May 18, 2021

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,

I cannot believe the Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching. How lucky we have been as a school community to be open for in-person learning for 162 days! This has certainly been a memorable year, a year where our students, teachers and families have persevered through one of the most extraordinary years in our lifetime. Thank you for working with us to provide your child with a sense of hope that despite the quarantines, social-distancing, mask-wearing, COVID protocols and all the changes associated with this school year, that by working together St. Rita School and its students and teachers have been a beacon of love and light during this very challenging year.

Our school-wide end-of year field trip is scheduled for Monday, June 7. If you have not turned in your permission slip and fee please do so this week. As mentioned in the permission slip, the swimming pool is currently under repair and may or may not be open. However, in anticipation that the repairs will be done quickly and the pool will be open, a number of parents have requested guidance regarding bathing suit styles for their daughters. There is no one right answer as our female students range in age 5-14. Please dress you daughter modestly in style of bathing suit that is suitable for her age and body type. One-piece and tankini style bathing suits are preferable over bikini style bathing suits. Any bathing suit style that does not adequately cover your daughter’s body style should not be worn on this field trip.

We have a limited number of openings available in our upcoming summer fun camp for students entering grades kindergarten through grade 5. If you are interested in having your child attend, please register soon. Space is limited to 30 students per session. A number of people have inquired about having a child attend both summer camp and the summer academic program concurrently. The cost to do is $175 a week. Please submit both applications when you register.

Our summer academic program is available for students entering grades 1 through 8 and will be held during the month of July. If you have chosen to keep your child as a remote learner this past year, it is strongly recommended that your child attend at least two sessions of our summer academic program. As your child has been working remotely for over 12 months and will return to in-person learning after 18 months, the summer program will allow your child to reacclimatize into a school setting in a relaxed atmosphere and also allow our teachers to better assess their academic progress. The cost of the program is $100 a week, a bargain compared to hiring a private tutor.

Just a reminder, that even though Governor Lamont reopened the state and eliminated the mask mandate it does not apply to schools or school property. Students, teachers, parents, grandparents, and visitors are expected to wear a mask while on school property. Since the vast majority of our students are not fully vaccinated we are working diligently to keep them safe and healthy. Teachers have been taking the students outside for more activities and when we can keep the students socially distant from their peers they can remove their masks. Otherwise masks need to be worn. Thank you for your understanding and helping to keep our SRS community safe.

Effective last weekend, Archbishop Blair ended the dispensation for Catholics to attend Sunday Mass. All churches are open to the faithful once again and we are obligated to attend Sunday Mass in person, if physically able. This Sunday marks the Feast of the Holy Trinity (Trinity Sunday). On this day we celebrate the Trinity, the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Please take the time this weekend to return to church with your family and thank God for all your blessings. Be sure to say happy birthday to Msgr. Joe who celebrates his birthday on Sunday!

This Friday, May 28 is an early dismissal, NUT coupon, pizza party day! It is also the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend. Thank you to the families who sponsored the pizza parties for their child’s classroom. Your support is greatly appreciated.

School is closed on Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day. This is a day to honor those military personnel who have died while in the military service to our great country. Consider one of these ways to pay your respects on Memorial Day: attend a Memorial Day service, fly your flag, place flowers on the grave of a fallen soldier, send a card or care package to a veteran or current solider or visit memorials. Whatever you may do, please stay safe and be well. Thank you for entrusting your children to our care. Have a great week.

God Bless,

Mrs. Tiezzi

Principal

Please note that the governor's elimination of the mask mandate in Connecticut does not apply to schools or school property. Students, teachers, parents, grandparents, and visitors are required to wear a mask while on school property.

Thank you for helping to keep our SRS community safe.

Upcoming Dates to Remember

Friday, May 28 - NUT Coupon, Auction school-wide pizza party and early dismissal (12:00)

Sunday, May 30 - Msgr. Joe’s Birthday

Monday, May 31 - No School-Memorial Day Holiday

Tuesday, June 1 - Rain Date for Band Concert

Wednesday, June 2 - Auction School wide dress down day

Thursday, June 3 - MS Field Day

Thursday, June 3 - D-Day

Friday, June 4 - Graduation Mass

Friday, June 4 - PreK Field Day

Monday, June 7 - K-8 to Camp Mountain Laurel and PreK Mad Science in-school program

Tuesday, June 8 - 8^th grade yearbook breakfast

Wednesday, June 9 - 8^th grade luncheon celebration

Thursday, June 10 - K-2 Field Day

Thursday, June 10 - Graduation 6:30 PM (attendance is restricted)

Friday, June 11 - Grade 3-5 Field Day

Monday, June 14-Wednesday, June16 - Early Dismissal Days (12:00)

Monday, June 14 - PreK Celebration

Monday, June 14 - Flag Day

Tuesday, June 15 - Kindergarten Celebration

Wednesday, June 16 = Outdoor Mass for last day of school-time to be determined

Sunday. June 20 - Father’s Day

Monday, June 21 - Summer Camp Begins

Sports and Enrichment Camps:

Summer at Lauralton

Summer at Lauralton is a non-profit sports and enrichment program that caters to students entering in second through eighth graders. Our programs allow campers to explore fields of science, sports, Harry Potter and so much more! This year, because of COVID, spots are limited, and we are taking all the steps necessary to keep kids safe and engaged for four weeks of summer fun.

Please click HERE to download the brochure.

Financial Aid Information

On May 1, 2021, the portal for financial aid will be open for applications for the 2021-2022 academic year. The portal will remain open until July 15, 2021. In order to apply for financial aid, you must be current in tuition for 2020-2021 and registered with a deposit for 2021-2022. Please remember there is a limited amount of financial aid available so applications will be reviewed on a first come first served basis.

To access the portal, go to: www.smartaidforparents.com

If you already have an account, the same login id and password will work from last year. If you are a new user, you may create a new account by following the prompts.

The application fee is $35.00 and is paid online. If paying the fee would preclude you from applying for financial aid, please contact the Business Office at (203) 248-5513 for further information.

You will need access to your 2020 tax return and all applicable tax documents to complete the application.

If you have any questions while completing the application, you may contact SMART at (800) 360-8027 or [email protected].

Families that receive awards will be notified by email in mid July and will be asked to contact the Business Office at (203) 248-5513 to accept their award and indicate how to spread the award over their payment plan. If you do not receive an award, you will also be notified. A waiting list will also be maintained as financial aid does occasionally become available during the academic year.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Paula Nugent, Business Manager, at (203) 248-5513.

Birthday Celebrations

Miss Erin, our food service coordinator, has a variety of NUT FREE snacks (chips, homemade cookies or ice pops) available for purchase as a way to celebrate your child's birthday with his/her classmates Each item is $1.00 (cash only).

If interested, please notify Miss Erin via email 24 to 48 hours in advance with the date and homeroom teacher and the the snack item you would like to purchase. Please have your student bring in the cash for Miss Erin on the celebration day. Feel free to email her for any additional information.

Email : [email protected]

Summer Camp/Enrichment Program Information

Click HERE to download the Summer Camp Flyer

Click HERE to download the

Summer Camp Registration Packet

Click HERE to download the Summer Academic

Program Flyer

Click HERE to download the Summer Academic

Program Registration Packet

We have a handful of Open Enrollment lawn signs available. Email Mrs. Bruno ([email protected]) if you would like one, or stop by the Admissions office to grab yours before they're gone. Thank you for helping us spread the word!

Nurse's Corner

COVID update and End of the year reminders from the health office:

As I am sure you have heard, the governor has lifted some of the mask requirements. Children and adults in schools are still required to wear masks for the remainder of this school year.

If your child has received the COVID vaccination please send in the documentation so that It can be recorded in their health record. This will impact future exposure and quarantine.

As always, if your child is exhibiting any signs or symptoms of COVID, please keep them home and contact your child's pediatrician for instruction.

Medication Pick up:

If your child has medication in the health office, please make arrangements to pick it up on the last day of school. Medication can not go home with the child. Any medication not picked up on the last day will be discarded.

Required physicals:

Children entering grades PreK, K and 7th grade are required to have a physical dated within the year. A copy of that physical and immunization record must be in the health office before the start of school in the fall. These can be mailed into school over the summer. Please mark the envelope: Attention School Nurse

Scoliosis Screenings:

The last mandated health screenings will be done next week for girls in grades 5 and 7 and boys in grade 8. A letter went home today explaining the screening. If you would like to opt out of this screening please complete the form and send it back by Friday.

Lastly, thank you everyone for your patience and understanding during this crazy year. Because of your diligence, our infection rate here at St. Rita's School was very low.

I wish everyone a safe, healthy and relaxing summer.

Home/School Association

Coming up with the HSA

Friday, May 28th:

NUT Coupon Day AND Pizza Parties!!

Thanks to the generous donations of our auction winners, EVERY SRS class will be participating in a pizza party before early dismissal on Friday.

Wednesday, June 2^nd:

School-Wide Dress Down Day!

Again, thanks to our auction winners for treating the school to this day without uniforms!

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Do you enjoy event planning? Want to be more involved in your school community? Please join us on the HSA Board! If you’re interested in learning more, email us at [email protected].

HELP US EARN CASH AND SUPPLIES THROUGH FREE REWARDS PROGRAMS!

Each year, St. Rita participates in several rewards programs. Local grocery stores (and Amazon!) allow you (the shopper) to identify St. Rita as the school you’d like to support; every time you shop, we get a percentage of the sale in the form of points (that can be used for school supplies) or cash. Last year we earned over $1600 through Stop&Shop’s program and over 150,000 points through ShopRite! We have big goals this year, and we need your help to achieve them. Please click on the links below to register your store cards, and ask your local family and friends to do the same!