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,

What a beautiful sight it was last Friday at Mass when the students and teachers in grades kindergarten through grade eight came together in church to celebrate the Eucharist! With COVID protocols still being followed, students and teachers sat in the upper and lower choir lofts, baptistry, and cry room in order for everyone to be socially distant but be in-person for Mass. This was the first time all year that our students were together. They will be together again this Thursday for the Ascension Thursday Mass, and also on Friday for our outdoor May Crowning. As things begin to open up, we can begin to get back to a “new normal”; however Msgr. Joe will continue to cap capacity at St. Rita Church for the foreseeable future and we will continue to follow our COVID guidelines until the end of the current school year. Thank you for your assistance in keeping our students and teachers safe.

As mentioned in previous communication, there will be no option for remote learning for St. Rita students in the upcoming school year. Data has shown that children learn best in a school setting and unless we have a child with a serious illness, COVID quarantine, or have a snow day, all learning next year will be in person.

Many parents have inquired about the most recent ruling regarding the religious exemptions for vaccines. Beginning this past school year, St. Rita School no longer accepts the religious exemption; however, those current students with that exemption have been grandfathered in until they matriculate from St. Rita School. We are highly recommending that when the COVID vaccine is approved for your child’s age group, that you have your child vaccinated. Once a child is fully vaccinated that child will no longer needs to quarantine should there be an outbreak of COVID within their class. In order for our school to resume normal operations and activities in the fall, it will be important for children to be vaccinated. Should the State of Connecticut require the COVID vaccine, we will follow suit.

Our annual Golf Tournament is only a few weeks away and your help is needed. The golf tournament, held at the prestigious New Haven Country Club, is one of our oldest and biggest fundraisers of the year. Sponsors and golfers are needed to make this event a success. If you know of someone who plays golf or owns a business please reach out and ask them to support St. Rita School. Additional details regarding the event can be found in the HSA section of this newsletter. Thank you for your assistance.

It is becoming apparent that some of our students are using their cell phones or other electronic devices without being properly monitored. Messages/group chats that contain inappropriate or hurtful language are being circulated after school hours on various electronic devices. Students are up very late and arrive at school tired and without their homework completed due to the time they spend on their electronics. Of concern is that students are interacting with their St. Rita peers and also with “friends” they have never met.  It is critical that parents carefully monitor their child’s use of these devices. Please take their devices away at a reasonable hour so they are not up all night gaming with “friends” and they also have the opportunity to complete their school assignments. Always check their messages for appropriate language and content. Parents, you own the devices and are ultimately responsible for anything your child does or says on those devices. Please be vigilant. Thank you for your assistance in keeping our children safe.

Our beautiful Mary prayer garden will be dedicated this Friday during our May crowning ceremony. This is a sacred and holy area and should not be used by our students after school as a play area. Students should not be jumping off the patio area into the hill. Please use this sacred and holy garden to teach your child about the Blessed Mother and prayer. 

Thank you for entrusting your child/ren to our care. May is the month we honor the Blessed Mother by praying, pondering, reading, decorating, and planting. Spend some time this month sharing your devotion to the Blessed Mother with them. If you have any flowers in your garden that we can use to adorn our Mary statues please send them in with your child. Have a blessed week. 


 
God Bless,
Mrs. Tiezzi
Principal
Prayer Garden

Please note that the new Prayer Garden, which includes the statue of Mary, is a place for quite prayer and contemplation, and a place of respect.. We would appreciate your help in keeping that area quiet and free from distractions, so those who use it may use it as intended. Children should not be using it as a play area.
Spring Band Concert
in the park(ing lot)!!

Please mark your calendars for
Tuesday, May 25
(rain date Tuesday, June 1st)
at 1:45 pm in the St. Rita School parking lot.

All St. Rita band members will be performing.
Come and enjoy the music as the students perform the songs they have been learning throughout the year.

Please bring your own chairs. Parents may take students home after the concert.
Financial Aid Information

On May 1, 2021, the portal for financial aid will be open for applications for the 2021-2022 academic year. The portal will remain open until July 15, 2021. In order to apply for financial aid, you must be current in tuition for 2020-2021 and registered with a deposit for 2021-2022. Please remember there is a limited amount of financial aid available so applications will be reviewed on a first come first served basis.

To access the portal, go to: www.smartaidforparents.com
If you already have an account, the same login id and password will work from last year. If you are a new user, you may create a new account by following the prompts.

The application fee is $35.00 and is paid online. If paying the fee would preclude you from applying for financial aid, please contact the Business Office at (203) 248-5513 for further information.
You will need access to your 2020 tax return and all applicable tax documents to complete the application.

If you have any questions while completing the application, you may contact SMART at (800) 360-8027 or support@smartaidforparents.com.

Families that receive awards will be notified by email in mid July and will be asked to contact the Business Office at (203) 248-5513 to accept their award and indicate how to spread the award over their payment plan. If you do not receive an award, you will also be notified. A waiting list will also be maintained as financial aid does occasionally become available during the academic year.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Paula Nugent, Business Manager, at (203) 248-5513.

Birthday Celebrations
 Miss Erin, our food service coordinator, has a variety of NUT FREE snacks (chips, homemade cookies or ice pops) available for purchase as a way to celebrate your child's birthday with his/her classmates Each item is $1.00 (cash only).
 If interested, please notify Miss Erin via email 24 to 48 hours in advance with the date and homeroom teacher and the the snack item you would like to purchase. Please have your student bring in the cash for Miss Erin on the celebration day. Feel free to email her for any additional information.
Summer Camp/Enrichment Program Information

Click HERE to download the Summer Camp Flyer

Click HERE to download the
Summer Camp Registration Packet

Click HERE to download the Summer Academic
Program Flyer

Click HERE to download the Summer Academic
Program Registration Packet
Nurse's Corner
Dear St. Rita School Community,

We were recently notified that Hamden Public Schools will be following the CDC guidelines for travel and return to school. St. Rita will also be following these guidelines. 
 
There have been many questions surrounding guidelines for travel outside of Connecticut. The State of Connecticut recommends individuals follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines as follows:
 
  • If you are eligible, get fully vaccinated for COVID-19. 
  • Wait two weeks after getting your final vaccine dose to travel, as it takes time for your body to build immunity.
  • Get tested 1-3 days BEFORE you travel. Keep a copy of your test results with you during travel. Do not travel if you test positive.
  • Get a PCR test (not a rapid-test) 3-5 days AFTER you travel, AND self-quarantine at home for a full 7 days after travel.
  • Continue to stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if your test is negative.
  • If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
  • If you do not get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for a full 10 days after travel.
  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when in public settings. 
  • Masks are required on most forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States. Please keep in mind that when you use public transportation, you may be exposed to a larger number of individuals who may not always practice the appropriate mitigation strategies (distance & mask-wearing). 
  • Be advised, that face shields do not meet the requirement of the CDC order but can be worn so long as a face mask is underneath.
  • All air passengers coming into the United States, including US citizens, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States.
 
Remember to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 while in quarantine, referring to the Daily Health Assessment. If at any time during your quarantine you develop signs and symptoms of COVIS-19, self-isolate (including away from other members of your travel party), contact a healthcare provider, and obtain a PCR test and inform your child’s school.
 
According to the CDC, travel remains a risk. These recommended actions above are intended to mitigate that risk to protect the health of students, families, and staff and help keep our schools safe for in-person learning.
 
While it has been a long winter and we all need a break, we need to keep each other safe to keep our school open. I hope the above guidelines can help you and your family enjoy this beautiful spring season. Unfortunately, viruses don’t take breaks, so we need to continue to work together to protect ourselves and others.


Home/School Association
Click HERE to download the Dress Down/Crazy Hair Day Coupon
DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THE
GOLF TOURNAMENT!
The 23rd Annual SRS Golf Tournament
is just around the corner…
 
Need an excuse to get out of the office?

TREAT YOUR CLIENTS TO A DAY ON THE GOLF COURSE!
 
Monday, May 24th
New Haven Country Club, Hamden CT
Please click HERE to download the brochure for registration and sponsorship information. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions! Hsasrs.stritaschool@gmail.com

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
 
Do you enjoy event planning? Want to be more involved in your school community? Please join us on the HSA Board! If you’re interested in learning more, email us at hsasrs.stritaschool@gmail.com.

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!
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.
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. 

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.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
Prayer Corner
Remember all those who are suffering or have lost a loved-one during this pandemic.
Please pray for the Jones, Polinsky, and Gill Families, and all of the deceased members of our
St. Rita School community.
Click HERE to access the Weekly Health Screening Questionnaire
St. Rita School
1601 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06517
Phone: (203) 248.3114
Fax: (203) 248.1016
www.stritaschool.org