THE FRIDAY REVIEW


St. Rose School

December 15, 2023


"Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord."


Ephesians 5:19

Greetings from Dr. G


Music lifts the soul! This week's K-8 Christmas concert proved that as we were treated to the angelic voices of your children preparing the way for Jesus and also giving us some laughs. Bravo to Mrs. Locke and her choirs for a job well done. Thanks also to Mr. Locke for his beautiful accompaniment on the piano. Kudos to our talented band students whose practice has truly paid off under the direction of the Paul Effman group. I am looking forward to the Preschool concert on Monday which will be sure to brighten many hearts.


Your children are engaged in impactful lessons at all grade levels. The teachers have a marvelous way of weaving subject matter with fun which brings learning to a most dynamic level. As always, we value your partnership in keeping students focused and motivated. Progress reports will be sent via email on Saturday December 16th. Please take some time to review them with your child(ren) and direct any questions to teachers.


Thank you for your cooperation with our elearning day. By all accounts it went smoothly. Needless to say, our hearts and prayers are joined together always and in particular at this time of the year.


I am delighted to share that our net proceeds from the Blooms Benefit are $120,000! This is an exceptional feat which is the result of much hard work, creativity and generosity. Heartfelt thanks to Laura Moulder and her incredible fundraising committee for the Blooms Benefit success. On top of that we raised more than $14,000 on #Giving Tuedsday. I am grateful to Mrs. Moulder for her diligence in keeping the energy and focus going over those 24 hours to achieve our goal of $10,000 and then some! As you know, we have a $150,000 fundraising goal every year to bridge the tuition gap. This puts us in strong standing and emphasizes the value so many people place on St. Rose School. We have a rich history and a bright future!


Speaking of the future, tonight you will receive information in Plus Portals about registration for the 2024-2025 school year. It is my sincere hope that all in our current school family will continue the learning journey with us. Registration will open to the public on January 21st. If you have questions email Mrs. Mok, admissions@srles.com. IMPORTANT DATE CHANGE: Our Open House will now take place on Sunday January 21st 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. We have moved it in recognition of Monsignor Bob's last Mass taking place Sunday January 28th with a reception to follow. Please share the word and encourage your family, friends and neighbors to take a walk in our halls on the 21st.


Next week we will have four full days of school. Thursday December 21st we will gather for a school Christmas Mass at 9:00 a.m.. Please join us if you can. Christmas break will begin on Friday December 22nd and last through Monday January 1st, 2024. School will resume on January 2nd. This will be the last issue of The Friday Review until Friday January 5th. If anything needs to be communicated over the break we will send an email.


The RAMS basketball and cheer season is going well. There will be games this Sunday at St. Thomas in Fairfield. This can be a fun family outing and our players and coachers would love a great cheering section so please go if you can. This weekend you can also enjoy a Merriest concert at Immaculate High School AND... Breakfast with Santa at St. Rose on the 17th which is run by the Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes. Enjoy this most wonderful time of the year!


We ended our week on a happy note, first greeting the Newtown Hook & Ladder fire engine that brought three of our students to school this morning. This was an auction item from the Blooms Benefit. Santa Claus and all students and faculty were waiting and waving in front of the school when they arrived. Then we gathered for Mass, which is always a highlight of the week.


Have a restful and festive weekend.

God bless,


Dr. G



PRESCHOOL CORNER


The Preschool building smelled like gingerbread this week as classes enjoyed building houses and engaging in many fun learning activities. The children are excited to perform their Christmas concert on Monday!


*December 18th -- Preschool Christmas concert


*December 22-January 1st -- Christmas break; school resumes January 2d, 2024

Santa visits the halls of St. Rose School

CHRISTMAS JOY INFUSES

OUR HALLS!


It's apparent the students of St. Rose School are on Santa's "Nice" list! His jolly classroom visits last week are captured in the above video coutesy of Mrs. DeBartolomeo. Santa returned this morning to greet the fire truck transporting three lucky students to school. Everyone was waiting for them and enjoyed the excitement.


Looking ahead to Christmas Mass at the high school -- more shepherds, angels and other actors are needed for the Christmas pagaent. It's a beautiful expereince for the whole family. Click here for information.



Bringing joy to others is what Christmas is all about. Mrs. Ferriter and a group of students visited Church Hill Village residents this week and spent time working on watercolor art with them!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OPEN HOUSE JANUARY 21st, 2024; 1:00-3:00 PM!


Spread the word to family and friends who can take a walk in our halls and see why St. Rose could be the right fit for them! Register here. Questions? Email Mrs. Mok, admissions@srles.com.

