Going,

going,

going,

gone!

From the Desk of Mrs. Tiezzi

Dear St. Rita Parents and Guardians,

The safety of our students is of utmost importance to us but we need your assistance in order to help keep our students and staff safe. Please review the guidelines below to help with morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.

Between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. Mr. Steve and Mr. Tehan are posted at the school driveway specifically for the safety of the students who are dropped off in the morning. Although we rely on them for their diligence and dedication, everyone who is part of morning drop-off has responsibility for student safety. There are four spots for drop off which are directly in front of the school entrance. The crosswalk should remain clear at all times. In the interest of safety, we have a few reminders:

DRIVERS: All drivers need to show a balance of consideration, patience, and awareness. You need to be able to drop off your child/children quickly, so that the other drivers behind you do not have to wait an unreasonable amount of time in line. Having routines will make drop-offs more efficient and less stressful for all concerned (including the other drivers). If a driver knows in advance that the drop-off today will be more complicated and time-consuming than usual, the driver should exercise the option of parking where it is allowed on the street and walking over with their child/ren. If there is a medical issue - for example, crutches - pull up to the drop-off point and let our people know. Finally, drivers need to be aware of what is happening around them at drop-off at all times, but especially when their vehicle is moving. If your vehicle is moving forward, your focus should be forward. Avoid staring in the rear-view mirror at your child as you pull away. Once a student is safely beyond the cones, she/he will get into the school.

STUDENTS: When you get out of the vehicle, do not start running (even if you think you are late). Look for the adults who are on duty and go to them. It is not okay to cross in front of a vehicle without adult supervision. Most students are very good all of the time about all of these things, but this is the start of the year, and there is no harm in reminders, especially when it comes to student safety.

AFTERNOON PICK-UP

Parking on Gillies Road, Edgemere Road, and Dessa Drive- There is no parking on Dessa Drive and Edgemere Road between the NO PARKING signs. Parents and grandparents are reminded to adhere to the posted parking areas on Gillies Road, Edgemere Road, and Dessa Drive. For the past few days at arrival and dismissal time, cars have been parked on both sides of the street which prohibits emergency vehicles from having access should an emergency occur. The Hamden PD has been here and I do not want to have the police begin ticketing cars but they will do so to ensure the safety of our students. Cars can park in the church parking lot, commuter parking lot, or any other place not posted. Please share this information with your relatives or caregivers who transport your child.



Parents should not be parking in the school parking lot at dismissal time. For your safety, all students and parents should be crossing Gilles Road and Whitney Avenue with the Crossing Guard.

Thank you for your assistance in helping to keep everyone safe. Have a great week.

God Bless,

Mrs. Tiezzi

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.

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)

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.