Saint Ann School Families, In light of various local public schools resuming their policy of required mask wearing for students and staff, and the possibility of Saint Ann School returning to a mandatory masking policy, please note that currently, we are not planning to reinstate mask-wearing at Saint Ann's. We continue reviewing data and revisiting our policy. Currently, the school is not undergoing a trend which would indicate a need to return to mandatory mask wearing for all students. We recognize that many of the COVID-19 symptoms are similar to allergies. Please be cognizant of the symptoms and keep your child home if they exhibit multiple symptoms. Have them tested, if necessary, prior to returning to school. As always the students do have the option of wearing a mask if that is preferred. If you have any policy questions please reach out to our principal, Mr. C, or our school Nurse (Krista Gladney).

Let the excitement begin! We are thrilled to announce a new program coming to Saint Ann School this spring. For the last few years, our principal, Mr. C has been looking into ways to fund the creation of a television studio-type atmosphere for middle school students and funding has been attained to begin the project. Students will be responsible for recording various activities, conducting interviews, editing and splicing together footage, adding effects and themes. This opportunity provides students responsibility as well as a chance to learn programming, editing, and technological skills as well as public speaking. Our goal is to begin creating weekly recaps prior to Easter. We are most appreciative to our 8th-grade parent Bonnie Milecki for sharing the grant opportunity, to The Fruscione Foundation for reviewing our grant, and for accepting and funding the proposal. Thank you as well to our PTA for supporting this initiative with additional materials for this program. So Saint Ann School families and friends… stay tuned!

We are kicking off our 5th Annual Saint Ann School Read-a-Thon! to raise money for the kids through their reading. During the Read-a-Thon, we'll be spending some DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time every day at school. Students are asked to read 20+ minutes per day for the duration of the Read-a-Thon. All reading counts! Books, magazines, ebooks, audiobooks! Any student who reads 1+ hours will earn a Free Dress Down Pass. Students, with the help of their families and friends, will have the chance to win prizes and raise money for our school by keeping track of the hours they read. Visit our school website for more information about the Read-A-Thon or click HERE for the link to pledge!

As we return from Christmas Break on Monday, Jan.3, Saint Ann School is planning on in-person learning with the option for virtual, knowing there is a potential for change as new information becomes available. Based on the current level of cases in NJ, especially in Mercer County, as well as being notified by various families of positive cases among students and families, we are offering the opportunity of virtual learning to any family interested. We want to provide this option for two main reasons: safety and comfort. Safety – This provides a way for us to educate children who may have attended functions over the last week with unknown potential contacts. It also allows any student with symptoms or living in a household with someone exhibiting symptoms, to be virtually present and not just return to school for fear of missing work. Comfort – several parents have expressed they would feel more comfortable having their child home for a week, based on current levels spread across the state, prior to returning to in-person learning based on CDC guidelines. As we continue to navigate the school year, we reevaluate the precautions we have in place. Based on school-wide and grade-specific cases all options from last year and new ideas are in play, including eating lunch in the classroom, middle school teachers moving and students staying in their homeroom, canceling club activities, etc. As always thank you for your continued support and understanding as we navigate this evolving health situation.

With the upcoming Christmas holidays, Saint Ann School is expecting many of our families to travel and visit family and friends. Based on the newest guidelines from the NJ Department of Health, these are the recommended minimum quarantine time frames and guidelines that our school will follow. *Travel: 1-An unvaccinated person who travels domestically or internationally is tested 3-5 days after they return to NJ and quarantine for a full 7 days even with a negative test result. ***If you choose not to get tested, you must quarantine for 10 days. 2-A vaccinated person, or someone who has had and recovered from COVID in the past 90 days, does not need to be quarantined but should be tested 3-5 days after they return to NJ and closely monitor for symptoms. *Close Contacts: Regardless of vaccination status, anyone who has been in contact with someone with COVID, is tested 5-7 days after exposure. *7-day quarantine: Unvaccinated persons can end quarantine after day 7 with a negative test done 5-7 days after exposure. The quarantine cannot end before day 7. *10-day quarantine: Unvaccinated persons can end quarantine after day 10 if they have not been tested for COVID and do not have symptoms. *Options for shortened quarantine only apply if no symptoms develop.

