WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

• APRIL 23 - MAY 10 - STAR ASSESSMENT WINDOW 3
• SATURDAY, MAY 4 - 1ST HOLY COMMUNION 12:30 PM
• FRIDAY, MAY 10 - MAY CROWNING - WEAR DRESS UNIFROM
• FRIDAY, MAY 10 - DRAMA PRODUCTION @ 7:00 PM
• SATURDAY, MAY 11 - DRAMA PRODUCTION @ 10:00 AM
• MONDAY, MAY 13 - DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE
• MONDAY, MAY 13 - SPRING BAND AND CHIOR CONCERT
• TUESDAY, MAY 14 - FIELD DAY GRADES PRE K - 4
• THURSDAY, MAY 16 - FIELD DAY GRADES 5-8
• SATURDAY, MAY 18 - MUFFINS WITH LOVED ONE
• THURSDAY, MAY 23 - SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL 6-8 PM
• FRIDAY, MAY 24 & MONDAY, MAY 27 - SCHOOL CLOSED - MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
• THURSDAY, MAY 30 - HERITAGE DAY
• FRIDAY, MAY 31 - FITNESS FRIDAY

Dear SHS Parents, Students, and Staff,

Good News: The Diocese has officially approved the Sacred Heart School 24/25 calendar. You can now find the detailed monthly schedule on our school website under "Parent Information" > "SHS Monthly Calendar." The first day for students will be a 12:15 dismissal on Tuesday, September 3rd. We will also be posting a "24/25 Calendar at a Glance" soon for an overview. Please note that some dates may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. To stay on top of important dates, we recommend checking the calendar monthly.

Celebrating Community: A big thank you to the PTA for hosting a successful Designer Bag Bingo this past weekend! The evening was filled with laughter, excitement, and a strong sense of community. Special thanks to our 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Karen McNamara, for calling the numbers.

A Time for Reflection: We offer our congratulations and prayers to six of our second-grade students who will be receiving their First Holy Communion this Saturday. As they prepare for this special moment, we kindly ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they receive the sacrament and deepen their connection with Christ.

Many Blessings,

Mrs. Joanna Barlow

Principal

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.

Congratulations to the following students for being an example of Obedience throughout the month of April: Andre Byrdsong, Megan Dugal, Vivien Boonsong, Melody Szidloski, Yaw Konadu, Molly Murray, Natalia Cruz, Aria Carrion, Giancarlo DiGiovanni, Folasade Bellinger, Caleb Pinto, Elise Dress, Benjamin Fertig, and Gia Pastore.

Congratulations to 6th grader Molly Cataline who won 3rd place in the Burlington County Soil Conservation District’s Annual Poster Contest. The theme for this year's contest was “May the Forest be With You Always.” Thank you, Molly, for bringing Honor Home to Sacred Heart School. We are so proud of you!

This past Wednesday, our 5th graders embarked on an exciting adventure – the first session of the Department of Defense STARBASE program! Over the next month, students will participate in five thrilling hands-on, minds-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) workshops. Their experience will include exploring Newton's Laws of Motion, fluid mechanics, building blocks of matter, and 3D computer-aided design. The program is designed to ignite a passion for STEM in our young learners. Click the link below to read what our 5th graders are saying about this special opportunity.

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/bordentown/sections/education/articles/joint-base-partnering-with-sacred-heart-school-for-hands-on-minds-on-starbase-program-2

Friday, May 10th we will hold our annual May Crowning at 10:00AM in the Church. All are welcome to attend. We would appreciate your help by sending some fresh flowers in with your child on Friday May 10 for the Blessed Mother. If you plan on attending, you might want to enter the parking lot from Clifton Street because the township is expecting increased traffic on High Street due to a funeral. Students should be dressed in their dress uniforms for the crowning.

Join us for a vibrant celebration of the arts at the 1st Annual Sacred Heart School Spring Arts Festival on Thursday, May 23rd, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the SHS Auditorium.

This exciting evening will showcase both visual and performing arts:

• Art Gallery: Be captivated by student artwork on display throughout the auditorium. You'll have the opportunity to purchase a framed piece created by your child, making it a treasured keepsake.

• Student Innovation Showcase: Our middle schoolers will be presenting their student-driven proposals for fundraising, service projects, and marketing initiatives for the 24/25 school year. Be prepared to vote for the most compelling ideas.

• Class Performances: Be entertained by delightful performances from Pre-K through 4th graders. The evening will also feature individual and group acts by our 5th through 8th graders.

• Live Demonstrations: Local artisans will share their talents with live demonstrations, offering a glimpse into the creative process.

• Sweet Treats: Indulge in delicious treats from our visiting dessert food truck!

Mark your calendars for this evening of artistic expression, school spirit, and community connection. We can't wait to see you there!

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.

Sacred Heart School Summer Enrichment Camps

The Sacred Heart School Play Beauty and the Beast Bed & Breakfast will be held on May 10 @7:00PM and May 11 @10:00 am. Tickets are $5.00 per person and may be pre purchased using this form: Play Ticket Order Form. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Field day for grades Pre K- 4 will be held on Tuesday, May 14. Grades 5- 8 will be held on Thursday, May 16. On your child's Field Day, please have him/her wear gym shorts or warm up pants and a blue shirt for the blue team or yellow/gold shirt for the gold team. Your children will be told if they are the blue or gold team by their classroom/homeroom teacher. Parents, if you are interested in volunteering to help with an event, please sign up using the link(s) below. All are welcome to watch some or all of the field day events.

PreK - 4th grade Volunteer Link

5th - 8th grade Volunteer Link

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.

Sacred Heart School would like to thank all of those people who participated in our Giving Tuesday Campaign. Your contributions have played a pivotal role in enabling us to reach new heights in our mission to provide an exceptional education. Thanks to your contributions, we have expanded scholarship programs, granting deserving students access to education they might not otherwise have realized. Your generosity has also enhanced our technology resources, ensuring our students are equipped for success in today's world.

As we approach the end of the school year, we are over half way to achieving our goal of raising $10,000. If you missed out and would still like to participate in our giving campaign please click here or scan the QR code. Your contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference.

The end of the school year is upon us and so is the time to collect the school issued Chromebooks. We will be collecting the 8th grade Chromebooks on Tuesday, May 28. All other Chromebooks grades (Kindergarten - 7th grade) will be collected on Monday, June 10th and Tuesday, 11th. Students should bring their Chromebook and Charger to their classroom/homeroom teacher who will document its return. As a reminder, Chromebooks not turned in, will result in a $400 replacement fee.

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

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.

*****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 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.

You can:
- 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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.***

To view our great products click SHS SPIRIT WEAR to enter the website. Remember all your purchases support our school and show our Chargers Pride!

Let’s show everyone all the amazing things happening at Sacred Heart School! Have you taken some great pictures of events or activities at SHS? If so, share your photos with us. Your photo(s) could be used to promote our school via our website, newsletter and our social media accounts. We will also use the photos for our 23/24 school yearbook.

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

Make sure to follow us and like all the great things happening at Sacred Heart School!

Instagram: sacredheartschool_mtholly

Facebook: sacredheartschoolmt.holly

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