Principal’s Message

April 22, 2024

Dear Parents and Guardians,

“Jesus said, ‘I am the Good Shepherd.’ ” (John 10:11)

Sheep do tend to wander without direction.  And many sheep are known to stubbornly resist the shepherd’s nudge with the rod to bring it back to the fold.  It would be in these instances a shepherd would use the staff to firmly, yet gently, pull the sheep back. 

What kind of sheep have I been lately?  One who listens and follows the Good Shepherd’s voice or a stubborn sheep?  We have probably been both at one time or another.  When I am stubborn, do I feel Jesus firmly, yet gently, pulling me to attend weekly Mass, spend more time in prayer, or be more attentive and compassionate to my family members or friends?  Whatever the reason, it is important to pay attention to the nudging of the Lord.  Let go and let God lead, guide and care for you.  

Praying for grace to let go of the stubborn moments and listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd,

Ms. Danielle Gonzalez

THIS WEEK:

Monday, April 22

• Earth Day

Wednesday, April 24

• Administrative Professionals Day.  Thank you Mrs. Neglia and Ms. Lubanski for all you do for the school!
• NJHS Homework Club for grades K & 1
• CHANGE of Lunch Menu – The cafeteria will be serving pancakes today.

Friday, April 26

• Spirit Day – All students, faculty, and staff can wear Spirit Wear for the day

NEXT WEEK:

Monday, April 29

• Grades 5 & 6 Field Trip

Tuesday, April 30

• $5 Tag day for all students, faculty and staff (All money will be used to help support the School Play.)

Friday, May 3 – Feast of St. Philip the Apostle

• 9:00 AM Mass and May Crowning (Grades K-8)
• Early Dismissal
  • 11:30 AM PreK3
  • 11:45 AM PreK4
  • 12:00 PM Grades K-8

• 7 PM Middle School Performance of Willy Wonka #1

Purchase Tickets:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spps-willy-wonka-7pm-friday-may-3-2024-tickets-867482452367?aff=oddtdtcreator

If seats do not sell out, then they will be available for purchase at the door.  However, please note, tickets at the door will cost $20 each (cash only) and those who have purchased tickets through Eventbrite will be seated first.

Saturday, May 4

• 7PM Middle School Performance of Willy Wonka #2

Purchase Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spps-willy-wonka-7pm-saturday-may-4-2024-tickets-867512151197?aff=oddtdtcreator

If seats do not sell out, then they will be available for purchase at the door.  However, please note, tickets at the door will cost $20 each (cash only) and those who have purchased tickets through Eventbrite will be seated first.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

SECURITY Updates – NEW DOORS!

• New impact resistant glass doors have been installed by the gym entrance.
• New ADA reinforced steel doors with a heavy duty steel frame have been installed in the main lobby leading into the auditorium.

VOTER VOICE

Your support (Faculty, staff and parents) is needed for the  2025 NJ State Budget as proposed by Governor Murphy to raise the per pupil amount in the current proposed budget. We can do that by contacting members of the NJ Legislature on the two key issues of Nursing Services and Transportation.  The method of contacting the Legislators can be through VoterVoice or speak directly to the Senator or Assemblyperson in your district especially if you have a personal connection to them. 

VoterVoice is the easiest and most efficient method. Here is the link to VoterVoice:

https://www.votervoice.net/NJCC/Campaigns/112988/Respond. 

If you are unfamiliar with using VoterVoice just click on the above link, enter the information, add your personal comments if you choose, and then hit send. It’s that easy!

Perfect Time Music CONCERT

If you would like to attend, please know the students who take instrumental lessons through Perfect Time Music will put on a concert in the school auditorium on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

7:00 PM Grades 1-3

8:00 PM Grades 4-8

JOB FAIR

The Diocese of Paterson will be hosting a School Job Fair on Thursday May, 2, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Pope John Paul II Center.  Please share the flyer with anyone you know who is looking for a job and would be interested in attending:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ff94l_YrgWPHDjjzJHrIrFKu8GNk4IrP/view?usp=sharing

REMINDERS:

RE-REGISTRATION

If you have not already done so, parents are asked to re-register their children for the 2024-20245 school year.  The process to re-register is below.  

Please re-register no later than April 30, 2024 to insure a seat for your child and proper planning for the 2024-2025 school year.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ze2sIS8NvFTXIQl1jLgy-1N7UCiGMk4gUdQpcjbvxro/edit?usp=sharing

END of Year Calendar

To date, two Emergency Days were used to close school.  Pending there are no more Emergency Days needed, the last day of school with the students will be Monday, June 17, 2024.

• Monday, June 10th through Wednesday, June 12th will be full days of school.

• Thursday, June 13, 2024: Half Day with Aftercare (LAST day of Aftercare.)

• Friday, June 14, 2024: Half Day with NO Aftercare
• Monday, June 17, 2024: Half Day with NO Aftercare

SUMMER Opportunities for the Children

• MHC Camp – Open House April 14, 2024 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM
  • For students that are going into Pre-K 4 through going into 8th grade
  • Dates of Camp: June 24-July 26, 2024

www.maryhelp.org/camp/

Flyer: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q3MYxDw2Eh0jr151kaMpXO7iPAXaGlTk/view?usp=sharing

• Don Bosco Prep Summer Theater

• • For students currently in Grade 6-8
  • Dates of Camp: June 24-28, 2024
  • To register, visit: https://forms.gle/q5N8jgPVqhDMbfRJ8
  • More Information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lx1qA3i5gZioBQVoQCqZSYL3Z9e_pmDP/view?usp=sharing

• St. Philip Parish Vacation Bible School (VBS)
  • We invite Children in Kindergarten through Fifth grade.
  • July 29 – August 2
  • 8:30 AM to Noon
  • Songs, skits, snacks, games, crafts, logo t-shirt
  • Registration begins May 25th
  • Students –  want 30 Community Service Hours?  Sign up to be Junior Leaders!