Orangeburg Prep will begin the
2008-2009 school year on Thursday, August 21st!

PARENTS OF NEW STUDENTS/CURRENT STUDENTS IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

OPEN HOUSE

Parents will have an opportunity to visit the classrooms, discuss the year’s program, and listen to a brief statement about the year’s work during the following times:

WELCOME NEW STUDENTS
Greeting the new families who enroll at Orangeburg Prep is always a pleasure, and we extend a very cordial welcome to new families and new students this year. We look forward to meeting and getting to know them through participation in the school's activities. New parent orientation is August 12th at 6:00 p.m.

ACHIEVEMENT TESTING
Spring achievement testing will begin March 4, 2008 through March 28, 2008 for Lower and Middle School. We ask that you mark these dates on your calendar. A student who is absent or comes late must have a doctor’s medical excuse to take a make-up test.

DISMISSALS
On the Lower Campus, the school day for Preschool through 5th grade will begin at 8:00 a.m. Dismissal times will vary. Preschool, Kindergarten, and first graders will dismiss at 2:20 p.m., second through 5th grades at 2:30 p.m.
On the Upper Campus, the school day for all (sixth-twelfth) students will begin at 7:57 a.m. (first bell). All students in grades sixth through eleventh will dismiss at 2:40 p.m. Seniors will be dismissed according to the Dual Credit Courses.

DRESS CODE
A separate sheet is included in this packet that explains the Orangeburg Prep dress code.

FUND-RAISERS
Some major FUND-RAISERS have been scheduled for the upcoming school year that you should be aware of:

HANDBOOK
The 2008-2009 Student Handbook will be given out on the first day of school. We encourage you and your child to read over the rules and regulations. Please familiarize yourself with the sections concerning parent conferences, student messages, tardies, absences, dismissals, and requests for homework assignments. The last page requires a parental signature and must be turned in to your child’s teacher during the first week of school.

IMMUNIZATION AND BIRTH CERTIFICATES
A current South Carolina Certificate of Immunization is required for all NEW students before school begins.
All incoming preschool, kindergarten, and first grade students must present an immunization record to the Lower Campus office staff before school begins if these have not already been presented.
In accordance with State Regulation 61-8, the enclosed “Schedule of Required Vaccinations, Screening and Immunizations for School Admittance” will be applicable for the 2008-2009 school year. Changes from last year include:
1) the addition of one grade–eighth grade–to the requirement for one (1) dose of varicella vaccine (two doses are required for unimmunized children aged 13 years and older) or positive history of disease for all children admitted to five year old kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh grades. This extends the varicella immunity requirement to grades kindergarten through eighth grade.
2) increasing the requirement of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis from three (3) to four (4) doses, with at least one (1) dose received after the fourth birthday for all children admitted to 5 year old kindergarten, first, second, third, and fourth grade. This change makes the school immunization requirements for 5K through 4th grade and day care requirements consistent. According to school immunization audits over the past six years, 98.5% of students entering kindergarten and first grade consistently meet this requirement.

ORANGEBURG PREP FOOTBALL JAMBOREE
To kick off the 2008 Orangeburg Preparatory School’s football season, the varsity football team and cheerleaders will participate in a jamboree on August 15, 2008 at Indian Field. Come out and support the Indians!

SEASON PASSES TO SPORTING EVENTS
Once again, we are offering a season football pass to all of the Home JV, B-Team, and Varsity games. One pass will admit one person to each of the JV, B-Team, or Varsity home regular season football games. The passes will be
available at the first two home football games, at the school office on either campus, and at the sportsmanship meeting held on August 12th.
Basketball passes will be sold separately. This will admit the bearer into all home regular season basketball games.

SPORTSMANSHIP MEETING
The Athletic Department of Orangeburg Prep will be holding a meeting for ALL ATHLETES AND THEIR FAMILIES. This meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 12th, at 7:00 P.M. in the Upper Campus Gym. Mr. Mike Fanning, SCISA Athletic Secretary, will be the guest speaker. Season football tickets will be available at the front door of the gym.

SUPPLY LISTS
The supply lists for Preschool through 12th grades are included in this report card or mailed to new students. Supply lists may also be found on the school’s website, www.orangeburgprep.com. If you need an extra copy, please stop by either office. Also, Walmart, Office Max, and Big K have copies posted in their store. Please consult a store employee if you cannot locate the list. First through fifth grade students are asked to bring their supplies and a snack for the first day of school. Sixth through twelfth grade students are asked to bring their supplies for the first day of school.

SUMMER READING AND SUMMER PACKETS
All students of the rising Preschool through rising twelfth grades are reminded of summer reading requirements. All summer reading books for grades sixth through twelfth are available in the Business Office on the Upper Campus. We encourage you to begin these assignments and complete before the 2008-2009 school year begins. Preschool through fifth grade students will need to turn their completed reading sheets and packets into their teachers on the first day of school. The rising 6th through rising 12th grades will be quizzed during the first week of school.

TUITION
The 2008-2009 contract year monthly payment is due June 1st. Please be aware there will now be a charge of $30 for returned checks and $10 per month on past due accounts. All accounts must be current to begin the school year. June and July tuition must be paid to begin the school year.

WEBSITE AND E-MAIL
Please be aware that Orangeburg Prep has a website, www.orangeburgprep.com. The school’s e-mail address is office@orangeburgprep.com. You may visit your school’s website as a tool of communication to acquire school supply lists, lunch menus, yearly and monthly calendars, sports schedules, current newsletters, and a link for the alumni.