parish communities and government.
• Assist with planning for the provision of the resources and facilities to ensure quality Catholic education.

We commit our expertise, experience and energies to advise and assist those who carry out the educational ministries of the Archdiocese of Kingston, and further commit to exercise our responsibilities with sensitivity and compassion.

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MISSION STATEMENT OF THE SCHOOL

We seek to involve parents and guardians as together we prepare the young to become productive members of society who uphold discipline, while working together to shape and mould young minds, empowered with truth, self-worth and a sense of justice and equality for all mankind.

The members of the Alvernia Preparatory School community commit themselves to these values:

Prayerfulness- exemplified in our relationship with and dependence on God.
Respect- for all persons and of creation, exemplified in the recognition and development of the self- worth of each person, and reverence for the environment.
Understanding- caring, sharing and trusting among all, exemplified in our passion for the young, poor and the sick.
Patience- exemplified in our daily interaction with each other.

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SCHOOL’S MOTTO

“OUR GIFTS ARE VARIED BUT THE SPIRIT IS THE SAME”

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ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Board of Governors, referred to as the “Board”, headed by the Chairman, accords due recognition to the Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA), as they work together to enhance the overall development of the students and the school.

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CURRICULUM

The school provides a wide range in terms of its curricular and extra- curricular offerings- Language Arts, Mathematics, Communication Task, Science, Social Studies, Religious Education, Spanish, Music, Dance, Physical Education, Library Skills, Visual Arts and Information Technology. Also, a resource room that caters to children with reading and math deficiencies. The school library offers fiction, non-fiction and reference books for the students from Pre-School - Grade 6 as well as other technological devices.

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COMMUNITY SERVICE

The school is involved in community services through organizations such as the Brownies, Builder’s Club and Cub Scouts. Members visit institutions that minister to the needs of adults and children. Meetings are held once per week.

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SCHOOL EVENTS

Regular and annual events include Sports Day, Spanish Day, Open Day, Prize-Giving and School leaving exercise. There is participation in Inter-prep Football, Netball, and Track and Field Competitions. Also in Swimming, Chess, Dance, Debate and Sign Language as well as participation in JCDC Festivals. Coaching is offered in football, netball and athletics. A competitive spirit is maintained by the division of the pupils into three houses with their colours: Xavier (White), Fatima (Blue) and Franciscan (Brown).

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PARENT TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

The School has been truly blessed to have the help and interest of a vibrant, hardworking, warmhearted and generous P.T.A. body and other members of this Association. The Association shows much interest in the welfare of the school and children as well as implementing programmes designed to improve conditions by organizing fundraising activities. The administration of the PTA seeks to consult and work with the various bodies which govern over, administer to and minister to the mental and physical development and well-being of the student body and staff of Alvernia Preparatory School. It endeavours to ensure that the quality and standard of the school are maintained or improved where necessary, and provides the interface between parents/students and the School/School Board. While recognizing the important role of the parents/guardians and the PTA, it shall be clearly understood that final decisions rest with the Board, and that the Principal is responsible for the day-to-day administration and educational matters of the school.

The Parents Teachers Association Executive consists of the President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary, Floor Members, the Principal and Teachers’ Representative.

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GRADUATES

Every year the students who leave the school to attend high school, are highly recognized for the standard of their work, high measure of discipline and well rounded knowledge of academics, sports and aesthetics. These future citizens of Jamaica, have been taught a way of life that reflects the importance of quality Catholic education and a good background for the fostering of academic development and personal growth.

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SCHOOL UNIFORM

1. Pre-School

Brown and blue shorts and top (Purchased in the school’s office)

2. Other School

Girls
White uniform with a round collar and a blue tie.
Brown socks and brown shoes.
Ribbons and clips are allowed but must be colour coded meaning, one colour worn at a time.
(blue, brown or white)

Boys
Khaki shirts with the school crest on the pocket.
Brown belt.
Khaki pants.
Brown socks and brown shoes.

3. P.E.
Blue shorts for boys and blue skirts for girls with the crest imprinted.
White school t-shirt with the crest imprinted.
White folded socks and white sneakers. (No ankle socks)

4. Cub Scouts
Navy blue shirt and pants (obtained at Scouts Head-quarters)
Navy blue socks.
Black shoes.

5. Brownies
Brown uniform (obtained at Girls Guide Head-quarters)
Brown socks and brown shoes.
Brown clips in hair.

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FEE REFUND

Fees are paid in advance, and are non-refundable. However, in the case of serious illness with proof from the doctor, or other extenuating circumstances, 80% of the fees will be pro-rated.

Parents/Guardians who wish to terminate their children’s enrollment MUST give one term’s notice in writing or one (1) term’s fee in lieu of notice.

Parents/Guardians who terminate their children’s enrollment prior to the end of the School term WITHOUT notice will forfeit any refund of the school fees paid for that term.
Rules

Address

16 Old Hope Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica W.I.

Contacts

Email: alverniaprep@gmail.com
Phone: 876-926-2696
Fax: 876-906-2687

Links

Email
Early Childhood Commission
Ministry of Education & Youth