Volume X| October 19, 2018

THIS WEEK AT ST. ROSE SCHOOL
Dear St. Rose School Families:

Did you know that playing is related to learning? There are many studies that explore the benefits of play on problem solving not to mention fine and gross motor development. Along these lines, recess is an integral part of the school day and this week the upper and lower school each received a bag of playground equipment to enhance their outdoor learning. We continue to receive positive feedback from all grade levels about the recess before lunch format which is having a direct impact on student concentration and performance.

There are many creative ways to teach and reward students. This week our Kindergarteners spent the day at New Pond Farm learning all about Native Americans and journaling about the trip with sound spelling. The Newtown Fire Department visited the Preschool and Kindergarten classes teaching important fire safety tips and inviting them all to spray the fire hose from the truck parked outside school. Seventh graders assisted their Third grade buddies in editing personal essays and Sister Thaddeus' Religion classes presented their Saint projects dressed in related garb to reveal interesting facts about these valiant men and women. Meanwhile in Miss Miksad's First Grade there was a pajama party to celebrate class achievements. Our school days are vibrant and students are thriving.

My sincere thanks to the faculty, parents and students who helped at Open House last Sunday. We had a steady flow of visitors and I am pleased to say that some will be starting with us next year and one or two may even join us sooner. Please continue to share the good news about St. Rose School. Our next Open House will be Sunday January 27th, the first day of Catholic Schools Week. In the meantime we will be giving personal tours and arranging shadow days for interested students.

The Knights of Columbus are organizing a Veteran's Day Assembly on Friday November 9th at 1:00 PM in the Gathering Hall. They are inviting all current and former veterans to join us that day to share their stories and be recognized for their service. If you have a friend or family member who is a veteran and would like to be part of the ceremony, please email Knight Scott Anders directly, wscottanders@gmail.com.

I started this letter speaking about play and will end it in the same spirit -- I hope everyone will join us for the HSA sponsored Trunk -R -Treat event tonight in the parking lot from 6:00 to 8:45 PM. Play is an important way for our school families to bond and break away from the hectic routine of the week. I look forward to seeing all of the creative costumes and car trunks. My thanks to the HSA and Mrs. Beth Keenan for organizing this popular event.

Wishing you a relaxing and restorative weekend.

God Bless.

Mr. Bardhyl Gjoka
Principal

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CLASSROOM HAPPENINGS
Every day brings new wonders and every lesson brings students to the next level of learning. It's inspiring to watch our students growing in age, wisdom and grace under the guidance of their dedicated teachers.













CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

Band , Grades 3-8
Violin Lessons , Grades 1-2
Fun Fridays , sign up for new session
Mock Trial , Thursday Evenings, 6:30-7pm, Grades 6-8
Junior Math Club , Tuesdays , 3-4 p.m.
Homework&Tutoring Club , Mon-Fri, 3-4 p.m.

60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

You can still purchase apparel at the flash store through October 26th. Orders will be fulfilled and delivered to the school by mid November.

Get FREE photo downloads of the 60th celebration from Robert Taylor Photography!

Instructions: Online orders; sports, plays, weddings, events & studio portraits; galleries; St. Rose School, St. Rose 60th, Click photo to download

Hats, 60th Anniversary Christmas ornaments and glasses are still available and will be sold at school events while supplies last. In the meantime, if you are interested in ordering these items email advancement@srles.com.
STUDENT LIFE UPDATE BY MRS. B

The halls are alive with...bouncing basketballs as the season gets underway; strategic chess moves under the guidance of long time club mentor Mr. "B"; tile painting for the Class of 2018's Ben's Bells Kindness Mural; Mock Trial coaching and prep by alumni parents and attorneys Mr. Brady and Mr. Walsh; Field trips to farms and visits from the Newtown Fire Department; alumni assisting with various activities; Buddies in action. Life is good...we are blessed!

STUDENT COUNCIL AND NJHS NEWS

The Winter Coat Drive is off to a great start! Thanks to those who have contributed coats. Collection bins will be in all classrooms and the gathering hall lobby through Friday October 26th. Remember...the Knights will provide a pizza party for the class that collects the most coats.

