SCS News Brief
September 12, 2019
Quick Updates and Reminders
Student Drop off: Please note that our student drop off car lines on both 2nd Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue are reserved for parents pulling up and simply dropping off their children. In respect to everyone's safety, parents are not permitted to get out of their cars in the car drop off line. You must pull up and your child is to independently exit your vehicle through the passenger side of the car. Student safeties are present to help your child exit.
If you have a younger child, and you prefer to personally help them exit your car, or even if you prefer to personally walk them up to our school, we ask you to park your car away from our building to help keep our car line safe and moving efficiently. Please do not park your car on 2nd Ave or Pennsylvania Avenue as this creates traffic as well as safety issues. We thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
First Friday Mass: We welcome all parents and family members to join us throughout the year at our First Friday Masses and prayer services. Our first Mass is scheduled for this Friday at 9:00 AM and we hope you will join us! Parents, we ask for your cooperation and reverence in entering our gym, that we recognize we are entering God's house. Please do not enter the gym carrying any coffee, beverages, or snacks. Thank you.
Upcoming Events
9/18 Back to School Nights Grades PreK through 5 starting at 6:30 PM
9/19 Back to School Night Grades 6 through 8 starting at 6:30 PM
9/25 NO AFTERCARE
9/30 School Picture Day
10/4 First Friday Mass 9:00 AM
Blessing of the Animals, after school at recess field starting at 3:00 PM
10/14 School Closed
For all events please visit our calendar: http://www.stcatharineschool.net/scsl/Calendar/
Instrumental Band and Choir with Dr. Tafaro
At the start of our 2019-2020 academic year, I highly encourage all St. Catharine students to take part in our exciting new instrumental and vocal Music Program.
Students will now be offered the opportunity to take individual, one-on-one music lessons during the school day as part of their curriculum. All levels, K-8, are encouraged to take lessons. (Pre-K students are eligible on a case-by-case basis.) A high level of accountability will be expected, with regular practice sessions incorporated into student’s daily routine. All our teachers are specialists in their instruments with advanced degrees from national and internationally renowned universities and conservatories.
Primary instruments students can choose include piano, violin, viola, cello, or voice lessons. Additional instruments, such as guitar, percussion and others, may be available upon request. Cost for lessons is $30/per weekly lesson (half hour), to be paid directly to the teacher each week. Please note that this is the school-day rate; extra help, available after school hours either at School or in the students’ home, is assessed at the teachers’ personal rate, which may be higher than the in-School rate. Instrument purchase/rentals are available through local recommended vendors.
Students taking part in our instrumental program will come together for weekly Orchestral Ensemble class, where students receive instruction in playing as a group with their peers. Scheduled for Fridays immediately after school, 2:30-3:30pm, the first day of Ensemble class is tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 20th. Students will also be offered regular performance opportunities both at School and our beautiful Church facilities. Please mark your calendar for the Winter Concert, scheduled for Sunday, December 8th, at 3pm in St. Catharine Church.
Older students participating in the Instrumental Program will also have the opportunity of take Dr. Tafaro’s advanced Music Theory course on Wednesdays and Fridays during school, for grades 5-8.
In addition to our Instrumental Program, interested students are encouraged to join our School Choir, which sings, along with our instrumentalists, at First Friday Masses, and other events. Choir rehearsal will take place Wednesdays immediately after school, 2:30-3:30, instructed by Dr. Tafaro. First Choir rehearsal takes place this Wednesday, September 11th after School.
Studies show that music study at the primary grade level enhances academic achievement, creativity and positive development. St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish enjoys a fabulous Music Department, with world-class musicians who are leaders in their field, having performed all over the world. We could not be more pleased to be passing on our musical experience to the next generation of St. Catharine youth in our School.
Warmly yours,
Dr. Jarred Tafaro, Director of Music Program
Athletics
ATHLETICS
ALL PHYSICALS MUST BE CURRENT AND HANDED IN BY FRIDAY, SEPT. 13 FOR FALL SPORTS.
WINTER SPORTS REGISTRATION OPENS FRIDAY, SEPT. 13- SEPT. 29.
GIRLS/BOYS JV BASKETBALL GR 5 & 6
GIRLS & BOYS V BASKETBALL GR 7 & 8
CHEERLEADERS GR 5-8
ALL ATHLETIC PACKETS & 3 YELLOW EMERGENCY CARDS MUST BE NOTARIZED & SENT BACK TO SCHOOL.
Ellen Meixsell
Athletic Director
St. Catharine School
Email: rdougherty@stcatharineschool.net
Website: www.stcatharineschool.net
Location: 301 2nd Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ, USA
Phone: (732)-449-4424