Mark C. DeMareo, Ed.D. PRINCIPAL

Holy Cross Academy

40 Rumson Road Rumson, NJ 07760 Tel: 732-842-0348

February 26, 2020 Dear Parents/Guardians:

The season of Lent is a Catholic liturgical season consisting of forty days of fasting, prayer, and penitence beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding at sundown on Holy Thursday. The official liturgical color for the season of Lent is violet. Lent begins today, February 26th.

Lent has developed into its current length of forty days. Forty days is significant for Christians because it is the length of the fast and temptation of Jesus in the desert (cf. Luke 4:1-13). Recently, research has suggested that the development of Lent was also influenced by the forty-day span of fasting practiced by many in the early Church (especially monks). This fast, beginning right after Epiphany (January 6th) stressed prayer and penance.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.

The norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are from the age of 14 for Ash Wednesday and all Fridays.

Mardi Gras Benefit Success! What an incredibly fun evening had by all those who attended the Mardi Gras Benefit at the Proving Ground in the Highlands on Friday, February 21st. Special thanks to all those dedicated PTA Executive Board members, PTA members and volunteers who worked so hard to make it such a success. It was such a pleasure to see so many of our teachers, Pastoral staff and our many teacher assistants in attendance.

Congratulations to Sarkis Marrin Congratulations to Holy Cross Academy 7th grader Sarkis Marrin who is being recognized by the Middletown Historic Preservation Commission this evening at the Middletown Board of Education meeting for winning first place for his essay, The Battle of Navesink. One hundred and ninety-one middle school students submitted essays from Bayshore, Thorne and Thompson Middle Schools and Sarkis was the only non-public student to win in the 7th grade submissions. Sarkis will receive a certificate from the Middletown Historic Preservation Commission in addition to $50.00.

Congratulations to Mary DeBiasi and Michelle Tomaino Mary DeBiasi and Michelle Tomaino presented the newly approved Pre-K through 12 Science curriculum which they were involved in writing for the diocese to all the diocesan science teachers and administrators on Friday, February 21st at St. Domenic’s Elementary School in Brick.

We are so proud of the hard work, time and effort they put into this initiative and I was most proud to be in attendance to observe their presentation. Our faculty will be acclimated to the new curriculum this spring.

Family Math Night On February 11th, the Mathcounts Club along with Mrs. Chadwick hosted a family math night. The students created math games, organized the event and ran the games. Many families came to participate and had a lot of fun doing math. Some of the games were cup stacking races, make a shape, connect four, math wars, pick a stick, math word find, making a rectangular prism out of gum drops and making pictures with tangrams.

Grade 6 – Google Slideshows By Ms. Amy Evans

Students in 6th grade have been participating in a cross-curricular activity, combining the knowledge of ancient civilizations learned in Mr. McCue’s Social Studies class with the presentation skills learned in Miss Evans’ Technology class. Miss Evans and Mr. McCue have collaborated on this assignment in past years, and students enjoy creating presentations and showing off what they have learned through their Google Slideshows.

After completing a unit on Ancient China, India and Egypt, Mr. McCue has his students pick one of the regions to focus on. Outlines are created in Social Studies class, allowing the students to collect and organize important information about the topic. Those outlines are then turned into Google Slideshow presentations in Tech class, using design techniques and tools. Students learn how animations and transitions, color, font and size choices, and vivid images can create visually engaging presentations.

This week, the final step of the process began! As seen in the photos below, this last part of the project provides the opportunity for students to share their presentations orally for the class in the Tech Lab. Miss Evans and Mr. McCue both provided students with their expectations for the presentations, and graded the students’ work using notes and rubrics.

Renaissance NEW STAR Reading and Math Reports Students will be receiving their NEW STAR test assessments sent home on Friday, February 28th for your review. Enclosed with the test assessment will be a letter from Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. JoAnn Tier, who will provide an explanation of this new assessment. If you do not receive your child(ren’s) test results, please call the school and we will provide you with another copy. Please note that in the report the “growth score” is empty. You will see that score shown at the completion of their third assessment in May.

Supporting your child with a writing assignment A writing assignment can seem like a tough challenge for many students. Good writing involves everything from understanding a subject, to knowing how to organize thoughts, to checking spelling and punctuation. To help your child with writing assignments: Suggest that they “talk through” some ideas before starting. Clear writing starts with clear thinking. Talking with you can help your child clarify their thoughts. Encourage your child to take notes and make an outline before he/she starts to write. Organizing their thoughts will make their writing clearer. Remind your child that first drafts don’t have to be perfect. Encourage them to focus on what they want to say first. Your child can edit his/her paper for spelling and grammar later. Offer plenty of praise. Your praise can motivate your child to keep working. Be as specific as you can: “I really like the way you’ve described what led up to this event. I understand it better now.” Don’t over criticize. It’s helpful to point out errors now and then, but if your child thinks you are always looking for what’s wrong, they will be less likely to share their writing with you. Be patient. Good writing takes time. Your patience and support can help your child develop into a clear thinker and skilled writer.

