THANK YOU!
Thank you to Danielle Schuh and Melissa Gouthro for their fabulous leadership in coordinating the St. Christopher Parish picnic last weekend. It was a great time on a beautiful day!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
NEW! iReady Testing - iReady testing will begin next Monday September 16 on both campuses and will run through September 27. Lower campus students will test in their homerooms, while upper campus students will test in their computer classes. Please be sure that your student is well-rested and has had breakfast every day so they can do their best!
Dogs at Pickup Time at Lower Campus - Parents are asked to keep dogs in their cars at ALL times during pickup at the lower campus. Some children are afraid of dogs and other students are allergic. For sanitary reasons, it is especially important that no dogs are allowed to relieve themselves anywhere on the school and church grounds. This includes the shaded area with picnic tables next to the playground and parking lot. Thank you for your cooperation!
NEW! Enrollment Update - We are off to a strong start to the school year! Our enrollment has held steady, with 471 students enrolled across both campuses. This is the same number of students as last year. Enrollment for NEW students for the 2025-2026 school year (yikes!) will open on October 1st. Re-enrollment for current students will open on November 1st. More details to follow!
NEW! Letter from Superintendent Dave Thibault - Please take a moment to read the Back-to-School letter to all Catholic school families from Superintendent Dave Thibault HERE.
Calendar Information
NEXT WEEK! Early Release - Here’s a reminder that next Friday, September 20th will be our first Early Release day of the year so that teachers may attend professional development. Upper campus students will be released at 11:30 AM and lower campus students will be released at Noon (Prek will release at 11:40 AM and Kdg at 11:45 AM). Nashua buses will be provided on the early release schedule. There will be NO After Care that day.
TOMORROW NIGHT! Thursday, September 12 - Lower Campus Parent Open House, 6:30 PM in the church hall.
Medical Information
Medication at School - If your child uses medication that may need to be administered during the school day (inhaler, ADHD medication, etc.) or in an emergency situation (epi-pen), please be sure to send the medication to the school nurse at the appropriate campus. Saint Christopher Academy policy regarding dispensing medication is in compliance with State Law and Diocesan policy:
- Students requiring prescription medication during the school day must have a completed medication permission form signed by the ordering physician and the student’s parent. The prescription must be in its original container.
- Students requiring over the counter medications, such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Benadryl, Tums, and cough medicine/drops, require a completed medication permission form signed by the parent and the student’s physician.
- Parents of a child diagnosed with a potential life-threatening allergy requiring an epi pen may request approval for their child to be allowed to possess and use the epi pen. Otherwise the epi pen will be held at the nurse’s office and by the student’s teacher.
- Parents requesting their child carry a prescribed inhaler may do so on the medication permission form. Otherwise, inhalers will be held at the nurse’s office.
- A Parent Permission to Dispense Medication form is available on the last page of the Handbook HERE. Copies of this, as well as a Request for Approval to Use and Possess Epinephrine Auto-Injector forms, are available at the nurse’s office.
Contact either Mrs. Sheehan ([email protected]) at the lower campus or Mrs. Danielson ([email protected]) at the upper campus for more information.
DEADLINE PASSED! IMPORTANT! Medical and Immunization Updates - We need updated physical and immunization records for EVERY student, grades PreK to 8. These can be provided in paper copy sent into school on the first day or by email to Gloria Sheehan at [email protected] at the lower campus and Laura Danielson at [email protected] at the upper campus. Note: If your student has a medical or religious exemption for immunizations, please also forward that document. All documentation was due by September 1st.
Miscellaneous Important Details
UPDATED! Calendar Raffle Fundraiser – Friday’s total was 698 tickets….we’re off to a great start!! This year, our Academy goal is 4,400 tickets between the two campuses! We can do it! As in the past, for every 10 raffle tickets your family sells, you will earn one entry into a raffle for a $1,500 Tuition Credit or $1,000 Cash!
NEW! Our First Turn-In Day - THIS Friday, September 13, is our first incentive Turn-In Day….every student who brings in a ticket by Friday may wear Free Dress that day! Hooray!
