February 15, 2006
Dear Parents and Guardians,
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! March 2, 2006 will be an important date not only in the history of Biloxi but also for our school. Biloxi has been chosen as the site for the opening event of the national Keep America Beautiful Campaign and we have been invited to participate!
Earlier this year, Mrs. Dawn Lyons suggested at one of our faculty meetings that we look into "giving something back to our community." She, in turn, contacted Ms. Emily Burke (one of our parents) who is also the Special Events Coordinator for the City of Biloxi. This initial conversation led to others and the rest is history!
Truly, this will be an event that will bring together corporate leaders, civic leaders and average citizens. The kickoff event will be held at the Biloxi Town Green at 8am. Following that event, four zones have been chosen in our city for beautification. Zone 4 is "Ring around the school" with special activities right here at our school and our surrounding neighborhood streets. We understand that many dignitaries will be present at the opening event...various political and civic leaders of our state and our city, business people, heads of corporations and, we understand, a representative of the White House!
Members of our staff met on Monday afternoon to plan and outline the day for our children. The following are things that we have decided:
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Students will be either dropped off at Nativity Cathedral (Howard Ave.) between 6:45 and 7:30am OR parents/guardians will meet us at the Town Green in Biloxi. (Hwy 90 and Main St.) We chose to meet at the Cathedral since the Town Green is a mere four blocks at most from our church. |
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School Personnel will walk the children to the Town Green and will assemble in some general area. We will have school signs designating our group. Any adults arriving with their children should look for the signs and join the group. |
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At 7:30, staff members at the Cathedral will leave for the Town Green with whatever children are there. There will be no one at the school until after the Town Green celebration. Children after 7:30 must be brought to the Town Green and brought to their classroom teacher to be checked in. |
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All students will be in uniform and we would ask that if at all possible, wear our Nativity sweatshirt so that each child is easily identifiable. (Perhaps you have an extra sweatshirt that someone could borrow for the day?) Students who have the school shirts with the logo are welcome to wear those shirts. |
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Parents/adult family members are encouraged to join us for the gathering on the Town Green and to help in the supervision of the children. |
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At the conclusion of the speeches and introductions, our children will be invited to participate in a special celebration in a Reading Garden on the Town Green. |
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Following the special event we will walk/drive back to school. |
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Children should not bring backpacks since there will be no where to put them. (A change of clothes could be brought the day before!) |
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PLEASE be sure that children have used the restroom before coming to the Town Green! |
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At school, each teacher has selected an area that she and her class will clean, plant and "beautify." Although some items will be purchased and others may be donated, we are asking that each child bring one plant to plant so that a part of them will be a piece of the final product. If possible please send the plant or small shrub on March 1st (since you will not be coming to school before the Thown Green event). |
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Lunch will be provided by donors. |
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Although the focus of the day will be beautification of a particular area, students will also participate in crafts, reading activities and related science activities. |
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At 2pm we will conclude our portion of the Great American Cleanup with a special gathering for prayer and celebration. |
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Although children MUST be in uniform for the 8am event, you may wish to send either a change of clothes or change of shirt for the gardening portion of the day. |
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ANY AND ALL adults are more than welcome to join us for all or part of the day. This will be a busy day, a full day and one for which we could really use some extra help! |
Can you tell we are excited???!!! Yes, we realize that logistically this is a challenge but we feel that we are up to that challenge since we know that we can count on our support! As Ms. Emily Burke said so well, "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our school and for our children!"
For more information about the event go to www.kab.org/programs. You will see an outline of the program both nationally and here in Biloxi AND special mention of our school!
Please take time to complete the permission form and information form that accompany this letter. Please also note that this event takes place the Thursday after Mardi Gras....I know that several families will be out of town so if you are, be sure to tune in to national news (ABC for sure!) to catch a glimpse of some of your Nativity Friends.
A big thank you to Dawn Lyons for coordinating this with our entire staff and to Emily Burke for helping us to become part of such a historic event.
We have been so challenged this year...but we have been SO blessed! May God continue to help us support one another through the challenges and always, always recognize our blessings!
/s Sister Mary Jo