September 1, 2007,

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Have you noticed anything different about your child this year? We hope so! Our school theme -- "Have the right attitude! Live the Beatitudes!" will hopefully help our children (and all of us) to remember what REALLY is important each and every day. Be sure to ask your child about "Bee Bucks!"

Doesn't our school look wonderful? We are so proud of all that was accomplished this summer. The new exterior lighting, the renovations of the kindergarten bathrooms, the renovations of the upstairs bathrooms, the painting of the hallways/stairways and the replacement of the gym canopy all were accomplished in six, short weeks. The workers took great pride in making things "just right" for the children. We are so grateful to Starks Contracting for all of their oversight and hard work with this project. The completion of the installation of the new windows in the offices and the cafeteria will be the last of the school's renovation projects for this year. Yet to come are the new exterior and cafeteria doors and the asphalt and soccer field work. These projects are part of the FEMA grant through the City of Biloxi. Finally, thanks to Gerald Davis and his painting crew for the exterior that was done just before the start of school. It is almost like we have a new school! We have been so challenged but, my goodness, we have been so blessed!

You have done a great job so far this year in making sure that your child is on time for school and prepared for the day. Sometimes our car line gets rather long as we near 8am. Please encourage your child to be ready to get out of the car when it is time to stop by the school door. If you have been arriving just before or just after the bell rings, you may want to consider leaving a few minutes earlier. Finally, once work begins on our drive and field area, be aware that the traffic pattern may change so please be ready to be flexible.

Your child's safety is always a concern for us as we go through our day. Because of this, there are several things that we ask:

1. Please enter the school building using only the door by the office. Once the school day begins, ALL visitors must sign in at the office and ware a visitor's badge.
2. Children may ONLY be checked out through the school office.
3. Forgotten items should be brought to the office. School personnel will make sure that the items are taken to the child.
4. Parking behind the school is for staff members only. Parents wishing to park south of the school are asked to use the parking area immediately behind the Chamber of Commerce property.
5. Entrance to the school grounds should only be through the Benachi or Porter Avenue gates.
6. Recess is from 10am until 10:15am. Please avoid coming onto the school grounds at that time if at all possible.
7. If your child will be picked up by someone different or will be going home with another child, please be sure to either call the office or send a note.

On the first Tuesday of each month, school will be dismissed at 2pm to allow our teachers and staff to meet to discuss various topics. FOR SEPTEMBER ONLY, this dismissal will take place on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th. For all other months, the early dismissal will take place on the first Tuesday of the month. After school care will be provided on each of these days for those families need the child care.

As many of you know, we are very fortunate to have a Learning Resource Program for students with specific learning disabilities. In addition to her work with children identified needs (according to guidelines of the Mississippi Department of Education), Mrs. Warner also works, as time permits, with children who may struggle with one skill or another. Our Academic Tutoring Assessment Team has developed some guidelines for entrance into the tutoring program as well as exit criteria. The team will be working with the classroom teachers in the next weeks to determine which children would most benefit from this additional help. You will receive a notification letter and permission slip if your child is being recommended for this program. As the year progresses, we also hope to invite some parents/adults volunteers who will assist with the tutoring.

School pictures will be taken on Wednesday, September 19th. We will begin taking pictures immediately after our morning prayer and will finish before lunch time. Please try to avoid that day for scheduling appointments so that your child will be able to be part of the class picture.

Many of you were able to sign up on various volunteer sheets before school began or at School Information Night. As we go through the year, you will be contacted to help with the various events or projects. Notification of meetings will take place in one of three ways: a note sent home with your child; a notice on the sign board or an email. If you didn't sign up but would like to help, you are welcome at any time. Helping with special projects or activities gives you an opportunity to meet other parents, help our school and to feel more part of the "family."

As parents/guardians of students attending Nativity School, you are automatically part of the NPA -- Nativity Parent Association -- and at no extra cost! Although a small group of people server as officers/initiators, wee need each and every adult to be involved in some way. Our first meeting -- Food, folks and fun!-- is set for Tuesday, September 11th at 6pm. Please plan to attend!

Two NAP projects are already underway. The Sally Foster Sale is underway. If you haven't received a packet or if you need additional packets, please contact us and we will be happy to send one home. Proceeds from this sal directly benefit your child. The Biloxi Seafood Festival is rapidly approaching. For many years, our school has been part of this event, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The Nativity School Cakewalk has been a fun way for us to make a little money for your school but, perhaps, more importantly, to "connect" with our city. Believe me, we WILL need cakes but we also will need YOU to help run the cakewalk. Please plan to participate.

In the days ahead, may God continue to bless us as we work together!

/s Sister Mary Jo.