October 5, 2011
Dear Parents,
“...America, America, God shed His grace on Thee...”
With the Institute Day for our staff on Friday, and the Columbus Day Holiday on Monday, families have the opportunity for a long weekend. And, sometimes, if the weather is cooperating, the event that gives us this long weekend often gets overlooked. The Columbus Day Holiday was set up to remind us of the discovery of this country by Christopher Columbus as he searched for a route to India. Those first explorers of this country were well intentioned, but also brought with them some problems as they explored, and sometimes exploited, the land and its people. Yet, in all these years, our country has been blessed in many ways, and this holiday, somewhat like Thanksgiving, should give us time to pause and consider our many blessings as citizens in this land. As you enjoy time with your family this weekend, perhaps it would be good to take a few moments to thank God for the blessings which the United States and all of North America enjoy, and to ask God to continue to help us be a nation that seeks the good of all its people as well as searching for ways to help all its global neighbors.
This week’s envelope has just a few items:
1. Market Day Flyer--This is the Pie Month Flyer, so an extra form is enclosed so you can take orders for the coming holidays. Please be sure to check out the letter from the Chairpersons regarding how prizes will be awarded this year.
2. Scrip Totals--The Chairpersons are trying to keep you updated on your totals so that you don’t get caught in the spring with a low total.
3. Room Parents Money and Class Lists--First parties will be coming soon! Please remember that your money amount has to last for all the activities listed on the Room Parent Responsibilities Sheet sent home earlier. Plan wisely.
4. Girl’s Soccer--Newman High School is starting a Soccer Team for girls for Spring of 2012. Notice is enclosed in 8th Grade Envelopes only.
5. Letter regarding a special program offered to 7th and 8th Grade Students-- Our Spanish Teacher, Mrs. Vock, has some special opportunities to assist students. Please return the form below so that we have an idea of interest and drivers.
6. Letter regarding the 50/50 Drawing
NOTABLE NOTES:
School Pictures will be taken next Friday, October 14th. Forms and information were sent home last week and you are asked to have those forms in the office before Picture Day. Picture Day is not a dress down day, but rather a DRESS UP DAY. Jeans are not allowed that day, and in most cases, boys can simply wear their uniform slacks and a shirt of their choice. Girls have a little more leeway in their wearing apparel. School pictures are placed on Student Folders and it is always good to have a great picture that can be used for publicity purposes also.
New families will find a copy of the Sexual Misconduct Norms of the Diocese of Rockford enclosed in this envelope. You are asked to read this booklet and to sign the VOLUNTEER FORM AT THE BACK OF THE BOOK, and return just the form to school. This is a Diocesan Requirement for all families.
Many thanks to those families who have sent in notice that they have taken the online Protecting God’s Children Course or will be taking it. Once you take the course, please send in your certificate, and I will mark you and return the certificate to you. This is also a Diocesan Requirement and we are checked as to whether all families have cooperated.
With the cooler weather coming, the time for shorts to be packed away will soon be here. Our school deadline for shorts and skorts is October 15th, and students are asked to be in slacks as of that date. Skirts and jumpers may continue to be worn by girls. Turtlenecks may also be worn from that date on until the spring as needed.
The 7th and 8th Grade Boys Basketball Team will have their first practice on October 11th at 4:30 P.M. at St. Mary’s Gym.
As mentioned earlier, there is no school at St. Anne’s on Friday, October 7th and no school on Monday, October 10th. October 7th also happens to be the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Perhaps you and your family can find a few moments to pray a decade or two of the Rosary on this feast day as a means of thanking God for all the blessings we experience in this country.
Sincerely,
Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.
