Living as members of our Catholic Faith Community;
Loving God and all of His creation; and
Learning for our future on Earth and in Heaven.
3/25 Quarter 3 Begins
3/27 St. Rita School Spelling Bee
3/29-4/07 Spring Break
4/8 Classes Resume
04/17 Grades 4 & 5 to Racine Theatre Guild
4/17 Siena Spelling Bee
Dear St. Rita Families
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying the blessings of the Lenten season. As we move through the final days of Lent and approach the joyous celebration of Easter, I want to share a few pieces of information with you.
Thank you to all the parents and staff who remained calm and composed in the face of some stressful moments following the voicemail threat we received this Friday. Together, the staff and law enforcement demonstrated the spirit of our community and calmly went about learning as we made sure there was no danger to our students. I am truly grateful the staff demonstrated the students’ well-being as their number one priority.
In brighter news, I am pleased to share that our Forward testing is progressing smoothly. Our students have approached these assessments with diligence and determination, and I have every confidence in their abilities to showcase their knowledge and skills. I want to applaud our dedicated teachers for their efforts in preparing our students for these important evaluations.
Furthermore, I am delighted to note that our literacy coaches have been working closely with us to implement interactive read-alouds in our K5-5 classrooms. This engaging approach to literacy instruction not only fosters a love for reading but also cultivates critical thinking and comprehension skills in our students. I am excited to witness the positive impact of this initiative on our students' academic growth. We had a visit from our CESA 6 coaches this week to observe and work with our teachers on improving our literacy practices, and by all measures we are jumping into this practice with confidence.
As we prepare to enter Holy Week and commemorate the end of Lent, let us take this opportunity to reflect on the significance of this sacred season. Let us renew our commitment to faith, compassion, and service to others. May we emerge from this period of reflection with hearts full of gratitude and minds illuminated with hope for the future.
In closing, I want to express my deepest appreciation for your continued support and dedication to the mission of St. Rita Catholic School. Together, we are shaping the hearts and minds of our students and fostering a community rooted in faith, love, and excellence.
Wishing you all a blessed and joyous Easter season.
Yours in Christ,
Beth Woodward
St. Rita Catholic School
Here are a couple of repeat items from previous weeks:
ST RITA SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We are in need of volunteers to help with lunch supervision between 11-12. Please email bwoodward@sienacatholicschools.org if you are interested in helping, even one day per week.
Many helping hands build community and lightens the work load.
In addition to day-to-day activities, we are always open to new members and ideas for our Royal Parent Student Association. This is a parent-led volunteer organization that organizes recognition and fun activities as well as supports the school’s need for extra hands in a variety of ways.
SAFEGUARDING ALL OF GOD’S FAMILY
Safeguarding program and background check MUST be completed before you can volunteer at school or chaperone any school event or field trip.
Hi Everyone,
The end of the year sports banquet will be on Thursday April 11th 5:30pm to about 7:30pm-8:00pm in the school gym.
The whole family is invited. There will be food served and desert.
We will have food first then we will hand out sports pins to all the players.
The kids that are playing for the first time for St Rita will also receive their St Rita Letter.
Everyone that played for St Rita sorts this year is invited along with the coaches and families.
So, if someone played for St Rita sports but they attended a different school they are still invited.
please sign up if you are able to come. We are trying to get a headcount for the event
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D4FAAA623A7FE3-48438879-strita
St. Rita School will be hosting a Middle School dance on Friday, April 26.
This dance is only for current St. Rita students and will be held in the school gym from 6:30PM-8:30PM.
The cost will be $10 per student to help with the purchase of food and drinks.
Permission slips will be sent out next week.
We will be asking for two chaperones per grade, First come First serve and must have the Safe guard training done when permission slip/money is handed to the office.
Permission slips will be sent out next week. and will be due by March 28, 2024
Summer School Dates & Times
Dates: Thursday, June 27, 2024 – Thursday, July 25, 2024
**No school July 4th or 5th**
Times: 7:30 am – 2:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
7:30 am – 1:00 pm Wednesdays
(Breakfast and Lunch included all days)
Join Us For Vacation Bible School At One Of Our Racine Parishes
Click on Location to go to the Online Registration Form:
(Haga clic AQUÍ para obtener el formulario de inscripción en español)
- St. Rita: June 24-28th; 9am-12pm
- St. Rita: June 24-28th; 5:30pm-7:30pm
- Sacred Heart: July 29-Aug 2nd; 5:30-8pm
- St. Mary by the lake: Aug 5-9th; 9am-12pm
- St. Lucy: August 5-9th; 5-7pm
Dive Below the Surface to Build a Strong Faith.
