December 1, 2007
Dear Parents and Guardians,
With the number of activities/events upon us as we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, our school theme really becomes most appropriate. “Have the right attitude…live the beatitudes” just may be what helps us keep the balance during these next busy weeks.
So, were you surprised when you returned from Thanksgiving to see the progress on our playground and pavement? Work began early that Monday before Thanksgiving and continued throughout the week. Paving will take place soon and the field will be seeded. Many of you are aware that the field and pavement project is a direct result/benefit of the fact that we reached out to our city following the storm. Because there was “wear and tear” on our grounds and property during that time, we were eligible for the work that is being done. We are so very grateful to those who made it possible. As I have told the students, a little disruption and inconvenience now will make it all worthwhile when get to use our new field and paved areas. Thanks for your patience!
If you haven’t done so already, please take time to look at our December calendar. It is filled with special events and celebrations! You will notice that some days are really filled…like December 10th. We have tried to avoid special events in other schools, in our parish and in dance studios as much as possible. I am sure that there will be some conflicts, but I am hopeful that you will be able to enjoy as many of our special events as possible. Please know that you and your family are more than welcome to attend any and all events. Also, you may want to invite someone to these activities who is considering enrolling children in our school.
Our Christmas program, “The Holy Night,” will take place on December 10th (dress rehearsal) and on December 11th (a daytime and a nighttime performance). This program, written by Mrs. Colleen Kavanagh with assistance from her sixth grade class, will include all Nativity students. This is our gift to you so we hope that you will be able to attend at least one of the performances. Your child’s teacher will let you know what type of clothing your child will wear for the program and what time the class will gather on the program night. Again, you and your family members are encouraged to attend any one of the three performances. Be aware that the smallest crowds are at the dress rehearsal and the daytime performance.
I am excited to announce that we will be able to offer after school art classes beginning in January. The classes, taught by professional artist Silver Dewitt, will be available on Wednesdays to students in grades 1 through 3 and on Thursdays to students in grades 4 through 6. A fee will be charged for the six classes. There will be Session One and Session Two, both lasting six weeks. The final session, Session Three, will last four weeks. Information and a registration form will be sent home before the Christmas holidays. Space will be limited to twelve students per session. Ms. Dewitt will also teach one, one hour, art class for each grade level Kindergarten through Grade 6 sometime during the school day during the second semester.
The second quarter of school (first semester) will end shortly after we return from our Christmas vacation. Although these next weeks are busy in school and at home, please help us in keeping your child focused on school work as much as possible. The children have worked hard this year and their teachers will continue to teach, give homework and have high expectations of them as we go through this month of December. Report cards will be distributed in early January. Please don’t ever hesitate to contact your child’s teacher if you ever have a question or concern. As always, know that I am here, as well, to help in any way.
Many of you were very generous in providing personal care items for the homeless through the “Make a Difference Drive” in late October and in donating non-perishable food items for the Thanksgiving baskets. I would like to remind you that our Nativity Parish Youth Group will be sponsoring the annual Foster Children’s Christmas party on Sunday, December 16th. If you, or someone you know, would like to provide a gift for a foster child, please send a note to Mrs. Kavanagh who will provide you with the name of a child. Gifts need to be brought to school by December 10th.
I was very pleased to see the strong response of our families to the invitation to pray in a special way for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The Elijah Cup program is underway and our first families are already participating. It is not too late to return your slip indicating that your family would like to be a part of this. As many of you know, the Elijah Cup program invites families to pray for vocations. A priest’s chalice is given to the family for one week to use as a reminder to pray. The chalice that we are using belonged to deceased Msgr. James Russell. Fr. Jim had been rector of Nativity Cathedral for many years and was a great friend and supporter of our school.
Balance….sigh. That is so hard to maintain for many of us and I think it is especially hard this time of year. As we begin the Advent Season this Sunday, maybe we could plan to set aside ten minutes of quiet some time during the day (and that just might be on the drive to and from school). Time for quiet, time for “connecting” with God would be something that we would do, for ourselves, to prepare for Christmas. And, these moments of solitude and quiet just may be helpful in finding and maintaining that balance in our lives that we search for.
This December finds many of us in a different place than we were one or two years ago. However, we know that many of our families are still struggling with housing and rebuilding issues. Let us remember them in prayer. We know that several of our families have loved ones who are deployed. Let us ask God to keep them safe and surround them with love. We have several families who are coping with serious illness. Let us ask God’s healing and strength for them and those who care for them. Let us join in asking God for the light of patience and peace, the light of kindness and understanding and the light of God’s love throughout this Advent season.
May God bless you very specially in the days ahead.