The Weekly Crusader

For the friends and families of St. Jude School

November 3, 2013

In This Issue

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School of Excellence!!

Principal's Note

Many of your children may have told you how elated, (or they may have called it crazy), I was on Thursday morning at the World Series outcome. I admit, I did go a little overboard with my signs, my Wally bobblehead, Red Sox pennant and my announcement over the school's PA in the morning. The sign I placed on the front entrance of the school congratulating the loyal Red Sox fans was only part of message of the day. Most importantly was a reminder that, "If you BELIEVE, you will SUCCEED!" This is what I want our students to take away and carry with them throughout their lives.

Both at home and in school, the important message that we need to foster in our children is, "If you BELIEVE, you can ACHIEVE and if you ACHIEVE then you will SUCCEED!" Achievement is often not easy. It takes consistent effort, perseverance when faced with difficulties and the ability to be happy with who we are and the motivation to always become better.

So, as your children recount their days at St. Jude School many years from now, my hope is that they remember the fanatic Red Sox/Patriots fan who truly believed in their potential to succeed and make a difference in the world.

My apologies to those of you who are Yankee or Met fans. Remember, there is always next year!

We Are Complete!!!!

On September 19th, Bishop Caggiano was installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport. The hole that was felt when Bishop Lori left a year ago was finally filled. There has been a sense of peace that has come over the diocese in having a new pastoral leader and excitement about the future of the Church in Fairfield County.

Bishop Caggiano has proclaimed his support of Catholic Schools in the diocese in many ways since his installation. The day of our Blue Ribbon announcement, he was one of my first calls. He celebrated Mass for the teachers and administrators of the Diocese back in October and most recently, has given the Catholic Schools a great gift in the appointment of Sr. Mary Grace Walsh as the new Superintendent of Schools.

St. Jude School is so pleased that Sr. Mary Grace can now drop her Interim status. Under Sr. Mary Grace's leadership, we will continue to develop the Catholic Identity of our schools, strive for academic excellence and live our mission of service. We look forward to working with Sr. Mary Grace for many years to come and we thank her for her willingness to take on this responsibility.

Microsoft Surface Pro Raffle

Through the efforts of Mike Gazo, dad of Mikayla and Isabella, the Basketball Tournament is having a raffle for a Microsoft - Surface Pro 2 (retail value of $999). We would like to open this raffle to all of our families, even if you cannot attend the tournament.

If you want to participate, tickets are $5.00 each. This is a CASH ONLY raffle.

If you would like to purchase a ticket, please send your money in an envelope marked "Raffle" to school with your child. We will sign you up and send your ticket home in your raffle envelope. PLEASE DO NOT SEND LOOSE CASH.

Save Those Labels!!

Don't forget that Labels for Education are a great way for us to raise money for our school without purchasing anything. At the beginning of the year, the 5th grade won the Label Race, and receive a night without homework. Does this sound like something your child would like, especially during Basketball season????

Labels collected up through Friday, November 22nd, will result in the next Winning class! Get those labels in before it's TOO LATE!!

St. Joseph High School Entrance Exam...

.....a message from Peggy Marino, Director of Admissions

St. Joseph High School will conduct Entrance Exams for the Class of 2018 Saturday, November 16th at 8 AM. You may register for the test online at www.sjcadets.org. Applications are also available online. Please call 203-378-9378, ext. 308 if you have any questions.

Thank you for your consideration and support of Catholic education at the High School level.

Don't Forget

....the following raise money but don't cost you anything!

Sign up online for A+ Rewards with your Stop & Shop card and designate St. Jude School as the recipient
BIG Y also has a points program that can benefit St. Jude with materials, teaching manipulatives and science equipment.
If you are a TARGET card holder, they too, have a program.

Please help us by signing up for one or more of these programs. Always designate, St. Jude School as the recipient and then just do your normal shopping! It's as easy as that! Remember that grandparents, aunts and uncles, and family friends can also help out by signing up for these programs and designating St. Jude School as the recipient of their points. Thanks in advance!

Reminders

My Student Progress Parent Portal will be open on Monday, November 4th.
NO SCHOOL on TUESDAY, November 5th. It is a Professional Day for teachers.
November 7th - Bishop's Annual Appeal video filming
No Hot Lunch on Early Dismissal Days