Important dates for the 2017-2018 School Year:
October 25
Early Dismissal (Teacher PD)
October 31 Halloween Parade 1:00 pm
November 1 All Saints Day Parish Mass
Operation Christmas Child (Nov. 1-16)
3 First Friday Mass 9:00 a.m.
Starry Starry Night 7:00 p.m.
6 Quarter 1 Ends
7 NO SCHOOL - PD
10 Veterans Day (Assembly 1:00 p.m.)
15 Early Dismissal 11:30 a.m. (Parent/Teacher Conf.)
16 Early Dismissal 11:30 a.m. (Parent/Teacher Conf.)
Operation Christmas Child Ends
17 Operation Christmas Child Packaging Party
Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast 1:30 pm
22 Early Dismissal 11:30 a.m.
23 NO SCHOOL
24 NO SCHOOL
December 1
Photo Retake/Absentee Day 8:30-9:30 a.m.
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St. Aloysius Catholic Church
Walking with Purpose - Join Walking with Purpose for a talk and reception on November 9th featuring Lisa Brenninkmeyer. Click
HERE for more information.
Lots going on within the Parish! Read more here:
St. Aloysius Homecoming Tailgate - THIS Saturday!
Our Evangelization Mobile will make an appearance at the NCHS Homecoming Game! We have invited our St. A's and Emmaus family to stop by, but we also want to make sure we have snackage for anyone who wanders by the decorated Denali! Looking for home baked goodies as well as other teen-friendly snacks! Please sign up to provide something for our tailgate! Items can be brought to the tailgate on Saturday between 12:45 and 1:00 p.m.
Sign up at:
St. Mary's Church Ridgefield Needs Help THIS Friday night (Oct. 27) with their Midnight Run:
St Mary's needs 5 more people to go into the city for their Midnight Run. All of the prep work with the food and donations will be done, so you just need to arrive at St. Mary's by 8pm on Friday night. High school teens MUST be accompanied by their virtus trained parent. If you can help out - contact Jess Nayden at the Catholic Service Corpsby Oct 31 at
(
203) 416-1454 or via email at [email protected].
Diocesan Catholic Service Corps Service Opportunity:
Al's Angels Thanksgiving Meal Bin Pack, Saturday, November 11:
Al's Angels needs help from the Catholic Service Corps with their annual Thanksgiving Meal Bin Pack at 315 Seaview Avenue, Bridgeport. Volunteers are needed for three shifts, 6am-9am, 9am-12noon, and 12noon-2pm (truck loading and delivery). This is open to those who are 12 and older -- for those who are not in high school, a parent must accompany them.
"Parents" Rosary
Join our "Parents" Rosary led by St. Aloysius Parents - Children/siblings welcome!
Wednesdays from September-June
8:15 AM Chapel
Contact: Mary Ellen Meyer
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| Admissions and Counseling News
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
KINDERGARTEN FOR SIBLINGS: Please note that applications for siblings who would like to attend Kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted through November 9th for the "Early Decision" Cohort 1 of applicants. Please return applications to Maria Naughton, along with a $100 check made payable to, "St. Aloysius School." After November 9th, we will begin scheduling Kindergarten screenings through early January. Click
HERE for the Application for Enrollment.
COMING SOON:
Parent Ambassador Program - Parents are needed to help us reach out to local preschools in an effort to spread the word about St. Aloysius School. If you are interested, email me at [email protected] or stop by my office to discuss this opportunity.
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Happy Priesthood Day! We are eternally grateful to our Parish Priests! Thank you Fr. Cyrus, Fr. Rob, and Fr. Ignacio for all you do!
NEWSFLASH!
Yearbook 2018 Information is here.
Celebrating the moments that matter!
Yearbooks are on sale now for $40.00 until October 27th. Please click HERE for an order form, or order online at jostensyearbooks. com. Yearbooks purchased after October 27th will be $45.00.
And please feel free to share your favorite photos with us to be considered for the yearbook. Please email your photos to us
[email protected]. Thanks!!
Please Note Our New School Email Addresses
We are transitioning to a new email address for all staff and students. Please use the following naming protocol when emailing teachers:
"[email protected]"
Do you have news to share?
Please email pictures and information to us at
[email protected] by noon on Thursday to be included in that week's newsletter. Thank you!
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CLUB HAPPENINGS
Congratulations to our very own
5
th
Grader Dominic Hartmann
who took home the 6
th
Place Trophy
from the National Educational Chess
Association's 37
th
Tournament, held at
All Saints Catholic School!
Official results can be viewed on www.uschess.org
Check out more Chess photos:
DEADLINE EXTENDED!
Your donations are greatly appreciated!
Clothing Drive
Eighth graders Ava Stone and Cayla Funari are collecting new and gently used clothes from October 11-30th for the children of Fairfield County. Please click
HERE to learn how you can help.
