Dear SHS Parents and Guardians,
Our first few days of school have been a resounding success! Our students were thrilled to meet their teachers, reconnect with classmates, make new friends, and explore all the exciting improvements we've made to our school building.
Today, I would like to officially welcome four new staff members to Sacred Heart School. Please join me in welcoming our new Maintenance/Security Person, Omar Gordon. Omar has 10+ years of experience as a maintenance technician, custodian and maintenance supervisor in a school setting in New York City. Omar has been with us since the beginning of the summer and is quickly getting to know every nook and cranny of Sacred Heart School.
Nicholas Davis is our new Middle School Integrated Language Arts Teacher. Mr. Davis has a Bachelor's Degree from Rowan University and most recently taught in the Northern Burlington Regional School District. He is looking forward to teaching our 6th, 7th and 8th grade and is overjoyed to be part of the Sacred Heart School Family.
SHS parent, Kathy Demarest, has accepted the position of Preschool Aide. Mrs. Demarest has spent the past school year volunteering her time in our cafeteria during student lunches, assisting Mrs. Fortin with the track team, serving as a room parent, and assisting the PTA with many of their events. She also finds time to help with many other charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Boys and Girls Club. Mrs. Demarest is excited to start her new role at Sacred Heart.
Verggi Viacava - Henderson has accepted the Spanish teaching position. Ms. Viacava- Henderson holds a Juris Doctorate from the Ave Maria School of Law and a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Charleston. Most recently, Mrs. V, as the students call her, taught middle school Spanish at St. Mary of the Lakes School and will now be teaching Pre-K - 8th grade Spanish here at Sacred Heart. Mrs. V has been busy setting up the new Spanish Room located downstairs across from the music room.
Speaking of music, we're excited to announce that we're in the process of hiring a new music teacher. Once all the paperwork is finalized, I'll be sure to introduce our newest faculty member.
There's nothing quite like the infectious energy that our students bring to Sacred Heart School. Hearing their laughter and excitement fill our classrooms, hallways, and playground is a true joy. While I cherish the summer months, the best part of the year is undoubtedly having our vibrant community back together again!
Many Blessings,
Mrs. Joanna Barlow
Principal
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 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.
Thank you for your patience as we get Genesis, our student information management system, up and running for the 2024/2025 school year.
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.
Friday, September 20 is our first monthly school mass. Most of our masses will be held on the first Friday of the month. Students should wear their "dress" uniform to all school masses. Each month a different class will help with the mass. This month our school choir will sing and some of our middle school will help bring up the gifts and say the intercessory prayers. Next month 8th grade will be in charge of the mass. All parents/guardians, friends and relatives are invited to attend.
This school year is the year of CHARITY: Loving God with all your heart, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself. Charity is another word for love.
Our students are already demonstrating their Charitable nature! This summer, Luigia Grandone, Carlee and Aubree Well, and their families organized a successful lemonade stand. They generously donated approximately $250 of their hard-earned money to Sacred Heart School. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Luigia, Carlee, Aubree, and their families for their kindness and generosity.
Drama Club: Auditions are next week!
An elementary school theatre club is a fantastic extracurricular activity that engages young students in the performing arts. Drama club auditions are Monday, September 9th (Grades 6-8) and Tuesday, September 10th (Grades 4&5). Call backs on Wednesday, September 11th
Drama Club - Sacred Heart School - Mount Holly, NJ (sacred-heart-school.org)
Tech Crew
Interested in working behind the scenes? Check out our NEW SHS Tech crew club here:
Tech Crew - Sacred Heart School - Mount Holly, NJ (sacred-heart-school.org)
SHS Middle School Debate Team:
Debate Club is a fun way for students to hone critical thinking and public speaking skills during the school year. Students are placed in labs with other debaters of their same age and experience level where they practice debate skills and prep cases on current relevant topics.
Students will participate in virtual competitions and (1-2) in-person competitions. Please note competitions will vary based on locations of other schools. We will try to keep locations within an hour driving distance. Visit the website to sign up:
Debate Club - Sacred Heart School - Mount Holly, NJ (sacred-heart-school.org)
Our band/string program is run through Northeastern Music Programs, students in grades 3-8 will attend an informational demonstration of various musical instruments on Friday, September 6. If you would like your child to participate in our instrumental program please attend the virtual meeting regarding Band and Orchestral Instruments on Tuesday, September 10th, 6:30 PM.
For more information information and to access link for the upcoming Band/String Instrument Parent Meeting, which will be held virtually via Zoom please check out the following links.
Soccer Shots is a high-energy program introducing children to fundamental soccer principles. The program is for students in PreK - grade 2. Information regarding the after-school Free Fun Day (Demo class) on September 10, and the after-school Soccer Shots program have been given to students in grades PreK - 2nd grade. If your child is attending the Free Fun Day a parent must be present unless the child is signed up to attend the EDP program. Visit the school website for key details.
The Friends of Sacred Heart School is looking forward to another year of supporting our wonderful School! See below their upcoming initiatives for the 2024/2025 school year:
Country Line Dancing - This popular event returns on Saturday, October 19th from 7 pm - 10 pm in the Sacred Heart Auditorium. No experience and no partners needed! Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased at this link (other purchase options coming soon). *No one under 21 permitted.*
Memorial Brick Fundraiser - Opportunities to purchase memorial bricks in memory of loved ones will be offered again this fall. Details and our order form will soon be available.
Save the Date! The FOSHS spring Gala returns on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Deerwood Country Club - info to come!
Thank you for so generously supporting Sacred Heart School!
