St. Peter School exists to provide a nurturing environment where students become Disciples of Jesus Christ, embrace the love of lifelong learning, and believe in the dignity of all people.
“They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength…” — Isaiah 40:31
Dear Parents,
Well, we have our first two weeks of school behind us. They have certainly been different due to the heat! While on this topic, I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your patience and understanding. I know it has been difficult for families to arrange for pick up of children and after care this week due to the extreme heat. Let me give you a little background... St. Peter School relies on Danbury Public School for the transportation of students to and from school. When Danbury closes early or delays the opening of school, we follow their protocol. For this heat wave, Danbury followed Governor Lamont's Extreme Hot Weather Protocol. While some surrounding towns may have remained open, they had adequate air conditioning in their buildings. Many schools are not air-conditioned in Danbury, and this includes St. Peter School. This is an old building and while, we do have some air conditioned spaces in the building, there is no central air conditioning. Your patience and understanding are much appreciated.
We had our first Ice Cream Social in a long time last week, and it was a gorgeous night to hold this event. Be sure to check out the pictures in the gallery.
Morning Procedures:
We will begin receiving students at 8:00 AM unless prior arrangements have been for Before Care. Note well: It is more important than ever for students to be dropped off on time. If a student is tardy, the parent will need to park in the playground area, walk their child to the side door and remain until someone is able to greet the student. School officially begins at 8:20 for PK-8 students. THIS IS A CHANGE FROM LAST YEAR. Students are considered tardy after that time. No adults are allowed to enter the building and walk their child(ren) to the classroom. We will ensure that they safely reach their destination.
- Pre-K families will continue to enter St. Peter School through the Playground Door where an adult will bring them to the classroom. Pre K families are asked to pull out of the car line, park in the designated areas and walk their child to the Playground Door where they will be greeted by an adult who will escort them to the PK classroom.
- Students who are dropped off by a parent/guardian will enter via the Playground Door. Parents are reminded to use the Rectory driveway to enter the St. Peter School playground lot for drop off and pick up. K-8 parents must remain in the car to keep the line moving.
- Students who arrive via bus will enter the building using the side door across from the Rectory.
- Morning Prayer/Pledge/Announcements will begin precisely at 8:25 daily.
Afternoon Procedures:
Students are dismissed at 2:40 PM each day. Early dismissal time is at 11:50 AM. Please stagger your arrival times to ensure there is not a back-up on Main Street.
Students who are picked up after school will be dismissed from their classroom to the playground parking lot. Upon arrival, the staff member in the lot will radio the names of the student(s) being picked up. A staff member will be waiting near the playground doorway to ensure students get into the correct car. Be mindful about driving carefully around the children by taking/making your cell phone calls at a later time, and staying in line. The car line is a NO CELL PHONE ZONE.
Students who are picked up by a parent at the front door because the parents are walking, will be called to the front door by office staff. IF you are driving, please do not park and walk to the front door. You need to wait in the carline.
Students who take the bus home will be called by bus to meet a staff member at the Rectory side door. They will be walked to the bus by a staff member.
Students who are walkers will need to bring in a note for the office. They will be dismissed by their classroom teacher at 2:40. They will exit through the front door and let the secretary/office staff know they are leaving the building. NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO WALK UNLESS A NOTE IS ON FILE.
PLEASE NOTE WELL:
- DO NOT PARK IN THE CIFC LOT - IT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY AND CARS MAY BE TOWED.
- DO NOT PARK IN THE FRONT OF THE SCHOOL AS THAT IS WHERE THE BUSES PARK.
- DO NOT PASS A SCHOOL BUS WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING AS THERE IS A $450 OR MORE FINE. BE PREPARED TO SHOW AN ID WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE SCHOOL TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD.
- IF YOUR CHILD IS GOING TO BE PICKED UP BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN A PARENT OR GUARDIAN, SEND IN A NOTE TO THE TEACHER OR CALL THE OFFICE BEFORE NOON. THE PERSON PICKING UP YOUR CHILD WILL BE REQUIRED TO SHOW IDENTIFICATION BEFORE YOUR CHILD IS RELEASED.
- ON 1/2 DAYS, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE BY 9:30 AM IF PICK-UP PLANS FOR YOUR CHILD HAVE CHANGED.
