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I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a nice Christmas break. Many of the teachers have been working remotely, but there are also a handful of us who are in the building every day. Ms. Palumbo has worked very hard to update the current COVID-19 guidelines. Please click the button below. I know that this document is long, but please take the time to read it as I think it is very informative. Anything highlighted in “blue” is an update. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Palumbo.

Just a reminder that St. Paul School will be closed for in-person learning from Monday, January 3rd- Friday, January 7th. All students should follow their teacher’s instructions for remote learning each day.

This certainly has been a hectic week! I would like to thank you all for your kindness and support as we navigate these unchartered waters. I hope that you take the time to reflect on all of the positives in your life and the gifts that God has given us. I am very grateful for all of you and the joy that you and your children bring to my life. I am also grateful for the faculty and staff of St. Paul School who work tirelessly every day.

Due to the increase in positive COVID-19 cases and the expectation of increased cases over the Christmas Break where families are gathering and traveling, in an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to switch to remote learning for all students from January 3rd-January 7th, 2022.

SPS is experiencing an increase in positive COVID-19 cases both in our students and their families that follows the trend of our community and world at large. Some of these cases are breakthrough cases on fully vaccinated people. It is still very important to get vaccinated and if you are over 16, please get the booster, too.

We have learned of three positive COVID cases in students at our school: one confirmed by a PCR test and two pending PCR test confirmation. None of these cases represent community spread. All families whose students’ classes are directly affected have been notified and we are following all guidelines for school attendance, which are predicated on vaccine status and any symptoms of COVID. All in-school mitigation measures remain in place every day. Importantly, we have required and will continue to require mask use for everyone in the building.

Dress down days on Wednesday, December 22 and on Thursday, December 23. Click for more details!

During the third week of Advent, we light the single pink candle in addition to the two purple we've already lit. You may have noticed this weekend that our clergy's vestments and some of the decorations in the church building turned from violet to pink (though, the clergy prefer to call it "rose"). Last Sunday, we celebrated Our Lady of Guadalupe at the 8:30am mass. Please see the picture below. During the third week of Advent we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, a reminder to rejoice as Christmas approaches. We take this opportunity to reflect on joy.

Thank you to those who have sent copies of your child’s completed COVID vaccine card. As your children receive their second dose, please send either a photo of the card, a PDF or a copy of the PDF from the DOCKET app to my email. Quarantine for travel and close contact exposure to a positive COVID case is predicated on vaccine status and follows the Department of Health requirements:

Tis the season! Here are more Christmas items of note: This Sunday, after the 5:00pm Mass, our parish will light the Christmas tree on the Parish Center lawn. The Okupski and Samuel families will lead us in song, Fr. Miguel will be there to bless and help us light the tree, and there may even be a very special guest in a red suit to greet families and celebrate with us! Reminder: Wednesday, December 15th is Santa's Workshop in school for our students. See below for all of the info, including the parent letter. Shopping lists and budget envelopes were sent home in this week's Communication Folder. PTA Cookies for Santa kits are still available! Order yours by December 12th. Click the image below to place your order.

At the beginning of the second week of Advent, Catholics light two purple candles. The second candle symbolizes peace. How do you find peace in your own life? I see it at school when we pray together at the beginning and end of each day. It is one of the few times that we stop as a group to take time to speak to God. There is great power in prayer and we often ask for special intentions. Please call the office if there is someone that you would like us to pray for.

Here are two Christmas items of note to kick off our week: Set your DVR for Michael Bublé's Christmas in the City tonight on NBC at 10:00pm. The performance will feature two of our awesome SPS students: 7th grader Jimmy Teti and 4th grader Teddy Teti. PTA Cookies for Santa kits are live again! Order yours by December 12th. Click the image below to place your order.

I hope that you enjoyed the short but much needed break. It was a pleasure to welcome the children back into school on Monday. With Thanksgiving behind us, we have immediately jumped into the Advent season. Our kindergartners are busy preparing for their Christmas concert and our 4th and 5th graders are bringing back the Christmas Pageant. Both events will be performed in the church.

A reminder, there is NO SPS After Care tomorrow, Wednesday, November 24th. Please plan for an 11:45 dismissal.

Today was our annual Thanksgiving Day Luncheon. As in the past, it was sponsored by the Foley Family. This year we had the added benefit of some activities planned by PTA volunteers under the direction of Mrs. Jenn Harris. A photo booth was available for pictures for the students, a link to a popular Thanksgiving cartoon was provided, along with the treats that the characters eat in the cartoon. Despite the windy, cold weather the parents and the students had a great time!

Here are three quick updates to kick off our (shortened!) week: 1: SPS Spirit Wear is having a special holiday sale! See below for more info and to shop. 2: Parent access to report cards is now closed. It will re-open on December 3rd at 6:00pm. 3: The Cemetery Road will be closed for drop-off and pick-up on Monday, November 22nd and Tuesday, November 23rd. Please enter the church parking area from Moore Street.

Please review the attached information regarding all travel and holiday guidance as we approach Thanksgiving next week.

In the past, the Town of Princeton asked local students to walk to the Princeton War Memorial to participate in a ceremony honoring veterans. Due to COVID, the outdoor ceremony was moved indoors. Mrs. Schwimmer, our 8th grade Religion teacher, created a prayer service and together with Mrs. Rooney, Mr. Smolinski, Ms. Dwyer, and me, our 8th grade students walked to the memorial to hold our own service to honor the veterans. You would have been so proud of all of our students!

On Friday, we announced the winners of our Student Council elections. This year the students submitted their speeches on FlipGrid. Classmates watched the speeches and then voted. Congratulations to all who ran for office.