Weekly News

Message from our Principal

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Dear Parents,

Welcome new families, and welcome back current SRL families. I hope that you and your family have had a wonderful and restful summer! We are off and running into the new school year, and extremely excited to work with you and your children again this year. The first day of school for students in Grades Kindergarten through 8 is Tuesday, September 5^th. The first day of school for our Pre-Kindergarten students is Wednesday, September 6^th. On September 5^th we will gather in the morning from 7:30am to 7:45am in the gym. You may enter the gym with your children and walk them to their class line using the gym door to the left in the U parking area behind the school building.  Keep in mind that there is no parking in the U because it is the area where faculty and staff park. As always, you may use the drop-offline if your child can exit your car without assistance. If your child must be taken out of the car or you would prefer to walk them into the building, park in the car rider lot next to the side of the gym. Please do not knock on that gym door, instead walk to the gym door that is to the left of the U and enter there. There will be no early drop-off on the first day of school, so plan accordingly. Beginning on Wednesday, September 6^th, your child will enter the building using Door # 8 which is on the right side of the back wall of the U parking lot. On Wednesday, September 6^th early drop off at 7am will begin for those who require this service. You always have the option of parking in the car rider lot and walking your child to the school door. Please do not use drop off and pick up as an opportunity to walk your pets. We have several students who are fearful and allergic, so we ask if you must bring your pets with you during these times that they do not exit the car. Please note that there is absolutely no parking at the drop off zone in the back of the school building which is directly across from the U that begins at the chapel parking lot and goes to Lincoln Place. You may not enter the parking lot in the morning on Lincoln Place. You can enter the school parking lot on South Street. It is very important for you to follow this protocol so that the flow of traffic in the drop off lane can move easily and without obstruction of parked cars or people walking. Thank you for your cooperation with this matter. The safety of everyone is a joint responsibility and effort. We look forward to seeing all of you on the first day of school. Please see information and updates below. I have listed it so it will be easier to read.

1.)    The first floor of the school building has been painted and looks new and clean! We chose a series of 4 different pastel colors including off white for both the main office and the hallways. We are very grateful to all the parents and grandparents, and PTA board members who worked tirelessly to get the job accomplished. A special thank you to Mrs. Gina Byrne, our PTA president who maintained the painting schedules ensuring an even flow of volunteers throughout the summer in addition to painting as well.  Also, many thanks to grandfather, Fred Carr whose relentless spirit and hard work really got the job done! At the writing of this letter, Fred is still painting! We are so grateful for this combined effort of volunteerism! We know your children will enjoy their newly painted classrooms. We are all delighted with the outcome.

2.)    I was able to secure two grants offered by the State of New Jersey in response to student illnesses and breathing issues. Included in these grants are air purifiers and replacement filters. The grants are worth well over $75,000. There will be air purifiers in every classroom beginning the first week of school, and we believe this will really help with the air quality in the building in addition to cutting down on the spreading of germs in individual classrooms.

3.)    Our cafeteria, which will serve a lunch entrée five days per week, and snacks and drinks. The cafeteria will begin serving on Monday, September 11^th. During the first week of school the cafeteria will not be open, and drinks and snacks will not be available. Be sure that you send your children to school with lunch and drinks, and anything they will require during the first week of school. Additionally, our after-care program, EDP will also begin on Monday, September 11^th. More information to follow.

4.)    There will be gym classes for students in Grades K,1,2,4,5 on the first day of school.

5.)    Please join me in welcoming Ms. Amanda Darcy to our teaching staff. Amanda, who is a talented teacher, served as our Kindergarten teacher’s aide in the past. Amanda will be teaching ILA and social studies to students in Grades 7 and 8.

6.)    We are celebrating our pastor, Fr. Jim, for the anniversary of his 45^th year of ordination. We have several surprises and celebrations in the works, one of which is a party for families in mid-October. Stay tuned for more information.

7.)    We have made some other changes in teaching assignments for the 2023-2024 school year. Please see those changes listed below:

Ms. Lisa Bennett/ Grade 2 Homeroom Teacher

Mrs. Andrea DiStefano/ Grade 3 Homeroom Teacher

(Ms. Bennett and Mrs. DiStefano will share teaching responsibilities for both Grades 2 and 3. They will give you more information about this endeavor.)

Mrs. Roselynn Basso / Grade 5 Homeroom Teacher

Mrs. Kathy Losche will be teaching music again this year and in addition will be taking on a new assignment as the Technology Teacher.

Mr. Emanuele Iosue will continue teaching Art and additionally be responsible for managing technology throughout the building.

Mrs. Claudia Skeba, teacher’s aide, will work with both Grades 2 and 3.

Ms. Amanda Kurtz, teacher’s aide will be helping in Grades 1 and 2.

Please join me in welcoming our new Kindergarten teacher’s aide, Mrs. Marienid Rivera.

8.)    We are looking to hire a certified sign language teacher for an after-school program one day per week, so if you know of someone with the qualifications, please have them email me at [email protected].

9.)    A very special thank you to the Keehn Family for their generosity and hard work cleaning and sprucing up the playground and mulching around the school and church to celebrate the opening of school. We greatly appreciate your efforts.

You can find an updated school calendar on our website. Remember it is a living document, and subject to change. We are all looking forward to another wonderful and productive school year. If you have any questions, thoughts or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. Looking forward to seeing you and your family on the first day of school, Tuesday, September 5^th. Enjoy Labor Day weekend.

Sending you all good wishes,

Ms. Reimer