Dear St. Rose School Families:

Hooray! We had a tremendous turnout for the Labor Day parade and even won Best School Float! It was my first time experiencing this tradition in Newtown and at St. Rose School and I was enchanted by the spirit exuded by all who marched and lined the route to wave hello. A very special shout out to the Sirois family who built a replica of our original school building and filled it with antique desks, a chalkboard and children in uniforms through the years. Thanks to Mrs. Sirois' father, Mr. Killian of Earth Movers, we rode in style -- and safely -- displaying St. Rose School for all to see. The Monckton, Keenan, O'Connor and Lavin families were incredibly integral to the success of our float. Kudos to Ramsey for braving the heat and to our awesome cheerleaders who led the float in a sea of red, white and lively, crowd rousing routines. Much appreciation goes to the students and parents who woke up early to march. It was a privilege for me to ride alongside Monsignor Weiss and witness the love and affection with which he is regarded ...he is indeed a good shepherd to our school and greater community. Special thanks to Sister Thaddeus, Mrs. B and Mrs. Rahtelli for being such good sports and demonstrating their strong commitment to St. Rose School. We are blessed!

The heat is on but so is the learning. Our classrooms are humming with positive activity and students are really engaged in the lessons their teachers have prepared. As I make my frequent rounds through the halls and stop in to the classrooms I am reminded of why I got in to education -- there is great joy in opening the doors of discovery to children and giving them the tools they will need to blossom in to the people God intends for them to be.

Safety is of paramount importance to us as we care for your children throughout the day. This week we held our first fire drill which went very smoothly. The bells are ringing clearly and all teachers have their exit routes mapped out carefully. All students were ushered out of and in to the building without incident. We will have fire and other safety drills periodically throughout the year to ensure that our procedures are firmly in place.

This week we welcomed our littlest students -- the Preschoolers! What light they bring to the campus with their wide eyes, excited chatter and adorable back packs. In their innocence and eagerness to explore the world, we see the goodness of God. It will be wonderful to witness their growth through the year and include them in a variety of activities with our older students such as school assemblies, visits to the science lab, art class and lunch in the gathering hall. We are all a family.

Please mark your calendars for our 60th Anniversary celebration on October 6, 2018. It is such an honor to be part of a school that opened 60 years ago and has been built upon the dedication and accomplishments of so many. We look forward to bringing together our past, present and future families at a special mass and outdoor gathering that day. It's a FREE event with fabulous food, fun activities and lively music so please come and spread the word! Questions? email Laura, advancement@srles.com.

Today we gathered together as a school family for our first Friday mass of the year which coincides with First Friday. It is always a peaceful time to reflect on God's role in our lives. We take comfort in our school family, our Catholic identity and this wonderful opportunity to express our faith. We hope you will join us at future mass celebrations on Fridays during the school year.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our first HSA meeting and Back to School Night next Thursday, September 13th, 6:30-8:30 p.m. This will be an insightful evening at which both the school faculty and HSA Board will present an overview for the year so please make every effort to attend and get involved with our school.

Another weekend is here to enjoy. May it be a relaxing one for all.

God bless,

Mr. Bardhyl Gjoka