St. Theresa School's eNews Announcements

February 10, 2016
Welcome to the St. T's eNews Weekly Announcements.  The eNews and past editions may also be viewed on the school website: http://stesonline.org/st-t-enews.html.   To make submissions please email your principal approved information to the office at info@stesonline.org. Submissions must be received by Tuesday, 12 noon. Thank you!
First Grade makes St. Theresa's Good Deed Beads
ATTENTION ALL FAMILIES. IMPORTANT!
Beginning March 1, 2016 St. Theresa School will begin enforcing both the school and the diocesan policy concerning the collection of delinquent tuition. Students with outstanding tuition may be denied participation in extra-curricular activities and may be kept from attending classes until tuition is caught up.
 
Families with any unpaid tuition will not receive report cards and transcripts will be withheld until full payment is received. Also, financial aid and other forms of tuition assistance will not be awarded to students with delinquent tuition. No one will be allowed to register for the new academic year with any debt or balance to the school.
 
Finally, any tuition that is 90 days past due will result in the student's withdrawal at the end of the quarter (marking period). Report card and transcripts will be withheld until full payment is received.
 
The timely collection of all tuition is critical for the operation of our school. I am requesting 100% cooperation from all our parents so that we can continue to maintain a strong and viable school. Please do not hesitate to contact me immediately if you have any extenuating circumstances.
 
Sincerely,
 
Salvatore Vittoria  
Principal
Letter from the Administration
Dear SaintTheresaSchool families,
 
You should have already received the 2016-17 tuition agreements in the mail. Please be sure to register with FACTS tuition management and to fill out the financial aid application on line as soon as possible. The completed and signed form, along with the $175.00 enrollment fee, must be returned to the office no later than March 15, 2016. Please note that any agreement returned after this date is subject to a $25.00 late fee as well as space availability.
 
We are quickly approaching the school's 60th anniversary dinner on April 30th. Tickets can be purchased online or in the main office. Please consider reserving a table for you and your friends to enjoy a wonderful dinner and a memorable evening. Monsignor DiProfio will be present as the guest of honor.
 
Keep in mind that there is no school this Friday and Monday as part of Presidents' Day weekend. On Monday, February 22nd we will have a special meeting with both the CEO President and the Director of the Bishop's Scholarship  Fund. Don't miss the opportunity to meet these two individuals and to hear about the eligibility and details of these two important grants.
 
Enjoy the long weekend. I look forward to seeing you on February 22nd.
 
S. Vittoria
St. Theresa School Absence and Tardies Policy
Dear parents, 

This is the time of year when we start to meet with parents whose children have accrued an unusually high number of "tardies" and "absences". It is a good time to remind everyone that students' learning does suffer when they miss school. Obviously, when
children are sick or midday appointments are the only option, missing school is unavoidable, but please make on-time attendance a priority for your family. Vacations should be scheduled during "vacation days" whenever possible. 

Though there is an appeal process for students whose absences and tardies have exceeded 20, children may still need to do summer work to make up for lost time. It is also important for middle school parents to note that potential high schools do carefully track and take into consideration absences and tardies for grades 7-8.

Our official start time is 8:40 in the gym. It has become habit for many students to slip in under the wire at 8:50, but we would ask that  parents make every effort to get them to school by the 8:40 start time. We will be beginning morning announcements and prayer at this time from now on. When children enter in the middle of morning exercises, they do miss an important part of our day together. 

And one final reminder: We welcome parents to join us for the morning assembly, but ask that you please show respect for those leading announcements and prayer. You would be surprised how voices (even low whispers) carry in the gym. Also, thank you for not blocking the  entrance way so that any late students can find their way   in. Thanks for helping us provide the best possible learning experience for your children.

Best, 
Kerry Stratton 
Middle School Administrator/ Assistant Principal
The Bishop's Scholarship Fund is now available! 
To be eligible you must apply for financial aid through FACTS online.  We ask that you complete your application process as soon as possible in order to receive the benefit of this wonderful program. In other news, the tuition agreements will go home of Friday, February 5th with the report cards.

