Dear St. Rose Community,

We're Baaaaaaack in our classrooms; and our hallways are bursting with joy, laughter and a lot of smiles. Once our littlest learners join us in the preschool building; our family for 2023-2024 will be complete and ready to celebrate the many traditional and new things that await us this school year.

The school was squeaky clean and the walls and halls were decorated and ready for our official opening on Wednesday. The days couldn't be more different than they were weather-wise; but, in spirit and heart they were the same; with our older students starting on Wednesday and our younger children starting on Thursday. There is nothing like the first day of school. As much as we might be sad to see our summer break end; the anticipation of a whole new school year, with so many possibilities awaiting you takes over very quickly. I know, even after more than twenty first days, I still wake up way before the alarm that morning with butterflies of excitement of what's ahead. These first two days were energized with the enthusiasm of our older children and the giggles and chatter of our younger children; actually I think all that happened on both days. We had students returning for another year, their first year, and those returning for their last year. All going into a new grade; and some of them into a new experience like our sixth graders into middle school, and our fifth graders into the "big kid" uniforms. We look forward to Friday as we all join together in the way we know best, in prayer and song, and offering our gratitude and the work of our hands for the year to our Lord. The spirit and the Spirit are definitely present in us and moving us into a year we can't wait to share!

This is just a preview of what was captured on the first days; we look forward to sharing more with you next week and at our Back to School Night, Thursday, September 7.

Until then, welcome back to our returning families, welcome to our new families. Thank you for entrusting your child to us each day. These first weeks are days filled with many questions and "just want to make sure", please don't hesitate to reach out to us as we begin our partnership to make 2023-2024 the best school year ever for our children.

I'll start by answering one question; boys may wear their regular uniform (no PE) shorts for mass tomorrow as we realize not everyone has received the long pants (which begin mid October).

Our blessings and prayers go out to our families for a wonderful Labor Day Weekend and making a few more summer memories. We hope to see you at the Newtown Labor Day Parade on Monday.

Warmly,

Mrs. Mary Jo Bokuniewicz (Mrs. B)

Dean of Student Life