Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. God Bless our 2nd grade students who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation yesterday. Let us continue to pray for them as they grow closer to God and prepare for First Holy Communion in May.

I can hardly believe this is the last full week of January! It is a busy one preparing for Catholic Schools Week so I will get right to it.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

The theme this year is again FAITH, EXCELLENCE and SERVICE. Our individual school theme is “Many Hearts Can Do Great Things”. Below you will find an outline for our Catholic Schools Week Celebration. Every year, Catholic Schools across the country focus on the value of Catholic education, specifically the contributions to students, families, the Church and the community. 

Schedule for Catholic Schools Week 

In addition, we our working on some marketing and advertising for Catholic Schools week and beyond! As usual, our best advertisement is and always will be our families in the school! We would love it if you could take a moment and give us a quote to use in some marketing materials or on social media. Here is the link to fill out:  Family Quotes. Thank you in advance!

Here is a more detailed look at some of the events during the week of January 30th:

• Catholic School Week Opening Mass for all who like to attend is Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 9:00 AM in St. Aidan Church. The Mass will also be livestreamed at www.staidanparish.org. If your child is planning to attend, please have him/her wear their school uniform.
• Open House Tours for Prospective Families will take place from 10:15 AM-12:45 PM following Mass on Sunday, January 30, 2022. If you know someone interested in touring our beautiful school, please have them sign up at https://calendly.com/saintaidanschoolwp?month=2022-01&date=2022-01-30 Thank you for sharing!
• The famous SAS Book Fair is back for Catholic Schools Week for the students ONLY in Pre-K-8 and Nursery students with a caregiver. The Book Fair will run three days this year to safely bring one class at a time to shop. We are working hard to keep the children reading, thanks to Mrs. Serrano. We are offering contactless checkout this year with eWallet, a digital payment account. Your child can shop the Book Fair cash-free. Cash will still be accepted! Please see the important book fair information that was sent home with your child last week.  You can visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping;  https://www.scholastic.com/bf/staidanschool. This is an easy way for students to shop. SIGN UP TODAY!
• For our school-wide service project this year we will have a Dress Down Day for at least $2 on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 to raise money to purchase gift certificates from local businesses hit hard by the pandemic and these gift certificates will be given to homebound parishioners and neighbors, through Parish Social Ministry, to give them a meal during these cold winter months. This is a WIN, WIN for our entire community! Many Hearts Can truly do Great Things!
• We will participate in The NCEA Annual Day of Giving Campaign which will run from Tuesday, February 1st at 12 PM through Wednesday, February 2^nd at 12 PM. This year our goal is to raise enough funds to purchase 7 Elkay Water Bottle Filling Stations (1 for each floor of our schools). Since our current water fountains are closed because of COVID, these bottle fill stations will be a HUGE improvement allowing students to fill up their water bottles throughout the day. We need your help! Please share our Day of Giving emails and social media posts with your family and friends who support Saint Aidan School. NO GIFT IS TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL!  Together we can make a big difference for our children.  If you have any questions about the campaign, please reach out to Nora Grady at ngkearns@yahoo.com. More information in the attached flyer.

         NCEA Day of Giving- February 1-2 

• The Dress Down Day for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) to benefit the “Students of the Year” Campaign on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 has a personal connection for me. My daughter, Ciara O’Connell who is a senior in high school, was nominated to be a “Student of the Year” and lead a team to raise awareness and money for blood cancer research. Ciara has a passion for helping people and got involved in this organization during the pandemic. 100% of what is donated for the dress down day will be given to the “Warriors for A Cure” student campaign. My daughter Ciara has teamed up with other Catholic School friends to make this campaign a success. No donation is too big or small! Thank you for your support!
• Our First Friday Mass on Friday, February 4, 2022 will be a perfect way to close Catholic Schools Week. This Mass will be hosted by Mrs. Tringone’s Class 4-1. All are invited to attend. Students should be in FULL DRESS UNIFORM. Grades K-8 will be in attendance and the Mass will also be livestreamed at www.staidanparish.org. As a reminder, Friday, February 4, 2022 is also Faculty Appreciation Day and is an early dismissal day at 11:30 AM. The AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM is NOT in effect.