Take kids deep into an amazing undersea adventure where they’ll experience the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God. At Scuba VBS, kids will be immersed in the Word and discover what living water is really all about!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! VOLUNTEERS SIGN UP BY CLICKING ON THE LOCATION/DATE YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER AT OR EMAIL MRS. DAHLGREN. ADULT VOLUNTEERS WELCOME ALONG WITH 6TH GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
All are welcome, including parishioners, school families, Dominican Sisters, etc to join us for the stations at OLOGA, St. Lucy, St. Joseph, St. Rita, and St. Sebastian.
St. Catherine's High School welcomes the Dominican Sisters and those who work at the parishes to join us at 8:30am for the stations but it is not open to the public due to space.
JPIIA will be live streamed for all to see on Sacred Heart's Facebook, but we are not opening it to the public to come.
Per Section 11 in the Handbook:
Students and their families are bound by the following uniform and appearance code. Parents are responsible to see that the child(ren) conform to policies. If you have questions about a uniform item, bring the item to school or call. In cases of repeated violations, we reserve the right to have the parent bring appropriate clothing items from home, or we would provide used items to wear.
UNIFORM-DRESS CODE AND APPEARANCE
Students and their families are bound by the following uniform and appearance code for all students in grades 4K-8.
3K students are not required to wear uniforms; however, they are required to wear tennis shoes. No other shoes/boots are permitted as a “day type” shoe. 3K students should bring winter boots in appropriate weather with a change of tennis shoes.
Parents are responsible to see that the child(ren) conform to this required policy. If you have questions about a uniform item, bring the item to school. In cases where a child may simply forget, we reserve the right at any time to have the parent bring appropriate clothing items from home while the child waits in the main office. Students will not be allowed to return to class until the proper uniform is worn. In addition, (pending size) we may provide used uniform items for the student to wear so that we do not disrupt their learning environment waiting for proper clothes.
The administration reserves the right to administer progressive discipline. Violations will result in disciplinary action including detention, suspension, and up to expulsion for repeated offenders.
GENERAL STUDENT APPEARANCE
-Perfume/cologne in any form is not allowed. Students should not have artificial nails or nail coloring. Clear polish is acceptable.
-Hair: Noticeable coloring, highlighting, or streaking of hair is not allowed and must be returned to the original color within 24 hours. Simple hair bands or barrettes in modest style and color may be worn.
-Jewelry, Accessories, Etc.: Earrings must be smaller than a dime in circumference or length and limited to one per ear (no ear gauges or other types of piercings can be permitted). Modest necklaces and bracelets are allowed but no large medallions or noisy charms. Wallets, belt chains, keys, and purses are not permitted in class. No visible permanent or temporary tattoos can be permitted.
Spiritwear
St. Rita Spiritwear (separate from the uniform jacket) is purchased for outerwear or casual dress and may not be worn to class except on out-of-uniform days.
Uniform and Appearance Violations
If students are not wearing the correct uniform, they shall be given available items from the used uniform collection to wear or a parent/guardian will be required to deliver proper attire upon notification if there is not correct sizing in the used uniform collection.
Uniform Requirements
Students and their families are bound by the uniform information noted in this communication. If questions arise about a purchased uniform item, bring it into school to check before wearing it.
-If an undershirt is needed, students may wear a plain white T-shirt style only, and the sleeves may not show. Bras, as needed, are to be white or nude only.
-Navy short/long-sleeve polo. Logo on the shirt is not a requirement.
-Lloyd plaid or Plaid 49 skirts or jumpers (old and new patterns); Tan pants, shorts or pleated skirts (any style of pleat, no embellishments). Shorts, skirts, and jumpers should be no more than two inches above the knee. Cargo or athletic shorts are not acceptable.
-White, navy, or black ankle/shin-height socks; White, navy, or black tights, or navy or black leggings worn under skirts. Fleece black or navy leggings are permitted for the winter months. Sweatpants are not allowed at any time. ALL leggings must be PLAIN. No logos, designs, or writings on any leggings. Any type/color of athletic or Tennis shoe with laces or Velcro and a rubber sole. *Crocs, flip flops, or sandals of any kind are NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TIME (which includes OOU days).
-Nylon/fleece spirit wear or plain knitted white or navy cardigan/pullover sweater may be worn over the uniform for warmth.
