- FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1- DIOCESE OF TRENTON TUITION ASSISTANCE NOW OPEN FOR 25/26 SCHOOL YEAR
- SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 - PTA CASH BINGO
- THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 - VETERANS' DAY SERVICE & 1/2 DAY
- THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 & FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8 - CONFERENCES
- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8
- MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11 - LAST DAY TO DONATE CANDY FOR TREATS FOR TROOPS
- WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 - 1ST RECONCILIATION/COMMUNION PARENT MEETING
- FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 - END OF 1ST TRIMESTER
- FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 - SCHOOL PLAY
- SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16 - SCHOOL PLAY
- FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 - FITNESS FRIDAY
- WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 - 1/2 DAY 12:15 DISMISSAL, NO EDP
- THURSDAY & FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 & 29 NO SCHOOL, THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Dear SHS Parents and Guardians,
Last Friday's Fall Fest & Trunk or Treat was a resounding success! We were thrilled to see so many families participate in this festive event. With over 70 families and 45 creatively decorated trunks, it was our biggest Halloween celebration yet. A special thank you to Mrs. Bader, Mrs. Murray, and Mrs. Fortin for their exceptional planning and organization. Their dedication made this event truly unforgettable. We also extend our gratitude to all the parent and student volunteers who contributed their time and efforts to make this a memorable night for our school community.
As we switch our focus from Halloween to the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, we invite you to join us in spreading kindness and generosity. This month, we'll be hosting our Touchdown Turkey, Operation Christmas Child, and Joey's Little Angels drives. You can read all about these drives in today's newsletter. Your support will make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. Thank you for your generosity and for embracing the spirit of giving this holiday season.
Many Blessings,
Mrs. Joanna Barlow
Principal
November’s virtue of the month is Courtesy, being thoughtful of others. The Virtues in Practice curriculum explains, “to be courteous means that you are exhibiting good manners. Courtesy means being thoughtful of others, because Jesus told us whatever we do to them we do to him.” Sometimes we forget to say hello or simply smile when we see someone in the hallway. Sometimes we leave messes in the cafeteria or the classroom. Being courteous means saying hello even if you are tired or in a bad mood. Saying thank you and leaving common spaces clean and orderly for the next person are examples of being courteous. We should strive to be courteous to everyone because whatever we do to them we do to Christ. Those students who exemplify the virtue of courtesy; will be honored at our December 6th First Friday Mass.
In this, the Year of Charity, SHS will again be donating candy to Treats for Troops. Soldiers’ Angels, Treats for Troops, a Halloween Candy collection program where local businesses and organizations register to collect excess Halloween candy for our Troops. Once the Trick or Treating is over, we will be collecting excess Halloween candy. Our collection will run from November 1 - November 11. If your child would like to donate some of their candy, they can bring it to their homeroom for collection. On November 12, we will combine all of our candy and ship it off to the Troops.
Mark your calendars:
Parent teacher conferences are being held on Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8. Thursday the 7th will be a ½ day for students and conferences will be held in the evening from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Friday conferences will be held throughout the day from 8:20 a.m. - 2:40 p.m. Please use the following link(s) to sign up for a conference with your child’s teacher. Elementary School is for K through 5th grade and Middle School is grades 6-8. Pre K - 3 and Pre K - 4 teachers will be reaching out directly to parents to schedule conferences. If you would like to speak with a special area teacher, you will need to contact them via email to set up an appointment.
Elementary School Parent Teacher Conferences K-5th
On November 7th, Sacred Heart School will host our first annual Veterans Day Celebration to honor those who have served in the U.S. Military.
On this special day, your child may invite a veteran to accompany them to our Veterans Day service and celebration. This veteran could be a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, cousin, or another adult. The veterans will be recognized, honored, and enjoy refreshments with their students. Due to limited space, please invite only one veteran per family. We look forward to honoring and celebrating with our veterans!
Get ready to celebrate the love of reading with our upcoming Fairytale Scholastic Book Fair! We will have many fun reading activities planned for your child throughout this event, and we hope you can come share the fun by visiting the Book Fair with your student. Our Fairytale Book Fair begins Monday, November 11th, and runs through Friday morning, November 15th. Stop by during school hours or after school (Monday-Thursday) until 4:00pm to find a book for your favorite reader! Or join us for Family Night on Tuesday, November 12th, until 8:00pm, for some crafts, snacks, and storytime with a princess! Can't make it in person? Our online shopping is available from November 6th through November 19th at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/sacredheartschool15 - or by using the QR code. All proceeds benefit our school and classroom libraries.
