St. Theresa School

Dear STS Family,

            Next Wednesday, November 25^th, our First Trimester of school will be completed.  Congratulations to all our students for “doing their best” (I hope).  This has been a special time for all of us: some remote, some in-person, many adjusting to a new school environment, while still mourning the loss of their previous school community.  Kudos is deserved for all!  And now we move forward!  Since the 25^th is a remote day, and since it would normally be a half-day with classroom celebrations, we are going to allow it to be a day off for students (no remote instruction) and a professional day for teachers, especially since our First Friday in December will be used for Parent-Teacher ZOOM Conferences.
            After many years as a school administrator, I have come to believe in the adage, “what happens in school is my business, just as what happens at home is your business.”  With that said, I am VERY concerned about the effects of large gatherings for Thanksgiving.  All I ask is that you be very, very careful and keep in mind the health and safety of your own children and families, as well as all of us here at STS.  Thanks.

Now, since this will be my last communication with you until December 3^rd a few calendar reminders:

• Graduation pictures and retakes (Tuesday, 11/24) for anyone who missed the first Lifetouch Picture Day or weren’t satisfied with the photos.  8^th graders should follow Ms. Pakulski’s directions for what to wear under their cap and gown, etc.  Any questions, please contact Mrs. Scheuermann.

• ADVENT begins on Sunday, November 29^th.  As we all prepare for Christmas with decorating and purchasing gifts, etc., let us not forget to prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas… the realization that “Emmanuel”, God, is ALWAYS with us.
• REPORT CARDS will be distributed electronically to you on Thursday, December 4 (by 6 pm).
• PARENT TEACHER ZOOM CONFERENCES will be on Friday, December 4 (which is a NOON DISMISSAL DAY).  Your child’s teacher will let you know how to sign up for this.  The question always come up: “Do I have to have a conference with my child’s teacher?”  The answer: ONLY if you wish to, but this is a time reserved for parent-teacher communication.
• UGLY (but “appropriate”) SWEATER DAY will be the Tag Day theme for Friday, December 4.  This Tag Day ($1) will benefit the Class of 2021 and is payable on our Website or by check.  Thanks.
• Also on the Friday evening (12/4) from 5-8:30 pm, we will be having PARENTS’ DECORATING NIGHT OUT.   In the past, this has been a night where we’ve had pizza and drinks for the parents.  Of course, we can’t do that this year, but it will be an evening to transform the entire campus into a Christmas wonderland for our children:  the hallways, the gym, the outdoors… and then the best day of all: when the children (all children of all ages) come to school on Monday morning and have their A-HA moment.  Please join us for whatever amount of time you can offer and help us make this happen.  Thanks!  (And, by the way, NO KIDS ALLOWED).

• In case you didn’t see it on our website, we were able to raise over $500  from our Halloween Tag Day to gift our St. Theresa’s Food Pantry with, along with all the food goods that you’ve been sending in with your children.  On behalf of the many needy people of our area, THANK YOU!
• As many of you may have heard, due to a possible Covid-19 exposure, we had our KA Class quarantining for the past two weeks.  There was no in-school transmission involved, and all actions were in accord with the Covid guidance we’ve received from the CDC, State and local Board of Health.  Perhaps some of you have heard that the Kenilworth elementary school has been quarantined until after Thanksgiving.  Covid is all around us (hence the 2^nd paragraph of this weekly letter) but – thanks be to God and to all the efforts we’re making – we, your children and our teachers and staff, have remained safe.  With that said, at any point in time, the situation may change, so I’m asking ALL parents to be prepared with a contingency plan… just in case.

                                    God bless!    
                          
                                   Sr. Lou Ann Fantauzza, FMA
                                   Principal

*** Many of you have been asking about our STS Spirit Wear and Lil Stallions Spirit Wear T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, etc.
     GOOD NEWS!  Our Spirit Wear Sale is up and running at www.mysts.org.  Click on “Community” and in the drop down menu you will see links for both.       With Christmas right around the corner, these might be useful gifts for your child(ren).