Summer Insider #6 – August 12, 2022
School Year Calendars, School Day Hours, and Carpool Times
School Day Hours
  • On regular dismissal days, the instructional day will be 7:55AM-3:20PM.
  • On early dismissal days, the instructional day will be 7:55AM-12:20PM.

Carpool Times
  • Early drop is from 7:00AM to 7:30AM in the front HOV parking lot.
  • HOV Carpool begins at 7:35AM in the front HOV parking lot.
  • Non-HOV Carpool begins at 7:35AM in the main Church parking lot.
  • Oldest and Only arrival for PK3 is at 8:00AM on all days.
  • Oldest and Only dismissal on regular dismissal days is as follows: PK3-PK4 will begin at 2:45PM and Kindergarten and 1st will be at 3:00PM.
  • Oldest and Only dismissal on early dismissal days is as follows: PK3-PK4 will begin at 11:45AM and Kindergarten and 1st will be at 12:00PM.
  • More information will be available soon about Carpool.

One Page Calendar Updates
Please note, there were some minor updates to the one-page calendar published originally in January 2022. Please click here for the updated one-page calendar.

Google Calendar
The school's Google calendar has been updated with many of the events and information for the school year. The Google Calendar can be found here and the Google Calendar app can be downloaded to your mobile devices (highly recommended). More information on our various calendar resources can be found here.
Faculty and Staff Updates
Welcome to our new Faculty and Staff members, and congratulations and thank you to those who are taking on new roles in the school. Please make sure and add Meet the Teacher Night on August 25th to your calendar to meet your children’s teachers for this year.

New Faculty & Staff
  • Carol Crittenden - Music Teacher
  • Leslie Curo - 1st Grade Teacher
  • Aimee DuPree - 4th Grade Science and Social Studies
  • Amy Javadi - Kindergarten Teacher
  • Karen Llorens-Kiesling - PK3 Teacher
  • Mary Margaret Leavitt - STREAM Integration
  • Elizabeth McStravick - PK4 Teacher
  • Jane Quinn - 4th Grade English / Language Arts
  • Jennie Russell - Library Manager 
  • Olivia Stephan - 1st Grade Teacher
  • Karen Vaughn - PK3 Assistant

New Roles
  • Ana DeForke - Kindergarten Assistant
  • Lourdes Hernandez - PK4 Assistant
  • Tori Hicks - Associate Director of Enrollment Management
  • Diana Johnson - 2nd Grade Teacher
  • Debbie Lewis - Literacy Coach
  • Gina Massiatte - Reading Specialist
  • Christy Morton - PE Teacher
  • Molly O'Neill - 3rd Grade Math
  • Maggie Olson - 3rd Grade English / Language Arts
  • Jessie Verm - Permanent Substitute
Homeroom Lists
Your child(ren)’s Homeroom information is now available (today, Friday, August 12th) to families by logging into the FACTS Family Portal. You are now able to see your child(ren)’s homeroom information, and also do a search for the full homeroom and grade in FACTS. Please click here for a one page overview of what is available in the directory search.
Cafeteria and Setting Up Dining Pay
Please download and read the 2022 – 2023 ECI letter to parents here with information on their cafeteria program for St. Cecilia Catholic School. You can set up and manage your child’s dining account on ECI’s Dining Pay system.

If you need to set up a new Dining Pay plan, you will need your Student ID for your child to do so. In order to access a Student ID List, please log in to FACTS. Under "School" select "Resource Documents". The list of the student names and ID#'s is available on that list called "2022 - 2023 Cafeteria Report ID-Name.pdf".

Helpful ECI Links:
School Supplies
If you missed the July 1st deadline to purchase online from 1st Day School Supplies, please click here to see the list for each grade supply list.
Summer Assignments
At St. Cecilia Catholic School we are committed to the ongoing education and enrichment of our students even throughout the summer months. In an effort to continue to review previously learned grade level math skills, foster a love of reading, and inspire continual learning in our students, your child’s teachers have curated summer Math and Reading assignments which can be found on the St. Cecilia Summer Assignment and Enrichment Website. This website will serve as a hub for all of our St. Cecilia students entering PK3 through 8th Grade. Click here for a screencast on how to navigate the website and an overview of the grade level assignments. All Summer Assignments for students entering 1st through 8th grade are due on August 17, 2022. Your child’s teacher for the 2022-2023 school year will follow up with your child at the start of the school year for all completed summer assignments. If you have any further questions you should contact your child’s current teacher or Cindy Orlando the Director of Teaching, Learning and Innovation.

