“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light."
-Matthew 6:22
Greetings from Mr. G
October 9, 2020
Once again I am humbled by the generosity of our school family. This week we received a $2,000 check -- to help defray the extra expenses we are incurring -- from grandparents who have asked to remain anonymous. Additionally Michelle (5th) and Danny (3rd)
Clavijo raised $28 for the Blooms Fund. These acts of kindness make a significant impact on our school community, giving us hope for the future. May God bless the givers and keep St. Rose School in His loving care.
Dear St. Rose School Families,
Fall is here with it's crisp air and beautiful colors. The weather has been such a blessing, enabling students to spend a good deal of time outdoors. It continues to be a safe, strong and sustaining school year thanks to the partnership among faculty, parents and students. The spirit of our St. Rose School community is such a gift.
Keep an eye out for progress reports. These assessments offer important insights about student learning styles, strengths and weaknesses. They are an effective midway benchmark for the quarter. Please take time to review the reports and feel free to email teachers with questions. We are dedicated to helping every student reach their God given potential.
Please note that when emailing faculty or administration at the school we are using @srles.com. The only time we use stroseschool.com is for the website, www.stroseschool.com. If you are having issues with emails please contact Mrs. Sweeting, secretary@srles.com.
Our littlest learners bring big smiles to our hearts every day. The 3-, 4- and 5- (Transitional Kindergarten) programs are in full gear. This year we started a Peek-A-Boo 2's program which is going very nicely. Enrollment in all programs is ongoing. There will be a Preschool Open House Wednesday October 14th, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (rain date October 16th, 10:00-11:00 a.m.) Please share the word with friends and family who might find that St. Rose Preschool is a good fit for their children. You can reach out to Mrs. Coppola with questions, admissions@srles.com. Our hope is that Preschool students stay with the St. Rose family through 8th grade. It's an amazing journey of growth and discovery. There are proven educational, social and emotional benefits to learning in a Preschool-8th grade environment.
I'm pleased to announce that we will be running the Tuition Raffle again this year as part of our critical fundraising efforts. The odds are great with an opportunity to win $10,000 that can be applied to any college, K-12 school or student loan organization of the designated student(s)' choice. Our goal is to get 100 percent participation from the school community so that we can maximize our earnings. Details will follow and questions can be directed to Mrs. Moulder, advancement@srles.com. If your means allow, we ask you to help us reach our $150,000 fundraising goal this year. Every gift makes a BIG difference in the lives of our students.
Today's early dismissal and Monday's holiday make for an extra long weekend. Have fun, be safe and stay hopeful.
Did you know it costs $8,538 to educate EVERY 1 student at St. Rose School? This means that $1,958 per student is not covered by tuition.
While we realize that tuition is a sacrifice for many, the TUITION GAP creates a portion of the school deficit every year. It is imperative that we find ways to CLOSE the GAP so that we can continue providing an academically stellar, faith focused education for children in Preschool - 8th grade.
We need your help! If means allow, please consider covering some or all of your child's GAP fee. It can be paid in one sum or over 12 months. The good news is -- it's tax deductible! If your employer provides matching gifts, perhaps you can split the GAP fee; if you can pay it in full, your matching gift will be an additional contribution to closing the GAP which will make a tremendous impact on our school.
Questions? Call/email Mr. G, principal@srles.com.
We are all in this together! Thank you and God bless!
CARRY ALL CADDY Fundraiser
Organize your trips to the grocery store, beach and more with the SRS Carry All Caddy! It's sturdy and handy to place in a cart, in the trunk, carry over your shoulder and collapse down for easy storage! The logo was designed by St. Rose School alumna Carolyn Del Rossi (Class of 2012).
EXCITING NEWS Basketball and soccer clinics, chess, art and tutoring will be offered 3:15-4:15 pm the weeks of November 2 through December 18 excluding the week of Thanksgiving in the gym and library. Masks are required. Click here for details
Basketball and Cheer plans are in the works, but we are waiting for more guidance from the Diocese and CIAC about how these will be hosted. Basketball will be offered for students in grades 6-8; Cheer will be offered in grades 2-8. We will begin the week November 2, so please be sure your childrens' physicals are up to date with Nurse Bonnie by October 16th. If you would like to receive information about cheer or basketball, please complete this form, https://forms.gle/Je3VahG1mdfZn3QE8
We awaited the reopening of school and here we are at the half way point of the first quarter and a long weekend to celebrate!
With the long weekend and the beautiful autumn weather, we are hearing that many of our students will be enjoying great adventures over the long weekend. We wish you safe and happy travels; and many memorable moments! In following safety protocols, we ask that if you are venturing out of state, that you please follow the Connecticut mandates, set by the Governor, regarding any quarantine and/or testing required prior to returning to school.
