Frequently Asked Questions
What are the school hours?
Elementary and middle school hours begin at 7:30 a.m., and pre-k begins at 8:00 a.m. School dismisses at 2:30 p.m. The pre-k classes have an optional half-day session as well as full-day sessions. Half-days officially end at 10:40 a.m.
Back to TopWhat should I do if my child must be absent or late for school?
Parents must notify the school if their child will be absent or tardy. We consider a student tardy if he or she is not present in class at the time set for the opening of school or at the end of lunch period. Please call the FMCA School Office at (906) 225-1129 so we may notify the teacher and have an accurate lunch count.
Back to TopMay I volunteer at school?
We love our parent volunteers – they are an essential part of school success. If you are interested in volunteering your time or talent, please contact the classroom teacher or school office.
Back to TopDoes Father Marquette Catholic Academy have a dress code?
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade wear uniforms. Please visit our Uniforms page for complete details.
Back to TopIs the dress code for Mass different from the standard dress code?
Students in kindergarten through fourth grade wear their uniforms. Students in fifth through eighth grade wear a blue shirt, khaki pants, and/or skirt for girls and a tie.
Back to TopWhat if my child must take a medication during the school day?
We require parents to bring in a permission form that is signed by a physician before we can dispense medicine (prescription or non-prescription) to your child. We will only dispense medication in the school office. Parents (not students) must bring medication in its original container and clearly labeled with the name of the student, the dosage, the method to be dispensed, time of day to be given, and the name of the physician. If your child takes any medication that could influence his or her behavior or well-being, please notify the school.
Back to TopWhat if my child must leave campus during school hours?
If your child must leave the school building during the school day, please sign your child out on the sign-out form located in the school office. If you send another individual to pick up your child, please send a note, or call the office to let us know the individual's name.
Back to TopDoes Father Marquette Catholic Academy send out student report cards?
We distribute report cards through Facts at the end of each quarter in order to keep students and parents apprised of students' achievements. We evaluate students on academic work, work habits, religious virtues, and behavior. We use Ascend, an online grading system for report cards and progress reports; we send paper copies to families without internet access. Students and parents can access grades and missing assignments on a daily basis through Ascend.
Do you hold parent-teacher conferences?
Our school holds formal parent-teacher conferences at the end of the first and third marking periods. In the fall, the mandatory conference involves the student, the parent, and the teacher. In this way, we emphasize the mutual responsibilities of all involved in the student's education. Teachers or parents may request a third quarter conference.
Back to TopDoes FMCA supply transportation for students?
Students at Father Marquette are given the privilege to ride the Marquette Area Public School buses. This privilege comes with the expectation that children will be respectful and obedient to the rules that are associated with the Marquette Area Public School transportation. Father Marquette Elementary students are welcome to ride the Marquette Area middle school buses.
Back to TopWhat is the Gesell Screening?
With our enrolling pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students, we administer the Gesell Screening, an observation and early intervention assessment. This screening measures the following skills:
- Pencil and Paper: Names and numbers, copy forms/fine motor skills, visual perception and processing information
- Incomplete Man: Social awareness, emotional maturity, fine motor and processing information
- Identifying Letters and Numbers: Processing information, visual perception, and prior knowledge
- Gross Motor: Self-control, balance, body control, and eye/hand coordination
- Interview: Clarity of speech, accuracy of information
- Short Term Memory: Ability to focus attention and hold information
- Cubes: Hand-eye coordination, visual motor task directly correlated to handwriting
- Animal & Interest: Expressive and receptive language
We believe this assessment allows us to place your child accurately according to developmental age.
Is there an after-school program available?
Father Marquette offers an after-school program every day there is a full day of school. Children meet from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. and have a number of activities at their disposal.
Please see our After School Program page for more details.