OUR MISSION:
St. Rita School inspires students in Pre-Kindergarten through grade eight to achieve academic excellence in a safe, nurturing and faith-filled Catholic environment.
We prepare students to be morally responsible, innovative thinkers who, in today’s technology-guided global community, live and share the Love of Christ.
FROM THE DESK OF MRS. TIEZZI

Dear St. Rita Families,

I hope you are all enjoying your 2nd snow day of the school year. This year we are using all aspects of the School Messenger school notification system (phone, text and email) to notify you of school closings or delays. If you have not yet signed up for the text messaging feature please do so by texting “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587. As I have mentioned in the past St. Rita School usually follows the decision of the Hamden Public Schools when determining late openings, early closing or closures due to inclement weather.

The Anxiety and Mood Disorders Program at the Yale Child Study Center is excited to announce their 6 th Annual Spotlight on Anxiety. The “Many Faces of Anxiety” will be presented on April 11 with a series of presentations and discussions about the many facets of anxiety. Topics include: stress/worry, fears and phobias, compulsions, picky eating, irritability and accommodations. This program is open to parents, educators, pediatricians, and mental health professionals. If you have any questions, please contact Alyssa Martino at 203-737-4644 or to register visit www.anxietyforum6.eventbrite.com.
Your help is needed to spread the word about the marvelous and dedicated educators at St. Rita School. Barnes and Noble is sponsoring a contest called “My Favorite Teacher”. Your child may enter to win the $10,000 prize for his/her teacher and school.  Enter by March 14 at BN.Com/myfavoriteteacher.

I have recently been notified that the BigY Supermarket chain has donated $3500 to our school to assist with getting our outdoor classroom project started.  We are currently pursuing additional grant funding to fund the entire project. We intend to create a space behind the school building with raised gardens containing indigenous plants as well as an outdoor space to conduct classroom activities. We are excited to get this project started in the spring.

Just a reminder that this Friday, February 15 is an early dismissal day for teacher professional development and we will be closed on February 18 and 19 for winter break. Thank you for entrusting your child/ren to our care. Have a great snow day!

God Bless,
Mrs. Tiezzi


ACTION ALERT
From the Connecticut Catholic Affairs Conference

Dear Catholic School Families and Friends,

Within days of the start of the 2019 legislative session of the Connecticut General Assembly, a State House Bill was proposed to eliminate bus transportation for nonpublic schools, which include our great Catholic schools ( HB 5241 ).

Today, another bill proposes the same elimination of safe and reliable bus transportation for nonpublic schools ( HB 6611 ).
 
  • Please know that the statute requiring towns and municipalities to provide these services has been ruled constitutional by the Connecticut Supreme Court. The statute ensures the safe transportation of students to and from school, and it supports school children and their parents. 
 
  • Student transportation is a matter of public safety akin to the provision of first responder services to any private company or residence.
 
  • We realize local and state budgets are stretched, but we must not start balancing budgets by cutting back on student safety. 

Catholic school families already save towns and the state money by assuming the costs of their children's education. 

Please urge your legislators to oppose these bills and preserve safe and reliable transportation for Catholic school students . This proposal has the support of many high ranking legislators, so it is critical that your voice is heard now and in the weeks ahead.
 
In faith,
 
Anne LaMonica, CCPAC Associate Director for Education

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
School News 
NEW OFFICE EMAIL
For all office related emails please email
office.stritaschool@gmail.com
From the Nurse's Station:
Connecticut requires physicals for entry into 7th grade as well as a tetanus booster and a meningitis vaccine. These physicals must be dated after May 1, 2018. Notices will be coming home today for those 6th grade students who do not have an up to date physical in my office. If your child has had a physical after May 1, 2018 please send in the paper work to school. If your child has not had their 7th grade physical yet please schedule an appointment. If you are planning on having this physical done over the summer please contact me so that I can document that. All physicals must be in my office before the start of school in August. 
Thank you 
Lisa Palma, RN
Saint Rita School Nurse 
VOLUNTEER NEEDED

We are currently looking for a volunteer to organize our participation in the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day parade.
Please contact the main office if you are interested. Thank you
COINS FOR CANCER
Save your change!
Please send in any loose change or monetary donations to your child's classroom. All proceeds will go directly to children and families battling cancer.
We will be collecting until the end of February!
Sacred Heart Academy News:

Experience  Excelsior— Saturdays @ SHA  offers girls in grades 5 to 8 an opportunity to experience the serious fun of learning without the extraneous pressure of formal grades, putting them in contact with ways of thinking, seeing, and doing that challenge them to reflect deeply and think critically. The program is filled with workshops and activities that promise to inform, engage, and entertain participating students while they make new friends.

Two sessions have been planned—Saturday, March 2, and Saturday, March 30, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am on the Sacred Heart campus, 265 Benham Street, Hamden. The program will be led by experienced faculty with the assistance of current students. Middle school girls are welcome to attend either one or both sessions.

