Resurrection-St. Paul School
News and Notes
2019-2020 Year to Lead...I Have Called You By Name!
Thank you all for a wonderful & successful Grandparents Day!
Monday, October 7th
- HSA Meeting 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the media center
Tuesday, October 8th
- Lunches for the Homeless- please bring in a bagged lunch with a sandwich, granola bar, and a small beverage/juice box.
- Since our AOB theme t-shirts have not yet arrived, we will be in regular uniform on this day.
Wednesday, October 9th
- 12:30 p.m. Dismissal
- No bus service home
- Race for Education 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Students may dress down today, please wear athletic shoes and if you are wearing shorts, make sure they are an appropriate length.
- 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Parent-Teacher conferences
Thursday, October 10th
- Happy Birthday, Mrs. Pajak!
Friday, October 11th
- 9:00 a.m. Mass for Grades 3 and 6
- Scholastic Book Fair
- HSA Back to School Social 5:30-7:00 p.m
Saturday, October 12th
Sunday, October 13th
Announcements
Race for Education Sign-up Genius for Volunteers
LET'S LEAD RSPS to the FINISH LINE!
We are in need of volunteers for set up, clean up, water station, snow cone station and race course marshals. Volunteers must wear their STAND cards.
Any questions, please email Stephanie Finamore at sfinamore@resstpaul.org
Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-ups
It's that time of year again! Parent-teacher conferences at RSPS will be held on from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM on Wednesday, October 9th, and Thursday, October 17th
This year the 2nd grade teachers will meet as a team. Both Ms. Frederick and Mrs. Warehime will be present for all second grade conferences.
Also, Mrs. Horstkamp and Mrs. Valenze will meet as the kindergarten team. If you wish to make a kindergarten conference, just schedule it with Mrs. Horstkamp. It is not necessary for middle school parents to meet with homeroom teachers unless there is a need to see the teacher.
We will again be using Pickatime (the same website as last year) for scheduling parent-teacher conferences. The Pickatime link will be sent out to families on October 1st.
The system will only allow one conference per teacher per email address. If you have more than one student (twins or siblings) with the same teacher and need additional conferences with a teacher, please email me (bbuchta@resstpaul.org) the preferred time for your conferences and he will be happy to help.
Time slots tend to fill up quickly, so don't wait too long.
Safe Recess Practices
The surface of the pit is dirt. Unfortunately, due to the limited rains, the dirt is very dry and creates a dusty and "dirty" environment. Anyone doing uniform laundry these last few weeks can attest to the impact it has on our former bright white uniform tops and socks.
We had a playground specialty contractor out to assess the situation and asked for recommendations for a more durable, clean, and safe surface. At this time, we have been advised to stick with the dirt as:
1. Mulch (natural or rubber) will just pool to the sides
2. Rubber surfaces will deteriorate quickly due to the friction created with the nature of the game
3. Turf seams would not hold up well and would pull apart quickly
4. Cement would not be a suitable landing surface in the event students lose their footing.
If you happen to know of any other surface solution, please share them at office@resstpaul.org.
On another note, there have been substantiated reports about students intentionally kicking up dirt and/or throwing the dirt on each other in the pit either as a distraction strategy or for "joking" around. Neither is an acceptable use of gag pit. Students found to be throwing or kicking up dirt intentionally will be suspended from play immediately and their gaga pit privileges revoked.
Mr. Skerry has been informed that the rail covers of the pit are loose and he will be gluing and screwing them down.
Gravel- Another concern brought to the attention of the school nurse and then shared with the school admin is the continuation of the game Gravel on the playground. This is another popular game where students essentially play tag with their eyes closed. Last year, we had a very serious injury when a student playing this game ran into a pole on the playground. Students were told that this game was not to be played during recess as there are too many opportunities for injuries. Please reinforce that Gravel is not to be played at recess.
We have many other great alternatives this year for recess including four square, kickball, basketball, Twister, Chutes and Ladders, lawn darts, Mirror Me, painted relay race, etc. We encourage our students to play safe games that are inclusive and promote healthy exercise.
Please Join Us in Welcoming Mr. Martin Begley and Mr. David Arellano from Mount Saint Mary's Seminary
Mrs. Rensberger has been a part of this wonderful program for several years as a teacher and parent in her former AOB school. In fact, Father Tyler did his Pastoral Field Education experience in Mrs. Rensberger's daughter's 6th grade classroom. Talk about serendipity! Her son has also benefitted from learning from the seminarians and seeing vocations in action throughout his elementary and middle school years.
Our seminarians will be in school once a week on Wednesday afternoons in the fall and every Wednesday in the spring. They will be co-teaching with Mrs. Keys and other religious teachers in the classrooms together. As with all volunteers, student teachers, interns, and tutors, the seminarians have been highly vetted, completed a background check and are VIRTUS compliant.
