The Messenger

St. Peter School News

January 2025

St. Peter School exists to provide a nurturing environment where students become Disciples of Jesus Christ, embrace the love of lifelong learning, and believe in the dignity of all people.

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year to all of you! I hope your year is beginning with hope and peace. Catholic Schools Week is upon us and we are happy to celebrate with our students. You will find the information pertaining to CSW in the attachments noted below.

With Catholic Schools Week comes registration for the 2025-2026 school year. We will be sending out information about this shortly. As we have done in the past, if you choose to register your child at St. Peter School and sign up before February 7th, the $150 registration fee will be waived.

I know that folks are wondering about First Holy Communion. Watch for updates which are coming soon.

Blessings,

Mary Lou Torre, Principal

Health Information

Students must stay home if they are feeling sick, have a temperature of 100.0 degrees or above, have any symptoms consistent with COVID 19 or influenza. We ask that parents refrain from administering any fever-reducing medications prior to sending children to school to avoid risk of transmitting any infection to another person. If a child becomes ill and must go home, arrangements for pick-up must be done within the half hour.

Please be sure all health forms have been turned in to the nurse.

Parking

Parents have been reminded many, many times that there is no parking in the CIFC lot or in the spots near the Augustana Home, even for a brief moment. We do not own either property, and the landlords of both properties have registered complaints that St. Peter School families are parking in their spots. Please be respectful of the properties near St. Peter School and know that the landlords have the right to tow vehicles illegally parked on their property.

While I understand that the car line can be long, if you have driven to the school to drop off or pick up your child, you MUST get into the car line. That automatically alleviates the need to park in any undesignated parking area. If you have PK children, you can park in the reserved spaces on the playground to bring your child into the school or pick your child up from school.

When you arrive after the doors are closed you may park on the playground and come to the front door to pick up or drop off your child. If you must park your vehicle, you can also use the church parking lot and walk across the street. This is the protocol which has been established and which MUST be followed. Thank you for your cooperation and for taking this matter seriously.

PK - 8 STAFF

K-8 Staff:

K - Mrs. Boyle/Mrs. McCabe

1 - Mrs. Smith/Mrs. Kolitsas

2 - A - Ms. Galli

2 - B - Ms. Worth

3 - Mrs. Escudero - Moody/Mr. Arcuri

4- Mrs. Driscoll/Mr. Arcuri

5 - Mrs. Galante

6 - Mrs. Hanrahan (MS Math)/Ms. Bush

7 - Ms. Vivirito (MS English)

8 - Mrs. Puglisi (MS Science)

Social Studies - Middle School/Innovation/Technology - Ms. Vill

Specialists - Mr. Conyngham (PE and Innovation), Mr. Torre (Music), Mrs. Angeletti (Art), Ms. Morocho (Spanish Teacher), Mr. Romaine (Special Education)

Counselor - Mr. Bellucci

Nurse: Mrs. Johnson

Danbury Support Team - Mrs. Conron, Ms. Lombardi (Once a Title 1 Teacher has been hired, that information will be shared with you.)

Office Staff:

Ms. Martinez, Ms. Burnside, Mrs. Rodriguez

Preschool Staff:

Mrs. Redmond - PK 4

Mrs. Timana-Vill - PK 4 Assistant

Aftercare Staff:

Ms. Morocho

Mr. Arcuri

Principal:

Mrs. Mary Lou Torre

CATHOLIC IDENTITY

Theme and Gospel Values:

The theme for this year is “Go Light Our World.” Our theme this year is based on Matthew 5:14-16.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house.

Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

In this passage, Jesus speaks to his disciples, instructing them to let their light shine. This light does not begin with us, but from a fire that grows from God’s love and grace.

Each and every one of the St. Peter School saints is a light. Our goal and desire is for these lights to shine bright so as to bring glory to God and draw others near to Him. It’s all about Jesus!

So this year, let us all recognize the God-given light within us. Let us shine bright before others so that all can see God’s goodness. By allowing Christ's love into our hearts, we are called to share it with others through service, love, and compassion. Let us truly strive to be saints in this world.

The Gospel Value for the month of January is Self-Control and the Saint for this month is St. Therese of Lisieux. As we move into February, the Gospel Value is Respect and the Saint for the month is St. John Bosco.

Grade 8 Information

January 9, 2025

Dear Eighth Grade Parents/Guardians,

Happy New Year! We are entering into the last months of your 8th grade child’s time at St. Peter School. I am sure they are filled with excitement for the next chapter of their life - High School!

The purpose of this letter is to share important information with you regarding their remaining months at St. Peter School.

Confirmation:

This is a big step for our 8th graders who are eligible to be confirmed. If your child has received the required sacraments, he/she is eligible for Confirmation. Confirmation will be held on Saturday, June 7th at St.Peter Church at a time yet to be confirmed. You will receive another letter in a few weeks with information regarding registration forms/fees and sponsorship forms. Please contact me if you have any questions. If your child is missing any sacraments, yet you wish to have your child Confirmed, let me know. I will follow up with families as well. As I will need to order Confirmation gowns in early February, it is important that I know who is planning on being Confirmed very soon.

Stay tuned for more information about the Confirmation retreat. This is a mandatory event.

Graduation Fee:

The Graduation Fee is $200 and is due by April 30th. This fee covers the cost of diplomas, caps/gowns, and expenses associated with the end of year activities. Other fund raising efforts such as Dress Down Days, will be held at the school level to cover additional costs as necessary. The dates for the 8th grade dinner and graduation have not been finalized yet. Dates will be announced once they are finalized.

Capstone/Personalized Learning Project

Students have been introduced to this project and are in the midst of working on their projects. Please ask your child to tell you about this exciting 8th grade project!

The entire team of Middle School teachers and I look forward to the wonderful events that will take place within the coming months. I will share more specific Confirmation, Graduation and Eighth Grade Dinner information with all of you as the events draw closer. As always, thank you for your partnership! It takes all of us working together to provide the support students need as they begin the transition to high school.

In Christ,

Mary Lou Torre, Principal