Grade 8 – High Honors
Benny Amarone Alex Bowery Lyla D’Errico
Payton D’Errico Benjamin DiAngelo Connor Evanich
Tyler Farina Kate Frioni Sofia Nagorski
Gennaro Pompano Jianna Pompano Nathan Testa
Ryan Walsh
Grade 8 – Honors
Colton Brennan Conall Burns Joseph Carone
Austin Colegio John Daley Lucien Delaney
Olivia Egan Faith Hammond Trew Kitson
Jacinda Mihalcik Aniya Mims Penelope Pappas
Avonna Wilkes D’Marcus Woodard
Grade 8 – Merit
Christa Colonis Rafael Tiongco
Grade 7 – High Honors
Kiera Barney Juliette Bolanos Abigail Chacko
Kelsey Cruz Adriana Dorsi Maria Teresa Testa
Grade 7 – Honors
Virginia Akide-Ndunge Gabrielle Andreoli Marshele Bowens
Mateo Cammarota Lillian Cochran Michael Madonick
Michael Moore Isabella Nunez Anthony Purchio
Aiyanna Savinelli Stephen Smith Olivia Sweeney
Grade 7 – Merit
Alexis Grund Thomas Mautte Jackson Saracco
Grade 6 – High Honors
Emily Kelly Jenna Raccio
Grade 6 – Honors
Julian Adu Allison Amarone Ryan Blakeslee
Devin Burns Alice Delaney Natalie DiAngelo
Evelyn Giaquinto Shannon Gordon Kayden Goss
Emily Holder Madeline Lafo Cooper Leng
Joaquin Mayorga Trevor Montefusco Mia Mulhern
Claire Nawrocki Ji Min Oh Joseph O’Mara
Kaitlyn Ponzio Arianna Rice Stella Singh
Yeneh Timungwa Peter Torello Ethan Tran
Pearl Tuttle
Grade 6 – Merit
Dominic Ferraro Catherine Grady Leila Melendez-Brissett
John Paul Saracco
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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 night we were informed of a positive case of COVID within our school community. This marks the 4th case in 8 weeks. This staff member was last in school on Friday, December 11, and has not experienced any symptoms. The parents, students, and teachers in this class were notified last evening. The students and teachers began quarantine today, until Thursday, December 24. They will be able to return to school following the Christmas Holiday.
The theme for the third week of Advent is Joy. Joy is not the result of a positive outcome or circumstance in life. Rather, joy is something deeper and from the heart. It comes from living a life of gratitude. Being grateful is a decision and something that is practiced. When we can be grateful in all circumstances, then we can be joyful in all circumstances. Despite the worldwide pandemic which has impacted everyone in numerous ways, hopefully 2021 will bring the end to COVID and allow us to return to a more normal life. Let’s spend some time over the next few weeks showing gratitude and helping to bring more JOY to our world!!
As of today the weather forecasters are predicting a very measurable and plow-able snow storm for Thursday. Should the forecast be accurate, school will be cancelled to allow our students and teachers a true snow day. There will be no remote leaning or in-person learning on that day. We have built two snow days into our school calendar this year and will be taking one this Thursday if the weather forecast is accurate. I will send out the official notification of a cancellation if and when the determination is made.
Our school social worker, Mrs. Danielle Beerli is leaving her position effective on Friday. We thank Mrs. Beerli for the time she has spent working with our students, teachers and families to ensure the social emotional well being of all. We wish her well in her future endeavors. After the new year we will be interviewing for a part time person to replace Mrs. Beerli. If you know of anyone who may be qualified and certified as a school social worker or school counselor please have them contact me.
We will break for Christmas vacation next Tuesday, December 22. In order to prepare our students and teachers for Christmas break we will have a virtual prayer service this Friday. Kindergarten and their Grade 8 buddies will be attending the prayer service live, sitting socially distanced in the gym while the rest of the school will attend virtually. School will resume on Monday, January 4, 2021.
If your family will be travelling outside of Connecticut or celebrating the holidays with those outside your immediate “safe circle” during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, I am asking you to keep your child/children home the week of January 4-8 in order to safeguard our school community. In Mrs. Palma’s section of this newsletter she has provided you with criteria for quarantine which needs to be followed before your child may safely return to school if you have been travelling. Thank you for your willingness to keep our community safe.
When your child is out as a remote learner there are important guidelines that they must be followed. These guidelines are found on pages 40-41 of our Family Handbook. Parents are asked to review these guidelines with your child to ensure that everyone is following the proper protocol for remote instruction.
