Living, Loving, and Learning Our Faith Through Jesus

Important Upcoming Dates

September 30 Picture Retake
October 4 Culver's 4542 Douglas Ave. (across from St. Rita's) Fundraiser (4-9pm) *Must use St. Rita's name when ordering
October 5 Culver's 4542 Douglas Ave. (across from St. Rita's) Fundraiser (4-9pm) *Must use St. Rita's name when ordering
October 6 No School for Students/Siena Professional Learning Day
October 7 No School for Students/Sustaining the Mission/ARCH Professional Learning
October 8 Hispanic Heritage Month-High School Event
October 13 6th and 7th Grade Faith Based Retreat
October 15 Catholic Education Walk/ANNUAL FUNDRAISER/See Donation Notice in this newsletter
October 18 Fire Drill
October 19 Alternate Date for Fire Drill
October 20 Open House at St. Catherine's (5-7pm)
October 20 Possible Siena STEAM (Science, Technology Education, Art and Math) Night
- Details forthcoming
October 28 Halloween Day Parties (more details to come in October)
October 28 Halloween Evening Activities (5:30-7:30pm) sponsored by 8th graders (more details to come in October)
October 28 End of the First Quarter
October 31 8th Grade Faith Based Retreat

GREETINGS!

Greetings Families,

As we enter fall, just a couple of reminders regarding the weather. The students are outside for recesses. Please remember they may need a sweatshirt or jacket. Students may wear tights-black, navy blue or white under their uniform skirts/jumpers etc. too. These ARE NOT REQUIRED now but totally appropriate if feel your child needs them now to stay warmer.

The STAR ASSESSMENT is almost complete. We dived into the current data (Reading and math data) this Friday during our Professional Learning Day. The morning was focused on Guided Reading. Starting September 26, all classroom reading teachers will be challenging the students during their specific reading groups. We have been working with Ms. Sarah Doer from CESA 6. She has been providing us quality learning and instruction around ensuring proficient/advancement in reading and math.

PLEASE PLAN on dining at Culver's on October 4 and 5 from 4-9pm. The 15% proceeds for each day comes back to St. Rita's. The money will be used to offset costs for our off campus faith based middle school retreats. The Culver's address is: 4542 Douglas Ave. They are located right across from us! Do not forget to share that you are from ST. RITA'S. You need to say this so we get our portion. Let's crush it and see how much we can bring into help our middle school faith based retreats.

Due to the amount of information in this newsletter, I am keeping this section brief. I would like for you to focus on all of the sections. I know families are busy and running from event to event each day; however it truly is all of our responsibility to partake in what's happening in our church and school community.

Blessings!

Dr. Sue

VIP MASS OPPORTUNITY

St. Rita's parish and school would like to invite one family member to Mass on the first Thursday of each month. Mass begins promptly at 8:30AM. Therefore, if you would like to sit with your child(ren), please arrive no later than 8:25am so that you may find your child(ren) and sit in our VIP section of the church.

Class DOJO is another way to notify your child's teacher(s) of your attendance. It is not required to notify, but helpful. Hoping to see many of our families. We will start this student/VIP in November.

*The first Thursday Mass in October falls on a "day off" for our students.

Father Michael holds Masses throughout the week and Saturday/Sunday---Holy Day of Obligation. The 8:30am Thursday Mass is open to families, if you elect to come on a day "other" than the First Thursday of the month, seating is in the back for these days.

Counselor Corner- Coach Bodi

"Maybe"

“Maybe” is a magic word. If a task seems too daunting to tackle, change your inner language. Instead of thinking, “I can’t, it is too hard.” Change your thought to, “Maybe I can, maybe I can’t but I will try.” This allows your brain to search for both outcomes instead of one. Sometimes the words, “I can do anything!” is too big of a jump for our confidence to allow. You might just need a “maybe” for it to work.

