November 1, 2001
Dear Parents and Guardians,
What beautiful weather we have enjoyed these last weeks.. especially for our Halloween Carnival! We are so blessed here at Nativity School!
The days and weeks seem to go so quickly. Our monthly calendar should help you to keep up with all of our special events. It is sent home on the last day of each month except for this month). If you do not receive it, please ask your child! We always have additional copies available in the office for grandparents, babysitters and other interested persons. Please know that you are always welcome to attend any of our special programs or times of prayer. We continue to join in a special morning prayer each Tuesday morning at 8:10 a.m. Our prayer around our school's flagpole is especially offered for world peace.
Thank you, thank you for all of your hard work at our Nativity Golf Tournament and, more recently, at our Halloween Carnival. What wonderful times of fund raising and "fun raising" for our school. I continue to be impressed by the support that our school has by so many, many people! May God bless you!
Our ENRICH program continues into its third cycle. I hope that your child has bared the experiences of the first two ENRICH classes with you. If any of you would be interested in helping with an ENRICH activity, I know that many of the presenters would appreciate an extra set of hands. Simply send a note to school and we will match you up with an ENRICH class. The next session will take place on Friday, November 3Oth.
If you have volunteered to help in some way in school and have still not been contacted, please do not lose heart. We have not forgotten you! As our year continues here are many more opportunities to help in some way.
Our construction project continues on schedule. If you have not walked behind school recently, you are in for a big surprise! The exterior brickwork is nearly completed. Wait until you see the windows! Once we have moved into the new section and settled in, we would like to begin a tutoring program that would/could involve grandparents, neighbors and friends who might be able to assist students both during and after school hours. If you would like to be part of this or know of someone who would, please watch for further information in the next month.
The STAR reading program has really been a success! I don't know if it is the challenge to read and join the point clubs or the anticipation of my meeting with a frog when we reach 7,000 points, but the children have already earned nearly 5,000 book points since the kick-off of the program. As we review the diagnostic test results we are already seeing improvement in reading and reading comprehension for many children. To add further excitement, Children's Book Week will be celebrated in mid-November. We will have some special activities during that week as well as throughout the year.
It is not too early to begin thinking about Science Fair projects. The Fair has been an event that Nativity students have taken part in for many years. Information about the dates for our School Science Fair as well as for the Regional Science fair will be published within the next few weeks. Regional Science Fair will take place after the Mardi Gras. break in February- Students in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades are required to participate; students in other grades are welcome to join in the experience.
Your response to our many requests for help for various groups has been impressive. We will conclude our collection of money for the children of Afghanistan on Friday, November 2nd. We will begin collecting non-perishable food items for Thanksgiving food baskets on Monday, November 5th. The collection will conclude on Friday, November 16th. Members of the Nativity Youth Group will use our donations to fill food baskets that will be distributed on Sunday, November 18th.
Now that the weather has gotten cooler, please be sure that your child is dressed appropriately. If children are wearing sweatshirts in class, they are required to either be our Nativity sweatshirts or plain navy or white sweatshirts or sweaters. Jackets worn outside of course can be of any color. We have quite a collection already of "lost" sweatshirts and jackets in the gym. ..please be sure that your child's name or initials are in the sweatshirt or sweater. Also, please remember that many people return uniforms that children have outgrown. Many of the clothes have been worn only a few times. You are welcome to shop anytime during the school day!
We extend offers of prayer and support to one of our fifth grade teachers, Mrs. Nanette Burke, and her family. Mrs. Burke's mother, Mrs. Mary Lou Ardoline, died at the end of October. Mrs. Ardoline was a great supporter of our school and its programs. May she rest in peace.
Especially during this season of "thanks", know that I am grateful to each of you for the support and dedication that you provide to our school and to all of us here on staff What a blessing it is to be part of Nativity BVM School! Know that you and your families are in my prayer each day. May God bless you with many good things.
/s Sister Mary Jo