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The season of Lent truly brought into focus how Jesus sacrificed and died for us. Throughout these 40 days, we have examined how we, too, can sacrifice to help others. Our Dress Down Day for Ukraine asked students to sacrifice a few dollars for the chance to dress out of uniform. The proceeds collected - those small sacrifices - were added up and sent to the Knights of Columbus Fund for Relief in Ukraine in honor of Grand Knight Joe Bendas, making a significant impact. As you know, over the past two weeks, students and families sacrificed full-size toiletry items to facilitate a drive to benefit St. Paul Parish Loaves and Fishes. Those seemingly small sacrifices, too, will make a big impact to the families who receive the items. Additionally, our students gave of their time and creativity by decorating placemats for all who benefit from Loaves and Fishes. Together, we pray daily for peace in the world, as we know God sees and appreciates our sacrifices - both the big ones and the small ones.

The Lenten season can be seen and felt throughout our school community. The hallways are beautifully decorated with bible verses, silhouettes, and church scenes. These were all completed by our students in preparation for the celebration of new life!

As we continue through Lent, it is a time for our 2nd and 8th grade students to further their preparation for First Communion and Confirmation. Our 2nd grade students took part in the First Eucharist retreat that was held last Saturday at the church. Please see the pictures below. I’d like to thank our parish family for providing such a wonderful day for our students and their parents. In Religion class, our 8th grade students are working on the Greater Confirmation program. I’d like to thank Mr. John McGuire and Mrs. Ann Schwimmer for all that they do to prepare the students for this sacrament.

School security drill laws have recently been updated (N.J.S. 18A:41-1). It is now required that: “A school district shall provide written notification to the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the district following the completion of a school security drill, which notice shall be provided to the parent or guardian by no later than the end of the school day on which the school security drill is conducted.” I would now like to inform you that, today, in accordance with state law, our school conducted a security drill (shelter in place) in the manner that we conduct all security drills, with seriousness and with sensitivity to our students and staff. Everyone responded appropriately and instruction resumed immediately thereafter. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact St. Paul School.

Congratulations to our PTA and thanks to all of you who made the March Auction for the Shamrock Gala a success! I hope that the Shamrock puppy will bring great joy to the Povlich family! This Friday, at the 8:15am Mass, we will pray for peace for the Russian and Ukraine people. This is being done in conjunction with the Pope at the Vatican. He will reconsecrate Russia and the Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. All are welcome to attend. Below are several reminders from Ms. Palumbo. These are pertaining to the COVID vaccine and also to travel during the upcoming Easter Break or travel at any other time.

The March Auction for the Shamrock Gala is here! Bidding begins at 8:00am on Friday, March 18 and ends at 9:00pm on Saturday, March 19. Log on to bidpal.net/shamrock2022 and click "Early Auction" to check out our featured items. Don't miss out on bidding this weekend!

I’d like to thank you all for your generous support of our “Dress Down Day for World Peace.” We raised $1289 for the Knights of Columbus Ukraine Solidarity Fund while honoring Grand Knight Joseph Bendas. Just a reminder that we have asked for reregistration for the 2022-2023 school year to be completed by this Friday, March 18th. A late fee will be assessed after that date. I appreciate your assistance as we are already beginning to plan for next year.

Registration for Spring Athletics is now open! Click on the graphic below to be redirected to the SPS Registration Website. Uniform orders for Soccer are due on March 21st. Early Bird prices will be available until March 21st.

Our Open House was this past Sunday, and it was a glorious day! In addition to many existing families who came to visit, we had over 20 new visitors to SPS. Student ambassadors gave tours along with current parents who came to help. The halls were filled with such excitement! My thanks to our teachers and staff, school board members, students, and of course Mrs. Cano, who made the day so successful.

Friday, March 4th marks the end of Trimester 2. The Genesis Parent Module will close at 10:00 am on the morning of March 4th. Parents will not have access to student grades while the Parent Module is closed. The Parent Module will re-open on Friday, March 11th at 3:30 pm, at which time parents will have access to both student grades and report cards.

Pope Francis based his “Message for Lent 2022” on a passage from St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all” (6:9-10).

Responding to direction from the New Jersey Governor’s Office regarding Executive Order 280, as of March 7, 2022, masks on adults and children in school including students, teaching staff, members of the administration, and non-contract employees are optional.

I hope that you enjoyed the long Presidents’ Day weekend. Our 6th grade boys, 8th grade girls, and 8th grade boys all competed in the CYO championships on Sunday. It was a real treat for me to see them play. Due to COVID, I haven’t watched them in two years. Although they didn’t win the championships, they came in second in the league. Their maturity on the court was what I noticed the most. They were great team players! I’d like to thank their coaches for helping prepare these students for life on and off the court.

It's that time again! Re-enrollment emails for the 2022-2023 school year were sent out last week. In addition, transportation and book forms were sent home today in the Communication Folder. Your promptness in completing the information helps us plan for the coming year. If you are planning on applying for financial aid (K-12) for next year, the deadline for the first round of grants is March 1st.

Dress down day on Monday, February 14!

By all accounts, Catholic Schools Week was a huge success. Hopefully, your children shared all of the activities that they participated in. We ended Catholic Schools Week with the presentation of the Nativity by the 4th and 5th graders. It was the first time that it was performed in the church. We always say that the church is our biggest classroom, and it was the perfect place for the presentation. Being in church made it even more special! Congratulations to our students, Ms. Peterson, Mrs. Turner, Ms. Bur, Mrs. Britschge, Mr. Bardar and Mrs. Hemmel. Your hard work was quite evident!