  • March 2 – Creative Arts Saturday: Reflecting the wide range of Sacred Heart’s humanities-based curriculum and inspired by trailblazers in theatre, ancient history, and art, students will have fun experiencing the satisfying challenges of World Language, Social Studies, and Visual and Performing Arts, culminating in a short performance. 
  • March 30 – STEM Saturday: Participants will use Math, Science, and programming skills to find clues that lead them to learn about trailblazing women who forged new paths, not only in STEM fields, but in business, entertainment, and everyday life. Structured as an Escape Room, students will solve math puzzles, perform science experiments and write programs, using their knowledge and logic to break free.
 
Snacks will be provided and each participant will receive a t-shirt.
Reserve your place today for this  FREE  program Click To Register
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL
“Discover Mercy” is a morning program offered for fifth, sixth and seventh grade girls and their parents to get their first look at Mercy by enjoying activities, student performances and informal conversations with Mercy students, parents, alumnae, administrators and faculty. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
During "Discover Mercy," girls have the opportunity to spend time in the classrooms with faculty and students while attending “classes” such as Beginners Yoga, Creative Writing, Cheerleading Clinic, Mad about Math, and Theater Arts Workshop to name a few options. All of the choices are listed on the registration page. Here is the link:  Discover Mercy . Meanwhile, parents may attend an informal question and answer session and participate in programs designed especially for them.
Following the morning program, everyone is invited to lunch in the cafeteria and experience a performance by the Mercy Dance Team and the Mercy/Xavier "Vocal Dimension" Show Choir! Mercy Student Ambassadors are available to lead tours of the school at any time during the morning, including a stop at the school store.
PETER PAN NEWS:

Get your very own Peter Pan Jr. show shirt just like the
cast and crew members!
Wear your shirt to any of our performances in April and
receive a special treat at our Neverland Candy Stand!
Help us fill our Ad Book!
Please show your support by placing an Ad in our program
Join us for our 2nd Annual
Multi- Cultural Night!
NEW DATE:
Thursday March 28, 2019
5:30-7:00pm

All school families welcome!
Interested in sharing your culture
with our school?
Register here

All families sharing their culture will be asked to decorate a table (table supplied) to represent their culture. Food, artifacts, pictures, etc are all welcome!
Questions: Contact Carissa Civitello

Celebrate Our Cultures
Please note the changes to our cultural board.

February: Africa
We are in need of items for this month
Interested in learning more about our Kindergarten program? Come paint with us!
Monday
March 25, 2019
Register here
Open to all prospective Kindergarten families
New Britain Museum of American Art 
President's Day Show
Click here for more information
Our Scrip Gift Card Fundraising is still available all year long!

Remember to visit the Scrip Store for all of your gift card needs.
Every gift card purchase supports our school.
Crusaders Corner Store
Spirit Wear is available for purchase!
Stop by our Advancement Office to shop.
Crusaders Corner will be open every Thursday during all lunch periods. Please send your child with cash or check to purchase items!

We are still seeking volunteers to help run the store. If you are interested please contact Mrs. Civitello.
Home and School Association
SAVE THE DATE
Save the date for our Annual Father Daughter Dance!
Friday, April 5th 2019
6:00-8:00pm
Dessert & Dancing

There will be an open meeting to all interested in volunteering at this event at
12 noon on Feb. 23 Saturday at SRS. 

If you are interested in volunteering for this event please email
got Sole?
COLOR RUN   

Volunteers Needed!

WE NEED YOU TO MAKE THIS FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS!

The HSA is looking for energetic parents 
to volunteer for the following committees:


Color Run Race, Food Trucks, Sneaker Drive,
Sponsorships & Donations, and Registration.

All are welcome to attend!

Contact Trisha Kozloski with questions at  trisha.kozloski@yahoo.com

SAVE THE DATE
FOR OUR SPRING
COLOR RUN
SATURDAY MAY 18TH

Coming Soon: The 3rd Annual $10,000 Tuition Raffle
New Dates this year!
St. Rita School will be selling raffle tickets for its annual tuition raffle. Each family is asked to sell or buy 2 tickets. Tickets are $50 each with only 800 tickets to be sold; so buy your ticket early. Prize money can be used to pay for tuition at any accredited K-12 school, college or university, or to pay back students loans. The winner does not have to personally use the money; they can designate any student they wish to use the money (for example, a grandparent can use the money to pay a grandchild’s tuition). The drawing will be held on April 27, 2019, at St. Rita School during the evening performance of Peter Pan Jr.; winner need not be present to win.
Extra tickets are available by calling the school at 203-248-3114 or emailing trisha.kozloski@yahoo.com.
 Proceeds from the raffle will support St. Rita School’s operating budget. 

This year we will be seeking volunteers to help with the Tuition Raffle. If you are interested in volunteering please email
Calling for volunteers! We’ve got some shoes to fill.
NEW LINK TO SIGN UP!!!!
 
The St. Rita School HSA would love to have you as a Parent Volunteer this year! There are various events and activities planned for this year that cannot happen without your support.

Your time and talents are needed for the continued success of our school. Even just one hour of volunteer time makes a great difference to the school community.
 