Who can apply for a scholarship?
All families who have a child or children registered, or are considering registering, in a Diocesan sponsored Catholic Elementary school in Fairfield County (Grades Pre K-8) and are in financial need of tuition assistance. Even if you have applied for and/or received an award in the past from any of our programs, you must fill out and submit a new application for the 2016-2017 school year. Aid will be awarded on a first come, first served basis to families who demonstrate need.
 
What is the deadline?
Only completed applications submitted with all required supporting documents will be considered. The deadline for submitting an application is Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Completed applications received after this date will still be considered but will not be given priority for the 2016-2017 school year.
 
How to apply?
Complete the Grant and Aid application at  www.FACTSmgt.com/aid   and submit the required supporting documentation. We highly recommend that you scan and upload the documents rather than mail or fax them, which can significantly delay their processing. Please note that there is a non-refundable
$30.00 application processing fee. Only one application per family is required.
 
How are scholarships awarded?
Scholarships will be awarded to eligible students based on:
  • Program eligibility
  • Financial Need
  • Timing of when application is received and completed
  • Notifications will be sent to families beginning April 1, 2016. An application will not be considered for an award until it is fully completed and ALL supporting documentation is received.
  • You will be given a deadline to accept the award; credit to your tuition account will be made once your registration and enrollment process is complete.
Please note that although every effort is made to grant a scholarship to all those in need that are eligible for our programs, there is limiting funding available on a yearly basis. If you are denied an award, please reach out to school administration about additional
options that may be available to you.
 
What documents will you need?
2014 or 2015 1040 Tax Return
  • First and Second page of the Federal 1040 tax forms from the applicant and co-applicant, if applicable. The second page of the 1040(s) must be signed.
  • Include any relevant schedules filed with your 1040.
  • If you cannot locate your tax return, contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-908-9946 and request a transcript.
  • If you do not file taxes contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-908-9946 and request verification of non-filing.
2015 W-2 Forms
  • Mailed out in January
  • If not received by January 31, contact your employer
It is best to find a way to scan your documents. Faxing or mailing the forms to FACTS will significantly slow down the processing of your application and you may miss the deadline for completion. Please contact the school for assistance.
 
We will have a help session here at St. Theresa's February 22 at 5 PM in the Computer Lab.  Please remember: the sooner you apply the better.

Invite Family and Friends to visit during February.
St. Theresa School may be the answer to their prayers.
The number one way new students find St. Theresa School is from our families sharing their positive experiences. We'd like to encourage you to share and invite new families to come and visit St. Theresa  for our Open Houses and throughout the month of February. 

If a family you invite comes to the Open House Jan. 31, Feb. 1, or (snow date) Feb. 8, or visits the school for a tour or Shadow Day during the month of February AND turns in (to Mrs. LaFrenierre in the office) the Open House postcard with your student's name and grade on it when they sign in, you will be in a drawing for a white Acer Chromebook C670 on March 1, 2016.

Each student and staff member received 3 Open House posts cards on Tuesday to bring home and share. Write your student's name and grade on the back where it asks who we can thank for your visit today. Additional postcards will be available in the office and the lobby. Please remind your guests to bring the post card to the office when they sign in for their visit. Only one name may be listed on a post card. Guests may only turn in one post card per inviting family.

You will be helping others learn about our great community, and you will help grow St. Theresa's family.  If the family signs its tuition agreement and attends St. Theresa School, you will receive a  signing bonus of $250 towards your tuition payment for next year. CCD families from St. Theresa will receive a $750 tuition discount if they sign their Tuition Agreements b y March 15!

Thank you for celebrating St. Theresa School!
School Calendar
Valentine's Day Celebration Reminder
Please remember if you plan on sending any Valentine's Day treats tomorrow to keep in line with the school policy of no food items. Our goal is to keep all of our students safe as we enjoy this tradition. Thank you.

First Grade's Good Deed and Sacrifice Beads

St. Theresa's sister, Marie, gave her a set of beads to keep in her pocket when she was young.  Whenever she did a good deed or a small sacrifice St. Theresa could slide one of the beads to the other side. Each kind action helped her grow closer to God.  Our first graders made their beads yesterday.  They are very excited about being mindful during Lent of their good deeds and sacrifices for Jesus. The strand has 10 beads and a Miraculous Medal.  The students did a great job threading the beads just as St. Theresa's were so that the beads stay in place when moved. Have a blessed Lent!



