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 Parents,

Thank you so much for your cooperation yesterday when our school was placed in “Stay in Place” mode due to an evolving situation which occurred at Hamden High School. Our decision to ”Stay In Place” which involved closely limiting visitors to our school, no outdoor recess and changes to our bus and middle school dismissal procedures was made  to ensure the safety of our students and staff and mirrored what was occurring in all Hamden schools. Throughout the day I was in contact with the Hamden Public Schools, Hamden PD and the mayor’s office monitoring the situation. The incident did not involve St. Rita School and I shared any and all information I had with you through email communication.  Once again your cooperation and support was greatly appreciated. 

Please join us for our annual celebration of National Catholic Schools Week, beginning on Sunday, January 27. We will be kicking off Catholic Schools Week (January 27-February 2) with two student led Masses. The 9:00 Mass on Sunday, January 27 at St. Stephen Church and the 11:30 Mass on Sunday, January 27 at St. Rita Church. Sr. Anne is looking for some student lectors (Grs. 6-8) and altar servers for the 11:30 Mass at St. Rita. Please contact her if your child is interested in either. 

Students are asked to wear their school uniforms to show their school pride at either Mass and receive a free dress day coupon from Msgr. Joe. Please see Mrs. Tiezzi, Sr. Anne or Mrs. Testa at Mass to receive your coupon.

This year’s CSW theme-“Catholic Schools: Learn, Serve, Lead, Succeed”-highlights our focus on academic excellence, faith development, dedication to community service and future success. We’ve planned a variety of events to show how we are doing as a community at St. Rita School.  You are also cordially invited to attend the First Friday Mass (8:45 A.M.) on February 1 followed by an Open House for current parents from 10:00-11:00 in the school.  A more detailed listing of the CSW activities will be included in next week’s newsletter.

Thank you for entrusting your child/ren to our care. Have a great week.

God Bless,

Mrs. Tiezzi

School News 
NEW OFFICE EMAIL
For all office related emails please email
office.stritaschool@gmail.com
Sibling Registration

Registration for the
2019-2020 school year is now available to our SRS siblings. Please contact
Carissa Civitello for more information.
Our Pre-K classes fill up quickly- please apply soon to guarantee a spot!
Next Virtus workshop in the area is Feb. 4 at 6:00PM at Church of the Assumption in Woodbridge.
Morning Drop off Reminder
Please be respectful of our morning drop off protocol. We have set forth these guidelines for the safety of all students and parents.
Do not park in the school parking lot when dropping off your child.
Do not get out of your car while in the drop off line.
Be cautious of children crossing in front of your car during drop off .
Please drive SLOWLY and CAREFULLY at all times.
If you choose to walk your child into school, please park at the church lot or on the designated street areas.
Student volunteers are needed for our Catholic Schools Week Masses
*All ages welcome*

Sunday January 27th
9am St. Stephen location
11:30am St. Rita location

Please email Carissa Civitello to volunteer

Stay tuned for our full CSW Itinerary-
Full of fun and exciting events!

We will be kicking off our Pennies for Patients this week also!!
More information to come!
Celebrate Our Families During Catholic Schools Week!
Come out to Family Fun Night with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Friday Feb. 1, 2019
Flyers were sent home yesterday. Order forms may be returned to SRS Main Office.

CONGRATULATIONS to all of our cast members!

Performances
April 25-27th
Ticket information coming soon!


SAVE THE DATE: ANNUAL MULTI-CULTURAL NIGHT: MARCH 21, 2019
Celebrate Our Cultures
Please note the changes to our cultural board.
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

If you are interested in volunteering for this event please email
Coming Soon: The 3rd Annual $10,000 Tuition Raffle
New Dates this year!
Starting on January 27, 2019, 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 Fees and Apparel will be posted
to your February Smart Tuition Account. 
 
 
2019 St Martin Luther King, Jr. Invitational Basketball Tournament
Please come out to support the Girls Varsity and Boys 8 th  Grade Varsity Teams
Girls first game is Thursday at 7:30pm
Boys first game is Saturday at 9:30am
Games are played at St Paul School
461 Alling Street, Kensington, CT
 
 

 

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)
 
Basketball Schedule can also be viewed at
 
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

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


John Esposito Sr.


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.


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
You are cordially invited to a
Mass of Thanksgiving
as we celebrate the

Beatification of
Blessed Clelia Merloni

These celebrations will take place at

St. Patrick’s Cathedral
New York, NY
Saturday, February 9, 2019
2:00 PM

To register for the Mass, please visit


UPCOMING DATES - 
January 18- 12:15 Dismissal
January 21- No School
January 27- Tuition Raffle Begins
January 27-Feb. 1- Catholic Schools Week
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

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