Living, Loving, and Learning Our Faith

This is a time that we all must join together while celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. He is coming and we must be prepared. When I see all of the lights, trees, Santa's and gift giving to those in need, it is always a reminder that the reason for the season, is the coming of our Lord.

Thank you to everyone for the kindness you are showing by bringing in items for the Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization, Inc. known as HALO. Your generosity is appreciated.

The students and staff have been busying staying focused on academics and our faith journey. It is beautiful when one can intertwine both as we prepare each child for their futures.

As we head into the weekend, take a moment to remember of all the precious moments/smiles, giggles and laughter that your children may have provided you this past week. They are truly our joy.

Blessings,

Dr. Sue

St. Rita's Mission

Living Loving and Learning Our Faith: Living as members of our Catholic Faith Community; Loving God and all of His creation; Learning for our future on Earth and Heaven.

CHRISTMAS OOU FOR STUDENTS

HO, HO, HO...Time for some Holiday OOU for Christmas!

Thank you to several students who were very creative!

A copy went home today, Dec. 10.

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Jingle Bells...Jingle Bells...Oh what fun it is! We found some Christmas Carolers singing in our hallways!

Peace and Joy to you!

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Second Week of Advent

The Middle School Science LAB gets a “FACE LIFT!”

We have been busy in the science LAB! Mr. Geoff assembled new tables, Dr. Sue brought in new technology, and Mrs. Maraccini reorganized the lab to allow for more room for our 6 - 8th graders. Soon we can invite our other grades to visit!!

Currently you will find Earth and Physical Science activities set up. 6th and 7th graders are working on interactive notebooks and 8th is working on perfecting their experimental designs and graphing.

Art With Mrs. Rogan

Students in art class are in the process of creating some adorable "Sweater Weather" friends! We can't wait to see the wall full of the students amazing Art!

SuperStar-Nahla's Interview with Fox6news. What kindness!

https://www.fox6now.com/news/bracelets-for-waukesha-11-year-old-raises-1600

St Rita's Hallways & Student Work

Altar Servers

We continue to be so very proud of our students who serve during weekly Mass. Nico F. and Javier A. participated in this week's Mass. It is very special when one can serve at Mass. It brings each student closer to God and lays a foundation for their Catholic Faith. If you would like your child to be trained, please reach out to kdahlgren@sienacatholicshools.org

*Must be a practicing Catholic and have received Holy Communion

We Have Spirit-Do You?

St. Rita's Cheer Club needs you!

If you child is in grade 7 or 8, they are welcome to join our Cheerleading Club.

During the month of December, practices are held each Wednesday from 3:30-5:30pm.

(Next Practice Dec. 15)

We are so excited for our St. Rita's Cheer Club-Go Royals!!!!!

If, interested, please contact Ms. Lori Prideaux at 262-989-7087.

Need your child during the school day? Picking up for appointments and emergencies or when sick?

Please remember to call Ms. Lopez in the main office at 262-639-3333. We handle all student departures during the school day. THANK YOU!

Holiday Donations Sign Up For Halo

Annually we help an organization during the Christmas season. This year we will be helping out Halo (The Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization, Inc.)

Families have put together a Christmas Wish List this year. Items are labeled as (W) Woman, (C) Child (M) Man. We are asking that if you wish to donate, please have items wrapped and labeled as it appears on the sign up.

We will also be collecting personal care items as well as non-perishable food. Your help is greatly appreciated. Please use this sign up to donate. All donations are due by Monday, December 13th to the Main Office.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A4BA8A922AAFD0-2021

How to Keep you Chromebook Healthy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H8jGt__rtc

Facebook

Be sure to check out our Facebook page and all the great videos we post! We need you to "LIKE" us!

https://www.facebook.com/stritaschoolracine

St. Catherine's High School Incoming 9th Grade Scholarships Now Available!

Considering attending St. Catherine's for high school? Want awards to mention on college applications? Why not check out the scholarships available for incoming 9th graders! There are 11 scholarships, some with multiple winners, available for 8th graders to apply for before starting 9th grade in the fall.

The process is easy! Using the cover sheet, read over the short description of each scholarship. For the ones you would like to learn more about, click on the website link to open the scholarship requirements. All scholarship applications need to have the first page of the cover sheet attached to it and the requested documents. The last date to turn in scholarship applications is Thursday, December 16, 2021.

Questions? Email Kory Borek, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, at kborek@sienacatholicschools.org.

K3 and K4 Early Bird Registration

Siena Catholic Schools K3 and K4 Early Bird Registration Begins October 1, 2021! Click this form to request information about the enrollment process:

https://forms.gle/Bqy6e32D2VTnSzGTA

For more information, contact the Siena Admissions Office at (262) 812-0155

Catholic Social Responsibility Guidebook

Please see the newly released Catholic Social Responsibility Guidebook from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee under the direction of Dr. Kathleen Cepelka. It is available at https://www.archmil.org/Education/Catholic-Social-Responsibility.htm.

COVID NOTICE

Hello Siena families,

As we committed to do throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have needed to respond to the changing needs of our students, families, and staff and want to ensure the safety and health of all. Our leadership team recently met in order to reassess Siena’s COVID communication procedures to ensure that families are well informed.

In addition to communicating directly with families who experience a positive case and those who are considered close contacts, a letter will now be shared with the entire school community when we are made aware of a positive case in our building. We hope that this additional layer of information, along with our COVID dashboard, will help families keep a closer eye on any symptoms your child(ren) might be experiencing.

Please regularly monitor your children for COVID symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, headaches, diarrhea, etc. If anyone becomes symptomatic, please keep them home and call your healthcare provider to inquire about testing.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school communities safe!

Sincerely,

Kimberly Gardner

Chief Advancement Officer

Siena Catholic Schools of Racine

COVID REMINDERS

We do want to ensure that each child that comes to school is healthy and ready to learn.

Please review the following:

If a vaccinated person is a close contact of a positive individual, they do not have to quarantine UNLESS they have symptoms.
Masked individuals who are close contacts of a positive individual who was also masked during interactions will not have to quarantine per the CDC.
Quarantined individuals will be able to get tested six (6) days after exposure and will be allowed to return seven days after exposure with a negative test UNLESS the County Health Department shares something different with the family.
Students who TEST POSITIVE or who are considered close contacts will receive a letter from the school.
Siena Catholic Schools also has a dashboard updated weekly showing where numbers are by school.
IF your child is in quarantine and/or positive, please work with your child's teacher regarding classwork.

Inclement weather on school days

In rainy or subzero weather, students need appropriate outerwear. Students are outdoors several times a day. A hooded sweatshirt for example is not as adequate as a winter jacket. If the outdoor temperature is 10 degrees or below, wind chill factor of “zero” degrees or below, hard rain or blizzard like conditions, recess is most likely to be indoors. The decision is up to the Principal and at times in collaboration with supervisory staff. While outside, if any playground supervisor determines that the weather is too severe for outdoor recess (as our weather changes often), the outdoor supervisor is authorized to bring the students inside.

Weather Related School Closing

As we approach the cooler weather, we know in WI things can change quickly, in the event RUSD closes schools for weather, Siena follows suit. No one with the possible exception of maintenance is expected to report to work. Staff will receive an all users communication from Siena/Ms. Kimberly Gardner.

Current Handbook Language we will follow:

The school will be closed including CARES supervision, on days when Racine Unified School District is closed. Closings are announced over local radio (WISN 1130, WTMJ 620 / 94.5, WRJN 1400), television (FOX 6, TMJ4, CBS58, WISN 12), and their media websites. Parents will not hear our school name announced on public media unless there are specific circumstances affecting only our school or only all Catholic schools.

School closings will be announced in the media as Siena Catholic Schools of Racine. Staff will receive an email from Ms. Kimberly Gardner. Rarely used, but if a delayed start is announced for Racine Unified School District, St. Rita will follow the same schedule and delay the start to the day.

Parents may use their own discretion to decide whether to keep their children at home for safety. This absences will be recorded as an excused absence.

GRADE LEVEL MESSAGES FROM OUR CAMPUS MINISTER

ALL GRADE LEVELS:

NOT YET A PARISH MEMBER? ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER AT ONE OF OUR AMAZING CATHOLIC PARISHES? Siena Catholic Schools is proud to have an amazing church community supporting us and our children. The Racine Catholic Church Community would like to extend an invitation to come to mass and become a member of one of our parishes. Click on the following link to see a list of parishes, mass times, and contact information.

All Grade Levels

KINDERGARTEN-1ST GRADES:

Have you thought about Baptism for your 0-7 year old child? Wondering who you should talk to? Click on the following link to see the contact person for your parish.

K-1st Grade

2ND GRADE:

Second Grader not yet Baptized, but you would like to have them join their class for FIRST COMMUNION AND RECONCILIATION this year?

2nd Grade

3RD-7TH GRADES:

It is NEVER too late to receive Sacraments. Families interested in having their child receive Baptism, Reconciliation, or Communion should contact their parish and begin the discussion on how to receive sacraments. We are here to help you through this process and answer any questions you may have.

3rd-7th Grades

8TH-12TH GRADES:

Interested in Confirmation for your child? Confirmation is a 3 year program here in Racine for families not going to St. Catherine’s and a 1 year program for those who attend St. Catherine’s. Please contact your parish (see below) for more information on the process and sign up. It is NEVER TOO LATE to receive sacraments, even if your child is not yet Baptized, we welcome you to contact us. We look forward to being part of your faith journey.

8th-12th Grades

If you have any questions, contact Ms. Kristen Dahlgren at (262) 955-8183.