Important Summer Assignment Information
Carpool Update Reminder
Earlier this week, the important updates regarding Carpool and the annual HOV Carpool and Early Dismissal application were sent out. Please take some time before school begins and review the important changes for Carpool. It will help insure that we can have a safe and smooth Carpool procedure for all.
Bridges - After School Program Full Time Sign Up
Families who enroll in the school’s after school program - Bridges, for full-time use pay monthly for unlimited use during the month. Families who wish to use Full Time Bridges must register in advance by filling out this online form. Only students signed up for our Full-Time Bridges program will be allowed to attend Bridges on Early Dismissal Days. Questions? Contact Bridges
5th – 8th Grade PE Uniforms Reminder 
Just a reminder for families with children in 5th – 8th Grades – who wish to purchase the new PE Uniforms – they are currently only available for sale online through BSN through next Friday, August 19th. Please click here to see the email we sent out on August 3rd regarding the updates and information for PE Uniforms for this year.
Handbook Updates
The Family Handbook, and Discipline Handbook have been updated for this school year. Please take some time before school to review the handbooks – a summary of updates to the Family Handbook can be found on page 9 of that document. In addition, the Comprehensive Developmental Guidance Program Handbook from the Archdiocese has also been added to our handbook resource page online.
Save The Dates – Java With Jeff Sessions and Meet The Teacher Night
Java With Jeff Sessions
The annual beginning of the year Java With Jeff sessions for the grade levels will begin the second week of school. Please see the list below for dates and grade levels. All sessions will be held in the Auditorium. More details will be shared next week for the sessions.

8:15AM - Tuesday, August 23rd - PK3 – Kindergarten
9:15AM - Wednesday, August 24th - 8th Grade
8:15AM - Thursday, August 25th – 1st and 2nd Grades
8:15AM - Tuesday, August 30th – 3rd to 5th Grades
8:15AM - Thursday, September 1st – 6th & 7th Grades

Meet The Teacher Night - Thursday, Aug. 25th
Meet the Teacher Night at St. Cecilia is an opportunity for our St. Cecilia parents to meet their child(ren)’s classroom teacher(s) and visit their classroom(s). It is also an opportunity to hear from our Pastor, Fr. Francis and our Principal, Mr. Matthews regarding the new school year. Meet the Teacher Night is intended to give parents (this is a parent-only event) a realistic understanding of the expectations, procedures, routines, and learning experiences their child(ren) will have this year. Parents will be experiencing first-hand what makes our school so special. Please mark your calendar for Thursday, August 25th from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. A detailed schedule for the sessions will be sent out next week.
After School Enrichment Opportunities

St. Cecilia Martial Arts Team
The St. Cecilia Martial Arts Team led by Tyler Sowers is available this year. Registration is now open for the classes which will begin in September 2022 and are held on campus after school. Please see this flyer for more information and a registration link.

Academy for Fencing Education
1st grade and up have the opportunity to participate in fencing classes hosted by Benoit Bouysset, a second level master of arms and three-time world champion fencing master. Coach Bouysset is the former resident coach at the Olympic Training Center and national coach for the USA men’s epee team at the 2012 London Olympics. He is a Sports Engine 2020 Coach Excellence Award Finalist. Students do not need to buy a fencing mask it will be provided, but they are free to buy one. Please email Coach Benoit for more information.

14 Tuesday Sessions - $294:
September 6,13,20,27
October 4,11,18,25
November 1,8,15,29
December 6,13


Glass Gymnastics
The Ultimate Gymnastics Learning Experience –Where the fun never stops! Ages 3 and up have the opportunity to participate in a program designed for boys and girls to develop gross motor and fine motor skills. All ages will be instructed, from beginner skills through advanced gymnastic skills (including the tumbling required for cheering). Click here for a flyer for more information.

Classes are held on Thursdays
  • 3:30-4:15 PK3, PK4 & Kindergarten (child’s class time may vary depending on their skill level)
  • 4:15-5:00 1st grade & up (child’s class time may vary depending on their skill level)
  • 5:00-5:45 added class if needed
  • Classes will begin Thursday, September 8th

Registration Procedures: Spaces are limited. Registrations will be processed by order of receipt until all spaces are filled.You may register online at www.glassgymnastics.com registration and waiver section.

American Robotics Academy - Kindergarten through 6th Grade
American Robotics Academy aims to excite, inspire, and motivate students in grades K-6th about the importance of engineering, robotics, and coding technology. All the courses are hands-on! Introduction to the fundamentals of engineering and robotics design, understanding "how things work". Activities and challenges are friendly sports-like atmosphere. Students work in teams and learn how to design, build, and test remote-controlled miniature robots. We use simple, motorized machines - all made from LEGO bricks! Please see this flyer for more information and online registration.

