
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
April 19, 2024
IMPORTANT DATES
- SATURDAY, APRIL 20 - FOSHS BLUE AND GOLD GALA
- APRIL 23 - MAY 10 - STAR ASSESSMENT WINDOW 3
- THURSDAY, APRIL 25 - SCIENCE FAIR - 6 PM
- FRIDAY, APRIL 26 - $1 DRESS DOWN DAY
- FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1/2 DAY AND FITNESS FRIDAY
- SATURDAY, APRIL 27 - PTA DESIGNER BINGO
- APRIL 29 - MAY 3 SPRING BOOK FAIR
- MAY 3 - FIRST FRIDAY MASS, WEAR DRESS UNIFORMS
- MAY 3 - LAST DAY TO APPLY FOR THE COLONNA SCHOLARSHIP
- SATURDAY, MAY 4 - 1ST HOLY COMMUNIUON 12:30 PM
- MONDAY, MAY 13 - DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear SHS Parents, Students, and Staff,
Mark your calendars! This week's letter highlights key upcoming deadlines and dates.
Re-Registration for Next Year:
Don't forget to re-register your child for the24/25 school year. We encourage you to re-register early to secure your child's spot. Re-registration forms are available online at https://www.sacred-heart-school.org/registration-forms.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Deadlines Approaching:
Approaching Deadlines: The deadline to apply for the 2nd and final round of Diocesan
Tuition Assistance is fast approaching. You must apply by May 13, 2024. To learn how to apply click here.
Several scholarship deadlines are approaching soon. Please review the scholarship opportunities and application materials available in this newsletter and on our website. Don't miss out on valuable financial aid! https://www.sacred-heart-school.org/scholarships
Summer Camp Registration is Open:
Exciting news, registration is now open for our enriching summer camps. Keep your child engaged and having fun all summer long with a variety of affordable programs. Learn more and register using this link: https://www.sacred-heart-school.org/summer-enrichment-camp
Thank you for your attention to these important dates and have a fantastic weekend!
Many Blessings,
Mrs. Joanna Barlow
Principal
RE-REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Act quickly classes are filling up! The 2024-2025 re-registration is now open. Click on the register now button on the SHS website for all of the forms and information to register your child for the 24/25 school year. To secure a spot in the classroom I highly recommend you re-register as soon as possible.
ALISON COLONNA SCHOLARSHIP 2024/2025
DEADLINE APPROACHING
The Alison Colonna Memorial Scholarship application is now open for the 2024-2025 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, May 3, 2024. Completed applications can be delivered in person or emailed to schooloffice@sacred-heart-school.org
8TH GRADE SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE APRIL 30TH
The Friends of Sacred Heart School is pleased to announce the FOSHS 8th Grade Student Scholarship. Eligible 8th grade Sacred Heart School students are encouraged to apply for this one-time award in the amount of $500. The recipient (student) must be continuing their education at a Catholic High School. Click the link below for scholarship criteria, application and deadline information.
SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMPS 2024
Sacred Heart School is excited to announce Summer Enrichment Camps 2024. There are camp offerings for all rising PreK - 8th grade students. We will be holding sessions during the weeks of July 8th and July 15th Monday through Friday from 9AM-12PM. Click on the Sacred Heart Summer Enrichment link below to learn more about our exciting summer offerings.
STAR ASSESSMENT WINDOW 3 APRIL 23 - MAY 10
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 3 is April 23, 2024 through May 10, 2024. Specific assessment dates will be communicated by the classroom teachers. Results are sent home to parents after each testing window.
APRIL - MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD
April is the Month of the Military Child. It recognizes the unique challenges faced by children who grow up in families whose parents serve in our nation’s armed forces. To honor our Sacred Heart School military children, we will be asking for student volunteers to recite the Pledge of Allegiance over the loudspeaker during morning announcements.
In order to identify our military children we ask parents to please fill out this brief form. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and of course, Thank you for your service!
SPRING BOOK FAIR
It's Book Fair time! Our sports-themed All Star Book Fair begins Monday, April 29th, and runs through Friday morning, May 3rd. Stop by during school hours or after school (Monday-Thursday) until 4:00pm to find a book and make Reading your favorite sport! Or join us for Family Night on Tuesday, April 30th, until 8:00pm, for some crafts, snacks, and fun! Want to shop early? Early Bird Shopping will be available the afternoon of the Science Fair (Thursday, April 25th) from 2:30pm until 6:00pm. Connect to our book fair using this QR code.
Can't make it in person? Our online shopping is available from April 24th through May 7th at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/sacredheartschool15 - all proceeds benefit our school and classroom libraries.
Want to help? Sign up using our Sign-up Genius form at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4BAEA92DABF85-49136119-allstar or contact Paula Asch at library@sacred-heart-school.org to volunteer.
Please read this letter for more information about our upcoming Book Fair.
FITNESS FRIDAY
Mark Your Calendar, our next Fitness Friday is April 26. Participating students should meet at 7:25 at the Fairgrounds Plaza in Mount Holly near the Santander Bank. We will begin our walk down High Street at 7:30. Parents are invited to join us. If your child should miss the start of our walk please do not drop your child off on High Street, instead bring them directly to school. The class with the highest participation will win the "Golden Sneaker Award".
SACRAMENT PREPARATION DATES
See below for important dates for students in 2nd grade preparing for Communion.
- 1st Communion Retreat - Saturday, April 20
- 1st Communion Practice - Monday, April 29 @ 6:30 p.m.
- 1st Communion - Saturday, May 4 @ 12:30 p.m.
