OUR MISSION:
St. Rita School inspires students in Pre-Kindergarten through grade eight to achieve academic excellence in a safe, nurturing and faith-filled Catholic environment.
We prepare students to be morally responsible, innovative thinkers who, in today’s technology-guided global community, live and share the Love of Christ.
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From the Desk of Mrs. Tiezzi
Dear St. Rita Parents,
Last week the AIAC (Archdiocesan Interscholastic Athletic Conference) Executive Board met regarding the start of the winter sports season. The Board unanimously decided to cancel the winter sports season due to the many concerns related to COVID-19 and the mitigation strategies needed to be in place to ensure the health and safety of our student athletes and volunteer coaches. The Board will meet again in early March and determine the status of the spring sports season. Thank you for your understanding.
Over the past few weeks, I have been contacted by many parents who want to change their child’s learning status from in-person to remote or remote to in-person. As our return to school plan indicated, we are not allowing students to switch back and forth from one learning mode to the other except at the end of a trimester. The second trimester ends on March 12, therefore, the earliest a student may switch to remote learning or return from remote learning is Monday, March 15. Changing from one status to the other involves a tremendous amount of work on the part of teachers and office staff. Your understanding and support of our remote learning policy is greatly appreciated.
Tomorrow is Inauguration Day, an important day in the history of our country, where power is peacefully passed from the outgoing President to the incoming President. As a teacher, I was always so excited for my students to not only learn about our great democratic system of government but also witness firsthand the swearing in of our next President. Unfortunately, with what has transpired over the past week, teachers will not be showing the Inauguration live but will delay having students watch it until it is deemed safe to do so. Let us pray that the incoming leadership of our country puts the needs of our citizens first and foremost ahead of all the partisan politics and bickering.
From January 13 through today we have had three students test positive for COVID-19. One individual was last in school on Friday, January 8 and the other two individuals were last in school on Tuesday, January 12. The classes these students were in have been on remote learning due to a previous exposure. All three students may return to school on Monday, January 25. Following CDC and QVHD protocols all the necessary information has been submitted for contact tracing and those individuals considered a “close contact” have been notified.
The Archdiocese of Hartford Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic School and the CEO Foundation (www.ceoct.org) have scholarship opportunities available for students who attend Catholic schools. Attached to this email is a link for the application for the FACS scholarships which are due back to the school office by February 1, 2021. Please be sure all the supporting documentation accompanies the application. Applications for the CEO Foundation will go online at 12:01 A.M. on Monday, March 1, 2021. These scholarships are distributed very quickly so please do not miss these deadlines.
Tonight at 5:30 P.M., the Presidential Inaugural Committee has asked everyone, “wherever you are to come together for a moment to mourn those we lost to the pandemic by lighting a candle, illuminating a building or ringing church bells on January 18 at 5:30 P.M. “ Let us join in solidarity with our neighbors to pray for, remember, and honor those who have lost their life due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finally, thank you for your continued support as together we navigate this challenging 2020-2021 school year. Let us continue to pray for one another, as well as pray for healing for our great country. Working together we can set a powerful example for our children and ensure that they live in a world full of love, hope, peace, equality, and justice. Thank you for entrusting your child/ren to our care. Be safe and stay well.
God Bless,
Mrs. Tiezzi
Principal
Guidelines and Criteria for 2020-2021
Click HERE for the FACS Scholarship Application
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Dear SRS families,
As February is quickly approaching, we would like to remind you of some of the protocols that have been put in place due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic and how it affects your child/ren as far as their lunches and beverages are concerned here in the school building:
- WATER FOUNTAINS have signs placed over them as a reminder that they are not to be used, therefore, please remember to supply your student(s) with beverages to drink.
- LUNCH ORDERS for students must be ordered via the online portal BEFORE 9 pm the day before the lunch is needed. Since we often have changes in regard to students switching to remote learning due to exposure, please remember to make any adjustments on the lunch portal (i.e. remove your student's lunch order from the portal if they will not be in school so that you will not be charged). If you do not sign up and your child needs a hot lunch, you will receive a phone call asking you to bring in your student's lunch.
- LUNCHES & SNACKS from HOME - If you are providing snack and lunch from home, please be sure you also provide utensils, napkins and again, beverages.
