NEW! Thank You! Thank you to Fr. Rob Glasgow of St. John Nuemann Parish in Merrimack for celebrating mass with us at the lower campus yesterday!
NEW! CYO Basketball Tournament – The Saint Chris 5th/6th grade boys basketball tournament team has advanced to the next round of play after a commanding performance Monday night in their first game. Come cheer them on at the upper campus gym this Friday night, February 17, at 5:30 PM in the semi finals with the championship game on Saturday, February 18, at 5:00 PM! Go Wildcats!
THIS WEEK! Financial Aid Application Deadline for 2023-2024 - We have extended the deadline for financial aid applications for the 2023-2024 school year. The original deadline outlined in parent re-enrollment emails and packets was February 1st. The deadline is now THIS Friday, February 17. All applications must be received by this date so that we can make awards and inform parents as promised by March 15. There is a $40 Financial Aid application fee assessed by FACTS.
Note: Financial Aid applicants will also be required to apply for financial aid from the Children’s Scholarship Fund at a later date. Financial aid may also be available from the NH Education Freedom Account program. Parents will be informed when the application windows open for each program. Any aid received from those funds will be deducted from the financial aid awarded through the Saint Christopher Academy financial aid program.
To apply for financial aid, access your FACTS Tuition Management account through your existing Family Portal login.
- Click HERE to go to the FACTS Family Portal login page.
- Our District Code is SCA-NH. Type in your username and password.
- After logging in, click on Financial in the left hand menu.
- Click on the Apply for Grant & Aid link located at the right side of the window.
For questions, please contact Business Manager Shauna Hein at [email protected] or 603-882-7442, ext. 212.
NEW! Upper Campus Prospective Student Open House - Do you know a middle school student looking for a new school? We’ll be holding an Open House for prospective students at the upper campus on Wednesday, March 15 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. Please extend the invitation to students and families looking for a change from their current school! We’d love to meet them and show off our fabulous school!
NEW! CMC Casual for a Cause - As we have for the past several years, we are happy to participate in Catholic Medical Center’s Casual for a Cause fundraiser to support CMC’s “Reach Out and Read” program. On Friday , March 10, students and staff on both campuses can come to school in free dress for a donation of $2! All proceeds from the event will go to the Reach Out and Read program which provides books to young children at their annual physicals. What a great way to celebrate National Reading Month in March!
Student Communications Reminders - As partners in the education of our students, we believe that parents should be fully aware of all communications between students and our teachers and staff. Therefore, we will be reminding students (particularly those at the upper campus) of the policies below. We ask parents to also discuss them with their children.
- Parents should always be copied on any email from a student to a teacher. If a teacher receives an email from a student that does not include a parent, he or she will copy the parent on any response to the student.
- Students should not text a teacher at any time for any reason. If a student must communicate with a teacher, he or she should use the teacher’s school email.
Looking for more STEM Day Speakers! - Are you in a STEM field? Would you like to share your love of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math? We are still in need of speakers for this year’s STEM Day, scheduled for the morning of Tuesday, May 16. We are looking for speakers to present to students on both campuses about their interest and/or careers in any STEM-related field, whether as a professional or hobbyist. Presentations are approximately 20-30 minutes in length, and can be virtual or in person. If you are interested in participating, please email Carol Fiore at [email protected]. Many thanks!
Annual Fund - Our goal for the Annual Fund is 100% participation from current families, faculty and staff, and School Board members, with $65,000 as our financial goal. Our Annual Fund total is currently at $44,000…many thanks to all who have already donated! We ask you to support our mission to provide an excellent Catholic education to all students at Saint Christopher Academy by donating at the level your family is most comfortable. All donations, no matter the size, are MOST appreciated and will be used to directly benefit our students. To donate quickly and safely online, please click HERE. Thank you!
February Vacation - Don’t forget….February 27 to March 3 is our February/Winter vacation!
TODAY! Hot Lunch Ordering - Ordering for March Hot Lunch is open and runs through midnight TONIGHT on Boonli.com.. We cannot accept late orders, so please be sure to order early! Also….be sure that you complete your checkout and receive an emailed confirmation of your order! If you do not receive an email, your order has not been placed.
UPDATED! YEARBOOK ORDERING – If you have not yet located an email from O’Connor Studios about ordering a yearbook, contact Carol Fiore at [email protected] as soon as possible so she can help resolve any problems before the ordering deadline. The online ordering platform closes at midnight on February 24. Do not wait until the last minute. Please take a few minutes to look for those emails, read the information, and place your order! The messages are tailored for each student and contain a unique access code. As with Hot Lunch ordering, you must adhere to the deadline. We are unable to process late orders.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to preserve your child's memories of this school year! If you have any questions, please contact Carol Fiore at [email protected].
