From the Desk of Mrs. Tiezzi

Dear St. Rita Parents and Guardians,

It was so great to see all the smiling faces of our students, both new and returning, over the past few days! Despite a few tears from our youngest ones and a few issues with our new FACTS platform, the past couple of days have gone really well. Welcome to all our new students and their families. We also welcome our new staff members: Miss Maggie Silbo (Grade 1), Miss Taylor Long (MS ELA), and Mrs. Kiersten Hughey (PE). In addition to teaching 8th grade ELA, we welcome Mrs. Marie Rourke to her new role as our Curriculum and Instruction Specialist.

We are currently looking for people to work in our after-care program from 3:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. during the school year. Working under the direction of the Aftercare Director, the aide is responsible for helping out with activities, games, crafts, and homework for participants in the program. All candidates must be 18 years of age or older, have completed the Virtus-Protecting All God’s Children Training, and undergo a background check and fingerprinting. The pay is $20. an hour. Please contact Mrs. McKay in the school office for additional information.

Our school-wide theme for the year is Hold On To Love - The St. Rita Way. As Catholics we are called to make a difference in the world and change the world for God. God loves us and we must love others. In the turbulent and trying times we are currently living in, God will not let us down. God is love and when we respond to others with love, we experience God. We must always hold onto love!

Together with the St. Rita Way, our students will make a positive difference in our school community, their family and in our world. What is the St. Rita Way you ask? It is to be a respectful, responsible, kind, helpful, honest, loving, and faith-filled student. We expect all our students to follow the rules in the classroom, in the lunchroom, and out at recess. Working together (parents, teachers, and students) we will continue to keep St. Rita School the place to be, where the love of Christ is lived and shared.

We will have two Back to School/Meet the Teacher Nights this year. The date for parents with students in grades PreK 3-Grade 3, is Thursday, September 12, beginning at 6:00 P.M. in the gym, and for parents with students in grades 4-8, the date is Tuesday, September 17, beginning at 6:00 P.M. in the gym. The presentations are in-person only and will include a welcome from our Pastor, Fr. Tiano, and an overview of the upcoming HSA events. This is a parent event; please leave your children at home.



Beginning the week of September 16 our students in grades 1-8 will be taking the NWEA MAP assessments. These growth assessments are technology based and the results will be shared with you during Parent-Teacher conferences in October. We began using these growth assessments last year and will use the data to identify students who need intervention or determine instructional strategies that will generate the most academic growth for our students. These assessments will be given three times a year (Sept., Jan. and May).

Thank you for entrusting your child/ren to our care. Just a reminder that Friday is an early dismissal day for our students and teachers, and Monday is the Labor Day holiday. I hope you all have a relaxing and rejuvenating Labor Day weekend with your family. Stay safe and be well.

God Bless,

Mrs. Tiezzi

Attention Parents!

Please monitor your children before and after school while on school property. They should not be walking on the walls, climbing trees, or climbing on statues. We appreciate your help in keeping our students safe.

You may now place your orders for milk for your child/ren for the upcoming school year.

The cost of milk for the year will be $40. Milk will be provided every full day of school. Please click the button below to place your order.

The $40 dollar charge will be added to your FACTS monthly invoice.

Please note that when ordering hot lunch for your child/ren, payment must be made at the time you place your order.

If payment is not made, the lunch is not posted to the list, and your child will not receive a hot lunch.

The lunch portal is designed that way because the number of lunches for a day are purchased according to the orders received. Without payment, the system does not consider it an actual order



If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Erin Carmody at ecarmody.stritaschool@gmail.com

UNIFORM INFORMATION

Lands' End is our new uniform vendor, however, this year is a transitional year for uniforms. Students may wear their Dennis uniform apparel as long as the clothing fits properly and is free of stains and wear and tear. No other brand names can be worn, especially khaki shorts, or khaki pants (Winter). Please note that the green fleece is no longer part of the school uniform and cannot be worn to school, even as a jacket. 

Students must be in SUMMER uniform attire now through September 30th. This includes khaki shorts and gym shorts only. No pants.

Other helpful reminders for Kindergarten to Grade 8:

• White crew socks must be worn with khaki shorts and gym shorts. No other colors are allowed.
• Boys' green polo shirts must be tucked in.
• A belt must be worn with khaki shorts (Kindergarten will wear belts in January).
• Skirts and skorts cannot be rolled.
• Skirts and skorts cannot be higher than 2" above the knee.
• Navy blue knee-high socks must be worn with jumpers, skorts, and skirts.
• White socks cannot be worn with jumpers, skirts, or skorts, and are not part of the uniform dress code.

The complete uniform dress code can be accessed using the button below.

 Click Here for Uniform Guidelines   (https://www.stritaschool.org/Uniforms)

Please observe the “NO PARKING” signs on Gillies Road, Edgemere Road and Dessa Drive. Your willingness to observe the NO PARKING signs will ensure the safety of our students and school neighbors. Please share this with grandparents, caregivers, and anyone else who may pick up your child at dismissal. The Police Department has been issuing warnings and will be ticketing those drivers who disregard the no parking signs. Please see the provided map for no parking areas, and available parking lots. Areas marked in red are no parking areas.

HSA

(Home-School Association)

Nurse's Corner

Hamden Public Schools and St. Rita School will now be following the new respiratory virus guidelines set forth by the CDC and our local health department.

COVID will now fall into the same category as the flu and RSV as a respiratory virus.

If your child develops symptoms of a respiratory virus (cough, fever, runny nose , congestion, fatigue), they should stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication and their symptoms are improving. They can return to school and we would encourage the use of a mask for 5 days. 

Reminder:

Required physicals for PreK , Kindergarten and Grade 7:

Please remember to send in your child's physical if they are entering grade 7, PreK, and/or Kindergarten .These are required for entry into school in August. 

Medication reminder: as allergy season approaches:

Please do not send medication into school with your child. This includes any Over The Counter medication (Advil, Tylenol, Midol, cold medicine, allergy medicine, etc). Medication that needs to be taken during school hours must be brought into school by an adult along with a medication order from the physician. 

If you wish to have cough drops available to your child please send them into school with a note. The nurse will keep them in her office and administer them to your child as needed. 

Thank you for your cooperation 

Please pray for all the deceased members of our

St. Rita Community.