November 1, 2004
Dear Parents and Guardians.
“Oh when the saints, go marching in: oh when the saints go marching in..." That song is perfect for us at this time of the year... we might be speaking about a favored football team, our own school students or those who have gone before us in faith. In the Catholic tradition and especially here in the South, we reverence the memory of those who have gone before us on this All Saints Day.. the saints in our families and in our own communities as well as those known to the world. Let us look for the “saints” among us throughout this month!
What a wonderful Halloween Carnival we had this past weekend. We were so blessed! The weather was glorious, the workers were skillful and the crowds were great! The Halloween Carnival Just doesn’t "happen.” We are so grateful to our students, teachers, parents, relatives and friends of the students and the local business community for their strong support of our school. Special thanks to our NPA officers for their tireless efforts! A friend of mine attended the Carnival for the first time and observed that “it is as much a reunion and homecoming as it is a carnival, festival.” I truly think it is that piece that makes this annual event so special. Again, thank you for all that you did to make it a success !
We hope that you will be able to join us for prayer and celebration on Monday, November 1st at 9:00 a. m. in our school gym. Although this is not a holyday this year for us as Catholics, the feast of All Saints is a special one. At 1:00 on Monday we will be fortunate to have the “Champions” high tech program This program highlights people who have made great choices and encourages students to live positive lives The program is made possible through federal funds earmarked for Drug Free Education and is being coordinated by the Biloxi City Schools. As always, you are welcome to join us for any of our special gatherings.
You have done a wonderful job in supporting our various projects and collection! Cu: fifth grade class project to recycle cans and use the money to benefit Hurricane Ivan victims was a huge success They have earned well over $150.00 and the cans keep coming! Recycled ink jet cartridges have earned our school over $150.00 already this school year and our Box Tops for Education, Campbell Product labels, Pepsi receipts and Community Coffee UPC codes seem to keep coming each day We appreciate your support of this program.
Since the beginning of the school year, I am proud to say that our school families hake donated three car loads of food to the Nativity Parish St Vincent de Paul Society. This group of volunteers distributes food items to those in need twice each week. Our support of their efforts have really allowed them to help many people in our Biloxi area. Later this month, our Nativity Youth Group will be preparing Thanksgiving food baskets for those in need Your support is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your help and assistance with the request to monitor the length of school short/skirts/skorts. There has been a marked improvement and I appreciate your cooperation. Along those lines, I am noticing a strong increase in “tattoos” on the arms and legs of the children. Although these are temporary, we really would prefer that the children not have them where they are visible.
You can be so proud of your child! So many comment to me throughout the week of the kindness and care that the children show to one another. Oh. we have "those days” at times, but overall the children are doing a great job in working together and in getting along with one another. In a school of our size, this s so important since we continue to work on “being a family”.
May God bless you and the members of your family throughout this month. May we continue to ask God to help us to keep our eyes, minds and hearts open to His presence in ourselves and in one another.
/s Sister Mary Jo