12/15/24

Dear School Families,

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, a time to rejoice at the nearness of Christmas. This week as we continue to prepare for Christmas, may we find the time to remember those traditions that focus on the reason for the season, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The 3rd Grade Christmas Concert was filled with Christmas spirit! Thank you to Mrs. Barricella, Ms. Farrell, and Mrs. Twohig for helping our students to shine!

Congratulations to 8th grade students Ulysses Deegan and Olivia Yenzer on their fine showing at the Regional Spelling Bee! We are so proud of you!

Our PreK 3 and PreK 4 pageants were simply charming! A special thank you to our PreK teachers and staff for preparing our students so well. We appreciate the efforts of: Mrs. Haley, Mrs. Webb, Mrs. Tricomi, Mrs. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. D’Ambrosio, Mrs. Siewert, Ms. Vella, Mrs. Plaza, Mrs. Daly, Mrs. Spensieri, Mrs. Gavin, Mrs. Vella, Mrs. DeMartino, and Mrs. Abruzzo. Thanks also to Mrs. Baricella for her help the day of the show.

Congratulations to 5th grade student Tommaso DeFranco on being selected as the St. Clare School winner of Senator Andrew J. Lanza’s “There Ought to Be a Law” contest! Well done, Tommaso!

I am happy to report that our Math-a-Thon raised over $7,000 for St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Thanks to all who participated and to Mrs. Kneeshaw and our NJHS members for organizing the Math-a-Thon.

Mrs. Barrett wanted to convey her thanks to everyone who donated toys to the Jr. Giving Circle’s toy drive. The toys will be distributed to the RUMC Pediatric Center and Toys for Tots.

Congratulations to our newly installed altar servers: Leah Baggs, Guiliana Fiore, Ella DiGrigoli, Richard Quinto, Stephen Lukowski, Ava Polizzi, Leo Rzeszutko, Nicholas LaGrega, Angelina Tabeek, Joseph Newell, Addison Clifford, Gabriella Fiore, and Tommaso DeFranco. May God bless them in their ministry!

This week we look forward to Jesse Tree service for grades 1, 5, and 8, the Kindergarten Pageant, the 8th Grade Pageant, our Advent Prayer Service, Christmas Craft in the Classroom, and class Christmas parties.

Kindly note that all students who will not turn 5 by 12/31/24 are required to receive a flu vaccine by December 31st. Students will not be allowed to attend classes if the flu vaccine has not been received by the return to school.

Friday, December 20th is sure to be a fun day for our students. In addition to class parties, the students will be treated to a pizza party.  The pizza party is courtesy of Towne Deli and Pizzeria, who wishes every family a happy and healthy holiday season. 

Students may dress down in red and green on the 20th. Please note that the 20th is a 12:00 dismissal day and there will be no aftercare.

Our Talent Show will be here before we know it! Please be sure to review the recent Flocknote that was sent out for more information.

A list of upcoming events follows.

Have a blessed week!

Mrs. Olsen

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, 12/17/24 Kindergarten Pageant 12:00 Church
Wednesday, 12/18/24 8th Grade Pageant 7:00 p.m. Church
Thursday, 12/19/24 Christmas Craft in the Classroom
Thursday, 12/19/24 Advent Prayer Service 1:00
Friday, 12/20/24 Students may dress in red and green
Friday, 12/20/24 Christmas Class Parties, 12:00 dismissal
Friday, 12/20/24 No Aftercare, Last day of school before Christmas Break
Wednesday, 1/1/25 New Year’s Day Brunch, Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of our parish
Monday, 1/6/25 Return to school
Monday, 1/6/25, 3 Kings Visit