Back to School Night Annual Fund Campaign Update
As discussed at Back to School Night, the annual fund is not a new campaign or unique to our school. Like all other private educational institutions, RSPS relies on the annual fund to help us offer competitive tuition, retain talented faculty, provide outstanding academics and offer extraordinary enrichment programs that make the RSPS experience so meaningful for our students.
At the end of October, the annual fund campaign will begin with letters, social media posts and outreach efforts. Donations can be made online, by check, cash or through your FACTS account. In order to realize our goal, we are recommending a $250 gift per family, but appreciate any gift amount. Gift amounts of $250 or more will be recognized on a donor wall at the spring gala and donors will be invited to attend a principal’s reception at the conclusion of the campaign.
Visit https://www.resstpaul.org/giving/make-a-gift-today to make a gift or contact Stephanie Finamore with any questions.
Class of 2020 Information
HSPT Registration
The HSPT Online Registration system is set to open September 10th for students to begin registering.
The online registration link is: Baltimore.stsusers.com
Please note:
· The student fee is $40. Students have the opportunity to pay this fee online via credit card during the registration process. All credit card payments collected will be forwarded to the school in the form of a single check after testing takes place. (STS does not keep any portion of student credit card payments.) If a student wishes to pay via cash or check instead of credit card, they should pay your school directly. (Do not send cash or check payments to STS.)
Important Dates-Updated
Dear 8th Grade Parents,
We are finally here! Your child’s 8th grade year! We hope to make it a memorable one for all. We have lots of activities planned and we just wanted to make sure that you have the following dates marked on your calendar!
September 10th – May begin to register online for the HSPT to be taken here during the school day.
October 4th – Field trip and graduation information forms need to be sent back to school.
October 14th – High School Fair here at RSPS 6-8 pm. (First hour in the gym, second hour in classrooms.)
September – November – Schedule Shadow Days (each student is given 3 excused absences to shadow).
December 4th – HSPT to be given at RSPS 9 am – 12 pm. (All students, including those not taking the test are to come to school this day.)
December 17th – 1:30 pm 8th Grade Christmas Pageant
December 20th – High School Applications for Catholic Schools are due.
January 31st – 8th Grade vs. Faculty Basketball game 11 am in the school gym (12:30 pm dismissal day.)
February – Receive High School Admissions Decisions/Scholarships
March – Register for Catholic High Schools
March 23rd -27th – Standardized Testing
April 3rd – Passion Play at 11:30 am in the church.
April – 8th Grade vs. Faculty Kickball game (time and place TBD)
May 1st – 8th Grade Memory Boards due (school will provide the foam board)
May 6th – STREAM Night 6-8 pm. (previously Cultural Arts Night)
May 20th – 8th Grade ELA exam
May 21st – 8th Grade Math exam
May 22nd – Field Day
May 26th – 8th Grade Science exam
May 28th – Retreat at Friary
May 28th – 8th grade dinner 5:30 to 7:30 (for students and parents only)
May 29th – 10:00 am 8th Grade Baccalaureate Mass (Last School Mass)
June 1st – 8th Grade trip to Hershey Park 7:45 am –6:15 pm
June 2nd – 8th Grade graduation and cookie and punch reception 5:00 pm in the church.
Archdiocese of Baltimore High School Fair at RSPS October 14th
Clubs and Clubs Sign-ups
Student Council
We're still looking for the name of the presidents for 2000-2001, 2001-2002, and 2003-2004. If you know who served as student council president for these years, please email Mr. Fiumara at afiumara@resstpaul.org.
Panther Press
Greetings Inquiring Minds,
Do you like to know what’s going on and share your knowledge with others? Are you a good communicator? Are you responsible and able to meet deadlines? If so, then we need your skills and talents on the Panther Press! If you (or your child) want to be a member of the intrepid staff of reporters on our school newspaper, please fill out the attached form making sure to include an accurate parent email address and phone number where requested and attend our first meeting on Wednesday, September 25 from 3:30 – 4:15 in room 207. Subsequent meetings will be Wednesdays after school.
POSH
Health Council
In 2015, to promote health and wellness, reduce the spread of contagious diseases and prevent injuries, we established the RSPS Health Council. Student representatives of the Health Council meet with our School Nurse and other interested members of our faculty, to identify health and safety concerns in our school community. We discuss solutions and implement initiatives to enhance the overall safety, health and wellness of our school community.
This school year we anticipate meeting with students on a monthly and as-needed basis to implement programs and to discuss concerns and solutions to identified problems. Our regular monthly meetings will usually be held at 8:15 AM on the first Thursday of each month. Our first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2019.
Together we will develop and implement strategies and programs we agree will enhance overall health and safety in our school. community. Periodically Health Council Representatives will be asked to address fellow students regarding health and safety concerns and school-wide strategies, programs and initiatives designed to promote health and wellness and prevent illness and injury. They will be advocates for safety, health and wellness in our school, modeling healthy habits for their peers.