Socktober is still going strong. Please send in warm socks to help keep feet warm this winter. Boxes are in the gathering hall lobby and Mrs. Quinn's homeroom.

Thank you for your support of these important outreaches.

PONDER THIS..

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant."

-Robert Louis Stevenson
UNIFORM UPDATE -- PLEASE TAKE NOTE!

Winter Uniforms and Policy
With the move into fall, October 1 was the official day that students were required to wear the winter uniform. This means long pants for the boys, at all times; and the appropriate skirt or jumper for the girls. Students are not to come to school in short pants at this point; there are no exceptions to this policy or choices of long or short pants at this time of the school year. At the beginning of the school year it was decided that there would be no change in the uniform from the previous year. We will be considering changes for the next school year; but, at this time all students are required to follow the current policy. We ask that parents please partner with us to make sure that students are dressed in appropriate uniforms, including shoes and hair accessories (this is where we are seeing the most noncompliance).


If you need winter uniform items, email uniforms@srles.com to check about inventory. It's FREE!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS

October 19th-26th -- Winter Coat Drive in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus. Seeking new and gently used coats -- collection bins are in every classroom through October 26th.

Friday October 19th, Trunk -R- Treat,
6:00-8:45 p.m. in school parking lot.

Monday, October 22nd , School photos by Robert Taylor Photography. Full uniform required. Click here for information about Picture Day.

Monday, October 22nd, Flu Clinic at School, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Click here for details.

Friday November 9th, Veteran's Day Assembly, 1:00 PM, Gathering Hall for all grades, families invited.

November 12-16th , Scholastic "Enchanted Forest" Book Fair. Stay tuned for details including an HSA sponsored Family Movie Night November 10th.

November 16th , Bingo, 5:45-9:30 PM in Gathering Hall. $17 per person admission. Spread the word!

November 20th , Annual Turkey Bowl, 1:00 PM on Field. Stay tuned for details!
 NOTES FROM THE OFFICE

Change in Dismissal Procedures

Each day a child's dismissal procedure is changed, a note must be sent to the office. This may be the form provided in the notepad sold in the school office or via an email coped to both the school secretary and homeroom teacher. A change in the dismissal of student (i.e. from car/walk to after school or bus)  must be sent to the school by 1PM.
All students picked up in the school for dismissal should be picked up no later than 2:30 p.m.; otherwise, car walk should be used.

Emergency and Weather Related Blasts
Please program 956-64 into your phone and call it “St. Rose Emergency Blasts”. This will ensure that you receive weather related closings and delays.

Hot Lunch program - For all questions regarding hot lunch, contact Mrs. Suzanne Thorne, at hotlunch@yahoo.com . 

After School Club - Contact Lauren Frost at afterschool@srles.com . During after school hours, the phone number is: 203-419-5258.

Uniform Exchange - Please direct all uniform requests to uniforms@srles.com .

AllStar Bussing - Newtown families using the bus, please be sure to save this in your cell phone 203-304-9779. All questions regarding bussing should go through Allstar.
HSA NEWS

Dear Friends:

Behind the scenes, several parents have been stepping forward to take on initiatives to benefit our school.

Today, we'd like to thank Amanda Brennan for taking on our Scrip program. Thank you, Amanda! Amanda has great ideas to promote and grow Scrip within our community. If you are interested and able to help, please reach out to Amanda directly ( brennans.of.russett@gmail.com ) or let us know and we'll pass your information on. You may have noticed that a Scrip order was promoted and sent in this week...we are transitioning to a "once a month" order - this will make the process of obtaining Scrip cards more efficient and predictable. 

Please consider utilizing Scrip each and every time you order from Land's End, LL Bean and other retailers who rebate 16% of your purchase back to St. Rose School. The potential of Scrip to fund upgrades and programs for our school and children is amazing! We appreciate your active support.

Looking forward to seeing you tonight at our Trunk or Treat event. We hope it launches a terrific weekend for you and your family.

