News from the Principal

April 30, 2008

Dear Parents,

Today is our last day for hot lunch service due to the demolition of the parish hall.  Please remember to mark your calendars and send your child in with a bag lunch and drink! Peanut products are not permitted in the classrooms.  We thank Mrs. Marini for her dedication in managing our school’s hot lunch program and thank everyone for accepting this temporary interruption due to construction of the new building.

Enclosed with this week’s mailer are the Grade K through Grade 4 fourth quarter progress reports.  These reports reflect the first five weeks of the fourth quarter marking period.  If you have any questions regarding the report,  I encourage you to contact the teachers by e-mail to obtain an explanation or to make an appointment for a conference. 

Also enclosed with this mailer are the standardized IOWA test results for students in grades 1 through 7.  Students in grades 1 and 2 participated in the Cognitive tests, students in grades 3-7 participated in the IOWA Basic Skills tests as well as the Cognitive tests  in grades 3,5,7.  A separate letter explaining the purpose of the tests as well as how to read the tests is included with this packet.  The teachers and I welcome you to contact us if you need assistance with determining how well your child performed on these tests.

Medals for contestants of the last track meet are enclosed with this mailer.  Congratulations to the entire team for winning the event and a special congratulations to placed meter winners Audrey Sedensky, Erin Begg, Molly Begg, Marina Renzi;  two relay winning teams which included Brady, Haas, DeBartolomeo, Renzi, Sabo, Mason, DePinto and Cirone; as well as broad jumpers, Paige Simms, Haley Pindell and Nadine Sun and softball contestants Kelly Ann McCarthy and Kathryn Kerins.  Come join us at the next track meet  to be held this Sunday, May 4, at Immaculate High School.

Tonight, all are invited to attend our annual Science Fair!  Details about this annual fun and educational event are included on a flyer in this mailer.  Also, our twelve Grade 6-8 finalists will be participating in the annual Speech Contest tomorrow and, to end the week, come join us in celebrating memories of the Parish Hall at the final event to be held in the Hall - a family fun Pot Luck supper and dancing hosted by the Home School Association on Friday, May 2 from 6-9pm.  

Information explaining the procedures for the Mass, photographs and dismissal on Grandparents/Special Persons Day is included with this newsletter.  Please, for safety and security reasons, students will not be dismissed early with any special guest if we do not have a permission slip.  No exceptions will be made.  Please complete the enclosed form and return it tomorrow to our school office. 

Students in grade 8 will have their individual and group graduation photographs taken at 9:30 a.m. this coming Friday in the Parish Hall.  Boys must wear their dress uniforms - white collared shirts, ties and dress shoes; girls are asked to wear their uniform white collared blouses, skirts and dress shoes. 

Please join us tomorrow at the 9:00 a.m. mass for Ascension Thursday.  Students will not be attending Mass on Friday.

Thank you for keeping those in our community who are suffering from an illness in your prayers.  Please keep the Hill family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of Thomas Hill beloved grandfather of Rose Hill. 

God Bless,

Mrs. Mary R. Maloney, Principal

BOX TOPS

Last chance to earn a dress down day this year!  Box Tops will be collected from the class room buckets on Friday, May 16 and the last winners of dress down days for 2007-2008 will be announced the following week.   Bring in those Box Tops!     BUT -

Don't stop clipping after May 16.  We will again hold our competition for the most Box Tops collected over the summer. More

information will be sent home in June.

HOT LUNCH PROGAM:  DUE TO CONSTRUCTION WILL END TOMORROW APRIL 30!

Tomorrow is our last week for hot lunch service due to the demolition of the parish hall.  Please remember to mark your calendars and send your child in with a bag lunch. We hope to offer special “hot lunch pizza days” that will be offered in the next few weeks.  We thank Mrs. Marini for her dedication in managing our school’s hot lunch program and thank everyone for accepting this temporary interruption due to construction of the new building.  PLEASE pack a bag lunch for your child beginning next Thursday, May 1!  Send it in with your child.  Do not drop if off later in the day.  NO peanut products are permitted in the classrooms.  Upper grade classrooms are in need of parent assistance. Please contact you homeroom parent if you are available to assist during the upper grade lunch 12:30 to 1:05p.m.

GOLF TOURNAMENT:  A FULL DAY OF FUN! HELP NEEDED!

