Dear Parents,

Christmas is a just week away and we will soon bid 2019 farewell.  December has been a whirlwind and we have many people to thank.  We began the month with our Santa Breakfast and Santa Shop and both were truly wonderful!  Thanks to Mrs. Tellier and Mrs. Shukofsky and all of the parent and student volunteers for making the Santa Breakfast truly magical.  With more than 520 participants at two separate sessions, the day could not have been better planned or more well run.  Thank you to all of the businesses that supported our program with food and other donations.  A special thank you goes out to HCA Advisory Board member, Joyce Flinn, and her husband, Eugene, for not only donating the bacon and eggs, but for helping Chef Fred in preparing the food the day of the breakfast.  Thanks as well to Nino Giacchi, also an HCA Advisory Board member, for his help in the kitchen throughout the morning.

Thanks to Mrs. Dayo and the Apiados and all of our parent volunteers who made the Santa Shop so successful. All of our students had an opportunity to buy Christmas gifts for their loved ones and had a great time doing so!

The National Junior Honor Society Toy Drive has been completed and the generosity of our families is beyond words.  More than thirty large, blue IKEA bags were filled to the brim with toys for children of all ages.  From stuffed animals to drones and remote control cars, our school family has helped brighten the lives of countless children at Hoboken University Medical Center, The Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center and “Finding Their Words,” a center for children who are victims of abuse, also affiliated with the Hackensack hospital.  

The PK and K-2 concerts are in the books and both were spectacular!  Thanks to our teachers and students for their hard work in preparation for the performances.  A special thank you to Mrs. Bernardo, Mrs. Dayo, Mr. Apiado, Mr. Alves and Mrs. Seredvick for making the gym look so festive for each program.  Preparations are almost complete for the evening concert on Thursday, featuring students in grades 3-8, as well as the award winning HCA Choir.  We anticipate another memorable evening.  Doors will open at 6:30 PM, the same time as student drop-off, because of the frigid temperatures.  As always, we thank Ms. Campana for the incredible job she does in not only directing the choir, but in assisting the teachers with all of their grade level presentations for three concerts!

We will have a run-through of the evening concert for all of our students to watch on Thursday morning and class parties for kindergarten through grade eight are slated for Thursday afternoon.  Thanks in advance to all of our class parents for coordinating the parties with the classroom teachers and for helping out on Thursday.

Thank you to all of our parents who had their children wear blue in support of Detective Seals on the day of his funeral.  The tragic events that unfolded last Tuesday in Jersey City underscored just how dangerous police work can be and how blessed we are that brave men and women work each day to keep us safe.  On Friday, January 10^th,  we will hold a special dress down day and ask that you contribute any amount you wish.  All monies collected will be donated to support Detective Seals wife and family.  Checks should be made payable to Hoboken Catholic Academy with Detective Seals Fund on the memo line.  We will send one check and a note of sympathy and love to Mrs. Seals on behalf of our HCA family.

Finally,  please know that the teachers, support staff and I realize how incredibly blessed we are to work in a school with such wonderful, generous and supportive families.  On behalf of the entire HCA staff, please accept my thanks and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Blessed New Year.  It is truly an honor to be part of such an incredible community.

God Bless you all!

Sincerely,

Matthew McGrath