In the first few weeks of school, students focused on kindness in both words and actions. Teachers and administrators shared books and led activities to start our year with kindness. It is one of ten traits emphasized through Character Strong, the character education program we use with all students.

As we begin October, our focus will shift to Respect. Through Character Strong activities and morning announcements, students will learn the definition and concrete ways to exhibit respect in the school community. In addition, we will be reintroducing our Eagle Award program next week. This program recognizes students for demonstrating kindness and respect as well as creativity, cooperation, courage, empathy, gratitude, honesty, perseverance, and responsibility (traits introduced through Character Strong later in the year). More information about Eagle Awards is included below.

We are happy to welcome Mr. Christian Mucha to Holy Name Parish as the music director. He will be working collaboratively with Ms. Chiappini to organize a Youth Choir for Sunday Masses. Please see more information in the Parish update section below. We hope to see many HNPS students sharing their musical talents in the choir.

We are one week away. We hope many of you join us for next Friday's outdoor movie sponsored by the Parent Ambassadors.

Have a great weekend!

Best regards,

Mr. Daniel Chisholm

Principal

Announcements and Reminders

• Holy Name's Picture Day is next Friday for all students. Portraits may be ordered through O'Connor Studios. Order forms went home this week. Parents can complete the order form and send it in with students on Friday or place orders online. Students can wear clothes/outfits for pictures; uniforms are not required on Friday. Nursery and K1 students should wear sneakers with their picture outfits. Students who have gym on Fridays should also wear sneakers.
• MAP Testing continues next week. Students in 1st and 2nd grades will test on Tuesday and Thursday. Students in kindergarten will take their first test on Thursday and their second the following week. To the extent possible, families in these grades are asked to avoid unnecessary absences or tardies.
• The fall uniform rules are in effect until October 15th. The fall uniform does require shoes to be worn with shorts and skorts. Please note that the HNPS hooded sweatshirts are only allowed on gym days. Monogramming your own apparel is not allowed.
• Holy Name Lawn Signs are available in the vestibule of the main door.
• Fr. Evans and Fr. Joseph will celebrate Teaching Masses with grades one through six during the month of October. The dates are posted on the calendar. These masses are held in the chapel and are for students only. Our next All School Mass will be on Friday, November 1st.
• The Parent Ambassadors are planning a Wreath-Making Event for November. Click here for more information.

HNPS Basketball - Coaches Needed

We need coaches! Planning is underway for the season. Before opening player registration, we need a final count of coaches. The number of coaches will determine the grade levels that field teams, the number of teams at each grade level, and the number of players per team.

If you can volunteer to coach, please use this link to register.

Character Strong - Respect & Eagle Awards

Character Strong is a character education program used to help students be kind, strong, and well. The school focuses on each trait for about a month. Parents can read more ways you can discuss this month's trait at home in this Character Strong Parent Newsletter.

We also have a student recognition program that complements Character Strong. When students show one of the traits in our community, a member of our faculty or staff will award them an Eagle. We will announce Eagle recipients on Fridays during morning assembly and in this newsletter.

We will post the Eagles on a bulletin board in school. Our goal is to fill the bulletin board with Eagles. When we do, we celebrate with a special treat such as an extra recess, casual day, or popsicles at lunch. The awards are earned individually, but celebrated communally.

HNPS Outdoor Movie Night

Moments Captured this Week at HNPS

Today, the 6th grade students welcomed a representative from Archbishop Williams, who came to share insights about their school. The 6th graders appreciated this wonderful chance to learn about this potential middle and high school for the upcoming year. An engaging discussion ensued, filled with valuable information and thoughtful questions!

Here comes the judge! 2-4 gets ready for their weekly spelling test by reviewing their words together. Each group is given a word to spell correctly and neatly. The judge in the hallway picks the best spelling and penmanship, great interactive learning and review!

Our second grade innovators in STEM this week were given the challenge to design a home for a seed. Through teamwork and creative thinking they sketched out their designs and are already looking forward to the hands-on phase of experimentation next week! Stay tuned for updates - more to come in 7 days!

Home and School Update

Home & School Dues - Due October 25th! 

Home & School dues help the Home & School Association kick off the year with start-up funds and are a critical part of our fundraising efforts. We kindly request that each family pay yearly dues of $60 per family household.

This year, we are pleased to offer a $320 Bundle Package that includes: family dues, 10 March Madness Calendar raffle tickets and 25 family volunteer hours. Please note that $20 of the dues payment/bundle is being set aside for Field Day activities at the end of the school year.  As always, we appreciate your support.

How to Pay: Fill out the flyer that was sent home earlier this week and return to the school with a check made out to Holy Name School or pay online HERE.  

Touch a Truck and Fall Festival-October 19th - Tickets on Sale Now!

Join us for food, fall activities, games, trucks, cookie decorating and a dunk tank! Costumes are optional for Truck or Treat. Purchase your tickets HERE and help us spread the word.

We are still in need of volunteers to assist at this event so please click HERE to learn more and sign up.

H&S has also posted the 2024-2025 calendar of fundraising events so check it out and mark your calendars!   https://holynameparishschool.org/home-school-association.

Like us on Facebook at Holy Name Parish School Fundraising to learn more about our work!

Parish Updates

Youth Choir

Students in grades 3 through 6 who love to sing are invited to join the Holy Name Parish Youth Choir. The choir is co-directed by Holy Name's Music Director Christian Mucha and our music teacher Mrs. Chiappini. The first rehearsal will be on October 3 in the lower church. Mrs. Chiappini will meet students at the office at 2:40 PM and walk over to the lower church. The rehearsal will run until 3:45 PM and includes a snack. Parents should pick up their children in the lower church at 3:45 PM and Mrs. Chiappini will bring any students enrolled in aftercare back to the school. The Youth Choir will sing at Holy Name's Family Mass beginning on October 6. Subsequent rehearsals/Masses will generally be on the first and third weeks of the month and a schedule will be provided. If your child is interested in participating, please email christian.mucha@holynameparish.com with your child's name, grade, and parent contact information.  

Please click here to read the latest bulletin. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Outdoor Mass and Picnic last Sunday. We hope to see you at Mass again on Sunday.