From the Principal's Desk
I pray this Newsletter finds you healthy and enjoying time with your family and loved ones. As we prepare to ring in the New Year, many of us are likely thinking of potential "New Year's Resolutions." If you're anything like me, you're guilty of aiming a bit too high with your annual resolutions only to fall short before the end of January.
Alas, I am reminded of the words of St. Augustine. "You aspire to great things?" he asked, "then begin with the little things." Perhaps, then, our resolutions should be less focused on major goals and benchmarks and instead be focused on the "little" things - showing a little more patience, giving a little more generously, acting with a little more kindness. If we could all commit - and stick! - to these little things how much better our school, our community, and our own lives would be.
While the school building has, of course, been closed throughout this week, there are nonetheless some exciting things happening at the school. We're in the process of completing some additional security upgrades (more details coming soon!), we've added an additional extracurricular opportunity for students in grades PK-1 and 2-4 (see below for sign ups!), and there has been extensive cleaning and maintenance work taking place to ensure we're ready for the return of students this upcoming Tuesday!
Here is a quick overview of the items which you can find more detailed information about further below:
- Dates have been confirmed for Art Club for Grades PK-1 and 2-4 with Ms. Anya Randall beginning in January! See below for details.
- Help us continue to shape the future of Father Doyle and complete our Annual Fall/Winter Parent Survey
- Help is put the "I" in KIND! Join us in creating a chain-reaction of kindness at Doyle!
- Congratulations to our 1st Trimester Middle School Honor Roll recipients
- Join us in asking for the intercession of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Patron Saint of Catholic Schools by praying this special Novena
Keep reading below for important information on all of these items and more!
Coming Soon! Art Club - Grades PK-4, Two Sessions
Ms. Anya Randall, who has provided various art camps previously at Father Doyle, is looking forward to beginning another two sessions in January - one for students in grades PK-1 meeting on Tuesdays after school, and one for students in grades 2-4 meeting on Wednesdays.
Please see the full schedules below, with some weeks adjusted due to early dismissal days:
PK-1 Art Club: January 16, 23, 30, and February 6, 13 - REGISTER HERE PK-1
2-4 Art Club: January 17, 24, 31, and February 6, 28 - REGISTER HERE 2-4
Art Club is open to students of all abilities, and students will be creating various mixed media art projects and learning a range of techniques over the five week session. The cost to participate is $65.00 which includes all supplies.
Annual FJVD Parent Survey
Each year, in November or December, Father Doyle School sends out a parent survey. As noted in our Student Handbook, enrollment in Father Doyle School implies a partnership between the school and families. The strengthening of this partnership requires, among other facets, frequent, open communication and commitment to a common goal - mainly, the growth and flourishing of the whole child. To that end, this annual survey provides families the opportunity to share feedback with the school as we continue to seek ways to improve upon the way we serve our mission of providing a solid, well-rounded Catholic education for each and every student.
You can complete the Winter 2023 Parent Survey by clicking here.
Please know that every survey submitted is carefully reviewed, and past surveys have yielded concrete action including, but not limited to, the creation of the middle school news & media club, implementation of a wide range of new extracurricular activities, changes to our extended day programming, and more.
Please note, the survey can also be accessed from our FJVD App under the "Surveys" tab!
Help Us Start a Chain Reaction of Kindness!
The goal of Unit III of our Friendzy program is to help students "consider the needs of others before their onw." To help meet this goal, we're kicking off a new initiative called the "Put the 'I' in KIND." In the coming weeks, our students and families are asked to write down an act of kindness shown to them or that they have shown to someone else on a paper chain link. These will be collected and combined to make a chain of kindness. In previous years, we created a chain that stretched all the way from the school to the Church parking lot, and this year, we want to go even farther!
Starting December 11th, paper chain links available from Mrs. Marra or you can fill out the form here and our front office staff will fill out a chain link for you. Let’s start a chain reaction of kindness!
Middle School Honor Roll - 1st Trimester
Congratulations to our middle school students who have achieved Honor Roll status for the 1st Trimester! Achieving Honor Roll status is the result of months of hard work and diligence both in the classroom and at home. Job well done!
You can find the full list of Honors students attached here. In addition, students were presented with individual certificates during Middle School Activity Period this afternoon.
Pray the Novena to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Patron Saint of Catholic Schools
All members of our school community are invited to participate in the Novena to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Patron Saint of Catholic Schools for blessings on Father John V. Doyle School
Please pray Novena Prayer below each day, starting December 26 and ending January 3, the day before the feast day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (January 4).
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton,
you founded the first parochial school in our country,
and under your patronage,
the Catholic School System has flourished,
with over one million children
in over five thousand primary schools
across America today.
Bless the students, faculty, parents, and benefactors
of Father John V. Doyle School,
and bless our efforts to strengthen our school
and increase enrollment.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
Save the Date! Gentleman's Choice Event - February 16th
Join Father Doyle School at the Providence Bruins game on February 16th for our annual Gentleman's Choice event! For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.providencebruins.com/jvd or see the flyer at left.
We look forward to seeing you there!
About Us
The Mission of Father John V. Doyle School is to provide students with a solid, well-rounded education based on Roman Catholic Tradition.
We live the Word of God in a caring, safe, and nurturing environment.
Email: kevinpeloquin@fjvd.org
Website: fjvd.org
Location: 343 South Main Street, Coventry, RI, USA
Phone: 401-821-3756
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gofjvdsaints