Sunday Evening News 5/16/21
May 16, 2021
SUNDAY EVENING NEWS
Fr. Glen – Ascension Thursday Mass on McPhee Field
Peace & Greetings,
Trust you and your family are well. It’s feeling slightly more “normal” around here! The weather has certainly helped inspire that attitude. Last Thursday was a beautiful day as the entire school celebrated Ascension Thursday Mass together outside on McPhee Field. Just all being together was an uplifting gift! And yesterday, we were treated to another gorgeous spring day, as our upperclassmen gathered for their long-awaited Prom. Amen!
We announced last week some good news consistent with Governor Lamont’s directives effective May 19 and Archbishop Blair’s response that churches in the Archdiocese of Hartford may return to full capacity thus allowing our Class of 2021 Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises to be traditional celebrations with attendance not needing to be ticketed.
We were pleased with the BBHD’s recent decision to reduce COVID quarantine periods from fourteen to ten days moving forward. As you know, the CDC also came out with some surprising and maybe confusing news for some. It’s important to emphasize that K-12 schools are considered a unique category in this pandemic, thus St. Paul will stay the course until instructed otherwise by our local health agency. We made it this far and will do our best to assure we have a healthy and safe finish to this school year. I ask for everyone’s continued patience and cooperation. We’re almost there … we can do this!
REFLECTION & EVENING PRAYER
Jesus prayed: “Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.” May we live as witnesses to the truth of the Gospel.
Let us pray,
Graciously hear our supplications, O Lord, so that we, who believe that the Savior of the human race is with you in your glory, may experience, as he promised, until the end of the world, hisa biding presence among us. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Glen, Chaplain
MESSAGE FROM MR. COOPER, DEAN OF ACADEMIC LIFE
Bringing Closure to the End of the Academic Year
The entire St. Paul community has done an amazing job thriving throughout this difficult and challenging school year. The teachers and students have risen to the occasion and exemplified the best of St. Paul. At the same time. we recognize that COVID-19 has brought students and families additional challenges to learning. While some have certainly been impacted more than others, everyone has been impacted to some degree. We believe that cumulative final exams would only bring additional and unnecessary stress and anxiety to our students. Therefore, St. Paul will not be holding traditional final exams at the end of this school year. The fourth quarter will extend until the last day of school on Friday, June 11. All tests, quizzes and projects for the remainder of the school year will count towards each student’s fourth quarter average. A student’s final grade in a given course will be calculated at 25% for each quarter for a full year course and 50% for each quarter for a semester course. We ask all students to give their best the last few weeks so that they finish the school year in a place that represents their true academic potential.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Week of May 17 – 21, 2021
Monday (Day 2), Tuesday (Day 3), Wednesday (Day 1), Thursday (Day 2) & Friday (Day 3)
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Fr. Glen will be available to hear confessions on Monday afternoon at 1:15 pm in the Chapel.
WEEKDAY MASS
This week Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 19 at 7:15 am at St. Gregory the Great Church for the special intentions of the golf, tennis and track & field teams. As always, any students and faculty are welcome to attend. Please enter by the side door.
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET
The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed on Friday at 7:30 am in the Chapel.
ACADEMIC AWARDS DAY & EVENING PROGRAM – MAY 20, 2021
Sensitive to indoor capacity limits, our Academic Awards program on Thursday, May 20 will be held throughout the school day ending with an abbreviated evening program. Memorial and Family Scholarships will be personally presented by the respective donors or administration to the student recipients between 8:30 am – 2:00 pm.
The academic Department Awards (by invitation) and recognition of graduating members of the National Honor Society School will be held in the school auditorium at 1:00 pm. This event will be live streamed.
At 7:00 pm the academic awards program will continue (by invitation) in the school auditorium for presentation of College Book Awards and to recognize AP Scholars, Summa Scholars, Senior Scholars and our Valedictorian and Salutatorian. This event will be live streamed also.
