OUR MISSION:
St. Rita School inspires students in Pre-Kindergarten through grade eight to achieve academic excellence in a safe, nurturing and faith-filled Catholic environment.
We prepare students to be morally responsible, innovative thinkers who, in today’s technology-guided global community, live and share the Love of Christ.
FROM THE DESK OF MRS. TIEZZI
Dear St. Rita Parents,

Last week I shared the results of the first seven questions from the NEASC survey and this week the remaining results will be shared. As I mentioned last week the survey consisted of fifteen questions with five answer choices provided for each questions. Answer choices included strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree and no opinion/ not applicable.  Thank you for your participation in the survey. mBelow are the results of the last 8 questions. 

8.  Throughout my child’s experience at the school, he/she has found a thoughtful and skilled faculty. 48 % strongly agree, 43.9% agree.

9.  Policies are administered fairly and reflect the values of the school. 40.4% strongly agree, 46.2% agree

10. The methods used to assess my child’s work at the school are clear, fair and helpful- 39.8% strongly agree, 50.3% agree.

11. The school is a safe, clean, well-organized place that nurtures learning and mutual respect among students and teachers. 55% strongly agree, 43.3% agree

12. The school has an effective system of communicating important information to the parents. 54.4% strongly agree, 41.5%

13. My input is welcome and sought after.- 28.1% strongly agree, 53.2% agree, 8.8 % disagree, and 7.6 % no opinion

14. The school has sufficient resources to meet the needs of my child. 52.6 % strongly agree, 28.1% agree, 8.8% disagree. 

15. St. Rita is a great school for my child. 55.6% strongly agree, 36.3 % agree.


 Once again on behalf of the entire faculty and staff thank you for assisting us with the NEASC self-study and also for entrusting your child/ren to our care. Blessings for a prayerful Lenten season. 


God Bless,

Mrs. Tiezzi



School News 
FROM THE NURSE'S STATION
We have begun to see cases of the Flu here at St. Rita’s School. Please encourage your children to wash their hands with soap and water and to cover their nose and mouth when coughing and/or sneezing.
When calling your child out sick from school please let us know if they have a “doctors confirmed” case of the flu.
Please use the following guidelines before sending your child back to school if they have been diagnosed with the flu:
-No Fever for 24 hours without taking medication( Tylenol or Advil)
-No vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours.
-They look and feel better with a healthy appetite and restful sleep.

Please read the following link for more Flu information.

Please do not send your child back to school until they are feeling better. We are seeing some pediatricians suggesting a week home to recover from the flu. Please follow your pediatricians recommendations before sending your child back to school.

The Flu:
A Guide For Parents
FLU INFORMATION
What is the flu? Influenza (the flu) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by influenza viruses. There are many different influenza viruses that are constantly changing. Flu viruses cause illness, hospital stays and deaths in the United States each year. The flu can be very dangerous for children. Each year about 20,000 children younger than 5 years old are hospitalized from flu complications, like pneumonia.

  

Support St. Rita School by Grocery Shopping!
Register your BIG Y card through this link!



SAVE THE DATE:
Divine Mercy Sunday
April 8, 2018
Divine Mercy Parish, Hamden, CT

Divine Mercy Procession and Devotions

Join Archbishop Leonard P. Blair, S.T.D.

2:00 p.m. Procession begins at St. Stephen Church, 400 Ridge Road, Hamden, CT
1.3 mile walk to St. Rita Church 1620 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT
3:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet and Eucharistic Adoration at St. Rita Church

Join for both procession and devotions or only 3:00 p.m. devotions

Confessions available before procession at St. Stephen Church and at St. Rita Church

For more information call: 203 248 5513 or 203 288 6439

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
The grade portal will be closing on March 6, 2018
Lenten Project
We have begun the Lenten season. As a school community, it is a time to for us to give to others. This year we will be joining forces with the  Wounded Warrior Project  and collecting donations for this organization. Each day the classroom that collects the highest amount of donations will get to spend the day with our project mascot, HERO. Please considering donating to this project. (Donations are collected in class each day) 
Follow our Facebook page to see where Hero lands each day! 
For more information, please visit 

