Principal’s Letter – 01/18/23

Saint Joseph School

25 Squire Street

New London, Connecticut 06320

 

January 18, 2023

Dear St. Joseph School Families,

Today is dedicated to prayer for Christian Unity. It seems quite fitting that having celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, we remember his hope that one day people would be accepting of one another regardless of race or creed, that today, we pray that all may be one.  Our School Mission also states that we accept all people as created in the image of God. May we live this mission in our daily lives.

With Catholic Schools Week, the theme of which is Faith, Excellence, Service, beginning on January 29th, we are looking forward to resuming our annual Sunday morning breakfast on that day. We have received some offers of help for that day and for student appreciation day as well.  If you have not offered your help for the breakfast, there are additional ways to help.  We will be in need of donations of breakfast pastries to enhance the breakfast menu of eggs, sausage and pancakes. We will need regular or mini muffins, different types of sweet breads (sliced please), donuts, Danish pastry etc.  Please email me with your intended donation at principal@sjsnl.org.

This Friday, January 20th is our Casual Day for Charity.  We are planning to donate socks to the local homeless shelter.  So far we have collected about 70 pairs and are hoping for a few hundred pairs of men’s, women’s or children’s socks.

We wish to thank all those who currently offer their time and talents to see that school activities continue. If these fundraising activities cannot be carried forward with everyone’s assistance, some of our extra student activities will begin to be eliminated for financial reasons. None of us want to see this happen. We are also grateful to our donors who “suddenly” come forward to fund special activities.

Also, looking forward to Catholic Schools Week, we are planning an Open House visiting time for parents on Wednesday, February 1st from 9:15-11:15 a.m. Please bring a friend who may be interested in sending children to our school. Registration is currently underway for the 2023-2024 school year.

On January 18th (today) and 25th, the Home and School Association has been asked to lead two Focus Group meetings to discuss the “in-process” New London Community Center, and what we would like to see as a part of this center.  Our participation comes with a stipend to the school from a grant that the New London Recreation Department has received. Both meetings are at 6:00 p.m. at the school on the dates listed above.  Please attend the meeting of your choice.

Some reminders include the following.

  • Each child must bring a water bottle to school for drinks of water during the day.  We have depleted our disposable cup supply.
  • All families are asked to review the uniform and personal appearance section of the handbook (on the website and in hard copy sent home).
  • The Grade 7 play will be performed January 27th at 1 p.m.
  • Catholic Schools Week begins on Sunday, January 29th and concludes on February 4th.

If school is closed due to a weather event, you will be notified through a phone message, text, and email. If this occurs, please check your messages.  Do not call the school, as no one will be in the building on those days. Cancellations will also be announced on TV on CBS 3 (WFSB) and NBC 30 (WVIT).

We continue to keep everyone in our prayers for health and safety. Please keep us in yours.

God’s Blessings on Everyone!

Marianne Cote, Principal