School Newsletter 5-6-21

*Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to our faculty and staff! 

This year has been like no other.  Amid a pandemic that kept most schools across the country entirely remote, we were not only able to open and educate our students both in person and remote, but we were able to keep the entire school open apart from our scheduled remote learning and cohort quarantines. This is no small feat and is in very large part due to the skill, dedication, and care of our teachers and staff.

These individuals – teachers, cooks, lunchroom attendants, instructional aides, extended care staff, recess helpers, office staff, and maintenance staff – took a great risk to their own health and safety to be present, educating our students and monitoring safety and health each day.  While other schools had to shut down operations due to infections, our Giants were vigilant in maintaining safety protocols so that most of the school could be operational all the time.  Our faculty and staff learned to master Chromebooks in record time so that the students could always be connected to their studies.  And many of our instructional aides pivoted to new roles so that we could keep spreading faith and educating students in person and online.

I cannot be prouder of our faculty and staff.  Without these heroes, we would not have been able to open and provide education to our 320 students.  Please join me in thanking our teachers and staff – just sending a “thank you” email or even a note can make a huge difference in someone’s day.

We are very grateful for our Giant family and we wish them all many blessings!

~Kemberly Markham

Preschool 3 – Miss Horn and Mrs. Horn

Preschool 4 – Mrs. Reardon and Mrs. Edwards

Kindergarten – Miss Carmona and Mrs. Hosty and Mrs. DiFoggio

1^st Grade – Mrs. McAcy and Sr. Ruby

2^nd Grade – Sr. Rose and Mrs. Quaid

3^rd Grade – Mrs. Arnold

4^th Grade – Mrs. Topor and Sr. Ann

5^th Grade – Mrs. Lumpkin and Mrs. Warren

6^th Grade – Mrs. Boyes and Mrs. Wilk

7^th Grade – Mrs. Fiscella and Mrs. Slifka

8^th Grade – Ms. Kennedy and Mr. Montag

Music/Spanish – Mrs. Diel

REY – Mr. McGinnis

PE – Mr. Trinidad and Mrs. Vargas

E-learning Liaison – Mrs. McHenry

Extended Care – Mrs. LaCoco, Ms. Bizzotto, Mrs. Malabarba, Ms. Novack, Miss LaCoco, Mrs. Chiappetta,

Cooks – Mrs. Kennelly and Mrs. Marks

Lunchroom Attendants – Mrs. Cichon, Mrs. Wos, Mrs. Raftery, and Mr. Ryan

Recess Helpers – Mrs. Garcia, Mrs. Patterson, and Mrs. Talty

Instructional Aides – Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Nowdomski

Office staff – Mrs. Reynolds and Mrs. Colesby

Maintenance – Mr. Young

*Congratulations to our First Communicants!

We are so happy and proud that our students are taking this huge step in their faith journey!  Being able to receive the body and blood of Christ with the rest of the parish is exciting, but it is also a truly remarkable gift from God. These students have prepared by making their first reconciliation and studying what it means to partake in the body and blood of Christ.  They are now ready to be welcomed at Communion.  Please keep them in your prayers as they make this special sacrament!

Autumn B., Abraham D., Darek F., Parker G., Benjamin H., Matthew H., Adrian H., Anna H., Hailey J., Daniel L., Alyssa M., Cambrie M., Martin M., Teagan S., Adam A., Aiden G., Angela L., Eloise L., Thomas M., Paige M., Blake N., Natalie P., Camila R., Leo S., Francesca T., Brendan W.

*I-Ready Diagnostic Testing

Next week classes will begin the final diagnostic testing session of the school year.  Students will test in reading and math and final reports will be sent home when the window ends in early June.  Please make sure your child(ren) are in attendance each day and have had plenty of rest the night before.  This will help their scores to reflect a more accurate account of what they can do.

*NJHS (National Junior Honor Society)

Due to the pandemic and Covid restrictions, the National Junior Honor Society has not been able to sponsor activities such as Trunk or Treat and Valentine's Candy Gram sales.  These fundraisers helped raise funds for the NJHS Colette McGinnis Scholarship.  This scholarship is given to two graduating students.  This year, we have one more $1 out of uniform day (May 19th) to raise funds for the scholarship.  Please join us in sending our graduates to high school with scholarships. Thank you for your support!

Mrs. Topor

*Father Malcolm Memory Walk

We are drawing closer to the Memory Walk! We have already noticed some families donating online! Thank you so much for your support!

A schedule for classes will be published next week.  Students may wear their Father Malcolm Memory Walk t-shirts and be out of uniform that day. There is still time to volunteer.  If anyone would like to help, please send Mrs. Markham an email.

2021 Father Malcolm Memory Walk To benefit STEAM programs at St. Gerald School Presented by School Advisory Board, Mother’s Club & SGAC

When: Friday, May 21st (Rainout Date Friday, May 28th)

Where: The St. Gerald Campus

What: Students will participate in laps around the campus to help preserve the memories of fun downtown trips and local walks with Father Malcolm

How you can help:

• Purchase an official walk T-Shirt showcasing our new mascot to show school pride (order forms were sent home with students)

• Share the online donation link to family members, neighbors & friends asking to sponsor the school for this event https://www.givecentral.org/location/499/event/30216

• AND/OR Complete the form that went home with students and return with donations by Wednesday, 5/19

• Each family is being asked to fulfill specific goals for this event • 1 child = at least $50 in donations

• More than 1 child = at least $100 in donations

• Classes will compete to raise the most to win prizes

• Pizza Party, Donut Party and Out of Uniform Passes!

• Volunteer to help chaperone the day of the event (must be Virtus trained)

*Summer Camp

This summer we will be hosting summer camp. The camp will be split into 3 – 3-week sessions.  The first camp will begin June 14 and end July 2. To create safe cohorts, participants will sign up for a 3-week session at a time.  New participants will not be admitted until the next 3-week camp begins. For information on times/days/prices, please view the registration forms.

FLYER                                  REGISTRATION FORMS                             ACTIVITY PERMISSION FORMS

Registration Opens:

Currently enrolled St. Gerald Student – Thursday, May 6th

General Public – Thursday, May 13

To register your child for Summer Camp, return the attached Enrollment form, Summer Activity/Waiver Form and the $40 enrollment fee to the school office.

Due to the CDC and Archdiocese Covid guidelines and social distancing requirements the number of students enrolled will be limited. Registration will be made on a first come first serve basis; no registrations will be accepted after the registration deadline.