Abrakadoodle Art Program
Abrakadoodle’s robust and comprehensive curriculum was designed by educators and artists. And while kids are learning and developing new skills, they are developing their own personal style of creativity. And furthermore, all Abrakadoodle programs are guaranteed to be both educational and FUN! Please click here for the class schedule, more information, and to register online.

MoveNation Dance Academy
We are pleased to offer a new afterschool dance program for our early childhood students on Tuesdays at 4:15PM. More information and registration will be available next week.
Mass Days and Spirit Days Update
This year our Mass Days and Spirit Days will be changing. Mass Day will now be on Wednesday each week, and Spirit Day (and our corresponding Weekly Assemblies) will now be on Fridays. Attire for Mass Day is the Mass Dress uniform, and attire for Spirit Days can be a St. Cecilia Catholic School spirit shirt, with either jeans or uniform bottoms. Spirit t-shirts can be purchased at the Back To School Bash on Friday, August 19th, or at our online Spirit Store.
Monday, August 15th
Used Uniform Drop Off - 8:00AM to 10:00AM
If you have items to drop off for the Used Uniform Sale (happening on Tuesday, August 16th), they need to be dropped off the day before. Items will no longer be accepted on the day of or during the sale on August 16th. Drop off for items will take place on Monday, August 15th from 8:00AM to 10:00AM.
Tuesday, August 16th
New Family Welcome - 8:30AM to 9:00AM
All new students and new families joining St. Cecilia Catholic School this year are invited to the school Cafeteria for a welcome reception. Following the welcome reception, new students and families will be taken to their students’ classrooms for the “Sneak-A-Peek” to view their classrooms and meet their teachers.

Sneak A Peek - 9:00AM to 12:00PM
Students entering grades PK3 through 2nd and their families are invited to come to school and “Sneak-A-Peek” anytime between 9AM and 12PM. Your teacher will be eager to see you and welcome you to the new school year. Upon visiting the classroom, you will drop off any materials or supplies you have purchased for the new school year and pick up anything your teacher would like you to take home before the first day of school. This is intended to be a short visit and parents are expected to stay with their children during the visit. Students are not expected to wear their school uniform.

Used Uniform Sale - 10:00AM – 1:00PM
After the New Family Welcome and Sneak-A-Peek all families are invited to go to the Auditorium to buy used uniform items for their students. The HSA (Home and School Association) will also be there selling new St. Cecilia Catholic School pencil and PE bags.
Wednesday, August 17th - First Day of School
(Early Dismissal & Regular Uniform Day)
Please note the school year starts on a Wednesday, and Wednesdays will be our weekly Mass days throughout the year. Since this is the first day of school, we will not begin having our weekly Masses until the following Wednesday (August 24th). So, for this first day of school, students wear their normal school uniform to school. Our weekly spirit days have moved to Friday of each week.

7:40AM - 7:55AM – First Day of School Begins (No Carpool - Classroom Drop Off)
There is no morning carpool on the first day of school. We will have Classroom Drop Off for all students. Parents walk their children to their homerooms.

8:00AM – HSA Welcome Back To School Coffee - Auditorium
All parents are invited to the HSA Welcome Back To School Coffee in the Auditorium after doing Classroom Drop Off.

12:20PM – Early Dismissal (No Carpool - Classroom Pick-Up & No Bridges)
The first day of school is an Early Dismissal day. Also, there is no afternoon carpool, it is classroom pickup (parents pick up their children in their homerooms). Please note there is no after-school Bridges program until Friday, August 19th.

1:00PM - 4:00PM Hopes and Fears Virtual Conferences (Day 1)
Our first Parent-Teacher conferences of the year are the Hopes & Fears Conferences. Parents will be given the opportunity to sign up for a specific 10-15 minute time slot. All parents are expected to have a Hopes and Fears Conference with each of their child(ren)’s homeroom teacher(s). Students do not need to be in the virtual Hopes and Fears Conference but are always welcome. The purpose of the Hopes & Fears Conference is for the parent(s) to share their hopes and their fears for their child specific to the upcoming school year. The teacher’s responsibility in these meetings is to listen, take notes, and learn as much as possible about each student. The homeroom teachers will be sending an email to parents with a sign up genius to schedule your Hopes & Fears conference after the homeroom lists are available in FACTS.
Thursday, August 18th - Second Day of School
(Early Dismissal, Regular Uniform Day, and 1st Day of Carpool)
7:55AM – Second Day of School Begins (Regular Morning Carpool)
Regular morning and afternoon carpools will begin on the second day of school.

12:20PM – Early Dismissal (Regular Afternoon Carpool, No Bridges)
The second day of school is an Early Dismissal day. Regular afternoon carpool will begin on the second day of school. Please note there is no after-school Bridges program until Friday, August 19th.

