November 1, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians,
           
            I would like to begin by thanking each and every one of you for the part you played in making our 51st annual Halloween Carnival such a success.  Although it was cool (Ok, downright cold at times!), the spirit in setting up, decorating and celebrating together was warm indeed.  I heard so many people comment on the great booth decorations, the delicious food and the welcoming spirit. We are very grateful to the men and women from Keesler Air Force Base who gave of their time and energy on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We are equally grateful to all who helped in any way. We can be proud of a job very well done! Start planning for next year!

            As you are well aware, our Eleventh Annual Silent Auction/Raffle and Dinner will take place on Saturday, November 14th. This is the major fundraiser of our school year. Please be sure to read the NPA newsletter to find out how you can be involved and help to make this a success. Like our Halloween Carnival, there are many ways to get involved….selling tickets, attending the event, setting up, decorating, helping to prepare and serve the food and of course, clean-up. We really do need YOUR help…please consider volunteering one or more hours to make this a success. Finally, remember that any family who sells 5 tickets has a chance in the drawing for $2500 towards tuition at Nativity School (or St. Patrick’s if the family no longer has a child at Nativity).

            It was a real pleasure to talk with so many of you during the time of parent/teacher conferences. Most families were able to meet the teachers on the two assigned days and to receive their child’s report card at that time. As the teachers explained to you, this is the new format for the report card that we will use this year. We hope that it will give you a good summary of how your child is achieving. As we go further into the year, please remember that we are here to answer questions or meet with you at any time.

            Our school will be celebrating READING during this first week of November and Mrs. Ziz, our librarian, has planned some wonderful events for us. We are delighted that so many children (individually or in groups) have chosen to be part of the Reading Fair which will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd. We hope that many of you will be able to attend the Family Reading Night on Wednesday, November 4th. We thank Mrs. Ziz and all of our teachers and staff for working together to make these special days “happen.”

            Many of you are aware that Msgr. Andrew Murray died recently while visiting family in Ireland. Msgr. Andy served in many ways  including as an associate at Nativity Cathedral and as Vicar General, a key leadership position in our diocese. A memorial service for him will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd at 6:00 p.m. in the Cathedral.  All are welcome to attend. It was out of respect for Msgr. Murray that our Family Reading Night was changed from Tuesday to Wednesday. 

            We recently have had several staff members and children experience some difficulties with asthma. Although the cooler temperatures may have caused this, we also have noticed that some of the children are wearing strong perfumes/lotions.  Please be very careful about allowing your child to use such things as they may have an affect on others around them.

            Although economic times are challenging for many of our families, we know that others in our area struggle even more. The Nativity Youth Ministry group will be preparing Thanksgiving Food Baskets to be delivered just before the Thanksgiving Holidays to families in need. If you would like to contribute non-perishable food items to be used in these baskets (canned vegetables, canned fruits, sweet potatoes, stuffing mix, soups, peanut butter etc.) please send these items to school between November 1st and November 20th.  Thank you for your generosity.

            As you are aware, our school is accredited by the State of Mississippi. We are required to follow certification requirements, academic standards and policy expectations just as the public schools. Every five years, each nonpublic school in the State of Mississippi are required to participate in an accreditation visit. We have been informed that our school will be visited by a group from the State Department of Education/Office of Accreditation on Tuesday, January 26th. We look forward to this opportunity to share all that is special about our school. Please pray with us and for us as we prepare.

            Mark your calendars! The annual Nativity BVM School Science Fair will be held on Thursday, February 25th. Our Science Fair Committee and classroom teachers will share much more information with you at a later date but, mark that calendar and start thinking and planning and preparing.

            During this month of November, we offer thanks to all who make our school what it is today. Without the support of our parishes, our teachers and staff, our families and our students we wouldn’t be the school that we are. We can be proud of the way in which we work together to educate the whole child—mind, body and soul. We have been greatly blessed. We give thanks to God each day, but especially during this Thanksgiving season, for the many people who have blessed our lives and helped us along the way.

/s Sister Mary Jo