Mrs. O'Connell's Weekly Update
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Week of March 9 - 15, 2025
Dear Parents and Guardians,
It was so wonderful to see so many families brave the cold last week and come out to support Mrs. Catherine McDaid at the Mineola Irish American Society St. Patrick’s Day Parade last Sunday. Thank you for PACE for organizing our school community to participate in the parade this year.
God bless our 2nd grade students. They received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time yesterday. We are very proud of them as they continue their faith journey and look forward to their First Holy Communion on May 10th.
We have received some more information regarding the PowerSchool breach. Last month we shared this letter with the updated information we had received up to that date. On Friday we were notified Experian has begun sending emails on behalf of PowerSchool regarding the cybersecurity incident. The emails are coming from the following addresses:
We have not received any information about how long they will take to contact the affected parties. If you have any specific questions, please reach out to Mrs. Stephanie Vitale at [email protected].
The rectory has informed us that there will be a funeral mass on Tuesday morning, which may impact parking and result in possible street closures. Please allow extra time for drop-off and pick-up between 8 AM and 12 PM. This will especially affect our Nursery students and Just-We-Two students.
Let’s get right to the week ahead…
A few general reminders/information:
SCHOOL PROCEDURES
Arriving at school on time is very important! It is important for ALL students to arrive on time. This sets the day up for success. Please have your child arrive before 8 AM for grades Pre-K through 8 and by 8:30 AM for Nursery.
For Upper School students, they are late if they are NOT in their homeroom by 8:00 AM. Please make your best attempts to arrive to school by the first bell at 7:50 AM to ensure enough time to prepare for the school day. It is also important that the students come prepared for school each day. We kindly ask that parents refrain from bringing items to school that a child has left at home. These interruptions, along with lateness, can be disruptive to both teachers and students throughout the morning. We appreciate your continued support in helping make each school day a success.
Detentions for lateness in the Upper School will be held on Mondays from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM with Mrs. Graham. If your child is required to attend a detention, you will be notified by the Friday prior. Thank you for your cooperation.
PICKUP PATROL
THIS IS YOUR FRIENDLY REMINDER! PLEASE, mark each day how your child is going home! IF your child is going to an after-school activity (Enrichment class, club, sport, drama, after-school program), please ALSO mark in the notes who is picking them up from that activity. IF a child is permitted to walk home, please indicate that as well. Thank you
TEAM EVELYN FUNDRAISER
Please join us for a family friendly fundraiser in honor of Evelyn Connolly on Sunday, April 6th! We will gather to celebrate and raise critical funds for Evelyn’s care. It will be a great event with lots of fun including DJ Todd, games, raffles, and much more! To purchase event tickets, Super Raffle tickets (grand prize of $1,000), or to make a donation, please visit our website here: https://SASTeamEvelyn.givesmart.com.
To make this event a HUGE success, we are actively collecting items for raffle or silent auction prizes. If you have anything to donate or if you have any questions about this event, please reach out to our committee at [email protected] or call/text Nora Grady (917.612.8301) or Janine Franceschini (516.448.3571). We hope to see many of our families there!!
SAINT AIDAN SCHOOL BOOK FAIR
St. Aidan School will be hosting an Ignatius Book Fair during the week of March 17. Students in Pre-K-8 will attend the fair with their classes. Nursery students are invited with a caregiver. We are working hard to keep the children reading, thanks to Mrs. Serrano. Your child can shop the fair with cash or check. Credit cards will be accepted for those Nursery parents who are attending with their child. More fair information will be sent home with your child this week.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Everyone’s Irish on Monday, March 17! Students are permitted to wear a green shirt/St. Patrick’s Day shirt with spirit wear gear or gym sweatpants and sneakers.
CHESS AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASS
All parents/guardians of students who participate in the Chessnuts after-school enrichment class are invited to join us for an awards ceremony in the Lower School Library on Wednesday, March 19th at 3:15 PM. Please use the main doors of the Lower School.
