Resurrection-St. Paul School
News and Notes
A Message from Karen Murphy
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I wanted to take a second to let you know about our upcoming Accreditation visit as well as a reflection.
Yesterday, I spent the afternoon on Kent Island at my young nephew’s First Communion. As the mass concluded, my husband turned to me and said that he couldn’t believe that in 24 hours…we go from the sadness of the funeral for Trey Keys on Friday and the happiness/celebration of a First Communion the next day. That is our Catholic Faith that we treasure. The same God is with us in both the sad events of our life as well as the happy ones. He never abandons us!
As I sat alone on Friday night reflecting on the day, I am in awe of what I have had the chance to witness in our community the past 14 years and Friday was another testament to that. The number of people that donated food, their time, their words, their money, and most importantly their prayers for the Keys family over the past 18 months is overwhelming. What is incredible is that I have had the opportunity to see these actions repeated for family after family, stranger after stranger for the past 14 years. Monsignor John and I were talking on Friday about how supportive our school community is and he said that communities that rally behind each other in faith help everyone to heal and get through such difficult times so much better than not having that supportive community. This is the work of God in action. In our times of such palpable grief, we have the faith to know that all is ok and we will live with God and our loved ones in heaven forever. What a precious gift of faith you give your children. Thank you! On behalf of the Keys family, they truly appreciate the overwhelming support and ask for continued prayers as they navigate this new journey.
Hopefully, you read two weeks ago that over the Easter break, our school was recognized as a 2019 award-winning Maryland Green School! Thank you to Mrs. Grue and our incredible staff in putting together the documentation for that recognition.
This evening, two members from the AdvancED STEM Accreditation team will be arriving to start the Accreditation process. They will spend the next two days at the school visiting classrooms and interviewing faculty, staff, parents, students, and stakeholders to see our STEM teaching in action.
In addition, on Tuesday, we will have someone come out for our annual PBIS evaluation. They will interview faculty, staff, parents, and students as well as classroom observation. We have once again applied for the Gold award.
We ask that you please take a second and pray for RSPS this week as we go through these evaluations processes. I also suggest that we all add an extra prayer each evening to our repertoire for the search committee that will be in charge of finding the next leader for the school. In addition to prayer, please go online this evening and fill out the leadership questionnaire that was sent to you. This is your chance to let the committee know your thoughts and opinions. The survey closes tomorrow, May 6th.
Congratulations to our 2nd graders who have received their First Eucharist and to our Band who won a superior rating at the Hershey Park Festival on Friday!
Have a beautiful Sunday! See everyone at the Art Show on Wednesday evening!
Karen Murphy
The Week Ahead
Monday, May 6th
- Happy Birthday, Miss Cross!
- Happy Nurse's Day to Mrs. Rice, Mrs. Kolberg and all the nurses in our community!
- AdvancED STEM Accreditation Evaluation Team visit
- 6th-grade students, please dress down for working in and around the stream for Outdoor Ed activities today.
Student Council Fundraiser- Krispy Kreme Flyer can be found below in the Announcement section
Tuesday, May 7th
- AdvancED STEM Accreditation Evaluation Team visit
- Positive Behavioral Supports and Interventions (PBIS) evaluation visit
- 6th-grade students, please dress down for working in and around the stream for Outdoor Ed activities today.
Wednesday, May 8th
Archdiocese of Baltimore Spelling Bee-Good luck to RSPS representative, Aaliyah Perez!
Kindergarten field trip to Goucher College
Volunteers needed this morning to hang art for tonight's Art Under the Stars!
6:00-8:00 p.m. Art Under the Stars
Thursday, May 9th
3rd Grade field trip to the Maryland Science Center
4th Grade field trip to Annapolis
Friday, May 10th
- Friday Mass for Grades 3 and 4
- Boxtops out of uniform day-please adhere to the out of uniform policy found in the RSPS Student and Parent Handbook on pages 34-35 and available below.
- Please do not park in front of the school today. Thank you!
- 5K Fun Run and Movie Night
Saturday, May 11th
Sunday, May 12th
Announcements
Additions to the 2019 School Calendar
Monday, May 6th- Will now be a FULL DAY of school. The AdvancED accreditation team will be on site May 6th and 7th for our STEM Accreditation. We will be canceling our Archdiocesan Professional Development Day in May.
Saturday, May 11th- RSPS Orioles night- See flyer in the HSA section
Sunday, June 2nd- RSPS Orioles game- See flyer in the HSA section
Drive Safely Please!
Interims
Art Under the Stars- May 8th, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
We are looking for a few more volunteers to set up the final displays Wednesday morning for Art Under the Stars. Thank you for considering to volunteer for this opportunity.
Box Top Dress Down- May 10th
No Parking in front of the school after 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10th
RSPS 5K Fun Run-May 10th
Come join us on Friday, May 10th for a Family Friendly event open for all ages and abilities!!
The 4th Annual 5K/Fun Run combined with our HSA Movie Night is sure to be a great evening for everyone.
All 5K/Fun Run participants 21+ will receive a free adult beverage from our beer/wine garden.
Student Council Krispy Kreme Fundraiser
Student Council is sponsoring their Krispy Kreme fundraiser next week!
We encourage you to order your doughnuts through a Student Council member. If you are unable to connect with a student, please use the online order form found here: tinyurl.com/rspsdoughnut
All orders must be in by May 14 and payment is due when the order is placed. Doughnuts will be picked up May 17 after school.
RSPS Shoe Drive
RSPS is continuing our Good Works theme this year by collecting gently worn shoes to donate. We are collecting new or gently worn shoes (sneakers, cleats, snow boots, tap shoes, heels etc.) until May 12. You can deposit them into the blue boxes (adult and children sizes accepted). Your closets and garages will thank you!!
Upcoming Events
Golf Classic- May 14th
Class of 2019 Reminders
May 10th- Memory boards due
May 22nd- Math Exam
May 23rd- ELA Exam
May 29th- Retreat
May 30th- Hershey Park trip
May 31st- 8th grade Mass & 8th Grade-Kindergarten Buddy Day
June 3rd- Graduation Recognition Dinner 5:30 p.m.
June 4th- Graduation 5:00 p.m.
Class of 2019 Memory Boards Due May 10th
Calling all RSPS Alumni!
Stephanie Finamore
410-461-9111 ext 242
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer hours are coming due. Are you still in need of volunteer hours? Here are some opportunities….
- Bottles of lemonade and sugar cookies are needed for Art Under the Stars Night on Wednesday, May 8th. Email Cheryl Martin at cmartin@resstpaul.org to let her know what you can donate.
- We are looking for course rangers for our annual 5K race on Friday, May 10th. This is a great way to earn 5 volunteer hours for about 2 hrs. time. Email Mrs. Finamore at sfinamore@resstpaul.org if you are available.
- Mr. Scanlon is looking for volunteers for field day on Friday, May 24th from 9-12pm Please email him at rscanlon@resstpaul.org
- Mrs.Ruppert is still in need of volunteers to help set up for Art Under the Stars. Please email her at mruppert@resstpaul.org
Congratulations!
STEM Fair
First Communion
Thank You To...
- All our families who have supported the Keys family for the last year and a half, and especially this last week.
- Patsy Grue, Anthony Fiumara, BarbI Frederick, Kelsey Jordan, Michele Ruppert, Stephanie Finamore, Adri Westlake, Kristin Urbanski, Kate Johnston, Laura Schwing, Noelle O'Toole, Jackie Wells, Bob Buchta, and Meredith Horstkamp for volunteering for and facilitating a great night celebrate STEM.
- All the faculty and staff that participated in the Faculty vs. 8th Grade kickball game and to Mr. Wojdon for arranging the use of Manor Woods Elementary School's baseball field.
RSPS Home School Association
Executive Board Position Openings for the 2019-2020 School Year
It is that time of year, HSA Executive Board election season!
Per the Archdiocese of Baltimore's HSA/PTO Manual for Catholic Schools:
Terms of Office (page 22)
Officers of the HSA/PTO generally serve a term of one year with the possibility of a second consecutive term. Officers who have served two consecutive terms may be re-elected to the HSA/PTO after a lapse of one year.
- Officers include a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary (responsibilities for this office may require both a recording and corresponding secretary).
- The Officers, with the Principal and chairs of standing committees, form the Executive Committee.
Process for Electing Officers (page 19)
The President, in consultation with the Principal, appoints an ad hoc nominating committee chair who appoints four additional committee members. The nominating committee members are not members of the Executive Committee.
Members of the nominating committee are not eligible to hold an officer position. The Principal is an ex-officio member of the nominating committee.
The nominating committee:
- conducts an active, open search for HSA/PTO officer candidates from the general membership.
- develops a slate of two candidates per office (if possible)
- reviews the slate with the Principal
- contact the candidates, explains the duties, and determines their willingness to serve.
- presents the final slate to the general membership one month prior to the election at either a general meeting or in writing
The following HSA Executive Board member positions are up for election for the 2019-2020 school year. Elections for these officers will take place at the end of May:
- President
- 1st Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
If you are interested in being nominated or would like to nominate someone else for one of these positions, please contact Karen Murphy at kmurphy@resstpaul.org.
Committee Chair Openings
Are you interested in becoming a part of the HSA, but don’t have time to commit to a year-long position? Consider becoming a committee chair member!
The HSA would like to incorporate some new “fun”draising opportunities and community building events next year, but we can’t do it without your help!
Please see the attached flyer below for volunteer opportunities as a committee chair member. We are currently looking for people to lead (and join!) the following committees. Per the info on the flyer, if you are interested, please e-mail hsa@resstpaul.org.
HSA Upcoming Events
- The Family Fun Run, 5K and Movie Night is on May 10th! (Registration now open!)
- Saturday, May 11th at 4:05 pm- Orioles Game followed by a showing of “A League of Their Own” at Camden Yards
- Sunday, June 2nd at 1:05 pm- Orioles Game- Kids run the bases after the game!
In Our Prayers
Please Continue Your Prayers For...
Melinda Mary Joseph, RSPS 2nd grade student
Charlotte Bennett, RSPS Kindergarten student
Mr. Fortune Mannino, grandfather of Robby Mannino (Gr. 7)
Mr. Bob Sutliff, parent of Leah Sutliff (Gr. 4)
Mr. Tim Michels, brother-in-law of Mrs. Zalucki
Mrs. Tina Hyatt, mother of Brianna (Gr. 6)
Mr. Jerry Levine, grandfather of Olivia (4) Andrew (1) and Nate (Prek3)
Mrs. Patricia Ruppert, sister-in-law of Mrs. Ruppert
Ms. Cathy Frederick, sister of Ms. Frederick
Mr. Stuart Miller, father of Mrs. Horstkamp
Mrs. Sue Trethewey, grandmother of Charlie (5), Alexandra (2), and Quinn (K)
Mrs. Rose Mancuso, great-grandmother of Max (4), Alex (K), and Emily(PK3) Wisniewski
Mrs. Mary Cross, mother of Ms. Lynne Cross, RSPS Innovation Teacher
Mrs. Billings, wife of Mr. Tom Billings, RSPS Substitute
Sean Kraft, son of tutor, Maureen Kraft
and for the soul of
- Mr. Trey Keys, father of Kellen (Gr. 6) and Katie (Gr. 4)
Newsletter Submission Requests
Reminder: Any content that you would like published in the newsletter must be submitted to Mrs. Rensberger at rrensberger@resstpaul.org by the Wednesday before the newsletter is pushed out. We are trying to limit the amount of KSwift alerts that we send out, so any submissions received after the Wednesday deadline will have to wait until the following newsletter to be published.
We appreciate your patience as we try to best serve our community while staying Green and protecting our environment.
RSPS Mission
Email: office@resstpaul.org
Website: resstpaul.org
Location: 3155 Paulskirk Drive, Ellicott City, MD, USA
Phone: 410-461-9111
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResurrectionStPaul/