
Weekly Newsletter
January 24, 2025
IMPORTANT DATES
- SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 - FRIDAY, JANUARY 31- CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK (SEE SCHEDULE BELOW FOR DRESS DOWN DAYS AND EVENTS)
- SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 - SHS FAMILY MASS at 9:30 AM - SHS OPEN HOUSE AND RECEPTION TO FOLLOW MASS
- FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 - SPECIAL PERSONS' DAY -HALF DAY NO EDP
- FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 - CHICK-FIL-A DAY
- FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 - PTA PASTA PARTY
- THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - MRS. BARLOW'S STATE OF THE SCHOOL PRESENTATION @ 6:30
- FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7 - UNIFORM EXCHANGE
- SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 - PTA SWEETHEART DANCE
- FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 - VALENTINES DRESS DOWN - WEAR RED OR PINK
- FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 - MIDDLE SCHOOL HANG OUT NIGHT
- SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 - CONFIRMATION RETREAT
- FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - END OF TRIMESTER 2
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear SHS Parents and Guardians,
This past week SHS was a whirlwind of excitement as we prepared for Catholic Schools Week 2025. Our faculty and staff dedicated countless hours decorating classrooms, creating inspiring bulletin boards, and preparing for the upcoming events. Students were actively engaged, crafting virtue posters, rehearsing for the wax museum and saints projects, and brushing up on their American History for the Knowledge Bowl.
A highlight of the week will be Next Friday’s Mass. We are thrilled to welcome Bishop David M. O'Connell as our celebrant for the 8:30 a.m. Special Persons' Day Mass. We have been diligently preparing, practicing Mass songs, and working closely with our altar servers.
Please note:
Students are expected to wear their full dress uniform for Mass.
For those unable to attend in person, the Mass will be livestreamed. Feel free to share the livestream link below with relatives and friends.
Special Persons’ Day Mass Livestream Link
We are all looking forward to a week packed with fun and exciting activities and events. We hope you can join us on Sunday to kick off our celebration of faith and community!
Many Blessings,
Mrs. Joanna Barlow
Principal
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK IS COMING!
Mark your calendar, Catholic Schools Week is coming. Our faculty and staff are busy preparing for a fantastic week. Please join us for the kick-off to Catholic Schools Week Sunday, January 26, at the 9:30 a.m. mass. Following mass light refreshments and student activities will be held in the Auditorium. All are welcome!
SPECIAL PERSONS' DAY MASS & VISITATION
On January 31st, we will conclude Catholic Schools Week with a very special Friday Mass celebrated by Bishop David O'Connell. To make this occasion even more meaningful, each student is invited to bring one special adult guest to Mass and a brief classroom visit. This could be a grandparent, uncle, aunt, neighbor, or any other significant adult in their lives. Following Mass, students and their guests will return to the classroom for a brief visit.
Please note:
Since January 31st is a half-day, students may be dismissed early with their guest with prior parental permission.
Due to limited classroom space, we kindly request that you invite only one guest per student.
Permission slips have been distributed by your child's teacher, or you can access them
HERE.
Below is the calendar of events for Catholic Schools Week January 26 -January 31.
CSW AT A GLANCE
MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL
Parents, please join me on Thursday, February 6th at 6:30 PM in the SHS Auditorium for the annual State of the School Message. At this meeting I will report on enrollment, introduce some of our new and upcoming academic, extracurricular, and summer programs and discuss the 2025-2026 re-registration process. I hope you can attend this very informative evening.
SHS OPEN HOUSE JANUARY 26
STAR ASSESSMENT REPORTS
Attention parents of children in grades 2-8; the Star Testing Reports are in. Your children will be bringing them home today. Make sure to check your children’s folder or ask them for the report. The report gives detailed information about your child’s progress in Language Arts and Mathematics.
SACRAMENT PREPARATION DATES
See below for important dates for students in 8th grade preparing for Confirmation.
Confirmation Retreat - Saturday, February 22 @10:00 am
Confirmation Mass - Sunday, March 23 @ 3:00 pm
Confirmation Practice - Monday, March 24 @ 5:30 pm
Confirmation - Thursday, March 27 @ 4pm
See below for important dates for students in 2nd grade preparing for Reconciliation
1st Reconciliation Retreat - Saturday, January 25 @ 10 am
*1st Reconciliation Services - Saturday, February 8 @10:30 am
*Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your child’s First Reconciliation service.
See below for important dates for students in 2nd grade preparing for First Holy Communion
1st Communion Retreat - Saturday, April 12 8:15 am - 10:30 am – arrival to the auditorium/gym then attending 8:30 Mass
1st Communion Practice - Monday, April 28 @ 5:30 p.m.
**1st Communion - Saturday, May 3 @ 10:30 p.m.
**Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your child’s First Communion Mass.
PTA FAMILY PASTA NIGHT
Come celebrate as we close out Catholic Schools week with a fun-filled pasta night!
PRE ORDER YOUR CHILD’S PRETZEL
Great news, you have the ability to pre-order your child’s pretzel. There are five $1 Pretzel Days left this year. Make snack time a breeze by pre-ordering your child's pretzel for the rest of the year. To pre-order:
Fill out the Pre Order Pretzel Form
Once we receive your request and payment, your child's name will be placed on the Presale Pretzel list. Your child will then receive their pretzel conveniently during their lunch period – no more scrambling for dollar bills the morning of Pretzel Day.
If you have any questions email Karen Scafiro at karen.scafiro@gmail.com
Payment for the dance can be made via Cash/ Check-Payable to SHS PTA or Credit Card
The link for Credit Card Payment is:
https://link.clover.com/urlshortener/k4w5xK
or Send completed slip and payment to: Karen Scafiro c/o Hannah Scafiro 2nd Grade
8TH GRADE CLASS FUNDRAISERS
Gertrude Hawk 8th Grade Fundraiser
The 8th Grade Class invites you to be a part of a delicious fundraiser. Please click the link below to shop our Gertrude Hawk Chocolates Fundraising online store and our Graduating class of 2025 will get credit for your purchases!
Fundraiser Start Date: Feb. 03 2025
Fundraiser End Date: Feb. 24 2025
Online orders for shipment to SHS can be placed until March 1st. Delivery for orders to the school will be the week of March 24th
SHS families, Parish members and SHS faculty can either order directly with any 8th grade student or use the link below for orders.
All profit will be used to assist with graduation and class trip expenses.
Chick -fil-A Is Back!!!
Back by popular demand - Chick-fil-A Day at Sacred Heart School. The 8th grade class is reintroducing Chick-fil-A lunches on select half days see below:
January 31 order due by January 27
April 17 order due by April 11
Chick-fil-A will be delivered to students prior to dismissal to eat on the way or at home as no lunch is served on half days. Order soon and thank you for supporting the 8th Grade Class!
ALISON COLONNA SCHOLARSHIP 2025/2026
The Alison Colonna Memorial Scholarship application is now open for the 2025-2026 school year. Jeff Colonna, Sacred Heart School class of 1980, has established a memorial scholarship in memory of his mother Alison Colonna. Click here for the scholarship criteria and application. Deadline to apply is Friday, April 11, 2025. Completed applications can be delivered in person or emailed to schooloffice@sacred-heart-school.org
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!
FRIENDS OF SACRED HEART SCHOOL EVENTS & FUNDRAISERS
FOSHS 70’s DANCE PARTY
Come join us for our first ever 70’s Dance Party brought to you by “The Friends of Sacred Heart School” on Saturday, February 15th 7pm -10 pm. The evening will be full of great music, dancing and lots of excitement. Light fare and libations will be available for purchase. Music will be provided by Champion Sound Productions. Tickets are $20.00 per person. Flyers and order form is available below and in the back of the church.
FOSHS BLUE & GOLD GALA
Click on the link below to purchase you tickets.
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.
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN GIFTS FROM THE HEART
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.
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)
COMMUNITY PARTNERS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
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.
GENERAL INFORMATION
SHS SPIRIT WEAR
To Purchase your SHS Spirit Wear...Visit the SHS store today! Sacred Heart School
MySchoolBucks
MySchoolBucks is a convenient online service that allows you to securely pay for your student’s meals online using your credit/debit card or electronic check.
- Set Up Automatic Recurring Payments
- Track & Review Meal History
- Create Low Balance Alerts
- Make Payments with the Mobile App
- And More…
Sign up now! Registering for your FREE account is easy, go to https://www.MySchoolBucks.com. Create a secure account and never worry again about sending cash or checks with your student(s) to school again!
https://www.MySchoolBucks.com | (855) 832-5226
Have a smartphone? Get the MySchoolBucks Mobile App:
iOS (iPhone) - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/myschoolbucks/id661878685?mt=8
Android -
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hss.msb&feature=search_result
TIME TALENT TREASURE
Thank you to all the families who have already fulfilled their Time/Talent/Treasure requirement. Your support is invaluable to our school community.
If you still need to complete your six hours of service, there are several opportunities available:
January: Man the SHS Information Table at the Fire & Ice Festival, January 25
PTA Pasta Party, January 31
February: PTA Sweetheart Dance, February 8
March: PTA Beef and Beer, March 15
May: PTA Handbag Bingo, May 17
Field Days: May 20 & 22
June: PTA Donuts with Grown-ups, June 7
Volunteering is a great way to contribute to a fun event and work towards your 6-hour service requirement. See the volunteer opportunities below. Questions regarding volunteer opportunities can be emailed to schooloffice@sacred-heart-school.org.
DIOCESAN TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR
Applications submitted by March 1, 2025, will be reviewed in Round 1.
***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.
GENESIS PARENT ACCESS
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.
CAR LINE INFORMATION
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.
GOOGLE AND YELP REVIEWS
If you are happy with our school, please consider giving us a 5 star review on google and yelp. If you are not happy, please let us know at schooloffice@sacred-heart-school.org
FOLLOW US
Make sure to follow us and like all the great things happening at Sacred Heart School!
Instagram: sacredheartschool_mtholly
Facebook: sacredheartschoolmt.holly
AM Care and EDP
Morning Care (6:30am-7:30am) and Extended Day Program (EDP) is available. If you are interested in either of these programs, please be sure to visit the website to get all the information you need. This is also where you can register your child for the programs.