June 11, 2008
Dear Parents,
I am pleased to share with you that Dr. Margaret Dames recognized St. Rose School as the highest performing elementary
school in the Diocese of Bridgeport and presented us with the Diocesan Excelsior Award 2007-08 this past week. St. Rose
School is the only school that has exceeded the national IOWA average percentage scores at all elementary grade levels.
This award commends our teachers for their exceptional differentiated instructional strategies and the partnership we have
with you to ensure that our mission to provide an excellent faith-filled educational environment is upheld. The teachers and I
thank you for our support of our student-oriented programs.
This past week there were many celebrations of our Church ministries. Bishop William E. Lori ordained nine men of the
Bridgeport Diocese to Order of Deacon. One of these Deacons, Dan O’Connor, is a member of Saint Rose Parish and
was a very active parent at St. Rose School. The deacon receives the laying on of hands and is sustained by a specific
sacramental grace which inserts him into the sacrament of Orders. At our 9:00 a.m. Friday Mass, we are honored to have
Deacon Dan O’Connor concelebrate Mass with Monsignor Weiss. Deacon Dan will be wearing the stole that the children
designed and sewn beautifully together by Mrs. Anne Marie Wood. We invite all of you to join us at this special Mass.
Congratulations to our Pre-Kindergarten age three children who celebrated their year with an ice cream social and to
our four and five year old children who celebrated their year with an assembly and Moving-Up ceremony for their parents
today in the Church. I would like to also congratulate our Kindergarten students who will be graduating tomorrow at
10:00 a.m. We are blessed to bear witness to the growth and personal accomplishments of these young children.
Also this week, our Class of 2008 will be graduating from St. Rose on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Their personal and academic
accomplishments have been exceptional. I know you join me in keeping these young adults in prayer and extend many
blessings as they embark upon their new life journey in very reputable high schools which include St. Joseph, Immaculate,
Danbury, Holy Cross, Laurelton Hall, Fairfield Prep, Newtown, Canterbury and Hopkins.
Yearbooks will be sent home with Pre-School students and Kindergarten students in the mail. Students in grades 1-7
will receive their yearbooks on Friday and will be provided time to have their books signed by teachers and friends. There
are still some books available for sale. If you would like to purchase a yearbook (first come, first served), please send
$28 payable to St. Rose School and to the attention of Miss Cortni Kemlage, Grade 4 Teacher Advisor.
The Annual St. Rose School Field Day is scheduled for this coming Monday, June 16 from 8:30 am – 11:00 a.m for students
in Grades 1- 7. Our Class of 2008 students will sponsor the games. The Schedule: Parents arrive at 8:15 am and sign-in at
office and will bring team with teachers to field at 8:25 am. The instruction and games will be held from 8:30am – 11:00 am.
All students Grades 1-7 are asked to bring a bag lunch. Awards for Field Day and Track Winner Announcements 12:00 Noon
in Field (Rain Date for Track Winner Announcements – Tuesday at 9:00 AM Mass) We will return to the classrooms at 12:30 p.m.
to prepare for prayer and dismissal at 12:40 p.m. Thank you to the Richards family for their generous donation of Poland Springs
water bottles for this event!
A summer packet of information will be sent home the week of July 21. The packet will include student rosters as well as
information pertaining to hot lunch, student orientations, websites and the official school calendar. Please visit our website
(which will be under construction the week of July 14) as much as possible for updates. The school telephones will be in partial
service over the summer. Please e-mail me or teachers should you need information or clarification about your child’s upcoming
school year.
I thank you for your continued assistance and prayers throughout this school year. It is my hope that every family has a wonderful,
fun-filled and safe summer vacation.
God Bless,
Mrs. Mary R. Maloney, Principal
ST ROSE TRACK AND FIELD
This year was a very successful season for all of our track and field participants! Congratulations to the team for winning
the award for the best team this season! Students will be receiving their medals and awards on Field Day (Kindergarten will
receive their medals tomorrow at the classroom reception). Thank you so much to Dr. WIlliam Begg and his team of parent volunteers
for making this first year experience a positive and most rewarding one for the entire team and their families.
SCRIP WRAPS UP ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR!
I would like to recognize and personally thank all the members of the Scrip Team. Your dedication to this program has made it a
great success for our school! Jill D'Alessandro, Dory Bertsche, Ginny Ryan, Dawn Leonardi, Silbhon Lardner, Anne Ragusa,
Christine Anthony, Crystal Mok, Dawn Ringes, Joanne Nanavaty, Karen Palilla, Kate Skewis, Kristen Renzi, Leah Begg, Mary Barry,
Maureen Marini, Stephanie Debartolomeo, Sue Asetta, and Cathy Nonnenmacher. Their time and dedication is highly appreciated.
–Gayann Haas.
IBM MATCHING FUNDS REQUEST
We have had a generous donation offer by a parishioner who is a retired employee of IBM for laptop computers. We would
like to pursue filling an additional laptop cart with 25 computers and ask that anyone who is an employee or knows an IBM
employee to perhaps assist us with this project. We are dismantling the computer lab and putting the existing computers in
the classrooms. If you can be of assistance, please contact Mrs. Maloney as soon as possible.
BOX TOPS UPDATE: SUMMER COLLECTIONS CONTEST
Included in last week’s family packet was a bag for collecting Box Tops over the summer break. Tack it up in your pantry or cupboard
to remind you to keep clipping Box Tops. When we return in the fall, the family who has collected the most Box Tops will win a $20.00
gift certificate to Borders. Thank you again for your terrific support of this program.
QSP SUMMER GIFT SALES!
Just a reminder that QSP Gift Sales continue all summer! Go to the St. Rose School website and click on the QSP/Reader's Digest
link or go to QSP.com. Please be sure to use our account number: 710-192859. All orders will be sent directly to your home and remember
shipping is FREE on orders over $55.00. St. Rose School receives 50% of every gift dollar and 40% of every magazine dollar. Look for
information regarding the Fall Gift and Magazine Sale the first week of school in August.
SUMMER PROGRAMS 2008: ROAD TO LEARNING AND SUMMER ENRICHMENT
There are two summer programs being offered at St. 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.
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 t
o contact Sue McEmber.
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.
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
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.
ST ROSE CARNIVAL 2008
Msgr. Bob is beginning to collect items for the annual parish carnival which will be held from July 1 through July 5.
The actual rides and trailers will be set up on the parking lot behind the church and rectory, and the food and games
area will be on the rectory lawn. Please bring your contributions to a weekend Mass or directly to the Parish Rectory.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Week of June 15- Condiments (mustard, ketchup, relish)
Week of June 22- Hot and cold cups (NO Styrofoam, this is a “green” event)
Week of June 29- Toilet paper (no indoor plumbing this year!) and dish towels, sponges,
scrubbing pads and Dawn detergent
EVERY WEEK – SODA (cola, diet cola, orange, root beer, lemon-lime BOTTLED WATER
(individual size bottle) and ICED TEA
CALENDAR UPDATE
June 12 Grade 8 Dinner Dance Class Night 6:00 p.m.-10:00 pm
Kindergarten Graduation 10:00 a.m. Church/Reception following
13 Special Friday Mass: Deacon Dan O’Connor 9:00 a.m.
14 Grade 8 Graduation 10:00 a.m.
16 Field Day 9:00 a.m. - Early Dismissal
17 Honor Roll Mass 9:00 a.m. – Early Dismissal
Last Day of School – summer vacation begins!
18-20 Professional Development – Faculty Members
2008-09 SCHOOL CALENDAR PREVIEW