September 1, 2002 Letter

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September 1, 2002

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Great things ARE happening! What a perfect theme for a school I year which is already off to a good start. I hope that your child has taken the time to share some of the great things that are happening at our school. Overall, the start of our school year has been very smooth and I think that we are well into the routine of things. The children (and staff) have done a terrific job despite the high temperatures!

By now, you have probably had a chance to meet our two newest staff members: Mrs. Michelle Swanson (Library/Media Center) and Mrs. Dottie Warner (Gr. 3). We are so pleased to have them with us. Also, we are certainly blessed with the presence of Mrs. Laura Bomalaski who is teaching Kindergarten while Mrs. Audo is on maternity leave. Please continue to keep Mrs. Audo in prayer as she awaits the birth of her triplets.

Before school even began many volunteers were on hand to help out. Here are just a few of the "great things" that they did to improve our school even before the school year. began:

A chain link fence, wooden deck fence and even colorful canopies on the fort were added to the back playground to make it a wonderful play area for our Kindergarten and pre school students.

The gym floor was refinished...and furniture was moved out and then
moved back in just in time for the start of school.

The color of our exterior doors was changed to match those of the
Antonia Mavar Talijancich Resource Building and all
classroom doorways were repainted over the summer months.

Our computers were "serviced" and made workable

Weeds, grass and bushes were kept trimmed and cut throughout the
summer months

Desks were repaired, shelves were built, computer tables were
designed, and gutters were cleaned to name a few other projects.

We thank all who helped in these, and many other projects. Great things HAVE happened, thanks to you!

Each month you will receive a newsletter, calendar of events, lunch menu and other attachments. Although other things may come up, most important gates/events are included in the monthly packet. Please keep it in a place for easy reference. Also, thanks to the expertise of Mr. Robbie Schmidt, these things may also be found on our school website: www.nativitybvm.org.

You have done a great job in getting into the routine of things here at Nativity BVM School. In the interest of the safety of all children please remember that:

Children should be dropped off near the school doors by the gym in the mornings.
Students are more visible to cars at that end of the playground.

Children with siblings at the pre school should not walk over to the main school unaccompanied. The driveway next to the office is a busy one in the mornings.

Adults should not go directly to classrooms to deliver forgotten items. We will be happy to deliver these items from the school office. All visitors to the building must stop in the office, sign-in and receive a visitor pass.

Parking in the morning before school begins should be done on the grassy field,
along the fence line or in the area closest to the office. Parking behind the school at all times is for staff members only.

All adults who walk onto the property and meet children at dismissal time
should gather in the "parent zone" to meet the child (You have done a great
job on this!)

If there is a change in the way a child is to go home or if there is a change in the person taking the child, we must receive a written note or a telephone call from the parent or guardian.

You have been so very cooperative as we all adjust to the new school year...that's a great thing for sure!

Our NP A (Nativity Parent Association) Officers have .been very busy these last months. Our Annual Golf Tournament is just days away and the Biloxi Seafood Festival follows closely after that. (This is year #7 for our participation in this great event!) I hope that you will be able to help in some way with one or both of these events. All money that we earn at these events comes directly to our school and benefits your child. Besides, these are great ways to meet other families who have children in our school! If you would like to participate in some way and have not been contacted, please just let us know by sending a note to me through the office. Please also make a special note that the NPA will hold a general meeting for all parents on Thursday, September 19^th at 6:30 p.m. The officers will share the results of the Golf Tournament and Seafood Festival efforts at that time as well as outline plans for the year. Special attention will be given to the Halloween Carnival (October 19th) and the selection of classroom booths.

As we approach the anniversary of the events of September 11^th, please note that two celebrations will be held that you may wish to attend. Various Christian and non- Christian groups will be joining in prayer at Nativity BVM Cathedral at 7 :40 a.m. on September 11th. All are welcome to attend this service. The staff and students of Nativity BVM School will join in a Prayer of Remembrance at 9:00 a.m. on that day here at school. Again, all are welcome to join us in prayer at that time.

It has been a real pleasure for all of us to get to know you and your child. Please feel free to contact any of us if we can help in any way. Although we try to always be available to you, the best way to speak with us about a question or concern is to write a note or call for an appointment. That way, we can set aside time to speak with you rather than give a quick response while we are greeting or dismissing children.

Great things are happening at Nativity BVM School! May we continue to
recognize God's presence among us and share that goodness with others.

God bless you all!

/s Sister Mary Jo

	A chain link fence, wooden deck fence and even colorful canopies on the fort were added to the back playground to make it a wonderful play area for our Kindergarten and pre school students.
	The gym floor was refinished...and furniture was moved out and then moved back in just in time for the start of school.
	The color of our exterior doors was changed to match those of the Antonia Mavar Talijancich Resource Building and all classroom doorways were repainted over the summer months.
	Our computers were "serviced" and made workable
	Weeds, grass and bushes were kept trimmed and cut throughout the summer months
	Desks were repaired, shelves were built, computer tables were designed, and gutters were cleaned to name a few other projects.

	Children should be dropped off near the school doors by the gym in the mornings. Students are more visible to cars at that end of the playground.
	Children with siblings at the pre school should not walk over to the main school unaccompanied. The driveway next to the office is a busy one in the mornings.
	Adults should not go directly to classrooms to deliver forgotten items. We will be happy to deliver these items from the school office. All visitors to the building must stop in the office, sign-in and receive a visitor pass.
	Parking in the morning before school begins should be done on the grassy field, along the fence line or in the area closest to the office. Parking behind the school at all times is for staff members only.
	All adults who walk onto the property and meet children at dismissal time should gather in the "parent zone" to meet the child (You have done a great job on this!)
	If there is a change in the way a child is to go home or if there is a change in the person taking the child, we must receive a written note or a telephone call from the parent or guardian.