Dear HNPS Families,
On Tuesday, our students gathered in the church for our opening mass which was celebrated by Fr. Nakeeran and Fr. Evans. It was a nice way to begin the year gathering together as a school community. Hearing our students sing "This Little Light of Mine" together was a wonderful reminder of the community we have here at HNPS.

As part of our mass, we inaugurated our student council members who were elected last spring. The Student Council is one of our longest-running traditions. We look forward to their leadership and their work to help keep the spirit alive at Holy Name.

Grace Barrett is our Commissioner General this year. This year Grace would like to "make sure everyone feels welcome and wants [the Student Council] to help every student in the best way that it can."

I am impressed with Grace's vision for the Student Council and I look forward to her leadership and the leadership of all our members this year.

In students' first art classes, Ms. Purtell began the year by reading Peter Reynolds' The Dot. In the story, a teacher encourages her student to "Just make a mark and see where it takes you." Ms. Purtell's asked HNPS students do the same. Their dots are now displayed on the bulletin board in the second floor corridor (see the HNPS photo section below).

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and I hope to see many of you at Sunday's mass and parish picnic.

Best regards,

Mr. Chisholm
Holy Name Parish Picnic
Join Holy Name Parish for an Outdoor Mass and Picnic

Sunday, September 19th

The Mass starts at 11 am on the parkway side lawn. The BBQ/picnic will follow. The menu includes hot dogs, burgers, salad and desserts. There will be a pie baking contest,
music with a DJ, Magician (Jungle Jim), face/hand/arm painting, games and a 50/50 raffle.

Bring your family, friends, neighbors, folks you meet on the street. 
Looking Ahead
School picture day is scheduled for Thursday, September 29th. We will be sending picture order forms home in students' folders once we receive them from O'Connor Studios.
Arrival
Morning drop-off begins at 7:40 am. Please do not leave students unattended in the school yard prior to that time. Faculty and staff are not available until 7:40 am and we cannot have students in the school yard without adult supervision.
Nurse Molly Update
The “Test & Stay” program uses Abbot BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen Tests for asymptomatic Close Contacts of a Covid-19 exposure. They may also be used to test symptomatic students, who are not identified as Close Contacts, while in school. However, if an individual meets the criteria for Covid-19 symptoms, a negative PCR test result, or alternative diagnosis from a physician, is required in order for the individual to return to school. 

• Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 
• New loss of taste or smell
• Muscle aches or body aches
• Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
• Sore throat when in combination with other symptoms
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms 
• Headache when in combination with other symptoms
• Fatigue when in combination with other symptoms
• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

There is a non-zero chance a person experiencing symptoms from the above list is truly Covid negative, even with a negative result via rapid antigen test. PCR tests are the golden standard to rule out Covid-19 infections. 

Holy Name follows DESE guidelines, in accordance with CDC and MA DPH, regarding Covid-19 protocols. Please note Protocol C-1 and C-2.
Home & School Association
The HNPS Home & School Association (Home & School) is a group of school parent volunteers who contribute their time and talent to raise funds that directly impact the school and our children’s education opportunities. There are many ways that you can help support our fundraising efforts. 

  • Join us as a Home & School Member and help us plan events and fundraisers.
  • Volunteer at one of our fundraisers and earn your required school volunteer hours.
  • Sponsor one of our events and we will promote your company through marketing materials for the fundraiser!

This year, the Home & School Association has set a fundraising goal of $75,000. In addition to supporting the school operating budget, monies raised this year will go towards the school library, including diversifying our book collection, purchasing new books, and updating and remodeling the physical space. A list of our upcoming events is here. 

Donate & Earn Some Volunteer Hours!
Home and School is requesting donations to support the cash and gift prizes that we offer in the Fall Prize Calendar. We are also looking for items to assemble into themed baskets that will be raffled off at various events including our Touch-a-Truck, Annual Tree Lighting, and Adult Social Events. 
 
If you would like to donate an item for the baskets, we have made some suggestions by grade level here. These should be NEW, UNOPENED, UNWRAPPED items and they should be dropped off to the school.

If you would prefer to make a cash donation in support of our events, you can make out a check to Holy Name School or venmo Teresa Lisek at @Teresa-Lisek with your name/child’s name/grade and note “H&S Donation”. 

Please make donations by Friday, October 8th. For every $5 spent each family will earn one volunteer hour so make sure to include receipts with any items!

Holy Name Touch a Truck and Fall Festival & Call for Food Trucks
We are excited to be hosting a new Fall Fundraiser this year! We are also looking for a couple more food trucks to participate in the event so if you have a connection please reach out to Amanda Chisholm at Amanda.Chisholm.ND@gmail.com.  
Pre-register for the event starting next week!
First Reconciliation and First Communion Registration - 2nd Grade Families
First Reconciliation and First Communion families. If you have a child in second grade or above that has not received First Reconciliation or First Communion yet, please register them by clicking here.

Registration is separate from regular school and is necessary for your child to be a part of the preparation program this year. There is no charge for Holy Name School children.
Cub Scouts Registration
The Cub Scouts are back! Pack 3 Holy Name Cub Scouts are holding our annual Registration Night on Tuesday, Sept 21st from 6pm-8pm in the Finn Hall. This is an opportunity for parents of prospective Scouts to meet the Pack leadership and talk about the upcoming season, which is about to begin. We will kick off with a camping overnight at Camp Sayre in Milton on Saturday Sept 25th. Our Scouts will also march in the Roslindale Day Parade on Sunday, Oct 3rd. Our program serves boys and girls of our community ages 6 through 11 (grades K2 through 5th). We are also a volunteer-led group and we’ll be looking to parents to lead our new Dens. Please come Tuesday evening to learn more or email us at cubscoutspack3westroxbury@gmail.com.
HNPS Photos
Secondary School Fair - 6th Grade Students and Families
BC High is hosting a secondary school fair for students and families in 6th grade. Please click here for more details and a list of the schools participating.
Quote of the Week
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured
by the compassionate acts of its members."

~Coretta Scott King