PARENT PORTAL CLOSING/REPORT CARDS/CONFERENCES
As a reminder, the 2nd trimester ended on Friday, March 7th. The Parent Portal is now closed. Parent-Teacher Conferences for NURSERY- 8TH GRADE will take place on Tuesday, March 25th and Wednesday, March 26th. Both days will be an early dismissal for Nursery through 8th Grade.
**We are using an online scheduling system this year which will open on Wednesday, March 12th.
Please find the attachment below with directions on how to set-up your account. Your account from last semester will work.
Login Information for New System for Conferences
Click Here to Make Your Conference Appointment
Please note that parents will be able to book 1 - 6 appointments with homeroom, subject specific and special area teachers, as needed.
For Example:
Nursery: Make an appointment with your child's teacher.PreK through 3rd Grade: Make an appointment with your homeroom teacher and if you would like to make an appointment with up to 2 special area teachers.
4th and 5th Grade: Make an appointment with your homeroom teacher and if you would like the other core teacher and up to 2 special area teachers.
Middle School (6th-8th Grade): Make an appointment with the homeroom teacher or your choice of up to 4 core teachers. You can also make an appointment with two special area teachers.We ask that if you have siblings that have the same teacher to make ONE appointment per family. If more time is needed the teacher will reach out to you.
If you have any problems, please reach out to Mrs. Stephanie Vitale at [email protected].
There will be an IN-PERSON and VIRTUAL option for conferences unless the teacher specifically requests to meet in person. After-school will be in session both days.
Report Cards will be available to all parents in Pre-K-8th grades using the Parent Portal on Tuesday, March 25th by 9:00 AM. Paper copies will not be sent home so please be sure you have access. If you have questions regarding the parent portal, please contact Stephanie Vitale at [email protected].
RICE BOWLS FOR CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
The Season of Lent began on Wednesday, February 14. We are again participating in the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl. We ask that you ignite your love so that through prayer, fasting and almsgiving we may support all who experience hunger in the body, heart and spirit. We will collect them the week of April 14. More information can be found at https://www.crsricebowl.org.
DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE: RETURN TO ME: 40 DAYS OF EUCHARISTIC ADORATION INITIATIVE
We have entered the sacred season of Lent and continue to pray for a Eucharistic Revival in our Diocese, they are excited to invite you and your family to participate in a special new initiative: Return to Me: 40 Days of Eucharistic Adoration. This opportunity allows students, faculty, and families throughout the Diocese of Rockville Centre to encounter the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration at forty different parishes during Lent.
To make this experience even more meaningful, they have created a Return to Me: 40 Days of Eucharistic Adoration passport. Students can bring their passport to each Adoration site and collect a special sticker for each visit. Below you will find the Passport outlining the dates, locations, and times for each Adoration event.
For more information please visit: drvc.org/congress.
Updated Passport for Eucharistic Adoration
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASEBALL/SOFTBALL
Our Middle School Baseball and Softball seasons are getting ready to begin. Any student in 6th, 7th or 8th grades who are interested in playing please fill out the form below. Thank you!
I am interested in Baseball or Softball
RUN FOR TOMORROW’S HOPE FOUNDATION
The Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation is excited to invite you to the 10th Annual Run for Tomorrow’s Hope on Saturday, April 12th, at St. Joseph School in Garden City. The 1-mile Fun Run starts at 8:30 AM, followed by the 5K at 9 AM, rain or shine! This beloved community event brings together runners, families, and supporters to celebrate health, community spirit, and educational support.
This is a favorite event to support within our school community, and our goal is to have the largest turnout yet. We can’t wait to see you there!
Run for Tomorrow's Hope Registration and Sponsorship
TOMORROW’S HOPE FOUNDATION
The Tomorrow’s Hope Scholarship Application for tuition assistance for the 2025-2026 school year opened on January 16, 2025. The Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to ensure the excellence as well as the continuance of Catholic Schools on Long Island. If you need assistance applying, please reach out to me and I can refer you to an enrollment specialist in the Diocese of RVC to assist.
Application Information and Application
Please note: New this year, application deadline is April 30, 2025. This year, the application will close after the April 30th deadline and reopen if funding is available after the first round of scholarships are reviewed.
