August 28, 2023
Dear Parents and Guardians,,
“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ ” (Matthew 16:15)
As we begin a new school year, it seems fitting to reflect on a question Jesus, a master teacher, asks his students (the disciples). Even if a teacher thinks the answer seems obvious and knows they have taught the information to the students, a teacher still has to assess the students to make sure they know the answer and have come to an understanding.
Peter was quick to respond to Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” If I was sitting at the feet of Jesus, what would my answer be? Who is Jesus to me? Do I need to spend more time with Him before I answer? Has my relationship with Him changed over the years and throughout life experiences?
Take time to think about it. Am I prepared to answer this question when I meet Jesus face to face in heaven? What will my response be?
Knowing the Lord’s love is eternal,
Ms. Danielle Gonzalez
THIS WEEK:
Wednesday, August 30
6:00 PM Ice Cream Social in the parking lot next to the Church. All students, Parents, faculty, and staff are welcome.
NEXT WEEK:
Monday, September 4
Happy Labor Day – School is closed
Please note the teachers will ask for ID checks at dismissal should they not know the student’s parents (see below) and for all visitors (see “Announcement” section).
* Be prepared, dismissal may take a little longer the first few days of school. Teachers are asked to take extra time at dismissal as school begins to check parents’ ID. It is all about safety!
Wednesday, September 6 – First day of school
● Grades 1-8 have a full day of school (Student arrival time 7:30-8:00 AM in the auditorium.)
● 9:30 – 11:00 AM PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten Orientation
○ Students, parents, and staff will meet in the auditorium at 9:30 AM.
● Morning Care (Arrival between 7 and 7:30 AM will start today). Drop off is at the auditorium doors. Parents will be charged $5.50 per child for the use of Morning Care. (Aftercare will start next week, on Monday, September 11, 2023. Parents should inform homeroom teachers via email or Class Dojo if students should be brought to Aftercare at dismissal.)
Friday, September 8
9 AM Opening School Mass (Nativity of the Blessed Mother) Grades 1-8. All are welcome.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
NEW Faculty/Staff
Each year brings changes to the faculty and staff. God brings us all where we need to be and provides. Due to increased registration, a second PreK4
The classroom has been added! We are happy and excited to welcome new members to our SPPS team:
● PreK 4B Teacher – Rebecca Hausleben
● Grade 1 Teacher – Brittney Santiago
● Grade 3-5 Kaleidoscope ELA Teacher – Dawn Werr
● Physical Education Teacher – Michael Perry
● Security Guard – Tamika Santiago
SECURITY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (It’s all about safety!)
● All visitors must check in at the front office
● Only those with a scheduled appointment, will be permitted into the building.
● ID’s of all visitors to the school, even repeat visitors, will be checked at the door.
MONTHLY CALENDAR
The monthly calendar can be found on the school website at:
https://stphilipprep.com/parents/calendars
You have the option to print out the calendar from the website and/or as a Google calendar, link the calendar to your electronic calendar.
REMINDERS:
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM
This year, the school will be working with Perfect Time Music, LLC. The company will offer instrumental music lessons, at a separate cost, to students in Grades 1-8. Students who register will have a lesson once a week during school hours on a rotating schedule. This way a student does not miss the same class each week. Music lessons are 30 minutes long and the instructor will pick them up from the classroom. Academics always come first! Students will be responsible for all work missed. If a test is scheduled for the period, then students will not be pulled at that time. The staff of Perfect Time Music are friendly, accommodating, and flexible.
The staff of Perfect Time Music will be present at the Back to School Nights. Please arrive early to ask questions should you be interested in signing your child up for lessons. A flier with prices and more information will be available.
ALUMNI Dinner – Spread the word and SAVE THE DATE!!!
An Alumni Dinner has been scheduled for Saturday, November 25, 2023, after the 5:30 PM Mass. Please share this date with any alumni you know. The cost of tickets will be released at a later date. Proceeds will go toward setting up a fund for Tuition Assistance for current students whose families are struggling or going through an unexpected crisis.
FACILITY UPDATES
● New bathroom stalls in the primary and middle school hallways have been installed
● The roofing company was here over the summer for needed repairs and regular maintenance.
● Floors – All floors in the classrooms, hallway, auditorium, and gym have been stripped and rewaxed.
PreK 3 UNIFORMS
Remember uniforms (St. Philip Prep PE uniform) are mandatory for PreK this school year (2023-2024). You can visit Flynn O’Hara’s website
https://flynnohara.com or visit the closest store in the Baldwin Shopping Center in Parsippany, NJ, to purchase the uniform. Uniforms are optional for PreK4 this year but will be mandatory starting September 2024 for all Pre-Kindergarten classes.
WATER BOTTLES
We ask for your cooperation. Water bottles have become very cumbersome. They present a possible hazard to technology in the classroom and tend to make the classroom look cluttered and disorganized. Unless there is a need, we ask students not to come to school with water bottles outside of what would be needed for lunch and snacks (PreK through Grade 3). There is no need for a note, just consideration of the above-mentioned. Please keep juice and/or water sent for lunch and/or snacks small enough to fit into and kept in a lunch box during the day. If your child has a specific need to have water continually available to him/her, please ensure that the water bottle does not exceed a 16 oz size. Thank you for your help.
BACKPACKS
If you have already done your Back to School Shopping, do not fret! Like the water bottles, this is not a mandated policy. Concerns are being brought to everyone’s attention and we kindly ask for your assistance. Backpacks with wheels often cannot be hung up in the classroom closets due to weight and size. They also create a tripping danger as they are dragged behind the owner. Encourage your child to only bring home the necessities for that night’s homework keeping the load as light as possible for use of a backpack that can be carried on the back. Again, thank you for your consideration.
NEW FAMILIES
Rediker is an online system used throughout the schools in the Diocese of Paterson. This system helps parents track the academic progress of their child in addition to keeping parents and guardians aware of emergency situations at school. Report Cards will be distributed via the Rediker Parent Portal system as follows:
● Grades 2-8: Four times a year
● Grade 1: Three times a year (Grade 1 does not receive a report card at the end of the first quarter.)
● PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten: Twice a year (January and June)
You may print and save your child’s report card or save it on your computer.
An invitation email will be sent when the portal is officially open for the 2023-2024 academic year (usually a week before school starts). Should you need assistance? Kindly call Mrs. Debbie Neglia at the school and she will be happy to assist you. Please call 973-779-4700 x 2.
