St. Jerome School Weekly Newsletter
Back to School Night Special Edition: 9/15/2022
“It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.”
St. André Bessette
From Mr. Merrick
Dear St. Jerome Families,
We are pleased to announce that St. Jerome School has been recognized, for the second consecutive year, as a School of Distinguished Instruction by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This award recognizes the hard work of our students, dedication of our staff, and the support of our school families and St. Jerome Parish community. Specifically, we were given this honor because more than 90% of our classrooms and students exceeded their academic potential as measured by the Terra Nova tests that were administered this past school year. Last week, I was able to accept this award on behalf of our school community during a prayer service at St. Pius X Parish in Broomall, presided over by Bishop Fitzgerald and the staff of the Office of Catholic Education. Our students and teachers continue to be engaged in the work of continuing our commitment to spiritual and academic excellence this year.
Back to School Night for 1st-8th grades is tonight at 7:00 PM, starting in the Church. You will have the opportunity to visit classrooms as well as sign up to help at school events. We will have copies of clearance packets available as all volunteers will need their clearances. Information regarding volunteer clearances may also be found on the school website here; packets may also be picked up in the school office.
Back to School Night and the PreK/Kindergarten meetings that we had at the end of the summer are great ways to get an overview of your child's classroom. Please stay in touch with your child's teacher and contact them if you have any questions, concerns, or any information about your child that will help them best help your child. Working together, we will be able to provide the best possible experience for each one of our students.
This year, St. Charles has assigned Seminarian Alex Cross, who is a seminarian studying for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He will be arriving to serve the 8:00 AM Mass, will visit school in the morning, and do other parish work in the afternoon such as taking Holy Communion to the sick. While at school, Alex will be visiting the classrooms and teaching a religion lesson on a rotating basis. We are also grateful for all of Alex's help this past summer setting up and configuring our new phone system which has allowed us to place phones in every classroom.
The St. Jerome Festival is approaching on Sunday, October 2nd. Information about purchasing children's wristbands was sent home in the Wednesday folder and is available here. Wristbands are discounted if you order in advance through school. We are looking for volunteers to help with this fun, family event; click here for the signup sheet. We are also looking for bakers to stock the baked good tables. That sign up sheet is here (we also will gladly accept sign-ups to donate soda or water if baking is not your talent).
Just a few reminders for the morning drop off: please make sure your child is ready to exit quickly in the express lane. I try to unload at least the first four cars as long as I am able to do so safely. In the slower lane, please take care to not park in the cross walk. Finally, in both lines, please do not go around another vehicle unless directed by a staff member. Thank you all for your cooperation! The 7th and 8th grade bus situation is almost resolved, and we hope to have them back on the bus by the end of the month. This, along with everyone's patience and care will help us to continue to be safe and efficient at arrival and dismissal.
If you are paying Venmo for a school expense (milk, pretzels, lunch, Festival Wristbands, etc.), please make sure to also send in the slip from the flyer that was sent home. We have been gradually working to reduce the amount of paper that we send home; however, at the present time, we still need the slips returned to process orders. Also, at the present time, we are unable to accept Venmo payments for CARES. Thank you!
Finally, we are very appreciative of the new parking lot and school yard. Now that the pavement has had time to cure (our paint contractor recommended waiting a few months) our stencils and paint should arrive soon. Once the items arrive, we may be asking for some volunteers to help with the painting. I will let you know if we need any help. In addition, we ordered some more basketball nets for the school yard and just await as well.
The world still seems to be on back order, but all of the supplies and materials that we ordered this summer are almost all here and either distributed and installed. We should have everything else by the end of the month. This includes the new water fountain for the second floor of the St. Joseph Building and (long awaited) air conditioning in the school hall.
Have a great week; St. Jerome and St. Lucy, pray for us!
St. Jerome Festival
- We are also looking for bakers to stock the baked good tables. That sign up sheet is here (we also will gladly accept sign-ups to donate soda or water if baking is not your talent).
Northeastern Music Programs Instrumental Lessons Program
My name is Steven Morrisette and I am the instrumental music teacher at St. Jerome. Registration for joining the instrumental program is now open!
What are the requirements? Your child must be in grades 4-8 for band instruments (grades 3-8 for string instruments) and have a quality functioning instrument.
Does my child need to have experience to join? No experience required!
Where do I register? You may register at www.nemusicprograms.com or call 1-888-636-2439.
When are lessons? Lessons will be held on a rotating basis beginning on September 21, 2022. The schedule will be shared prior to the first lesson.
Attached is the information packet from the parent night which includes pricing. If you have any questions, please email me at smorrisette@nemusicprograms.com. Thank you for time and have a great day.
Best regards,
Steven Morrisette Jr.
Meet Miss Madison
Hello Everyone My name is Miss Madison and I will be teaching 4th grade this year. I attended St. Jerome from PK3 through 8th grade, graduating in 2014. I received my bachelors degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Holy Family University. I have completed field work in grades 2 and 4 in general education, along with Kindergarten and 1st in special education. I’ve spent my entire academic career in catholic schools and I feel as though it has shaped me into the person I am today. I am looking forward to the upcoming school year and giving back to the community that generously gave me so many experiences and opportunities!
Archbishop Ryan Theatre Program
Archbishop Ryan Musical Theater is holding auditions for grades 1 through 8 on Wednesday, September 21 starting at 3:30pm. The children will be taught a song and should be finished by 4:30pm.
Grade schoolers should enter the back of the school at the North Café entrance and someone will be there to take them upstairs. PARENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO WATCH.
There will be a participation fee that will be paid later.
If you have any questions, please contact the Student Affairs Office.
Mrs. Kaitlin Freiling
215-637-1800, ext. 6041
Ms. Amanda Hill
215-637-1800, ext. 6042