Our students have been filled with joy and working happily in the classroom, we have seen the smiles in their eyes; but, on Thursday, October 15th, we will reveal their bright and shining smiles as we host School Picture Day!! Students should wear the winter dress uniform that day; this is one of those exception days where we ask the boys to wear ties. Sweaters and fleeces can be worn for pictures as well. Please see the family handbook for more information on winter uniforms. Remember that we have the uniform exchange for your uniform needs...uniforms@srles.com While we can't have the traditional class pictures, due to social distancing requirements, we are planning a new format, a class picture for the times!
Distance Learning and Absences
Distance Learning requests need to be made to school administration. Families will need to meet with school administrators and a representative of the Diocese to make arrangements to participate in Distance Learning, for an agreed upon period of time. Those who are absent during a school day(s), for reasons not related to COVID or quarantine, may not log in to attend classes or to take assessments. All absences, not related to COVID and quarantine, are handled as they were in the past. A student who is not in school is marked as absent. A parent can request missed work and homework (most of this information can be found by your child logging into their Google Classroom or SeeSaw account); students will be given time to make up missed work and assessments, based on the number of days they are absent.
Uniforms
While we have extended the warm weather uniform, and have seen some chilly days, a gentle reminder that students can wear the SRS sweater, fleece, or PE sweatshirt (over their polo shirt) during the entire school day. Hoodies and sweatshirts that are nonuniform can be worn to and from school and outside for recess; but, cannot be worn in the classroom. We will add days for spirit wear and SRS team hoodies and sweatshirts after November 1. We have also been asked about the switch to winter uniforms in November. We have made the following decision to accommodate all families and the purchases you have made or plan to make. Regarding the winter uniforms, as outlined in the handbook, we still would like the switch over to the long pants, jumpers, and winter skirts. We would also like the long sweatpants on Tuesdays and Thursdays. As for the top of the uniform, we will allow students to continue to wear the short sleeve polo shirt, a long sleeve polo shirt (available through Land’s End) or the oxford shirts (boys won’t wear ties everyday) and for the girls, an option of a white turtleneck.
Social Distancing
The children are doing a wonderful job with procedures and changes this year! We do ask your help in reminding your child of the importance of social distancing; especially when masks are off. This is one area that we are working diligently to get full cooperation from all grade levels. Discussions with, and reminding your child what a safe distance from another person looks like, will help to reinforce what is needed at the times they are without their mask. Your support and assistance is greatly appreciated.
Updates to Our Student Programs
We are thrilled to see our after school offerings for our students growing with added clinics and programs! In addition to these programs, an important addition is help with homework and studying. You will have the option of in-person small group homework help like we offered in the past; and an additional option of one-to-one virtual tutoring sessions; which are going to be available for evening sessions. We thank Monica Ortega for coordinating these programs for us. Please see the updates and flyers included in this newsletter.
We are also excited as we plan “Gallery Walls in Our Halls”! Our classes have been producing the most creative and beautiful projects that we have decided to cultivate a community of artists. While we can’t all get together for in school assemblies at this time, we can share our talents and work with one another by sharing our art! Watch future newsletters for a link to a virtual tour of our children’s masterpieces!
Our school administration, faculty, and staff wish you a safe and happy long weekend!
Thank you so much for sending in your HSA registrations. We rely on you to make the HSA a success and have received a great response to date! We still need more of you to enroll - please complete your form (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qskZqHI0a5Y8) and send it into the school office with your dues. Thank you!
We are excited to announce that 8 picnic tables have been ordered and will be delivered to the school any day, to give the kids somewhere to sit and eat during mask breaks, lunch and recess. We are planning on assembling, sanding and painting them as soon as they arrive. Please watch the SRS Parents Facebook page for updates and consider helping out if you can. Thank you!
We are looking forward to our first ever sidewalk chalk competition, Chalk It Up, which will take place on Sunday, October 18th from 2-4pm. We will conduct this event in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines for outdoor events, so there will be a capacity limit. However, we do need a minimum for participation to move forward with the event. We'd appreciate if you can register by Monday, October 12 so we can get a headcount and order the chalk - please include the number of people who will attend in your group. Link to register: https://forms.gle/7EdUwBhNSiUGBfsp8 Please send a check to school made out to "St. Rose HSA."
Additionally, we are looking forward to Trunk R Treat on Friday, October 30th. This event will be capped at 150 people in line with the CT reopening plans, so advanced registration will be necessary. We need a few parent volunteers to help us plan and run this event. Please contact us at hsa@srles.com. Registration for Trunk R Treat will begin this coming week.
We are still working out dates for a Mom's Night Out and a Dad's Night Out. These will be separate events to help connect you to other parents. Both will be outdoors so we are aiming for the next few weeks before it gets too cold. We know it would be so nice to gather safely and spend some time with other parents. Stay tuned!
Have a wonderful long weekend.
Your HSA Board
NURSE NEWS
Nurse Bonnie is on site Monday-Friday during school hours. You can reach her at nurse@srles.com or 203-426-5102 ext 104.