1:00PM - 4:00PM - Hopes & Fears Conferences (Day 2)
Thursday is the second day of the Hopes & Fears Conferences. Please see the Day 1 information listed above for more details.
Friday, August 19th - First Full Day of School
(Spirit Day attire)
7:55AM – First Full Day of School Begins
The third day of school is the first full day of school. Standard morning and afternoon carpools will both take place. Bridges also begins on this first full day of school.

2:45PM – Oldest and Only Dismissal - PK3 and PK4
Oldest and Only dismissal for PK3-PK4

3:00PM - Oldest and Only Dismissal - Kindergarten and 1st Grades
Oldest and Only dismissal for Kindergarten and 1st Grades

3:20PM – Regular Dismissal
Regular dismissal carpool

End of School - 6:00PM - Bridges Program
The Bridges after school program begins. Please see information in the next section below regarding Bridges.

5:00PM – 8:00PM – Back To School Bash
Join us for Food, Fun, & Fellowship! The Knights of Columbus will be serving hamburgers and hot dogs, and obstacle inflatables will be set up in the gym. Some great tunes and beer will also be available - so come out and let's reconnect and kick off the 2022-2023 school year.

While at the Back To School Bash, families will have the opportunity to sign up for the Booster Club and this year’s Booster Club spirit wear t-shirts available for the families and other items will be available.

Please RSVP (this is a free event) by clicking here so we can accurately plan our food needs.
Fall Sports Sign Up & Pre-Participation Medical Physicals
The beginning of the school year is fast approaching and so is the start of middle school athletics. Parents, please take a look at the following form to see if your son or daughter is signed up for a sport. Once you have viewed this document, please fill out the interest form if you need your child removed from or added to a sport.

Please keep in mind that all of our sports require an annual Pre-Participation form filled out by a doctor and parent before your son or daughter may participate in the first practice. This includes any team try-outs so please make sure to get this form completed, and then scanned and sent back in as soon as possible.

Please note that our Cross Country team is the ONLY team to allow for athletes to begin in 3rd grade. All of our other school sports require students to be in 6th-8th grade. Feel free to email Ashley Gomila at agomila@saintceilia.org if you have any questions about athletics.
Altar Server Training
St. Cecilia Catholic Church has scheduled training for new altar servers. Servers who are trained through the Church and commit to serving at Saturday or Sunday Mass may also serve at the Wednesday School Mass.
  • Candidates for this ministry must be at least 10 years old at the time of the training and have celebrated their First Holy Communion.
  • At least one parent must attend the first 15 minutes of the training.
  • Training will begin promptly at the appointed time. You must arrive on time to participate in the training.
  • The ministry of Altar Server is a parish ministry, and candidates for this ministry must also commit to being included on the Saturday/Sunday parish mass schedule. (There are no “school mass only” altar servers.)
  • Please see the training dates and RSVP at www.saintcecilia.org/server 
Parish Renovation Updates
Our renovation is fully underway. Here’s what happening and what you can expect:
  • The pergola outside the front of the church is being removed to make way for the new entrance.
  • The sidewalk along the east side of the Church is being taken up for a new sidewalk and improved drainage in preparation for the forthcoming covered walkway.
  • Demolition of the existing walls on the east and west sides of the sanctuary to accommodate the new statue niches is happening now.
  • The “petrified wood” stone that once stood along the east side of the Church has been removed and sent away to have some cracks repaired before it is relocated to the front lawn of the Church. (Be on the lookout for some very interesting facts we have learned about this stone during this process.)
  • The new bronze statuary for the sanctuary is almost completed. Fr. Francis and the team worked very closely with the artist to ensure just the right look for our Church, and we are excited to see his beautiful work very soon!

Church and school (only the entry near the music room) accessibility is still affected by the construction and will be for the next several months:
  • Currently you cannot access the Church or the school from the main Church parking lot on the Denise side.
  • The sidewalk that runs along the east side of the Church is currently closed.
  • These closures are expected to last for a few months while the new sidewalks and covered walkways are installed.
  • The Church building has limited access during the day, Monday through Friday.
  • Daily Mass continues to be held in the Community Center.
  • Weekend Masses are celebrated in the Church.
HSA Caring Committee
If you are experiencing a hardship of any kind please contact the HSA Caring Committee for support or prayer requests. They are here to help!

The HSA Caring Committee is a volunteer group that supports St. Cecilia Catholic School families who are dealing with illness, death, or crisis.
Our mission at St Cecilia Catholic School is the ongoing Catholic formation and education of the whole child in mind, heart, and spirit, in preparation for an adult life of commitment and service.