Faculty and students at Saint Ann School would like to thank all school families and friends for their support over the last few weeks during our #GivingTuesday campaign! We raised $825! Thank you for your generosity and your prayers! It's with your constant help that we continue to provide you and the community with the best education and service! Didn’t get a chance to pledge your time, prayers, or money yesterday? Our campaign link is still open if you want to contribute! Visit our page at justgiving.com or simply click HERE to donate. #CatholicSchoolsHaveItAll

The Department of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Trenton provides leadership, direction, support, and service to pastors. principals, and school communities as they form students in the Catholic Faith and develop each child’s potential. Our Catholic schools are grounded in Gospel values from the beginning to the end of each day. From classrooms to sports arenas, from academic assemblies to service projects, Gospel values are being lived by the entire school community. Each year our students contribute thousands of service hours in support of local, national, and global organizations and causes. Read more about Catholic schools and the Diocese of Trenton at https://dioceseoftrenton.org/CATHOLIC-SCHOOLS

Thursday, November 11th, at 8:15 AM SAS students and staff held a special prayer service for Veterans Day in the school gymnasium. After the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, we honored and mentioned by name all of those Saint Ann’s family members who have served our country, and then continued praying for our troops, past and present. Students were encouraged to bring to school photos of family members both currently serving and veterans, to place on our special bulletin board on the first floor of the school, across from the Kindergarten class. This board stays on display throughout the school year as we continue to pray for all military, and especially our loved ones displayed on the Board. As we celebrate our Veterans today, Saint Ann Schools joins the rest of our Country in thanking all men and women for their service and sacrifice in defending our freedom.

At Saint Ann School we are excited to announce that we have hired an Art teacher. Please welcome Jacqueline Diamond to the Saint Ann School family. Ms. Diamond brings a wealth of teaching experience to SAS. We look forward to working with her!

Saint Ann School is excited to announce the upcoming Scholastics Fall Book Fair! The SAS PTA and Mrs. Ortiz are working tirelessly to bring you an event full of activities for our students and their families. The Book Fair will run from October 17 to October 22, in the Jhon Paul Community Room at the Church of Saint Ann's Faith Development Center. Come by for the Teachers Sneak Peek on Oct. 18 and select a book for your child's class from their homeroom teacher's wish list. Join us in your pajamas! on Oct. 19 at 6:00 PM for a fun night of book shopping and special guest storytellers. Students will also have a chance to shop the book fair with their class on Oct. 20, 21, and 22 during the school day. We look forward to seeing you! And don't forget to stop by and visit the library when you come!

Saint Ann School extracurricular clubs are resuming! Starting this month, some of the school's old and new clubs are opening to students in grades 4 to 8. To ensure the safety and wellness of students and staff, only a few after-school clubs and activities will be running for the 2021/2022 academic year. Currently, students are able to select between School Choir Club, Embroidery Club, Library Club, and, new this year, Girls Volleyball Club. Due to limited space, some of the clubs are already at capacity. Check the school website or call the school office for more information and registration forms.

Saint Ann School Families, THANK YOU!!! Thank you for the amazing generosity shown through your efforts and donations to the school and PTA fundraising events towards the purchase of a new school playground. With your help, the $25,000 goal for the playground was met, and we have also received enough donations to supply 4 additional classrooms with the air conditioning units. The air conditioning units have been ordered and we await delivery. The playground installation date is dependent on manufacturing delays. We are hopeful of a mid-October start. Again, thank you for your tremendous and constant support.

Attention SAS Families! CYO Sports are back!! Cross Country and Basketball season are just around the corner! At this time, the CYO coordinators are looking for all players in grades 2-8, as well as coaches. If a SAS student or member of our St. Ann Parish, every child in grade2-8 is eligible to play. For more information and to register for CYO please contact: Sue Dorio, CYO Athletic Director for the Church of St. Ann at susand7777@verizon.net

This Saturday will mark the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on our country. We’d like to take this opportunity to remember our fellow citizens who were lost on that terrible day, and their families and friends who suffered from their loss. As we look back on twenty years since 9/11, let’s also take time to celebrate and thank our first responders, and honor the sacrifice they have made. May God bless them and their families always.

Saint Ann School families, join us in welcoming our new 21/22 PTA Board members who were sworn in yesterday during the Installation Ceremony. From the left, please welcome Lisa Rancan: Co-Vice President, Jess Coe: Recording Secretary, Monica Haley: Treasurer, Rachel Young: President. May God bless them and guide them as they volunteer their time and talents to serve our school community. Visit the PTA webpage on our school website for information about upcoming events and fundraisers and make sure to follow us on our social media platforms for pictures, news, and updates throughout the year!

Sait Ann School is pleased to announce Mrs. Dayna Panarello as our new Guidance Counselor. Mrs. Panarello is a certified school social worker. Many of you may recall she has served our school community as a substitute teacher last year. We are excited and blessed to have Mrs. Panarello as a member of our Saint Ann family! Welcome Mrs. P!

