July 28, 2019
Dear Parents,
I pray that you and your children are enjoying this beautiful summer. We read in the story of creation, God set aside time for rest. How important it is for each of us to do the same, as we reverence all of God’s gifts to us especially our children and each other.
St. Joseph School will open for its 82nd year on August 28th. To prepare for the year we are about to enter, a short Home and School Association Meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. on August 19th to welcome our new families. Orientation for Kindergarten and the middle school families will take place the same evening at 6:15 p.m. until 7. As we all look forward to nurturing and developing the spiritual, academic, physical, and social well being of our children, we seek your assistance in this awesome ministry. You entrust to us the most precious gift of your children. We are truly humbled as we accept this gift and responsibility. I am ever grateful for our school, and proud of its long tradition of excellence. I am thankful for our wonderful families, supportive pastor and parishes, alumni and friends, and our professional and caring staff who share the mission of Catholic Education.
As you are aware Mrs. Neilan has retired, and Mrs. Gookin and her husband have transferred to Alaska. We are happy to welcome Mrs. Samantha Batch and Mrs. Karen Podurgiel to our faculty in grades 3 and 5 respectively.
On August 28th the opening bell will ring at the usual time of 8:30 a.m. as we begin another exciting school year. The celebration of the Eucharist will take place at 9 a.m. Please join with us in prayer and thanksgiving for this new school year. The first 3 days of school will be 12:30 p.m. dismissal days. After school care begins on Thursday, August 29th. Please register for this if you are interested. Attire for the first day of school is our regular uniform, as we will be celebrating the Eucharist. Thereafter, the warm weather uniform may be worn until Columbus Day with the exception of “Mass days”.
Diocesan policy dictates that all who wish to volunteer for school and classroom activities must complete the course for the safety of children, and a background check. An on-line program must be competed along with the appropriate paperwork. Your email address and birth date are needed to be registered for the online course.
Reminders: The required homework assignment books for Grades 3-8 will be distributed in each classroom at a cost of $2.00. Taking personal responsibility and being organized are vital and necessary life skills, fostered through its use. All 7th graders must have had a physical prior to the start of school on August 28th. (Connecticut State Health Regulation) Summer reading lists are due by September 6th.
Each child’s success at St. Joseph is the responsibility of all in the school family. As the first educators of your children, this success is closely linked to all you do at home as, well as, to your continued support of our school’s mission, its policies, teachers, staff, and administration. Your trust in us as Catholic School Educators is of the utmost importance, as we work together, for the success of our children. The words, “Be it known to all who enter here that Jesus Christ is the reason for this school. He is the unseen but ever present teacher in its classes. He is the model of its faculty and the inspiration of its students,” greet us at the front door. You are also reminded of our AMEN Mission which states that we: “Accept each person as a unique creation in God’s image; Model Jesus as we make everyone feel welcome in this holy place; Educate each person for life; and, Nurture the diverse gifts and talents of the whole school family.” May these words be uppermost in our minds and hearts each day of this 2019-20 school year.
I am truly proud to be the principal of our wonderful St. Joseph School. I continue to hold you in my prayers, and ask that you keep me in yours.
Sincerely
Marianne Cote,
Principal