St. Mary's Elementary School


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Common Office Requests (FAQ's)

The following are frequently asked questions sent to the St. Mary's Office:

What are the school office hours?

The office is open Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm.

What are the school hours?

School hours are 8:50am – 3:00pm Monday to Friday with the exception of Non-Instructional (Professional days) and some early dismissals. All Professional and early dismissals are indicated on our school calendar. The students are expected to be in the back playground ready to enter the school at 8:50am.

Where is the entrance to the school?

The main entrance to the school is off Joyce Street. Limited parking in the parking lot adjacent to the school. The office is on the 2nd floor.

When should I apply for my child who is entering Kindergarten?

We start taking applications at the end of November prior to the year your child starts Kindergarten. Your child needs to be 5 years old by December 31st.

Do you have an Open House?

No, the school does not have an open house for safety and security reasons. However, you can view our virtual tour to see the school and find information about the different programs that the school has to offer. On the virtual tour, you will be introduced the teaching staff and listen to some of the highlights that take place in the different classrooms or program areas.

If you are interested in having your child attend St. Mary’s, you can download an application form and drop it off at the office. The Principal will review it and if there are any spots available the secretary will set up an interview with you and your child. The interview is usually no more than a half-hour and you can request a tour of the school at that time.

Can I visit the school?

All parents/visitors must report to the school office on the second floor when entering the building. This is a safety precaution to ensure we know who is in the school at all times.

Can my child attend if our family is not Catholic?

The school follows the CISVA Admission Policy for admitting students. All families are welcome to apply.

What is the maximum number of students you allow per class?

Class sizes are determined by the school Principal.

Does my child have to wear a uniform?

Yes, the school uniform is strictly enforced throughout the year. For more information including where to order school uniforms, please refer to our Uniform Policy.

What time do the students have recess and lunch? 
  • Recess for Primary Students (K-Gr.3) is at 10:30 - 10:45am and Intermediate (Gr.4-7) 10:45 - 11:00am
  • Lunch for Primary Students is 12:00 - 12:30pm and Intermediate is 12:15 - 12:45pm 

For more details on our typical school day, please refer to our School Schedule.

Do I have to volunteer?

While not mandatory, parents support is vital at St. Mary’s. Therefore, we offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the school year. You can view and schedule these opportunities directly online to help make volunteering a straightforward process. Your scheduled volunteer hours are also tracked online. If parents choose the option to volunteer, it is their responsibility to keep track of their total volunteering hours to ensure they meet the necessary requirements of committed hours throughout the school year. Total committed volunteer hours should be completed by mid-June.

Please refer to our Parent Volunteer Program for more information.

What do I need to have if I choose to volunteer?

All parents who choose to participate must submit to a Criminal Record Check. The school office sends a Criminal Record Check Request Form link to the interested parent(s) and they complete and submit online.

Once submitted and processed, a letter is sent to the school office notifying them that the parent has cleared and can volunteer. The Criminal Record Check letter is kept on file in the school office and is good for 5 years.

The office notifies the teacher when the parent has been cleared to volunteer.

For more information, please refer to our Volunteering Policy.

What do I need to be a volunteer driver?

In order to be a volunteer driver you need to complete a Volunteer Driver Information Sheet (available at the office), obtain a Drivers Abstract from any ICBC insurance agent, and provide a photocopy of your current Insurance.

You can then submit these documents to the school office where they are kept on file.

For more information, please refer to our Volunteering Policy.

What is St. Mary’s School App used for and how can I download it?

The St. Mary’s School App is FREE at the Apple Store or Google Play Store and can be downloaded to your Android or iPhone. Once downloaded you can: 

  • Fill out an Absent Form that will be emailed directly to your child’s teacher and the office. (This eliminates calling the school office)
  • View our school calendar
  • Email your child’s teacher directly
  • Instant access to St. Mary’s Social Media: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts 
I planned a vacation during school. What do I need to do?

Fill out the Absentee Form or send an email to the office at office.smarv@cisva.bc.ca. Include the dates your child will be away from school. The office will notify your child(ren)'s teacher and note it on the school attendance.

All absences must be submitted to the office.

Who can sign up for the Saints Before and After School Club?

The Saints Before and After School Club is open to all St. Mary’s students in grades Kindergarten to 7. It runs from Monday-Friday 7:30 - 8:30am and 3:00 - 6:00pm (exceptions include school holidays and Professional days). Kindergarten students are able to join the ASC after their gradual entry program is completed.

For more information on the Saints Before & After School Club (including where it's located, rates, and how to register), please refer to Saints Before & After School Club.

Do you have a hot lunch program?

No, the school no longer offers a hot lunch program.

Can I drop off my child’s lunch at school?

Try to send lunch with your child to promote independence. If you need to drop if off, you can label it and leave it on the table in the foyer just inside the front door.

Do I have to purchase my own school supplies?

Edu-Pac Supplies are pre-ordered for all students. Students are given their supplies on the first day of school in September.

Are there other ways we can find out more about school life at St. Mary’s?

Yes, you can follow us on our social media channels on Facebook and Instagram @smsaints604.


  Quick Links
  • Parent Handbook
    Download the latest version of our Parent Handbook. The Handbook helps parents and families become prepared for the current school year.
  • Monthly Newsletter
    Our monthly newsletter is prepared to keep parents, families and students up to date on all things St. Mary's.
  • St. Mary's Calendar
    View the St. Mary's month-to-month calendar.
  • School Schedule
    St. Mary's school day schedule for the current school year.
  • SAINTS Before & After School Club
    Our before and after school club is ideal for working parents or for parents who need assistance on a drop-in basis.
  • Parent Volunteers
    Find out about our parent volunteer program and opportunities. Book your volunteer appointments online.
  • Fundraisers & Donations
    Find out what fundraiser and donation opportunities are available for the current school year.
  • ORDER UNIFORMS: Neat Uniforms
    Please go to the Neat Uniforms website to order St. Mary's uniforms.
  • French: AIM
    AIM uses story-telling, gestures, active collaboration and repetition to help teach French.
  • Math & English: IXL
    IXL is an online learning experience that provides comprehensive, curriculum-aligned math and English language arts.
  • Reading Resources: Raz-Kids
    Raz-Kids provides students with hundreds of eBooks offered at 29 different levels of reading difficulty. Each eBook has a corresponding eQuizz that measures student comprehension.