As always, one of our goals is to ensure as many children as possible receive and have access to books. One of the ways we can do that is through the Share the Fair (formerly called All for Books) program. With your help, all of the money collected goes to purchasing more books for our students, library, and classrooms, and for children in our community. This Fall, all books purchased with your Share the Fair donations will go toward school libraries affected by the recent Hurricanes.
Ways to participate:
Donate $1 or loose change, and sign the castle drawing with your name or child’s name. There are donation jars in every classroom, and all signed slips will be displayed in the school library.
Try our pencil pull (.50) or lollipop pull (.50) at the fair for a chance to win a prize.
Round up your change when you make a purchase at the book fair.
The class with the most participation will win a dress-down day or a pajama day and a Fairytale movie and treats in the Library. If the school raises over $300 for Share the Fair, Mrs. Barlow will dress up as a princess for a day!
If you are interested in helping with the book fair Contact Paula Asch at library@sacred-heart-school.org to volunteer or click on the Sign up Genius: Sign Up Genius Book Fair
For more information regarding the book fair, read this book fair letter from Principal Barlow.
Joey’s Little Angels is a local toy drive in memory of Joseph Thomas Angiolino who passed away at age 14 months from Hurler's Syndrome. Joey spent much of his short life in hospitals. As such, each year his family holds a toy drive specifically for children who spend Christmas in hospitals. They have collected over 46,000 toys which have been distributed to Duke University Hospital, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, RWJ New Brunswick, Capital Health, Boston Children's Hospital, Rutgers Cancer Institute, St. Christopher's Philadelphia, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and many more. To participate in this drive please drop off an unwrapped toy by November 22.
As this is the Year of Charity, the SHS Service Committee decided to begin our holiday service drives sooner rather than later. With that said, SHS will again be participating in the Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Gift Drive. Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child delivers great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ to children in need around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes. Each shoebox is packed full of quality toys, craft activity, school supplies, personal care items and a personalized note from the class. The gift becomes a tangible expression of God's immense love for the child. For many, it is their first gift ever! We hope to fill at least one shoebox per homeroom.
The classes should fill a shoebox for:
Pre-K 3 - Boy 2-4 years old
Pre-K 4 - Girl 2-4 years old
Kindergarten - Boy 5-9 years old
1st grade - Girl 5-9 years old
2nd grade - Boy 5-9 years old
3rd grade - Girl 5-9 years old
4th grade - Boy 5-9 years old
5th grade - Girl 10-14 years old
6th grade - Boy 10-14 years old
7th grade - Girl 10-14 years old
8th grade - Boy 10-14 years old
The shoe boxes should be filled and ready to be shipped by November 18. Additionally, It costs $10 to ship each box so monetary donations are also welcomed.
Calling All Singers! Sacred Heart School students in grades 4-8 are invited to join our choir. Rehearsals will be held each Wednesday after school from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM. For more information and to obtain a registration/permission slip, please click here. Paper copies are also available in the main office. Please return completed permission slips and club registration fee to Mrs. Sheaffer.
CASH BINGO 11/2
On Saturday, November 2nd, the PTA is hosting CASH BINGO in the SHS Auditorium. Doors open at 6pm, calling begins at 7pm. Attendees must be 21 or older to participate. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Come on out, try your luck, and support the SHS PTA! Registration form is available below:
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Join us in earning money for Sacred Heart School by using the Box Tops app. It’s an easy way to make a difference. All you have to do is buy Box Tops participating products (like Cheerios!) and scan your grocery receipt. Box Tops are worth $.10 each and they add up fast! Twice a year, our school receives a check to help pay for whatever we need - equipment, supplies or experiences the kids love! Use the link below to download the Box Tops app: https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=MU6O53C4
Thank you for supporting SHS!
MEMORIAL BRICK FUNDRAISER
The Friends of Sacred Heart memorial bricks offer a wonderful way to remember our loved ones, while also benefitting our school. To order online, please click here. All orders must be placed by November 29th.
Consider contributing to the SHS Annual Campaign, Gifts from the Heart. This carefully planned campaign offers donors the opportunity to directly support our beloved school. One of our key projects is the transformation of our school library into a state-of-the-art learning hub. This innovative space will feature:
Flexible seating arrangements to accommodate various learning styles.
Advanced technology to foster digital literacy and prepare students for the future.
Collaborative learning pods to encourage teamwork and independent study.
This reimagined library will not only be a center for academic growth but also a space for students to connect, reflect, and develop spiritually.
In addition to supporting specific projects, donors can choose to contribute to our unrestricted fund. This fund allows us to allocate resources where they are most needed, ensuring that we can address immediate priorities and unexpected challenges throughout the year.
If you or someone you know would like to make a gift, please click on the link below:
Gifts from the Heart - Sacred Heart School - Mount Holly, NJ (sacred-heart-school.org)
Do you have a family business or work for a local business? If so, this year, Sacred Heart School is looking to partner with local businesses through our Community
Outreach and Sponsorship Packages, we have a variety of ways you and your business can be
part of the SHS community through:
● Diverse print and virtual ad space coverage
● Social media and mobile exposure
● Packages that fit any budget
All proceeds directly benefit the school children by providing the necessary funds to enhance school programs further, improve technology-driven initiatives, and continue to offer a dynamic and robust curriculum that fosters creative thinkers and problem solvers. More details can be found on our website at Community Partners - Sacred Heart School - Mount Holly, NJ (sacred-heart-school.org)
If you have any questions, please contact Yvette Fortin, Marketing Coordinator at Yfortin@sacred-heart-school.org.
***Applications will be available online November 1***
General Information - For Families with Children Attending Catholic Schools in The Diocese of Trenton. Tuition assistance is awarded each year to families with children in our Catholic schools in grades K-8. Awards are made based on financial need.
How is the determination made? Information contained in the application along with the supporting materials is used to determine financial need. The formula utilized has been especially designed for families with children attending Catholic school. This calculation is based on a moderate standard of living for the geographic area of the applicant, further ensuring a realistic result. This formula determines the ability of a family to pay for private education. FACTS includes a comprehensive review and verification process ensuring the accuracy of the data.
Award Amount - Families who apply can receive up to one-half of the school’s in-parish tuition
Rate. Click here to learn how to apply.
The Diocesan Genesis Manager has sent, via email, credentials to all users PreK3-8th grade. Everyone is required to change their password upon first login. Existing users can change their password back to one they have been using before. Once you are in, you will be prompted to acknowledge and sign the:
Sacred Heart School 2024-25 Photo Release Form
Sacred Heart School 2024-25 Student/Parent Handbook & Acceptable Use Policy
Accounts are disabled (for security reasons) after 5 unsuccessful login attempts. Once an account is disabled, it cannot be accessed until it is re-enabled. If a parent account is disabled, please call the school office and we will do our best to re-enable you quickly.
If you do not think you received credentials, please check your SPAM before posting a Parent Access Support Request to the main office.
Let's begin by making sure everyone arrives to school safely.
CAR LINE TIPS ON ARRIVAL
Drop-off begins at 7:30am. Please form 2 lanes. The right lane is for grades K-8, the left lane is for our Pre-K students. Families with students in both PreK and K-8 should stay in the right lane.
When arriving you will be greeted by Father John and myself. Please wait your turn in the car lanes. Once in the drop off area, have your child exit the car. K-8 students will be dropped off in front of the main gym doors. Pre-K will circle around and be dropped off in front of the church. Pre-K Parents please make sure to pull up to the Student Drop Off Ends Here sign so other cars can move in behind you. Our staff on duty will assist in making sure your children arrive safely to their classrooms.
Once you have dropped off your child/children please do not cut out of lane instead wait until the car in front of you moves to exit the campus. When exiting please be mindful that cars may turn in front of you to drop off at preschool or to exit the campus.
CAR LINE TIPS FOR PICK-UP
Form 2 lanes. In the interest of safety for your child/children and others:
Children will not be permitted to enter a car until the car is in front of the auditorium. Please remain in your car, have your family name placard visible, and pull all the way up to the "Drop off ends here" sign even if your child is standing in another place. If one of the car lanes is moving, children must wait until the cars stop moving before going to their car. If you must exit your car to buckle seat belts, we ask that you use the lane closest to the auditorium. Please pick up your child as quickly as possible, being mindful of the extremely long line behind you. We are discouraged from blocking Clifton Avenue.
Using state technology funding, SHS has purchased a license to Starfall. The Starfall Education Foundation is a publicly supported nonprofit organization who creates language arts and mathematical experiences whereby children can successfully learn through online exploration. On the Starfall website and in Starfall classrooms, children have fun while learning in an environment of collaboration, wonderment, and play. The program teaches language arts and mathematics through positive reinforcement to ensure children become confident, intrinsically motivated, and successful.
Our Starfall subscription gives our students access to ALL Starfall games in school and at home. Follow the steps below to use Starfall at home: Log in to starfall.com or download the app
for free. Starfall provides educational games with no commercial interruption. You can sign in using the log in codes listed below:
*This program is intended for PK-5th grade. However, Middle school students needing to sharpen their skills practice can feel free to utilize if they choose.
