Lower School Summer Information

List of 10 items.

• Save the Date!

  Lower School Meet the Teacher
  August 12, 2025 - More info coming soon!
  
  Middle School Orientations
  *All 5th Graders and their parents
  August 11, 2025
  8:00 - 10:00 am
  North Campus Commons (Ridgeland Campus)
  Bring your Chromebook
  
  *All NEW students in grades 6-8 and their parents
  August 11, 2025
  10:15 am - 12:00 pm
  Chapel of St. Andrew the Apostle (Ridgeland Campus)
  Bring your Chromebook
  
  Upper School Orientation - all freshmen and all other NEW students in grades 10-12
  August 11, 2025
  Bring your laptop
  
  First Day of School Grades Pre-K3-12
  August 13, 2025

• Early Childhood Center Backpacks, Snacks, and Supplies

  ECC Backpacks
  

  Parents provide a small backpack for students in the Early Childhood Center (pre-k3 through kindergarten). We want to be mindful that the size is appropriate for this age group, can fit in the classroom cubbies, and is a minimal distraction for students. Therefore we are asking that you please use this link to order your backpack, which gives your child the opportunity to choose their favorite color with an option to monogram it if you’d like. We were mindful to select a backpack that is reasonably priced and durable with the hope that your child can use it throughout the years in the ECC. Please reach out if your family has any challenges or issues ordering the backpack, and we will be happy to help you. We will also provide tags with students’ names and carpool numbers in August that we will attach to the backpacks on the first day of school. ECC backpack guidelines are below: 

  
  

  • ECC backpacks should come from the provided link with the appropriate dimensions (Capacity: 954 cu. in., 16 L. Weight: 13 oz. Dimensions: 14½"H x 11"W x 6"D). 
  • ECC backpacks should be free of key chains or added accessories that may create distractions in class. 

  The consolidated fee covers the other supplies that your child will need.
  
  Daily Snacks for Pre-K3 through Kindergarten  
  Students in Pre-K3-kindergarten will now bring their own snack to school each day for morning “tea party” time. Nurse Anna Wadlington has gathered this list of healthy snack suggestions for our students as a resource for families. We’d love to hear your ideas for healthy snacks to add to our growing list as well! Please let us know if there are healthy things your child enjoys snacking on, and we will continue to share ideas with everyone.  
  
  Naptime
  We also provide raised cots for naptime (Pre-K3 and Pre-K4), but you are welcome to send a blanket and/or small stuffed animal from home. St. Andrew’s also provides a Spirit Shirt for each student that can be worn on special occasions or dress-down days.

• Early Childhood Center Summer Resources

  For our early childhood families, we’d like to provide optional resources to help build fine- and gross- motor skills in addition to resources that may be helpful for students who are eager to work on letters and numbers.

  1. Video and resource packet from occupational therapy intern, Jane Perrin Mayer
  2. Correct Letter & Number Formation Guide
  3. Correct Pencil Grip Guide
  4. ECC Summer Resource Packet
  5. Phonemic Awareness Materials
  6. ECC Backpack Link (any color is fine)

• Grades 1-4 Supplies

  All supplies for your student have been paid for with your consolidated fee. Consolidated fees also pay for your student’s St. Andrew’s t-shirt, field trips, costumes, and annual yearbook. Backpacks for grades 1-4 will need to be purchased. Rolling back packs are not allowed in Lower School due to safety concerns in our hallways.

• Rising 1st Grade Summer Work

  Reading: 

  As your child rests and enjoys the summer, we ask that they complete a summer reading challenge, and we provide a book check-out system to help! This document tells you everything you need to know about summer reading and preparing for 1st grade.  

  Additional Optional Resources:

  If you’d like activities for your child to practice math, handwriting, and phonics over the summer, you’ll find great resources in this folder.

  
  
  

• Rising 2nd Grade Summer Work

  Reading: 

  For rising 2nd graders, there are 2 required books:

  • Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo
    
    
  • Leroy Ninker Saddles Up by Kate DiCamillo OR Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look 

  Students are also encouraged to read many books over the summer by participating in our reading challenge. More information and a reading log can be found here. This packet contains optional review activities that include language, writing, and math skills.

  
  
  

• Rising 3rd Grade Summer Work

  Reading: 

  For rising 3rd graders, they may choose between two books for their required reading:

  • The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

  OR

  • The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin.  

  In addition, students should read a minimum of three books of their choice from the list provided in this document, which also contains a reading log. 

  
  Math: 

  We recommend that rising 3rd graders sharpen their fact fluency from 0-5 and 10. Students can use Math Fact Lab as a resource to practice fact fluency and track their progress. Multiplication fact flashcards are a great way to practice fact fluency over the summer! 

  
  
  

• Rising 4th Grade Summer Work

  Reading: 

  All rising fourth graders are required to read a minimum of 4 books over the summer and complete the reading log found in this document:

  1. The One and Only Ivan is required by all students.
  2. One book must be selected from a classics/Newberry Award winning list using one of these sites:
     https://www.readbrightly.com/classic-books-tweens/
     https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/newbery-medal-and-honor-books
  3. One can be a free-choice chapter book of any genre
  4. One must be a graphic novel of choice

  Math:

  We recommend that rising 4th graders sharpen their fact fluency from 0-10. This link provides a computer game designed to help children practice fact fluency. Summer Bingo & flash cards  are another great way for students to practice math facts over the summer. In addition to the math games and bingo, here are a few fun printable worksheets with games and an answer key that will help to sharpen fact fluency.

  
  
  

• 4th Grade Technology

  This is only for students in Grades 4-12. 
  
  

  Please use this online document to guide your purchasing decisions.
  
  Grades 4-8 May Not Use Apple Laptops or Windows 10 Laptops. Any student with an Apple or Windows 10 Laptop will be required to buy a Chromebook. We will be checking and registering every Middle School device in August of 2025. 

  • Grades 4-8: Chromebook
  • Grades 9-12: Apple Laptop or Windows 10 or 12 Laptop
  • All students need headphones with a microphone. These do not need to be expensive items. If you have questions about these, please contact: anthony.deprato@gosaints.org

  All required software will be provided. Please do not buy software without consulting with the technology department. Students are often eligible for discounts on personal software purchases. 

• Saints Shop

  The Saints Shop provides school uniforms and many other St. Andrew's items, including Spirit wear. 
  
  The store will open for summer on July 7, from 1:00 - 6:00 PM. More details on summer hours coming soon!
  
  You may also check the Saints Shop Instagram or Facebook pages for up to date information on sales and hours!
  
  Click here for the location of The Saints Shop.