Discover Mercy High School
“Discover Mercy” is a morning program offered for fifth, sixth and seventh grade girls and their parents to get their first look at Mercy by enjoying activities, student performances and informal conversations with Mercy students, parents, administrators and faculty. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
During "Discover Mercy," girls have the opportunity to spend time in the classrooms with faculty and students while attending “classes” such as Mad about Math, Field Hockey Clinic, Paint the Town (an introduction to French language and culture) and Mock Trial to name a few options. All of the choices are listed on the registration page. Here is the link:  Discover Mercy . Meanwhile, parents may attend an informal question and answer session and participate in programs designed especially for them.
Following the morning program, everyone is invited to lunch in the cafeteria and experience a performance by the Mercy/Xavier "Vocal Dimension" Show Choir! Mercy Student Ambassadors are available to lead tours of the school at any time during the morning, including a stop at the school store.

Mercy/Xavier High School Presents:
 "The Addams Family - A New Musical Comedy"
 this March!
Showtimes are 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10, and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 11.
The performance will be held at Mercy High School,  1740 Randolph Road  in Middletown. Admission is $10 for students and $15 for adults. Tickets are available  online  and at the door.


Archbishop Leonard P. Blair and the Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Schools cordially invite you
to attend the       
  18th Annual Archbishop’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast
 Friday, March 16, 2018     
  7:30 a.m.  
 Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford 
See attached flyer 


SPIRIT WEAR IS HERE!!!!
"DRESS UP YOUR RIDE WITH ST. RITA PRIDE"

Catholic Schools Week Pricing has been extended for the entire month of February!

SPECIAL PRICING ON CAR MAGNETS, 
WINDOW DECALS, AND TRAVEL COFFEE CUPS

SEE ATTACHED FLYER AND ORDER FORM FOR DETAILS
got Spirit?

BRAND NEW ITEMS!!!!!!
Coming soon......

Sherpa pullovers, vests, lounge pants, over-sized cotton tees, classic hoodies, 1/4 zip pullovers, hats and more !!

LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” are the words to a well-known hymn.This year the youth of Divine Mercy Parish and St. Rita School ( Preschool through High School ) are being given a wonderful opportunity to participate in a live reenactment of the Stations of the Cross. This will be a very spiritual event for the entire family. If your child would like to participate, please fill out the bottom portion of this letter and return it by March 15, 2018 . Primary parts consist of the roles of Jesus, Mary, the soldiers, Pontius Pilate, and examples of secondary parts are the people in the crowd along the route that Jesus traveled
When: Good Friday, March 30, 2018
Start Time: 12:00 noon (those with assigned parts meet in church basement at 11:30)
Where: Divine Mercy Parish, St. Rita’s Church
Practice: Sunday, March 25, 2018 (immediately following 11:30 mass in St. Rita Church basement--one hour)

CEO FOUNDATION of CT
Children's Educational Opportunity
​Foundation of Connecticut, Inc.

For information regarding parent renewal and new applications, which will be available March 1, 2018, please visit the step-by step application instructions on our website . Please remember your parents must have their 2017 taxes filed before they apply for a scholarship.
SRS Summer Camp dates and information coming soon!!
Saint Rita School
Parade Marchers Wanted!

New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 11, 2018

 
St. Rita School has again been invited to march in the New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 11, 2018. The parade is the largest single-day spectator event in the state of Connecticut. Let’s march together to show our school pride!

Deadline for registration: March 9, 2018

Children must be accompanied by a parent for the duration of the event.

The marching group will meet at the school parking lot at 12:15pm on the parade day. The bus will leave the school lot at 12:30pm and transport the marching group to the staging area. The parade officially kicks off at 1:30pm at Chapel Street & Sherman Avenue and ends at Grove Street & Orange Street around 4:00pm. Buses will drop participants off at the school lot around 4:00pm. This event is rain or shine.

This event is a FREE for St. Rita families but pre-registration is preferred. The first 40 people to pre-register will be given priority seating on the bus.

Participants are encouraged to wear warm clothes along with other festive attire. Additional information will be emailed to registered families prior to the parade day.
The parade will be covered live on WTNH News 8.

