Parents | Saint Peter's Prep

Welcome, Parents!

Welcome to the Parents section of the Saint Peter's Prep website. Here you will find important news and information intended especially for parents. Read the navigation bar on the left for the Daily Announcements, information about Prep's Parents' Association, PowerSchool, upcoming events and other news about Prep. Visit the Student Life and Academics pages for important information.

Student Orientation schedule for September 2010 (posted August 26, 2010)

Click here for a list of specific reporting times for student orientation programs that will start the 2010-2011 school year. Students should report to orientation in warm-weather dress code.

Parent Information (Posted 07/06/10)

Principal's Summer Letter	2010-11 School Holidays and Closings	2010-11 School Calendar
Physical Exam and Health Forms	FAQs for Purchasing Books	Online Tuition Payment

Parent-to-Parent Resource Project

What does "warm weather dress code" mean? Should I purchase a new blazer for my son, especially when he is still growing? What is "Prep Day"? A group of veteran Prep parents is now available as a resource for current and incoming Prep parents. Please send questions to Resource@spprep.org and a veteran parent will respond with words of wisdom about navigating life at Prep. Parents who have "unsolicited" words of wisdom may also send those to the same address. These will be posted for the benefit of current and new parents. Your experience is important so email away!

Advice From Prep Parents

Back in June, at the end of his Freshman year at Prep, my son said to me, "Mom, so far this has been the best year of my life, and it's only going to get better!"

My son had his heart set on attending Prep since the 4th grade, and for the last five years he has been wearing Prep hoodies and attending Prep football and basketball games! After attending HAP as an 8th grader, to say that he was excited to finally become a Freshman would be an understatement!

There are so many ways to be involved at Prep, for both the students AND parents! For the students, between all the sports and clubs that are available, there truly is something for everyone! And for the moms and dads, volunteering to help at the various Prep events throughout the year not only gives you the opportunity to meet and make new friends but to have a great time as well! (After all, why should our sons have all the fun?!). :)

If your son is not an athlete but enjoys going to sporting events to cheer on and support his school, then I would highly recommend joining the Marauder Nation! (I, myself, have had just as much fun watching the 'Nation' as I had watching the football, basketball and volleyball games this past year!).

For incoming Freshmen and parents not familiar with the Marauder Nation, it is one of the best 'Student Sections' in New Jersey! If you've never seen them in action, the only way to describe this group (Which seems to grow larger and noisier with each sporting event), is to just picture anywhere from 100 to 300 boys, most with their faces - and in some cases, their bodies - painted Prep colors, screaming and chanting throughout a game to cheer their team on. It is indeed, quite a sight!

The 'Nation' is very visible at various sporting events, especially football, basketball, volleyball and sometimes soccer. Hours before a game, the members meet in the Prep schoolyard or in the parking lot of the event to barbeque, 'paint up,' and to get geared up and psyched up for the game! The Marauder Nation is considered such an important part of Prep's school spirit that the Athletic Dept. makes buses available to transport the Nation to away games! It's such a wonderful and FUN way to bond with all your classmates, from Freshmen to Seniors!

My son not only plays volleyball but is also a member of the Marauder Nation. I could go on and on about why my son and I both love Prep (The academics, teachers, spiritual life, retreats, the fact that Prep teaches our sons to be the best that they can be in every way, etc.), but I believe that for most of the Freshmen and their parents, they are about to find out for themselves why the saying, "Prep for Life," couldn't be truer!

Recent Q&A

1. We are looking to connect with West and South Orange families for commuting tips and best practices, car pool info and hang time for new boys to meet outside of school. My son is a member of the Class of 2014. Is there a student directory? Can the boys buy a student commuter pass? What's the best route and schedule? What about warm weather dress code? Can they wear khaki shorts in September? Does the blazer need to be a certain brand (i.e. Lands End)?

The place to get information on commuting schedules and other West/South Orange families would be to attend the Freshman Orientation. But the best place for your son to meet new friends from your area (as well as others) would be during Ignite where he will be able to spend the night with all of the new freshman. Ignite proves to be extremely beneficial for the boys.

