December 1, 2004

Dear Parents and Guardians.

With our return earlier this week from the Thanksgiving holiday, we have also entered into the season of Advent. It is always a little bit of a challenge to focus on the spiritual preparations for the celebration of Christmas, but it is our hope that our morning and ending prayers here at school as well as the various symbols and signs throughout the building will help all to remember that “Jesus is the reason for the season” and that we are in the Advent season.
Coming back from our Thanksgiving holiday also emphasizes the fact the school year is nearly at the halfway mark! If you have a child in grades 2 - 6, you should have already received an interim report for this marking period. If you have not received it, please let the teacher know and she will investigate further. We will continue to make your child’s school work a priority during these next busy weeks. Don’t forget to set aside time for homework and study amid the times of travel and holiday preparations.

If you have had an opportunity to attend any of the recent events in school ‘ou have been treated to some spectacular projects and activities: Gr. 2 turkey project, Gr. I stories, Kindergarten and PreK art projects, Gr. 6 recycling/painting project, Gr. 4 AR reading charts, Gr. 5 science and social studies activities and last, but not least, the Gr. 3 holiday houses. Our library and art room always have something on display and of course, it is always a real pleasure to see the various AR charts and to see the progress that the children are making with that program. You can be so proud of all that your child is accomplishing!

You may have noticed that each month this school year. we have planned some sort of “educational” or interactive activity for you as parents/grandparents/guardians. This month, Dr. Debbie and Mrs. Barbara Ziz will join forces to present a “Holiday Tips” program. This will be held in the school library at 2:00 on Thursday, December 2 and will last approximately 45 minutes. They hope to provide you with ideas, tips and tried and true practices that may just help to make the holiday season a little less stressful. All are welcome to attend and of course, feel free to bring a friend!

Please be sure to check our school calendar for the various special events to celebrate the holiday season. You and your family members and neighbors are more than welcome to join us for any of these special concerts, programs or events You might also think of bringing a new neighbor or someone who perhaps is considering our school for next year. We truly enjoy sharing the talents and gifts of our students and faculty/staff members with others.

On the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving I had the opportunity to meet a former Nativity student. The gentleman, whose father was in the Air Force, attended our school in the ate 60’s and now lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. Attending a conference in Mobile, he took the time to come to visit his old school. Although he said that he has lived many places since then and has attended various other schools, Nativity BVM School holds a special place in his heart. He fondly remembered the many people who reached out to him and helped him learn. Later that same day, I met someone who graduated from our school ten years ago. She lives in the Biloxi area and said that she continues to keep up with our school through the many news articles and TV spots that she has seen throughout the years. How marvelous it is to meet these people and to know that our “Nativity family” lives far and near.

The holiday times are difficult for many of our families this year. Several are experiencing personal difficulties or serious illness, several have spouses who are deployed or are preparing for deployment and still others have experienced the recent death of a close family member. Let us continue to "open our eyes, minds and hearts" to those around us and to hold one another in prayer.

Please contact me if you have a question or concern. Remember, that our entire staff is here to help you and your child in whatever way possible. We consider it a privilege to be a part of Nativity school.

May God bless you and the members of your family throughout the days and weeks ahead.

/s Sister Mary Jo