Questions? Contact Michael Conklin at michaelpeterconklin@gmail.com .

Interested in learning more about the message of the Divine Mercy?
Join us for

Divine Mercy Parish Lenten Series



Prayer Corner
Please keep the following SRS community
members in your thoughts and prayers
Mrs. Patty Landino
Father of Anna-Ramirez-Allard
Sister Mary Jane Paolella
Father Robert Beloin
Nephew of Donna Soliwoda
Sebastian, Carlos O’Connor’s cousin.
 Maddie and Andy Rossetti's grandfather, Philip G. Prendergast

If you have a special intention that you would like to share in our prayer corner, please email Carissa Civitello
Home and School Association
We want to thank all the dads who came with their beautiful daughters.
All the families who sent in delicious desserts and appetizers.
The Velez family for donating the allergy safe treat table.
The Mulhern family for rounding up dinner donations and delivering them as well.
Nicole Mele Photography for taking our beautiful photos.
John Bimonte our awesome DJ.
All the moms who came out to plan, help set up, decorate, serve and clean up our father daughter dance. Thank you to all of the Dads who also helped to clean up!
Without you this dance wouldn’t be possible.
A special thank you to Sandy Mascia for co- chairing her last father daughter dance here at St Rita.

Download more photos from our Father Daughter Dance

Coming Soon: The Second Annual $10,000 Tuition Raffle!
Beginning on March 6th, St. Rita School will sell raffle tickets for the Second Annual Tuition Raffle. Each family is asked to sell, or purchase for themselves, 2 tickets. Tickets are $50 each and only 800 tickets will be available, so buy your ticket early! The prize money may be used to pay tuition at any accredited k-12 school, college, or university, or to pay back student loans. The winner does not have to personally use the money. They may designate any student they wish to use the money (for example, a grandparent may use the prize to pay a grandchild's tuition). The drawing will be held on Wednesday, June 6th at St. Rita School. The winner need not be present to win. Extra tickets are available by calling the school at  203-248-3114  or emailing  trisha.kozloski@yahoo.com
Proceeds from the Raffle will support St. Rita School.


Athlete's Corner
For updated sports information and schedules, please visit our


2017-2018 Basketball Calendar
View here 
*subject to change/weather permitting


PHOTOS WANTED!!
If you have been taking great shots at one of our sporting events, please share with us!
Email pictures to





WINTER SPORTS UPDATE:


Reminder:
If your child is absent from school, they will not be permitted to participate in any athletic events (games or practice)

BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS!!!
Our basketball teams are beginning league playoffs and year end tournaments. Please see the below links to locate the teams schedule, as they change quite often:

GNHPAL Playoffs (Girls JV, Boys JV6, Girls Varsity and Boys Varsity 8)


St Mary Milford Tournament Basketball League (Boys JJV3, BoysJJV4, Boys JV5, Boys Varsity 7, Boys Varsity 8 and Girls JJV)


Ct Hoopfest Tournament (Boys JV6, Girls JV and Girls Varsity)


Caritas Christi Center
Kids Night Out
Dates:
March 2, March 16, April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18, June 1


To view other Caritas Christi Center events visit their website .



St. Rita School Early Learning Center
The Early Learning Center is HIRING!
Part time, morning and afternoon availability
For more information please call
Colleen 203-288-6828

NOW ENROLLING

St. Rita School Early Learning Center offers a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment for children aged two months to five years.


Check out their NEW

Visit us on FACEBOOK

SAVE THE DATE:
Open House
Sunday April 8th 10am-12pm
Tuesday April 10th
9:30am-11:30am
Visit our center & Meet our staff!


UPCOMING DATES - 
February 28- Box top competition ends
March 2- 12:15 Dismissal (After Care Available)
March 13- Report Cards go home
March 29- Holy Thursday - 12:15 Dismissal (No after care)
March 30- Good Friday -No School
April 2- Easter Monday- SCHOOL
April 6- Auction
April 8- Divine Mercy Sunday
April 13- Unity T-Shirt Day
April 16-20 - Spring Break

St. Rita School
1601 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06517
Phone: (203) 248.3114
Fax: (203) 248.1016