August 25, 2021
Dear St. Rose School Families and Faculty,
The time has come to open our doors and welcome students in Preschool - 8th grade into our halls for an enriching 2021-2022 school year. We are delighted that so many of you are returning and are excited to watch our school family expand with those of you joining us this year. We hope you were able to attend the new family welcome picnic this afternoon and know that we are all here to make your transition a smooth one. St. Rose School is 63 years and going strong because of people like you.
Welcome New Faculty/Staff
This morning our faculty gathered for mass at the church where Monsignor Bob gave us a special blessing for the school year. What a wonderful way to begin our learning journey and a beautiful tone to set for our school family. Faith is our fortress.
I am delighted to introduce you to our new faculty/staff members. They join us with a depth of experience and a commitment to the values, traditions and innovations that are the hallmark of a St. Rose School education. Together with our dedicated, returning faculty and staff, our team is strong and motivated to give every student the tools they need to reach their God given potential.
This year Social and Emotional Learning will be an integral part of our curriculum. I have learned through pursuing my Doctorate in this area how vital it is to the healthy growth of students and the overall school environment. Mrs. B and Mrs. Verdi have worked on plans for implementation of this program; please watch for more details in Mrs. B's upcoming Student Life Update. Here is an overview:
SEL
The safety and well being of our students continues to be our priority as we begin another school year. Our teachers have worked tirelessly in the past year and a half to ensure that our academics moved forward while navigating the impact of the pandemic. The success of their efforts are seen in the results of benchmarks, standardized tests, and readiness of students to move forward. With our teachers prepared to take on another year, our classrooms and hallways safe and ready, the final piece we have put into place is a more formalized focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL), which has never been more important given the continued pandemic and an ever evolving, challenging society in which to grow up.
We will begin working with our students using the Second Step program. This is a research-based social-emotional learning program designed to improve children's social-emotional skills; designed to help your child in and out of school. The four units that will frame our efforts are: Growth Mindset & Goal Setting; Emotional Management; Empathy and Kindness; and Problem-Solving. The Problem-Solving process uses the STEP process. STEP = Say the problem; Think of solutions; Explore the outcomes, Pick a solution. Second Step along with Digital Citizenship will be worked into our weekly schedule to introduce topics and will be reinforced through cross-curricular lessons in the classroom and overall school climate.
School Office News/Procedures/Calendar
There is always a little jolt as we reenter from summer mode. We hope the attached reminders and forms will help you make the transition smoothly.
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Hot Lunch will be provided by Nick's Catering this year; orders will be placed on a monthly basis through the service Boonli. Attached are the details -- please note that everyone is a NEW parent given the switch to Nick's Catering. Ordering opens on August 23rd. If you have any questions regarding Hot Lunch please email Mrs. Thorne, hotlunch@yahoo.com. If you technical questions regarding order placement email support@boonli.com.
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School Supplies. While new school supplies are exciting we ask that the children don't bring all supplies on the first day. Due to construction on campus, we ask that you do not drop supplies off during the days leading up to school. What we recommend is that children come to school with writing and coloring supplies; scissors and glue; and a folder (middle schoolers should also bring planners). The teachers will let the children know what they should bring the next day and by week's end all supplies will be safely tucked away in desks and lockers.
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Uniform and Uniform Exchange -- Information about uniforms for grades K-8 can be found on the website,https://www.stroseschool.com/parents/uniforms. This year, for winter uniform boys will wear the button down shirts but ties are not required. However, we ask that each boy has a school tie for special days and events throughout the school year. We want to remind you that 8th grade boys will be given the privilege to wear a school appropriate tie of their choice during the year. As you know, we have an active uniform exchange program that is run by volunteer parents. Attached is a form and if you have questions email uniforms@srles.com. On the first days of school students will wear summer uniforms, however if your orders are delayed boys can wear solid color shorts with a solid color polo (no graphics); girls can wear solid color skorts or skirts with a solid color polo.
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After School Care -- is available for grades K-8 Mondays-Fridays until 6:00 p.m. On half days, After School Care will run until 4:00 p.m. Please make arrangements with our After School Care Coordinator. Click here for details.
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Student Handbook -- please familiarize yourself with the handbook which contains important information about school policies, conduct, uniforms, etc. We kindly ask that you sign off once you have read it. Thank you.
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School Calendar -- We are excited to welcome students into our halls for the 2021-2022 school year. We will be entering with a staggered start. The following dates highlight our first days of school. Please note that on the half days ONLY the grades indicated should come to school.
Monday, August 30th -- K-4th ONLY, Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, August 31st -- 5th - 8th ONLY, Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, September 1st -- K-8th TOGETHER, Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, September 2nd -- K-8th, Full Day for ALL
Friday, September 3rd, -- K-8th, Full Day for ALL
Monday, September 6th -- Labor Day, School Closed
Wednesday, September 8th -- First Day of Preschool, 8:45 - 11:45 a.m. for all programs
Thursday, September 9th -- Back to School Night/HSA Meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Nurse/Health News
We are in tip top shape for the school year. Our buildings are thoroughly sanitized and will be on a regular basis, and all measures are in place to keep our students and faculty safe while engaging in a robust curriculum that includes specials and after school enrichment programs. Based on guidelines from the state and local Departments of Health, students and faculty will wear masks while indoors during the month of September. Our plan is to utilize outdoor classrooms as often as possible and there will be several mask breaks built into the days. I will be conferring with Nurse Bonnie frequently and we will reassess the situation as needed. Attached are documents regarding the latest on this topic for your review. If you have Covid or mask related questions please email nurse@srles.com. Thank you.
Thank you!
We are grateful to our Home & School Association (HSA) for researching and arranging the installation of three bottle filling stations in the school building. Monsignor Bob generously covered the cost of the equipment so many thanks to all for providing a cutting edge, sanitary means of hydration for our students and staff.
It is also exciting to get a new roof on the Preschool building. That work is happening this week thanks to help from Monsignor and St. Rose parish. This summer marked the 20th anniversary of the first Preschool graduation -- it is a wonderful program that is housed in a very special building that was once a convent. It is a part of our school and parish's rich history and bright future.
The countdown starts -- we look forward to greeting your precious children as they arrive at school next week and we ask God to guide, protect and bless our St. Rose School family as we embark on the 2021-2022 school year. If you have any questions please email Mrs. Sweeting, secretary@srles.com. She will be sure to direct them to the appropriate person.
Enjoy your last days of summer.
God Bless,