Best Mass Attendance for the Weekend of February 22nd and 23rd

Congratulations to Grade 8 with an attendance rate of 90%.

If any class receives 75% or above, Father Manning will purchase Italian ices for the entire class!

Week of February 24th - Virtue of Prudence Prudence

Meaning: Enables one to reason and to act rightly in any given situation – “right reason in action”

~ Dear Jesus,

In my thoughts, words and actions I can give you praise. Always grant

me the grace to know the truth, to speak always what is right, and

to follow you in all I do.

On Monday, February 24th, Dr. DeMareo read from Psalm 119:1-3

Friday, March 6” End of 2nd Trimester

Friday, March 13: Open House at 9:30 a.m. and Report Cards issued Friday, March 20: Professional Day for Teachers – No School for students

Friday, March 20: Pickle Ball Open 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 27 – Seussical Jr. 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28: Seussical Jr. 2:00 p.m.

Our morning 9:00 a.m. Masses for February and March are as follows:

Friday, February 28 (Grade 7.1) Monday, March 2 (Grade 8)

Wednesday, March 4 (Grade 7.2) Friday, March 6 (Grade 1)

Monday, March 9 (Grade 7.1) Wednesday, March 11 (Grade 2)

Friday, March 13 (Grade 3) Including Confession Monday, March 16 (Grade 4) Including Confession

Wednesday, March 18 (Grade 5) Including Confession Thursday, March 19 – School-wide Mass – Feast of St. Joseph

Monday, March 23 (Grade 6) Including Confession Wednesday, March 25 (Grade 1)

Monday, March 30 (Grade 7.1) Including Confession

Father Manning’s Classroom Visits Friday, February 28: Grade 8 at 10:15 a.m.

Monday, March 2: Grade 1 at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 6: Grade 7.1 at 12:20 p.m. Monday, March 9: Grade 2 at 1:00 p.m.

Friday, March 13: Grade 7.2 at 12:20 p.m. Monday, March 16: Grade 3 at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 23: Grade 4 at 1:00 p.m. Monday March 30: Grade 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Wednesday, March 4: Grade 8.1 at 10:15 a.m. and Grade 8.2 at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 11: Grade 1 at 10:15 a.m. and Grade 2 at 1219 p.m. Wednesday, March 18: Grade 3 at 10:55 a.m. and Grade 4 at 11:37 a.m. Wednesday, March 25: Grade 6 at 12:25 p.m. and Grade 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Today is the Day…To Remain Optimistic Medical studies consistently find that people who are hopeful are at less risk for disease-and heal more quickly-than those who are not. In these unsettling days, there are many things in the world that can chip away at your hope. Be rejoice God has provided a solid basis for being optimistic about your future. He has your good in mind. God invites you daily to claim that hope. The bonus is that hope is also good for your health.

In hope we count on the possibilities of the future and we Do not remain imprisoned in the institutions of the past.

-Jurgen Moltmann

God Bless,

Dr. Mark DeMareo Principal

HOLY CROSS ACADEMY

MARCH 2020

*** 3 COMPLETE LUNCH CHOICES DAILY ***

Hot Entrees, Deli Du Jour, or Bagel Lunch

All Lunches come with Fruit, Veggies & Choice of Beverage. Fresh Soup on Tuesday & Thursday

