April 1, 2007

Dear Parents and Guardians,

What beautiful Spring weather we have enjoyed as we have moved through these final days of Lent! The warm weather and blooming plants are certainly great reminders of the renewal of our faith that we share this Lenten/Eastern season.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Dawn Lyons and her third grade class for the prayerful dramatic presentation of the Stations of the Cross. The children and their teacher have worked hard these last weeks in understanding the challenges that Jesus experienced and in learning to portray them in a very real way. The children will again be leading the Stations of the Cross on Tuesday, April 3rd at 9:00 a.m. You are welcome to attend.

For several years prior, our diocese sponsored a golf tournament and “walk with the Bishop” in support of Catholic Schools. Our school always participated fully in this event and had great fun doing so. The WALK WITH THE BISHOP returns again this year after a one year break. For a two week period, beginning April 16th, we will be encouraging students to get sponsors for a footprint. The value of each footprint is $1.00.
The child’s name will be placed on the footprint and the feet will go a-walking right down the hallway wall! Any child who earns $100.00 or more will have an opportunity to participate in a drawing for a $3,000.00 credit for next year’s tuition. (The last time the drawing was held, one of our families won!) ALL money raised through our “walk” will remain with our school and will be used for various needs of the school. I hope that you will support this event in whatever way you are able.

You received an envelope recently concerning the upcoming Raffle sponsored by our Nativity Parent Association for the benefit of our school. Several $100.00 tickets were enclosed along with some suggested ways that you might help with the event. We truly need each and every family to be involved in some way. Ideally, we hope that each family will be able to sell several tickets. (Remember, if you sell 5 tickets, $100 will be deducted from your tuition for next year.) We also need people to set-up, decorate, help with the event in a variety of ways and assist with the clean-up. Silent auction items of varying values are also needed. In all, we need your help! This is the major fund raiser for our school. Money raised through this project directly benefits each and every child who attends Nativity School. Won’t you please consider helping to make this a success?

I am pleased to report that registrations are going well for the coming school year. One class is already filled and several have only a few remaining places. If you have not already done so, please return your registration packets as soon as possible. If you know of anyone who is considering enrollment in our school, please encourage them to contact our school as soon as possible. Finally, if your family is in need of tuition assistance, a packet must be requested from the office. All packets must be completed no later than the final day of school.

Over the last few years, many children have asked about doing a Talent Show. Although we (the teachers/staff) considered it, there never seemed to be a good day to do this. WELL, we have found a date! Thursday, April 26th has been set as the date for what we hope will be an annual talent show event. Mrs. Dottie Warner has agreed to chair and organize the event. Information sheets will go out early next week, tryouts will be held on April 18th or 19th with practices set for April 23rd and 24th. We know we have a lot of great talent out there to share with the entire school community! The admittance fee of $2.00 for adult guests and $1.00 for children will go toward our “walk with the Bishop” total! Please encourage your child to participate!

I am pleased to tell you that the Building Committee of Nativity School has met several times to recommend additional improvements/renovations to the school. We are hoping to complete some of these this summer and are working to develop a year by year plan for continued capital improvements. It is exciting to know that as we move into the future, we do so with much faith, hope and support!

We were privileged to host a visit by a FOX crew from New York City this past week. One of the reporters had heard about the work done in our school by Dr. Debbie and our teachers using the Silver Rainbows program. They were interested in visiting the school, meeting some children and presenting a positive piece on children today in our area. To our amazement, the crew spent over four hours with us. We will certainly share with you when the piece will be aired!

The year is going quickly and the days seem to speed by. However, please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do for you or for your child. We are here to help you and your child.

May God continue to be with us and bless us as we work together.

/s Sister Mary Jo