OUTERWEAR REQUIREMENTS
Students should wear outerwear appropriate to weather conditions and must be labeled with the student's name. If the temperature is less than 40 degrees, students will be expected to wear a proper outdoor coat. Sweatshirts are not considered coats. Snow pants, boots, mittens/gloves, and hats are needed for below-freezing temperatures, and snowy days are required for students in 3K, 4K, and kindergarten through fourth grade.
-In the fall, students may wear their uniform shorts and/or skirts/skorts from August through November 15. Black or navy tights, leggings, fleece-type leggings, must be worn under the girls' skirts/skorts while outside from November 15-March 30. Long pants are acceptable at any time.
In the Spring, students may wear their uniform shorts starting April 1 through the end of the school year. Students wearing uniform skirts or skorts do not require legging/tights undergarments for warmth starting from April 1 until the end of the school year.
OUT OF UNIFORM DAY REQUIREMENTS
Out of Uniform Days (OOU) are communicated by the school office through handouts, the weekly newsletter, and/or KSwift messaging and/or the classroom teacher. OOU clothing must be modest and appropriate and follow the rules as outlined in the communication sent home.
The following are not allowed on OOU days:
● No tank, crop, low cut, midriffs or sleeveless tops
○ Shirts must fully cover the belly
○ No spaghetti straps, straps less than one inch
● No shorts during the winter months noted above in the previous section
● No holes, tears or repairs in any tops or bottoms or tops
● No midriffs even with a shirt beneath pulled down
● No inappropriate slogans or symbols on clothing
● Sheer fabrics require a sleeved dark shirt underneath so that no skin color is shown
● No caps or hats are allowed during the day; unless deemed as part of the OOU fun day.
● If a hooded sweatshirt is worn, the hood must remain down at all times; unless deemed as part of the OOU fun day.
● No crocs, flip flops, or sandals will be allowed
● For certain OOU days and for Halloween costumes, other special restrictions, allowances, or color limitations (as for Valentine’s) will be provided in school communications.
● If a student elects not to participate in the OOU day, their school uniform is required.
● Violation of OOU policies/restrictions may result in exclusion from future OOU days and/or other progressive disciplinary actions from detention to possible expulsion.
SHORTS/ATHLETIC SHORTS REQUIREMENTS (UNIFORM AND FOR OOU DAYS) ● 3K-3rd Grade
○ 4-inch inseam
● 4-8th grade
○ 6-inch inseam
Failure to comply will result in the student being removed from the classroom until proper clothing is brought from home. Or, if the correct size is available students will wear selected uniform clothing from school. Repeated violations will result in disciplinary action including detention, suspension and up to expulsion.
COSMETICS
Only cosmetics used to treat or conceal acne, allergic condition, or skin condition are allowed. Non-colored lip balm to treat chapped lips is acceptable. All other cosmetics worn are treated as uniform infractions and subject to consequence. Any student coming to school wearing makeup will be asked to wipe it off.
New Start time Reminder for the St. Rita School 2024-2025 school year.
7:45AM-2:45PM
Please register here if you plan on using Before and After Care Program.
Please see attached brochure for more information on the program, billing questions and hours.
We Make T-shirts is an online store where spirit wear shirts and sweaters can be purchased. T-shirts and hooded sweaters can only be worn during out of uniform days. Fleece zip ups or track jackets can be worn as part of the daily uniform. Purchase your uniform jackets here.
Order now! New styles have been added!
Rita's Parish website is: https://www.st-ritas.org/
The "News & Events" menu has the events scheduled for the parish.
The "Welcome" page also has an "Upcoming Events" list with a link to the "News & Events" page.
The link to the bulletins is on the "Welcome" page as well.
Fridays 5 - 7 in the school gym beginning Feb. 16th
Volunteers are needed for dining room help arrive at 4:30 and tear down at the end of the night at 7:15pm
If you wish to volunteer, please call Laurie Jensen 262 639-7602
St. Rita Festival: St. Rita Festival 2024 (signupgenius.com)
The St. Rita Parish Festival has moved to June 14-17, 2024. Please consider signing up online to volunteer on the parish website or at
https://signupgenius.com/go/70A054DA9A623A31-48051821-strita#/
Safe Environment: How to sign up: Instructions.
Be sure to check out our Facebook page and all the great videos we post! We need you to "LIKE" us and share with family, friends and future St. Rita Royals!
We ignite a spirit of excellence in faith, knowledge,
and service, inspiring students to be who God created them to be.