Sunday Evening News 1.31.2021

January 31, 2021 - 1:16 pm

January 31, 2021

SUNDAY EVENING NEWS

 

Peace & Greetings,

As we take time this week to Celebrate Catholic Schools Week, I’d like to acknowledge the resiliency and inspiration of our students, the sacrifices and support of our parents/guardians, the courage and unselfish care of our teachers and the professional dedication of our administrative staff. While these have not been easy times for any one, it didn’t take a pandemic for these traits to be realized. This is just who we are. But maybe it took a pandemic for us to appreciate more fully our collective commitment to each other and this educational faith community. For that, THANK YOU all for calling St. Paul home!

EVENING REFLECTION & PRAYER

In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. (Mark 1:23-26).

Let us reflect today upon the fact that the spiritual battle is a real one. However, the victory is assured if we only humble ourselves before God and trust in His power and authority. God can do amazing things in our lives. Humility is the key to this spiritual battle. In the lives of all the saints we see that humility is often their greatest virtue. Not speaking about what they did on their own – but what God has done in their lives.

Let us pray,

O God, who raised up the Priest Saint John Bosco as a father and teacher of the young, grant we pray, that, aflame with the same fire of love, we may seek out souls and serve you alone. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Fr. Glen, Chaplain

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Week of February, January 1 – 5, 2021

Monday, February 1: NO SCHOOL & NO AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES – SNOW DAY due to the forecasted winter storm for Connecticut.

Tuesday, February 2 will be a fully REMOTE LEARNING schedule as we anticipate cleaning-up from the storm. We will let you know about after school activities. Please note: Tuesday will follow this remote schedule:

Wednesday (Day 3), Thursday (Day 1) and Friday (Students will follow the Day 1 schedule for special Student Appreciation Day activities).

 

 

CELEBRATE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK (January 31 – February 6)

Teacher Appreciation Day has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 3 and Student Appreciation Day will remain on Friday, February 5. Students will follow the Day 1 schedule on Friday. Faculty are planning appropriate activities for each of their classes and study halls.

SPIRIT WEEK AND WINTER FEST – FEBRUARY 4 & 5

This week we will be Celebrating Catholic Schools Week with many activities including Spirit Week and Winter Fest. There are many in-person and virtual opportunities to get involved and have some fun.

Spirit Week Dress Down (optional):

  • Tuesday: Sports Day – Remotely wear your favorite or any sports team attire
  • Wednesday: Matching Day –Wear matching attire as a twin or group
  • Thursday: Decades Day – Wear attire from the decade’s past
    • Seniors 90’s
    • Juniors 80’s
    • Sophomores 70’s
    • Freshmen 60s
  • Friday: Color War – Wear attire representing pride in your class
    • Seniors – Black
    • Juniors – Blue
    • Sophomores – White
    • Freshmen – Red

Winter Fest

Thursday, February 4 (Virtual Night)

Starting at 6:30 pm with our pet/sibling meet and greet; 7:00 pm Jeopardy Competitions and 7:30 pm Bingo with prizes! You never know who might come visit during these virtual events. Zoom link will be emailed on Wednesday.

Friday, February 5 (In-person Activities)

Starting at 3:00 pm with our outside activities: street hockey, black-top kickball, can jam and corn hole competitions. Then at 4:00 pm Dining Hall & Gym activities with vintage video game, chess and foul shot & 3-point shooting competitions. 5:00 pm House Quiz Bowl in the Auditorium. Snacks and hot chocolate.

RE-REGISTRATION ASSEMBLY

Mr. Cooper will meet on Wednesday, February 3 with the Class of 2024 to discuss the 2021-2022 Curriculum Guide as students begin to plan their schedules for next year. Freshmen will be called down to the Auditorium after homeroom announcements.

WEEKDAY MASS

Our Catholic Schools Week Mass will be rescheduled from tomorrow to Wednesday, February 3 at 9:45 am. Seniors should report to their F Period class before being called to St. Gregory the Great Church.

MEALS FOR NEIGHBORS PROGRAM

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The Galatians House and the Sophomore Class helped sponsor the Mission Club’s January initiative to collect personal care toiletries and kid-friendly snacks for Zion Lutheran’s Meals for Neighbors program. We had a great response, thank you!

 

Corinthians House will sponsor Mission Club’s February initiative to provide beverages and macaroni & cheese to Zion Lutheran’s Meals for Neighbors program. Donations can be placed in a collection box outside the Main Office starting the week of February 17 – 22. As always, anyone can donate.

List of requested items: Tea (instant or bags); Coffee (ground or instant); Hot chocolate; Macaroni & cheese (any shelf-stable type, but especially gluten free).

MARCH FOR LIFE DAY – JANUARY 29

THANK YOU to all those involved in our March for Life activities on Friday, January 29 giving witness to respecting life at all stages from conception to natural death. Special thanks to Fr. Glen, Sr. Marie Benedict, Sr. Mary Mercy and all our student pilgrims:

Michael Barzee, Alexia Bip, Isabella Cavicchio, Brooklyn Chance, Jocelyn Kennedy, Bryndle Kroll, Rachel Leone, Nicholas Lowell, Hunter Pickering, Jude Rak, Tyson Raymond, Mallory Sefcik, Riley Skarupa, Emily Walker, Rose Wolfgang, Kyle Bacho, Sophia Howe, Madison Howe, Benjamin Mwanza, Brian Wilson, Adam Zwolinski, William Kurnik, Matthew Sefcik, Francesco Vesci, Romi Bagdasarian, Sammi Bray, Madison Farrell, Adrian George, Morgan Hebert-Dubois, Brycen Kennedy, William Lyder, James Melvin, Jonathan Passander, Grace Perugini, Sean Rozmajzl and Richard Scott.

Special thanks to these members of the Respect Life Club who planned the events of the March for Life Day: Sammi Bray, Richard Scott, Billy Lyder, Grace Perugini, Jonathan Passander, Matthew Sefcik, Adam Zwolinski, Brian Wilson, Rose Wolfgang and Mallory Sefcik.

Also, thanks to Richard Scott and Rose Wolfgang who were readers at the Archdiocese of Hartford’s March for Life Mass with Archbishop Blair and Fr. Glen at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford on Friday evening.

2021-2022 TUITION ASSISTANCE

St. Paul Catholic High School uses an independent consultant, FACTS Grant & Aid, to evaluate financial need. Anyone who wishes to be considered for tuition assistance for the 2021-2022 school year will need to apply to FACTS Grant & Aid. The online application, FAQs and more detailed information about the process can be found at www.spchs.com/parents/tuition-assistance. Applications for returning students, must be submitted to FACTS Grant & Aid by February 5, 2021, with the required documentation and application fee of $35.

ADMISSIONS NEWS

GREAT JOB!!! Thank you to members of our student government who facilitated two virtual Future Falcon Nights last week with prospective students from the Class of 2025!

The next Placement Exam is this Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 8:00 am. For in-person or virtual appointments visit https://spchs.com/openhouse/ or https://spchs.com/placement-exam-registration/.

GUIDANCE NEWS

A reminder to the Class of 2022 to complete the Junior personal reflection survey in Naviance! This must be completed before your counselor can schedule your junior college planning meeting!

Virtual college fair! BigFuture Days brought to you by the College Board. Register for these exciting events to learn about a variety of different college experiences and options. https://pages.collegeboard.org/big-future-days

CONGRATULATIONS to the following Seniors on their recent college acceptances:

Daniel Bond Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), Roger Williams University, Salve Regina University, Stonehill College and Western New England University

Quentin Conner Anna Maria College

Olivia Hergott Fairfield University, Fordham University, High Point University, Providence College, Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) and University of Mary Washington

Alex Partyka University of New Hampshire, University of Rhode Island and Wentworth Institute of Technology

Kacie Therrien Clarkson University

Seniors are reminded to notify their school counselor if they want their college acceptances to be acknowledged.

ATHLETICS

START OF WINTER SPORTS SEASON

The CIAC 2021 Winter Sports Plan was approved and released on Thursday, January 14, 2021. It can be viewed at the following link – https://www.casciac.org/pdfs/CIAC_Approved_Winter_Sports_Plan_v1-14-2020.pdf

SP GYM SCHEDULE

Week of Feb 1

MondayFr. Boys B-ball 2:30-4:00 / Girls B-ball JV&V 4:15-6:00 / Boys B-ball JV&V 6:15-8:00

TuesdayCheer & Wrestling 2:30-3:30 / Fr. Boys & Girls 3:45-4:45 / Girls B-ball JV&V 5:00-6:30 / Boys B-ball JV&V 6:45-8:15

WednesdayFr. Girls B-ball 2:30-3:30 / Girls B-ball JV&V 3:45-5:15 / Indoor Track 5:30-6:30 / Boys B-ball JV&V 6:45-8:15

Thursday Wrestling – weight room workout with Coach Joe 2:30-3:00 & 3:10-3:40 / Fr. Boys & Girls B-ball 2:30-4:00 / Girls B-ball JV&V 4:15-6:00 / Boys B-ball JV&V 6:15-8:00

Friday – Winter Carnival Events 4:00-5:00 / Girls B-ball JV&V 5:15-6:45 / Boys B-ball JV&V 7:00-8:30

Saturday – Indoor Track 8:00-9:30am / Basketball – TBA

SundayBasketball – TBA

 