DRAMA CLUB REHEARSALS
Wednesday, March 12: 2:30 – 5:00 PM in Monsignor Kirwin Hall – Full Cast Dance and Blocking Rehearsal – Wear gym uniforms to school for rehearsal.
Thursday, March 13: 2:30 – 5:00 PM in Saint Aidan Gym – Full Cast Dance and Blocking Rehearsal – Wear gym uniforms to school for rehearsal.
Thursday, March 20: 2:30 – 5:00 PM in Saint Aidan Gym – Full Cast Blocking Rehearsal.
Friday, March 21: 2:30 – 4:30 PM In Monsignor Kirwin Hall – Ariel, Ren, Rusty, Urleen, Wendy Jo, Chuck, Shaw and Vi.
ATTENTION 7TH GRADERS: IMPORTANT CONFIRMATION DATES
Spirit Night: Wednesday, March 19th @ 7PM OR Monday, March 24th @ 7PM
Parents and students attend a one-hour spiritual talk in the Church.
Confirmation Mass: Sunday, March 23rd @ 9AM OR Saturday, March 29th @ 5PM
At this Mass, the students are to submit a reflection on completed and/or planned service hours.
If your child needs Church service hours, please call the Faith Formation office to schedule – (516) 746- 6585 ext. 405. Office hours are Monday – Wednesday from 2PM-7PM.
ATTENTION 8TH GRADERS: IMPORTANT CONFIRMATION DATES
Service of Light and Confirmation Interviews – Wednesday, March 26th @ 7PM OR Monday, March 31st @ 7PM
Parents and students join together for a Prayer Service of Light at the Church followed by Confirmation Interviews for the Confirmation Candidates in the Upper School Cafeteria.
Confirmation Retreats Sunday, April 27th @ 9AM OR Sunday, May 4th @ 9AM
**Mark your calendar - the Confirmation Retreat will begin with Mass in the Church at 9AM, Retreat to follow in Msgr. Kirwin Hall from 10AM-12:30PM.
Details to follow closer to the date.
Letters of Encouragement from Family and Sponsor
We ask 8th Grade sponsors, parents, and other family members to write letters to the candidate to offer encouragement in the decision to be confirmed. Please submit all letters to the Faith Formation office as soon as possible. Letters may be placed in the Faith Formation drop box in sealed envelopes.
The letters will be given to the candidates on the day of their Confirmation Retreat.NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION
Registration is now open for students who will be NEW to St. Aidan School for the 2025-2026 school year. If you have a younger child eligible for Nursery or have family/friends interested in registering their child(ren) for our school, please use the following link and follow the online registration instructions.
Saint Aidan School New Family Registration
TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS
All transportation requests for the 2025-2026 school year are due by April 1st to your HOME PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Please do not forget to make the request if you are seeking transportation to St. Aidan School next year. This applies to incoming K-8 students only.
Camps ‘R’ Us
See the flyer for information.
NHP PAL Programs
Please see the flyer for information.
ST. AIDAN PARISH BULLETIN
Please find the St. Aidan Parish Bulletin attached below.
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PACE This Week
Our school was thrilled to walk alongside Catherine McDaid in the Mineola Irish American Society St. Patrick’s Day Parade last Sunday. Thank you to all our families who came out to support our School!
Lenten Fridays at Spaghettini - Dine to Donate
We are excited to be partnering with Spaghettini Pizza Trattoria in Mineola for Lenten Fridays, starting this Friday, March 14th. Dine in or Take Out from Spaghettini and they will generously donate 20% back to St. Aidan PACE! Dates of the fundraiser will be Friday, March 14th, 21st, 28th, and April 4th.
Spring Craft Night
Please join us to finally welcome Spring at our “Bubbles & Blooms” Spring Craft Night! Participants will enjoy a workshop with instruction on how to create your own Spring Flower Bouquet. Each person will receive the supplies to make their own arrangement (vase, greenery, florals) and a mini bottle of Prosecco to enjoy! Bring your own snacks and drinks as well! Please register by Friday, March 21st.