Governor Murphy announced that all students, educators, staff, and visitors will be required to wear face masks indoors for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. The mandate covers all public, private, and parochial schools. Saint Ann School will be following the mandate, as is required by law. When the mandate is lifted we will review the next steps regarding mask usage indoors. As of now, all are required to wear masks inside the school building, this is a state mandate and as such required legally. Students will be able to remove masks when outdoors. Lunch is taking place in the cafeteria. Students will not be able to sit with all their friends as we need to keep distancing while eating lunch. Depending on the table size we will only allow 4-5 students at a table as opposed to the normal 8. This year we are starting out without the morning Genesis check-in, however, it may return depending on circumstances regarding cases at the school and local district level. Any students with symptoms should be kept home. If a child is experiencing symptoms in school they will be sent to the isolation room and not be allowed back to school until they produce a negative test taken 3-5 days AFTER the symptoms occurred. Please take the proper precautions to keep all our students safe. Saint Ann School is ready for remote instruction should it be necessary, however, it is not offered unless for a documented long-term (more than 4 days absent) medical reason. A note from your child’s physician on letterhead is required in order for me to review whether it meets the requirements. For any questions or concerns please contact our principal, Mr. Chiaravalloti.

We hope that everyone is enjoying the summer and we are looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, August 25th, for our annual Back-to-School BBQ! We will be welcoming our new families at 6 pm in the Cafeteria for the New Family Reception and then join the fun outside near the playground for the BBQ. The BBQ will start at 6:30 pm near the playground. The rain date is Thursday, August 26th. As we approach the beginning of the school year, a few updates and reminders: this year we are returning to requiring students to wear the regular school uniform. Students will come to school in their gym uniforms only on their gym day. All grades and students will begin school on September 1. September 1 & 2, dismissal is at 12:00 PM noon and there will be NO After School Program (ASP) available on these two days. School will be closed from Sept. 3rd through the 6th. We will return on September 7th for a full day with ASP available. We are in the process of finalizing some new measures to ensure we are doing all that is possible to provide students a safe, healthy environment. We are reviewing mask policy and social distancing. With the ever-evolving health situation, this is very fluid and subject to revision throughout the school year. We will have more specifics available regarding mask policy, lunch/recess, and cohorts within the next week. Please reach out to our principal, Mr. Chiaravalloti, if you have any questions. Enjoy the rest of the Summer!

Students from Saint Ann School are participating in the parish new initiative "NextLevel", a pilot program of the Center for FaithJustice funded by the Lilly Endowment, which offers and is researching a new approach to youth ministry designed to strengthen Catholic parishes. This program offers teenagers grades 8 to 12 the chance to put their faith into action and to use their gifts to make a difference in our parish and surrounding communities. Two rising 8th graders and two SAS Class of 21 graduates, along with other members of the Church of Saint Ann Youth Group and others from various parishes in New Jersey registered to participate in a Service Retreat held July 25th to July 31st. The location of the retreat was St. James Parish, Trenton (former rectory now used for retreat housing, etc.) Following the retreat, each day these young people will be going to various places like TASK, Sprout U, and Mercer CYO to serve the dear neighbor, whomever they meet. This is an opportunity for them to serve the community as well as learn about social justice, building community, and opportunities to live the gospel, “Faith without works is dead”. Other parishioners from Saint Ann’s served as mentors for the retreat and this journey to bring their faith to the "NextLevel".

Saint Ann School Families, this month of July, get ready to lace up your sneakers! Beginning today, we are starting a Summer Fit-A-Thon, a special fundraiser to help to offset some of the expenses for the building of a new school playground. This year we had to remove our previous play structure from the playground, due to irreparable damage that had occurred on many segments of the structure which made it unsafe for students' usage. The cost for the equipment, replacing the surface mulch, and the installation charges are going to cost more than $40,000 – this is with a more than 40% discounted rate. We need your help! We ask that all students get pledges from family and friends and complete 20 minutes of exercise per day. Keep track of your minutes exercised because there will be prizes awarded at the conclusion of the Fit-A-Thon! We are excited to streamline our fundraiser by going online with 99Pledges and we are shooting for 100% participation so no amount is too small. Our PTA is also stepping up and assisting with the cost. As part of their fundraising efforts, to specifically assist with the cost of the playground, they will be hosting a "Rita’s fundraiser" on July 22 from 5-8 pm at the 2070 Brunswick Pike Rita’s location. So get ready, get set, and pledge!