September 30 | Issue 7

Middle States Re-Accreditation

Sacred Heart Elementary School is currently undergoing a self-assessment process that involves

gathering feedback from the entire school community, including students, families, teachers, and staff.

Your participation in this survey is completely anonymous, and the data collected will be reviewed by a school committee to identify both strengths and areas for improvement. The survey results will also be shared with an external review team that will visit the school to verify the self-assessment and determine eligibility for re-accreditation by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools.

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and includes approximately 30 multiple-choice questions, followed by two narrative questions where you can provide additional feedback.



Thank you for your time and input in helping us improve our school.

Recycling Contest

Dear Sacred Heart Families in Grades K–4,

Hello! We are having a recycling contest for Kindergarten through 4th Grade classes.

We would be happy if you would bring all the plastic bags you’d normally put in the bins in the hallway into the bins in your classroom instead. This competition starts October 1st through November 8th!

The group that brings in the most pounds of plastic will receive a treat!

Remember, we are working to earn another bench for our school.

Thanks!

The Recycling Team,

Lilly, Kendyl, and Taylor

Diocese of Pittsburgh Catholic School Honor League (Grades 7/8)

There is an exciting new opportunity for our 7th/8th grade students. Starting after the end of the 2nd quarter, students in 7th and 8th grade will have an opportunity to be nominated for the Diocese of Pittsburgh Catholic School Honor League. To be nominated, students must demonstrate the qualities of scholarship, leadership, service, and outstanding character.

To be nominated students must:

• Scholarship: have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and be involved in at least one extracurricular activity
• Service: complete up to 25 service hours throughout the year they are a member
• Citizenship: write an essay about a topic provided by the Diocese
• Leadership & Character: submit two letters of recommendation that highlight how the student exemplifies leadership and exceptional character

More details will be provided at the end of the 2nd quarter for students in grades 7 and 8.

National Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day

SHES Friends,

SHES is participating in National Walk, Bike, or Roll to School Day on Wednesday October 9. If you can, please consider walking or biking to school. Your child will get a certificate for participating, and we just might win an award from Pittsburgh’s Safe Routes to School program (if we have the most kids participating).

To help out, I’m organizing walking buses and bike trains, let me know if your kid would like to join one. I’m also looking for parents willing to lead one of the trains/buses to school, and back at the end of the day. You don’t need to hit up each house, my hope is to have one meeting point in each neighborhood. Please pass the word around; I don’t know everyone at SHES!

Bike Pittsburgh puts out a handy map of suggested bicycling routes around Pittsburgh. Take the new protected bike lanes on Euclid through Penn Circle, cruise down the neighborways on Coral Ave through Bloomfield or Ellsworth Ave through Shadyside.

Nick (Cecilia & Phineas’ dad)

nicholas.odonoughue@gmail.com

School Picture Day and Order Link

Thursday, October 3rd is Picture Day at Sacred Heart for students in grades K–8.

(PreK has a separate picture day. Ms. Garfinkel will send information.) 

This is a "Dress Up Day" and, as explained in the handbook, students can dress in clothes equal in formality to the uniform or better. This is not a "dress down" day, but rather a "dress up day". 

Please make sure all dress code policies are followed. 

Student must have:

• dresses and skirts fingertip length or longer 
• shirts that have sleeves and school appropriate designs (no cropped tops)
• appropriate and safe shoes (no crocs, sandals, wedges or heels)

Here is the link to the storefront https://www.barksdalestorefront.com/shop/login/?ac=13290IN

Our school code is: 13290IN. (Grades K–8 only)

Packages and photos can be purchased from this link using our school code. Order forms were sent home last week, if you prefer to order with a check.

Please contact the school office if you have any questions.

Upcoming Fundraisers

Fundraising Buy-Out Option

From the Parent/Student Handbook: The diocesan policy for funding in the elementary Catholic schools calls for each school to have fundraising activities to generate at least 10% of their total operating budget. To the extent possible, families of Sacred Heart Elementary School are asked to support the school fundraising efforts through participation and volunteering of time. All fundraisers, unless otherwise noted, are for the sole use of Sacred Heart Elementary School.

The annual fundraising goal for Sacred Heart is $150,000. That means that each family (300 families) should contribute approximately $500 worth of fundraising per year in order for us to meet our goal.

If you are unable to or would prefer not to be obligated to participate financially in fundraisers, but would like to help us meet our goal, you can pay the $500 Fundraising Buy Out through FACTSgiving using the link below.

**If you would like to do the $50/month buy out option, please email Mrs. Mascaro. There have been issues with FACTSgiving that we are currently working out for the monthly payment option.

Basketball Registration Open

Varsity

Grades 7-8

Boys and Girls Teams

Junior Varsity

Grades 5-6

Boys and Girls Teams

Jumpstart - Third Grade and Fourth Grade

Boys and Girls Teams

Developmental

Grades K - 2

Coed

All students are eligible and welcome to play regardless of skill level or experience.  

Varsity and JV tryouts will be held the second week of October and practices will begin in mid October. Jumpstart practices will begin in the first week of November.

Developmental basketball sessions will take place on Saturdays

and run for 6 weeks beginning in February.  

JV and Varsity basketball registration will close October 6th.

This Week in SHES Sports...

Sacred Heart Elementary School Mission Statement

Sacred Heart Elementary accepts the challenge of the Roman Catholic Church in the Pittsburgh Diocese to educate children preschool through grade eight in a spiritually nurturing and disciplined environment. Our primary purpose is to form students in the likeness of Jesus Christ as evidenced in the values and teachings of the Church.

The school program is a dynamic blend of traditional curricula and methods in conjunction with contemporary educational theories and practices. We celebrate the cultural diversity within the Sacred Heart School community and strive to develop within our students a desire to discover and serve God and humanity.