Join fellow school and Parish families in the 8^th Annual St. Rose Golf Classic at Richter Park, Danbury on Tuesday, May 27, 2008.  The day begins with breakfast followed by a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m.  Cost of $225 per player includes green fees,

cart, breakfast, lunch, and awards reception dinner.  The format is a two man best ball, with prizes for low gross and low net,

four holes-in-one, longest drive, closest to the pin, closest to the line, raffles, mulligans and a silent auction.  Registration forms and Richter Park information is available on the St. Rose website. If you intend to play, sponsor a foursome or volunteer to collect donated items that can be used for raffle prizes and auction prizes, or assist with activities the day of the event, please contact Parent Coordinator, Mr. Tony Cirone, via e-mail at tcirone@ecllp.com or at 203-798-2721, ext. 312, as soon as possible.

SUMMER PROGRAMS 2008:  ROAD TO LEARNING AND SUMMER ENRICHMENT

There are  two summer programs being offered at Sr. Rose.  The Summer Fun Program  for Grades 1 and up includes sports, arts and crafts, field trips and team building activities.  The Road to Learning Summer Enrichment and Tutoring

Program for students entering Kindergarten through eight grade offers an opportunity to reinforce and develop those skills

necessary to succeed in school. 

SAVE THE DATE!  STARLIGHT DEDICATION BALL

Save the Date ...... It’s time to celebrate! Please plan to join us for a very splendid evening of dining, dancing and dedication on Saturday, December 13, 2008. Come to the Starlight Dedication Ball to celebrate the completion of our new building as a community.  More details to come! As always, volunteers are needed for the planning committee. If interested, please contact Stephanie DeBartolomeo or Tracy Brady.

SCHOLASTIC ON-LINE BOOK ORDERS:  FREE BOOKS FOR THE CLASSROOM

You can place your Scholastic Book Club orders online.   This month’s offers are filled with great books and software at terrific values. To order online, go to the Web address below and enter our class’s personalized user name and password.

www.scholastic.com/parentordering     Class User Name: stroseschool          Password: rose

Remember, placing your online credit card order is completely safe and secure. Plus, when you shop online, you can take

advantage of exclusive online-only offers and choose from an expanded selection of books and software. Of course, you can

always use the printed flyer instead and have your child hand in a Book Club order form and payment at school. Thank you for continuing to help our classrooms earn FREE books and learning materials. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Sue McEmber.

LOST AND FOUND

The Lost and Found basket will be cleaned out every two weeks.   Please check the basket for lost gym sweatshirts and jackets.  Any unclaimed items will be donated to the Uniform Exchange.  The Lost and Found basket is located inside

 the front school entrance.

NEWS FROM THE NURSE

All absences require a note that specifies the reason for absence. This is school attendance policy and is in the family handbook on page 12. This is especially important when tracking illness of the student body at large. Students who are participating in any St. Rose sponsored sports team are required to submit a Sports Health form to the nurse.  If you have not done so, please

submit immediately.

Women's Enrichment Book Study (WEBS)

Moms are invited to join us as we begin a new book entitled "Blessed are the Bored in Spirit," written by Catholic youth minister Mark Hart, about becoming a new person in Jesus Christ.  We meet every Tuesday from 9:30-11:00. Babysitting will be made available if there is a need.  Please join us for prayer, discussion, coffee and fellowship. Please contact Kristen Renzi (listed in directory) with any questions or if you would  like to purchase a copy of the book. 

SPORT PROGRAMS

TRACK AND FIELD:  CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RUNNERS!

Sports Physical:  Mandatory to have forms on file with the school nurse.

Track Meet News: Congratulations to the St. Rose students this past Sunday on their great effort. St. Rose won the inaugural Parochial Track Meet at Immaculate High on Sunday, April 6th. We have an amazing 116 students signed up for track & field!   The practices will be Sunday late afternoons at the Newtown High School track. There will be two additional meets at Immaculate HS on May 4th and May 18th.  Contact Joe Rahtelli or Bill Begg for additional information.

SCOUT PROGRAMS

Cub Scouts Pack 570: The Cub Scouts of Pack 570 completed their Earth Day project for 2008, replanting the grounds of 38 Church Hill.  Thanks to all the boys and parents who participated.  We'd also like to thank Jim Walsh for contributing the mulch, Mike Burton for delivering it, Home Depot and  Shortt's Farm and Garden center for the donations of flowers. We deeply appreciate  the contribution of pizza from Carminuccio's and water for our workers from Katherine's Kitchen.  Most of all, thanks to Father Bob Monsignor Weiss and to all of St. Rose for sponsoring our pack.

