NEW! Teacher Appreciation Lunch Thank You - Our Teacher Appreciation Lunches on each campus today were a wonderful success...our teachers and staff are really feeling the love! Many, many thanks to Giorgio's in Merrimack (visit their website HERE!) for donating the pizzas, to the Parent Group for coordinating the lunch, to our raffle queens for creating the fun prizes, to the many donors of money/decorations/food/Amazon wish list items, and to the set-up and clean-up volunteers! We also thank the parents who covered classes at the lower campus! Our community's generosity in thanking the teachers is INCREDIBLE!
NEW! Animation Club Thank You - Our Animation Club will have its last meeting of the year on Friday, May 16! Many thanks to parent Mallory Gray for leading the students and computer teacher Mary Foran for her assistance!
NEW! Letter from Mrs. Lambert - We are happy to report that all went well with Mr. Lambert’s surgery over April vacation! Mrs. Lambert has asked us to share a heartfelt letter from her with the school community. Please click HERE to read it!
NEW! No After Care Reminders- There will be NO After Care on either campus on the following days through the end of the school year:
- Tuesday, May 20 - STEM Night
- Friday, May 23 - BBQ
- Wednesday, June 4 - Baccalaureate
- Monday, June 9 - Convocation
- Wednesday, June 11 - Early Release….last day of school for grades Prek to 4 and 6-7!
NEXT WEEK! STEM Day on Tuesday, May 20! - We are excited to welcome STEM professionals in a variety of fields to speak to students on both campuses. Click HERE to view our STEM Day Program listing all of our fabulous presenters!
NEXT WEEK! STEM Fair on Tuesday Evening, May 20! - On the evening of Tuesday, May 20, families are invited to return to both campuses for the annual STEM Fair portion of the day to view student science projects! The lower campus will be open for families from 5:30 to 6:30 PM and the upper campus will be open from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. Please join us!
NEW! School BBQ! Our annual BBQ is NEXT Friday, May 23rd at the upper campus….whoo-hoo!! We are looking forward to a great night!! A few important notes:
After Care - There will be NO After Care on the 23rd!
Parking - Please remember to observe all parking rules in the neighborhood!
Chairs and Blankets - Don’t forget that the BBQ is BYOC/B…Bring Your Own Chair/Blanket! We’ll be spread out on the lawn behind the upper campus building!
Dessert Table Donations - While the school provides hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, watermelon, drinks, and more, we are looking for contributions to our famous dessert table! Please see the SignUp Genius HERE! (Note: You can drop your dessert off at either campus during the school day or simply bring it with you to the BBQ! Please, no nuts in any dessert!)
Volunteers - We are looking for a few volunteers to help with set up and/or clean up! Both will be quick and easy! Please see the SignUp Genius HERE to help out! Thank you!
NEW! Congratulations! Congratulations to lower campus Grand Chess Champion Joe Siemanowicz! This past Monday, he defeated lower level champion Eddie Desrosiers to win the overall championship. Great job!
The Chess Club has finished for the year. This coming Monday, May 19, will be the final meeting of the Cribbage Club!
NEW! Kindergarten and 1st Grade Classroom Libraries - We are excited to be working on furnishing our additional kindergarten and first grade classrooms for the fall! We’d love to provide our new teachers with robust classroom libraries for their students, so we’re looking for donations of new and/or gently used books appropriate for kindergarten and 1st grade...particularly picture books and early readers! If you have any to donate (Spring cleaning anyone?!), please bring them to the lower campus to Mrs. Clarke’s attention. Thank you very much!
NEW! Upper Campus Lost and Found Items at Dartmouth Hitchcock - A lovely person who works at Dartmouth Hitchcock at exit 8 has returned a school uniform quarter-zip, gym shorts, and t-shirt that was left at their facility. All are size M. If they belong to your family, please let Mrs. Coker know! Her email is [email protected].
NEW! Summerbook Workbooks – Worried about the student “summer slide”? Help your student keep his or her school skills sharp with a Summerbook Company 10-week summer review workbook for students entering Kindergarten and up! Books may be ordered individually online HERE. Saint Chris strongly recommends that students complete summer work in addition to summer reading assignments!
