Frequently Asked Questions

School Hours and School Year Questions

What are Saint Anna Catholic School's hours?

•    8:30 a.m. Students may begin to arrive at school
•    8:45 a.m. Classes begin
•    3:15 p.m. Classes conclude
•    Half-Day Dismissal Time is 11:30am
•    Extended Day Program begins at 7:00am and concludes at 5:30 p.m.

What is the Saint Anna Catholic School year?

Saint Anna Catholic School follows generally the Leominster Public Schools calendar.  Vacation times typically coincide with the public school schedule and parents are strongly encouraged to plan vacations outside of school time. Saint Anna Catholic School follows the school-closing schedule for inclement weather or emergency situations as outlined by the Leominster Public Schools.

What are Professional Development Days?

Saint Anna Catholic School faculty members are required by the Diocese of Worcester to attend professional development days.  These scheduled days may not coincide with Leominster Public School’s calendar.  Students at St. Anna do not have school on professional development days.

Drop Off and Dismissal Questions

How does drop off work for Grades 1 - 8?

Morning drop-off is from 8:30 – 8:40 am.   You can park on Lancaster Street or Derwin Street.  Please observe the no parking signs in front of the rectory.  Entry into the school parking lot for drop off is limited to rainy days and the winter months.

How does drop off work for Kindergarten?

The Little Red School House is located in the back of the main school building.  Morning drop-off is from 8:30 – 8:40 am.   Parents escort their children to the front door of the schoolhouse.  The door is always locked and you must ring the bell for entry.  If you child is late (after 8:45am) you must report to the main office and follow the procedure listed below.

How does drop off work for Pre-Kindergarten?

The Pre-K  Early Learning Center  is located next to the church on Lancaster Street.   The door is locked and you must ring the bell for entry. Morning drop-off for Pre-K is from 8:30 – 8:40 am.  Parents needing before school care should bring their child to the Extended Care program.  Further information on drop off and pick-up for Extended Care is listed below.

What happens if I am late for drop off?

If you are dropping your child off after 8:45am, you must escort your child to the main office of the school.  Our secretary, Mrs. Priddy, will write out a tardy slip for your child and he/she can proceed to the classroom.

What time is dismissal? What time is dismissal on 1/2 days?

Dismissal is at 3:15pm, following the afternoon prayer.  “Walkers” (students who go home by car) are dismissed first and are directed to the gymnasium.   Students will be dismissed from the gym to parents at the main door one family at a time.   Students riding by bus are dismissed to Grade 3 and Grade 7 and are dismissed when the busses arrive.
On half-days /early dismissal time is at 11:30am.  Students are dismissed the same way as on regular days.  Please note:  Busses follow the Leominster Public School schedule and your child may come home later than expected on half days. 

How does pick up work?

The parking lot at St. Anna’s opens at 3:00pm.  The car line forms around the parking lot.  Sometimes the line for pickup may back up onto Lancaster Street.  Students are loaded into the cars by two staff members.  For security purposes, one staff member will be checking cars and identifying the drivers before students are loaded into the cars. 

Can another parent take my child home?

If your child is going to a friend's house, he/she must have a note in the office indicating that he/she will be picked up by the friend's parent/guardian as a rider.  

Bus Questions

How do I arrange to have my child picked up by the bus? When will I find out about bus schedules?

Only students from Leominster are able to take the Leominster Public School buses.  Please notify Mrs. Priddy in the office if your child needs transportation.  You will need to fill out a form indicating when your child needs to take the bus.  Children in Kindergarten can ride the bus to and from school.  However, an adult must be present at the drop-off location at the end of the school day.  Bus routes are determined the first week of school.

Can my child go home on a friend's bus or be dropped off at a different address?

First Student Transportation Office will allow additional riders visiting a friend’s house if the child is accompanied by a note signed by a parent or guardian.  The bus will not drop off students to addresses other than the one listed on file.

Uniform Questions

How do I know what my child needs to wear to comply with the uniform policy?

Each year, St. Anna Catholic School confers with Allen’s Department Store (26 Main Street, Leominster, 978-534-3111) to update the uniform guidelines.   An outline of acceptable uniform options, as well as a price list, is available in the office.  The updated guidelines are sent home to parents during the summer prior to the opening of school.   The guidelines are also available at Allen’s Department Store. 

Should my child wear his/her gym uniform to school or change at school?

Students wear their gym uniform to school on their gym day.  During the first week of school, the students will find out from their teacher their various "special" days, including gym, library, music, art,  and computer. (See dress code sheets for further information on gym uniforms.)

Do sneakers need to be completely white?

Sneakers should be mostly white, with non-scuff soles, no lights and no sounds.  Gym shoes will be kept at school for the duration of the year.  Students are expected to change into their gym shoes for class and remembering to do so will factor into a student’s P.E. grade.  No heelys are allowed.

Is there a place to find some used uniforms?

There are many used uniform items available and they are located in the used uniform area in the cafeteria.  You will need to check with Mrs. Priddy in the office.

