Parent Memo: May 14, 2021
PRINCIPAL’S CORNER:
This past year, we have lived the quote “The only constant in life is change.” And whereas the school anticipates returning to normal operations next year, we will be bidding goodbye to some current faculty and welcoming some new. We say a fond farewell to our faculty members moving on to other places and opportunities in their lives and thank them sincerely for the service they gave to the school. As well, I know you will join me in welcoming our new faculty members:
Karen Rideout: Music – Mrs. Rideout is not really “new” to the faculty as she used to teach Music here at St Patrick. She had to move away, and we are now fortunate that she has just moved back to the area. Mrs. Rideout is replacing Mrs. Szopinski, who has accepted a fulltime position within the Hoke County public school system.
Brooke Hagan: Grade 5 – Ms. Hagan comes to us from Pennsylvania where she has been teaching in Catholic schools there. Ms. Hagan has both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Education. Ms. Hagan is replacing Mrs. Thiel, who is moving to Indiana.
Julia Trimberger: Grade 4 – Ms. Trimberger graduated with high honors from Western Carolina University with a Bachelor’s in Education and is passionate about teaching. She has been working this year in the 4th grade and is excited about moving to St. Patrick’s. Ms. Trimberger is replacing Mrs. Spears, who is moving out of Fayetteville.
Thomas Sampson: Middle School Math (6,7,8) – Mr. Sampson is a retired Naval intelligence officer who has been stationed all over the world throughout his distinguished military career. He became a teacher as a second career because of a desire to give back to his local community and has been teaching middle school math in Cumberland and Harnett County schools for several years. Mr. Sampson has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree and is replacing Ms. Miller, who is moving to Georgia.
We look forward to meeting the new faculty at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.
LAPTOP COLLECTION
All school assigned student laptops will be collected according to the following schedule:
May 14th: Grade 8
May 21st: Grades 5, 6, 7
Please contact Ms. College at [email protected] for any questions regarding student laptop retrieval.
SUPER SHAMROCK
Congratulations to Reagan Grambusch for winning the district level prize for the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest. It’s quite an achievement, and we’re proud of her accomplishment.
Let’s have a “Blast for the Last” Week of School!
Students are allowed to wear the themed dress for each day. Please look to the Student Handbook for free dress day guidelines.
Monday May 24 Magical Monday– dress up as your favorite magical character from unicorns to Harry Potter!
Tuesday May 25 Tropical Tuesday- everyone loves a luau, dress in your favorite tropical outfit. No flip flops or bathing suits please!
Wednesday May 26 Wacky Wednesday– dress inside out, upside down, with stripes or polka dots- be as wacky as you can get!
Thursday May 27 Spirit Day Thursday– show your Saint Patrick pride and wear green or yellow with jeans or uniform bottoms.
Friday May 28 Free Dress Friday– Dress up for our awards ceremony or dress down and be comfortable!
TUITION LETTERS
The tuition letters for 2021-2022 are currently being sent out. This letter records the tuition rate for your child(ren). The amount DOES NOT include any deductions to be taken for scholarships or tuition assistance at this point. Those are deducted from your total tuition amount in late May and June once we have received all the information.
PARENT VOLUNTEER HOURS
This is just an early notice to think about. Prior to Covid, the school has required parents who receive the parish reduced rate of tuition to perform 10 volunteer hours at the school every year. These hours can be achieved through various opportunities throughout the year such as volunteering in the school health room, coaching sports programs, assisting in special school events and PTO fundraisers, etc. We suspended this requirement for this year because of Covid. However, it is anticipated that the volunteer hours requirement will be reinstated next year. You don’t have to do anything at this point. We just wanted to update you on the expectation, so that you could plan in advance.
SOCCER PROGRAM NEXT YEAR
The school is optimistically looking forward to being able to return to more normalcy next year and hopefully resume our school extra-curricular sports programs. The first season that begins in August is our Soccer Program. We are in need of soccer coaches to coach both boy and girl soccer teams. Our long-time soccer coach stepped down after the 2019 season, so we need an infusion of new soccer volunteers. If you would be interested in coaching or co-coaching a soccer team for the 2021-2022 school year, please email [email protected]. The season runs from August to October for boys, girls’ soccer is in the Spring and it’s a GREAT way to get those required parent volunteer hours in.
PTO and SAC NEXT YEAR
The school was not able to engage a PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization) or a SAC (School Advisory Committee) this year because of Covid restrictions. We are optimistically looking ahead, however, in the hopes that we will have more relaxed restrictions next year and be able to restart these important committees. In general, the groups function as noted below:
- PTO – The fundraising and community building arm of the school. The PTO organizes special events which raise extra money for projects above and beyond those accomplished through the regular school budget. They are our “wish list” projects. The PTO has no advisory capacity. It is strictly for coordinating fun social events which build school community and managing our annual fundraising events like the St Patrick Day Fun Run, our Halloween Trunk or Treat and hopefully our golf tournament. There is a PTO Board of Officers and then representatives for each grade level.
- SAC – This committee functions to advise the Principal on “big picture” issues. The Principal is not a specialist in everything, so SAC advisors who have specific experience areas like facilities maintenance, budgeting, marketing, public relations, etc.…are always welcome to provide their expertise to help advance the school’s mission and vision. It meets 4 times a year in the evenings.
If you would be interested in joining the PTO as a Board member or a classroom representative or joining the SAC as an advisor, please email [email protected]. Parent service hours are also achieved by participation in these organizations.
DATES TO REMEMBER
May 14 Grade 8 Laptop turn in
May 17 8th grade advanced math EOC 1 test
May 19 8th grade graduation practice and brunch
May 20 8th grade graduation Mass
May 21 Grades 5, 6, 7 Laptop turn in
May 28 Virtual awards ceremony and 12:15 dismissal – last day of school – NO EXTENDED
CARE