Sales Incentives - We know that everyone…especially our most competitive friends…are waiting for this news! Here’s our student seller incentives for this year:
- Random Surprise Prizes – We’ll be picking random submitted tickets on random days…and the student seller for each of those random tickets wins a free dress pass. There’s no special schedule…it’s a surprise!
- Classroom contests –
- Top Selling Class on each campus wins an ice cream party!
- Second place class on each campus wins a morning donut party (with coffee for the teacher!).
- Top Sellers - The three top sellers across the Academy win a Target gift card! (1st place - $25, 2nd place - $20, 3rd place - $15)
- Random School-Wide Turn-In Days - Keep an eye on your email…we may just throw out a few random days when any student who turns in a ticket gets a free dress!
THIS WEEK! Popcorn Fridays and Popcorn Volunteers - If your child loves popcorn, he or she is going to LOVE Popcorn Fridays! By preordering now, your student/s on either campus will receive a fresh bag of delicious popcorn every Friday (and you don't have to pack a snack!)! The cost is $27 for the year per student (approximately 27 Fridays between October 4 and the end of May. No popcorn on Early Release Days). Please complete the form HERE to order popcorn for your student/s for the year as no individual bags will be available for purchase on Fridays. Fees will be posted in Incidental Billing in the Family Portal. Ordering deadline is Friday, September 13 and popcorn will begin on October 4th.
MORE POPCORN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please consider volunteering to be a popcorn popper. The schedule is flexible (ex: sign up to be a sub/sign up for certain Fridays/pick a popping partner, etc.) Grandparents/Aunts/Uncles, etc. are also welcome to pop. This is by far a favorite amongst the kids and guaranteed to put a smile on their face (and yours) when they see you in the school. Any questions, please reach out! Contact coordinator Andrea Rugg at [email protected]. Sign up to volunteer HERE!
NEW! Lower Campus School Store Grand Opening! Our lower campus school store will be back in business starting next Tuesday, September 17! The store will be open every Tuesday for grades PrK to 2nd from 8:30 - 8:45 and every Thursday for grades 3-5 from 8:30-8:45. The store sells a variety of school supply items like pencils/pens/erasers, along with school spirit items, rosaries, and more! Please send your little shoppers in with cash for the store as no checks or charges will be accepted. Thank you to volunteers Danielle Schuh, Grace Bunke, and Jay Cook for their dedication to the store!
SPECIAL MILK PROGRAM – Saint Christopher Academy participates in the Special Milk Program which provides milk to children in schools and childcare institutions who do not participate in other federal meal service programs.
Free milk is offered to low-income families. To qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the State of New Hampshire, and you must have annual household income (before taxes) that is below the following amounts:
To apply for the Special Milk Program free milk, please contact Mrs. Clarke or Mrs. Langenfeld.
Milk will start on Tuesday, September 24th. The cost of the milk is $3.45 for the school year. If paying by check, please make check payable to Saint Christopher Academy.
School Board News - Our Board of Limited Jurisdiction (School Board) is tasked with helping to guide the school's strategic vision, Catholic mission and identity, and financial stability. You can find out more about the Board on the website HERE. The page features short biographies of each of our Board members as well as meeting minutes. and a form for contacting the Board with questions.
Board Contact Form - Parents may contact the School Board by using the form HERE. Questions about day-to-day operations and procedures at Saint Christopher Academy should be directed to Principal Cindy Clarke at [email protected].
Strategic Plan - Last year, the Board developed a five-year Strategic Plan for the Academy. Parents can view the plan by clicking HERE.
DEADLINE THIS WEEKEND! Expanded Saint Chris Wildcat Spirit Wear Store! Have you visited our EXPANDED Spirit Store through Maverick Stitch and Screen?! In addition to our traditional Wildcat Spirit Shirts for students and adults (perfect for school Spirit Days!), new offerings include pajama pants (students and adults) and polos, fleece vests and jackets, and softshell vests and jackets for adults! We even have pom-pom hats and baseball caps!
The first ordering period will end on September 15 and all items will be delivered to the school and sent home with students as soon as they are completed. Additional ordering periods will be announced as the year progresses. Please click HERE to order and show your Wildcat pride!