Teaching Patience at St . Rita

Middle School Faith Based Retreats-ON Campus and OFF Campus

(UPDATED)

September 22, 2022

Greetings Families

St. Rita, under the direction of Ms. Kristen Dahlgren, Siena’s Coordinator of Campus ministry, is delighted to work with us on planning two retreats for your children. The first retreat will be on campus at St. Rita’s Church/Parish. The second retreat will be off campus. While we are working on the specific details for both retreats, the purpose of this communication is to provide early notice regarding our ON CAMPUS RETREAT.

There will be more communication regarding our OFF CAMPUS RETREATS SOON! OFF CAMPUS RETREATS will take place sometime in October 2022 for all three grades. Stay tuned.

A retreat refreshes and revitalizes, gives the opportunity for more time spent in prayer and contemplation, and rekindles and deepens one's relationship with God. One may take this opportunity to more clearly hear God's call and to seek God's healing grace and thereby attain a degree of spiritual renewal.

8th Grade: Our theme for the retreat is Commissioning. We will be learning what it means to be commissioned by God, learning not to judge others, hearing the story of how the apostles were commissioned, and connecting that to our own lives.

7th Grade: Our theme for the retreat is Leadership. We will be focusing on discussions of what makes a good leader, team building activities, and learning through stories/prayer how even doing small things for others can have a great impact.

6th Grade: Our theme for the retreat is FROG- Fully Rely On God. We will be focusing on building characteristics in ourselves that make us a better person, the person that God made us to be.

FUNDRAISING-JOIN US!

St. Rita’s is participating in a fundraising activity with our neighbor-CULVER’S. We want to invite you all to stop by CULVER’S on October 4 and 5 between the hours of 4-9pm. Please remember to shout out…ST. RITA’S Elementary School as you order so that we receive the proceeds. We receive 15% of the proceeds each day of our Fundraiser. Please spread the word. The goal is to utilize the funds to offset any cost with the Off Campus Faith Based Retreats. We will communicate this to all families as well.

MONEY WARS START!

Catholic Education Walk-Donations! Let's see who has the most school spirit!

Dates: September 26-the week of October 3.

Check this out--Class Prizes-classes that brings in the most money in order receive:

Prizes for Class by place

1st: Pizza Party and extra recess

2nd: Popcorn and Movie

3rd: Ice Cream Sundae

Hello and Welcome to 3rd Grade!

3rd grade is an amazing class!

We are settling down into the school year nicely and are busy learning so many new things. Our new reading series has us taking adventures in classic stories like Wind in the Willows and Aladdin’s Wonderful Lamp.

In Math our focus has been learning how to multiply and divide. Practicing multiplication facts with fun games and centers helps us take a break from our normal routine and have a little fun!

Many unique inventions were built during our first Science unit. Each child built their own Most Magnificent Thing to wrap

up our initial unit on Growth Mindset. We are currently learning about Water and Weather in

Science, and have even learned a fun song with motions that helps us to remember the different

parts of the Water Cycle. Groups in Social Studies have been studying different regions in the

United States and what makes each region unique. We do like to have fun in 3rd grade. It’s not

all work! Our favorite time of the day is R.A.P. Time - Read Anyplace Time where we can sit

anywhere in the classroom and just chill with a book for a while! Our absolute favorite has to be

Flashlight Fridays where we turn off all the lights, close the blinds and read by flashlight. We

hope you’ve had fun hearing about all the great stuff in 3rd grade!

Recorders with Mr. Scaffidi

St. Rita Spirit Wear & Uniform Jackets

https://stores.inksoft.com/st_rita_royals/shop/home

We have some great new designs!

Just a reminder that this is SPIRIT WEAR to be worn in school on SPIRIT DAYS ONLY. The shirts and sweatshirts do not replace your child’s uniform.

The fleece and track jackets may be worn with your child’s uniform.

The orders will be done in time for the Catholic Schools Walk (October 15). So, order now! Hurry, do not delay!!! Last day to order is October 4th.

Thursday Mass & Altar Servers

Mass this week was led by 5th graders. Altar servers for this were Ethan N. and Fernando A.

