St. Lawrence O’Toole School

Welcome to one of the busiest times of the year!

Our students returned to school in January all set to experience the adventures of Midterm exams, State Testing for Grades 4 and 8 in Language Arts, and Report Cards. The wall outside the Main Office proudly displays the names of those students who earned academic honors in recognition of their efforts.

With exams behind them, the students embarked on the new term, Open House, and a nationwide celebration of Catholic Schools. Our Open House on Sunday, January 28th, brought together a great group of people. Parents from our school spoke at every Mass and encouraged members of the parish to come and join our school community. Their heartfelt testimony resounded throughout the parish. Our student ambassadors, dressed in their uniforms, proudly guided visitors around their school and answered questions. The Marketing Committee members, our Home School Board, and parent volunteers welcomed visitors to our school. Our pastor, the entire Faculty and our Administrative Staff met and greeted prospective parents and students. Visitors commented on the warmth and congeniality which awaited them at our doors! I am deeply grateful to all of you for a job well done!

Our celebration of Catholic Schools Week was filled with excitement, fun, and pride. Our Student Council, with their moderator, Mrs. Boerner, guided us through the week. We were treated to biographies from Mrs. Vaccaro’s Second Grade and the visit from an author, Ann Haynes Nalipka, who spoke about the art of writing and the strength of love and friendship. Mrs. Dorothy Killackey, an author, returned to preside over our Tenth Annual Creative Writing Contest, which she founded. As our young writers read their award winning works, describing their most memorable moments at St. Lawrence, the entire Student body was able to share in the stories of our past. Mrs. Camille Di Lullo and Mrs. Irene Rovtar hosted a coffee hour for members of our parish to thank them for their support of our school and its many programs. Mrs Cuscina organized a great “Beat the Clock” event for the entire student body. Our class representatives outdid themselves as they played at silly stunts with their classmates cheering them on. Some of our spectators even joined in the fun!! Mrs. Kroslowitz presented the Stock Club with awards for their outstanding achievements in the world of virtual finance. The Karaoke concert was a school wide event! Every class performed its own rendition of their favorite song. Not to be outdone, the Faculty and Staff joined in the singing! and Mrs. Plume and Mrs Di Lullo sang a duet! The week closed with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Doughty where the Eighth Grade received their class pins followed by a reception,for the soon to be graduates and their families, hosted by the Seventh Grade.

But that is not all. After weeks of preparation and study with their teacher, Mrs. Vaccaro, our Second Graders received their First Penance. Dr. Burke and her Spanish classes are progressing at breakneck speeds in their growing mastery of the language. Mrs. Laux’s Art classes have entered three contests displaying their artistic style. The Home School sponsored a great fun filled night for all our families. Our parish council and organizations sponsored a Mardi Gras event to support James Malaguit, his sister Liza is in our seventh grade. With the help of our Home School, Mrs. Clare Sears, and our student and parent volunteers, the parish raised funds to help defray the cost of a specially equipped van. Our Seventh Graders treated the entire school to a display of invertebrates as they donned handmade costumes and roamed the school. Grades Kindergarten, First and Second celebrated “100 Days of School” with collections galore! and a guest reader, Fr. Doughty! We also had our first two Snow Days of the year. Hear tell it was all that ’snow dancing’ by the Kindergarten along with their pals in Grades One and Eight.

Who says winter is boring?

Just as we break for our Midwinter Recess, I will mail out our registration packets for next year. Please fill them out and return them as soon as possible. While you are catching your breath next week, share the good news of St. Lawrence School with your friends and relatives, and neighbors. Invite them to become members of our school family. I would be happy to meet with them to discuss their selecting our school for September for their children.

I look forward to seeing you at the Fabulous Fifties Card Party. We are organizing a table, or two,or more for each of our grades, please call your Class Coordinator and reserve your seat at the class table. I, myself, cannot wait to see Elvis!

God bless. Thank you for all you do and have done to support our school and your wonderful children.

Mrs. O’ Leary