“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Genesis 28:15
Greetings from Mr. G
August 10, 2020
Safe. Strong. Sustaining. This is our goal for the 2020-2021 school year. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the return to on site learning adheres to state and diocesan guidelines and reflects the beautiful spirit that is unique to our school community. We are all in this together with Jesus the Good Shepherd leading the way.
Dear St. Rose School Families,
We have faced many challenges over these past months but I am pleased to say that St. Rose School is prepared to welcome students back in our halls, safely and joyfully, for the 2020-2021 school year. I hope you have reviewed the Re-Opening plan issued by the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools which you can read in the Important Documents box below. We will be following these guidelines for our own reentry. Please be sure to read the Student Life Update by Mrs. B; in it she will share special announcements including before and after school care, masks, uniforms, lunches, lockers and more.
Calendar highlights
September 2nd -- first day of school K-4;
11:30 a.m. dismissal
September 3rd -- first day of school grades 5-8; 11:30 a.m. dismissal
September 4th -- K-8 attend school for half day; 11:30 a.m. dismissal
September 8th -- first day of Preschool
September 10th -- first HSA Meeting
Curriculum
School will take place on site, 5 days a week in a full day format. Distance learning is an option and will take place during the same time frame. Teachers will follow one lesson plan for in person and remote students. We believe that classroom learning is optimal but understand parental preference if health is a concern. More details will emerge about the distance learning option and teachers will be reaching out to their classes with information about the start of the year shortly.
Daily routine
All Preschool through Middle School classrooms have been sanitized, cleared of unnecessary materials and set up according to social distance guidelines. Desks will face one direction and be appropriately spaced to ensure maximum safety. One direction traffic flow has been established in both the halls and classrooms with the use of decals. We have all of the essential cleaning supplies and equipment necessary for optimal cleanliness. Click here for preview of classroom video.
There will be a safety kit in every classroom that includes an infrared thermometer. Parents are asked to keep children home if they have a temperature over 100 degrees, exhibit any signs of Covid-19 or have been in contact with anyone with Covid-19. Teachers will work closely with Nurse Bonnie if any issues arise during the school day. Please refer to the Diocesan 2020-21 Re-Opening plan for specific safety and health guidelines.
Breaks/Lunch/Recess
● There will be one 20 minute “break” in the morning (scheduled between 9:00-10:30 a.m.).
● There will be a 20 minute lunch break (scheduled between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.)
● There will be one 20 minute “break/recess” in the afternoon (scheduled between 1:15-2:15 p.m.)
Breaks will take place outdoors using all parts of the campus to ensure distancing. In the case of bad weather breaks will take place in the gathering hall, two classes at a time using the divider.
Hot lunch will not be offered at this time; lunch will take place in the classrooms.
In order to ensure maximum safety, PE classes will not take place at this time and playground equipment will not be accessible. Walks and other safe fresh air exercise, as well as discussions about safety and hygiene, will take place during breaks. Music and Art will alternate with Mrs. Locke.
Specifics about the daily routine will be communicated shortly. While this is different from the daily flow to which we have been accustomed, I want to assure you that these new measures will not affect the spirit of our school community. I am so impressed by our teachers' commitment to making this a fun, engaging year for your children.
As I said at the start of this letter, we have faced many challenges but we have also experienced many victories. St. Rose School is a special place; we have a rich history and a bright future because, starting 62 years ago and ever since, the people who walk these halls are committed to giving/receiving an education that is rooted in faith and thriving in academics, service and community. Together we will stay safe, strong and sustaining.
Please take some time to peruse the newsletter, especially the Faculty announcements section. We have a very strong team in place and promise to make 2020-2021 an enlightening year for all students and families.
We delayed the release of this issue due to last week's storm so that everyone could take care of their families. Going forward the newsletters will arrive Fridays at 5:00 p.m., including this Friday August 14th. This way we can keep you up to date with key information.
Enjoy the remaining weeks of summer and as always, don't hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.
The doors are open and we are ready to provide our students with a safe, sensational school year. Enter, Rejoice and Come In!
STUDENT LIFE UPDATE by MRS. B
Dear St. Rose School Families,
We have arrived in August and the days seem to be marching by quickly! It’s usually March that we refer to as coming in like a lion or lamb; but, it seems August decided to take that over and certainly came in like a lion; I pray that everyone weathered the storm safely and that power is now restored to all!
I want to begin this message with celebration! Even with the interruptions and changes to the calendar, we have good news to share because it’s always a good time to celebrate with joy! Join me in sending blessings and prayers of congratulations to our 2nd, now 3rd graders, on making their First Eucharist in July! We look forward to the day we can celebrate mass together and partake in this most precious sacrament with them!
Please read the complete Student Life Update located in the Important Documents section of this newsletter.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM NURSE BONNIE
It is important that all health forms are updated and submitted to Nurse Bonnie before the start of the school year. Please download these forms, complete and submit. Questions? Email nurse@srles.com. Thank you.
How is it mid-August already? As the days pass by we are getting ready for the new school year. We want to welcome our new families - we are excited to have you join the St. Rose community and look forward to meeting you.
We will kick off the year with our new members Isabel Almeida (Vice President) and Meg Lampazzi (Secretary) who join Dave Budzynski (Treasurer) and Kate O'Connor (President) on our HSA executive board. The HSA board will be meeting to establish our calendar of events for 2020-21 and to establish our budget. Please mark your calendars for our first HSA meeting of the school year which will take place on September 10th and will be available via Zoom for remote participation so that all can join. All parents are invited to join us for important updates and to weigh in on our proposals for the school year. The exact time will be confirmed as the details are finalized.
In the meantime, we hope you will help spread the word about the 2020 Golf Outing which takes place on Monday, September 21. This is our biggest annual fundraiser and one that we very much need to be a success after having to postpone from May. Thankfully golf is something that can be done with social distancing measures in place. Please visit SaintRoseGolfClassic.com for more information.
We hope you enjoy the remaining days before the start of school and look forward to seeing you in a few weeks. Please reach out to us at hsa@srles.com if you have any questions.
Your HSA Board
FACULTY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Behind every good school is a strong faculty. We are delighted that so many of our beloved teachers are returning this year -- some in new positions -- and we are excited to introduce dynamic new team members.
First we say a fond farewell and a big thank you to Mrs. Fran Wong. For the past 5 years Mrs. Wong has been a blessing to the students, faculty and families of St. Rose School. She will be greatly missed but she promises to stay in touch. We ask God's blessing on Mrs. Wong and her family as she embarks on a new endeavor.
We also say goodbye to Mrs. Pam Zmek, our energetic, creative Third grade teacher, Mrs. Keri Salustri who brought a love of music to all who entered her classroom, sang at mass and participated in the school musicals and Mrs. Kacy Caterson, our enthusiastic PE teacher. We will miss them in our halls and wish them every happiness as they begin new chapters in their lives.
Please join me in welcoming our new faculty members:
Mrs. Jeanne Vitetta, First Grade
Mrs. Heidi Verdi, School Counselor
Ms. Kathleen Curry, Graduate Assistant, ELA
Mrs. Lisa Sweeting, Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Tamra Russo will be the Fourth Grade teacher with Mrs. Mary Kirlin as the Teaching Assistant. Mrs. Tanya Cicarelli will be the Middle School Math teacher. We are actively interviewing for a Third Grade teacher. You can learn more about each of these faculty members in the attached document.
