Parent Weekly Update: 11/17/25

St. Rose of Lima Elementary School, rooted in Catholic values, strives to achieve educational excellence by facilitating the intellectual, spiritual, and physical growth of each child and promoting a community of faith, hope, love and service.

Parent Weekly Update

November 17, 2025 through November 21, 2025

Important Dates at a Glance

Friday, November 14, 2025 - End of Trimester I

Monday, November 17, 2025 - Virtus Training begins

Monday, November 17, 2025 - Student Council Meeting from 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - Open House for current and prospective families 9:00 - 11:00 AM - RSVP only

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - Ice Cream for sale for $1.00 at both lunches

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - Band practice and lessons

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - Dance Club until 3:45 PM

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - PreK Story Time Open House 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM for current and prospective families - RSVP only

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - Sixth grade students shadow at York Catholic

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - Faculty Meeting at 3:30 PM

Thursday, November 20, 2025 - Open House for current and prospective families 9:00 - 11:00 AM - RSVP only

Friday, November 21, 2025 - School Mass at 8:30 AM and Virtue Awards

Sixth Grade York Catholic Shadow Day

On Wednesday, November 19, our sixth grade students will spend the day at York Catholic for a shadow day.  Parents should have received information from York Catholic about this exciting day.

End of Trimester I

The first trimester of the school year will come to a close on Friday, November 14, 2025. Students are encouraged to submit any outstanding assignments and make up any missed tests or work prior to that date. Report cards will be distributed on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the end of the school day for students to bring home. Thank you for your continued support in helping our students finish the trimester strong!

Thanksgiving Break

School will close on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 11:30 AM for the Thanksgiving Holiday Break.  School will reopen for all students on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.  We wish you all a very wonderful holiday break!

VIRTUS Training/Safe Environment Training

St Rose of Lima Elementary School is now in year four of our VIRTUS training/Safe Environment program. The Diocesan Safe Environment program offers age-appropriate personal safety instruction to students in Catholic schools and parish religious education programs for students in grades K - 6. The Diocese of Harrisburg uses the VIRTUS Empowering God’s Children® annual training for all children enrolled in our Catholic Schools and religious education classes. Today, parents are being given information about this program, including an”opt-out” that must be signed and returned to the school by Friday, November 14, 2025 only if you choose NOT to have your child participate in this program.  If you do not sign and return the form, your child will receive the training.  The training will begin the week of November 17, 2025.    If you have questions about this program, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Johnston at 717-792-0889.

Discover Catholic Schools Week

During the week of November 17 through November 21, St Rose of Lima Elementary School will celebrate Discover Catholic Schools Week.  The following events will take place at our school:

• Monday, November 17 - Catholic Community Service Day  - students in grades K-6 will be working to pack potatoes for the Catholic Harvest Food Pantry.  Additionally, they will work on activities that will enhance the virtue of stewardship.
• Tuesday, November 18 - Open House from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM for current and prospective families.  We encourage all families to invite friends and neighbors to come see the wonderful things that are happening at St Rose of Lima Elementary School.  There will be student led tours, time to speak with a member of our School Board, and time to stop into our classrooms.
• Wednesday, November 19 - PreK Story Day from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - come in and visit our PreK classes for story time and an activity led by our PreK teachers. This is for current and prospective families.  All guests must register by phone at the school office by calling 717-792-0889 by Monday, November 17.
• Thursday, November 20 - Open House from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM for current and prospective families.  We encourage all families to invite friends and neighbors to come see the wonderful things that are happening at St Rose of Lima Elementary School.  There will be student led tours, time to speak with a member of our School Board, and time to stop into our classrooms.
• Friday, November 21 - School Mass and Virtue Awards at 8:30 AM.  We welcome family members of our St Rose of Lima community to join us in celebrating mass. Activities for the students in the afternoon.

School Supply Collection for Christ Our King School in Nigeria

During the months of November and December, our school will be collecting school supplies — pencils, erasers, pens, glue sticks, paper, notebooks, backpacks, and more — for Christ Our King Primary School in Nigeria. This school holds a special place in our hearts, as our Pastor, Fr. Celestine, once attended there. We are excited to support these students by sending supplies they can use to learn and grow. Once all the donations are collected, we will pack and ship them to Christ Our King Primary School — along with handwritten notes from our students wishing them a very Merry Christmas. It is our hope that the students at Christ Our King will write back to our students, helping to create lasting pen pal friendships and connections across the world! Thank you for your generosity and support in making this project a success!

Dressing Warmly

As the weather begins to change, please make sure your child has the appropriate outerwear for recess.  Students should bring jackets with them to school.  Additionally, remember that sweatshirts may only be worn with the gym uniform.  Students must wear the royal blue St. Rose sweater with their daily winter/spring school uniform. 

The St Rose of Lima Gala Returns!

The 8th annual St Rose Gala will take place on Saturday February 7, 2026 at the Yorktowne Hotel. Additional volunteers and helpers are always needed. Anyone who would like to help out with the gala committee can contact Neal Liptak at 717-676-7853. Tickets will be available for purchase soon.

Weis 4 School

Do you shop at Weis Markets?  If you do, you can help our school by linking your Weis card to our school.  This is an easy way to help our school earn money that can be used for a variety of things here at St Rose of Lima.  Just log onto www.Weis4School.com, link your Weis Rewards Card and then start shopping at Weis Markets!  We thank you for your support!

Potato Packing for Catholic Harvest Food Pantry

During the week of November 17, 2025, St Rose of Lima Elementary School students will be packing potatoes for families served by the Catholic Harvest Food Pantry.  This is an annual tradition at St. Rose of Lima Elementary and our students look forward to performing service for others in the spirit of love and generosity.