Snack and Lunch Questions

Am I supposed to send a snack or drink with my child for the school day?

Children in PreK are provided with a morning snack.  Children in Kingergarten through Grade 8 are welcome to bring a snack in for mid-morning.  Students in Grades 4-8 do not have morning recess but do take a morning break.  Water bottles are permitted in school but must remain in the child’s locker during class time.  A student may purchase water bottles only from the school vending machine during recess. 

Is lunch included with tuition? 

Hot and Cold lunches are included with your child’s tuition.  They are organized by our Food Service Staff, Mr. John Callahan and Mrs. Sheila Pratt.  Volunteers are welcome to help with serving lunches.    A cold lunch option is always available to students.  The lunch menu is posted on the web site and student orders are taken on a daily basis.  Students with dietary restrictions should contact the office and/or Food Service Staff.

What is your allergy policy?

St. Anna Catholic School follows the Leominster Department of Public Health’s recommendation to assess student allergies on an individual basis.  Questions should be referred to our school nurse, Mrs. Pam Phillips.

Academic Questions

What subjects are taught at St. Anna?

Students at St. Anna Catholic School receive instruction in the core content areas of Religion, Reading, Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies, and Science.  Enrichment classes are held in Music, Choir, Art, Computer, Physical Education, Health, Library, Italian (Gr. 1-8), Spanish (Gr. 4-8) and French (Gr. K-3). 

Does the school offer any co-curricular or extra-curricular activities?

Students at St. Anna Catholic School participate in special assemblies and activities throughout the year, including the Veteran’s Day Assembly, Christmas Shows, Catholic Schools Week Celebrations, Diocesan Declamation Contest, School and Diocesan Science Fair, Spring Concert, Geography Bee, Spelling Bee, and Art Show.  Extra-curricular activities include Student Council, Basketball, Cheerleading, Lions and Tigers Band, Lego Club, Boys and Girls Scouts. 

Will my student take any standardized tests at St. Anna above and beyond the regular classroom assessments?

Annual Diocesan Testing occurs in Grades 2-8.  Students take the 3rd edition of the Terra Nova, published by CTB-McMillan/McGraw Hill.  Students in Grade 8 receive their test results in January and students in Grades 2-7 receive test results in the late Spring.

Is there a resource teacher?

Yes. Mrs. Davis is the resource teacher.  She works with small groups of students four days a week during school time for extra help in Math and Reading.

Can I email my child’s teacher directly?

Parents are encouraged to discuss any questions or concerns directly with their child’s teacher.  If you would like to send an email, the address for each faculty member follows the same format: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (e.g., This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Extended Day Questions

Is Extended Day offered on an hourly basis or just daily?

Extended Day is offered on a daily basis, whether two, three, four or five afternoons a week.  Additional information is listed on the school web site. Questions should be directed to Mrs. Danielle Colvert, Principal.

Is Extended Day available for Pre-K students?

Yes! Students in Pre-K through Grade 8 can arrive as early as 7am and stay until 5:30pm.

Miscellaneous Questions

What is your tuition rate and policy?

Please click on Tuition 2009-10 for information.

Do the students attend Mass every week? Can I attend the Mass?

All grades attend 9:00am Mass at St. Anna Church on Mondays unless a funeral Mass is scheduled or a Holy Day falls during the week.  Parents are encouraged to join us for Mass.  Students participate in the Mass by doing scripture readings, bringing up the gifts, singing in the choir and answering questions Fr. Jamie may ask during his homily.

What is the Wednesday mail?

Wednesday mail is a weekly communication tool that originates from the school office.  Through the principal’s newsletter and various flyers, Mrs. Colvert shares information about changes or reminders to the school calendar,  PTO News,  Special Thank You’s  and other notices.   The Wednesday Mail is distributed electronically and paper copy.  The paper copy is sent through the school mail and comes home with your youngest or only child at the school.  Archives of the Wednesday mail are on the school website.

What is the Eye of the Tiger Newsletter?

The Eye of the Tiger Newsletter is published once a month and is distributed electronically.  It contains articles written by parents, staff, and students about what’s happening at St. Anna’s.  The Eye of the Tiger Newsletter Archives may be found on the school website.

Is there a full-time school nurse?

Mrs. Pam Phillips, a public health nurse, visits St. Anna daily for approximately an hour and half to assist students. 

Quick Facts

General Information

•    Elementary School:  Grades Pre-K - 5
•    Classroom Aides: Grades Pre-K, K and  1 
•    Middle School: Grades 6 - 8
•    Families: 135 (approximate)
•    Students: 177 (approximate)
•    Class Size: Average of 18

School Administration/Faculty

•    Full Time Faculty:  12
•    Full Time Aides: 3 
•    Part Time Faculty: 5
•    Nurse: Available Daily
•    Library: Staffed by volunteers

High Schools that Graduates Attend

•    Catholic – St. Bernard, St. John, St. Peter-Marian
•    Private
•    Public