Student Lunch $4.50

Student Name _______________

Grade/ Class________ # of Lunches______ X $4.50 = Total Due $_______

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

20 Professional

Development Day No School

3 H, D or B Italian Grilled Cheese Roasted Vegetables

Fresh Fruit Chicken Noodle Soup

10 H, D or B Baked Mozzarella Sticks w/ Marinara

Caesar Salad Fresh Fruit

Chicken Tortilla Soup

5 H, D or B Pasta w/ Organic Marinara Sauce

Tossed Salad Fresh Fruit

Loaded Potato Soup

6 H, D or B Hand Tossed Pizza Fresh Vegetables

Fresh Fruit

9 H, D or B NAE Chicken

Nuggets Mashed Potatoes

Fresh Fruit

4 H, D or B Nachos with Beef &

Cheese All The Fixings

Fresh Fruit

11 H, D or B Beef & Cheese Burrito

Rice & Beans Fresh Fruit

12 H, D or BNAE Chicken

Parmesan Sandwich Fresh Vegetable

Fresh Fruit Vegetable Barley Soup

13 H, D or B Seabright Pizza Fresh Vegetable

Fresh Fruit

16 H, D or B NAE Chicken

Sandwich Caesar Salad

Fresh Fruit

17 H, D or B Cheeseburger/ Veggieburger French Fries Fresh Fruit

Chicken Noodle Soup

2 H, D or B NAE Chicken

Nuggets Caesar Salad

Fresh Fruit

19 H, D or B Seabright Pizza

Fresh Veggie Fresh Fruit

Vegetable Noodle Soup

23 H, D or B NAE Chicken

Nuggets Roasted Vegetables

Fresh Fruit

24 H, D or BHot Dog

Baked Beans Fresh Fruit

Spicy Chicken Rice

25 H, D or B Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Melt Fresh Broccoli

Fresh Fruit

26 H, D or B Pasta with Meat Sauce

Bread, Fresh Veggies Fresh Fruit

Chef’s Special Soup

27 H, D or B Personal Pan Pizza

Fresh Vegetables Fresh Fruit

30 H, D or B French Toast Sticks

Hashbrown Yogurt & Berries

31 H, D or B POT LUCK

Fresh Vegetable Fresh Fruit

Chicken Noodle Soup

18 H, D or B Chicken Quesadilla

Rice & Beans Fresh Fruit

Deli Du Jour Selection Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Turkey & Cheese Chicken Salad Egg Salad Turkey & Cheese Tuna Salad

Holy Cross Tennis Team TryoutsGirls and Boys in grades 6, 7, & 8

Monday, March 2nd3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. at Little Silver Club

100 Birch Avenue, Little Silver

Student's Name:

----------

Phone#:

----------Email Address:

*experience required

Do you need help with studying or homework? The Student Council is introducing a new club

that can help:

HCA Tutoring Club

Tutors will meet with students every Wednesday from 2:30P.M.-3:15P.M.

Volunteers from grades 7th and 8th will tutor students in grades K-8 that need extra help.

Students in need of Academic assistance will be invited through teacher recommendation only.

Tutoring will begin Wednesday, March 4th.

Please speak to your child’s teacher if you have any questions regarding their recommendation.

Holy Cross Church

Soup & Stations Friday, March 6, 2020

Please join Holy Cross Families for a bowl of soup, a roll, and conversation followed by Stations of the

Cross.

Please RSVP on link provided.

7th and 8th Grade Students will have the opportunity to earn service hours.

ANNUAL RUMSON SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

Join Holy Cross on Sunday, March 8

as we march in the Saint Patrick’s DayParade carrying 7 banners of our IrishSaint stained glass windows.

We need 7 strong volunteers to carry banners,

7 children over 10 to carry name signs, and of course, Marchers!

Come join the Saints – Patrick, Brigid,Columcille, Ita, Kieran, Lawrence O’Toole andLaserian – as they move through the town!

Line up begins at 12:15 PM sharp at the staging area on Church Street at Allen Street and down Third Street. The parade begins sharply at 1 PM. Click or call the Parish Office to register to march or volunteer to help.

Pizza Party for the HCA Grade with the highest number of marchers!

HOLY CROSS PICKLEBALL OPEN

Friday March 20th --- Saturday March 21st

Location: Holy Cross Academy Gym – 40 Rumson Road, Rumson

FRIDAY 6:00pm – 8:30pm - CO-ED Division

*Complimentary drinks and snacks after Friday’s games

SATURDAY 8:30am – 12:00 NOON – Men’s Division 12:30pm – 4:00pm - Ladies Division

TOURNAMENT RULES:

ADULT DIVISIONS – OPEN PLAY TOUNAMENT

Cost - $70.00 per TEAM All players are responsible to enter as a TEAM Registration – ½ hour before division start Tee shirts will be provided for each player Guaranteed two games Balls will be provided for play Space is limited so please sign-up as soon as possible Awards for each division – Gold – Silver – Bronze

*REGISTRATION MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN MARCH 11TH

Checks payable to Holy Cross Academy - $70.00 or sign-up and pay on Parent Square - credit card fees apply

TEAM REGISTRATION:

Player’s Name: _________________________________T-Shirt (s,m,l,xl,xxl)____ Email: ________________________ Phone: ______________________

Player’s Name: _________________________________T-Shirt (s,m,l,xl,xxl)____ Email: ________________________ Phone:______________________

To benefit Holy Cross Academy Athletics

Questions or for more information, please email Michael Feerst – Tournament Director

mfeerst@hcarumson.org