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,

We are halfway through February and within two weeks, March will be upon us! The students are not only engaged in all academics but staying connected to the Catholic Faith by preparing for Lent. We are excited to share that we will be attending Mass and receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday. In addition, we will still be attending our weekly Mass on Thursday. We would like to thank Father Michael for his service in supporting us through our Lenten journey.

For those that may not be Catholic and a reminder for those that are...Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It always falls six and half weeks before Easter, beginning the Lenten season of preparation for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Ash Wednesday dates back to the 11th century. Yet, the tradition of receiving ashes has even earlier roots — to the ancient Hebrew custom of clothing oneself in sackcloth and dusting oneself with ashes as a sign of penance.

The Bible does not explicitly detail this first day of Lent, but there are many instances of this repentant act in the Old Testament, such as Job 16:15.

Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation for Roman Catholics, yet receiving ashes is a universal practice among Christians to begin their Lenten journeys. Most Catholic parishes offer Ash Wednesday Mass, and in some places, it is possible to receive ashes without attending Mass. Again, we are blessed to have Mass and receive ashes.

As the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday awakens us to Jesus’ entry into the desert preceding his death. Before Easter, however, we must prepare our hearts for his Resurrection.

We begin our season of preparing our hearts for Easter by recognizing our brokenness and need for conversion, a turning of our hearts to God. The ashes symbolize our mortality. They are a physical reminder that our bodies will decay, but our souls will live on in eternal life.

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.

STAR Assessment Results

Your child's STAR Assessment Reports are coming home with your child today, after school. Check your child's backpack. STAR Assessments are computer-adaptive tests (CATs) for Pre-K—12th grade students that measure reading, math, and early literacy skills. The teacher can then use the assessment results to monitor student progress and adjust teaching and learning strategies to help your child grow. The assessment is administered 3 times a year (fall, spring, and winter). The report coming home summarizes your child's scores. As with any assessment, many factors may affect a student's scores. It is important to understand that these scores provide only one picture of how your child is doing in school. The reports are yours to keep. They are not required to be signed nor returned to school. We have copies on sight.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.

Ms. Karen Folker

Learning Support Coordinator for St. Rita's

St. Rita School

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

Royal Parent School Association

Welcome to St. Rita

4K Learning Centers

Students in Ms. Bev's and Ms. Terrie's class have been busy in their centers.

Students made ramps and tunnels using blocks and tubes.

They sifted through sand using sand toys and dinosaurs.

They practiced brushing teeth using bottoms of soda bottles and shaving cream.

Their Dramatic Play Area was turned into a pet shop.

2nd Grade Reading with their Fur Buddies

Students in Mrs. Adams class read for 20 minutes as part of their homework . Part of their assignment was to read with their dog(s). It goes along with a story that is being read in class.The pictures were too cute not to share!

A Busy Month in 3rd Grade

During the month of February, 3rd grade is leading the school every morning in prayer, pledge and the code of conduct. We have also read a little bit about some famous African Americans.

Recently we had a visit from Peace Learning Circles about remaining peaceful by using peace breaths, and also about a peace response when we are having trouble getting along with our friends.

In reading, we are all doctors in training! For this Reading unit on Text Features, we are doctors who need to match the right text feature with a patient, and even perform "surgery" by finding text features in some old magazines.

4th Grade

Fourth Grade has been working on their Poetry Portfolios and Novel study- "Bridge to Terabithia." For math they finished 2 digit x 2 digit multiplication and will now start the division lessons. They have also been learning about the regions of theUnited States and about fossils.

Thursday they had a visit from our friends at Peace Learning Circles

Altar Servers & Mass

This week's Altar Servers were Ella N. and Madison Y. while 8th Graders led this week's Mass.

Racine Parental Choice Program Application and Verification Documents Due February 22nd

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 22nd 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

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.