Spring Craft Night Registration
Moms’ Night Out
We’re inviting our special SAS Moms to join us in a much-deserved Moms’ Night Out to be held on Friday, April 4th from 7-10 pm at Novita in Garden City. We will have a private room with a DJ, dancing and karaoke, passed appetizers and stations, and wine, beer, mixed drinks & martinis! $80 pp. Registration will close Friday, March 28th.
Sons of SAS Event
Calling all Boys in Nursery through 8th Grade are invited with a Special Woman in their lives (mom, grandma, aunt, special person, etc.) to join PACE for the Sons of SAS Event on Saturday, April 12th from 6 pm - 7:30 pm at the Long Island Sports Hub (165 Eileen Way, Syosset). All students MUST attend with an adult. Registration is $25 per person. Your ticket includes snacks, water, and organized sport games led by LI Sports Hub Staff. Registration closes April 1st.
PACE Sports Night
Registration has closed! Our St. Aidan's School Sports Night is on Friday, March 21st! Come ready to play in a spirit-filled evening of friendly competition! Students across all grades will compete in various activities to crown the winning team... Green or Gold!
5:00 P.M. - Kindergarten - 2nd grade
6:30 P.M. - 3rd - 5th grade
8:00 P.M. - 6th - 8th grade
PACE March Madness Pool
Our St. Aidan PACE March Madness Pool is now live! The setup is similar to the super bowl pool with a 100 box grid. The grid will be used to determine prize winners in the Women's National Championship on April 6th and the Men's National Championship on April 7th. There will be winners for each quarter of the women’s final and halftime and final for the Men’s Final. If you'd like to participate, please take a look at the grid at the link below and choose your boxes! Boxes are $20. Please email Billy Herr at [email protected], or cash or check made out to St. Aidan PACE. Checks can be sent to the St. Aidan Rectory.
PACE Uniform Closet - Dates Announced!
Our new and improved Uniform Closet is ready for “shopping” thanks to our 8th grade Girl Scout troop led by Katie Herr. SAS Families can go to the Lafayette entrance of the gym and a representative from the Girl Scout troop will be present with student volunteers to allow families to pick out clothing and drop off donations on the following dates / times:
March 25 - 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
March 28 - 5 - 6 pm
April 4 - 5 - 6 pm
May 6 - 2:30 - 3:30 pm
May 16 - 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Additional dates will be added later this month. Please let [email protected] know if you need to drop off anything outside of the dates & times listed. Thank you.
The Msgr. James McDonald Memorial Golf Outing
PACE is pleased to announce that registration for St. Aidan's annual Monsignor James McDonald Memorial Golf Outing is now open! Golfer foursomes and individual spots have SOLD OUT, however, there are a number of Premium Sponsorships available, each of which comes with a foursome. Dinner is also still available.
The outing will be taking place on Monday, May 5th at Wheatley Hills Golf Club in East Williston. This event is our largest fundraiser and a wonderful event for school families and parishioners alike. PACE would love to have you join us for a day filled with fun and competition - either to golf during the day, or for dinner afterwards.
This year we are recognizing Mr. Kevin Kiley as our Honoree and Mr. Joe Galante as our Deacon Love Award recipient. There are many sponsorship opportunities available, including alumni sponsorships, tee signs for local businesses and more! Please visit https://SASGolf2025.givesmart.com to register and for sponsorship & donation opportunities. Any questions, please contact Danielle Nefouse (516.841.7878) or Allison Virgilio (516.286.7324) or [email protected].
Msgr. James McDonald Memorial Golf Outing
PACE CYO Snack Stand
It's game time and we need your help to make our PACE CYO Snack Stand a success! The PACE Snack Stand runs during CYO sporting events in the St. Aidan Gym, and we are looking for volunteers to work the stand during these games. This is a fun, easy way to get involved, cheer on our student-athletes, and connect with other parents. Plus, it directly helps our kids! Profits from the Snack Stand are used to offset the cost of transportation for class trips and 8th-grade expenses.
Bonus for 7th and 8th Graders: Working alongside a parent or guardian can earn Community Service hours.
Donations: we rely on donations from our SAS families to have our Snack Stand bring in as much money as possible to offset costs of class trips and 8th-grade graduation activity expenses. Please consider a donation of snacks, waters or Gatorade.
