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.
From the Desk of Mrs. Tiezzi
Dear St. Rita Parents and Guardians,
                                      
It was good to see so many of you earlier this week at our Christmas Concert/Nativity Pageant. Our students did a great job brightening our day with their Christmas spirit and beautiful voices. Thank you to our marvelous teachers for preparing the children for their performances. Despite having to follow COVID protocols, lovely memories were made for our students and their guests alike.

We have had three cases of COVID within our student body this week. One student in grade 8, one student in grade 6, and one student in grade 1 tested positive for COVID earlier this week. Following protocol contact tracing, parents were notified and unvaccinated students in close contact were placed on quarantine. Our vaccination rate currently stands at 33%. In order to help ensure that everyone has a healthy Christmas holiday, all after school sports and clubs are cancelled for the remainder of this week and next. Band, since it is during the school day will be held, as well as before and aftercare. The aftercare program will not be held on Wednesday to allow our staff the opportunity to begin their Christmas break. In addition, all student athletes, coaches and spectators, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask at practices and games when they resume until further notice.

Based on the recommendation of the Department of Public Health, starting tomorrow, Friday, student will be having lunch in their classrooms.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the teacher/staff Christmas gift collection. If you would like to send in a donation, please do so this week. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Last Friday, our 5th grade students took a field trip to the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center in New Haven to decorate a Christmas tree for the K of C Festival of Trees. Their handmade ornaments of stars, bulbs, and crèches all depicting different aspects of the Nativity Story were made from recycled materials. It’s truly a work of art! If you would like to view the Festival of Trees please reserve your ticket by calling 203-865-0400 or michaelmcgivneycenter.org. If you are able to attend please cast your vote for the St. Rita Tree.

School will be closed for the Christmas holiday from December 23-Janurary 2. We will reopen on Monday, January 3. Teachers will not be checking emails over the break as they need time to relax and enjoy the holiday with their families. Our homework assignment for all our students is that they go to church, get outside to play and spend time making beautiful memories with their families.

Thank you for entrusting your child/ren to our care. May the peace that Jesus brings fill your heart and home this Christmas. From the entire St. Rita School faculty and staff, Msgr. Joe and I wish you a Merry Christmas and happy and healthy 2022. 


God Bless,
Mrs. Tiezzi
Last Call for Teacher Appreciation Christmas Gifts - If you would like to contribute, please send to the office by Monday, December 20
Tomorrow is Ugly Christmas Sweater Day!

You may wear an ugly Christmas sweater
over your uniform tomorrow if you’d like.
Christmas Concert/Christmas Pageant
If you missed the St. Rita Christmas Concert (grades 4 to 8)
or the Christmas Pageant (K to grade 3),
use the buttons below to watch the recordings.
Dear Mrs. Tiezzi, Sr. Anne, Mrs. Robinson, Teachers, Staff, and Families of St. Rita School,

Once again I am humbled by the extreme generosity of the community of St. Rita for our Advent Giving "card" project. With all of your help, we were able to assist a multitude of families in both our own school and parish, many of whom were struggling due to the pandemic. Every year, I have the joy of interacting with these families directly and seeing their faces light up with relief when they open their envelopes. I'd like to thank you on behalf of all of those families for making their Christmas a little easier this year and I wish all of you a beautiful, joyful holiday as well.

Mrs. Paula Nugent
Business Manager
Divine Mercy Parish, St. Rita School & St. Rita Early Learning Center
On January 10, 2020 St. Rita will host an Internet Safety program for both students and parents.

Scott Driscoll, President of Internet Safety Concepts and former law enforcement youth officer, will present three separate programs:
an in-school program for grades 4-5 students,
another for grades 6-8 students,
and an evening virtual program for parents.

Scott’s presentation will heighten students’ awareness of what could happen if they are not thinking about safety or the consequences of using today’s ever changing technology.

The parent program shows parents the positives and potential pitfalls of today’s most popular technology applications. More details will be shared closer to the event.
Our Lost & Found bin is overflowing!! If your child is missing anything, especially a fleece, please have him/her check the lost & found bin at the top of the gym stairs.
Divine Mercy Parish - St. Rita Church

Christmas Eve Family Mass

We are looking for children to participate as readers for the Christmas Eve Family Mass, 6:00 PM at Divine Mercy Parish – St Rita Church.  

Mass is 6:00 PM on Friday, December 24 (Christmas Eve). If your child would like to participate as a reader in the Christmas Eve Family Mass, please contact Mrs. Suzanne Hamling (shamling.stritaschool@gmail.com) by December 19.
Two hot items are our new Tervis tumbler and traditional teddy bear (available 12/20). Look for the teddy bear pre-order form in next week's Constant Contact.

Many items make great stocking stuffers including gift certificates in denominations of $5, $10, $15 or $20.

Email Mrs. Bruno if you'd like to purchase a gift certificate: jbruno.stritaschool@gmail.com.
Order Your Yearbook Today!
Click HERE to order!

Yearbook Order Code: 7912222
Early Bird Price: $25
if ordered by January 31st!
after January 31st the price will be $30
Yearbook Includes:
• Sturdy softcover with protective coating
• All-color pages that vibrantly capture your memories
throughout the school year
• Durable saddle-stitched binding that keeps the
yearbook intact through wear and tear

Xavier High School will be hosting 
an Open House:
 
Wednesday February 8, 6:00 to 7:30 pm
Nurse's Corner
Travel and COVID

Currently, we are following these guidelines for travel:

-If you are traveling internationally and are NOT vaccinated you must quarantine for 7 days once returning to the USA and get tested on days 3-5. Students can return to school on day 8 with proof of a negative PCR test. 

-If you are traveling internationally and you ARE vaccinated you do not need to quarantine upon return to the USA. You should still be tested on days 3-5 and self monitor for any COVID symptoms. Students can return to school upon return from your destination.

- For Domestic travel we currently have no restrictions. You should remain cautious if you are not vaccinated by wearing a mask while traveling, washing hands frequently and avoiding crowded areas. Students can return to school upon return from your destination but should get tested on days 3-5 and self monitor for symptoms. 
HSA
Home/School Association
N.U.T. (No Uniform Today)
Coupons are back!

You can help support our school with fun themed N.U.T. days - One scheduled day per month from January through May where students can dress the part! We will be sending the coupons home the first week in January.
5 Coupons for $25 (charged to your March Smart Tuition)

Please sign up HERE!
Shop with Scrip Fundraiser:
With the help of over 750 brands, Scrip turns your everyday shopping into earnings for St. Rita School through the purchase of gift cards.

Monies for our school are earned through the purchase of gift cards. Every gift card has a rebate percentage on it so every time a gift card is purchased that rebate goes directly to St. Rita.

There are over 750 fabulous brands to choose from - whether your needs are groceries, gas, dining out, home improvement projects, clothing, travel, parties or special occasion, there's a Scrips gift card for every occasion.

IT'S EASY, IT'S REWARDING, AND IT FITS PERFECTLY INTO YOUR BUSY LIFESTYLE.

Thank you for supporting SRS and Happy Shopping!
Please pray for all those who are suffering or have lost a loved-one during this pandemic.
Please pray for Mrs. Catherine Colomonico (grandmother of Mr. Matt Banas), Mr. Joseph Tuccillio (father of Mrs. Joanne Bruno), and all the deceased members of our
St. Rita School community.
St. Rita School
1601 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06517
Phone: (203) 248.3114
Fax: (203) 248.1016
www.stritaschool.org