A few general reminders/information:

COVID-19

Please continue to report if your child is POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, using this form:

Positive Covid Test Reporting 

If your child is a CLOSE CONTACT OF A POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE, please complete this form:

Close Contact Reporting

PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT FEELING WELL AT HOME.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

I-READY DIAGNOSTIC

We had a successful first week completing the Reading Diagnostic Two. If students were absent and did not complete it, they will have the opportunity this week. We will continue with the Math portion this week as well. IMPORTANT!!!!!! PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CHILD HAS HEADPHONES AND A CHARGED IPAD. Your child should not need to borrow a pair of headphones. Thank you!

NORTHWELL HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM

Thanks to our school nurse, Mrs. Pisciotto, we have teamed up with Northwell Health to provide a three-part series for our K-5 students. The presentation will be via Zoom with a Northwell Community expert and the first session will be tomorrow on “Managing Emotions”. We are grateful for this partnership with Northwell. I’ve attached the information flyer below.

Northwell K-5 Program 

K-2 LOWER SCHOOL LUNCH

We are excited to continue Lower School Lunch for Kindergarten, 1^st and 2^nd Grade this week! Please find the information in the link below to order for your Kindergarten, 1^st or 2^nd grade child. ALL ORDERS MUST BE PLACED FOR THIS WEEK BY 8:00 PM TONIGHT!

Lunch Program - Kindergarten through 2nd Grade

TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS

All transportation requests for the 2022-2023 school year are due by April 1^st to your HOME PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Please do not forget to make the request if you are seeking transportation to St. Aidan School next year. This applies to incoming K-8 students only.

TOMORROW’S HOPE FOUNDATION

The Tomorrow’s Hope Scholarship Application for tuition assistance for the 2022-2023 school year is open. The Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to ensure the excellence as well as the continuance of Catholic Schools on Long Island. If you need assistance applying, please reach out to me and I can refer you to an enrollment specialist in the Diocese of RVC to assist. The application  and information is available at https://www.tomorrowshopefoundation.org or you can visit our website at https://staidanschool.org/tomorrows-hope-foundation-tuition-assistance .

St. Aidan Parish Bulletin:

Please find the St. Aidan Parish Bulletin from this week attachd below.

St. Aidan Parish Bulletin- Sunday, January 23, 2022 

Our January PACE Meeting is Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM.  The zoom link and agenda will be distributed Tuesday morning.  We look forward to “seeing” you!

Islanders Game

The NY Islanders have rescheduled the game from January 18th for Thursday, March 10, 2022.  The PACE seats are the same for the new rescheduled date.  If you have any questions, please contact Michele Amante at michele@peteramante.com

World’s Finest Chocolate Sale

Our 2022 PACE Chocolate Sale is kicking off on February 1st.  Stay tuned for further information!

PACE Chocolate Sale 

PACE Super Bowl Fundraiser

PACE volunteers will be available outside of school on the following dates for families to sign up for boxes on our Super Bowl raffle.  Boxes are 20 points each.  We will run multiple pools if there is interest.  A table will be set up outside the Upper School by the “cage” on Dover Street outside of the Parish Outreach rotunda.  These dates will be “weather pending.” The table will not be set up in the rain and / or snow. The numbers will be selected for each page of the pool following the February 8th sign up date and then copies will be shared on our social media outlets.

·       Thursday, January 27 - MORNING - 7:30 am - 8:15 am

·       Thursday, January 27 at DISMISSAL  

·       Tuesday, February 8 at DISMISSAL 

PACE Online Auction

Thank you so much to those who have donated amazing prizes for our online auction.  We are excited for this fundraiser as it will lead into our Parent Night Out on April 9 at the Irish American Center.   We are still collecting donations.  If you have an idea for a donation to be placed in the auction, please contact us at StAidanPACE@gmail.com.

