Raven Rundown, 9/10/2021

September 10, 2021

SRLA's weekly newsletter, formerly the Green Envelope, is now The Raven Rundown—a name that captures our school spirit! It’s still the same great content, now featuring our beloved mascot. Special thanks to Mary Uzzolino and Marybeth Radics for their design talents, and Melanie Farmer for the inspiration!

Welcome Back, Ravens!

Dear SRLA Families,

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful summer! I also hope you are relaxed, recharged and ready as we start a new school year. I am delighted that you are part of our amazing school community. I welcome and value your positive energy and dedication to excellence in education, and I look forward to working with you and your children.

Summer Update!

Our skilled and devoted staff has worked tirelessly planning and preparing for another productive school year for your children. Danny and Derek have been busy registering new families, ordering needed books and materials, and updating student files. Mr. Miller has been hard at work transferring students within PowerSchool and creating student emails. Johnny, our incredibly hard-working custodian, has been busy all summer long thoroughly cleaning the facility and painting, refinishing, and cleaning our school. Pella installed new windows and screens throughout the gym!!!

And, our much-appreciated HSA is gearing up to welcome everyone. Please look out for their notes providing everyone volunteer opportunities, and offering exciting events and programs throughout the school year.

New Staff

Each year brings positive change, and this includes a few additions to our staff. We are delighted to welcome Christina Doyle to first grade, Sarah Speckhart to third grade, Lisa Vicari to fourth grade, and Dawn Fowler to Art.

I know we will make this school year one of growth and achievement for each and every one of our students. Look for information about our first Full-School Service Project below for the National Day of Remembrance for September 11th, spearheaded by our own Sr. Sandy DeMasi.

Thank you to all who are helping to prepare for the 2021-2022 school year. Your commitment to ensuring that SRLA remains a celebrated and successful school is awe-inspiring. It remains an honor and privilege to serve as your principal. Please feel free to say hello and share with me whatever may be on your mind.

Warmest regards,

Tina Underwood

Principal

Mrs. Underwood and Mrs. Machen welcoming students on Day 1!

Some of Mrs. Carangelo's 2nd Graders, ready to go on Day 2!

Volunteer with the HSA

On behalf of the St. Rose of Lima Academy Home School Association (H.S.A), welcome to our wonderful community! SRLA is a very special place and we are thrilled to see everyone back in the Academy for the new school year!

We look forward to a wonderful year filled with fun events, cultural enrichment programs and a collaborative effort towards meeting our fundraising goals.

A fantastic way to make this the best year for your family and our kids is to volunteer! There is no better way to become a part of this special community!

Some Back-to-School Business

Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures

Parents, please pay special attention to SRLA's walk-in and car line diagrams to ensure smooth arrivals and dismissals and to keep our students safe!

School Eatery's Hot Lunch Program

Our hot lunch program begins on Monday, September 13! Orders are placed online and delivery will be contactless. Register and order at School Eatery's ordering platform and find more details on SRLA's website.

"Shop" the SRLA Uniform Closet

Need some last-minute additions to the school uniform? Parents are welcome to visit the school's uniform closet to pick up gently-worn items for free! The closet is located in the front room of the Teachers' Lounge across from the Library. Drop-offs are also appreciated!

Protecting God's Children Training Sessions

Creating a safe environment for all of our children and vulnerable adults is an important value for the entire SRLA community. The Archdiocese of Newark has created Safe Environment policies that include the Protecting God's Children training program.

Certification through Protecting God’s Children is mandatory for any parent who volunteers at school or with school sports teams. Look out for more details soon about a training session to be held at SRLA in October.

National Day of Remembrance

Service Project

In honor of the National Day of Remembrance of September 11th, SRLA will send home family bags that we ask that you fill with whatever your family can contribute to our collection for Catholic Charities.

The bags will be distributed to those in dire need of our assistance and generosity. Suggested items include:

Kindergarten – 8th Grade

Deodorant
Foot powder/Band-Aids
Hand lotion
Q-Tips
Razors (disposable)
Shampoo/conditioner
Tylenol (individual packets)
Sanitary products
Baby wipes
Body wash
Toothbrushes/toothpaste

Pre-School Students

Coloring books/crayons/colored pencils
Markers
Small tubs of playdough
Small toys
Children’s activity books

Please return filled bags by Friday, September 17. A bin will be placed outside of the main office for collection.

Thank you so much!

Sr. Sandy DeMasi

Tina Underwood

Raven Nation Cross Country

Welcome back Raven Nation, and a special WELCOME to our new families. We love our sports at SRLA, and it’s Cross Country season!

The XC season runs from September until early November. The workouts consist of stretching, strength exercises, wind sprints, and kids running their meet distance twice to build stamina.

XC is open to grades K through 8. Practices will begin Thursday, September 16, 2021.

Find out more, and look out for an email early next week with all the details and a link to register!

Save the Date!

Ravens Going Bald for a Cause

SRLA 8th Graders Conor and Patrick Naughton, along with their father, Denis, have teamed up to raise money for childhood cancer research.

St. Baldrick's is a national charity that raises money for pediatric cancer research by enlisting volunteers to shave their heads. As the name suggests, the charity started at a Saint Patrick's Day event in New York over 20 years ago to help increase survival rates for children suffering from cancer. Volunteer "shavees" request donations from their family and community to sponsor them.

At a local level, each September a family fun day is held in the Shillelagh Club in West Orange, where the volunteers have their hair cut and supporters have an opportunity to provide additional sponsorship.

This year's event will take place on September 18th, so there is still time to donate to help Conor and Patrick reach their goal!

The Limerick Lads would like to thank their classmates, teachers, neighbors, friends and family both living here and in Ireland for their generous donations. Without them this would not be possible.