Saint Joseph School
25 Squire Street
New London, Connecticut 06320
“A holy place where we discover each other in God’s love”
September 15, 2021
Dear St. Joseph School Families,
Last December, Pope Francis designated this year as The Year of St. Joseph. As you know, St. Joseph is our patron and as he watched over our Blessed Mother and Jesus, St. Joseph watches over each of us. He nurtured and taught Jesus to be a carpenter like himself and a protector of Mary. Let us continue to pray to St. Joseph as we teach our own children to be kind and welcoming of others.
I remind you that all children need to bring their reusable water bottles to school to be used during the day, as only water bottle fillers are available, not water fountains.
This Friday, September 17th is a 12:30 dismissal, as is October 1st. The school is currently working on our ten-year accreditation study, and the teachers and staff will be hard at work during the afternoons of early dismissal days preparing this report. Also, please note that October 8th and 11th are NO SCHOOL days, due to a professional development day and Indigenous People’s Day/Columbus Day.
The payment for chocolate bars is due. Please send this to the office with the child’s name on the envelope. Fundraising is a necessity to provide for our school as it is in most schools. We appreciate all the assistance you are providing. Anyone wishing to take an additional box to sell may do so. Simply send a note to the office requesting this. All money raised is used in the school to benefit your children. Thank you for your assistance.
Our “Welcome Back” last Friday evening was a great success. It was wonderful to see everyone having a great time on the playground. Many thanks to our friends who contributed to make this activity possible. Thank you to our two alums, Anthony and Jack, who tirelessly cooked and took orders for the many who ate.
Instrumental lessons through Future Musicians of Connecticut started today. Instruments may be rented from Music and Arts in Waterford or Stewart’s Music in Niantic. This is paid separately to the company by the parents. Lessons will be offered on Wednesday afternoon during regular school hours. The teacher is Johnny Lee Walton.
Summer Reading Lists are due to Mrs. Williamson by September 17th. Parents, please lists the books and number of pages your child has read and sign the bottom of the list.
The school is planning to take some outdoor field trips as the year progresses. Since we will be transported by bus and our school faculty and staff, as well as bus drivers, are vaccinated, the school is requiring only vaccinated chaperones on these trips. Our goal, as always, is the health and safety of all of our students. The first of these trips for which you will receive paperwork is the trip to the BIG E for grades 5 through 8. We are requiring everyone on this trip to wear masks on the bus and inside any buildings they might enter. Please look for the paperwork this week which includes permission slips. The date of the trip is September 30th. Teachers and chaperones are now required to pay a $12 fee for tickets. Student tickets are free. (Please note the transportation fee listed on you letter and permission slip). If you meet the requirements of the Office of Safe Environments, are vaccinated against the COVID virus, and would like to chaperone, please notify your child’s teacher in writing (Grades 5 through 8 only). You will be notified if your services for this trip are needed, as space is limited on the bus.
The School Handbook may be found on the school web site at sjsnl.com. Everyone is asked to become familiar with the Handbook, containing much information to assist with the success of your children at St. Joseph School. Please note the uniform section, regarding the specifics of the uniform, accessories, make-up, and jewelry. All of the information therein will be helpful throughout the year and is updated as needed, including the faculty and staff assignments. A letter, indicating that you and your children have read and discussed its contents, is being sent home and must be signed and returned to school.
Please keep us in your prayers, as you are in ours daily.
God’s Blessings,
Marianne Cote
Principal