PACE Volunteer Sign Up

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4DAFAF29ABFE3-pace

Important Upcoming Events

1/25/2022 - PACE Meeting via zoom

1/27/2022 - Super Bowl Raffle Sign Up - before school and at dismissal

2/1/2022 - World’s Finest Chocolate Sale

2/4/2022 - SAS Staff Appreciation Luncheon

2/8/2022 - Super Bowl Raffle Sign Up - at dismissal

2/11/2022 - Sweetheart Dance

3/11/2022 - Sports Night

4/4/2022 - PACE Online Auction Goes LIVE

4/9/2022 - PACE Parent Event - 7-11 p.m. - Irish American Center

Monday, January 24: Northwell Program for Grades K-5.

Artist Apprenticeship Enrichment Class for those registered- 2:30-3:45 PM (Dismissal is from front doors of Upper School unless students are going to After School).

Suessical Jr. Rehearsal for Wickershams and Bird Girls including Mayzie and Gertrude from 2:30-5:00 PM.

Girls Basketball Practice in St. Aidan Gym- 2:30-4:00 PM

*I was not given information about Boys Basketball-please reach out to Coach.

Tuesday, January 25: Lower and Upper School Violin and Ukulele Band Instruction- Don’t forget your instrument!

i-Ready Math Diagnostic 2 begins (Bring iPad charges and headphones).

Read Aloud and Create Enrichment Class for those registered-2:30-3:45 PM. 

Sports Fanatics League Enrichment Class for those registered-2:30-3:45 PM. 

Create Your Own Comic Book Enrichment Class for those registered-2:30-3:45 PM. 

Girls Basketball Game in St. Aidan Gym vs. OLL- 3:30 PM (masks must be worn).

Boys Basketball Game in St. Aidan Gym vs OLL- 4:45 PM (masks must be worn).

PACE Meeting via Zoom at 7:30 PM.

Wednesday, January 26: DRESS DOWN ($2) for School Service Project. Please dress appropriately-jeans/sweatpants/leggings/sneakers are permitted. 

Suessical Jr. Rehearsal for FULL CAST from 2:30-5:00 PM.

ChessNuts Enrichment Class for those registered-2:30-3:45 PM. 

Thursday, January 27: Upper School Band Instruction- Don’t forget your instrument! 

Aquinas Program Meeting- 2:30-3:15 PM.

Speech and Debate Enrichment Class for those registered- 2:30-3:45 PM.

Friendship Bracelet Making Enrichment Class for those registered-2:30-3:45 PM. 

STEM Studio Enrichment Class for those registered-2:30-3:45.

Girls Basketball Practice in St. Aidan Gym- 2:30-4:00 PM.

*I was not given information about Boys Basketball-please reach out to Coach.

Mock Trial Practice- 4:30-6:00 PM

Friday, January 28:

SPIRIT WEAR FRIDAY! Wear your favorite St. Aidan gear to school! 

Suessical Jr. Rehearsal for Mayzie, Gertrude, Horton and Jojo from 2:30-5:00 PM (PLEASE NOTE DIFFERENT DAY).

Girls Basketball Game in St. Aidan Gym vs. St. William- 3:30 PM

Boys Basketball Game in St. Aidan Gym vs. St. William- 4:45 PM

• Opening Mass for Catholic Schools Week 9 AM- January 30
• Open House for Prospective Families following Mass- January 30
• Confirmation Spirit Night for Class 8-1- January 31
• Book Fair- January 31-February 2
• Student Appreciation/Gym Uniform Day- February 1
• Boys and Girls Basketball Game at St. Agnes- February 1
• NCEA Day of Giving- February 1-2
• Dress Down for LLS- February 2
• Confirmation Spirit Night for Class 8-2- February 2
• St. Aidan School Spirit Wear Day- February 3
• First Friday Mass at 9 AM -February 4
• EARLY DISMISSAL/NO AFTER SCHOOL- February 4

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Mrs. O’Connell