Thank you to all those families who have contributed to the Christmas collection for our teachers and staff. These dedicated men and women work very hard every day to share a love of learning and a love of Christ with their students. Thank you so much for your generosity.
On behalf of the entire St. Rita School community may your family and friends have a happy, healthy, and safe Christmas holiday and experience the true meaning of Christmas--Jesus, the LIGHT of our Christmas, the JOY of our hearts and the HOPE of our world. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
God Bless,
Mrs. Tiezzi
Principal
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Reminder
Please do not park in the NO PARKING zones on Edgemere Road and Dessa Drive. We need to be respectful of our neighbors and must leave space for any emergency vehicles that may need to get through.
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Tuesday,
December 22
Christmas Ugly Sweater/Sweatshirt
Free
Dress Down Day
From Mrs. Tiezzi
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It’s a Miracle: the ‘Blessed’ Healing
of Mikey Schachle
Free Webinar
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
7:30 p.m. EDT
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When their unborn baby was diagnosed with a life- threatening condition, Michelle and Daniel Schachle turned to Father Michael McGivney in prayer. The Knights of Columbus founder delivered a miracle. Hear the first-hand account of the family’s experience and recourse in faith.
The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, formerly the Knights of Columbus Museum, advances the vision of Knights of Columbus founder Blessed Michael J. McGivney (1852-1890). The fraternal organization the priest established on the principles of unity, charity and fraternity more than a century ago remains a strong influence in the lives of millions of its members, inviting them to be missionary disciples after Father McGivney’s example. The Center welcomes visitors to learn about this holy priest’s life and legacy, imitate his benevolent outreach to the needy and the outcast, and invoke his heavenly intercession.
Join us for this free online presentation and extend an invitation to others as well. Learn about the miraculous healing of a child, through the intercession of Father Michael McGivney, that led to the K of C founder’s beatification.
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A Gentle Reminder:
Students should have a clean mask each day.
Please launder them regularly.
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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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Just a reminder that if you are going to be traveling over the Christmas vacation you will need to be tested upon your return to Connecticut and quarantine until your results have returned. Please also remember that "Quarantine" means staying home.
Thank you so much for all of your diligence these past couple months.
Have a safe and Merry Christmas.
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Because Hamden will continue to follow the original 14 days quarantine
period for those who have been exposed to COVID, St. Rita School
will also follow this plan. Please notify the office if you or a family
member has been exposed to COVID-19.
If you plan on traveling out of the state for the holidays, please be
aware that you will need to be tested upon return to Connecticut or
you must quarantine for 14 days. Your child will not be allowed back
in school until they have their test results in hand. Please submit your
child's negative test result upon return to school on Jan 4.
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Please read the attached updated Connecticut travel advisory. If you
and/or your family have traveled to any of these states and have
stayed for more then 24 hours you will need to get a COVID test
within 72 hours upon arriving back in Connecticut. Your children can
not return to school until they present a negative COVID test or
after a quarantine of 14 days.
Please inform the office of any travel plans in the coming months. We appreciate your vigilance on this matter as we continue to work to keep our Saint Rita School community safe and healthy.
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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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Help us spread some joy virtually! Please send along photos of your children in front of any holiday decorations you may have in your home, and they will be shared with our community via Facebook. You may send your emails to Joanne Bruno at jbruno.stritaschool@gmail.com.
BOON SUPPLY:
We have extended our Boon Supply Fundraiser, so there’s still time to get your orders in! While Boon Supply can no longer guarantee delivery before Christmas, our fundraiser will remain open until December 31st. Click HERE to start your shopping!
An Important Note: 40% of your Boon Supply purchase total will be applied to your HSA Assessment. As a reminder, every St. Rita family has an obligation to fulfill their assessment before the end of the school year. For your first child, your assessment is $150; if you have two children, your assessment is $300, and if you have three or more children, your assessment is $350. You may elect to pay the amounts indicated above in full, or you may participate in our fundraising events, through which a portion of the money you contribute is applied to your assessment. We felt it worth noting that even once all assessments are fulfilled, the HSA still has over $40,000 to raise for SRS. This is why contributions to only select fundraisers count toward assessments. This has been confusing to all of us at one point or another, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need clarification! You can reach us at hsasrs.stritaschool@gmail.com.
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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 have been delayed until January, 2021 |
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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 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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