The winners of our Junior High Unit (Grades 6-8) COVID-19 Photo Essay Contest were recently named. Entries were judged in the categories of Most Creative Presentation, Most Emotional Essay, Best Essay, and Best Pictures. Our students were asked to depict - in words and images - how the pandemic has affected their lives. Grade 6 Winners: Gracie Glasson, Anabelle Hunnicutt, Henry Payne, Sofia Recchia. Grade 7 Winners: Elisabeth Halloran, Addison Holmes, Taylor Houtz, Patryk Oszer. Grade 8 Winners: Carly Bauer, Eric Jean, Tate Martin, Gianna Salvatore. Congratulations to all!

Congratulations to this year's Grade 8 Living History Museum winners: Tate Martin as Franklin D. Roosevelt for “Most Historical Character”; Abigail Burgess as Elizabeth Blackwell for “Best Oral Speaking Skills”; Brian Shimp as Tony DiStefano for “Best Props”; Gianna Salvatore as Michael Jackson for “Most Interesting Character”; and Dominicio Cucarese as Pat Tillman for “Best Costume.”

Grandpals Day at Holy Trinity School had a different look this year, while the sentiment was exactly the same! Instead of 250 of the most special people in our students' lives filling the school's hallways and classrooms, our students sent special cards and made videos to share with their Grandpals.

While so much has changed for Catholic Schools Week this year, the "Carnival of Prizes" lives on! Our faculty, staff, and Home & School Association once again came through in a BIG way, donating generous prize baskets to be raffled-off to the students. Proceeds from this charitable fundraiser have been earmarked for Britney, our Unbound sponsor child from Ecuador. Due to the shortened week and the continued demand for raffle tickets, the Carnival has been extended into next week with a live Zoom drawing on Wednesday afternoon, February 10th.

"Pilot Jack" gave our judges - Monsignor Eckert, Mrs. Gnida, and Mr. McCusker - a tour through the Primary Unit's recreation of Europe, as part of our Catholic Schools Week hallway competition. Please be sure to take a peek at our "Catholic Schools Week Virtual Open House" video to see what has been going on inside our "Small School with a BIG Heart!"

While it has a different format this year, Catholic Schools Week at Holy Trinity School continues to be such an important part of our annual calendar! Kicking-off with Opening Mass on January 31, the week is filled with events for our students that focus on the FAITH, EXCELLENCE, and SERVICE that are the foundation of our school. Be sure to check out the agenda for the week and our newly-published virtual tour! Here's to another memorable week-long celebration of Catholic Education!

Thank you to the Danaher Lynch Family Foundation (DLFF), who provided Holy Trinity with a $5,000 grant for technology equipment. With these funds, we were able to purchase a set of Chromebooks for our 4th Grade class to utilize for their learning. The students' teachers are thrilled with the independence and responsibility the students are demonstrating in using their new devices!

Holy Trinity's DLFF Scholars (only some are pictured) presented their handmade Christmas cards to Danaher Lynch Family Foundation (DLFF) Executive Director Sue DiLisio. The cards will be distributed to area seniors to help share the spirit of Christmas giving.

As is tradition at Holy Trinity School, the decorating of the Jesse Tree took place after this month's First Friday Mass. Thank you to our 7th Grade students for leading us in this ceremony. While our student body could not be physically in attendance in church, all participated via a Zoom livestream. The decorated Jesse Tree will remain in the school lobby throughout Advent.

Thank you to all who participated in the STARE Team's "Feathers for Charity" fundraiser. There was an overwhelming response this year, with a record amount of money raised - our finished turkey was HUGE! The three top-ranked classes for feathers purchased were 2nd Grade (3rd Place), 6th Grade (2nd Place), and 5th Grade (1st Place).

Third Grade students were the special participants in this month's Frist Friday Mass. Our veterans were honored, as the students processed with flags and recited America's Creed. Holy Trinity School thanks ALL who have served our country!

Thank you to all HTS families who participated in this year's Family Halloween Challenge - a Scarecrow Contest! What creative ideas you came up with - it was so fun having your creations decorating the schoolyard fence! Congratulations to the families of Hunter, Ariella, and Ava, our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Winners!

Congratulations to our 7th Grade students who received the sacrament of Confirmation! Bishop Fitzgerald administered the sacrament that made our students fully-initiated members of the Catholic Church. Thank you to the children's parents, teachers, and Monsignor Eckert for supporting them throughout their faith journey.

Our First Grade students did a terrific job learning about the lives of the saints! As is tradition at Holy Trinity, the students chose a saint to learn about, dress up as, and teach others about during our "Parade of Saints" prior to the All Saints Day holy day.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Howatt (Grade 6) who won the Nutritional Development Service's slogan contest! Elizabeth's winning entry, "Make sure you eat, so you'll be quick on your feet!" is featured on the November meal menu.

Students and staff enjoyed a virtual assembly on "The Science of Sound" brought to us by Caryn Lin and Young Audiences of New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania! Students learned about sound waves, vibrations, and various stringed instruments in a fun and entertaining way right from their in-person and at-home classrooms!

Congratulations to our HTS Class of 2021, who were celebrated during this morning's annual Leadership Mass. The Mass and ceremony were livestreamed to the student body, who attended from their classrooms. At Holy Trinity, our 8th Grade students collectively lead our school in service to members of our school, parish, and local communities. Our safeties, lectors, altar servers, STARE Team, and school specialty aides were all recognized. Thank you to ALL of our students who so willingly take on the responsibilities of these leadership roles and to their faculty and parish moderators!

In keeping with Holy Trinity tradition, Monsignor Eckert blessed our students' beloved pets in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This year, while only furry, fuzzy, scaly, and feathered friends of the stuffed variety could be physically present in the school, Monsignor was sure to convey a blessing to all of the students' pets who are waiting for them back at home.

Several Holy Trinity students and staff members were recently recognized by Mrs. Darletta Berry-Johnson - Executive Director of The Ivins Outreach Center - for volunteering during the pandemic. Nolan Harris (Grade 8); Abigail (Grade 8) and Madison Burgess (Grade 4); Ella (Grade 3), Sarah Maddie (Grade 2), and Elizabeth Halloran (Grade 7); Lukas (Grade 4) and Liam Harwood (Grade 2); as well as Miss Cassandra Fario and Miss Christine Traub all put together care packages and meals for families and older residents in need, and delivered/distributed meals, snack packs, and pet supplies to the elderly in the Morrisville community. The students and staff were commended by Ivins Outreach for their commitment and dedication to helping to keep residents home and safe during these unprecedented times!

In recognition of his dedication and commitment to his education, Dominic Neely (Grade 3), was recently awarded the Dr. Elizabeth O'Donnell Memorial Scholarship for the 2020-2021 school year. Congratulations to Dom and his family - keep working hard!