St. Theresa School

Dear STS Family,

            Before anything else, a HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all our STS Moms out there!  Notwithstanding all the good Dads that there are, I don’t think there is any vocation that has such a significant impact on the lives of the young, on the lives of your children, than that of Motherhood.              And because of that, you deserve to be honored and celebrated.  Happy Mother’s Day to each of you!

            Speaking of celebrations, I was asked earlier this week why St. Theresa’s School isn’t celebrating   “Teacher Appreciation”.  The response is simple: we are celebrating it, but our school celebration will be on Friday, June 4^th.      Let’s just say we “march to the sound of a different drummer.”

            Next week (and the week after, May 10-21… that is a correction from our May Calendar) we will be having our virtual Scholastic Book Fair.  We have also posted Summer Reading Lists on our website for your convenience so that if the books are available at the Book Fair it will simplify your getting them for your child(ren).      

            With so many Covid restrictions being lifted, for some it is begging the question, “How about at STS?”  The stance we are taking is that there is only a little over a month left in the school year, we are in a good stride, have been able to remain safe and healthy, and so we will be maintaining the status quo until the end of this school year.  I was speaking with one of the younger grade teachers (but the same is true of the upper grades) about whether we should remove the extra desks from the classrooms and allow the classrooms to feel more spacious.  After bouncing the pros and cons of the idea we decided against it; the teacher said that after the year we’ve had it would disrupt the children’s sense of what they are used to.  Next year will be a totally different ballgame.  As I already said in a previous weekly update, we are anticipating a five-day in-person week, with a REAL return to normalcy next year.  All will be well…  

            Please continue to help your child (Gr. 2-8) do well on their MapGrowth Tests by having a substantial breakfast, a good night’s rest, and being on time for school.  Thank you.

            As we move through this special month of Our Lady we will soon be preparing for our May Crowning’s.  Although the plans are not completely firmed up yet, we will be having the short prayer services outdoors and in small groups.  More details will follow.  What is most important is that the children are able to recognize this as an opportunity to honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

A few reminders:

• Mother’s Day/Spring Plant Sale – it is preferred that you place your order and make the payment on our website at www.mysts.org, but if you forget we will have extra plants for your child(ren) to purchase for their Mom’s available to them.
• The Class of 2021 asked me to remind you that the deadline for participating in their Summer Jersey Shore CONDO RAFFLE is Wednesday, May 12^th.  Please contact one of the Class Moms listed on the flier on our website with any questions.
• I’m sure you’re going to love this one:  DRESS CODE.  So even though we are “close” to the end of the school year, we are not there yet.  Please help your child(ren) to be in line with the dress code, especially in terms of hoodies, hair styles/cuts (or lack of in some cases), etc.  During the cold winter months we allowed a great deal of leeway in the classrooms, primarily because we had the upper windows opened even on freezing days to allow for good ventilation.  Now with warmer weather coming, I would ask that only school sweaters or hoodies be worn.  As for hairstyles… some of us are beginning to look a bit shaggy, especially our young men.  Any other questions, please check the Student Handbook which can be found on our website.  Thank you for your cooperation.
• And one final reminder: please have your child(ren) to school ON TIME. It is good training for them and for the younger students, it helps them to settle in with the class and be ready to do their school work; for the older ones, if they come in the front door and walk all the hallways to get to their classes it defeats the purpose of our Covid entrances, and likewise disrupts the classes when they enter late.  Thanks for your cooperation.

So, that’s all for now.  As always, any questions or concerns, please contact me at louann.fantauzza@mysts.org or by phone at (908)276-7220.

                                                                                  
                                                                        
                        God bless and have a good week!
             
                        Sr. Lou Ann Fantauzza, fma
                        Principal