February 1, 2005

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Our Catholic Schools Week celebration was really a wonderful time of gathering, praying and celebrating’ Thank you so much for being part of it. Our Mass celebrated by Bishop Rodi and several of our priests and the family picnic which followed were well attended. They truly showed the dedication and commitment of our teachers, staff students and families to Catholic education and to our own Nativity BVM School. We received a thank you letter from Bishop Rodi on Friday. He commented on the excellent behavior and participation of the children and the obvious interest and dedication to the school that the adult presence showed. Your support of all of our events throughout the week -- the faculty/staff luncheon, the goodies sent for the community helper gift bags, your visits to school -- all helped to make the week a success. Special thanks to Mrs. Loretta Bond (Coach), Mrs. Cheryl Theobald and Mrs. Dottie Warner for all of their work in preparing and planning for the various activities.

As many of you know, the property on which the new Diocesan High School will be built was blessed last Tuesday.  Fifth grader Juliana Koontz was randomly selected from among our fourth and fifth graders to attend the blessing with me. Mrs. Koontz took some wonderful photos of the celebration which are on display along with an area map indicating the site just outside the office. This is an exciting time for of us as we prepare for the building of this new facility.

While reading this letter, you may also be helping to put the final touches on your child’s Science or project or report. These, as you know, are due tomorrow by 8.00 a.m. Judging will take place during the day and projects may be viewed from 3:30 pm until 6pm.  Viewing continues on Wednesday from 6:454 am until 2:30 pm. Award ceremonies have been scheduled on Wednesday at 9:00 am for Kindergarten through Grade 3 and at 1:30 for Grades 4 through 6. The Awards ceremonies will take place the gym. Because of space constraints, projects should be taken home at the end of school on Wednesday.  Our thank to the committee members Mrs. Nanette Burke, Mrs. Colleen Kavanch and Dr. Debbie Nastasi for their preparations for the event. These committee members have been assisted by various staff members, parents, former students and members of the community we are proud to be able to continue the  tradition of holding a Science Fair and hope that you will be able to take time to view the work of the  students.

The annual State of the School Summary will be given at 9.00 p m on Tuesday. February 1st. This is an opportunity for you to review with me the many accomplishments of our school over the last twelve months, to look at our strengths and challenges and to plan for the future. I hope that you will be able to attend this Important meeting

lf you didn’t get the opportunity to see our Nativity School Band and Flag Corps march in Saturday's parade. you have two more opportunities! On Thursday of this week, our students will travel to the Gulfport V.A Hospital to participate in their annual parade. This parade is always a lot of fin for us but is a  wonderful way for us to reach out to the many people who offered their skills and very lives so that we could enjoy freedom. That parade begins at 10:00 am. On Friday, February 4, our band/flag corps will lead our preschool students and kindergarten students in their annual Mardi Gras parade on our school grounds.  Parade time is 10:30 a.m. - rain or shine. You are more than welcome to enjoy this parade with us and to bring neighbors, friends or relatives!

THE RAFFLE IS QUICKLY APPROACHING! Believe it or not, this is the SEVENTH ANNUAL, RAFFLE/SILENT AUCTION THAT OUR SCHOOL IS HOSTING. I hope that you have been able to sell or purchase your tickets and that you have been able to secure at least one item for the silent auction.  I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this event. Because our school is a non-public school, we receive a very small amount of financial assistance from the state or federal governments. Our expenses for instructional items, personnel costs, and building operations are all paid through the tuition/fees charged, money given to us by Nativity Parish, donations we receive and funds raised by our Nativity Parent Association. The Raffle/Silent Auction will allow them to raise significant funds to help them reach the $50,000 that they have been requested to raise for our school operating budget. We try to keep our tuition as reasonable and affordable as possible; fund raisers such as this allow us to do so. It is important that each and every family gets involved in some way by buying/selling tickets, securing silent auction or food donations, donating an item for the class basket for the silent auction, helping in the set-up/take- down of the event and most importantly, by attending on February 26th. If you can or would like to help in any way and have not been contacted, please call the school and we will pass that information along to the appropriate persons. A big thank you to our NPA officers and those who are assisting them!

During the Lenten season, our students will be involved in several activities to help them focus on this season of prayer and reflection. On most Wednesday’s of Lent, one grade of students will attend the S 00 am. Mass at Nativity Cathedral. The Mass, celebrated in the Cathedral, will give our students an opportunity to pray with members of our parish. Family members and friends are welcome to join the students and their teachers. Students may either be brought directly to the Cathedral for the 8:00 am. Mass (if parents/relatives are staving with them) or will need to arrive at school no later than 7:30 am. so that the can walk to the Cathedral in time for the liturgy Our students will also participate in a weekly commemoration of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Stations of the Cross, a long standing tradition of the Catholic Church, is a reflective way to pray. For the second year, classes will actually travel” from station to station as they pray. The station drawings will hang above the classroom doors throughout the school building and will serve as a daily reminder of the love of Christ for us.

Our Nativity BVM School Advisory Council has undergone some changes since January 1st in order to be aligned with the changes outlined b the Diocese in the new Diocesan Handbook for Pastors. Principals and School Advisory Councils. One obvious change is the name change. The group has always served in an advisory capacity to the principal and the pastor. The name now reflects that relationship. Two members, who have been long time members of the council, concluded their service with the January meeting Our thanks to Darlene Cook (representative of’ the Nativity Pastoral Council) and Gwyn Diaz. for their many years of service as board/council members. Replacing them are Steve Givens and Donn Mitchell representative of the Nativity Pastoral Council). These newest members have been appointed by Father Tony as directed by the new guidelines. School Board/Advisory Council members will no longer be elected members of the parish but will be appointed by the pastor/rector of the parish.

Despite the many duties and responsibilities of the members of the school council, the members of the Nativity BVM School Advisory Council will host three Lenten Dinners during these next weeks The dinners will be held on Friday. February 11th (Fish Fry), February 18th and March 4th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. All dinners are dine in or take-out. Not only would we like :his to be a fund raiser for our school, it is our hope that it will provide an opportunity for community building and for families to spend time with one another

It is obvious that the children are growing quickly! Please remember that if you are in need of uniforms many people have returned items that children have outgrown. You are free to take whatever you an use. Likewise, please monitor the length of shorts/skirts as the children continue these growth spurts.

Whew! It seems that there are always so many things happening here at Nativity and so much to say. lt is such a joy to be part of such a vibrant, active school. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have a question or concern. All of us are here to help you and to help the children.

There are so many signs of life and growth and dedication. We are so blessed at our school! May! May we continue to open our eyes, minds and hearts to those blessings.

/s Sister Mary Jo

PLEASE NOTE: FOLLOWING OUR RETURN FROM MARDI GRAS, THE GATE EN THE FENCE OPPOSITE THE OFFICE WILL BE LOCKED. We apologize for any inconvenience, but the decision has been made to provide an even safer environment for our school.