Saint Joseph School
25 Squire Street
New London, Connecticut 06320
“A Holy Place Where We Discover Each Other In God’s Love.”
December 8, 2021
Dear St. Joseph School Families,
On Monday morning Father Mark and Mrs. Arnold, one of our School Board members joined us for Advent prayer and a special blessing. We started the second week of Advent with Joseph and his coat of many colors. The prayer was led by our 4th Grade. We were reminded the coat was a gift to Jacob’s son as a sign of a father’s love, and that God’s love for us is like the coat…beautiful. As we light the Advent wreath candles we continue to remember the stories and the people who led up to the birth of Jesus. Each day, we remember all of you in our prayers.
Today is the last day to order sweatshirts for Christmas delivery. If you wish to make a purchase, please send order and payment with the form available on sjsnl.com.
Lessons and Carols takes place on December 10th at 7 p.m. in the Church. Attire for boys is dark pants, white shirt and a Christmas appropriate tie. Girls may wear dark skirts or dress slacks, white sweater or blouse. No athletic shoes please. All students will be wearing clear masks which have been purchased and tested by our 4th graders at their play last week. All adults in attendance are required to wear masks as well. To keep the numbers in Church reasonable, we are asking that only immediate family (grandparents included) of our students attend. For those who have not had this experience, students sit with their classes. With respect for the health and safety of all, at the conclusion of Lessons and Carols, the students will be dismissed one class at a time to their parents. This will avoid a gathering of many at the front of the Church. The 8th graders, who will be at the front already, will be dismantling the risers and equipment during this dismissal process.
Starting on December 13th, boys will be allowed to wear Christmas ties in lieu of their school ties. All students may wear Christmas sweaters or sweatshirts as well.
Thank you to all who purchased a Christmas wreath to benefit the students of our school. We also thank the Massad Family for coordinating the sale and delivery.
We also wish to remind everyone that our 2021 St. Joseph School laser cut wooden ornament is available at the school. There is a limited quantity of 50. This year the ornament features a Lamp with the words “Be a light for all to see” and the school’s name and year. The cost is $20. We thank Ashley and Colin Higgins who made and donated these annual ornaments to our school.
All forms for students wishing to play basketball this year are due on Friday, December 10th. We are looking for an additional JV boys’ basketball coach. Please email principal@sjsnl.org if you are interested and I will forward this to Coach Egan.
On December 18th, the Home-School Association will provide dinner to the guests of the Community Meal Center on Montauk Avenue. You have graciously assisted in this effort in the past, and we ask you once again in these difficult times to give as you are able. You will be contacted as to the menu, and your donations should be dropped off at the door of the meal center at 4 p.m.
Christmas recess begins at 12:30 p.m. on December 22nd. There will be no after-school care on that day.
Cell phone reminder. Students who carry cell phones to school must leave them in a plastic bag in the office during the day. No student is allowed a cell phone in their possession during the school day.
May this Advent time provide peace in your busy lives, giving you the opportunity to reflect on the reason for this time…the birth of Christ once again into our world and our hearts.
My prayers are with you. Please keep each of us in yours.
Sincerely,
Marianne Cote, Principal