June 5, 2008

Congratulations To …..
Last Sunday 4 of our seventh grade students received the Sacrament of Confirmation at Santa Maria Church.  We pray that the Holy Spirit strengthen each of these students as they “take a stand” for Christ:  Samantha Ayala; Alexandria Cartagena, Alexa Disla Cruz and Andrew Torres. Earlier in the year, Christopher Caro and Amanda Socia were also Confirmed!  Thanks to Mrs. Bertino for preparing these students.

Anthony DeLeon in Grade 5 who has been accepted into Regis High School’s REACH Program.  This is a special program for boys completing Grade 5 who meet certain criteria as outlined on the application.  The summer experience includes a camp at the University of Scranton and a 3 week program at Regis with follow-up sessions during the next three years.

Important Reminders:

• Tomorrow is our June Faculty Meeting and we will be having 10:30 Mass planned by our 2^nd Grade & 11:15 dismissal.

• Wednesday, June 11^th is the last day for our Extended Day Program this year so that our After School Staff can all attend our final graduation on Thursday, June 12^th.

• There is no school next Friday, June 13^th (unused Snow Day.)

• Dismissal will be at 11:15 a.m. on June 16, 17, 18, and 19 as per Archdiocesan Guidelines.  Please be on time at dismissal so that the teachers may get to their end-of-year responsibilities.

• The last day of school for students in Grades 1 – 7 is on Thursday, June 19^th    with dismissal at 11:15 a.m. following a 10:00 a.m. liturgy and presentation of awards.  

• There is no school for students on Friday, June 20^th. 

Extended Day Program
As the year draws to a close, we are trying to close our accounts on the Extended Day Program.  I ask that you be prompt with your current payments as well as those that are past due.

In Appreciation
The Class of 2008 and the faculty & staff are very grateful for the Graduation Donations given by our school families to help absorb the cost of graduation expenses.  Your generosity is very much appreciated.   If you wish a copy of the program, you can ask Mrs. DeLeon to give you one.

HSO News!
I know it’s human nature in our busy world to wait ‘til the last minute, yet the HSO Programs Committee and I are rather disappointed in the response to our International Picnic and Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 22^nd.    We know that facing the final event will definitely be difficult but we also have a great history to celebrate.    It’s a party and if you are in town, please come!!   We couldn’t find a date to hold it earlier because of previous commitments. 

Academics
ITBS Scores:  Included in the packet are the individual ITBS scores for students in Grades 1 – 8 in a legal size envelope and a packet of school-wide results with an explanatory cover letter.  I am very, very pleased with the results of our testing.  Please take time to read the letter and review the graphs.  These testify to the challenging and enriching program we have provided for our students.

On a Personal Note
In January when the heartbreaking announcement was made about our school closing, the first question a 2^nd grader asked me was: “Sister, what’s going to happen to you?”   Well, I have the answer now:  I will be teaching Math at Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, CT for the coming year.   This is the school I attended as a high school student and a place where I have taught twice before.   I know I’ll be teaching children of my former students!!  I am blessed to be going from one Sacred Heart to another Sacred Heart – the Sacred Heart of Jesus from which my heart draws strength.