Campbells’s Cubs:  Pack 570 is trying to earn free merchandise for our school through the Campbell’s Labels for Education program.  There are Campbell’s Cubs collection jars located throughout the school.  Please contact Michelle DePinto if you have any questions.  Thank you in advance for your support!

Cuddle Buddies Drive -- 4/1 through 4/30.  The St. Rose Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will be running the Fourth Annual Cuddle Buddies Drive this Spring on behalf of Kids Care Clubs, a program of the Points of Light Foundation, whose mission is to develop compassion and a spirit of service and philanthropy in elementary and middle aged youth. The Scouts will "Team up

for Kids in Foster Care" by supporting the Kids Care Bridgeport Connecticut Rescue Mission. Please help support our Scouts in their effort to collect "gently used" (or new) stuffed animals for children in foster care. The drive will run from April 1st through April 30th. Collection boxes labeled "Cuddle Buddies" will be placed in the St. Rose Main School (at the entrance to the right near the Lost and Found bin) and in the Preschool.  Stuffed animals should be no more than 2 feet in height please. The St. Rose Scouts thank you in advance for your donations. If you have any questions, please call Michelle DePinto (listed in the school directory).

UPPER SCHOOL NEWS

Youth Group: stroseyouthgroup.com Registration is ongoing for Steubenville East Youth Conference coming up July 11-13, 2008.  There are forms in the back of the church and on the youth group website.

Student Council:  Meetings are held every Wednesday 2:45pm-3:30p.m. 

NJHS Meetings:  Contact Mr. Woodcock.  All new and current members meet on Tuesdays during lunch.  Revised and

approved NJHS By-laws will be sent home with students next week.

Homework and Assignment Updates:  Please visit classroom website!

Field Trips: Three field trips will be held on May 21:  Grade 7 Boston trip, Grade 6 New York trip and Grade 5 trip to Pepsico Gardens.  Trout release trip for students in Grades 6-8 is scheduled for June 12, Old Mine Park, Trumbull.

PRE-SCHOOL NEWS

This Thursday we celebrate the beautiful feast of the Ascension of the Lord.  As we pray, we meditate on Jesus ascending to His Father in heaven.   This Thursday, May 1, there is no p.m. session.  This week the 3’s are busy learning new songs and crafting special secret projects in anticipation of Mother’s Day.  We sure hope you will be able to join us for the tea next week (am 10:45/ pm 2:10). The study of seeds and plants continue as the children do an experiment with lima beans and do some more planting.  The religion lesson is “Belonging to God”  The 3 day 4’s did a wonderful job planting the trees in honor of Earth Day.  This week in Language Arts, the children will review the letter Bb and be introduced to the letter Uu.  They will continue with guided reading. All of our stories the next couple of weeks  revolve around the outside world around us.  The Religion lesson is thanking God for our feelings.  In Math, the numbers 1-10 will continue to be reinforced.  The Science lesson will center on a nature hunt outside.  In Art, they will continue to work on Mother’s Day projects. The 4 day 4’s and 5’s have a busy week ahead of them.  The children will create mini flower books during this beautiful season of spring.  The Language Arts lesson will be to explore both the upper and lower case letter “Rr”.  They will also continue to learn how to follow 1 – 2 step directions.  The Religion lesson will be to thank God for mothers as they prepare to celebrate the beautiful feast of Mother’s Day.

HOME SCHOOL ASSOCIATION UPDATES

LAST FAMILY FUN NIGHT

Please mark your calendars for another event not initially scheduled on the calendar!  The Home School Association will be hosting a final family gathering in our Parish Hall on Friday, May 2, from 6pm –9pm.  It will be a potluck supper with dancing event for all families.  A memory book will be available for all attending parents, children and alumni families to write down their favorite memories associated with the parish hall. 

BOX TOPS

Last chance to earn a dress down day this year!  Box Tops will be collected from the class room buckets on Friday, May 16 and the last winners of dress down days for 2007-2008 will be announced the following week.   Bring in those Box Tops!    BUT  -  Don't stop clipping after May 16. We will again hold our competition for the most Box Tops collected over the summer.  More information will be sent home in June.

SCRIP PROGRAM            

Thank you to those who purchased from our National Vendors.  There will be one more order opportunity in next week’s mailer.  Create your gift list now…teachers, coaches, Karate instructors, music teachers, scout leaders, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries. WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!!!!  This will be the last National Order opportunity for the year please don’t wait until the last minute!