Week of Feb. 8th

Monday – ***No School*** / Fr. Girls B-ball 2:00-3:15 / Girls B-ball JV&V 3:30-5:00 / Fr. Boys B-ball 5:15-6:30 / Boys B-ball JV&V 6:45-8:15

TuesdayFr. Boys & Girls B-ball 2:30-3:30 / Cheer & Wrestling 3:45-4:45 / Girls B-ball JV&V 5:00-6:30 / Boys B-ball JV&V 6:45-8:15

WednesdayGirls B-ball JV&V 2:30-4:15 / Indoor Track 4:30-6:00 / Boys B-ball JV&V 6:15-8:00

Thursday Fr. Boys & Girls 2:30-3:30 / Cheer & Wrestling 3:45-4:45 / Girls B-ball JV&V 5:00-6:30 / Boys B-ball JV&V 6:45-8:15

Friday – Fr. Girls B-ball 2:30-3:30 / Girls B-ball JV&V 3:45-5:15 / Fr. Boys B-ball 5:30-6:30 / Boys B-ball JV&V 6:45-8:15

Saturday – Indoor Track 8:00-9:30am / Fresh. Girls Basketball – Game @ 11:00am / Basketball Practice Schedule –TBA

SundayBasketball – TBA

Wrestling & Indoor Track practices schedules will be posted on Arbiter Live – see the athletic section of the school website – Sports Schedules and access the Arbiter Live Link.  These practices will be updated / posted every two weeks.

A reminder to any students planning on participating in the conditioning sessions and non-contact activities for Cheerleading, Indoor Track and Wrestling all of your paperwork must be submitted and your physical must be up to date before you are allowed to participate.

Please contact Mr. Dennehy with any questions regarding Winter Sports.

ADVANCEMENT OFFICE – PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEDED

The Advancement office is gearing up for two big events this spring! Our annual Forever Falcons Gala, postponed from November 2020, will be held virtually this year on May 7, 2021 and our 2021 Alumni Golf Tournament will be held in June.

We need your help! We are looking for parent committee volunteers for both events. Expectations include attending occasional Zoom committee meetings, help secure sponsorships and auction items, participation at the event, etc. Contact Shelley Mendoza at smendoza@spchs.com for more information or to volunteer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (February 1 – 7)

Happy Birthday to: Ava Bagdasarian, Brooke Kiazim, Anna Kretsch, Julia Lawson, Julia McPhee, Savannah Piers, Arden Polverari, Kurt Radcliff, Ryan Rigsby, Jeremy Taveras and Mr. Vollono.

 

FINAL WORD

Keep it up … stay vigilant.

You’re doing great … it takes all of us, all of the time!

WFSB Channel 3 has named this storm Cooper. So in honor of Mr. Cooper, enjoy your snow day tomorrow.

Stay well … be safe.

St. Paul, pray for us!

Cary M. Dupont ‘72

President/Chief Administrator

COVID-19 REMINDERS

MANDATORY PRACTICES FOR IN–PERSON LEARNING

  • Every student, faculty and staff member MUST submit the mandatory online BBHD Daily Morning Health Self-Assessment before arriving at school. Students who do not complete the daily health survey will lose in-school privileges. Remote learners do not need to complete the daily survey.
  • PLEASE REMAIN HOME IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL. Stay home if you have symptoms associated with COVID-19 including a fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, unexplained loss of taste and smell or a headache. Do not assume you have a cold, allergies, etc. You should not return to school until your symptoms have improved or you submit a doctor’s note indicating that your symptoms are not COVID-19 related.
  • If you, a family member or a “close contact” test positive for COVID-19 (or even is experiencing symptoms and is waiting for test results) you MUST stay home from school and notify the St. Paul health room immediately.
  • Practice mitigation health strategies (i.e. wear a mask, frequently wash hands, practice physical distancing, etc.) beyond the normal school day (i.e. evenings and weekends) to leave the virus outside our borders.

 

RETURNING FROM OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL QUARANTINE PROTOCOL

Given the current high rates of COVID-19 throughout the United States and internationally, Connecticut continues to strongly discourage all nonessential, interstate travel at this time as the risks are too severe. Effective December 19, 2020, pursuant to Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 9S, anyone traveling into Connecticut from a state or territory, other than New York, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, or from a country other than the United States, is directed to self-quarantine for a 10-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or country.

 

If travelers get a negative test (PCR or Antigen) within 72 hours after returning, they may submit a copy of those results to our health office: Elizabeth McGuire, elizabethmcguire@bristolct.gov or Ann Marie Pahl, apahl@spchs.com for consideration of an early end to their travel quarantine. However, even if you receive a negative COVID-19 test result, you will be required to remain home and reduce non-essential activities for a full seven days after travel before returning to school.