December, 2003
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Despite our busy schedules and lists of things to do, we are invited to take time to reflect on just why we celebrate these holidays during this Advent season. May we each find a moment or two of silence every day in order to reflect on the gift of God in our lives.
How blessed we are as a school community! Working hand in hand with God and with one another, we have accomplished great things for our children! The blessing and ribbon cutting ceremony for our new playground area was truly a celebration of what can be accomplished when we work hand in hand...and penny by penny! Thank you again for your terrific support of this project! I wish you could have been there at recess time to see the children use and enjoy the new equipment! Their gratitude and sheer joy was evident! Know that children for many years will enjoy this playground and all that you made possible through your generosity!
Thank you for your support of the Sally Foster Wrapping Paper Sale. This was extremely successful and helped our school earn over $6,000. This money, along with much of the money raised throughout the year, helps to pay some of the daily operating expenses of our school. Please remember that internet orders are still accepted through December! Thank you to Gwyn Diaz and her crew who worked with the sale and processing of the orders.
Your response to request for non-perishable food items for Thanksgiving baskets was truly heartwarming! We made this request a short time after the Make A Difference Day request and we were still able to collect over 12 boxes of food for those less fortunate. Thank you for your generous spirit!
I am sure that your personal calendar is filled with special events much like our school calendar. We have tried to include the dates/times of special events and concerts so that you can plan ahead to attend. Please note that both the Band and Strings concerts will be held at 6:00 p.m. while the Choir Concert will be held at 6:30 p.m. We have found that it is easier for the children to participate in an activity when it is held a little earlier. This also allows us not to be in conflict with other activities scheduled in our parish or community.
Our annual Christmas program will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday. December 16th and 17th. This will truly be a gift from all of us to you and your family since all students are involved in the program in some way. We will again have a daytime dress rehearsal, an evening performance and a daytime performance. We do this in order to lessen the crowded situations that prevent people from enjoying the singing and performing by the children. Your child’s teacher will be sending a note home shortly after December 1st letting you know what the expected dress code will be for the program. We keep things simple but please look for the letter and for more information about the program.
Although we have been enjoying such mild weather, it probably will get cooler in these next weeks. Please remember that children are allowed to wear only plain navy or white sweatshirts or sweaters in the classroom or ones that have the Nativity logo on them. Jackets worn outside may, of course, be any color or style. Also, please try to put your child’s name in the jackets or sweatshirts worn at school. Unfortunately, our lost and found cart is overflowing with clothes and lunch kits! You may want to check it for missing items the next time you are at school.
As you are well aware. Coach has FE class outside many days throughout the year. Because of this, please do not drive onto the playground for dismissal until after 2:30 p.m. Also, be sure to use only the Benachi Street Driveway at the end of the school day and remain in the car line during dismissal time. Those people who park on the field do so because they either have business to attend to in the office or are picking up large groups of children at one time. We appreciate your cooperation.
Our teachers will continue to challenge your child to do the best possible work despite all of the Christmas preparations. Please help us by setting aside the necessary quiet time for homework!
Once again, thank you so very much for all that you do to make our school so special. May God shower you with blessings of health, of happiness and of peace!
/s Sister Mary Jo