NEW! Spring Portraits- O’Connor Studios will return to the lower campus on Wednesday, March 15 for Spring Portraits for lower campus students only. This is a Dress UP Day…lower campus students should wear their “Easter finest” instead of their uniforms! This is a one-time event, so there will be no retakes for absent students. More information will be forthcoming soon!
NEW! Employment Applications and Teacher Fair - With the current teacher shortage, Saint Christopher Academy is currently building an applicant pool for any openings that may be available for the 2023-2024 school year. Interested applicants are invited to submit materials as soon as possible so we may begin conducting interviews. Current teachers, new education graduates, and recently retired teachers are welcome to apply! Click HERE for more information on how to apply!
The Academy will hold a drop-in Spring Teacher Fair on Monday, March 20 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the upper campus! During the Teacher Fair, candidates will participate in an informal mini-interview with the principal and meet faculty and staff. Candidates are encouraged to download and complete the Diocesan Teacher Application at https://www.catholicnh.org/.../Sch.../TeacherApplication.pdf prior to the Teacher Fair and also bring along supporting credentials such as teaching accreditation, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
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Roll Out the Red Carpet for Saint Chris!
19th Annual Auction
March 25, 2023
The Event Center, Nashua
NEW! Auction Sponsors – We are excited to announce TWO additional Auction sponsors this week!
Presenting Sponsor:
Platinum Sponsor:
Wanderlust Therapeutic Services
Gold Sponsor:
Silver Sponsor:
Kevin Brown - Knights of Columbus Insurance
The Brian and Sharon Hall Family
NEW! The Tony and Cathy Storace Family
Bronze Sponsor:
Family Chiropractic of Merrimack and Wellness Center
Copper Sponsor:
NEW! FACTS Management
Your business or family can join this wonderful group of supporters by also becoming an Auction sponsor! In addition to our established leveled sponsorships, we can customize sponsorships or you can sponsor important parts of the Auction…think dessert, drinks, or centerpiece sponsor! For more information, click HERE or contact Marta Nissen at [email protected].
Auction Donations – Help us make the Auction a fun and exciting evening with the donation of an item for the silent or live auctions! Donations of new items are always needed and greatly appreciated. Feel free to reach out to friends, family, and local businesses too! You can find donation ideas or make a donation online HERE or simply bring your donation to either the upper or lower campus!
UPDATED! Wine Donations - Wine donations needed for our Wine Pull! Next time you are at the grocery or the liquor store, consider purchasing a bottle of wine to donate. All bottles must be at least a $15 value. Wine donations can be sent to Marta’s attention at either campus!
Class Baskets - Themed baskets are VERY popular at our event! In addition to the wonderful baskets donated by individuals and businesses, each grade (Pre-k to 8) is putting together a very special themed basket thanks to the donations of their families! To make a cash donation towards your child's class basket, please click HERE!!
Tickets - Tickets were mailed on Friday, February 3rd! If you did not receive an invitation, please send Marta an email at [email protected]. We can also send an invitation to any of your friends or family who are interested in attending or supporting the auction….just send Marta an email and we’ll get it right out ! You can purchase tickets either by returning the RSVP card included with the invitation or by going online HERE! Tickets are $85 per person and include complimentary champagne, a drink ticket, a fabulous sit-down dinner, and night full of fun with your Saint Chris friends! All attendees also receive a complimentary $25 gift card from our Gold sponsor, Wireless Zone!
NEW! Reserved Tables - Tables of 10 guests can be also reserved ahead of time by sending a list of attendees to Marta at [email protected].
NEW! Ticket for a Teacher Sponsors – Aren’t our teachers GREAT? Thank them for a job well done by being a Ticket for a Teacher sponsor! Our teachers work hard all day, every day in the classroom…they deserve a night out! To be a Ticket for a Teacher sponsor, simply complete the RSVP form HERE and select Ticket for a Teacher
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NEW! March No School Day - Looking ahead to next month…..there will be NO school on March 24 so that teachers can participate in the Diocesan professional development being offered that day.
NEW! Recognizing Excellence Award Nominations - Nominations for the 2023 Diocese of Manchester’s Teacher of the Year and Clergy of the Year awards are now open!