8TH GRADE CLASS UPCOMING EVENTS
Class Trip - Hershey Park, May 29
8th Grade Dinner Dance - Friday, May 31 @ 7p.m.
8th Grade Awards Night and Pinning - 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 5
8th Grade Graduation - 4 p.m. Friday, June 7
GRADUATION PICTURES - ORDERING INFORMATION
SHS SCIENCE FAIR
PTA EVENTS AND INFORMATION
Handbag Bingo - Saturday, April 27 Preview@ 6pm - Bingo begins @ 7pm
ORDER YEARBOOKS BY APRIL 28!
It is time to order yearbooks. New this year, Booster Messages. All parents and families are invited to send a message of love and congratulations to their Sacred Heart Student to be included in the Yearbook Booster page. Ordering information is below.
KNIGHTS OF COLOMBUS PARISH PICNIC
The Knights of Columbus are proud to host a Parish Picnic on Sunday, June 9th. (2PM-7PM) on the Parish grounds. Adults and Children of all ages are welcomed.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT
Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity, when people make donations to all kinds of organizations. Tuesday, November 28 marked the 5th year SHS participated in this global day of giving. Giving Tuesday is not just about money, people can donate time, food and even parts of themselves. With this in mind, we saw Giving Tuesday as a teachable moment for our students. On Giving Tuesday our students pledged to give back by doing something good for others. We reinforced the idea that giving and kindness isn't about a day, it is a way to live our lives.
Sacred Heart School would like to thank all of those people who participated in our Giving Tuesday Campaign. If you missed out and would still like to participate in Giving Tuesday please click here or scan the QR code. Our Campaign runs throughout the school year. Your contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. Your financial gift will directly contribute to offering the students of Sacred Heart School a dynamic, faith-filled, values centered curriculum that fosters creative thinkers and problem solvers. Thank you for being a part of the Giving Tuesday movement with us!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Diocesan Tuition Assistance Program 2024-2025 School Year
*****The deadline for Round 2 is May 13, 2024.*****
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 deadline for Round 2 is May 13, 2024.*****
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
CAR LINE SAFETY INFORMATION
Over the past few weeks, we have seen some reckless driving during drop off and pick up. In an effort to keep everyone safe, please read below and refresh yourselves with our drop off and pick up procedures.
CAR LINE TIPS ON ARRIVAL
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.
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.
SACRED HEART ON THE ROAD
The Sacred Heart School Marketing Department is looking for volunteers to help us take Sacred Heart on the Road. Interested parents and their children are asked to help us spread the word about our awesome school.
Who: SHS Parents and Students
What: Be a presence at local events to showcase and spread the word about our school.
When: Tentative Events
March 24 - SHS will be a stop on the Next Generation Ministries Egg-Streme Egg Hunt
July 2024 Burlington County Farm Fair
If you are interested in being part of the SHS Show on the Road Committee please email schooloffice @sacred-heart-school.org. 7th & 8th grade students who participate with their parents can earn service hours.
Additionally, parents, if you have some time on your hands and would like to volunteer one day a week to assist with lunch or recess duty, please email schooloffice@sacred-heart-school.org. Please be advised that all volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and fingerprinted. If you need to start the process to be fingerprinted and/or VIRTUS trained please email ptaevents@sacred-heart-school.org. Any day you could offer assistance is welcomed.
SHS VIRTUAL ART GALLERY
Mrs. Fortin, our Art teacher, is excited to introduce the SHS Virtual Art Gallery. This year we will be showcasing the student's artwork through a new online website called Artsonia. We recently began uploading student art to their portfolio. We will be adding to each student's portfolio throughout the school year. If you do not see any artwork for your little Picasso do not worry, we are just finishing up additional projects in each class.
Please take a moment to scan the code on the flyer to access your child's artwork. If you love your little Rembrandt's piece; this site allows you to purchase it as keepsake. Full giftshop options including ornaments, shirts, mugs etc. Twenty percent (20%) of all proceeds will be donated back to Sacred Heart School!
GENESIS PARENT ACCESS
Genesis credentials were sent to new users. These credentials come from Genesis SIS – not Sacred Heart School. Existing users should use the credentials they already have. If you have forgotten your credentials, click on the Forgot Password link. If you attempt to access an account 5 times using incorrect credentials, NO PASSWORD, even one sent from the Forgot Password link, will work until the account is re-enabled. Accounts are re-enabled Tuesday – Friday, sometime between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. If your parent account is disabled please:
· Wait until midnight
· Go to https://parents.dioceseoftrenton.org
· Click on forgot password link
· Wait for a new password to be sent
· To avoid errors, copy and paste the new password
If you do not think you received credentials, please check your SPAM before posting a parent access support request.
*** If you did not complete and sign off on the start of school forms:
- Sacred Heart School 2023-24 Photo Release Form
- Sacred Heart School 2023-24 Student/Parent Handbook & Acceptable Use Policy
Your Parent Access Account has been deleted. You can no longer access your child(ren)’s assignments, grades, or report cards. Your Parent Access Account will not be restored until you provide physical copies of the forms.***
SHS SPIRIT WEAR STORE
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS
To share, email photos@sacred-heart-school.org and use the following guidelines:
● Try to include more than one SHS student in the photo
● Email photos with name of event or activity in the subject heading
● Include names of students and grades
FOLLOW US!
Make sure to follow us and like all the great things happening at Sacred Heart School!
Instagram: sacredheartschool_mtholly
Facebook: sacredheartschoolmt.holly
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