Please access the link below to view the events scheduled this year and sign up for any of the volunteer positions that are open.
 
Thank you for your continued support of our school!
  
HSA Executive Board
 
 
Athlete's Corner
Winter Sports Information

Basketball Schedule can be viewed at
 
SAVE THE DATE
ST. RITA SCHOOL

 SPORTS BANQUET

Sunday, May 19th
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Il Monticello Restaurant
Honoring our 5th - 8th Grade Athletes
 
Food, awards, and fun!
More details to follow ...
Check back here for all Athletic News
 
Reminder:
If your child is absent from school, they will not be permitted to participate in any athletic events (games or practice)

League Playoffs
will begin Wednesday, February 20 th .  
Bracket schedules will be emailed to teams
soon and posted on RecLeague.com
BASKETBALL AND CHEER PICS
Team and Individual Basketball and Cheer
Pictures will be taken on Thursday, Feb 28th.
Team times have been added to Shutterfly
 
BASKETBALL AND CHEER PHOTOS NEEDED!!
We are looking for photos of your child playing Soccer/Basketball/Cheerleading
at SRS games (action shots, team photos, coach/player photos, etc….) 
Please post them to your Shutterfly account. You can continue to post
photos throughout the basketball season so post as often as you like... the
more the better! These photos will be used at the Sports Banquet.
PICTURES WANTED! If you love taking pictures at our SRS sporting events, please share them with us! Please send to ccivitello.stritaschool@gmail.com
Student Spotlight
Congratulations to Mrs. Kerry-Ann Dyce for writing and producing a local play. Both Richard and Ryan (grades 4 & 5) starred in this production.

Congratulations to our SRS Alumni who have received
High Honors/ Honors this semester at Xavier High School
John Amatrudo
Timothy Boor
Nicholas DeBrizzi
Brendan Donohue
Matthew Battipaglia
John Bouvier
Dominick Delaney
Hayden Tomlin
Brendan Buckley
David Johns
Christopher D'Agostino (St. Stephen School)
Aaron Hazelwood (St. Stephen School)
Avery Hazelwood (St. Stephen School)
Did your child/ren do something amazing? Share with us!
Please send submissions to
Please be patient as we receive many wonderful stories of our SRS students and Alumni!
Prayer Corner
Please keep the following SRS community
members in your thoughts and prayers




If you have a special intention that you would like to share in our prayer corner, please email Carissa Civitello
Support SRS
Happy New Year! Our next Box Top submission deadline is MARCH 1st! Please have all Box Tops submitted by FEBRUARY 22nd!!
Visit  amazonsmile.com , and anytime you purchase an eligible item, Amazon will donate a portion of the profit to our school! Select “Divine Mercy Parish
Corporation” as your charity, and St. Rita School will benefit every time you shop.

We're excited to announce another bonus donation opportunity for Divine Mercy Parish Corporation. Through January 31, 2019, AmazonSmile will donate 15% the purchase price of new print magazine subscriptions. Click  here for details

Use the message and image below in email, social media, and on your website to spread the word to your donors, staff, and volunteers.

Through January 31, 2019, AmazonSmile will donate 15% the purchase price of new print magazine subscriptions. Visit  https://smile.amazon.com/b?node=18541223011  for details.

Link your Stop & Shop Card to St. Rita School, and we’ll earn CASH when you buy groceries! Click  here  and use School ID: 06434.
Link your ShopRite Price Plus card to St. Rita School, and help us earn school supplies! Click  here  and use School ID: 50073, or send your PricePlus card number to Alice Kuether,  alicemcgrew23@hotmail.com .
Rewards Program

Click HERE for a flyer with all of our rewards programs.

Does Your Company Offer Volunteer Grants? 
Volunteer grant programs, also known as “Dollars for Doers” programs, are corporate giving programs created to encourage volunteerism in communities where employees live and work.
Through these programs, companies provide monetary grants to organizations where employees volunteer regularly. 

Please take a moment and ask if your employer participates in a Volunteer Grants Program. Your time and talent at St. Rita School could turn into dollars for our school! Questions? Feel free to contact Joanne Bruno at  jbruno.stritaschool@gmail.com .
Caritas Christi Center
Please enjoy this video featuring beautiful photos from Saturday's Mass at  St. Patrick's Cathedral  commemorating the beatification of Blessed Clelia! It was truly a blessing to celebrate with so many. Thank you to all who joined us in person and in prayer!
(Video credit:  Cronin Photography )


UPCOMING DATES - 
February 15- 12:15 Dismissal
February 18-19- Winter Break
March 1- 1st Friday Mass
March 6- Ash Wednesday Mass 9am
March 14- 12:15 Dismissal , Conferences
March 15- 12:15 Dismissal, Conferences
March 18- No School, Catholic Educator Conference
March 25- Kindergarten Informational Night
March 28- Multi-Cultural Night
April 5- 1st Friday Mass, Father/Daughter Dance 6pm


St. Rita School
1601 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06517
Phone: (203) 248.3114
Fax: (203) 248.1016
www.stritaschool.org