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Slam Update
By Isabella Morris and Jackson Saucedo
Our first Student Leadership and Mentorship meeting was held on October 4 . During this meeting we were assigned committees, which are teams of kids using leadership skills to help around the school! Students in S.L.A.M. were asked to participate in Public Relationships, Announcement Crew, and much more.
One of the more popular committees is already in effect! Can you guess what that is? WALKING BUDDIES! Every morning, our friendly S.L.A.M. students walk kids in K-2 down to the classroom each. This allows younger students to get to know the older kids, and develop new friendships, while getting to class on time.
Our second S.L.A.M meeting was held on October 18, and during this meeting, we learned so much! We first learned about leadership through a TED Talk, learning that leadership is about doing small things that affect the community, as we are doing in S.L.A.M. After learning about leadership, we were assigned more roles into committees, including the new Art Apprentices, which have already begun hanging artwork along the halls! We have undergone projects such as making posters for the volleyball game two weeks ago, managing the scoreboard, and mounting student artwork.
Our S.L.A.M students have been doing some truly amazing things, but who is the person behind S.L.A.M? It's Mrs. Nisco, the upper school Social Studies teacher and the eighth grade religion teacher! Mrs. Nisco has training in leadership, and she has a lot of experience being a leader. Mrs. Nisco has already taught us what it means to be a leader, and we all know that she is the perfect example of a leader. She is helping students find their voice, and give back to the school we love.
Committees in Effect
Athletic Assistants
- Students help out with athletic programs, such as basketball and volleyball games, managing the scoreboard, and helping out Mrs. Moran, our kindergarten teacher and head of sports.
Art Apprentices
- Students can help Mrs. Andrei to mount students' artwork and hang it in the halls.
Public Relations
- Students handle school events and relations- including this newsletter and making posters for causes.
Walking Buddies
- Students help walk down kids in kindergarten through second grade. If you have a child who needs help with a large instrument, or just wants a friend to chat with, these students will be at the door, ready to help!
Thank you to everybody who has helped to make this program possible for our students, especially Mr. Gjoka and Mrs. Nisco.
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We know our teachers are great teachers, but here are some things you don't know.
This week featuring Mrs. Phillips
(6th Grade)
1. What do you think is the greatest invention of all time?
I think the greatest invention of all time is the printing press. Until Gutenberg invented the printing press all books were copied by hand. So, there were few books, and they were very expensive. None of us could have afforded to buy books. Now that books are produced by the 1000s, everyone can have their own library at home. We have a bookcase in every room. And in the future more people will be reading ebooks. But I still like the feel of a book in my hands.
2. What is your favorite time of day?
My favorite time of the day is early in the morning. Everything is so quiet and you can hear the smallest sounds that are drowned out when the world gets up. It is a good time to pray or reflect on this brand, new, wonderful day. Who knows what great thing might happen.
3. Would you rather win an Olympic medal, an Academy Award or the Nobel Peace Prize?
I would definitely rather win an Olympic medal. I'm not really too athletic. I swim 4 times a week but I'm not fast. So I think it would be amazing to be a fast swimmer and win an Olympic medal.
4. If you could only eat 3 foods, what would they be?
Easy. Yogurt, tea and fruit. If tea doesn't count then I would include ice cream. Any kind of ice cream.
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Athletics Corner
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GO BULLDOGS!
Cross Country Fall Season Recap
A big Congrats to Mrs. Moran for her incredible coaching and our outstanding Cross Country Team. St. A's did great in the Fairchester Athletic League and the team just finished their regular season meets yesterday at Waveny Park. Special congratulations to the following team members who will be awarded ribbons next week for their overall standings in regular league meets, including;
- Charlotte McGinness - 2nd Place, 5th Grade Girls;
- Clay Manley - 5th Place, 8th Grade Boys;
- Kathleen Naughton - 2nd Place, 8th Grade Girls; and,
- Riley Stenger - 1st Place, 8th Grade Girls and Overall 1st Place Girl 7th through 9th Grades.
Riley has also set a new St. A's record for having earned her third 1
st
Place season.
Next week will be the final Championship meet at Sherwood Island - come on out and support our Bulldogs!
Basketball sign-up forms are now available!
Please register by November 7th.
See below:
Click
HERE for the Basketball Registration Form
Click
HERE for the Girls Varsity - grade 7 & 8
Click HERE for the Girls Junior Varsity - grade 5 & 6
Click
HERE for the Boys Varsity - grade 7 & 8
Click HERE for the Boys Junior Varsity - grade 5 & 6
Students must fill out a Permission to Travel Form - HERE
Practices will start November 13
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Angel Fund
Please make your 2017-18 Angel Fund donation today!
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We remind you to take time with your family, as we continue to honor the Blessed Mother for the protection she gives our school and Church community as an answer to the praying of the Rosary!
Earlier this week I was honored to be selected by the Accreditation Visiting Team, along with other Principals and Heads of Schools, to evaluate other New England independent, private and Catholic Schools. This visit helped me to validate our strengths and weaknesses. Undeniably, we are on the cutting edge in Academic Excellence and Spirituality. This insures that your children have the tools of faith and high school readiness to achieve their best result!
There are two areas we need to focus on to achieve "our school community's" personal best! We need to utilize our Parent Ambassadors. The second area is Grants Writing. There is money out there that will directly benefit your children. One example was last year win at the Science Fair. We are in search of parent(s) that can help us with this project. If you can or you know of someone, please contact me directly. Thank you in advance for you help.
Cooler temperatures, leaves changing and the sight of pumpkins on porches reassure us that fall is here. After School Clubs are well into motion and have proven to be a great resource for students that want to achieve a balance between academics and fun! On that note, we are proud to announce that our very own 5th grader, Dominic Hartmann, recently took home 6th place at the National Educational Chess Association's 37th Tournament held at All Saints Catholic School last week. We are honored to have Mr. Alex Eydelman, President of the NECA teaching our students. Mr. Eydelman has over 20 years of chess teaching experience with students who consistently win many state and national championships. He is the founder of the longest running chess club in Stamford entitled "College for Kids". Alex also teaches a very successful advanced chess club in Greenwich, CT. SESSION II After School Clubs will begin the week of December 4th. Please keep checking the newsletter and the literature table in the school lobby for our upcoming new programs!
In celebration of National Fire Prevention Week, the New Canaan Fire Department visited our school and educated our students on fire safety and emergency measures that need to be in place in case of a fire! This lesson hit home when the students saw Firefighter Patrick climb the 4-story ladder of the fire truck in full gear! The students were in awe when the sirens and lights were sounding and flashing!
The countdown is on! Halloween is coming very soon and the excitement is growing! We ask that parents wait at the South Street doors for the kick off of our parade at 1:00 p.m. Then we welcome all our families back to the gym for snacks and refreshments.
As a gentle reminder, Wednesday, November 1st is All Saints Day; dedicated to the saints of the Church.
Please join our school community for Mass at 9:00 a.m.
After Mass on November 1st, Father Rob will bless the St. Aloysius statue located near the main office and bless the school.
Thursday, November 2nd is all Souls Day dedicated to those who have died and not yet reached heaven.
Last but certainly not least, our annual Safe Environment training for students, will take place on Friday, November 3rd. This training is required by the U.S.C.C.B. Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Think First and StaySafe Program. The curriculum is age-appropriate and is in accord with Catholic moral principles. Topics include child safety, sexual abuse prevention, internet dangers, bullying, abduction prevention and technology safety. If you choose not to have your child participate,
please click here
, and fill out the form and return it to the school office no later that Wednesday, November 1st.
Mr. Bardhyl Gjoka
Principal
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Grade 1 - Exciting Event!
Join Grade One for our very special "Starry Story Night" on November 3rd. Click
HERE
for flyer.
Say Schnozzola!
In October, the First Grade reads a variety of picture books by Author/Illustrator Kevin Henkes.
At the end of Julius, the Baby of the World, Lilly celebrates her friendship with her baby brother, Julius, appearing in matching Groucho Glasses.
First Graders sport handmade Groucho Glasses to celebrate their community, and the inspiring work of Mr. Henkes, as well.
Kindergarten News
Click
HERE to read the
Kindergarten Newsletter.
Kindergarten families shared in one of our traditional community events - the Kindergarten Feast. Click HERE to check out photos from that fun event.
October is Fire Safety Month, and Kindergarten students had a visit this week from the New Canaan Fire Department.
The 2017 Christmas Card Competition
Open to all Grades K-8
Dr. Cheeseman and the Office of the Superintendent have put out a call for all artists! Create a card which will be used district-wide! Click
HERE for more information. Submissions due by October 30th.
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Important HSA Events
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It's that time again...our annual Halloween Parade through the streets of New Canaan is coming up on Tuesday Oct. 31.
Parade starts at 1:00pm followed by a Halloween Party in the gym.
Click
HERE for more details!
Please look for sign-up sheets located outside your classrooms for Treat donations needed.
Please remember when planning for our Halloween parade that the costumes do not include witches, goblins, weapons, etc.
BECOME PART OF ST. A's GREEN TEAM
St. Aloysius is now a member of the
CONNECTICUT GREEN LEAF SCHOOLS Program
and we are looking for parents who want to participate in our Green Team
Our goals:
Provide effective environmental and sustainability education
Improve the health and wellness of students and staff
Reduce environmental impact and cost of the resources used in the school...please click HERE for more information and to join our team!
11/18 - St. Aloysius School Broadway Outing!
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
ONLY 11 TICKETS LEFT!
Tickets now on sale! Click
HERE for more information.
11/4 - Sound Tigers Family Fun Day.
Kids and parents start the game by holding the flag on the ice!
Don't miss this great night! - Click
HERE
for flyer
St. Aloysius had a visit from the real Sound Tiger!!
The Father/Son event to West Point was amazing! A great time was had by all!
PARENT-TO-PARENT UPDATE
PLEASE continue to send your business cards and information so we can build a business directory for our school community.
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