Please note: Spirit wear is NOT part of the daily school uniform on either campus and may only be worn on Free Dress or Spirit Days. Spirit wear is not part of the gym uniform. Thanks for your help with this!
P.S. Have ideas for other fun spirit items? Let Marta know at [email protected]!
Upcoming School Masses - 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 1:45 PM on both campuses unless otherwise noted. The schedule for the next month is:
September 16 - Lower campus (grades 3-5)
October 9 - All school mass at upper campus (details to come soon)
October 24 - Upper campus
DEADLINE THIS WEEKEND! Hot Lunch Ordering - Ordering will run through midnight on THIS Sunday, September 15…no late orders accepted! Ordering for Hot Lunch is done through Boonli.com. Full instructions for ordering can be found HERE for the lower campus and HERE for the upper campus. Please be sure to read carefully!
Look Us Up on Social Media – Don’t forget that we have very active social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Each account usually has different material, so be sure to follow all of them! You can find us at https://www.facebook.com/SaintChrisAcademy https://www.instagram.com/saintchrisacademy/
https://www.pinterest.com/SaintChrisAcademy/
Wildcat Instagram - Our Wildcat Athletic program also has an active Instagram account highlighting all things sports for the upper campus! Check it out at sca_wildcats!
Transportation
NEW! Lower Campus Back Parking Lot Drop-off Reminders - Please remember that the back parking lot is for PreK and Kindergarten students (and those arriving with PreK and Kindergarten students) only. All grade 1 to 5 students should be dropped off on the school side of Cushing Ave. Also, PreK and Kindergarten parents should always exit straight down Hill Ave. Please do not turn right or left onto Brookline Street. Thank you for keeping our drop-off safe!
NEW! Lower Campus Drop-Off “Extra Time” - If a lower campus student needs a little extra time to exit a car in the morning to finish breakfast, bring in a project, or just adjust to Monday morning, please park in the upper parish parking lot next to the church. You may then walk him or her to the top of the stairs and watch them walk down the side of the parking lot and into the school. This allows us to keep our lines moving in both the front and back!
NEW! UC Traffic Flow - Just a reminder that during drop-off and pick-up time, all cars should come DOWN Bartlett Ave from Wellington St. Please do not pull up to the school on the opposite side of the street!
Student Programs and Activities
NEW! Lower Campus Animation Club - We are excited to resume the Animation Club at the lower campus this year, thanks again to parent volunteer Mallory Gray! This club is open to students in grades 3 to 5 and starts on Friday, October 11th. It will meet monthly, on the second Friday of each month, from 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM in Ms. Goltsov’s classroom. The cost per student is $20.
Students will learn the fundamentals of animation using Procreate on our iPads. Through practical lessons and guidance, students will explore the world of animation, bringing their drawings to life in an engaging and educational setting. The Animation Club encourages both artistic expression and technical skills to unlock your child’s creative potential!
This program is limited to 12 students. If interested, please click HERE to sign up. Students should enter through the Before Care entrance and check in with the teacher on duty before proceeding to Ms. Goltsov’s room for the club.
NEW: Chess, Checkers & Cribbage Club! We are happy to announce that our Chess, Checkers & Cribbage Club is back at both campuses, thanks to parent volunteer Tom Nardone! This program offers a safe, low stress environment for students to learn and enjoy the games, while engaging in a social activity that is fun for all. Students play with classmates and learn at their own pace. The start date for the Chess, Checkers & Cribbage Club will be forthcoming. Stay tuned!
*We need a few parent volunteers at each campus to assist Mr. Nardone. While some knowledge of chess, checkers or cribbage is helpful, it isn’t necessary! Please contact Carol Fiore at [email protected] if you can help!
Lower Campus:
The club will meet on Monday morning at 7:30 AM. Students should enter through the Before Care entrance and check in with the teacher on duty before proceeding to Mrs. Hickey’s class for the club.
Some students are particularly excited to learn the game of cribbage in addition to chess. Parent volunteer and pre-k aide Amanda Morrell has volunteered to teach this fun math-oriented game at the lower campus. Therefore, we will be alternating chess and checkers with cribbage.