Your HSA Board

P.S. If you do not have a Scrip account yet, please go to shop.shopwithscrip.com to register. It is so easy! Our school enrollment code is L4FCBD8C9533.




Questions? Suggestions? Email hsa@srles.com
NEWS FROM NURSE BONNIE

The State of Connecticut requires all preschool students to receive an annual Flu vaccine. This must be done no later then  12/31/18.   St. Rose School will be having a Flu Clinic on October 22nd at 3:00-5:00 pm in the main school library. All students and family members are welcome.

Please make sure all yearly physicals are updated and forms submitted to me. Thank you.
NEWS FROM AFTER SCHOOL CLUB

After School Club has been going great this year! The kids are keeping busy doing homework, spending time outside and playing fun and educational tabletop games! A couple reminders to all parents to keep the program going successfully:
1.If you would prefer that your child not eat ASC snack, please send in extra snacks for them in case they get hungry. Also make sure all snacks are peanut free! Read all the labels please on all food that is sent into the ASC classroom. 
2. Keep an eye out for ASC e-mails. Billing is sent through e-mail, so please be prompt to avoid any late fees.
3. Please remember to label all sweaters, jackets, and sweatshirts. We do our best to keep track of all belongings but sometimes things get left behind. 
4. Lastly, we are taking any and all toy donations right now! If you have any toys, games, or craft supplies in usable condition that you want to get rid of, please drop them off at school, we'd be happy to take them :) 


SCHOOL HOURS

Main School:
Early Drop Off: 7:00am by Gathering Hall doors (will be charged $8, no need to pre-register)
Arrival: 7:50am
Departure : 2:50pm
Early Dismissal, Regular: Noon
Early Dismissal, Emergency : 11:50 a.m.
Delay, Emergency: 10:50 a.m.

Preschool School Hours:
Early Drop Off: 8:00 a.m. Contact Beth Keenan, beforeschoolpk@srles.com at least one day ahead.
Arrival: 8:45 a.m.
Departure: 1:45 p.m. for Pre-K 4 and Step Up; 11:45 a.m. for Pre-K 3’s
Extended Day: 1:45-2:45 p.m. for Pre-K 4 and Step Up (must register prior to the start of school year - this not a drop in)
Early Dismissal, Emergency: 11:30 a.m.
Delay, Emergency: 11:15 a.m. for Pre-K 4 and Step Up; Pre-K 3’s is cancelled
SCRIP ORDERS PLACED THE 1ST AND 15TH OF EACH MONTH...BE A PART OF THIS AWESOME PROGRAM. YOU SHOP AND ST. ROSE SCHOOL EARNS MONEY THAT HELPS OUR STUDENTS THRIVE!

We will be placing orders on the 1st and 15th of the month. Can’t wait for a physical gift card? Ecards and reloadable gift cards are available instantly! Log on to  shop.shopwithscrip.com  to see a full listing of retailers, as well as the generous rebates they give back to our school with each purchase! Please email Amanda Brennan ( brennans.of.russett@gmail.com ) with any questions. Thank you for supporting our school!

AmazonSmile   - When ordering on Amazon, please use AmazonSmile at  smile.amazon.com . The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of the eligible to St. Rose.  AmazonPrime members can also participate.

Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards Program  - Please log on to  www.stopandshop.com/aplus  and select customer registration to register online using your Stop & Shop Card.  Our school id is 16873 . 

BIG Y Education Express. A Family program to help our local schools get FREE, much needed supplies and equipment. 
https://www.bigy.com/rs/EducationExpress# . Create an account using your Big Y card and choose St. Rose in Newtown.

Many thanks for your support!
NEWS FROM ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

Volunteers are needed to help plan a charity basketball game between St. Rose School Dads and the Knights of Columbus. All proceeds will benefit the athletic programs at St. Rose School. Help us replenish and upgrade our equipment. Please contact John Moulder at  athletics@stroseschool.com . 
We appreciate your support!

St. Rose School | 40 Church Hill Road Newtown CT 06470| 203-426-5102 admissions@stroseschool.com | www.stroseschool.com