August 4, 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians,

August has arrived, and with it comes the excitement of preparing for another wonderful school year! Each day brings us one step closer to welcoming our students back to St. Bartholomew School.

This week, we welcome our teachers back to campus as they prepare their classrooms and participate in professional development. We are also excited to welcome our newest faculty members. They will spend time learning about the Diocese of Metuchen, St. Bartholomew School, and our mission, while our veteran teachers serve as mentors and coaches to help them begin the year successfully.

This week's update focuses on our cafeteria and lunch program, but before I share those details, I'd like to ask for your partnership.

As you prepare your child for the new school year, please take a few minutes to talk about kindness. Encourage your child to be the student who welcomes others, includes classmates, and chooses kind words. Remind them that it is never acceptable to make fun of someone's lunch, clothing, appearance, or belongings. Every family is different, and every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. At St. Bartholomew School, we strive to Love, Educate, and Inspire by living the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus welcomed everyone with compassion, and we ask our students to do the same each day.

Snack time for students in PreK through Grade 5 is at the discretion of the classroom teacher. Students should bring a healthy snack and a refillable water bottle each day. Outside of the cafeteria, water is the only beverage permitted. Caffeinated beverages, sports drinks, juice, and milk may not be consumed in classrooms. Carbonated drinks and soda are not allowed at school. Likewise, beverages purchased from coffee shops or fast-food restaurants must not be brought to class. These guidelines help keep classrooms clean, minimize spills, and ensure students remain focused on learning.

As a reminder, St. Bartholomew School is a completely nut-free campus. This includes peanuts and all tree nuts, such as almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, and coconut. We ask families to carefully read ingredient labels each time they pack a lunch, as ingredients and manufacturing practices can change without notice. Your diligence helps protect classmates with severe, life-threatening allergies.

We are pleased to continue our partnership with Catering Solutions of Raritan, NJ, to provide lunch service on full school days. Families may choose from a variety of hot and cold meal options, as well as snacks and beverages, by ordering and paying online in advance. Meals are delivered directly to school and distributed to students during their lunch period in individually labeled containers. If you plan to participate and have not yet created an account, now is a great time to do so. Please remember that outside restaurants or fast-food deliveries for students are not permitted.

For families with our youngest learners, especially those in PreK3 through Grade 2, a little practice at home can make the transition to the cafeteria much smoother. Encourage your child to practice opening lunch containers, drinks, and snack packages independently. Consider having a "school lunch" at home by setting a timer for about 15 minutes so they become familiar with the pace of lunchtime. Talk about what to do if they don't sit with their best friend, reassure them that it's okay if they don't finish everything they bring, and practice packing reusable items back into their lunchbox while throwing away appropriate trash. These small routines help children gain confidence and independence, making lunchtime a more enjoyable experience for everyone.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we prepare for another outstanding school year. We are looking forward to welcoming our students back in just a few short weeks!

Next week, I'll share information about our extracurricular clubs, After School Care program, and a few other important back-to-school reminders.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Theresa Craig, M.Ed.
Principal