Well, our first week of school is now behind us. I cannot describe how wonderful it is to hear the sounds of our students coming from our hallways, classrooms and playground. Their energy is infectious! I am confident that your students have been working hard this week. If they have any free time this weekend, they have surely earned it.

Our first week of the new Breakfast Program has gone well. As have the Hot Lunches. Students have been reminded, and we ask parents to assist, with the following guidelines:

• the school doors open at 7:00AM for Breakfast ONLY

• Student Ambassadors that are helping out are invited to partake in the breakfast after they sign in

• students that are not coming to breakfast must stay outside the school until 7:50AM

• if a student comes to school with lunch, they will not be allowed to take a hot lunch

We sent home today two important items.

A letter from Mr. Michael Deegan, Interim Superintendent, about the NYS Exam Results. Our schools did quite well in comparison to our public school neighbors and his letter goes into detail about our continued improvement. 

Also, our School Envelopes. These should be used to send in Absent Notes, After School Notes, Teacher Notes, etc. If you would like more, please send a message. A pack of ten (10) is only $2. Please check backpacks for both of these items.

This is also a good time for a reminder that the September Tuition is due on the 20th of the month. Tuition accounts that are one month behind will receive a letter warning about possible Financial Suspension. Tuition accounts two months behind will receive a letter placing the child(ren) on Financial Suspension. Please avoid either situation by making sure your account is up to date.

The forms sent home on the first days of school should be returned right away. Our final date for collection will be next Friday, September 20th.

The first round of MAP Testing will start on Monday the 16th. These are for Grades 1 - 8. Kindergarten will take them in October. The MAP assessments are used by the teachers and myself to modify instruction and the resources we use in the classroom. We ask the students to do the best they can on them so that we can monitor progress and mastery.

The Student Council has organized our first Special Dress Day. It will be this Tuesday, September 17th. The theme is Red, White & Blue. The Student Council is asking everyone that participates to donate at least $2. All funds will go to support a school family in great need. The Council asks that you be as generous as your means allow.

This is an opportunity for students to show off their creative side and their school spirit. However, some guidelines are still needed:

• students that choose not to participate MUST be in uniform;

• the only rule that changes is what students may wear - all other rules apply and will be enforced;

• jeans and sneakers are permitted, but avoid tight and low-rise jeans (more details on Special Dress Days can be found in our Handbook;

Look for information on our Vision Testing that will be coming home next week. We have partnered with Eye on Education to offer free eye exams to all of our students. These are full exams and not just a screening. This program is free to parents. We ask that you complete the consent form coming home and return right away. The company only collects what insurance companies or Medicaid pay. No out of pocket costs to parents. Students will receive incentives for participating. The consent form has more details.

Registration information for our first Enrichment class, Computer Coding, will also be coming home next week. We hope that this program will be successful and we can expand beyond just after-school and be incorporated into our daily curriculum for all our students.

The Parent Association has posted the results of our Silent Auction on their page. Thank you to everyone that participated. Because of all of you, our first Silent Auction was very successful!

Have a wonderful weekend. God's Blessings to you all.

Mr. Keenan, Principal