Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cut-off birth date for Kindergarten enrollment?
In order to be accepted into Kindergarten, a student must be five (5) years of age by September 1st.
What is the grade school schedule?
The Kindergarten through Eighth grade day begins at 8:00am and is in session until 3:00pm.
What is the preschool schedule?
Three-year-old preschool is in session Monday through Thursday from 8:15am until 11:15am.
Four-year-old preschool is in session Monday through Friday from 8:15am until 11:15am.
Full day preschool is in session Monday through Friday from 8:15am until 3:00pm. A Monday-Thursday full day option is also available.
For more details on our preschool program and tuition, please click here.
Does St. Jude Catholic School provide for special needs?
St. Jude complies with the Diocesan directive for students with special needs to be admitted whenever possible. When a family of a child with special needs applies for enrollment, the parents and school administration will meet to define the student’s needs and to determine the school’s ability to meet those needs. Parent and guardians of enrolled students are required to inform the school of any previously diagnosed health problems or special learning needs for which special accommodations are needed. Special needs may include but are not limited to learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, food allergies, asthma and diabetes.
Does St. Jude Catholic School offer before- and after school-care?
Yes! St. Jude’s “Pre- and After-Care” Program is offered before and after school for the convenience of working parents. Precare hours are 7:15 until the start of the school day, which is 8:00 for K-8 students and 8:15 for Preschoolers. Aftercare is available for any full-day student (Preschool-8th gtade) from 3:00 – 5:30pm.
Precare rates:
Students using precare will be charged a daily flat rate of $2.50 for 1 child, $5.00 for 2 or more children.
Aftercare rates:
Students picked up by 4:00 - daily flat rate of $5 for one child, $10 for two or more children
Students picked up by 5:00 - daily flat rate of $10 for one child, $20 for two or more children
Students picked up between 5:00 and 5:30 - daily flat rate of $12.50 for one child, $25 for two or more children
Late pick-up - $10 per child for pickup after 5:30
Is bus service available?
Bus service through Dunlap Public School District 323 may be available to St. Jude students who live more than 1.5 miles from the school and within the Dunlap School District. Parents interested in bus service should contact the school office or submit a written request with their completed registration.
Is tuition assistance available?
Families with financial need are encouraged to apply for tuition assistance. Assistance will be awarded based on the Peoria Diocesan guidelines, using the FACTS aid assessment process. More details may be found here or by contacting the school office at 309-243-2493.
Does St. Jude Catholic School have a dress code?
Uniforms are required for St. Jude students in grades Kindergarten through Eighth grade. A dress uniform (standard uniform with blouse/dress shirt and tie) is required on Mass attendance on Friday and other designated dress Mass days. Only clothing that appears in our dress code is acceptable for student wear during school hours. In addition to uniform clothing, students are expected to maintain a neat and tidy appearance in regard to clothing, hair and personal hygiene.
Preschool students are not required to wear uniforms; however, St. Jude Catholic School spirit wear is available to purchase in toddler sizes. Children should be dressed in comfortable clothes appropriate for play inside or outside. Children should wear shoes and socks for safety in the classroom and on the playground.
Clothing – especially coats, sweatshirts, mittens, etc. – should be labeled with your child’s full name.
Is hot lunch available for purchase?
Yes. Hot lunch, including milk, is available daily. Hot lunch is ordered monthly through Schoolspeak, our school management system. Parents have the option of buying hot lunch or sending cold lunch with their child. Milk is available for purchase daily.
Are volunteer opportunities available for parents?
Yes! We have an active volunteer program at St. Jude. Through cheerful volunteering, we bear witness to the essential element of Christian service for our children.
Families with at least one student in grade K and up will be expected to offer 15 hours of service throughout the school year. At least 2 of the 15 hours in support of our primary fundraiser, the Fire & Ice Gala.
Families with preschoolers only will be expected to offer at least 8 hours of service throughout the school year, with at least one hour in support of our primary fundraiser, the Fire & Ice Gala.
Volunteer opportunities are regularly publicized. Families may volunteer using sign-up sheets at back-to-school events, or via our school management system. Families with extenuating circumstances (unable to volunteer for serious cause) may apply for relief from some/all of their volunteer obligation. Volunteers who have taken on larger roles and who will undoubtedly exceed their required hours may apply to be excused from reporting hours.
We welcome volunteers both in the classroom and for school sponsored activities. All volunteers must complete Safe Environment training and submit information for a background check, as required by the Diocese of Peoria, before volunteering in the school. Volunteers must also complete an online safe driver training course on the Diocesan website prior to driving for any school sponsored events. More information may be found in our Student Handbook.
Does St. Jude Catholic School offer extracurricular activities?
Yes. To learn more, please click here.
Does St. Jude Catholic School have a comprehensive emergency plan?
Yes! The safety of our students is our top priority. St. Jude has created a comprehensive emergency plan, covering a number of possible situations which may be drilled, in addition to fire and tornado drills. A copy of this plan may be viewed in the school office.
As part of St. Jude’s emergency and safety protocols teachers and staff will perform classroom drills. These drills are periodically reviewed for efficacy and compliance with school policy:
Fire Drills will be conducted periodically at different times during the day so that students and teachers will be adequately prepared if a need for evacuation occurs. Fire instructions are posted in each classroom. Students are to maintain silence and proceed quickly and in an orderly manner to insure the safety of the entire school community.
Lockdown/Emergency Drills are held periodically during the school year. This is done so that students learn how to respond quickly to any disaster in which students need to remain in school for safety reasons.
Tornado Drills are held periodically throughout the school year. If there is a tornado warning, students will be kept in school. No student will be dismissed during a storm warning except to parents or individuals designated by parents on student emergency forms.
How does St. Jude Catholic School communicate emergency closings?
In cases of severe weather, when the Dunlap school district issues a school closing St. Jude will also close its school. Decisions are based on the safety and well being of our students, and parents will be informed regarding school closing and early dismissal through the local television stations, and the school website. The following stations will carry the message: WMBD, WHOI and WEEK.
In case of severe weather conditions while classes are in session, students are to remain in the building until regular dismissal time unless parent(s)/guardian(s) choose to retrieve their student prior to regular dismissal time.
In the event of a non-weather emergency, students will be taken to Prayerview Community Church, 1610 W. Wilhelm Rd., for safety and/or dismissal. Parents would then be contacted.