March 1,2005

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Many, many thanks for your wonderful support of our recent Silent Auction/Dinner. We certainly couldn’t have done it without you! Special thanks to our NPA officers who worked so tirelessly to “make it happen:” Angel Anderson, Donna Derouen, Kris Dibble, Christine Krivanec, Kelly Meall, Jennifer Schmidt and Kara Vesa. We are so blessed!

I am sure that you are aware that our students will begin standardized testing on March 14th, All students in first through sixth grade in the Diocese of Biloxi will take the Stanford Achievement tests. Testing will begin for all classes immediately after morning prayer (approximately 8:15 am.) and will conclude by 10:00 am. Some of the older grades will take one more section of the test from 10:30 until about 11:15 am. Although these tests are just one way in which we assess and evaluate each student, they are very important in providing key information. It is so important that your child: arrives on time for school, is well-rested and has had breakfast. Those of you who volunteered to assist with testing will be contacted this week about the time, grade and classroom where you will be helping.

As we continue our celebration of 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 8:00 a.m. Mass at Nativity Cathedral. The Mass, celebrated in the Cathedral, will give our students an opportunity to pray with our parishioners. Family members and friends are welcome to join the students and their teachers. Students may be brought directly to the Cathedral for the 8:00 a.m. Mass (if parents/relatives are staying with them) or will need to arrive at school no later than 7:30 am. so that they 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.

Despite the many duties and responsibilities of the members of the school council, the members of the Nativity BVM School Advisory Council have decided to host three Lenten Dinners. Two of these dinners will be held this month. A shrimp spaghetti dinner will be held on Friday, March 4th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria and a fried fish dinner will be held on Friday, March 11h from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. All dinners are dine in or take-out. Not only would we like this to be a find 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. Our first dinner was a huge success.., in fact we sold out rather quickly! Please pass the word to come and enjoy a great meal!

OUR ANNUAL NATIVITY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, MARCH 6th FROM 11:00 A.M. UNTIL 2:00 P.M. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to tour the entire school, see what is going on in the various classrooms, meet our staff members and visit with other familie& We will have refreshments prepared by our cafeteria staff, tours conducted by our older students, displays, demonstrations and performances by our students and last, but not least, our book fair. Please plan to attend and please encourage any prospective or inquiring families to do the same.

Registration packets for the 2005-2006 school year will be sent home with your oldest/only child on Monday, March 7th, Any students currently enrolled in our school or siblings who will begin school for the 2005-2006 school year may be enrolled using that packet. Because of standardized testing and spring break, registration for families new to the school will take place on Tuesday, April 5th (Nativity parishioners) and April 6th (open registration.) Beginning on April 5th, any openings in any grades will be filled.

As we enjoy this spring season, there are so many signs of life and growth and dedication within our school as well. We are so blessed at our school! May we continue to open our eyes, minds and hearts to those blessings!

/s Sister Mary Jo