March 1, 2006
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Didn't the month of February fusty FLY by? As we begin the celebration of the season of Lent today, we are reminded that this season calls us to reflect on our lives and search for ways in which we can become better persons. The rebuilding process here in our community certainly provides many ways in which we can reach out to others.
During these weeks of Lent, each class will have an opportunity to pray and celebrate with our larger parish community. Each Wednesday morning, a different grade will attend the 8:00 Mass at Nativity Parish. Mass will be celebrated in the cathedral. As always, you are more than welcome to join your child in prayer and celebration.
The whole concept of the Keep America Beautiful Campaign fits beautifully with the beginning of the Lenton Season. To refresh your memories (for tomorrow!):
| Children need to be brought to the Cathedral no later than 7:30am be taken directly to the Town Green. ALL must be in uniform. |
| Following the Town Green gathering, children will return to school and have an opportunity to change clothes. Gardening and clean-up activities will take place until 12:30. |
| Lunch will be provided at 12:30 |
| Afternoon activities will begin about 1:15 and will include gardening or related tasks. |
| A 2:00 time of prayer and celebration will conclude the Keep America Beautiful Celebration. |
| Parents/friends are welcome to join us for all or part of the day. ALL will be asked to sign in at a visitor's table and receive an ID badge. |
We are so delighted to be designated as one of the four sites in our city. A big thank you to Mrs. Dawn Lyons and all of our staff members for all of their planning and enthusiasm!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Our annual Nativity BVM OPEN HOUSE will be held on Sunday, March 5th from 11am until 2pm. Come and visit our school, meet old and new friends and enjoy our very, very special Book Fair (which has been made possible through the generosity of so many people throughout the country!). Please consider bringing a neighbor, friend or co-worker who may be interested in our school! EACH FAMILY ATTENDING WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN ONE FREE MONTH OF TUITION (tuition offer for one child/for one month) for the coming school year!
In reading the March calendar you will see that Standardized Testing will begin on Monday, March 13th for all children grades 1 through 6. It is so important every day, but especially during that week, that children have had plenty of rest, have eaten breakfast and arrive on time. I know that we can count on your help each day but especially during the week of standardized testing. If you, or an adult family member or friend, are able to help us in supervising the testing process, please complete the form in this packet and return it to school.
We continue to be so blessed by the generosity of people and businesses around the country. This past week we received a grant (gift card) from Best Buy Co. to help in our rebuilding process. A check for over $3,000 was received as part of the National Catholic Education Association's Child to Child campaign for Hurricane Katrina relief and valentine gifts were brought by a school in San Diego, California on our last day of school prior to Mardi Gras. Finally, our Resource Room continues to be blessed with "new stock" periodically.
The Registration Packets for the 2006-2007 school year will be sent home this week with your child. Families who currently have students enrolled in the school will have the first priority in enrolling children for the new school year. Later in the month, families who are members of Nativity Parish but who are new to our school will have an opportunity to enroll. On March 22nd, Open Registration will begin and students will be accepted until all vacancies have been filled. Despite the hurricane and all the turmoil, I hope that this school years has been a good experience for your child and that your family will be returning for the new school year. We look forward to a wonderful opportunity to celebrate...the 2006-2007 school year will see the celebration of the 50th birthday of our School!
You can be so proud of your children and how they have worked together to make this a successful school year. You can be so proud of our staff members who have given their best during these trying times. And, you can be so proud of yourselves for doing all that you can to provide for the needs of our family. Know that each and every day you are remembered in prayer during our morning prayer. May God continue to help each of us to recognize our blessings and cope with our challenges!
/s Sister Mary Jo