February 1, 2002
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are the Body of Christ...called to holiness...called to ministry.
Each month seems to bring its special events and activities. This month of February seems to be especially filled with "extras!"
We hope that as many of you as possible will be able to join us on Friday, February 1St for our final activity of Catholic Schools Week. We will join together in prayer at a 10:30 Mass in our school gym. Bishop Thomas Rodi, Bishop of Biloxi, will celebrate our Mass along with Father Tony and Father Greg. At the conclusion of Mass (approximately 11:30), we will have the dedication of our new Learning center. A procession will move through the school to the site of the dedication, while the remaining students/family members will gather around the exterior of the learning center. (Although it is a roomy area, there is no way 300 people can fit inside at once!) After a short time of prayer, Bishop Rodi will bless the building and its future work. Following the dedication of the building (about Noon), we hope that you will join your child for a "picrnc lunch" somewhere on our school grounds.. Weather permitting, you can picnic anywhere outdoors or indoors except inside the Learning Center or behind it on the small playground since that area is not quite finished. School lunches will not be served on this day.
With the opening of the Antonia Mavar Talijancich R.N. Learning Resource building, our Learning Resource classes, taught by Mrs. Cheryl Theobald, will relocate to the southernmost room of that new addition. Dr Debbie (Tuesdays and Thursdays) will share the room on the west side of the building with Mrs.. Amy Palmer (Mondays and Wednesdays), our speech therapist. Mrs. Sue Raley will continue to provide tutoring services in the room next to the Library.
Our annual Science Fair will take place next week. Projects will be judged by a committee of professionals from all over South Mississippi. Viewing of the projects will take place after school on Wednesday (February 6th) and until 2:00 on Thursday. We are grateful to the Science Fair Committee (teachers and school staff members). who have spent many hours preparing for this event. We look forward to seeing the marvelous projects that our children have completed. Please note that the awards celebration has been moved to the afternoon to accommodate the band's participation in an outside activity.
Mardi Gras is close at hand and we always celebrate Mardi Gras in fine style here at Nativity! On Saturday, February 2nd, our Nativity Band and Flag Corps will march through the streets of Biloxi as part of the Childrens' parade. On Thursday, Febuary 7th, our Band and Flag Corps will travel to Gulfport to participate in the Mardi Gras Parade at the VA Hospital. This has become a band tradition that helps us to reach out to others in true ministry and to realize how fortunate we truly are. On Friday, February 8th, we will have our annual Nativity BVM Mardi Gras Parade right here on our school grounds. Led by our Band and Flag Corps, our preschool and kindergarten students will "throw us something"...we hope!. The parade will begin at 10:15. Don't be late.. .our marchers are young and once around the playground is about all they can handle! In case of rain, we will move the parade indoors. (Pray for good weather, please!)
Nativity Parish is holding its annual mission the week of February 18th. This is a time for prayer, reflection and spiritual growth for each person. The mission will take place each evening (Monday through Thursday) at 7:00 p.m. in the Cathedral. All are welcome to attend.
On Sunday; February 24th, we will hold our annual Open House from 11:00-2:00 p.m. Former, current and future students, families as well as friends of the school are invited to attend. We will have tours of the school, demonstrations, door prizes, refreshments and our Book Fair during the time of the Open House. We hope that you will attend the Open House and bring another family with you. We firmly believe that our school provides exceptional opportunities for children to learn and grow. We believe that our teachers and staff members are talented, dedicated, gifted and second to none! If each of us takes the time to invite another family to see our school and possibly enroll someone in our school, what a difference that would make!
Registration for the 2002-2003 school year will begin on Monday, February 25th. Registration packets will be distributed to all families who currently have children enrolled in Nativity BVM School. All children, preschool through grade 6, who will attend school for the 2002-2003 school year should be registered at that time. Please remember that registration is considered confirmed when the forms and registration fees are returned to the school office. Registration for new families who are members of Nativity Parish will take place on Thursday, March 7th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Open Registration will begin on Tuesday, March 12th at 9:00 a.m. and will continue until all avail able openings in preschool 3 through grade 6 are filled.
All of us realize that children do not all learn at the same pace. Over the years, we have seen children who could benefit from "just a little more help." Sometimes, a child is slower in learning a concept, may lack confidence or simply need more practice. With the opening of our Resource building, we would like to initiate a FRIDAY FRIENDS program. We would like to pair one child with one adult who would provide a half hour to forty-five minutes of extra help, drill, practice and reinforcement. Perhaps you would be interested in being a Friday Friend or maybe a friend, neighbor or adult family member would have an interest in doing something like this right during the school day. More information and a sign-up form will be available following the Mardi Gras holidays.
As we travel through this month of February, with all of its school, community and religious celebrations, may we continue to realize how blessed we are! May we take time for ourselves and our own spiritual development and may we reach out to others.
/s Sister Mary Jo