From the Desk of Mrs. Tiezzi

Dear St. Rita Parents/Guardians,

Thank you all for attending the two Back-to-School Nights which were held last week and this week. It was good to see so many of you and to share all the exciting things we have planned here at St. Rita. The students and teachers have settled in quite nicely. As our partner in educating your child/ren, I ask that you take some time over the next few days to review your expectations for your child/ren this year with them. Daily, the teachers and I reinforce with students the need to be respectful to everyone we encounter, take responsibility for our words and deeds, and do our best with our learning at all times. Your support of these goals is appreciated.

I’d like to introduce you to the two newest members of our St. Rita School community, our reading and math interventionist, Mrs. Jen Masters who will be working with students in grades 4-8, and Mrs. Laura Molnar, our school counselor, who will be working with students in grades K-8. As I mentioned at the Back-to-School Night for the upper grades, St. Rita School received a substantial GEER grant from COVID funding earmarked for private schools which provided funding for these two positions for the current school year. We are partnering with Catapult Learning to provide these additional services to our students. Please refer to the attached flyers from Catapult introducing these services.

As I mentioned last week students in grades 3-8 began the NWEA MAP assessments today. Students in grades 1-2 will take their first assessment next week. The skill areas assessed include reading and math for all grade levels and English/language arts only for students in grades 3-8. The results of these assessments will be used to determine which students are eligible for intervention services, as well as to assist teachers in planning instructional strategies to meet the needs of all their students. These assessments are technology based and the results will be shared with you during Parent-Teacher conferences in October.  

Our school-wide theme for the year is Love in Action-The St. Rita Way. God’s greatest commandments –“Love the Lord your God with all you heart, with all your soul and with all your mind“ and “Love your neighbor as yourself” are the premise for our theme ”Love in Action.” Together with the St. Rita Way, our students will make a positive difference in our school community, their family, and in our world. What is the St. Rita Way you ask? It is to be a respectful, responsible, kind, helpful, honest, loving, and faith-filled student. We expect all our students to follow the rules in the classroom, in the lunchroom, and out at recess. Working together (parents, teachers and students) we will continue to keep St. Rita School the place to be where the love of Christ is lived and shared.

Please consider joining us at weekly Friday morning (9:00 A.M.) Mass at St. Rita Church. Our students, faculty, and parishioners gather in prayer to celebrate the Eucharist and thank God for all his blessings. Currently the students in grades 1-8 attend Mass. However, beginning in October, kindergarten will be joining us.

Thank you for entrusting your child/ren to our care. Enjoy the late summer weather.

God Bless,

Mrs. Tiezzi

Principal

PARENTS:

As indicated in the Family Handbook, children should not be wearing sneakers that light up - they are a not allowed at

St. Rita School because they are a distraction to children's learning.

Parking at Drop-off and Dismissal

Please observe the “NO PARKING” signs on Gillies Road, Edgemere Road, and Dessa Drive. Your willingness to observe the NO PARKING signs will ensure the safety of our students and school neighbors. Please share this with grandparents, caregivers, and anyone else who may pick up your child at dismissal. The Police Department has been issuing warnings and will be ticketing those drivers who disregard the no parking signs. Please see the provided map for no parking areas, and available parking lots. Areas marked in red are no parking areas.

To Register: Scan the QR code with your phone camera

or Visit www.hamdencatholic.org

and look in the Alpha section for the link to registration

or Call (203) 248-5513

IN PERSON: Thursdays 6:00-8:00 PM

September 14 to December 7 at

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church

2819 Whitney Avenue Hamden

You Are Invited to Please join us: Share a meal, view a film,

Discuss meaningful topics With new friends

Uniform Swap

New items have been donated to the Uniform Swap! If you are still in need of uniforms please visit the swap located in the gym before and after school every day.

HSA

Home/School Association

Nurse's Corner

Welcome Back to School! I hope everyone had a healthy and relaxing summer. Just a few reminders from the health office as we begin a new year.

COVID: We have seen a few cases of COVID in our school. If your child has a case of COVID in their classroom you will receive a notice. We ask that you then monitor your child for symptoms for 5 days. Please notify the school if your child develops COVID. The CDC guidelines have not changed. If you develop a case of COVID you must quarantine for 5 days, the first onset of symptoms is day 0. Your child can return to school on day 6 with a mask until day 10. Any questions please call the nurse.

Grade 6 physicals: All students in Grade 6 are required by the state to have a physical in order to enter Grade 7. This physical needs to be dated after May 30, 2023. Please send in a copy of your child's physical and immunization record once they have had their physical. 

Illness and protocol: If your child is sick with a fever and or vomiting they should stay home until symptoms have resolved for 24 hours. If your child has excessive coughing and or runny nose please keep them home. This will help keep everyone around them safe. If your child does not look "right" to you , follow your intuition and keep them home. Sometimes they just need a day of rest to prevent an illness from spreading. 

Prek students and The Flu shot: All students in PreK 3 and 4 are required by the state to have a flu shot before Jan 1, 2024. Please send in documentation once your child has gotten their shot. Students who have not received a flu shot by Jan 1 will not be allowed to return to school until this is completed. 

If you have any questions or concerns throughout the school year please do not hesitate to call me. I can be reached in the health office M-F from 8:00am -3:00pm