NEW! Upper Campus Math Summer Solutions Book - All upper campus students (rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade) will receive a Summer Solutions math workbook before they leave for the summer, along with instructions for completing required summer math work. Each student’s workbook will be matched to his or her anticipated math class for the fall. The $20 cost of the book will be billed through FACTS Incidental Billing.
Lower Campus Traffic Warning - We have received feedback from our neighbors that parents (and others) are exceeding speed limits in our neighborhood, creating unsafe traffic conditions. It is likely that the Nashua Police will be alerted to this activity by our neighbors. Please slow down for everyone’s safety!
Memorial Day NO SCHOOL - There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.
ETC and EFA Scholarship Applications OPEN - The Children’s Scholarship Fund offers two scholarship programs to provide families the opportunity to choose the education they desire for their children, including attendance at Saint Chris. Both the Education Tax Credit (ETC) scholarship program and the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program are now open for applications and renewals/requalifications for the 2025-2026 school year. While Academy families who apply for Saint Chris financial assistance are required to apply to these programs, all Saint Chris families are encouraged to learn more about them and their requirements. Please click HERE for more information about the ETC scholarships and HERE for more information about the EFA program.
Hot Lunch Ends - Don’t forget….Hot Lunch service ends on Thursday, May 29 on the lower campus and Friday, May 30th on the upper campus! All students must bring a lunch from home through the end of school. There will be no “Forgotten Lunches” available at the lower campus. If a student does not bring a lunch, a parent will be called.
Last Day for Milk - The last day for milk will be May 30th!
Employment Opportunities - We are currently interviewing for new faculty members to fill open positions for the 2025-2026 school year! Please spread the word! Preferred applicants should be practicing Catholics, hold an appropriate New Hampshire teaching certification (or be eligible for certification), and be ready to embrace our school mission of developing students who lead by example and live their lives with integrity and in service to God and others. Candidates may read more by clicking HERE!. Please pass this on!
End of the Year Dates - The end of the school year may seem like a long way away, but it will come quickly! We have scheduled the following important dates and events:
NEXT WEEK! Friday, May 23
- Family BBQ at the upper campus (all current families and incoming 2025-2026 new families invited!)
Wednesday, June 4
- 8th Grade last day of school - 8th grade released at 11:30 AM (no bus for early release students)
- NO After Care
- 5:00 PM – 8th grade Baccalaureate Mass at St. Christopher Parish (graduate and two parents only)
- 6:30 PM - 8th grade Baccalaureate Dinner at the upper campus (graduate and two parents only)
Friday, June 6
- 7:00 PM - 8th grade Graduation at the upper campus
Monday, June 9
- Grade 5 last day of school - 5th grade released at noon (no bus service for Early Release students)
- NO After Care
- 5:30 PM - 5th grade Convocation at upper campus (students gather at lower campus at 4:40 PM)
Wednesday, June 11
- Early Release and final day of school for grades PreK to 4, 6 & 7
Back to School 2025 Dates - Speaking of important dates, we have some important notes about back-to-school for Fall 2025! If you are booking summer vacations or other plans, please keep these important dates in mind:
- PreK, Kindergarten and 1st grade Playground Days - Who wants to play? We will hold special Playground Days for PreK, Kdg, and 1st grade students in August to help students and parents get to know each other before the start of school! PreK students are invited to the playground on Monday, August 4 from 9:00 - 10:00 AM. Kindergarten students are invited to play on Monday, August 11 from 9:00 - 10:00 AM. And 1st grade students will enjoy the playground on Monday, August 18 from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. If we need to cancel for rain, we will reschedule later in the same week. Come on down! This is a great time for the kids...and parents....to make important connections with friends before the school year begins!
Monday, August 25–
- First day of school for 6th grade students ONLY. This will be a half day for 6th grade students. More details will be sent to 6th grade parents later in the summer.
- Lower campus Meet the Teacher from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. Class lists will be posted in the school lobby that day.
Tuesday, August 26 - First day of school for ALL students on both campuses. (2nd day of school for grade 6.) Students should be in full school uniform.
