Parent Weekly Update 12/22/25

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 19, 2025 through January 9, 2026

Important Dates at a Glance

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

Monday, January 5, 2026 - School Reopens for all students and staff

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 - Band practice and lessons

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 - Ice Cream sold at both lunches

Tuesday, January 6 , 2026 - Home and School meeting at 6:30 PM on campus

Friday, January 9, 2026 - School Mass at 8:30 AM

Wishes for a Blessed Christmas!

Dear Families,
On behalf of the entire faculty and staff of St Rose of Lima Elementary School, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all our students and families. This is a special time to reflect on kindness, gratitude, and the joy of being together. We are thankful for God’s many blessings upon our school community, and for the dedication of our staff and the wonderful support from our families.

May your holidays be filled with peace, love, and happy memories. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the New Year refreshed and ready for continued learning and growth. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

Respectfully,

Mrs. Johnston

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!

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.

Congratulations Virtue Recipients!

During the month of December, students and faculty focused 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.   Congratulations to our Generosity Virtue Recipients:

Prek 4 - Luke Poiter

Kindergarten - Colson Trump

First Grade - Anna Johnson

Second Grade - Jay Snelbaker

Third Grade - Alyssa Gregoire

Fourth Grade - Ella Dull

Fifth Grade - Hunter Raetz

Sixth Grade - Evelyn Deardorff