Yes, there will be a student directory given out within the first few weeks of school as soon as all the boys fill out and return the form to school, otherwise just the basic info. is in the directory about your son. (I know this because my son 'forgets' to hand this one paper in on time each year).

You can purchase your blazer from whatever store you choose and in whatever color you choose. The boys can wear any color blazer with any color dress pant, shirt and Prep tie or a store bought tie; or a blazer with a dress shirt and a Prep sweater, or a Prep turtleneck with a Prep sweater, or a Prep turtleneck with a blazer. (You can get more dress code info on the Prep website, www.stpetersprep.org).

No shorts are worn to Prep except on dress down days, and they don't have to be khaki, just neat and basic with no writing, patches, etc. Warm weather dress code is dress pants and a three button Polo-type shirt in your choice of colors.

And lastly, there is always A LOT happening at Prep and A LOT of boys around the campus before and after school. Your son will be comfortable in a very short time, and you don't have to worry that he has arrived too early and will be alone. That is almost impossible at Prep. There are boys playing basketball, handball, or just hanging around talking and eating

2. My son will be a freshman in September. Just curious as to what is an acceptable short sleeve shirt, besides a polo-type golf shirt? Would a button down short sleeve plaid shirt suffice?

The Prep "polo-type golf shirt" is the shirt of choice at Prep for the warm weather dress code. However, many boys wear other polos and short sleeve dress shirts of a variety of colors and patterns, too. You may have any color from any store that you wish, just as long as there are no other "markings" on the shirt. Prep polos are available in a variety of colors and sizes in the Campus Shop and may be purchased at any time. Shopping online is always welcome.

If you have further questions, just email me again, or see the dress code policy on pages 32-34 of the Student Handbook.

3. My son will be a freshman at Prep in the fall. Where can I find detailed guidance on the dress code and clothing for everyday and gym? Do the boys have to wear shoes, blazer, shirt, and tie and dress pants daily? If so, are there any specifications for each of these items (colors, manufacturer, etc.)? In particular, does the blazer have to be a certain color or contain a Prep emblem? Do the boys have to wear prep clothing for gym? If not, what can they wear? Also, do you have any idea of the corresponding number sizes for the letter sizes of the clothing in the Campus bookstore?

Warm weather dress code will begin the school year, and winter dress code will be announced later on. The Prep "polo-type golf shirt" is the shirt of choice at Prep for the warm weather dress code. You may have any color from any store that you wish, just as long as there are no other "markings" on the shirt. Prep polos of a variety of colors and sizes are available in the Campus Shop and may be purchased at any time. Shopping online is always welcome. Warm weather dress code also requires dress pants, shoes and socks. Most boys wear khakis with a polo or short sleeve dress shirt.

Winter dress code is one of the following: a suit (your choice of color), shirt, and tie OR dress (khaki, wool, etc.,) pants, a sports coat, shirt and tie (again, your choice of color). Most students wear a shirt, tie, khakis and a sports coat; however my son likes to wear a suit and so it is really up to personal preference. In all combinations, the dress shirt may be substituted with a Prep turtleneck. Prep turtlenecks, ties, etc., may be purchased in the Campus Shop at any time. Shopping online is always welcome. As of now, there are no required Prep emblems for the blazers. Naturally, belts, shoes and socks are always required.

Gym clothes are purchased online or in person at the Campus Shop, but this is best done within the orienation week at Prep. Gym clothing must be purchased from Prep with the Prep logos. All items are true to size, and are not the "skinny" versions.

If you have further questions, just email me again, or see the dress code policy on Pages 32-34 of the Student Handbook.

Lightly-Used Book and Blazer Donations

As a service to our Prep families, the Prep Parents Association is developing a storeroom of lightly-used school books and student blazers. We will rehab the books and dry clean the blazers, and make them available for a modest cost. We need your help! We will begin collection of these items during book sales, at the beginning of the school year. Just have your son bring lightly-used books and blazers, and place them in the bins that will be available that week. Thank you.

Parent Information (Posted 05/13/10)

Principal's End-of-Year Letter	Summer 2010 Programs
2010-11 School Calendar	Physical Exam and Health Forms