May, 2004

Dear Parents and Guardians,

“Hand in Hand with God!” Once more, as we begin this new month, we are reminded to turn to God with not only our needs and hopes but with grateful hearts! And how grateful we are! What tremendous generosity you and the members of our local area have shown to our school! Your gifts of time, money, talent, physical labor and support have made our recent projects very successful.

RAFFLE VI is an event of the past but the memories of the wonderful “fiesta” decorations, the delicious food, beautiful auction items and the wonderful guests will be with us for a long time. Although we do not have final figures available, it is safe to say that our Raffle was a big success! A big thank you to all who worked so hard to sell the tickets. It is not an easy task but so many of you really put forth a great deal of effort. Auction items this year were outstanding and the classroom gift baskets were a big success. Finally, these types of events don’t just “happen” but are the result of much planning and hard work over many months. A big thank you to the NPA officers: Angel Anderson, Donna Derouen, Dianne Holloway, Christine Krivanec, Melissa Cospelich, Kelly McGill and Jennifer Schmidt who worked tirelessly in organizing and carrying out this project. An additional word of thanks to those who helped with the set-up, the actual event and of course, the clean-up! May God bless you!

Our Lenten Fish dinners were very successful, earning over $2500.00 for our school! Thank you to our School Board members: Chad Aultman, Patty Bodin, Darlene Cook, Donna Derouen, Gwyn Diaz, Kenny Holloway, Gerry Ann Holt, Joe Krivanec, David Leckich and John Brauchle who provided wonderful meals for us those three Fridays. A big thanks as well to Ralph Humphrey who assisted in the fish flying, to the sixth grade parents who provided and sold the desserts and to the many other classroom parents who donated time, money or food items.

Our Walk With the Bishop program has been a wonderful success As of April 28th, we have collected over $2300.00! That is remarkable considering all of the other collections and events that have taken place in the last weeks. It is not too late! Although all money is due on Friday, April 30th, we of course would still accept any donations through Monday, May 3rd at 8:00 am. Any family bringing in $100.00 or more, has a chance at winning a scholarship of $2500.00 which will be awarded by the Diocese at the Bishop’s Trophy Challenge Golf Tournament Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 3rd,

Registration for the next school year is certainly on-going until August 12th, our first day of school. However, it is critical at this time, that we know if your child will be returning to our school. The number of children enrolled determines how many classrooms of each grade that we have, how many textbooks we order and what materials we will need. PLEASE, if you haven’t already completed your registration packet, please do so as soon as possible. If, for some reason, you cannot complete and return the information in the next few days, please simply call the school office and let us know that you will be returning. Because of the tuition payment plan that we will be using for the next school year (FACTS), certain information sheets need to be completed within the next two weeks. If your child is not returning to our school, please call us with that information as well. There are certain documents that need to be completed for the transfer of school records.

Many of our military families have received orders and are relocating at the end of this school year. We certainly will miss them but know that they and their children will do well. We look forward to hearing from these families who literally are being sent throughout the United States and around the world. Because of a military transfer, we are looking for someone or several people who have an interest and skill with computers. For several years, Connie and Phil Dover have repaired our computers and kept our network ninning. They will be moving to Washington over the summer. Before they leave, they would like to familiarize someone (or some group of people) with the ins and outs of our system. If you are interested, please call Darlene and she will put you in touch with Connie or Phil.

Little things do add up! As you have already heard, we have had great success with our collection of Community Coffee UPC codes. Add to the list of successes the Pepsi receipt project! We recently received a check for $480.00 from Pepsi for that collection! We look forward to hearing how we have done on the Box Tops for Education!

BUCKS FUN DAY is one week from tomorrow and we look forward to that great celebration of good choices and good behavior! We need your help to make this a success. You should have received a volunteer sheet earlier this week. If you did not receive one and would like to help, simply send a note to school and Aimee Aultman will schedule for a time to work. Fun Day begins at 1:00 and ends at 2:30 for children in grades one through six. Pre School will enjoy Fun Day a little earlier. A big thank you to Aimee Aultman, Tricia Gutierrez, Christine Krivanec, Dr. Debbie and Coach for organizing this wonderful event!

Many end of the year activities are planned for the last few weeks of school. As much as possible, I have tried to include them on the calendar. Please keep the calendar close at hand for reference. I will also try to do reminders of main events using our “exit board.” I have heard from many of you that this is a great way to keep you informed. Students in Pre School and Kindergarten and Grade 6 will be bringing home special information sheets from their teachers about their concluding celebrations. Pre School and Kindergarten will have their special celebration on Tuesday, May 25th at 9:00 am. in our school gym. They will have a short program, followed by an awarding of certificates and a reception in our gym. On Wednesday, May 26th, our sixth graders will have a special Mass celebrated at 10:00 in the Cathedral followed by a reception in our Parish Life Center. All are welcome to attend these special events.

Although the temperatures are rising and the days left in our school year are fewer and fewer, please know that our teachers will continue to teach and help your child learn up until the very last day of school. Class and homework assignments will continue. Please help us by making sure that your child has plenty of rest and has an opportunity to complete work even though there may be ball games and special activities. We have had great cooperation all year and would like that to continue for the remaining days.

We expect that the results of the Standardized tests will arrive within the next few weeks. When we have received them, you will receive a parent copy of scores and an explanation of results in a sealed envelope. I will be sure to put a sign on our fence on the day that we send them home so that you can look for them.
Each morning, as I drive by the pre school, I see our school theme “Hand in Hand with God” displayed on the fence. Each morning, I am reminded of just why we are here... .to walk hand in hand with God ourselves and to help the children that we know and love to do the same. We are here for the children. We are here to guide them and to love them and to help them grow closer to God. May we continue to take this challenge seriously and may we continue to walk hand in hand with God and with one another.

/s Sister Mary Jo