BLOOMS BRICK GARDEN LATEST INSTALLMENT COMPLETE


Celebrating milestones, memories and more, the Blooms Brick walk is a visual reminder of the special times and people that make a lasting impact on our hearts. This is also an ongoing fundraiser for the school. The latest round of bricks were installed this week by Mr. Joe Cruz and his crew. Mr. Cruz is Grandpa of Victoria and Justin Fragoso and he does this work at no charge to the school. We are very grateful for his fine work and good heart. Please take a look at the garden when you are in the area and keep bricks in mind as gifts. The next installment will be in the Spring after the ground softens but orders can be placed anytime.


Donate to St. Rose of Lima School Brick Fundraising Campaign (polarengraving.com)


Thanks for the memories and moments that shape the St. Rose School experience.

HSA NEWS


Hello SRS Community,


We hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season, 10 days until Christmas!    


If you haven’t finished your shopping yet, please consider using the RaiseRight fundraising program.  Tis’ the season for all things “S”...SRS, Santa and shopping!  RaiseRight: This is one of the easiest ways to earn money for the school, you can send or purchase eCards and/or physical cards.  Register by visiting RaiseRight, click on “Register.” Then, “Join an Existing Program” and enter the enrollment code “FDD33AD29533.” 


Are you going to buy Gift Cards?  VISA & AMEX gift cards purchased through RaiseRight waive the activation fee!


A portion of your purchase(s) will be given back to the school!!!  If you spend $50, $7.5 goes back to the school (based on 15% rebate).   Check out these rebate percentages given back to the school:


Starbucks 6.5%

Gap  18%

Banana Republic 18%

NinetyNine 18%

Athleta 18%

Under Armour 16%

DSW 11%

Air BnB 7%

Bath & Body Works 17%

Best Buy 5%

Dominos 12%

Old Navy 18%

Texas Roadhouse 10%



Let the SRS Raise Right Christmas Wishlist program make things easier this holiday season with one stop shopping! Order from over 750 retailers in a variety of denominations. To find a complete list of vendors click here.  You receive the FULL FACE VALUE of the gift cards.


HSA Ladies Night Out - Wreath Decorating 

The event was a huge success filled with laughter, cheer and friendship.  A HUGE “thank you” to Chrystalle Anstett who engaged us in a talk about her first book, So I Married a Groomzilla.  She generously donated all the proceeds from book sales that evening to the HSA.  To purchase a copy of the book please email the HSA at hsa@srles.com.  


The creativity was flowing as wreaths were decorated and ready to be hung!  Thank you to event chair Candy Duda and her mom Debbie for their tremendous help preparing for the event, bringing their Christmas cheer and sharing their talent at this event.  We also want to thank all those who came to support the event and Boy Scout troop 770 for supplying wreaths to make it happen!


BoxTops

Did you know there is a contest for BoxTops?  It is another simple way to raise money for the school, and guess what….  NO MORE CUTTING AND COLLECTING CARDBOARD!

• Scan paper receipts before even leaving the store!  Get the BoxTops App here!

• Online shopper? No problem! Digital receipts are automatically linked to your account!

• BoxTops has earned SRS over $25,000 since 1996!

• So far this year the 2nd grade and Kindergarten have had the most participation.


Kindergarten recently had the lead taken away by 2nd grade… who else wants to join the leaderboard? 



Playground

The playground committee is looking to start the planning process. Please complete this survey so we can gather as much information to meet all the needs of our school community: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6TGNV2K

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HSA Links


Facebook: Join other parents on the SRS Parents FB Page!

HSA Registration: Enroll in HSA

HSA Paypal Account: PayPal, “St. Rose of Lima School HSA

HSA Event Sign-ups: Signing up to volunteer


The HSA looks forward to our continued partnership in support of SRS. We welcome suggestions and ideas  Please always feel free to email us at hsa@srles.com.


Your HSA Board, 


Carrie Sirois, Michelle McRuiz, Co-Presidents

Mike Anstett, Vice President

Lisa Jackson, Secretary

Karen Walauskas, Treasurer

IMPORTANT SCHOOL INFORMATION/LINKS


Updated school calendar


*Please be sure to read the updated Family Handbook. Click here.


* We are pleased to offer access to the online family directory for all parents who have given permission to be included in it. Please read this from Mrs. Doane:


Parent Directory Now Available in PlusPortals

The parent directory is now visible on PlusPortals. Families who completed the opt-out form during registration do not appear in the directory. If you did not complete the form but wish to be removed from the directory, login to plusportals.com/stroseschool and go to your name and then "Directory Settings". Changes take effect immediately. You can also customize which of your contact information appears in the directory. If you need any assistance using PlusPortals, please contact Katelyn Doane at doane@srles.co

Important Dates


December 15th -- registration for the 2024-2025 school year opens for current families


December 16th -- Progress reports mailed home


December 21st -- Join us for 9:00 a.m. Christmas Mass, FULL DAY of school


December 22 -- January 1st -- Christmas Break


January 2, 2024 -- School resumes


January 21st -- Open House, kick off to Catholic Schools Week