Parent Weekly Update 12/15/25

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

December 15, 2025 through December 19, 2025

Important Dates at a Glance

Monday, December 15, 2025 - Student Council until 3:45 PM

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 - Band Practice and Lessons

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 - Ice Cream sold at both lunches

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 - Christmas Concert Rehearsal show 1:15 PM - RSVP only

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 - Christmas Concert and Art Show 6:00 PM

Thursday, December 18, 2025 - School Mass and Virtue Awards 8:30 AM

Friday, December 19, 2025 - Schoolwide Christmas Celebration 8:30 AM

Monday, December 22, 2025 - Friday, January 2, 2026 - School is Closed

Christmas Concert and Art Show

We hope families will join us on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM.  Students in grades K-3, band, and dance club will participate in this concert, with art displayed from all grade levels.  There will also be a dress rehearsal at 1:15 PM, where grandparents and other guests may attend.  If you have guests who will attend the 1:15 PM rehearsal, please call the school office at 717-792-0889 to RSVP. Weather and your car permitting, we ask that you please find space to park in the grass, as to not disrupt the flow of dismissal. We appreciate your consideration and cooperation in this matter.

School Christmas Celebration - December 19

On Friday, December 19, 2025, our Home and School Association will host our annual schoolwide Christmas Celebration for our students.  Students are encouraged to wear their Christmas pajamas to school including shoes and socks. A continental breakfast and pizza lunch will be provided for all students; students who choose not to have pizza should pack their own lunch.  Students should bring their water bottles and backpacks to school that day.  This should be a fantastic way to kick off the Christmas holiday break!

Christmas Pageant and Children’s Mass

St Rose of Lima Church will hold a Christmas Pageant and Mass on December 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM.  This pageant and mass will have parts for the Christmas Story, altar servers, choir members, gift bearers, and readers.  There will be a mandatory practice on Saturday, December 20 at 10:00 AM at the church.  If your child is interested in participating in this service, please call the office at 717-792-0889. 

Christmas Eve Mass

Students who wish to serve as altar servers and lectors at the 4:00 PM Christmas Eve Mass should see Mrs Johnston to register for a spot.  Parents may contact Mrs Johnston via email or call the Main Office at 717-792-0889.  There is room for two lectors, six altar servers, and four gift bearers. 

Registration for Current Families

It’s that time of year again!  Registration for current families begins on Monday, January 5, 2026 and runs through Friday, January 30, 2026.  All current families who plan to return to St Rose of Lima Elementary are encouraged to register as soon as possible to reserve your spot for your children.  Information about tuition and registration forms will be sent home with your child/children the week of  January 5, 2026.  We look forward to working with you and your children again next school year!!

Simple Tuition Solutions

All families at St Rose of Lima are  required to file for financial assistance, work with our EITC program, or both in order to receive  ANY  discounts in tuition.  Our school code is 20621. The financial aid link for the 2026-2027 school year through Simple Tuition Solutions opened for parents on February 2, 2026.  ALL FAMILIES MUST COMPLETE THEIR APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY MARCH 31, 2026 IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ANY DISCOUNTS.

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!

Virtue of Generosity

During the month of December, our students will focus on the virtue of generosity.  Generosity is giving of yourself without counting the cost.  Children can demonstrate generosity through acts like sharing their belongings, helping with chores, offering kindness and compliments, volunteering their time, or donating items like old clothes and toys. Modeling generous behavior is a key way to teach them, as is discussing the importance of giving and involving them in charitable activities like donating to a food drive or supporting a local cause. 

Snow Days/Virtual Days

As the weather becomes more unsettled through the winter months, we run the risk of having time off. On days when students are not in attendance due to inclement weather, we will run Virtual Days where students will have work to complete and teachers will be available online to answer questions for students and give assistance with work.  Each teacher will send an email to parents letting them know their specific office hours.  If we are aware of the possibility of inclement weather, teachers will send work home with your child that can be completed independently by your child.  There also may be work to be completed through the student’s Google Classroom.   If you have any questions about our Virtual Day policy, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or to your child’s teacher.

Open House

On Sunday, January 25, 2026, from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, St Rose of Lima will hold its annual Open House for prospective families.  Come out and meet our incredible faculty and staff, visit our classrooms, talk with School Advisory Board members and current parents, and receive a tour of the school by a recent St Rose of Lima Alumni.  Join us for lunch in the cafeteria and learn about all that St Rose of Lima has to offer students.  We encourage our current families to invite friends and family to consider St Rose of Lima for their children.

Winter Uniform Reminders

Please review the uniform information and contact the school if you have questions. Thank you. 

Boys Grade K-6

• Gray Dress pants 
• Flynn & O’Hara brand; no cargo pants
• If you choose a brand other than Flynn & O’Hara, please be sure the gray is as close to the Flynn & O’Hara color as possible
• St. Rose blue polo shirt – MUST be purchased from Flynn & O’Hara with the St. Rose logo - polo shirt may be worn with winter uniform in grades K-3.  If the white collared shirt is worn, a tie MUST be worn with it.
• White collared shirt with uniform tie - with winter uniform only (grades 4-6)
• A vest or sweater must be worn with the winter uniform in grades K-6
• Black sneakers or black oxford-style shoes
• Sneakers must be solid black
• Black crew socks – no emblem or design
• Tie must be worn at the collar of the shirt and tied properly

Girls Grade K-6

• Blue plaid jumper with white Peter Pan collared shirt (grade K-3)
• Blue plaid skirt with white oxford button down shirt (grades 4-6)
• A vest or sweater must be worn with the winter uniform in grades K-6
• Blue St. Rose polo shirt – MUST be purchased from Flynn & O’Hara with St. Rose logo for girls in grades K-3
• Gray, black, or white knee-high socks or leggings/stockings that have the feet attached
• Black sneakers or black oxford style shoes (low top sneakers only/no mary jane shoes permitted)
• Heels and sandals are not permitted
• Sneakers must be solid black
• Hair accessories must match the uniform colors – blue, white, gray, or black.