February 1, 2003
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As I write this letter, I am watching coverage of the great tragedy with the Space Shuttle Columbia and the loss of its crew. What a wonderful country we live in that we can learn of a loss such as this almost immediately and join in prayer for the crew, their families and all who work in the space program. The staff and children of our school will join in prayer on Tuesday morning, February 4th in remembrance of them. Our prayer will begin at 8: 10 around our flag pole (weather permitting). Know that you are welcome to join us.
Many events during this month of February will call us to use our energies an9 talents! Our Science Fair will be held next Tuesday, February 11th. Projects as you know are mandatory for grades 4,5, and 6 and optional for all other grades. Information was sent out before the Christmas holiday so hopefully we don't have too many procrastinators among the students. Viewing of the projects will take place after school on February 11th until 6:00 p.m. and on February 12th until 2:00 p.m. I hope that you will have an opportunity to view the work of the children. It is always truly remarkable!
The Mardi Gras season is well underway and Nativity School is very much involved in its own way. Several classes are involved in a float making contest (using shoeboxes). Our preschool and kindergarten classes are laying plans for their parade at the end of the month and our band is busily practicing for several parades: Biloxi Children's Walking Parade on February 22nd, VA Parade at the Gulfport VA on February 27th and our school parade on February 28th. A special invitation has been extended regarding the Children's Walking Parade....the school with the highest level of participation will win a pizza party for those who participated. Please consider joining our band on February 22nd with the parade beginning at 11:00 a.m. It's a great way to enjoy Mardi Gras and to show school spirit and pride!
Our Future Planning Committee has met several times to consider various projects/events for our school. One of the projects is to begin to collect pictures of those who have attended and do attend our school. We feel that one of our strengths as a school is the family atmosphere. Following that thought, we would like to begin to take pictures of alumni family groups as well as current students and current students from the same family. The first opportunity for Nativity Family Pictures will be on Saturday, February 8th from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. Our Nativity Youth Group will be sponsoring a spaghetti dinner in our school cafeteria as a fund raiser for the Youth Convention. Please consider attending!
A BYT DAY (Bring Your Toolkit Day) is scheduled for Saturday, February 15th from 9:00 a.m. until Noon. The twice annual BYT days give our school a chance to take care of minor repairs, fix-it projects, light touch-up painting and some yard work. Skilled and not-so-skilled folks (like me!) are encouraged to come. Bring your rake, lawn tools, toolbox and paintbrushes and meet other members of the Nativity School Family.
Mark your calendars for two events in March that will be here very shortly! Sunday, March 9th is set as our annual School Open House. This is a wonderful opportunity to see our school, meet other families as well as our school staff members, visit our school Book Fair and see the many" great things that are happening" at Nativity BVM School. Please consider bringing a friend or possibly a family who may be considering enrollment in our school. The major fund raiser for our school will be held on Saturday, March 29th in our school gym. Our Fifth Annual Raffle will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will include great food, wonderful folks, a silent auction and several monetary prizes. The cost of the tickets is $100.00 which admits four adults to the event. We trust that you have received your tickets and win do everything you can to sell (or buy) at least two tickets to the event. Remember that since the raffle prizes are money, several people can split the cost of one ticket. If you can assist by providing an item or service for the silent auction or would like to help in some way, please call the school office or contact anyone of for the silent auction or would like to help in some way, please call the school office or contact anyone of the Nativity Parent Association Officers.
Preparations are well underway for the 2003-2004 school year. As in other years, the members of our School Board have been meeting to prepare the budget for the new school year. With rising costs for everything, with the shrinking interest rates and with limited numbers of fund raising events, we continue to struggle to provide quality Catholic education at an affordable cost to our families. WHAT CAN YOU DO AT NO COST TO YOU AND TO YOUR FAMILY? Very simply, you can encourage others to attend our school! Think about it. Our school's enrollment is not at capacity. Many classes have under twenty students. Each additional student enrolling in our school could provide additional income for our school, and lessen the cost for all. If you have been happy with your experiences here at Nativity School, please share these thoughts with your friends and neighbors. If you have had questions and concerns during the course of this year, you have hopefully shared them with us and have found resolution. Again, please consider bringing a friend or neighbor to our March 9th Open House or offer to come with them to meet me and tour our school at another time. We have many "great things happening" at Nativity BVM School...let's share them!
Our Domino's night has been a great success (and such an easy way to make supper!) Our next night is this Thursday, February 6th. Our school receives 200/0 of ANY orders placed at the D'Iberville and Pass Road (Gate 7) locations that name our school. Please encourage others to support this project!
Near the end of January, three of our students participated in a statewide competition for the Readers Digest Word Challenge. I am proud to report that all three of our students placed as finalists in the state competition. Abby Abide (grade 5) finished as a finalist, Brendan Arnold (grade 4) came in fifth place in the state and Hunter Creech (grade 6) came in third in the state. I might also mention that they competed against students in grades 4-8. Great job students!
These are busy days, but please know that we are never to busy to meet with your or talk with you about questions and concerns. If you would like to meet with one of the teachers or with me, please send a note or call school and we will set up a time/date that is good for all concerned. It is very difficult for us to meet with you during the dismissal time that we are responsible for supervising the students. Finally, I would encourage you to not call teachers at home. Although they are always most gracious in taking the time for you, that takes time from their own families and duties and may perhaps not be the best time for them to talk. Again, if you send a note to school, they can contact your to set up a time for a meeting or phone call that is good for all concerned.
Over the last weeks, several have complained about the card blocking the Benachi driveway into the school. We have repeatedly asked drivers not to get into the car line until 2:30 when they can enter our playground. Please realize that by arriving at school prior to that time, cars are blocking an emergency exit for our school. This becomes a safety issue for us all. Additionally, ti prevents people who have business in our school office or who need to pick up their child before dismissal, from entering our school grounds. Your cooperation and that of other drivers is appreciated.
Finally, as our world situation continues to be less that peaceful, many of our military families are directly affected. Currently, three families in our school have parents deployed. We offer our prayer and support for these families and for all who may be in similar situations.
Great things are happening at our school! Great people are part of our school! Thank you for choosing to be part of the Nativity School family. May God continue to bless us as we work together!
/s Sister Mary Jo