The Scrip Program is successful.  We are grateful to the families who have ordered on a regular basis. The school has benefited from the profits we have shared through this program over the last two years.  We would like to see our participation grow…would you answer the call to try Scrip and see how this program can REALLY benefit the school.

Scrip Math Facts:

·          The average family spends $500 per month on groceries.

·          There are 270 families enrolled @ St. Rose School.

·          We make an average profit of 5% by selling grocery cards.

·          If each family purchased their grocery cards thru Scrip, we have the

        potential to earn $6,750 each month.

·          In addition to grocery cards, we have gift cards available from 30 other vendors available on a weekly basis.

·          This is the same money you are going to spend anyway for groceries and gifts!  Use Scrip and we all benefit. 

        ALL PROFIT from this program stays with the school.

·          THIS IS EASY MONEY FOR THE SCHOOL, WITHOUT SPENDING EXTRA!

UNIFORM EXCHANGE

Gently used school and gym uniforms are available.  The uniform request  form is available on the St. Rose School website or contact Terry Tortora to check on availability of uniforms and sizes.  (Telephone number is available in the handbook).   If you have uniforms for the Uniform Exchange, please drop them off at school or contact Mrs. Tortora to make other arrangements.  Thank you to all who have donated uniforms.

DIOCESAN UPDATES: 

This year, the Safe Environment training will continue in all diocesan schools using the Think First and Stay Safe LURES program.  A parent video describing the content of the presentation given to students is available for loan by contacting the school office or you may visit the www.childlures.com and www.bridgeportdiocese.com located under Safe Environment to learn more about this child awareness program.  An opt-out form for parents who do not wish to have their child participate in the program was sent home to all families.  New families were provided a LURES guideline booklet in a previous Wednesday mailer.

UNITED WAY PROGRAM http://www.uwwesternct.org/  The United Way Commitment may be applied to St. Rose School.  Simply contact your employer or contact our Business Office Managers, Mrs. Dawn Manchinz, dawn@lalunatax.com or Ray La Luna, ray@laluntatax.com to learn more about how to complete a pledge card for St. Rose School. A list of companies that have a matching gift program may be found by visiting our St. Rose School website www.stroseschool.com. 

THE BISHOP’S CORNER

Each week, Bishop William E. Lori answers a question on an issue relating to the Catholic faith and the Catholic Church in Fairfield County.  E-mail questions to askbishoplori@diobpt.org and tune in Sundays at 6 p.m. to WICC, 600-AM for Bishop Lori’s radio program.

TUITION CHANGES OR UPDATES

Any questions regarding any tuition payment plans should be directed to:Mr. Ray La Luna and Mrs. Dawn Manchinz,

Business Manager, Diocese of Bridgeport Business Office Telephone  (203) 203.304.2432    7365 Main Street      

PMB 199          Stratford, Connecticut  06614          FAX                        (203) 877-4171

CALENDAR UPDATE

APRIL                         30                            Annual Science Fair 6:00-7:30 p.m.

May                               1                            Ascension Thursday - Early Dismissal

                                       2                                         Graduation Grade 8 Photos 10:00 a.m.

4                     Grade 8 Youth Group Meeting

5                     Grade 2 First Communion Rehearsal 4:15 p.m.-5:45p.m.

8                     Principal Meeting – Diocese of Bridgeport

                           Art Show   Postponed until October 2008

                             9                     Grandparents/Special Persons Day/May Crowning- Early Dismissal

                                                   Grade 7&8 Diocesan Dance 7-9pm St Joseph Brookfield

10                              First Communion Grade 2

12                     Grade 3 Field Trip

13                     Kindergarten Field Trip

14                                         Grade 8 Retreat 9am-6pm

16                     Kindergarten Field Trip

21                                         Grades 5,6,7 Field Trips

22                                         Grade 4 Field Trip

   Home School General Meeting 7:00 pm

26                    Memorial Day – School Closed

27                    Annual Golf Tournament

28                    Grade 8 Final Exams begin

June  4            Grades 6,7 Final Exams Begin

                                                    Moving up Night Grades PK-8

6                     Professional Development – Early Dismissal

     10,11              PK Graduations

     12                   Kindergarten Graduation 10:00 a.m.

                            Grade 8  Dinner Dance Class Night   6:00 p.m.-10:00 pm

14                   Grade 8 Graduation 10:00 a.m.

  16                   Field Day 9:00 a.m. - Early Dismissal

  15                   Honor Roll Mass 9:00 a.m. – Early Dismissal

  17                   Last Day of School

                             18-20              Professional Development – Faculty Members