Volume XlX| December 7, 2018

THIS WEEK AT ST. ROSE SCHOOL
Dear St. Rose School Families:

"Do you hear what I hear?" The words from this popular Christmas song come to mind as I reflect on our first few months of school and the last weeks of 2018. In our halls I hear: exclamations over new discoveries! the cheerful hellos of upper grade students greeting their younger buddies; questions about how we can help those in need this season; excited accounts of the day's highlights; teachers collaborating on how to create the best lesson plans; people complimenting St. Rose students on their manners and poise. In listening I learn so much and am reminded of all that is special about St. Rose School. It is a honor to be on this journey with you.

Christmas spirit is in full swing from decorated classrooms and hallways to festive attire and exciting activities. This week our Preschoolers made gingerbread houses with their buddies one day and then entertained us with a delightful concert telling the Nativity story the next. Santa even stopped in for a visit! It was my pleasure to accompany Monsignor Bob, Mrs. Petrillo and Mrs. Quinn on the annual 8th grade trip to New York City which was a fun filled day featuring a tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a visit to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, a delicious lunch and skating at Wolman Rink. These are memories to cherish and we are grateful to all who make them happen.

In the classrooms lessons continue to unfold and the students are staying focused. At this point in the year we see great strides in learning. We will finish strong, take a little break and then continue guiding students to new heights. It is exciting to witness their growth and enthusiasm.

The infrastructure project is still on target to begin next week. As promised, the crews on site are all virtus trained and background checked. The work will not interfere with our school days. I will keep you posted about the project's progress as it unfolds.

Our Open House is scheduled for Sunday January 27th, 1-3 PM and will kick off Catholic Schools Week. Please spread the word to everyone you meet who may be a potential student here. Word of mouth is our best marketing tool. Thank you. There will be many fun and meaningful activities planned for Catholic Schools Week which we will share with you in the new year.

While this is a mostly a joyful time of the year, there are some somber moments. Today we step back to spend time in silence and prayer, joining our hearts with everyone in our community especially those who have been most affected by the events of six years ago. May God's comfort and peace be with all.

Another weekend is here. Time to bake, shop, wrap and prep as Santa's elves must do. I wish you all some hush time amidst the rush time to feel the peace that Jesus comes to bring.

God bless,


Mr. Bardhyl Gjoka
Principal
CLASSROOM HAPPENINGS
It's exciting to watch our students grasp and master new concepts each day. Minds are percolating in the Preschool through 8th grade classrooms and many exciting discoveries are being made!











ADOPT A FAMILY CLASSROOM OUTREACH

St. Rose School Homerooms are adopting families for Christmas. Your kindness and generosity will brighten the lives of many families who may be dealing with difficult times. All wrapped gifts (labeled with gender/age or family) are due by 12/20. Thank you!

THANK YOU FROM THE FOOD PANTRY

A special thank to all St. Rose School families for participating in the Thanksgiving food drive. Thank you for your food and gift card donations. You help our needy parishioners and shelters. Sincerely, The Social Concerns Committee
ADVENT IS HERE!

These are special days to prepare for Christ's coming. As a school we will do something each day in anticipation of the blessed event and to emphasize the true meaning of the season.

REGISTER FOR ACTIVITIES/CLUBS

Dodgeball, Grades 4-8, Fridays 1/11, 1/18/1/25 and 2/1. Deadline for sign up 1/4. Click here for details.

Art Smart Christmas Crafting Extravaganza,
December 13th, 4-4:30 p.m. Click here for details.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS


December 15th, Live Nativity outside at St. Rose Church.

December 18th , K-8th Christmas Concert, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

December 20th -- Adopt A Family gifts due in classrooms.

December 21st -- 9:00 a.m. Mass followed by Buddy Christmas Bingo

December 25th -- Happy BIrthday Jesus! Merry Christmas!

January 1st - - Happy New Year!

January 11th -- BINGO!

January 27th - - 1:00-3:00 p.m. -- OPEN HOUSE! Spread the word!
HSA NEWS

Dear Friends:

Thank you for your support during our Scrip event this past weekend! We especially want to thank Amanda Brennan and her team of volunteers for contributing their time at each Mass to promote these gift card sales. As you know, every purchase through the Scrip program benefits our school and your use of these gift cards is very much appreciated.

Next week is a busy one...our last before Christmas. We hope you saw the email blast sent out today about Robert Taylor coming to take pictures of the Christmas concert for us. We will be purchasing a class picture to give to each child in the concert, and (clear!) candids will be available. Thank you to Laura Moulder for arranging this service for us. As the blast also notes, we are looking for some video talent to capture the Christmas concert as well. If you know of anyone, please send us their contact information at  hsa@srles.com .

Based on input from families, there will not be an HSA event on January 4th. We look forward to telling you about other upcoming events in early January.

We wish you a wonderful third week of Advent,

Your HSA

P.S. If you do not have a Scrip account yet, please go to shop.shopwithscrip.com to register. It is so easy! Our school enrollment code is L4FCBD8C9533.




Questions? Suggestions? Email hsa@srles.com
NEWS FROM ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

There's been great action on the courts and good sportsmanship is being practiced by our athletes. Currently the Boys Varsity team is undefeated in league play with a 4-0 record!

Please come support the RAMS!

Upcoming Games:

December 17th at St. Rose

6:00 PM --JVB vs St. Joe's Danbury
7:30 PM -- VB vs. St. Joe's Danbury


Girls Varsity Schedule:

Boys Varsity Schedule:

Boys JV Schedule:

Please contact John Moulder at  athletics@stroseschool.com with questions.
We appreciate your support!
ST. ROSE SCHOOL IN THE NEWS

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

https://www.newtownbee.com/%E2%80%98kind%E2%80%99-new-ben%E2%80%99s-bells-mural-st-rose/12142018

https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/st-rose-school-advanced-math-club-wins-silver-level-award/

https://www.primepublishers.com/voicesnews/news/top_stories/be-kind-mural-donated/article_3001b3c2-fd7f-11e8-b55a-7f4ed1ab7e31.html

http://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/november-issue-2018.pdf (page 9)

https://www.newtownbee.com/%E2%80%98kind%E2%80%99-new-ben%E2%80%99s-bells-mural-st-rose/12142018

https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/st-rose-school-gets-in-the-christmas-spirit/

St. Rose School | 40 Church Hill Road Newtown CT 06470| 203-426-5102 admissions@stroseschool.com | www.stroseschool.com