|
September 2023
“O Lord, how worthless this knowledge would be,
if it were not for the enlightening of my mind for thy service,
or for making me more useful to my fellow men.”
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Patron of Catholic Schools
Peace and Greetings:
They’re back … and we’re absolutely thrilled! It’s a very special moment to watch smiling teenage faces walk through the doors and hear the abundance of youthful excitement fill the halls bringing our school back to life from summer recess in just a few short minutes. Actually, it’s priceless!
We are pleased to Welcome Home 96 students into the Class of 2027 as well as eight new transfer students. Opening day enrollment is 388 students.
Despite the oppressive heat last week, we’re off and running with academic classes underway, interscholastic athletic contests starting, auditions in process for the fall drama production and the club fair scheduled for next week. Our 2023-2024 Opening School Mass will be celebrated this Wednesday at St. Gregory the Great Church at 10:15 am. Our rescheduled pep rally and Welcome Home dance party will take place this Friday following the home football game against Torrington High School.
On behalf of all of us blessed to be part of the ministry of this school, thank you for choosing St. Paul and the trust you place in us as your educational partner. It’s going to be a truly great year!
NEW FACULTY/STAFF
Again, let me welcome Mrs. Kerri Friend, a new English teacher and Ms. Katelyn Martin, a new math teacher to St. Paul. Also, we’re pleased to welcome back Ms. Jacquelyne Boucher to the World Language, as a French teacher, and Social Studies departments. Last week, we announced that Mr. James Santucci has been hired as the band/chorus instructor. Jim is no stranger to St. Paul having served as a substitute teacher for years.
Recently, we have created two new positions to St. Paul. Mrs. Susan Vassiliou will serve as an Academic Resource Teacher to provide individual assistance to students in their academic studies and Mr. Matthew Saccoman is joining us as a Wellness Counselor to address the various social emotional needs of our student body. Both will work in conjunction with our school counseling office bringing much needed resources to our school community.
Mrs. Vassiliou, graduated from St. Paul in 2000 and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from William Paterson University of New Jersey. She served as a mathematics and science teacher at St. Paul from 2004-2013. She was the science department chair from 2009-2013 before leaving to raise her two sons.
Mr. Saccoman earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Connecticut. He has over twenty years of experience in education, primarily at Watertown High School, facilitating individual and group models to support student’s social, emotional and academic well-being.
Finally, I’d also like to reintroduce Mrs. Michele Confessore, our new Special Events Coordinator who will facilitate our parent volunteers with the various events/activities throughout the school year.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION CARD/STUDENT HANDBOOK
It is imperative, if you haven’t already, that your Emergency Information Card and SPCHS Information Form be returned ASAP. Our parent emergency notification system will be tested at the end of next week. If we do not have your current information, you will not receive a robo call. Also, you are expected to review and discuss with your child the 2023-24 Student Handbook, located on our website before printing, signing and returning the Agreement for Students and Parents (found under the Student Life tab).
SCHOOL SAFETY
The physical safety of our students, faculty and staff is of utmost importance. The Bristol Police Department’s ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training and practices were reviewed during faculty orientation before school started and will be reviewed with the students at next week’s Monday Morning Assembly. As previously indicated, we plan to test our parent emergency response automated system next Friday morning, September 22 in conjunction with a planned active intruder drill. This will only be a drill. You will receive a robo phone call from St. Paul that you must activate by answering “HELLO” to receive the message.
COVID-19 UPDATE
With the start of school, it’s inevitable that our school community has experienced a few positive cases of the most recent COVID-19 variant. Guidance from the Bristol-Burlington Health District (BBHD) is attached herein in making personal decisions contributing to everyone’s good health. Click these links for current COVID-19 Isolation Policy and COVID-19 Exposure Policy information for Bristol and Burlington schools.
COVID-19 testing kits are available for FREE in the health room. Any COVID-19 concerns or questions should be directed to Kristen Labrecque, school nurse: klabrecque@spchs.com, Ann Marie Pahl, school health aide: apahl@spchs.com or to my attention cdupont@spchs.com.
PARENT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
An important Athletic Parent Meeting will be held next Wednesday, September 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium for all parents/guardians whose child plans to participate on a St. Paul athletic team (varsity or sub-varsity) this school year. Our annual Parent Back to School Night will follow the athletic meeting from 6:15 – 8:15 pm. After a brief welcome, parents will have a guided opportunity to meet your child’s teachers. A parent/guardian from every family is encouraged to attend.
OPEN HOUSE
Our first Open House for prospective students for the Class of 2028 or interested transfer students will be Saturday, September 23 at 10:00 am. Help spread the word - you are our best ambassadors and we are truly grateful for your encouraging testimonials to prospective families and friends in your local community. Contact Ms. Chelsea Mone '10, Director of Admissions, cmone@spchs.com for more information.
#GOMAKEADIFFERENCE
Our school theme this year focuses on our core value of service … to serve one another. It is our differences – personalities, interests, skills, passion – that contribute to our greatness as a school community. But it is our commonality – the choice that we make to call St. Paul home – that defines our strength. It is in serving each other … respecting and nurturing each other that we become one unified body. Let’s contribute to and celebrate our moments of greatness, understanding that it doesn’t come without intentional effort on everyone’s part: #gomakeadifference.
In the Spirit of St. Paul,
| 