Please feel free to contact me directly should you have any other questions or concerns at carmodye1@gmail.com.
Let's continue to be safe and healthy.
We can all get through this together!
Thank you,
Erin Carmody
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Click HERE to download the Candy Gram Tags
Click HERE to download the Candy Gram Order Form
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Parents of Remote Learners:
Please do not come to St. Rita to pick up your child's work before dismissal. Teachers often add books or other items to the pickup boxes after dismissal, but before 3 pm.
Pickup times are 3 to 5 pm on regular dismissal days,
and 1 to 3 pm on early dismissal days.
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Scholarship Opportunities
The Archdiocese of Hartford Foundation for Advancement of Catholic Schools and the CEO Foundation (www.ceoct.org) have scholarship opportunities available for students who attend Catholic schools. Please click the links below for the guidelines and criteria and the application which are due to the office by February 1, 2021. Please be sure that all the supporting documentation accompanies the application. Applications for the CEO Foundation will go online at 12:01 am on Monday, March 1. These scholarship opportunities are distributed very quickly so please do not miss the deadlines.
Guidelines and Criteria for 2020-2021
Click HERE for the FACS Scholarship Application
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Order your 2020-2021 school yearbook today!
Order before January 31 to
receive special pricing! of $25!
Yearbooks ordered after January 31 will be $30.
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Friday, January 22 and Friday, January 29 |
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Delivery Times available from 5pm-7 pm
Join us for Dine & Donate Fridays! We are teaming up with four amazing restaurants, offering unique family-style menus to choose from that are available for delivery on both Friday, January 22nd and Friday, January 29th between 5-7pm. For every order placed, fifty percent of proceeds will directly benefit the families and children of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts
All meals and pricing prepared family-style for 2 or 4 people. RMHC CTMA will bring the meal to your doorstep with contactless delivery. You can also choose curbside restaurant pickup!
Orders must be placed by midnight on 1/19 for delivery on 1/22
and by midnight on 1/26 for delivery on 1/29.
Delivery must be within a 15 mile radius of each restaurant.
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Connecticut Restaurant Partners
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660 State Street
New Haven, CT 06511
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806 State Street
New Haven, CT 06511
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Massachusetts Restaurant Partners
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3 Country Club Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
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1338 Memorial Avenue
West Springfield, MA 01089
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On Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield celebrates 30 years serving children and families in need of a "home-away-from-home." Find out how you can join us in celebrating this milestone!
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A Gentle Reminder:
Students should have a clean mask each day.
Please launder them regularly.
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Update to Covid Quarantine guidelines.
These are the guidelines we are now following as part of the CDC’s newest guidelines when it comes to Covid 19.
If an individual does not have Covid-19 symptoms but had close contact to someone diagnosed with Covid-19:
Remain home in self-quarantine for the recommended 10 days from last exposure to the person diagnosed with Covid-19. If symptoms occur, contact your health care provider.
If you test positive:
Remain home until 10 day’s have passed since date of positive Covid-19 test or if you have symptoms, 10 days since symptoms began.
There was an addendum that had to do with testing on day 5 of an exposure and exiting quarantine after 7 days but our school district is NOT implementing that at this time.
Just a reminder of isolation vs Quarantine
Isolation = When you are experiencing symptoms or have a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19
Quarantine = when you have been exposed but you are not experiencing symptoms
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Thank you to everyone for keeping your children home when they are not feeling well and keeping us informed of any illnesses. With your cooperation we will continue to keep our school community safe.
Just a few reminders:
- If your child is home sick for more then 24 hours we will need a doctors note in order for them to return to school.
- This year with COVID-19 continuing to be active the State Department of Public Health is encouraging everyone to receive an Influenza Vaccination by the end of October. The vaccinations are now readily available. Once your child receives the vaccine, please send proof into school for the nurse to document.
- If your child is home sick and the doctor recommends a COVID test please do not get a rapid test. We will only be accepting the PCR test in order to return to school.
- many of us suffer from seasonal allergies and may experience symptoms similar to COVID-19.
Symptoms more common of seasonal allergies and not COVID-19 are itchy or watery eyes and sneezing.
Symptoms more common if COVID-19 are fever and chills, muscle and body aches, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting and Diarrhea.
When in doubt call your pediatrician.