Upper Campus:
We are thrilled to also offer chess and checkers at the upper campus! The club will meet on Monday morning every other week at 7:00 AM in the music room. Students should enter school through the cafeteria doors.
NEW! Kid Trivia Night - Does your child have random information taking up space in his or her head? Students in grades 5-8 are invited to come show us what they know at SCA's very first Kid's Trivia Night of the year on October 4 from 6:30-8:00 pm in the lower campus church hall. The cost is FREE. Students bring their own snacks and water…Miss Nott and Mrs. Lowry will provide the questions and prizes!
Music Groups and Activities - All music activity sign ups for upper and lower campus have been sent out via email (check your spam!) from Mr. Quiqley. Drama Club sign ups will follow soon. Reminder… if your child is interested in Performance Choir, he or she should register for regular chorus first so we can count the total number of students. They will then receive further audition information. Thank you!
Upper Campus Faithful Fridays - Come adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament before school begins on Fridays from 7:00 - 7:30 AM at the Upper Campus Chapel! Parents, teachers and students are welcome to join our Campus Minister, Miss Abbey Thompson, and Mrs. Lester for Faithful Fridays. Stop by and join us as you are able for a moment of prayer. This is a great opportunity to spend quiet time with Jesus as you begin your day and end your week!
Upper Campus St. Chris's Kitchen - Do you want to learn some basic cooking skills? Do you seek to learn more about the saints? St. Chris’s Kitchen has got you covered! The first session for this Campus Ministry activity will take place on Thursday, September 19th from 2:45pm-3:45pm and consist of making a popular breakfast food: overnight oats. Those who are interested should reach out to Miss Thompson in person or by email ([email protected]) to get a permission slip and submit their session fee by Tuesday, September 17th. Space is limited to 10 students.
THIS WEEK! Lower Campus Scholastic Book Fair News - The Scholastic Book Fair is here at the lower campus! We are so excited to start the year off with the Scholastic Book Fair to help support our lower campus library. Students are visiting the library during their regular library times this week, before school, and during the day during recess or lunchtime with their teacher's permission. Parents may shop during the Open House THIS Thursday, September 12th, or during regular school hours. The Book Fair will close THIS Friday, September 13th at 11:30 AM.
Click HERE to reach the Scholastic Book Fair homepage to purchase an eWallet, or browse the digital flyer!
Online Book Fair and eWallet - The online Scholastic Book Fair runs from August 30th - September 12th. Please take a look at our Book Fair website HERE for some shopping ideas and to purchase the eWallet The eWallet gives students a secure, cash-free way to shop the Book Fair. There is no charge to set up an eWallet. You can simply create an account and authorize a spending limit on your credit card. There will be a record of the eWallets at the Book Fair in case your student does not have their eWallet in hand.
Parent Volunteers
Ski Club Coordinators and Volunteers - Winter will be here before we know it…and that means it will be time for Ski Club! Our Ski Club is open to all students and takes place for six weeks starting in January at Crotched Mountain. Grades PreK to 2 must be transported to the mountain and accompanied by parents while there. Grades 3 to 8 have the option to ride a bus between school and Crotched. This year, we are in need of two coordinators and several volunteers to make this program a success for the over 100 students who participate! Coordinators work with Crotched Mountain and the school to ensure that all students who want to participate have all pertinent information and the appropriate ski passes. Coordinators ski for free! If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Clarke at [email protected]!
Hot Lunch Volunteering - We are still in need of many, many more Hot Lunch volunteers! We need a minimum of two volunteers daily at each campus. Volunteers are particularly needed for Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the lower campus and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at the upper campus. Everyone is welcome to volunteer…we’ve had parents, alumni parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Hot Lunch is a great way to get to know other parents, to see what’s going on at the Academy, and to see your children and their friends. Volunteers serve lunch approximately one day a month on the day of the week of your choice (although those who want to help out several days a month are always welcome!). Volunteer hours are approximately from 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM at the lower campus and 10:15 AM to 12:30 PM at the upper campus.
To volunteer at the lower campus, use the Sign-Up Genius HERE. To volunteer at the upper campus click HERE. Be sure to click through the tabs at the top of each Sign-Up Genius to view the teams and dates available for each day of the week!