Friday, August 29 and Monday, September 1 - No School…Labor Day Weekend
UPCOMING ACADEMY EVENTS
Jubilee 2025 New Hampshire Eucharistic Pilgrimage - The NH Eucharistic Pilgrimage will take our Eucharistic Lord in procession to EVERY parish and Catholic school in the Diocese of Manchester from May 18 to June 19…and Saint Chris is happy to announce plans for our school to take part in this grace-filled event! On Thursday, May 29, all lower campus students will walk over to the upper campus for a very special all-school Ascension Thursday Mass. Perpetual pilgrims (those stewarding the Blessed Sacrament across NH) will meet us there and join us for Mass. Following Mass, we will process with the Blessed Sacrament around the upper campus and back to St. Christopher Church where the parish will hold a Holy Hour with the exposed sacrament for parishioners. (Note: upper campus students will only process to the rear of the upper campus building, then return to their classes.) We are thrilled to be taking part in this unique spiritual event, a first for the Diocese of Manchester!
All lower campus students will bring home a permission slip for the May 29 event today. Please complete it and return it to your student’s teacher by May 22. Parents are welcome to attend any part of this wonderful morning!
Gym Tarp Help - The last two weeks of school are busy, busy, busy in the upper campus gym! To protect the floor, we are in need of a minimum of 8 volunteers to help Mr. Farris cover the gym floor with a tarp on the morning of Monday, June 2. Volunteers can be from either campus! If you can help from approximately 9:00-10:00 AM, please email Marta at [email protected]. Many hands make light work! Thanks!
Fine Arts Festival - Please join our music groups for the Spring Fine Arts Festival concert on Wednesday, May 28 at 6:30 PM in the gym at the upper campus. More details will be emailed soon!
Lower Campus Field Day – Field Day is coming for our lower campus students on Friday May 30! There are volunteer opportunities in the morning for Pre-K and K parents and afternoon for 1st through 5th grade parents. We will also be looking for donations to add to the fun of the day! Click HERE to sign up. More details about the day will be coming after April vacation.
Silver Knights Education Day - All student tickets have been ordered for the May 28 Silver Knights baseball game. Please remember that if your grade 1 to 6 student is not attending the game, he or she MUST stay home for the day.
Parents tickets are still available for the game! Parent tickets must be purchased through the Silver Knights by using the link HERE! The password is STCHRIS.
Upcoming School Masses - All parents are invited to attend our school masses! Parents must enter through the front door of each campus facility, sign in, and receive a nametag to attend. All upper campus masses are at 9:45 AM and lower campus masses will be at 1:45 PM unless otherwise noted. The schedule for the rest of the year is:
- May 19 - Lower campus Mass and May Crowning @ 9:45 AM
- May 29 - Ascension Thursday Mass @ 9:45 AM (all students at upper campus)
- June 3 - Lower campus @ 1:45 PM
- June 10 - Upper campus @ 9:45 AM
Student Programs and Activities
THIS WEEK! Expanded Trivia Night - Mrs. Lowry and Ms. Nott will hold their final Trivia Night of the school year THIS Friday, May 16 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the church hall! They are excited to invite not only the 5th through 8th grade students, but all 4th grade students as well! There’s no cost to attend…just come and have a great time with your friends!
NEW! Lower Campus Field Day - Field Day is on Friday May 30 for our lower campus students. There are volunteer opportunities in the morning for Pre-K and K parents and afternoon for 1st through 5th grade parents. We are very much in need of sliced watermelons, a couple of pop up tents and clean up helpers for 1st - 5th graders among other things. Click HERE to sign up.
NEW! Lower Campus Cross Country - Lower Campus Cross Country Registration for fall 2025 is now open! Cross country is open to all students entering 2nd through 5th grade next school year. Click HERE to register. There is a full season schedule as well as an invite to the BAND page at the top of the registration form.
NEW! School Store - Due to volunteer schedule conflicts, our lower campus School Store will now be open on Mondays and Thursdays, rather than Tuesdays and Thursdays. The last day the store will be open is Thursday, June 5th!
Summer Drama Camp – Come perform greatest hits from past plays in a casual environment that will give everyone a chance to take the lead! Information about registration has been sent…look for an email from Mr. Quigley!
Two Sessions: July 7- 18 and July 21 - Aug 1
9am-12pm in the Upper Campus Gym
Open to INCOMING grades 3-8
Cost: $250 per session per student
Max 15 students per session
LOWER CAMPUS LIBRARY NEWS
Birthday Books - There is still time! If you would like to purchase a birthday book for your student this year, please send Mrs. Noon an email or a note by May 16th to allow plenty of time for the book to be delivered and processed. If you have more than one student, feel free to get their birthday books at the same time! For more information on the birthday book program find it HERE. Thank you for your generosity!
