Living, Loving, and Learning Our Faith

Important Upcoming Dates

February 14: No School for Students-Sustaining the Mission Professional Learning Day

February 17: Loved Ones Mass and Reception Cancelled

February 25: 3rd Quarter MidTerm Progress Reports

March 2: Ash Wednesday

March 4: No School-Mid Winter Break

March 14: No School for Students/Professional Learning

March 24: End of 3rd Quarter

March 25: No School for Students/Staff Professional Learning

From the Desk of Dr. Sue!

Greetings,

Well, we had short but powerful week! We capped if off with an early celebration of Valentine's Day. Thank you to all of our wonderful families for supporting fun and treats for each classroom. We had so many activities and candy--sorry we sent them home on sugar! Check out the fun pictures in this section.

It was wonderful to see some of you during our PTC's. If you did not get a chance to speak to your child's teacher, you may always reach out. I do want to encourage home, school and families are working together for the success of your child. Please reach out. We are here for you.

We just competed our winter STAR assessment in reading and math. Ms. Folker are amazing Learning Support Coordinator will be sending home the parent communication letter next week. I appreciate the staff for their hard work in ensuring your child had a good assessing environment to demonstrate growth and proficiency.

As Catholics, soon we will be entering into one of the most Holy Seasons. Lent is a solemn religious observance in the Catholic/Liturgical calendar commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Our last week of Lent is Holy Week which starts with Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the joyful celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Easter Sunday. My prayers are that you begin your lenten journey with a prayerful heart to encounter Jesus and learning to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

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.

St. Rita School Open House

If you missed our Open House, you can view our video using the link https://youtu.be/_Ao8KjNlknQ.

St. Rita's and St Lucy's New Counselor

Ms. Geraldine (Jeri) Bodi began her work in education with RUSD teaching elementary at various grade levels 28 years ago. Mr. Bodi is also certified to teach 6-12 social studies. In 2011 she completed her master's degree from Concordia University in Educational Science-Guidance Counseling. After teaching Jeri, transitioned to Mitchell Middle School as a counselor for 8 years. In 2019 she began working for John XXIII Educational Center. She is passionate about extra curricular activities, mindfulness and meditative prayer and restorative justice. Geraldine enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, and swimming. She has one daughter who is 24 years old and shares her home with her father, his cat and her own cat, Zeus.

WOW-STUFF THE BUS

A big thank you for your generous donations. St. Rita's collected approximately 1,300 items. We were so excited to be packing up the boxes, loading the bus and knowing that those in most need will now have what they need! St. Vincent DePaul's receiving team were overwhelmed.

Kudos to all for your contributions and caring hearts!

4K's Ice Experiment

4k has been busy with experiments. This week they talked about liquids, solids, and vapors and discussed the physical changes during each form. During the solid form, the students watched the beads fall into the tub as the block of ice melted.

Altar Servers & Mass

This week's Altar Servers were Sam P. (8th grade) and Liam G. (3rd grade). Fourth grade did a great job leading Thursday Mass.

St. Rita Tournament

Congratulations to our 8th Grade Boys and 7th Grade Girls teams for bringing home the Basketball Tournament Championship. We are so proud of all the players and their sportsmanship displayed during this tournament. Job well done teams! We are so proud of you all!

Racine Parental Choice Program Deadline for February is the 21st

The Racine Parental Choice Program re-enrollment for the 2022-23 school year is now open.

All families are encouraged to complete the online application process before the February 21st deadline.

Please remember that February is the only month that will guarantee your child(ren)’s seat in their current school for the 2022-23 school year.

https://sms.dpi.wi.gov/ChoiceParent/

Paperwork can be emailed to Mrs. Lopez at mlopez@sienacatholicschools.org, dropped off at the schools main office, or at Siena's Admissions office on Villa Street.

Questions? Contact your school office or the Siena Financial Aid office at (262) 812-0155. Para preguntas o ayuda traduciendo a español, por favor contacte a Cintia Sanchez al (262) 753-1471.

Siena Catholic Schools Financial Aid Program

Beginning February 1, 2022 all current and prospective families may apply for financial aid for the 2022-23 school year. Your 2021 income information will be needed to apply. Siena Schools covers the $35 application fee for you!

If you have questions or concerns about the financial aid process, contact Kory Borek, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, by calling (262) 833-5517 or by email at kborek@sienacatholicschools.org.

2022-23 Tuition Contract

Tuition contracts for the 2022-23 school year will be available mid-February with a March 5, 2022 deadline. Watch your email for your invitation to sign into Enrollment Management to sign your new contract(s) for the upcoming school year.

