Weekly Newsletter
December 20, 2024
- MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 - FRIDAY, JANUARY 3 - CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SCHOOL CLOSED
- MONDAY, JANUARY 6 - SCHOOL RESUMES
- TUESDAY, JANUARY 7- FRIDAY, JANUARY 44 - STAR TESTING
- WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8 - $1 PRETZEL DAY
- FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 - FIRST FRIDAY MASS - WEAR DRESS UNIFORM
- FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 - UNIFORM EXCHANGE
- MONDAY, JANUARY 10 - CONFIRMATION RECONCILIATION IN THE CHURCH @ 6:30
- MONDAY, JANUARY 20 - MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY - SCHOOL CLOSED
- SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 - FRIDAY, JANUARY 31- CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
- SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 - SHS FAMILY MASS at 9:30 - SHS OPEN HOUSE AND RECEPTION TO FOLLOW MASS
Dear SHS Parents and Guardians,
As we reflect on God’s Greatest Gift this Christmas, the birth of Jesus signifies a new beginning for all of us. It is a time of renewed hope, peace, joy, and love. In the spirit of this wondrous season, and on behalf of all of the faculty and staff at Sacred Heart School, I would like to wish you and your family a peace-filled Christmas and a new year blessed with health and happiness. As we embark on 2025, let us continue to work together to create a bright future for our SHS students. Thank you for your support and partnership and may God bless you this Christmas season and always.
Merry Christmas!
Mrs. Joanna Barlow
Principal
The next edition of the Weekly Newsletter will be sent Friday, January 10, 2024.
Each year, the elementary schools of the Diocese of Trenton administer the Renaissance Star Assessments in mathematics and reading during three assessment windows. The assessments, which last less than 40 minutes each, are given in the fall, in the winter, and in the spring. The assessments from Renaissance, like many other standardized assessments, measure academic proficiency. In addition to proficiency, however, these assessments also track the academic growth of a student during the course of one school year as well as over the period of a student’s career from grade two through grade eight. Click here to read a letter from Daniel O’Connell, Assistant Superintendent for the Diocese of Trenton about the Star Assessments. Star assessment window 2 is January 6, 2025 through January 24, 2025. Specific assessment dates will be communicated by the classroom teachers. Results are sent home to parents after each testing window.
January’s virtue of the month is Fortitude, being brave and strong in the face of trials. The Virtues in Practice curriculum explains, “ Fortitude is being strong enough to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult. Assertive behavior is a type of fortitude. If we see someone doing something dangerous, deceiving others, or hurting someone, the virtue of fortitude helps us to get involved to solve the problem.” Those students who exemplify the virtue of Fortitude will be honored at our February 7th First Friday Mass.
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.
CONSIDER MAKING A YEAR END GIFT
As an integral part of the Sacred Heart School family, your legacy lives on through the values and traditions that continue to shape our vibrant Sacred Heart School Community.
As the year draws to a close, we invite you to support Gifts from the Heart – Sacred Heart School Annual Fund. Your generous contribution will sustain the high-quality education that Sacred Heart School has been known for across generations while also allowing you to take advantage of the tax benefits associated with year-end giving.
As 2024 comes to a close, take this opportunity to make a lasting impact—and enjoy the benefits of a potential tax deduction for your generosity. Be sure to make your gift by December 31 to qualify for this year’s tax benefits.
May God bless you and your loved ones abundantly,
Joanna Barlow
Principal
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.
***NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2025/2026***
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.
