October 20, 2021
Dear St. Joseph School Families,
As is always our tradition in October, we are continuing to pray the Most Holy Rosary. This week we are meditating on the Glorious Mysteries. Our thoughts turn to the Resurrection of Jesus; His Ascension into heaven; the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples; the time when Mary was assumed into heaven; and, finally, Mary’s crowning as heaven’s queen. As we pray the Rosary throughout the month of October, may we continue to pray for peace and health of our world.
This week (Thursday and Friday) parent/teacher conferences will take place via Zoom or phone. Everyone should have received the request to set up an appointment time. Due to these conferences, Thursday and Friday are 12:30 dismissal days. Progress reports were distributed last Friday. If you did not receive one for each of your children, please contact the office.
Individual and class pictures will be taken next week on October 26th and 27th respectively. Uniforms are required for class pictures. Appropriate attire should be worn by all students for individual pictures. (A button down shirt or polo for the boys and for the girls a sweater, dress or blouse would be appropriate.) Grade 8 boys should wear a dress shirt and tie, and 8th grade girls should be dressed for a yearbook picture.
A week from this Sunday is Halloween. On October 29th we will have a casual day. While we do not wear costumes at school, students may wear Halloween specific shirts or simply orange and black if they choose to do so. Our 8th graders will be “Trick-or-Treating” with the students in our auditorium, as they did last year.
Of course, November 1st (All Saints’ Day”) is the real day of celebration, since it is on that day that we will remember all of our Saints and saints-in-training (That’s us!)
Since we were unable to visit the New London Fire Department this year, the firefighters visited our Kindergarten and First Graders on the playground. We thank them for coming and for all they do to keep us safe.
Reminders:
- Band practice for those taking instrumental lessons takes place every Wednesday, which is a full day of school from 2:30 to 3 p.m. Children should be picked up promptly at 3 p.m. at the front door of the school.
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- Masks are required for school. All students must come to school with a mask and have a spare in their backpack.
- If your child is going to aftercare, a note must be sent to the office or a call must come to the office before 1 p.m. in order that arrangements may be made. The same rules are expected at aftercare as during the regular school day. Respect for the women, who care for your children during this time, is of the utmost importance.
- 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.
- Please send any outstanding payments for chocolate bars to the office with the child’s name on the envelope. We have a few boxes remaining for those who are interested in selling them. Fundraising is a necessity to provide for our school as it is in most schools. 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 in our fundraising opportunities, which help to fund special activities for our students.
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. Disciplinary information is also contained therein. All of the information 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, has been sent home electronically, and was required to be signed and returned to school by October 5th. If you have not done so, please send this in as soon as possible.
Please keep us in your prayers, as you are in ours daily.
May God Bless You!
Marianne Cote, Principal