- Teacher of the Year Award - The New Hampshire Catholic School Teacher of the Year views Catholic education not only as a profession, but as a vocation of service to students and to the greater Church. A practicing Catholic active in his or her faith, the award recipient brings a joyful witness to his or her ministry that inspires students to not only achieve academically, but to put their skills and knowledge to good use creating the Kingdom of God on Earth. Submit a nomination HERE.
- Clergy of the Year Award – The recipient of the Spirit of St. John Vianney Award is a member of the clergy who similarly provides inspirational support for Catholic education in the diocese. The faithful witness that the recipient of the Spirit of St. John Vianney award provides is inspirational to students as they go on to eventually discern their vocation in life. Submit a nomination HERE.
School Mass Schedule - All parents are invited to attend our weekly school masses! Parents must enter through the front door of each campus facility, sign in, and receive a nametag to attend. All masses are at 9:45 AM on both campuses. The schedule for January and February is:
February 22 - Ash Wednesday - Mass at both campuses. Ashes will be distributed at both masses to all students.
March 8 - Upper campus
March 14 - Lower campus, grades 3-5
March 21 - Upper campus
March 29 - Lower campus
Lower Campus Stations of the Cross - With Lent right around the corner, we have scheduled Stations of the Cross for our lower campus presented by the 5th grade. Parents are welcome to attend this short (approximately 20 minutes) observation of the stations and should come through the school and sign in prior to going to the church. The schedule is:
- Friday, February 24 - 1:50 PM
- Friday, March 10 - 2:15 PM
- Friday, March 17 - 2:15 PM
- Friday, March 31 - 2:15 PM
Girl Scout Silver Award Collection - 8th grade student Amelia Parshley is collecting crayons and coloring books for “little heroes” being treated at the Lowell General Hospital as part of her Girl Scout Silver Award. Please see the flyer HERE!
Hot Lunch Volunteers - Thank you to our fabulous Hot Lunch volunteers! The schedule for the next week is:
Thursday, February 16
LC: Tina Bruno, Sadie Presenti, Lori Gordon
UC: Katie Osborn, Nadra Bell
Friday, February 17
LC: Heather McCorry, Sarah Clauss, Loni Rooney
UC: Tarrah Ledoux, Meredith McCully
Monday, February 20
LC: Lisa Censabella, Sadie Presenti, Alison Nardone, Stacy Driessen
UC: Carrie Ayers, Marge Decato
Tuesday, February 21
LC: Tina Bruno, Sadie Presenti, John Lynch, Anju Kurian
UC: Sue-Ellen Maher, Luci Foppa
Wednesday, February 22
LC: Sarah Colon, Sadie Presenti, Liz Siracusa, Beth Kreick
UC: Nadra Bell, Elona Cook
Popcorn Poppers: Our fabulous popcorn poppers for the week are Andrea Rugg and Becky Kosterman.
Grade 7 & 8 STEM Summer Camp Opportunity - The Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), located in Hanover, NH, is conducting a GEMS Camp for Middle School students this summer. Student registration ends on March 30, 2023. All 7th and 8th Graders are welcome to apply. Please see the flyer HERE for more information!
When: Week of June 26 – 30, 2023. This is being held on the campus of the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL). CRREL is located at 72 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH.
Cost: The GEMS Camp is FREE!
Stipend: Students receive a stipend for attending the week-long camp!
Registration: Student registration ends March 30, 2023. Sign up online HERE.
Black History Month - First officially recognized in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, February is Black History Month across the US. This month celebrates the achievements of African Americans and their important role in US history. Locally, the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire provides excellent resources on black history and culture in NH. Please visit their website HERE!
St. Christopher Parish Women’s Lenten Book Study – Mondays 7:15-8:30pm in the Parish Hall – Starting February 20th – This Lenten season, school mothers are invited to join the women of the parish as we journey through Sr. Miriam James’ book: Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation. Together we will turn away from what wounds us and turn towards God to be embraced by His tenderness, mercy, and love. Together we will practice prayer, fasting, almsgiving and sacrifice to help restore our hearts so we will see more clearly, love more strongly, and serve more passionately. More information and sign-up at https://tinyurl.com/StChrisRestore Please email questions to either Danielle Schuh at [email protected] or Melissa Gouthro at [email protected].
St. Christopher Parish Lenten Schedule – Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22 and the parish has created a rich schedule of programs, masses, rosaries, and confessions to help us deepen our faith during this sacred period. All school families are welcome and encouraged to attend any and all of these Lenten activities!