Past Health Council initiatives have included Sanitizing Spaces, Daily Disinfecting, Fresh Start, Halloween Candy Drive, Sun Safety, Playground Safety and Hand Washing instruction. The Health Council has brought in guest speakers to present on Anxiety in School-Aged Children, Smoking/E-cigarette/Vaping Awareness, and Hands Only CPR for students in 1st - 8th grade.
Please direct questions or concerns to Julie Rice, School Nurse at jrice@resstpaul.org or, 410-461-9111 ext. 261.Volunteers Needed-Earn Your Service Hours
Required training for all volunteers
RSPS Book Fair - Fall 2019
Though the theme of this Fall's book fair causes me to shiver a bit, I am quickly calmed by the thought of snuggling up with a good book. Whether you are excited about visiting the arctic or escaping to a faraway galaxy, reading offers a platform of many adventures in which to explore.
I am once again, very grateful for the Fall Book Fair at RSPS and the chance to see the children's excitement as the media center transforms into the fair. I am also grateful to be able to work with the awesome RSPS staff and parents again. This opportunity to team with so many is a great reflection of how awesome our community is.
Our book fair's theme for Fall 2019 is an Arctic Adventure, a fun place full of irresistible books kids can snuggle up and read and a place their imagination can grow. We'd like your help to make this Book Fair that exhilarating yet cozy experience for our students.
Please consider volunteering for this wonderful event. You can sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e4eaeae28ab9-rsps8 .
Upcoming Events
October 14th -AOB High School Fair at RSPS
October 17th-9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Race for Education
12:30 p.m. Dismissal (No bus service home),
1:00-5:00 p.m. Parent-Teacher Conferences
October 11-18th -Scholastic Book Fair
October 18th -No bus service
Home School Association (HSA)
The HSA Scoop 10/7-10/13
HSA Committee Contacts
Save Money and Raise Funds for RSPS While Shopping with SCRIP!
Used Uniform Sale
Used Uniform Update
Fall Uniforms will begin on Friday, November 1, 2019. In preparation for the change, the HSA will have the following used uniform sales:
- Back to School Social. Friday, October 11th. Uniform sale will run from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
- Parent/Teacher Conferences. Thursday, October 17th from 1:30 -4:30 p.m.
If you are interested in assisting in these sales (and earning volunteer hours) please contact Kachana Perera kanchana81@gmail.com. Thank you!
Back to School Social
Bring the kids for an evening with friends and other RSPS families.
BricknFire Pizza and Grilled Cheese & Co. will be there selling food and Kona Ice will be there selling snowballs for an after dinner treat.
Come let the kids play with their friends and let the adults socialize at this event that highlights why we have such a wonderful school community.
We can't wait to see you there!
Parish Life
Religious Education
Religious Education begins this Sunday, September 15th with the 1st session 3:30pm-5:00pm and the 2nd session 6:30pm-8:00pm.
Attached below, you will find the Nursery, Wee Praise, Elementary, & the Middle School Schedules.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let Savannah or Kate know.
Savannah Ackerman's address is sackerman@res-ec.org and Kate's address is kkleintank@res-ec.org.
2nd Grade Sacrament Preparation Registration
Altar Servers Needed
Girls and boys entering fifth grade and older are eligible to become altar servers. The upcoming training sessions are:
Wednesday 10/16 AND 10/19, from 4 – 5:30 pm
OR
Thursday, 10/10 AND 10/17 from 6:30 - 8 pm
Please R.S.V.P. to Fr. Tyler Kline, 410-989-5235 or liturgy@res-ec.org by Oct. 7.
Students will be met at the office for the Wednesday sessions at 3:45 pm and escorted to the church.
Church of the Resurrection Children's Choir
RSPS Resources
2019-2020 Parent-Student Handbook
RSPS Referral Program-Earn $500 Tuition Credit!
Prayer Requests
For the souls of
- Audrey Bethke, great grandmother of Sal Bellafiore
- Rose Mancuso, great grandmother of Max, Alex, and Emily Wisniewski
Resurrection-St.Paul School
Vision Statement
At Resurrection-St. Paul School, students have unique opportunities for real life critical thinking, problem solving, and experiential learning through enrichment programs built into our curricula such as theater, art, outdoor education, and much more. We offer a well-rounded academic education rooted in the Catholic tradition of excellence and values. We prepare our students to assume responsible, creative roles in an ever challenging and changing world.
Mission Statement
Resurrection-St. Paul School, through the teaching of the Catholic Church, is dedicated to the total formation of the child by preparing them for a global society through innovation, problem solving, and cross curricular collaboration.
Email: office@resstpaul.org
Website: resstpaul.org
Location: 3155 Paulskirk Drive, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 461-9111
Facebook: facebook.com/ResurrectionStPaul/