Saint Joseph School
25 Squire Street
New London, Connecticut 06320
“A holy place where we discover each other in God’s love”
September 22, 2021
Dear St. Joseph School Families,
This week we celebrate a number of Saints. St. Matthew is one of those. Matthew is one of the Gospel writers. As I told the students this morning, we are encouraging them to be “great writers”, a skill that will serve them well in the future. Even more importantly, Matthew shared the Word of God. I reminded our students of the reading from Matthew 5, “You are like light for the whole world”. Each of us is called to illuminate the world with God’s love, through our words and our actions.
Reminders:
- At. St. Joseph School we do assign homework. The homework assigned is part of each student’s grade. When homework is not completed, this will reflect on the student’s learning, progress report and report card grade.
- Children are required to bring their reusable water bottles to school to be used during the day, as only water bottle fillers are available, not water fountains. Drinks, other than water, are only allowed at snack time and lunch, and not in the classroom during the day.
- If you have not sent the sent the $2.00 assignment book fee, please send it by Thursday, September 23rd.
October 1st is a 12:30 dismissal day. 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, respectively.
The Butter Braid and Pie Fundraiser will take place at the same time this year. This begins on September 27th and runs through October 18th. Delivery will be on November 16th, in time for Thanksgiving.
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.
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. As a reminder, the fee for these lessons is paid separately and directly to the company by the parents. Lessons are offered on Wednesday afternoon during regular school hours. The teacher is Johnny Lee Walton.
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). In addition to being vaccinated against COVID, you must have also submitted and application package and completed the online training from the Diocesan Office of Safe Environments. Questions regarding this process should be directed to Kathy Bergeron, the Administrative Assistant at secretary@sjsnl.org. 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.
May God Bless You!
Marianne Cote, Principal