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Our 2021 SRS Auction planning is back on and scheduled for the last weekend in February. SRS is counting on us to make the auction our biggest fundraiser, and we need your help to make the event a success. There are many ways in which you can help, but the most pressing is by donating items for the auction! ALL donations are welcome and very much appreciated!
Coming up first is DONATION DROP-OFF DAY!
Clearing out your closets? Receive unneeded Christmas gifts? We’d love to help you declutter! Bring your new (or vintage/antique) items to school on Thursday, January 28th, either before school starting at 7:45am, or after school, ending at 3:30pm. We’ll have a table set up and volunteers ready to accept your donations. No item is too small! Have a new potholder? We’ll add it to a basket filled with kitchen supplies. How about an extra bag of treats for your dog? It can be part of a pet supply set! When in doubt…just donate 😊.
Below are several other possibilities to consider.
Organize a donation from your student’s class or grade! In the past, room parents and teachers have helped students create a piece of art or item to be auctioned off. Given that we do not have room parents this year, we are hoping parents from each grade will be interested in helping to manage these projects. You have the freedom to make whatever you want! If you’re interested in taking the lead or helping with your child’s grade, please let us know by emailing hsasrs.stritaschool@gmail.com
Experiences: Do you have an Airbnb in a cool location? Work someplace interesting that charges admission? Have season tickets and willing to part with one night’s entrance? We would love to auction off fun and unique experiences; any ideas are great!
Gift Cards: We love gift card donations! Depending on the venue and the value, we can auction these off individually or as part of a basket, so any place/value is helpful.
In-Kind Donations: Ask your kids’ swim instructors, check with your hair stylist, donate your own professional services, or stop in local, favorite businesses to solicit support for SRS! Alternatively, maybe you have a new, unused item or even a valued vintage piece with which you’re willing to part? Anything and everything is welcome!
Sign-up Parties: Support the Auction by hosting one of these fun events! Think of a neat (virtual or socially distanced) idea for a party. Tell us what you’d like to do, where and when you’d like to host, and how many people you’re willing to entertain. On the night of the Auction, guests can sign up for your party, and all of the money pledged will go to St. Rita School.
Let us know if you have questions or if you have an item/experience to donate! Email us at hsasrs.stritaschool@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your help!
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HELP US EARN CASH AND SUPPLIES THROUGH FREE REWARDS PROGRAMS!
Each year, St. Rita participates in several rewards programs. Local grocery stores (and Amazon!) allow you (the shopper) to identify St. Rita as the school you’d like to support; every time you shop, we get a percentage of the sale in the form of points (that can be used for school supplies) or cash. Last year we earned over $1600 through Stop&Shop’s program and over 150,000 points through ShopRite! We have big goals this year, and we need your help to achieve them. Please click on the links below to register your store cards, and ask your local family and friends to do the same!
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Planning to order Christmas cards or photo
gifts this holiday season? Shop through our Shutterfly Storefront, and SRS will earn an 8% commission! It may not sound like much,
but there’s no extra fee for you, and every
$1 makes a difference for our school.
Click here to shop Shutterfly via our StoreFront.
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Visit amazonsmile.com, and anytime you purchase an eligible item, Amazon will
donate a portion of the profit to our school! Select “Divine Mercy Parish
Corporation” as your charity, and St. Rita School will benefit every time you shop.
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Link your Stop & Shop Card to St. Rita School, and we’ll earn
CASH when you
buy groceries! Click here and use School ID: 06434.
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Link your ShopRite Price Plus card to St. Rita School, and help us earn school supplies! Click here and use School ID: 50073, or email your PricePlus card number to Alice Kuether, alicemcgrew23@hotmail.com.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!! |
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Winter Sports Season -- The AIAC has cancelled the interscholastic sports season so we will be unable to have basketball teams this year. We are looking forward to having spring sports for our students pending AIAC approval. We will have more information in late March |
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Remember all those who are suffering or have lost a loved-one during this pandemic. |
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Please pray for the Rice and Bullock Families, and all the deceased members of our
St. Rita School community.
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Click HERE to access the Weekly Health Screening Questionnaire
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St. Rita School
1601 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06517
Phone: (203) 248.3114
Fax: (203) 248.1016
www.stritaschool.org
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