December 1, 2005
"Come follow Me"...the invitation of Jesus to each one of us takes on new meaning this Advent season. The path this year has certainly been a different one but we know that God has truly been with us each step of the way. May our Advent journey be filled with peace, hope and much support.
Have you marked your calendars for this weekend's celebration for parents? Remember, you are invited to school on Friday, December 2nd from 6-8pm or Saturday, December 3rd from 9-Noon. We know that you will thoroughly enjoy yourselves! Remember, absolutely no children will be allowed into the building. Help will be appreciated on Friday during the school day or on Friday evening or Saturday morning.
We have tried to include many of our special events on our December calendar. You will see that we will have our annual Violin and Band Concerts as well as our Christmas Choir Concert this month. All three concerts will be held in the school cafeteria to allow for easy access into our building. All of you are welcome to attend these wonderful times of musical celebration whether or not you have a child in the program. Our Mass for December, which will be celebrated on December 8th, will be held at the school in the library. Although it is "cozy," it also takes away the stress of walking or providing transportation. Know that you are welcome to join us in prayer and celebration on that day.
The Restoration of Nativity BVM School has begun! On Monday, November 28th, the workers arrived and work began in the gym. It is so exciting to know that progress is being made and that one day our gym will be useable once more. If you have not had the opportunity to write your own thank you note to Mr. Nitz, Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Engelstad (Imperial Palace Mississippi Charities), it is not too late. I would like to mail these no later than December 6th, the feast of St. Nicholas!
Be aware! We are beginning to see some cases of coughs, colds and flu. Please remember that all medication (including cough drops) must be kept in the school office and that an "administration of medication form" must be on file in the office. No child is allowed to keep medication in the classroom. Finally, please be on the lookout for head lice. We have heard of a few cases of these pesky things. Treatment is tedious but necessary. With so many living in such close quarters it is important that all of us pay attention to the possibility of an infestation.
Once more, you can be proud of your child. Despite the upset, changes and challenges, the children have done well on focusing on their school work and in trying to do their best each day. Classroom teachers, for the most part, have begun to assign homework. Please do what you can to encourage your child to take responsibility for school work and to give it their best attention.
Our cafeteria staff has done an outstanding job in providing all of us with wonderful meals these last months. Due to the large amount of donated food items that we are still able to use, school lunches will remain free for all students (and adults) through the month of December. If you have not completed an application for free/reduced lunches since Hurricane Katrina, please do so as soon as possible. We will begin to again charge for school lunches beginning January 3, 2006.
Please don't forget to stop in the Resource Room from time to time. We continue to be blessed with donations from so many, many people. Groups of people around the country are supporting us with their love, prayers and donations. Please take advantage of these resources. If you are in need of anything or if you know of others who are, please let me know and I will try to help you find the appropriate resources.
May God continue to bless us as we work and journey together!
/s Sister Mary Jo