October 1, 2010

Dear Parents and Guardians,
            “Reach out in love”…… This has been a wonderful theme for us this year and I think it has been an easy one  for the children to understand and put into practice. It can be challenging, however, to look beyond our own needs and that is what our call continues to be.
            This is the kind of month where it is difficult to know even where to begin for school/newsletter information. Somehow, here at Nativity, October is one of our busiest months. Let me begin, topic by topic.
            Academics – During this month we will complete the first quarter/first marking period of the school year. Although you have been receiving periodic reports on your child’s progress since the beginning of school, your child (K-6) will receive a formal report card near the end of this month. For this first report card, we require that every parent/guardian meet with the teacher to discuss the child’s progress.  The teachers will be sending out information about the conferences and then will give you a specific time for you to meet. We believe that this face to face communication is so important in helping the child reach full potential.
            Special events/activities –At the invitation of our rector, Father John McGrath, our Nativity School Choir has been invited to lead the singing at the 9:00 a.m. parish Sunday Mass each first Sunday of the month. We are delighted to have this opportunity to minister in our parish and we hope that many of you will come with your family and join with us in prayer and celebration.
            Are you working on a scarecrow for the Biloxi Fall Y’all display?  Because of our location within the historic area of Biloxi, we have decided to join in Main Street Biloxi’s effort to decorate for Fall. ALL FAMILIES are invited to design a scarecrow that will be displayed on our school grounds throughout the month of October.  I can’t wait to see the creative ideas!  Scarecrows will be accepted beginning October 4th.
            On Wednesday, October 6th, you are invited to attend a meeting at 6:15 in our school gym.  Each year, we take time during the month of October to present/review the Child Protection Policy of our diocese and to share with parents the materials that we use with the children on this topic.  In addition to this, I have asked Dr. Debbie Nastasi (our school psychologist) and Mrs. Barbara Ziz (our librarian/media specialist) to also do a presentation on cyber safety. I know that this will be an interesting and informative evening. I hope that you will be able to attend. Please note, however,  that child care will not be available during this meeting.
            Our various after school groups have begun and we are so very grateful to the adults who sponsor and work with the children.  If you would still like to enroll your child in scouting, please call the office and we will give you the proper contact information.  Our Robotics team has already had two meetings and is busily preparing for the upcoming competition in December. Space is limited in that program to ten students and we have a full team.  Our Legos group had its initial meeting this week and we still have a few openings. This program is open to students in grades 1 through 3. If you are interested in enrolling your child in this program, please call the office.
Special events – Fundraisers – Several local restaurants offer “school night” opportunities for fundraising. We are planning to take advantage of two of these on a fairly regular basis:  Dominos Night (D’Iberville store) on the third Wednesday of each month and Chick-Fil-A (D’Iberville location) once a month as listed on the calendar. In these economic times, I know that you may be trying to cut back on extras, but if you are planning to pick up dinner on the way home, please consider these locations.
            Our annual Halloween Carnival will take place on Saturday, October 30th from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on our school grounds. Set up will take place on Friday beginning at 3:30 p.m., booth decorating will take place Saturday morning, the carnival “happens” from 4:00 until 10:00 and then clean up takes place bright and early on Sunday morning. I can’t begin to tell you how much fun (really!) we all have during this whole event and I can’t begin to tell you how much we NEED YOUR HELP!
            Safety issues – Although the education of your child is our primary focus, the safety of everyone in our school building is a huge priority.  Please remember:
*If your child arrives after the 8:00 a.m. bell, an adult needs to accompany the child into the school and wait by the office.
*If your child is going home with another child after school, we need notification (telephone or note) from BOTH families.
*If someone not on the family card is picking up the child after school, we need prior notification from the parent/guardian.
*Cars should not park in the Benachi driveway before 2:30. This presents a safety hazard because it blocks the main entrance into the school. Cars may enter the school grounds for dismissal beginning at 2:30 p.m.
*All visitors to the building should enter the school using the door closest to the office. All visitors to the building must sign in.
Thank you for your help and your attention to these items!
            As the weather gets cooler, we know that many children will wear jackets and sweatshirts to school. Because so many look alike, please be sure that your last name or some identification is on the tag so that we can find the proper owner. Also, please remember that only plain navy or white or school logo items may be worn in the classroom.
            Thank you for taking the time to read this long newsletter. Hopefully it has answered some questions for you or given you the information that you need to help you through these next days. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have a question or concern.                                                                                                                        During this month of October, we celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. As a Franciscan Sister, my wish for you is truly the blessing of Francis (taken from the Book of Deuteronomy):
            May the Lord bless and keep you.
            May the Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
            May the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace.

/s Sister Mary Jo