Bus Information:
Please keep in mind that the pick-up/drop-off time listed may not be accurate. It is recommended that you download the bus app "VST My Stop" and track the bus on the map. There you can see how close the bus is and head outside to wait for your child. After you download the app the user ID and Password will be the same. It is the kids Student ID. For example User is 70300 Password is 70300. The number for bus dispatch is 203-778-0782 ext 1. and the bus office is 203-797-4708 if you have any questions.
Before Care/After-Care:
Parents of students who are participating in this program will receive specific instructions in the next week. We do have a waiting list, so please check with the office if you have any questions. This will be by reservation ONLY. Before Care begins on September 5. After Care begins on September 22, 2022. Please remember that in order to participate in this program, payment should be made prior to the start of the program. If you have a previous balance, please contact the office.
News about Breakfast and Lunch Program:
All enrolled students at St. Peter School are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at NO COST to your household each day of the school year. A flyer explaining this is attached to this letter. Students will need to pick up their breakfast in the cafeteria before going to the classroom. As in previous years, they will be issued a PIN which they will have to remember and enter.
Students will pick up their lunch in the cafeteria and eat in their classrooms just like in the past. An adult will walk them down to get their lunch where they will once again enter their PIN. Students are permitted to bring their own water and snacks/meals; however, sharing is not permitted. Water fountains are not in use. Students will need to bring water bottles from home.
School Handbook:
The School Handbook is available on the website. It is included within this newsletter. This handbook identifies the policies and procedures we will follow during the 2023-2024 school year. School safety, student learning, and communication continue to be among our highest priorities.
It is mandatory that the Signature Pages located in the packet which will be send home with the youngest student be completed and returned to your child’s homeroom teacher no later than September 12, 2023. The Acceptable Use Policy will arrive in your back-to-school packet and must be signed and returned as soon as possible. Please know that students will not be able to use devices until this policy page has been signed and returned to the school.
Behavior Expectations:
Expectations for appropriate school behavior are outlined in the handbook. Classroom teachers will be sharing individual classroom expectations with families as well during Open House. It is a privilege to attend St. Peter School, and students are expected to abide by the school/classroom rules. Respect for others is a key attribute to be successful in school and in life. We will be contacting parents if patterns of disrespectful behavior occur and determine appropriate consequences up to and including, detention, suspension and expulsion.
Communication:
In addition to Facebook, Instagram, the St. Peter School Website, phone, text messages and e-mail, a monthly newsletter will be sent to families electronically in an effort to maintain ongoing communication between home and school. Note Well: This newsletter can be translated into any language by clicking Translate.
Athletic Association:
If you are able to get involved with any sports (basketball, track, cross country), please let me know as soon as possible - (mtorre@spsdanbury.org). Thank you in advance for your consideration! We want to be able to offer our students this extracurricular opportunity.
Home School Association:
Our Home School Association Officers are as follows:
Pedro Medeiros - President
Shirley Ricart Underhill - Vice President
Secretary - Mabel Martinez
We already have a busy schedule underway for the school year! It will be an exciting year, to be sure!
This is the HSA e-mail to use if you have questions: hsa@spsdanbury.org.
Please consider attending and participating in our Home School Association. We are trying to get some new events organized, and we need your help to do so! Thanks in advance.
Theme and Gospel Values:
Our theme for this school year revolves around HOPE - One Family. One Hope. One Body in Christ.
The Gospel values for each month are attached for your perusal and reference throughout the school year. As we have done in the past, a student from every grade will be recognized for demonstrating the value of the month.
We will be reciting the Act of Hope prayer several times during the week. It is attached to this newsletter for your reference as well. Please recite this prayer with your child when you can!
In Closing:
Students are expected to be in St. Peter School uniforms EVERY DAY unless it is a dress down day or the student's birthday.
All students will be attending Friday School Mass with their class in addition to any other Masses happening during the school day throughout the school year. We walk to St. Peter Church from St. Peter School. Last week we celebrated the start of the school year with a Mass of the Holy Spirit. After Mass, Fr. Mecca blessed the students and their teachers.
On September 8th, the staff and students celebrated the Birth of Mary by praying a whole school Rosary. Some teachers used a beautiful Rosary from Open Light prayed by the Sisters to help guide the students: https://youtu.be/ZmuRW7MUgQM?si=0qGMWcAqs2GM1a6A
Open House dates are: September 14 for PK-3 Families and September 19 for 4-Middle School Families. Both Open Houses are from 6:30 - 7:45.
Thank you for your continued support. May God's grace be with you.
In Christ,
Mary Lou Torre, Principal
Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer” ` Romans 12:12