School Wide Lenten Drive for the Nutrition Center in Haiti
Continuing a very special tradition here at St. Theresa's, students will be collecting money for the Hospital Sacre Couer in Milot, Haiti.  We will focus our efforts on providing meals for the small children who come to the Nutrition Center each day.  The children are recommended to the Nutrition Center by the doctors, because they are malnourished and under weight. Here they will receive two meals each day and one to take home each night.
Each classroom has a collection can for contributions. With your help we can make a difference for these children and follow Jesus  who said, "Feed the Hungry."
Thank you for making a difference in these little lives!
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes & World Day of Prayer for the Sick - We're invited!
We are really excited for The Feast of Our Lady Lourdes and the World Day of Prayer in Bridgeport at Blessed Sacrament Church. We will celebrate mass and the Sacrament of the Sick will be offered.  Mark your calendars for Sunday February 21st. 

Our students in grades 5-8 are invited to be in the candle light procession and help with the mass.  Please let Mrs. Tamarkin know if you can make it. As helpers it would be terrific if you can arrive at 2:00 so we can be ready to welcome the community at 2:30.
Celebrate St. Theresa's 60th Anniversary with us!

Tickets available in the school office.

St. Theresa School 60th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, April 30th, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Tashua Knolls Restaurant, Trumbull, CT

Crunched for time?  Who isn't these days?  We all have limited time whether we work inside or out of the house.  Here's some suggestions on how help the St. Theresa School 60th Anniversary Celebration on your terms and time. NO MEETINGS NECESSARY!
 
  1. Obtain a donation(s) for the silent auction.   Click for the form. Silent Auction Donor Form
  2. Offer your own services like babysitting, IT support, monthly baked goods delivered, housecleaning up for biddingat the Silent Auction.
  3. Get a group of friends and neighbors together and buy a table at the event.  Click here http://sainttheresaschool.net/60th-anniversary-celebration.html
  4.  Get the "word out" and post the event on your Facebook page or "like" the event on the St. Theresa School Facebook page.
  5. Buy a Raffle Ticket and/or sell raffle tickets to family members, friends and neighbors (more information to come). 
Do you want to do more than the above suggestions to increase the success of the fundraiser?  The more successful the fundraiser the more it can make a difference in your family's life (your child will benefit) then volunteer for one of the committees.  It will be 10 hours or less of your time over a 78 day period that's way less than 15 minutes a day.  (Committees include:  Registration, Silent Auction, Marketing, and Raffle).
 
We're all genuinely crunched for time; no one is exempt!  But, it will be the most rewarding 15 minutes of your day.  To volunteer, Email HSA .
 
REMEMBER ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT ST. THERESA SCHOOL
Art in Action
The 7th and 8th grade classes have been studying Japanese Prints. Even more exciting at the time they were studying these Mrs. Mastronardi's son was in Japan experiencing the culture. She was able to share photos of her son's trip seeing the art first hand.

Yearbooks Available for Pre-Order
Yearbooks are available for pre-order in Hardcover for $45 and Softcover for $38. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Yearbooks must be purchased online in order to personalize.  Once you make your purchase you can:
  • Create your own back cover
  • Create your own pages that will be at the back of your book (first 4 free after that $.99/page)
  • Add your photos to the yearbook folders for consideration for the school events.
Click here to order your yearbook.
St. T's Spirit Wear Available -  Now with additional sizes!
Students, Friends, Alumni and Faculty,

We have a large variety of spirit wear for immediate and continued sale. Tee shirts, sweat pants, spirit jerseys and thermal tees in various sizes.

Thank you for supporting St. Theresa School HSA

February Basketball Camps
Include: name, address, email and phone
Make checks payable to: Future Stars                            
1164 Brooklawn Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604                              
Recent Photos for viewing & downloading
Here are the Dropbox links to recent school photos.  Photos will be available for two weeks from posting date.  Download any photos you would like to keep for your family or personalized yearbook pages.

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Helpful Links:
 
St. Theresa School
55 Rosemond Terrace, Trumbull, CT 06611
203-268-3236  | Fax 203 268-7966 | info@stesonline.org  |   www.stesonline.org