If you need help with your login or password, please contact Kory Borek, Director of Admissions &. Financial Aid at either (262) 833-5517 or kborek@sienacatholicschools.org. Para preguntas o ayuda traduciendo a español, por favor contacte a Cintia Sanchez al 262-753-1471.

BOX TOPS APP

Help us earn money for our school by using the Box Tops app. It’s an easy way to make a difference. Plus, use my referral code JENN7A81 when you sign up and you’ll get 40 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt now through 02/14/2022, while supplies last. Use the link below to download the Box Tops app:

https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=JENN7A81

SCRIP

While we cannot have SCRIP in person like we used to, we CAN participate in SCRIP online with E-gift card delivery, which is instant and completely contact-free.

You can ONLY purchase E-gift cards (there are over 750 vendors to choose from, including Amazon, Target, Kohls, Home Depot, Walmart, Starbucks, etc.!)
A percentage of that purchase (2-17%) "gives back" as a rebate:
- 50% of the rebate goes toward your family's tuition bill, student activity fees, spirit wear or a check at the end of the school year
- 50% of the rebate directly supports St. Rita’s.

Click on the link to Learn more : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UAVWKOFQDJwnlFhUO_3CJ3Z7OUaaGPS8/view?usp=sharing

Looking for Gently Used Books

Lent is not far away and the library is starting to collect for our annual Used Book Sale. If you have any gently used books you would like to donate please just drop them off inside the airlock doors at school. If you have a larger donation and would like help, please email or Facebook me.

Thank you,

Mrs. Schotz

fschotz@sienacatholicschools.org

St. Rita's Parish Human Concerns Committee

Catholic Social Justice Principles:

The St. Rita's Parish Human Concerns Committee is beginning a series on the Social Justice Teachings of the Catholic Church. The Church's social teaching has many sources and has evolved over time into seven basic themes. It is a lived tradition of thinking of others followed by service, responding to current societal needs and changing circumstances. Each month the focus will be on a new social justice principle with examples of how we can live out the teaching in our community.

“Our commitment to the Catholic social mission must be rooted in and strengthened by our spiritual lives. In our relationship with God we experience the conversion of heart that is necessary to truly love one another as God has loved us.” archmil.org

For Further Information:

http://www.ccmke.org/CatholicCharities/pdf/7PrinciplesofCatholicSocialTeaching.pdf

https://www.wearesaltandlight.org/learn-together?tab=catholic%20social%20teaching

The Life and Dignity of the Human Person

Every human being is created in the image and likeness of God, and as such all human life is sacred. This foundational principle is the basis for all of the Catholic social justice themes. Each human life is unique and special and, therefore, precious. We are called to treat others with respect and fairness, remembering that people are more important than things. With this as our guiding principle, our human institutions are to be measured by how they respect and cultivate the life and dignity of the human person.

“God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good.” Genesis 1:31

Living It Out:

*Try to go about your day remembering how precious each person is.

*Pray for those working to honor the dignity of all people. Encourage someone in their efforts with a phone call or note of appreciation.

*Thank the people in your life for the unique and special gifts they bring to your relationships and interactions.

*Learn about the foster care system and consider how you might be of service.

*Help an elderly neighbor with snow removal or yard work.

*Go through old baby clothes and make a donation to an organization that supports young mothers.

*Call a local nursing home and ask how your skills and talents may be of assistance.

Local Ministries and Groups Putting this Principle into Action:

At St. Rita:

-Infant and Pregnancy Loss

-Health Ministry

-Respect Life Committee

-Bereavement Ministry

-St. Vincent de Paul’s Baby Closet

In our Community:

-Care Net in Racine https://www.carenetfamilyresources.org

-Senior Companion https://www.seniorcompanionprogram.org

-Our Harmony Club https://www.ourharmonyclub.org

-Pro-Life Wisconsin https://www.prolifewi.org

-Faith Hope and Love https://fhlforkids.org/

Girl's Softball Camp!

On Saturday February 26th St. Catherine's will be hosting the Wisconsin Lutheran College Girl's Softball Camp for all Siena girls ages 18 and younger. The camp is only a few hours and completely free! It's an excellent opportunity to get Siena grade school students in our building, interact with our high school students, and see the pathway from Siena grade school, to Siena high school, to college.

The camp will be overseen by myself, my varsity softball team, and led by our own Rachel Vogt (JPII) who coaches at WLC.

Please Clink on the Link to sign up.

Siena is looking for Substitutes

If you or you know someone interested in becoming a substitute, please contact bschurman@sienacatholicschools.org for more information.

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

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.