FROM THE DESK OF MRS. TIEZZI
Dear St. Rita Parents,
We had a relatively quiet but productive summer here at St. Rita School. We are finishing up a few small projects to enhance our facility and allow us to grow our programs. At the end of the last school year the faculty and staff met to formulate school-wide goals for the upcoming year. Those goals include: preparing for the NEASC site visit from Oct.14-17; meeting the academic, social/emotional, and behavioral needs of all students; and technology integrating.
Our faculty is spending this week attending professional development sessions and meeting to plan for the upcoming school year.
I am excited to share with you some great news about our school staffing and programs.
· Staffing changes for the upcoming this year include:
o Mrs. Barbara Anton will be returning to 4
th
grade as the math, science and religion teacher, Miss Erika Salsbury will be the new 3
rd
grade math, science, social studies and religion teacher and Mrs. Dolores Fortuna will be the new kindergarten teacher.
o We welcome Mrs. Mery Nartowicz as the new Spanish teacher for PreK4-grade 3. Mery holds a Bachelors degree in Education and a Licentiate in Secondary Education from the National University of Trujillo, Peru. Mrs. Nartowicz has been teaching at St. Mary-St. Michael in Derby for the past 6 years.
· Curriculum updates and enhancements for the upcoming year include:
o Introduce the SuperKids reading program to students in Prek and Kindergarten.
o Implement a new social studies program in grade 6 with an e-text component.
o Introduce a Study skills program for students in grade 6.
o Utilize the Lexia Core 5 Reading program for differentiated literacy instruction.
o Introduce the “Choose Love Enrichment Program” for social emotional learning in all grade levels.
o Utilize the I-Ready Assessments to progress monitor student learning.
o Introduce the 1-1 Chromebook initiative to students in grades 4 & 5 (in-school use only).
With the recent restructuring within the Archdiocese of Hartford, this year there will be 39 Catholic elementary schools in our school network. St. Rita School stands strong with a projected enrollment of 380 students for the upcoming school year. Our school-wide theme this year is “Kindness is Contagious”. Each month we will recognize students who have exhibited acts of kindness through their devotion to the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. This devotion is based on observable behaviors of our students who allow the grace of the Holy Spirit to work within them. During the month of September will we concentrate on Love.
Reminders:
· Monday, August 27 is the soft opening day of school for students in grades PreK-8. The school building will be open from 8:00-12:30 for you and your child to stop by for a brief visit.
· School starting time is at 8:15 A.M. for students in grades K-8. Please have your child to school on time and report directly to their classroom. Every Monday we will gather in the gym as a school community for Morning Prayer and Opening. On all other days the students will report directly to their classrooms for morning prayer and announcements.
· Bus Routes are posted on St. Rita School website (www.stritaschool.org) under the Parent Information tab. You may contact Mrs. Raccio if you have any questions about the bus schedule.
· Please check your Educonnect parent portal to find your child’s class assignment. The portal will open Friday at 4:00 P.M. Returning families may edit and update emergency contact information and new families must enter the contact information using the portal. Your Educonnect ID and password will be emailed to you on Friday.
· Back to School Parent Night is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11 beginning at 6:30 for parents of students in grades K-5 and Thursday, September 13 for parents of students in grades 6-8. More information will be forthcoming in the next Constant Contact.
The faculty, staff and I look forward to partnering with you to further our mission promoting academic excellence and spiritual development in the context of the teachings of the Catholic Church. Together let us pray that God, who has begun the good work in us, may carry it through to completion. Thank you for allowing us to educate your children. I am looking forward to seeing all of you on Monday, August 27.
God Bless,
Mrs. Tiezzi
Patricia O’Neil Tiezzi