October, 2003

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Hand in hand with God....as we experience these busy days, isn't it wonderful to know that God has us in His hand?

    I would like to begin this letter to you with a big thank you --- for your help and support with our Golf Tournament and with the recent Seafood Festival. Both were so successful and you responded so well to our requests for help and donations. The success of the Seafood Festival was amazing...who would have thought that we would have gone through over 200 cakes at the Cakewalk in one day! A big thank you to all of you who worked on these events or donated time or items.

    We would like to gratefully acknowledge a $1500.00 donation to our School Playground Fund which was given in memory of Mr. (Andrew) Albert Lechner III. Albert's son, Andrew, is enrolled in our Kindergarten program.

    The playground fund continues to grow! Thank you to all of our donors for their big and small. These donations have come in envelopes, baggies, plastic and glass containers and all are greatly
appreciated! Many of you purchased "antique" school desks, with the profits going to the playground fimd as well. If you would still like to purchase a desk (or never picked yours up), please let me know.

    During the week of October 6th, your child's teacher will be presenting a special lesson that is part of the Diocesan Plan for the Protection and Safety of Children and Young Adults. The lesson deals with respect of self and others, God's love for all people and what each person can do to remain safe and happy. The lessons were developed by members of the Diocesan Staff and will generally be completed in one session. Optional videos have been provided by the Diocese for each parish and school More detailed information was shared about the Diocesan plan and the classroom lessons at the recent parent information meeting. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding this.

    The annual Halloween Carnival is quickly approaching! Not only is this one of our major fund raisers, it is also one of our major community builders! Our recent planning meeting was very well attended and many classes are already making plans for their booth. If you have not received information. about your class booth or planning meeting, please contact your child's teacher. It is so important that all families are involved in some way in this event! Many, many people are needed in the set-up on Friday, October 17th and during the clean-up on October 19th as well as during the event itself. Please do not hesitate to get involved! It is great fim and a great benefit to our school! Please note that because of the setting up of the Halloween Carnival, we will not have Afterschool Care on Friday, October 17th.

    The end of the first marking period will take place in mid-October. We will hold parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday and Thursday, October 22nd and 23rd. You will soon receive a conference request form and will be asked to indicate the best time for a conference. Once the teachers have received these forms, they will create a master schedule for conferences. It is important that you meet at the time assigned and that you contact the school office or teacher if you are unable to keep your appointment.

    We have been notified that the State Department of Education will conduct its onsite accreditation visit of our school on February 10th and 11th. It has been seven years since we have had an onsite visit and we certainly look forward to this opportunity to share the many things that make our school so special.

    HELP! One of the most common ways that we communicate with you is through the notes that we send home with your child. We assume that when we hand a child a note or envelope that it is given to you. Likewise, you assume that when you give your child a note or envelope for us, your child follows through. We are finding that this is not always true. No matter how old or young your child may be, please check the bookbag periodically for any notes, envelopes or letters. Several of you have received past due notices for tuition or cafeteria payments when, all along, the payment was deep in the backpack (or desk!) Let's continue to work together on this!

    HELP! Many of you are aware that we are struggling with some difficulties with damage in our school. Although most of the children are respectful of property, one or more children continue to pick at and scrape paint from the bathroom walls in all of the bathrooms. The teachers and I continue to monitor behavior in these areas but it is difficult because of privacy. Please join us in discussing the need to respect self: others and property and to continue to make good choices each day.

    HELP! As our weather changes somewhat, please help us in enforcing our school dress code. Although any color jacket or sweatshirt may be worn outside, the only colors of sweatshirt, sweater or jacket that may be worn inside the classroom are plain navy or white or navy and white with our school emblem. Socks (including tights) should be white or navy blue. Shorts should be walking short length.

    Our collection bin in the main school hallway seems to be a busy place each day. Our school receives money or items from the following:

Campbell product labels (Winn Dixie also has an additional promotion that for every 5 products purchased, a special 100 point bonus label will be issued.)
We can select items based on points earned.

Community Coffee - UPC codes from any of their products - $.10 per UPC code

Box Tops for Education - Special Box Tops label- $.10 per label

Cash register receipts showing purchase of Pepsi Products - Allen Beverages has just announced a promotional where registered groups will win a percentage of $25,000 based on the amount found on these receipts. Program ends in February. (pepsi/7 Up and 40+ brands)

Aluminum Cans - The recycling bin is located behind the school near the BFI container.

Ink Jet Cartridges - Ink jet cartridges are sent to a recycling company for cash back.
Most kinds are accepted; laser cartridges are often rejected.

    The little bit of time and energy put into the processing of all of these things is certainly worth the benefit to our school. Thank you for your support and participation!

    The days go by so quickly here at school and the children are growing and changing just as quickly! Please know how much we enjoy working with them. If there is anything that we can do to help you with your chil~ please do not hesitate to call.

    As a Franciscan Sister, October has always been special to me. During this month, we remember the feast of St. Francis, a man who walked hand in hand with God. A man who lived simply among the people of his time. May we continue to walk hand in hand with God: doing our work, raising our children, going to the store, cheering for our teams, being the best person that we can be.

    In the words of St. Francis, as quoted from the Book of Numbers,

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May the Lord look upon you kindly, and give you peace.

/s Sister Mary Jo