Parent Weekly Update 9/11/26
Parent Weekly Update 9/11/26
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
September 12, 2026 - September 19, 2026
Important Dates at a Glance
Monday, September 14, 2026 - STAR Testing begins today and runs through the week
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - Cross Country practice is tonight until 4:30 PM
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 - School is closed due to Diocesan Education Conference
Friday, September 18, 2026 - School mass at 8:30 AM - all are welcome
Friday, September 18, 2026 - STAR testing concludes today
STAR Testing
Students in grades K - 6 are assessed each year using the STAR testing for Reading and Math. The dates for the fall testing are Monday, September 14 through Friday, September 18 for Reading and Math. Parents can help children prepare by ensuring they get plenty of rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time. Encourage your child to read regularly, review basic math skills, and most importantly, remind them to do their best and not worry about the score. Your encouragement and positive support can help your child feel confident and ready to shine!
New Altar Server Training
Is your third through sixth grader interested in becoming an altar server for our school masses and our church masses? Please call the office to register for our next training session on September 24, 2026 at 9:00 AM in the school. This is a wonderful way for our children to learn more about the mass and help deepen their faith.
Interested in joining our Home and School Association?
Please email strosehsa@stroseschoolpa.org if you are interested in joining HSA or helping out at any HSA events throughout the year. Meetings are the 1st Tuesday of the month but even if you aren't able to attend, you will be updated about all of the exciting events we have planned for this year.
Virtue of Hope
During the month of September, our school community will focus on the virtue of Hope—trusting in God’s loving plan for each of us.
Hope reminds us that, even when we face challenges, uncertainty, or things that do not go as planned, God is always with us and never stops loving us. We can place our trust in Him and believe that He is guiding us toward what is good.
As we begin a new school year, let us practice hope by encouraging one another, looking for the good in each day, and trusting that God has a beautiful plan for our lives. May we remember that we never walk alone—God is with us every step of the way.
This month, let us choose hope, trust in God, and believe in His loving plan.
Blooming in Grace, Serving in Love
This year, our theme, “Blooming in Grace, Serving in Love,” reminds us that children are growing—not only in knowledge and skills, but also in their faith, character, and love for others.
Blooming in Grace means helping our children understand God’s grace and allowing that grace to shape who they are. Just as a flower slowly grows and blooms with care, children need encouragement, guidance, patience, and a loving environment to grow into the people God has created them to be. We want them to learn that God loves them unconditionally and that His grace helps them grow, even when they make mistakes.
Serving in Love means teaching our children that love is more than something we say—it is something we show through our actions. We encourage them to serve others with kindness, compassion, generosity, and a willing heart. Whether it is helping a friend, caring for someone in need, sharing what they have, or simply offering a word of encouragement, every act of love makes a difference.
As parents and teachers, we have the privilege of nurturing this growth. Our children learn best when they see grace and love modeled in the adults around them. Together, we can help them grow in God’s grace, flourish in their faith, and joyfully serve others in love.
Our hope for this year is that each child will not only bloom where God has planted them, but also become a source of His love and grace to those around them.
Calling All Volunteers
Are you interested in volunteering at our school? Would you like to help chaperone a field trip? We would love to have as many of our family members helping us out in our school. In order to do that, each person must complete the process of obtaining clearances. If you are interested in starting this process, or if you aren’t sure if your clearances are up to date, please call the Main Office. We will make sure you are on the right track.
Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night is Back!
Mark your calendars and join us for a fun and tasty way to support our school! Join us on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 922 Loucks Road, York, PA
Whether you dine in, swing through the drive-thru, order through the Chick-fil-A mobile app, or use a third-party delivery service, be sure to make your purchase between 5–7 PM to have it count toward our fundraiser!
A portion of the evening's sales will be donated directly back to our school. Let’s make it a great night of food, fun, and community! We hope to see you there!
STAR Testing
Students in grades K - 6 are assessed each year using the STAR testing for Reading and Math. The dates for the winter testing are Wednesday, January 14 for Reading and Thursday, January 15 for Math. It is very important that all students are present on testing days. Thank you.
Physical and Dental Forms
Students who are in grades K, 3, and 6 must have a current physical and dental form on file in our school office. This is a state law and is required of all families. Please contact our school office if you need a new form or you may go to our website under student life and then parents. Forms are due to the office by September 18, 2026.
Student Planners
Students in grades 3-6 use a school planner to write homework and other important information at the conclusion of each school day. The cost of the planner is $6.00. Parents may pay by cash or check made payable to St Rose of Lima Elementary School. All money is due by Friday, September 4, 2026. Thank you for your support.
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!
First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion Classes/Baptism Preparation
Beginning in October, classes for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will be offered to students in grades 3–6. Classes will be taught by Mrs. Johnston and will continue through the end of April. These classes are specifically for students in grades 3–6. Students in all grade levels may also participate in preparation for Baptism in the Catholic Church. If you or your child is interested in becoming a member of the Catholic Church, please contact Mrs. Johnston to register. More information about the preparation process will be provided at that time.
2026-2027 Counselor’s Column
Parent Newsletter
It is wonderful to be back at St. Rose again this year! Now that the students have had a couple weeks to get back into the routines of school, I have begun going into the classrooms for my lessons. As a reminder, and for any new families, I go into the classes to teach lessons every other week for students in Kindergarten through 6th grade.
This week, I began my lessons with Kindergarten, First, and Third grades, and will continue my introductory lessons next week with the remaining grades. I begin each school year by helping the students understand what my role is at St. Rose, and how I am there to help them. The Kindergarten students listened to
The Rainbow Fish, and completed a coloring activity. I use the story to explain how I am there to help them just like the “wise octopus” helped the rainbow fish in the story. In Mrs. Kipple’s class, we reviewed
The Rainbow Fish,
and they completed an activity that showed the different ways I am there to help them. Finally, Mrs. Smith’s class, we read
Mrs. Joyce Gives the Best High-Fives, and did an activity to review why a student might see me. We also reviewed what “confidentiality” means.
We are off to a great start, and I’m looking forward to an exciting year! As always, If you have any questions or concerns about your student, or about any of our class lessons, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I am at St. Rose Mondays and Wednesdays this year, but you can reach me by email any time.
Parent/Family Resources:
Supporting our kids and ourselves this back-to-school season
Regards,
Melissa Waltersdorff, M.S.
