September 1, 2004

Dear Parents and Guardians,

What a wonderful beginning we have had to our school year! The last two weeks have gone so smoothly and the children have been just great! I am amazed at how quickly our preschool students have adjusted to being in the “big school.” They have been a real delight!

Our various special classes and clubs will begin this month. Sign-up forms for Band, Violin, Art and Spanish classes went home early last week. It is not too late to sign up for most of these. Students interested in Sewing Club (gr. 5,6) should see Mrs. Lilly and potential Choir members (gr. 3,4,5,6) will be getting information from Mrs. Burke. Forms for students attending the Rainbows groups will be sent out shortly. For more information about that program, you could contact Dr. Debbie. Various Scouting groups are also forming. If you are interested in any of these programs, please contact the office and we will try to put you in touch with the appropriate people. Please remember that if your child is involved in a special after school activity, you are expected to be on time (4:00) to pick your child up. If your child is still here at 4:10, he or she will be taken to after school care and you will be charged for that service. We are grateful to the staff members and parents who provide these programs for us. Finally, it is sometimes hard to remember what activity is on what day. I have included a quick chart at the end of this letter that you may want to post somewhere near your calendar.

This Friday is our family picnic. We hope that you can join us for lunch on that day.
Our cafeteria will not be preparing regular lunches however they will be selling snacks and drinks in the cafeteria. Our local Biloxi Fire Department is having its annual Fish Fry to benefit MDA so you may want to consider purchasing one of their dinners for yourself and your child. Our picnic time will begin at Noon and end at 12:55. At 1:00 you are welcome to join us in the gym for our Reading Renaissance Kick-off celebration. The sports theme this year, planned by Mrs. Ziz, promises to provide us with some exciting activities as we enjoy growth in reading skills. If you are joining us for the picnic or reading celebration please be sure to park on our grounds and respect the parking areas of our neighbors and local businesses.

We are so blessed in so many ways! Recently, we received word that Mrs. Barbara Ziz, assisted by Mrs. Dawn Lyons and Mrs. Nanette Burke, had successfully completed a grant application for a “Live and Learn Lab” for our school. The grant, from the Genesis Foundation of Mississippi, Inc., is in the amount of $625.00 and allows us to develop a space for hands-on activities in the areas of science, social studies, art, home and career skills. We are grateful to these creative women for putting their ideas into words and to the foundation for helping us realize a dream. Additionally, three local businesses have responded to our request to purchase AR books that are suggested as “further reading resources” by our reading series. A big thank you to: Mrs. and Mrs. Jeff O’Keefe, Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Homes; Mrs. and Mrs. William Yates, Yates Construction Company and to Mr. Jim Brashier, The Insurance Center.

Our SALLY FOSTER WRAPPING PAPER sale continues? Hopefully, you have met with great success! If you need additional order forms or packets of information, please let us know. We will be happy to send them home with your child. The program ends this month and we anticipate a successful result.

Our NPA (Nativity Parent Association) is working hard on its two September events—the Seafood Festival Cakewalk and Jambalaya Booths and the Golf Tournament. These two events, one week apart, are fin to be involved in and provide us with some great fund raising opportunities. If you are interested in helping with one or both of these events, please send a note to the office. We can use your help!

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have a question or concern. It has been a real pleasure to work with your child already this year!

May you be blessed throughout this month. May we all continue to “open our eyes, mind and hearts to God.”

/s Sister Mary Jo