Principal’s Letter – 02/16/22

Saint Joseph School
25 Squire Street
New London, Connecticut 06320

“A Holy Place Where We Discover Each Other In God’s Love.”

February 16, 2022

 

Dear St. Joseph School Families,

Although we have seen glimpses of Spring weather, clearly we are not there yet. Our school family continues to pray for all those who are hungry and homeless, remembering our call to serve those in need. Our mission, as always, is to Accept each person as God’s child; to Model Jesus as he taught us how to live in this world; to Educate each child for life; and, to Nurture our school family.

Grade 5 will present their play this Friday, February 18th. As we have been doing this year, each student in 5th grade may invite two guests to the afternoon performance.

As you know we continue to work on our renewal of our 10-year accreditation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. This presents much work for many people. A team will visit our school twice in the course of this process, a new format for the Association. The visits will take place in April of this year and October of the next school year. Writing and research is being accomplished by our entire staff, as well as our School Board and their committees. Your prayers for all of us are greatly appreciated.

Catholic Foundation Scholarship Applications must be completed on the FACTS website. I ask all who might be eligible to complete this process. Please note that last year’s tax information may be used. Please do not let this opportunity pass, as it not only helps your family, but also our school. Anyone wishing to complete this application should begin the process ASAP. In order to receive financial assistance from the Foundation or from our school, it is necessary to complete this application on the FACTS system. The deadline is March 5, 2022 with no exceptions.

Selling the chocolate bars that were sent home will earn the school $24 per box sold. The money the school earns on these fundraisers pays for things like our yearly pizza lunches for our students, Games Day shirts, supplements the cost of field trip busing, assists with Graduation expenses and the purchase of new technology and library books, among other things during the school year. Your help is seriously needed to meet these expenses.

We are also planning two additional fundraisers: Butter Braid for Easter and dinner at the Recovery Room.

Thank you to those who participated in our virtual cyber-safety presentation for our parents, guardians, and staff last night. Today, February 16th your children in grades 4-8 took part in an in-person presentation by Liz from Cyber Safety Consulting.

You should have received re-registration forms in both hard copy and by email yesterday. We are currently planning for next year and need this information ASAP.

This may sound a bit premature, but if you will need to order warm weather uniforms, especially the school polos, now would be a good time to do so. These shirts are made to order and are not kept on hand. Our school closet of used shirts does not have a great supply at this time.

Regarding the mask mandate for schools, as soon as we have more information from Ledge Light Health Dept. and the local public school system, we will contact all of our families.

February vacation is quickly approaching. There is no school during the week of February 21st through the 25th. For future planning March 14th is a Diocesan Professional Development Day. Therefore, school will be closed.

As always, you are in our prayers. Please continue to keep us in yours.

Sincerely,

Marianne Cote, Principal