Dear St. Patrick families,

I wanted to give you an update on the Blue House. As you are all aware, we lost the use of the Blue House due to zoning laws and space limitations. A modular type building was looked into as a temporary situation for the music program. The company we were working with did not fulfill their end of the bargain, and after further review, it was decided not to pursue a modular building. Since that time, it has been decided to review if it is possible to revamp the Blue House structurally into a configuration that would meet with all code approvals. We are moving ahead with this plan. The Blue House has been inspected by multiple parties and we should have more information regarding this project in the near future.

One of the items I speak about at the beginning of the year is chain of command. Classroom problems should be discussed with the teacher first. If this does not resolve the situation, then I would expect to be asked to assist in achieving a solution. Overall school problems should be brought to my attention first before other options are sought. I have also spoken with the teachers regarding communications with our families. The teachers should be given twenty-four hours to respond to phone calls or emails. I would ask that you do not text teachers. I would also ask that you do not resort to the use of social media to resolve problems. This is not an acceptable means to achieve any solutions to problems.

There is no school on Monday, Sept. 5th as we celebrate Labor Day.

Our school website will be going through some update changes over the next few weeks. Right now, the school calendar has been completed. The lunch menu has been uploaded and the Parent Bulletin has been uploaded and will be archived under the Principal’s corner.

There is a sheet that will be coming home that explains the gift card program for the school.

There will be a Patriots’ Day celebration next Friday at 8:20 AM at the flagpole. Everyone is invited to join us in song and prayer. Our scouts (both boys and girls) are encouraged to wear their uniforms on Friday.

This year a third option for lunches is being offered on a daily basis. Each day a different fresh salad may be purchased by the students. It is the same price as the regular lunch. If you refer to the lunch menu that was either sent home or that is on the school website, you will see what different salads are being offered each day. We are going to use this as a gauge to see if we would consider bringing back some type of salad bar for lunches. I think this is a great idea and hope some of the students will consider a salad for lunch.

We are now in the process of the STAR testing that was introduced in the Diocese this year. Kindergarten will be taking the early literacy part and Gr. 1 to 8 will be taking the math and reading. These tests will allow us to see where are students are academically and assist us in preparing proper intervention where necessary.

All of the testing will be completed by Sept. 15th.

Tuition statements went home on Thursday, Sept. 1st. First payment for all tuition plans was due Aug. 15th. This should have included your $200 General Assessment Fee. Please call the school office if you have any questions.

Our upcoming three-day weekend looks to be really great weather-wise. I hope you all sit back and relax after all of the crazy activity from the beginning of school. Enjoy a cookout, a high school football game or a local fair or festival. Have a great weekend no matter what you do! And, as always ….. GO PANTHERS!