For the Terminally ill

We pray that those with a terminal illness, and their families, receive the necessary physical and spiritual care and accompaniment.

This year, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14th, and runs until March 28, the day before Good Friday and three days before Easter. Please join us in prayer as we approach the start of the Lenten season.

Invite Us Deeper

Loving God, as we celebrate Black History Month, help us embrace the beauty of diversity and promote unity among all races. Grant us the wisdom to respect and appreciate the differences that make us unique, strengthening the fabric of our society.

Friendship is a special relationship between two or more people.

St. Elizabeth will continue to promote, preach and model that friends show each other love, respect, kindness, and consideration.

Scripture:: “...I have called you friends,

because I have told you every-

thing I have from my Father.”

(John 15:15)

It's hard to believe that half of the school year is already over as we rapidly approach Day 100. Be sure to read through the newsletter carefully as February, which is the shortest month in the year, will certainly continue to fly by.

Some important notes for the next few weeks:

1) It is imperative that all children arrive on time to school daily. Parents and/or students will need to sign the late arrival book and be escorted up to the classrooms by a staff member after 8:10am. Please be mindful that if you need to pick up your child early, you must do so by 2:15PM with advance notice to the office. Early pick-up after 2:15PM is highly un-encouraged, unless it is an emergency, due to the proximity in time to dismissal. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

2) Re-enrollment/Re-registration began on January 30th. If you need assistance with the enrollment process, please do not hesitate to contact the Main Office at the school.

3) Tuesday, February 13th will be the day for our Valentine's Day celebrations and FREE Dress Down in Valentine Colors

4) Wednesday, February 14th is Ash Wednesday. Celebrate with us and receive ashes at our 9am mass.

4) Thursday, February 15th is a $2.00 dress OLD down day for our 100th day of school celebration!

5) Coding registration has been extended! 5 students are needed for the program to take place. New start date is Feb. 15th!

6) Soccer Stars is underway and there are still spots available for all grades!

7) Winter Recess begins on Friday, February 16th until Feb. 20th. School resumes on Feb. 21st.

Please scroll through this newsletter to find the following information:

• Arrival/Dismissal reminders
• Tuition reminders - Please note that in order to receive access to receive the 2nd quarter progress report, tuition accounts must be made current. Progress reports or records will not be released to parents who have outstanding fees on their account. Thank you!
• UPK Program weekly update
• Physical and Immunization Requirements
• Parent Volunteer information
• Social Media info
• and MORE!

You will also find that the 2023 - 2024 Parent - Student Handbook, acknowledgment, and other forms have been linked here.

You will also find an EDUCATE parent guide attached below to help you navigate the portal system to access your child's grades and other important information.

Thank you for your continued support of Saint Elizabeth School and your partnership in Catholic Education.

Best regards,

Mr. Stark

Principal

CYO held their annual 8th grade BasketBall night! Thanks to the coaches and parents for highlighting and supporting all the hard work of teamwork and sportsmanship of our graduating 8th grade athletes!

Early Drop off is at 7am for those K-8 students signed up for the service. Please contact the main office for sign-up and fee information.

School doors open at 7:45am for general admission.

No outside food or drink is allowed for students upon arrival.

All students dismiss from the front entrance.

We are pleased to offer the following clubs for the Spring session!:

Soccer

Coding

Cooking

Drama

Super Soccer Stars, one of NYC's longest-running soccer programs, is thrilled to invite students in Kindergarten to 8th grade to a free trial day on Thursday, February 8th. This trial will provide a glimpse of their outstanding coaches and curriculum before the launch of their new afterschool program. Here are the details for the free classes:

Location: School Gym

Day & Time: Thursday, February 8th

3 pm - 4 pm (K - 2nd grade)

4 pm - 5 pm (3rd - 5th grade)

5 pm - 6 pm (6th - 8th grade)

How to Register:

Link to Register\

Username: SEZ

Password: schoolsoccer

Select "Winter Season"

Choose "View Details" to register for the appropriate class based on your child's grade

After the free trial, Super Soccer Stars will conduct a 7-week season from February 15th to March 28th.

Secure your spot for the free trial and season by registering. Please note that registration is required and spots are limited.

Please see the attached tentative year at a glance for the 2023 - 2024 school year along with the February calendar of events. Monthly Calendars are sent home throughout the school year and posted to our newsletter.

February

13th - Valentine's Day celebrations - Free Dress down in Valentine colors

14th - Ash Wednesday - Mass @9am

15th - 100 day of school celebration - $2 dress down old!

16th - Winter Recess begins

16th-20th - Mid-Winter Recess

21st - School Resumes

As a reminder, every student must have an updated physical on file each school year. ALL students must have up-to-date immunization records and a physical exam form completed each school year. For convenience, all forms are linked below.

Please note that all NYC Pre-K students, under the age of 5 by December 31, 2023, will need to have a current flu vaccine on file. Students will not be able to return if not vaccinated.

For those students that require an inhaler, or other medications such as an epipen, to be administered in school, I have linked the medical administration forms as well.

As we approach the colder months and head into cold/flu season, please be mindful of our student absence policy. Students should not return to school until they are 24-hours symptom free and are without fever reducing medication. Thank you for helping to help our school community healthy and safe!

As a reminder, it is the school’s expectation that all tuition and fees be paid on time. Failure to do so creates a tear in the partnership we have with parents. At the same time, we recognize that a family can experience temporary financial difficulty due to the loss of employment, illness, or other factors beyond the family's control. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the family to contact us to work out arrangements.

Delinquencies

If tuition and fees cannot be paid on time, families must communicate with school administration in writing to prevent enforcement of delinquent tuition procedures.

• Families who are delinquent will receive communication from the main office.

• Families whose tuition payment is delinquent 60 days will receive a second communication; this will come from the administration. If a parent/guardian does not contact the admin within two weeks of receiving the email/phone call, etc., the child/children may not be permitted to attend classes.

• Records and report cards will not be sent at this time and financial aid/scholarships provided will be at risk and may be rescinded.

• Students with delinquent tuition payments may not participate in school activities and graduation ceremonies.

• Access to Educate and 2nd quarter progress reports are dependent on tuition and fees being up to date!

Our winter uniform will officially be in effect on Wednesday, November 1st for all Kindergarten to Grade 8 students. As a reminder, summer uniform pieces such as polos and shorts are only allowed to be be worn from September 1st through October 31st. For more information on our uniform and requirements, please visit the uniform section of this newsletter.

Please note, that we expect all students to strictly adhere to uniform requirements at St. Elizabeth.

Please reach out to Ms. Mota in the main office if you would like to purchase items from our Gently Used Uniform Sale. The office is open from Monday through Friday from 8AM to 3PM.

Please find below the Department of Education free meal program menus below. We are happy to announce we are a participant for the pilot Fresh Fruit Program as well!

PLEASE, NO JUNK FOOD!

Breakfast/Lunch Menu

As a reminder, all students enrolled in our school receive free breakfast and lunch daily. Please see below for the February breakfast and lunch menu. A hard copy has been distributed as well.

We strive to mold our students into whole persons in whom attitudes, habits, knowledge, and values are developed in tandem with academic achievement. School programs are continually evolving and specifically targeted to meet the needs of a diverse and changing Washington Heights.

St. Elizabeth’s School promotes a family-like environment where all members of the school community – parents, teachers, administration, and staff – participate in the development of the children.