MAY EVENTS
Tuesday, 18 Chorus Spring Concert in Gymnasium, 7:00 pm *
Wednesday, 19 Band Spring Concert in Gymnasium, 7:00 pm *
Thursday, 20 Academic Awards Day, Evening Program in Auditorium, 7:00 pm *
Tuesday, 25 Senior Recital in Auditorium, 7:00 pm *
Thursday, 27 Class of 2021 Last Instructional Day
SRO Performing Arts Premiere, 7:00 pm
Monday, 31: Memorial Day – No School
JUNE EVENTS
Tuesday, 1: Athletic Awards Night (by invitation) in Auditorium, 7:30 pm *
Wednesday, 2: Senior Class Picnic, High Meadows, Granby
Thursday, 3: Graduation Rehearsal, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm & Senior Class Night, 7:00 pm
Sunday, 6: Class of 2021 – Baccalaureate Mass, St. Gregory the Great Church, 4:00 pm *
Monday, 7: Graduation Rehearsal, 8:30 – 11:30 am
Tuesday, 8 52nd Commencement Exercises, Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford, 6:00 pm *
Friday, 11: Last Day of School
*indicates will be live streamed
TBA: Freshmen, Sophomore and Junior Class picnic/field days will be held in June.
2021-2022 ACADEMIC YEAR
At this time, it is the intention of the Archdiocese of Harford, Office of Education, Evangelization & Catechesis (OEEC) as well at St. Paul Catholic High School that all students will be returning to in-person learning next fall.
For summer vacation planning purposes:
Thursday, September 2: First Day of School for Class of 2025 & Transfer Students
Friday, September 3: All Students
The 2021-2022 School Calendar will be released in next Sunday’s newsletter.
CLASS OF 2022 SENIOR PHOTOS
Art Rich Photography will meet with the Junior Class this Friday, May 21 at 7:50 am to discuss your senior photos. Students will be called down to the auditorium from you’re A Period class.
CLASS OF 2021 COLLEGE COMMITMENTS
CONGRATULATIONS to the Class of 2021 who have committed to attend the following colleges and universities next fall (as reported to the guidance office) : Alvernia University, American International College, American University, Anna Maria College, Assumption College, Bay State College, Bethune-Cookman University, Central Connecticut State University, Coastal Carolina University, College of the Holy Cross, Columbia University, Connecticut College, Curry College, East Carolina University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Endicott College, Fairfield University, Fordham University, Gonzaga University, Hartwick College, Iona College, Johnson & Wales University, Loyola University Chicago, Norwich University, Princeton University, Providence College, Quinnipiac University, Rensselaer Polytechnic University, Rivier University, Rutgers University, Sacred Heart University, Salve Regina University, Siena College, Springfield College, St. Joseph’s College of Maine, Stonehill College, Thomas Jefferson University, Trinity College, Tunxis Community College, United States Military Academy-West Point, United States Naval Academy-Annapolis, University of California San Diego, University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, University of Miami, University of Nebraska, University of New Haven, University of Rhode Island, University of South Florida, University of St. Joseph, University of Tampa, University of Texas, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Western Connecticut State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute,
CLASS OF 2021 – ARCHDIOCESAN SUMMA SCHOLARS
CONGRATULATIONS! Last Monday, May 10 Valerie Mara and Laura McCaffrey from the Office of Education, Evangelization & Catechesis presented the Archdiocesan Summa Scholar medallions to St. Paul’s Top 5 senior scholars. In return, each senior presented a certificate to an honored teacher who was influential in their high school journey.
Madelyn Hooks & Mr. Longmore
Alicia Barbieri & Mrs. Clarke
Emma Schatz & Mr. Wallace
Sophia Gerst & Dr. Gnoza
Jonathan Passander & Mrs. Pisani
TUNXIS HIGH SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Applications for the Tunxis High School Partnership Program are now open. Any rising senior or junior is eligible to take a course at Tunxis Community College, Farmington in the Fall 2021 at no cost. Applications are due by June 1, 2021. https://files.constantcontact.com/b715260d001/eeba0326-d2bb-435d-80a7-1837cc9357f5.pdf. Please see your School Counselor with any questions
CLASS OF 2022 – COLLEGE ESSAY WORKSHOP
St. Paul will be offering our annual Writing the College Essay Workshop for rising Seniors taught by Mrs. Strycharz. The course will teach students how to respond to common college essay questions and will focus on developing student’s ideas into an effective piece of writing. Students will read and analyze sample college essays to discuss the positive and negative aspects of the sample writings. Students will receive one-on-one instructional time in order to edit and revise their college essay.
Students can select either the week of June 21 – 25 (SOLD OUT) or June 28 – July 2 (14 spots left) with classes running from 9:00 am to noon or July 5 – 9 (23 spots left) with classes from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Cost is $75.00. Online registration (first-come, first serve) is now available on our website
https://spchs.com/summerprograms/.
ATHLETICS
Congratulations!
Christian Decker, Springfield College – Lacrosse
Owen Davis, Johnson & Wales University – Baseball
SENIOR DAY/NIGHT GAMES
- Girls Tennis – Monday, May 17 vs Wilby at Page Park at 3:45 pm
- Softball – Tuesday, May 18 vs Watertown at 4:00 pm
- Track & Field – Tuesday, May 18 vs Sacred Heart & Watertown at Watertown at 3:45 pm
- Boys Lacrosse – Monday, May 24 vs. Haddam Killingworth at 6:00 pm
UPDATE FROM MR. DENNEHY, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Good luck to all of the spring teams in action this week as most teams will finish up their regular season schedule.
The varsity Baseball team will play its last regular season home game Thursday vs. Wolcott and then host a First Round NVL playoff game on Saturday. Currently, the teams is 15-1 and the #1seed in the NVL and the #1 ranked team in the Class S state standings. The JV & Freshman baseball teams wrap up their season this week, both with two games on the docket.
The Boys & Girls Golf teams have busy weeks ahead as they close in on the end of their regular seasons. The teams are ranked #4 in their respective state divisions.
The Boys Lacrosse team sits at 9-2 with a #4 ranking in the Class S division and are the #1 seed in the conference. They host Northwest Catholic on Saturday afternoon before hosting the league championship game next week on May 27 vs Watertown.
The Girls Lacrosse team is 5-5 with four games to play and look to strengthen their state and league playoff standings down the stretch. They also host Northwest Catholic on Saturday afternoon for their lone home game this week.
The varsity Softball team hosts games this Tuesday vs Watertown on Senior Day, and Thursday vs Bristol Eastern. The JV softball team has a few road games to finish its regular season.
The Girls Tennis team wraps up their regular season on Monday vs. Wilby at Page Park on their senior day as they fight for the final spot (#8 seed) in the NVL team tournament. Go Falcons!
Congratulations to the Track & Field team on their efforts last week in their meet vs. Derby & Woodland. Some outstanding individual efforts included Allie Barton who won the 300 hurdles while placing 2nd in the 100 while McKayla Baxter took first in the 100 hurdles, Tyler Turner with a 2nd place finish in the long jump and Owen Wood placed 1st in the Pole Vault – clearing 12 feet. The team will compete in its last regular season meet of the year on Tuesday, their Senior Day before they head to Torrington on Saturday for the NVL championship.
FAN COVID PROTOCOLS
While there has been quite a bit of news the last few days around COVID protocols and a lot of rumors about what and when things will change, we want to remind everyone that the State of Connecticut and the CIAC have not announced updated policies. We expect this will occur sometime this week but until then a reminder that all fans whether on campus or off are required to wear a mask and follow all standard social distancing guidelines in an effort to allow us to continue to provide a safe environment for all of our student athletes, coaches and guests. We will announce any fan changes when they become available.
NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED
St. Paul Catholic High School is excited to announce our new website! Still the same web address www.spchs.com but a whole new look! Many, many thanks to current parent Matt Walker and Walk Design for designing and producing this website! Take a peek around and enjoy our latest news, upcoming events, a new athletic home page, photo galleries and more. Stay tuned for other upgrades and easier navigation to parent and student links too!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (May 17 – May 23)
Happy Birthday to: Madison Bloom, Jennavieve Boucher, Sunny Cook, Nicholas Jackson, Madeline Kurnik, William Kurnik, Adriana Raymond, Ben Shea, Renee Singleton, Brian Wilson, Daniel Wilson.
FINAL WORD
PROM 2021
What a gorgeous evening and venue for a May prom! After waiting nearly two years, we were thrilled to be able to provide a special night out to this year’s upperclassmen. Nearly 170 seniors and juniors gathered at St. Clements Castle & Marina in Portland, CT Saturday evening to celebrate the long-awaited occasion … pictures, dining, dancing and just enjoying being with each other. So happy for everyone!
Senior Prom King and Queen: Sean Rozmajzl and Morgan Herbert-Dubois
Senior Prom Court: Josh Silva and Sophia Gerst
Junior Prom Prince and Princess: Ryan Daniels and Reagan Davis
Junior Prom Court: Olivia Belfonti and John Newman
Party’s over … it’s time to get back to class (haha)
Keep it up … stay vigilant, don’t let our guard down … let’s stay in school.
It takes all of us, all of the time!
MASK UP – WASH HANDS – KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
Make it a great week … take care of yourself and each other!
St. Paul, pray for us!
Cary M. Dupont ‘72
President/Chief Administrator