- CHRIS PARISH NEWS
St. Christopher Parish Sacrament Preparation Begins Soon
GRADE 2 Students - RECONCILIATION
RECONCILIATION class for this Fall 2024 begins September 29. Baptized students in Grade 2 and up who are seeking reconciliation should register for this class. Students and a parent attend 7 to 8 Sunday evening classes to prepare for this wonderful healing sacrament. We will learn about God’s love for all of us, His forgiveness when we go astray, the Ten Commandments and more. Online registration and payment can be found on the parish website under the Faith Formation tab. Students must also be registered for either our Family Faith program or enrolled at a Catholic school for their ongoing faith formation. Visit stchrisparishnh.org for registration information. Questions? Email: [email protected]
GRADE 3 Students- CONFIRMATION/EUCHARIST
Students in grade 3 who received their Reconciliation last Fall may register for this CONFIRMATION class. This class meets on 7 to 8 Sunday mornings. Families attend the 10 AM Mass and then proceed downstairs for class from 11:15 AM-12:15 PM. Students and a parent participate together as students learn and prepare to receive both Confirmation and Eucharist in Spring 2025. Students registering for this class also register for First Eucharist, which runs from January to May 2025. Students must also be registered for either our Family Faith program or enrolled at a Catholic school. Sacrament prep registration can be done conveniently online from our website stchrisparishnh.org Questions? Email [email protected]
Catholic Community News
St. Kathryn Parish Faith Formation News:
Youth Group for grades 6-12 meets on Sunday's from 4:30-6:30 pm. The Kickoff Social is Sunday September 8th at the Parish Hall! St. Kathryn’s has a mix of youth from all over the Greater Nashua area and had 36 youth at our End of Summer Pool Party. Come check us out for Fun, Games, Food, Prayer, Friends, Learning, and Most of all God! Contact Valerie Somers at [email protected].
Immaculate Conception Parish Faith Formation News:
Immaculate Conception Parish’s First Reconciliation Program will begin early in September and the Registration for those students in Grade 2(or above) and having had Baptism, is overdue, but we are willing to extend the deadline until Thursday, of this week! All parents of those seeking this Sacrament should contact Maryann Stuke at 603-888-0321 x227 or via email [email protected] through Thursday, 8/29 ONLY.
For those in Grade 3(or above) who received Baptism and Reconciliation are eligible to receive Confirmation/First Eucharist in the Spring of 2025, if they are registered through us by Wednesday, October 2 HERE.
Parish of the Resurrection Faith Formation News:
Family Mass at Resurrection is on the first Sunday of the month at 10:30. We also have a Teen & Young Adult evening Mass on the fourth Sunday of the month at 5:00. The next dates for these are:
- Family Mass 9/8 at 10:30 (includes a backpack blessing for all students starting the new year!)
- Teen/YA Mass 9/29 at 5:00
- Family Mass 10/6 at 10:30
Youth Group at Resurrection is for grades 6 and up, meeting on the fourth Sunday of each month at 3:00 in our parish gym. Parishioners, family, and friends in middle and/or high school are all welcome! Our first meeting this year is on 9/29.
Our sacramental prep program begins in November. We offer a flexible curriculum in which families gather regularly alongside the completion of independent work at home.
St. Aloysious of Gonzaga Parish Faith Formation News:
Registration for Faith Formation at St. Aloysious is open till mid-September, including sacramental preparation for all grades. St. Aloysious also provides EDGE and Lifeteen programs for middle and high school youths. Elementary school children meet twice a month on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for sacramental preparation, and youth ministry sessions are held on Fridays (middle school youth) and Sundays (high school youth) from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Please see the flyer HERE for more information.
COMMUNITY NEWS
THIS WEEKEND! Nashua Multicultural Festival - Join the Nashua Mayor’s Office and community on Saturday, September 14 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm for the annual Nashua Multicultural Festival. This celebration of food, art, dance and more will take place in the Nashua Public Library and Library parking lot. Meet your neighbors and share your culture at this fun, family-friendly festival! Festival parking is available at any City lot.
YouthWell Beyond the Screen Events:
