Principal's Page

ST. PATRICK’S SCHOOL
360 MAIN STREET
HUNTINGTON, NY  

September 2, 2021

Dear Parents,

May the Peace of Jesus be with you!  Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year!  The teachers, faculty, staff, Ms. Grasso, Mrs. Herr, and I are looking forward to welcoming grades 1^st to 8^th on Tuesday, September 7^th.

As you are all aware the New York State Department of Health has mandated “universal masking of teachers, staff, students, and visitors to P-12 schools over age two that are able to medically tolerate a face covering/mask and regardless of vaccination status, which is required until this determination is modified or rescinded.”  The Diocese of Rockville Centre Education Department will be abiding by this mandate and will require all students ages two and up to be masked while in the school building, other than while eating or drinking.

A suggestion was made that to make the wearing of masks easier for the students, especially the younger students, they may attach a lanyard to the mask.   The teachers will be taking the students out for mask breaks as much as possible, so I ask your cooperation in making sure your child(ren) wear a mask to school.

On arrival on Tuesday, the students in grades 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd, will be directed to enter the school building nearest the cafeteria, 4^th will enter through the door on the far side of the gym, 5^th and 6^th will enter through the main entrance in the parish center, and the 7^th and 8^th graders will go directly to the Jr. High.  Once they enter, the students will be directed to the floors where their grades are located and the teachers and aides will be there to welcome them into the classrooms.  As I have previously stated, the class lists have been completed and there will be no changes made for any reason.

I strongly encourage you to please use bus transportation for your students.  The buses are safe, and they are here on time in the morning and for dismissal.  The procedure for drop-off in the morning is to enter the parking lot through the top entrance and stay on the line; when you come to the buildings, let your children exit the car.  Please do not get out of your car to come around and open the door. Then exit as soon as possible.  Please don’t wait until you see your child enter the building.  Please do not park and walk your child(ren) through the parking lot.

At dismissal, please do not enter the parking lot before 11:15 this coming week and 2:15 once we begin full-day sessions.  You can drive down Scudder which is on the other side of the church and go through the church parking lot, which is empty, without holding up traffic down the hill and around Anderson.  The safety of every child is of the utmost importance, so please follow the guidelines.

The parent meetings are scheduled for next week.  They will begin in Murray Hall at 7:15 and then continue in the classrooms.  I ask that everyone please wear a mask when attending the meetings in Murray Hall and in the classrooms.

• Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday – Uniform Exchange – 6:15 – 7:00 P.M. – Cafeteria
• Tuesday- Grades 1, 2, and 3 – Murray Hall – 7:15
• Wednesday – Grades 4, 5, and 6 – Murray Hall – 7:15 – Grades 5 and 6 will remain in MH
• Thursday – Grades 7 & 8 Murray Hall – 7:15 – Jr. High building will be open from 6:30 – 7:05

The orientations for K, Pre-K, and N are as follows:

• Wednesday – September 8 – K – 8:30 – 9:30 – Please enter through the cafeteria entrance.
• Wednesday – Pre-K – 9:45 – 10:30 – The teachers and aides will meet you outside the cafeteria entrance.
• Thursday – N – 8:30 – 9:15 – Please go to the room in front of the Jr. High.

This year our school will be “Nut-Free”, so peanuts and nuts of any kind will not be allowed.  This does include peanut butter since we want to be conscious of those who have allergies.

Our Parish is celebrating “Grandparents Day” on Sunday, September 12 by inviting all families to attend one of the scheduled Masses: 7:30 A.M., 8:45 A.M., 10:00 A.M., or 11:30 A.M.  There will be a special blessing of families at all of the Masses.  Refreshments will be available in Murray Hall, along with “face painting”, balloons, and other surprises.  The ministries of the parish will be displayed and there will be opportunity for people to volunteer to join.  Please come and learn about “Our Parish.”

Everyone is to be in full uniform including ties for the boys and girls for grades K to 4^th grade.  For clarification, grades K to 4 boys wear green pants and grades 5 to 8 wear khaki pants.

Ms. Kristina Leone resigned, and I am happy to announce that Ms. Brianna Stephen will be teaching class 1-3.  Mrs. Christina Amitrano, our physical education and health teacher, has returned, and we are thrilled to welcome her back!

As we begin this school year, let us remember that Catholic schools have a specific purpose to form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor, and enrich society with the leaven of the gospel and by example of faith.  Our Catholic school is not just a building or an institution; it is our faith-filled children and teachers who are our school.  As people of God, we work together to bring the Kingdom of God to earth and raise up the next generation to do the same.  May we all strive to live in active service of Jesus and his mission this school year.

Let us pray for one another, our community, our country, and our world.

Sincerely in Christ,

Sister Maureen McDade