Sign Up Here: PACE CYO Snack Stand
Important Upcoming Events
3/21/2025 - Sports’ Night at SAS!
3/25/2025 - PACE March Monthly Meeting
3/26/2025 - Spring Craft Night - Bubbles & Blooms
4/4/2025 - Mom’s Night Out - Novita in Garden City
4/6/2025 - Evelyn Connolly Fundraiser Event at Knights of Columbus
4/12/2025 - Sons of St. Aidan’s Event - Long Island Sports Hub
PACE Spirit Wear Shop
Our Spirit Wear shop through Squad Locker is live! This School Spirit Wear Shop will be open year-round, without any need to get orders entered within certain windows. Students can wear Spirit Wear to school on Spirit Wear Fridays! A portion of sales goes to support the school. We’ll look to provide active discount codes in this weekly email.
SPRING MADNESS SALE | 15% OFF ON ORDERS $115+ USE CODE: MADNESS15OFF
PACE Spirit and Fundraiser Events
As a reminder, PACE hosts spirit and fundraising events throughout the year, which are available to all our students from Nursery through 8th grade. We encourage families to get involved in the fun and support our school. Please see the volunteer link below if you would like to help with any of these events.
Virtus Training and Background Checks
All members of the St. Aidan School community who wish to volunteer to be chaperones for class trips or assist at school functions MUST be Virtus trained and complete a Background Check. Registration for Virtus Training and Background Check can be completed online at www.virtusonline.org. Instructions are included in the document attached below.
Virtus Information and Instructions
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Here's A Look At The Week Ahead
Monday, March 10: Trimester III Begins.
6th Grade Class Mass at 9 AM.
Yearbook Meeting from 2:30 – 3:30 PM.
Enrichment Classes: Food Art (Grades 2-8) and Calling All Disney Princesses! (Grades PreK-2) from 2:30 – 3:45 PM.
Tuesday, March 11: Just We Two Tuesday Classes.
1st Grade Class Mass at 9 AM.
Student Council Meeting from 2:30 – 3:15 PM.
LAST Enrichment Classes: Winter Art (Grades PreK-1), Attention Dr. Seuss Fans (Grades PreK-1), TGA Golf (Grades 1 - 8 –Students enrolled in Golf can WEAR GYM UNIFORMS) from 2:30 – 3:45 PM.
Wednesday, March 12: Lower School Hot Lunch (place your order!)
Appointment Calendar for Parent Teacher Conferences opens at 9 AM.
7th Grade Class Mass at 9AM.
Footloose Jr. Rehearsal in Monsignor Kirwin Hall from 2:30 – 5:00 PM for FULL CAST.
Enrichment Class: ChessNuts (Grades 1-8)
LAST Enrichment Class: Young Engineers STEM (Grades 1-8) from 2:30 – 3:45 PM.
Thursday, March 13: Band and String Lessons - Don't Forget Your Instruments!
Just We Two Thursday Classes.
Footloose Jr. Rehearsal in Saint Aidan Gym from 2:30 – 5:00 PM for FULL CAST. Dance and Music Rehearsal – wear gym uniforms to school.
LAST Enrichment Classes: Friendship Bracelet Making Class (Grades K-5) and TGA Pickleball (Grades 1-8 - Students enrolled in Pickleball can WEAR GYM UNIFORMS) from 2:30 – 3:45 PM.
Friday, March 14: School Closed - Teacher Professional Development Day
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A Look Ahead
· Saint Patrick’s Day – Wear Your Green Shirt/St. Patrick’s Day Shirt! – March 17
· 5th Grade Class Mass – March 17
· Book Fair - March 18
· Lenten Prayer Service – March 18
· Kindergarten Class Mass – March 19
· Book Fair - March 19
· Chessnuts Award Ceremony – March 19
· 7th Grade Confirmation Spirit Night (attend one) – March 19
· Footloose Jr. Rehearsal – March 20
· World Down Syndrome Day/Rock Your Socks- March 21
· Footloose Jr. Rehearsal – March 21
· PACE Sports Night – March 21
Have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Mrs. O’Connell
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