End of Year Library Date
- THIS week - Last week to check out library books
- Week of May 19th - Students return all library books
- Week of May 27th - Email notices sent home regarding books that have not been returned
Grades 2-5: Feel free to check your student's library account. Click on "Login" and then go to "My Stuff" to see books that are currently checked out. To access the Destiny Online Catalog, your student's username and password are located on a label inside their agenda. If you need that information, please email me at [email protected]. Please have your student check both new and old backpacks, cars, home bookshelves, desks, cubbies, lockers, etc. Books have a way of hiding in plain sight!
Happy Reading!
DEADLINE TOMORROW! Helen J Horan Scholarship Applications for 8th Grade Students – Applications for the Helen J. Horan Scholarship for graduating 8th grade students are now being accepted. This scholarship provides support to a deserving Saint Christopher Academy 8th grade student who plans to continue his or her education at a Catholic high school next year. Established by the late Father Denis Horan in loving memory of his sister Helen, the Helen J. Horan Scholarship is the top award for our graduating students and will be awarded at the Baccalaureate Dinner on June 4th. The deadline for applications is May 15. Please see the description HERE for qualifications and other important information.
Parent Volunteers
NEW! Hot Lunch Volunteer Schedule - Thank you to our fabulous Hot Lunch volunteers! The schedule for the rest of this week and the first few days of next week is:
Thursday, May 15
LC: Athena Chisholm, Melissa Richardson
UC: Nadra Bell
Friday, May 16
LC: Liz McClure, Julie Vincent, Sarah Daugherty
UC: Aaron Missner, Jennifer Squillace
Monday, May 19
LC: Melanie Marcu, David Guilmette
UC: Diane London, Paul Schibbelhute
Tuesday, May 20
LC: Dorene Krauss, Leslie Bellows
UC: Nadra Bell, Jen Liba
Wednesday, May 21
LC: James Rappaport
UC: Sandra Delosa, Robert Delosa
NEW! Popcorn - Thank you to this week’s popcorn poppers:
Lower Campus: Megan Hussey, Leslie Bellows, Caroline Belt
Upper Campus: Tara Canaway, Melissa Szymansky
ST. CHRISTOPHER PARISH NEWS
NEW! May Movie Night for Middle and High School Students!
St. Christopher’s Moms & Minis – Meet with other moms for hot coffee, light treats and conversation in the church hall. Our minis get to play while we chat and grow in faith and fellowship! We meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 9 - 10:30 AM during the school year, with play dates throughout the summer. For additional information call or text Alex Sullivan at 603-479-4554.
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY NEWS
Camps Fatima and Bernadette - Give your child the gift of a summer rooted in faith, friendship, and fun at Camp Fatima for boys and Camp Bernadette for girls! From horseback riding and tubing to archery, arts & crafts, and so much more, each day is filled with joyful adventures and opportunities to grow closer to God.
NEW! Catholic School Family Discount! All Catholic school families receive a 15% discount off their camp tuition! For more information about the camps, please click HERE!
COMMUNITY NEWS
NEW! Fitness University - Fitness University is a free running fitness program for children ages 3 to 14 in the greater Nashua area. Fitness University is dedicated to promoting the importance of fitness, fun and good health. Children of all abilities are encouraged to participate. Fitness University will start on Tuesday, June 24, and will happen every Tuesday from 6:00 pm-7:15 pm until August 5, 2025 (skipping the week of July 29th due to scheduling issues). Catch us at the Nashua South High School track each week for some serious fitness fun! Click HERE to sign your child up.
NEW! Carbon Monoxide Reminder - The NH State Fire Marshal’s Office recently completed a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm installation in the school to provide protection for students and staff. The Fire Marshall’s Office would like to remind parents of the importance of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in the home as well. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, poisonous gas. Please click HERE for more information about the risks of carbon monoxide in the home.
Nashua Community College Summer Courses for grades 6 and up - Nashua Community College will be offering several summer courses for students who will be in grades 6 and up this coming fall, including courses on tabletop role-playing games, aviation careers, introduction to digital electronics, and Adruino programming among other topics. Please see the NCC website HERE for more information!