Staff Change: Before and After School

Greetings Families,

The purpose of this communication is to share with you that Ms. Ashley Christensen is leaving St. Rita’s on October 17. This is her last full day. While we are deeply saddened by her departure because of her love, care, compassion and genuine concern for all of your children, we are extremely excited for her to take the next step in life! Ms. Christensen will be moving to Tennessee in order to pursue her dream of teaching. I know each in our hearts will miss her tremendously, I know that we send her off with God’s great mercy and blessings for her next adventure in life.

In closing, we have secured Ms. Vanessa Seymour who will start a few days before and work with Ms. Christensen shadowing and getting to know each of your children.

I personally want to express my gratitude and deepest appreciation for Ashley’s amazing smile and love in her heart. I know wherever she goes many people will be blessed by her talents and gifts.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sue

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WALK

Join us for the 10th annual Catholic Schools Walk held at Siena Center on Saturday October 15th.

Soles for Catholic Education Walk is now simply, Catholic Schools Walk. Our Catholic school’s walk will continue the tradition of celebrating Catholic education, building community, and raising much-needed funds that will benefit St. Rita’s classrooms and students.

St. Rita School is forming a Catholic Schools Walk team to raise $15,000 for efforts beyond the regular school budget such as clubs, field trips, teacher appreciation, classroom enrichment, and much more! Register today, and help us reach our goal by asking family, friends, and neighbors to make a donation.

Is there a registration fee, and how do I register? There is no fee to register for the 10th annual Catholic Schools Walk. Please go to catholicschoolswalk.org and click “Teams,” in the search box next to “Go” type “St. Rita” and click “Go” or click https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/SCHOOLSWALK/team/StRita, click “View,” then click “Register to Walk” and complete the form.

Where will St. Rita walk? Siena Center: 5637 Erie St, Racine, WI 53402

How can I raise money to help St. Rita School meet its fundraising goal? It’s easy; all you have to do is become a Catholic Schools Walk fundraiser. You can create your own fundraising page at catholicschoolswalk.org, and ask your family, friends, and neighbors to help you raise money. Use and share your school’s text-to-give number. People can text SCHOOLSWALK90 to 71777, give online via catholicschoolswalk.org or bring cash or check donations directly to the school office.

Remember, 100% of donations raised will directly benefit students at St. Rita School!

If I’m unable to walk at the event, can I still donate? Yes! Text SCHOOLSWALK90 to 71777, give online via catholicschoolswalk.org or bring a cash or check donation directly to the school office. Checks are made out to St. Rita’s School.

Questions? Contact your Team Walk Captain, Hilary Lowman, at lowmanh@outlook.com.

Thank you for supporting St. Rita School and Catholic education!

Altar Servers Needed!

If your child is in the third grade or above and has received their First Holy Communion, we would like to invite you to become an altar server. St. Rita's Parish needs additional servers at all of our weekend masses. We hope that many more of you will be willing to accept the privilege and responsibility of serving at Mass. It is an excellent way for you to show gratitude for the gift of our Catholic faith as well as a way to personally praise, worship, and thank God for His many blessings. Please clearly fill out the information and bring the form with you when you come to the server training which will be held on September 29th after the school mass. THE FORMS WERE SENT HOME FRIDAY, SEPT. 16.

CHOIR at St Rita Parish

“Those Who Sing Pray Twice,” St. Augustine

The words of our hymns are prayers and when we sing them, we add a further dimension of honor and praise to the Lord!

Consider joining us on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 pm in the church and sing a new song unto the Lord!! We invite you to come share your voice and see if this is where the Lord is leading you. If you

are unable to make a weekly commitment, come join us when you can. For more information, contact

Jessica Knierim at knierim@stritaracine.org

*You will need to email Jessica regarding age levels for this choir.

St. Catherine's Open House- SAVE THE DATE!

St. Catherine's Open House - Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 5-7 pm.

Join us for a special tour of St. Catherine's, including the new STEM labs! We will be scheduling tours for families that are interested in learning more about St. Catherine's and seeing the school. RSVP now to reserve your tour time during the open house.

If you are interested in a private tour of St. Catherine’s, please call (262)833-5517 or email admissions@sienacatholicschools.org to schedule a time to visit.