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Daily Announcements

Interested in learning more about Sts. John and Paul School? We invite you to come visit and find out what makes our school so special! Summer Tours available! Click here for more information! Email Marcella Smith at msmith@sjpschool.org or call 914-980-0378 to make an appointment!

Don't forget to click on the "August mailing" tab under "News you can use" for pertinent information to start the school-year!

School Supply Lists can now be found under the NEWS YOU CAN USE tab on the website. Please note that there is a master list under Middle School Supplies for grades 5-8. The information listed under those individual grades is just for the base classroom supplies.

Due to the public school closings there are NO New Rochelle buses on Thursday September 9 and Friday September 10.  Please also remember these are Noon dismissal days.  Thank you.

Coach Bob welcomes you back!  Click here to see!

This is to clarify that the Lands End long-sleeve polo is NOT an approved uniform shirt. Erroneously the Lands End website had it listed as approved; it has since been taken off their site.  All other items listed at Lands End are approved uniform apparel.  The uniform guidelines are noted under the Student Life tab.

The SJP Aftercare program will begin in September. If you are interested in registering, please click here for a link to the registration form.  Forms should be returned to the school by AUGUST 15th. If you have any questions, please email the Aftercare Director, Louise Flynn at aftercare@sjpschool.org

School Picture Dates have been set!  8th Grade Graduation photos are Monday, September 27th and School Portraits for grades K-7 in full uniform are Tuesday, September 28th!

From the Principal

August 2010

Dear SJP Community,

In the earlier part of July, I attended a conference about the new evaluation process for Archdiocesan principals.  The crux of the new process is self-reflection.  It systematically breaks down our three leadership roles spiritual, instructional and managerial and helps us gather and display evidence of our strengths and areas for improvement in our role as principal.

As I listened to the presentations that day, I remembered the meeting Monsignor Petrillo and I led in my first days on the job last year.  Quite simply, we set some very clear goals that evening that I coined the three Cs Curriculum, Communication and Christ.  With regard to curriculum, we committed to improving our academic offerings, specifically Math 9 and Spanish for our middle school students.  Both courses are a part of our curriculum this September.  In addition, students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade will be grouped for Math based on their abilities.  This differentiation, seeing and addressing the differences of our students, was another curricular need that our new program addresses.  In partnership with this challenging coursework, we expressed our desire to cap classes at 25 students.  In these very challenging economic times, this number speaks volumes to our understanding of how class size directly affects the quality of education. 

Secondly, communication was the foundation for my first year as principal of our school.  I learned and discovered so much about the culture of SJP just by simply talking...to teachers, students and parents.  I held monthly Principal Coffees to hear the specific needs and concerns of the parents of each grade.  As a first time administrator, I quickly learned that relationships are the key to managing a school just as they were in managing a classroom.  Our new website and email communication was a first for SJP and widely used.  I will continue to rely on electronic communications, so please be sure to keep your email addresses current if you want to get regular updates for both the entire school and your childs individual grade.

Although my third C was Christ, we know that Christ permeates all we do.  We are not just educators; we are educators in a Catholic school.  You are parents who have chosen to send your children to a school where we can talk and celebrate our relationships with God.  We may not be able to rival all of the amenities of area public or private schools, but the individual care we can give each of your children isunrivaled.  Each morning we begin the day with Morning Prayers.  I value this time so much.  Along with the prayers, our messages often remind the community of how to act, think and speak as children of God.  I hope to get more student and teacher voices heard at our prayerful gatherings this year.  I, too, am planning a staff retreat in concert with our parish priests and Deacon Jack Shea, our new Director of Religious Education.  I hope this will be an opportunity for all of us to strengthen our individual and communal relationships with God.

Obviously, the start of each school year is an opportunity for both reflection and looking ahead.  Throughout the summer, we have been regularly planning for the new year.  I met with teachers about curriculum, the new plan for our library and our student/parent handbook.  Luckily here at SJP, the parents are partners in our planning as well.  I am so grateful for the time you have given our school in planning the new Aftercare program, our admissions and marketing plans and the 2010-2011 calendar.  This collaboration is indicative of the growth and change here at SJP.  A very tangible sign of our growth is the addition of so many brand new families to our school.  In addition to our two Kindergarten classes, we also have admitted 19 new students in grades 1 through 8.  We welcome all of you with open hearts.

I extend another heartfelt welcome to our newest part-time staff members, Mrs. Anne Donnelly and Mr. Jim Irzyk.  Mrs. Donnelly comes to us with over 30 years of experience teaching Spanish in both middle and high schools.   Mr. Irzyk, too, brings his knowledge as a career Math educator and administrator in secondary schools to SJP.  I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to work with these two new experienced educators.

Lastly, here is some information to help the school year start off smoothly. 

  · New Student Orientation (for grades 1-8) for students and parents on Tuesday, 9/7 from 1:30-2:30.
·  School begins on Wed., 9/8 at 8:35 a.m. for students in grades 1-8.  Kindergarten students report at 10:00 a.m. in uniform with their parent(s) for an hour Orientation (it will end at 11:00 a.m).  Dismissal is at 12:00 p.m. for all other students.  Please note that dismissal is NOT 12:45 as it is on regular Wednesdays.
·Thursday and Friday, 9/9 and 9/10 12:00 p.m. dismissal.
·Monday, 9/13 first full day of school.
·Back-to-School night for Grades 5-8, on Tuesday, 9/21 at 7:00 p.m.
·Back-to-School Night for K-4 on Tuesday, 9/28 at 7:00 p.m.
 
I look so forward to learning and growing with your children again this year.   I cannot wait to see their smiling faces next week.  May you savor these last carefree days of summer.

Many blessings,
 
Mrs. Colleen Pettus

(This letter will be backpacked on the first day of school as well)


Monday, September 6
LABOR DAY
SCHOOL CLOSED
Tuesday, September 7
SCHOOL CLOSED
-Teacher Conference Day
 
-Gr. 1-8 New Student/Parent Orientation 1:30-2:30pm
 
Wednesday, September 8
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL Grades 1-8
 
-K Student/Parent Orientation 10:00-11:00am
 
-Half Day - Noon Dismissal  Gr. 1-8
 
Thursday, September 9
NO New Rochelle School Bus
Reminder: Noon Dismissal Today
Friday, September 10
NO New Rochelle School Bus
Reminder: Noon Dismissal Today

Today, 9/3/2010
High: 85 Low: 72
Mostly cloudy
20% chance of precipitation.
Tomorrow, 9/4/2010
High: 78 Low: 69
Chance rain showers
54% chance of precipitation.