April 4, 2005
Dear Parents and Guardians,
If we believe the old saying, “April showers bring May flowers”, I guess that we can expect wonderful May flowers after all the rain we received on April 1st! How fortunate that we were on our break for that rain event!
As always. our monthly packet is tilled with a great deal of information Among other items. we ha\e included a copy of the letter that was in the registration packet that you received in early March. Please note that Open Registration begins tomorrow. If you have not already returned your registration for the upcoming school year, please do so as soon as possible. Because the majority of our grades will have one classroom, space is limited.
During the Lenten season, a different class of students attended Mass once each week at the Cathedral. The children, teachers and parish community really appreciated the opportunity to pray together n this way. We have decided to continue this with one class going to the Marian Chapel (behind the Cathedral) each Wednesday for 8:00 am. Mass. You are more than welcome to join in prayer and celebration. Typically, the class will leave the school grounds no later than 740 a m. and walk to the Cathedral Of course, in case of bad weather, the children will not attend the Wednesday Mass.
Thursday marks the beginning of the Walk With the Bishop Campaign Begun three years ago, this s a Diocesan-wide attempt to encourage support of our Catholic Schools by our wider community. A major golf tournament will be held on May 2 in Diamondhead and proceeds from that tournament will go to the support of our two Diocesan mission schools as well as for continued funding of a Catholic School scholarship Fund. Individually, each school is encouraged to do its own activity to “walk with the Bishop” n support of education. We have been very successful in asking for donations for a “footpnnt” that symbolizes that person’s support of our school. Over the last three years, our school has earned nearly $10,000.00. Footprints this year will require a $1.00 donation and will again be displayed in the school a1iwav All monies raised will stay right here at Nativity School and will be used to purchase needed supplies and materials for our teachers and students. We appreciate whatever support you can give for this activity. If anyone is interested in participating in the Golf Tournament, please call the school office for further information.
Later this month, our school will participate in an on-site visit by a SACS Accreditation Team Accreditation by the Southern Association of Schools (SACS) is voluntary and we are proud to say that our school has been accredited by SACS since 1980 This accreditation is in addition to our accreditation by the Mississippi Department of Education. Many of you have been involved in the process for this visit by your participation in the State of the School report information sheets as well as in the surveys that were distributed several months ago. We look forward to the opportunity to share the many gifts of our school with the members of the visiting team and to hear of any recommendations they may have for our continued growth and improvement. During these warm April days, may we also experience the warmth of God’s love. Let us open our eyes, minds and hearts to Him and to the goodness that surrounds us. May God continue to bless you!
/s Sister Mary Jo