Saint Joseph School
25 Squire Street
New London, Connecticut 06320
“A Holy Place Where We Discover Each Other In God’s Love.”
March 2, 2022
Dear St. Joseph School Families,
The Lenten season begins today with Ash Wednesday. Each year with this season we search our hearts to discover what we can “give up” or do. Lent is about changing our hearts to be more like the heart of Jesus, through prayer, sacrifice, and service. What will we do to become more like Jesus?
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. Our Mission also speaks of this call to be more like Jesus.
Our 7th and 8th graders will be preparing dinner for guests at the Community Meal Center on March 17th. Interestingly, this coincides with St. Patrick’s Day. This year we will be raising money for the food being prepared with a casual day at school. Each student who wishes to wear their St. Patrick’s Day shirts, socks or other appropriate casual clothing on March 17th may do so for a fee to be announced next week. This is an opportunity for our students to provide service with a smile, changing our hearts by feeding those in need.
Our traditional 8th Grade Pin Ceremony will take place on March 18th at 1:30 .m. in the Church. All students do attend this ceremony. Grade 8 families are invited to attend.
Grade 2 will present their play on March 11th. As we have been doing throughout this year, each student in 2nd 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.
Each box of chocolate bars that was sent home earns 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 buses, 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. The money is due this week for the first boxes sent home.
We are also planning two additional fundraisers: Butter Braid for Easter and dinner at the Recovery Room.
You should have received re-registration forms in both hard copy and by email. We are currently planning for next year and need this information ASAP.
This may sound a bit premature, but if you 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 in stock. Our school closet of used shirts does not have a great supply at this time.
As indicated to you by email prior to vacation, we will continue to wear masks in school until further notice. Everyone was also asked to provide vaccination cards to the school when and if your children are fully vaccinated against the COVID virus. This will allow us to make informed decisions going forward.
For future planning March 14th is a Diocesan Professional Development Day. Therefore, school will be closed. Report cards will be distributed on March 18th.
As always, you are in our prayers. Please continue to keep us in yours.
Sincerely,
Marianne Cote, Principal