- SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 - CASH BINGO
- MONDAY, JANUARY 20 - MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY - SCHOOL CLOSED
- 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 - 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
Dear SHS Parents and Guardians,
This week SHS commemorated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a true embodiment of our virtue of the month, fortitude. Our elementary grades engaged in meaningful activities to honor Dr. King's dream. They listened to his autobiography and reflected on their own dreams for a kinder world, even writing a promise pledge to work towards peaceful resolutions at home and in school.
Our middle school students delved deeper into Dr. King's message, analyzing his powerful "I Have a Dream" speech, particularly the four Bible verses that underpinned his message of peace and nonviolent social change. They also explored Dr. King's commitment to environmental justice, recognizing his advocacy for equitable access to clean air and water for all.
We believe these activities have helped our students understand the importance of Dr. King's message and inspired them to be agents of positive change in their own lives and communities.
We encourage you to continue these conversations at home. Perhaps you can discuss with your children how they can make a positive impact in their own lives and communities, just as Dr. King did.
Many Blessings,
Mrs. Joanna Barlow
Principal
In an effort to make our Open House reception warm and inviting, we are offering prospective families a continental breakfast. We kindly request your assistance in providing a small breakfast item for our guests. Items can be dropped off Friday morning (1/24) at the morning drop off carline.
Please click on the link below to review available slots and sign up to contribute. Every contribution is greatly appreciated!
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.
Please read this important letter from Mrs. Barlow regarding our Family Life series.
See below for important dates for students in 8th grade preparing for Confirmation.
Confirmation Reconciliation Service - Monday, January 13 @6:30 pm
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 @ 9 am
1st Reconciliation Services - Saturday, February 22 @10 am
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.
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!
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.
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 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)
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.
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.
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.
