December 5, 2012                                                                              

Dear Parents,

            “Jolly old St. Nicholas, lean your ear this way…”

This song, which I remember so vividly from my own childhood, should be sung in every home tomorrow night! And this evening, when all your children are snug in bed, with their shoes outside their doors, you, Mom and Dad, should be the St. Nicholas of today. Those shoes should be filled with little things like oranges, nuts, some wrapped candies and maybe a peppermint cane or two, and if necessary, a piece of coal for the child who has not been as good as he or she could be! Why celebrate St. Nicholas? There are many reasons. First, he is the patron saint of children, and this is a good celebration as this Advent Season begins. By celebrating this feast, you can help your children understand the importance of GIVING—not just getting! St. Nicholas also teaches us the importance of our Faith as he was persecuted and jailed for defending the Faith at his time. Nicholas also helps you in your explanation of the history of Santa Claus to your children for he IS the original Santa Claus. Even Clement Moore, in his poem, The Night Before Christmas, refers to the jolly figure as “St. Nick”.  For more information and some great ideas, go to the website –stnicholascenter.org- and you will find a wealth of information to share with your children!  HAPPY CELEBRATING!

St. Anne School will celebrate this jolly saint on DECEMBER 15^TH.  Our Student Council will again host a morning party of fun for children ages 4 to 8. There will be games, a movie, treats, and maybe even a visit from St. Nicholas himself! This event is not just for children in our school, but also for anyone in the parish that meets these age requirements. The party will be supervised, so parents may drop off their children and do some of those last minute chores that build up these busy days. Times for this event are 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  Please encourage our young families to take part.

Enclosed in this envelope are the following:

Bake Sale Flyer—The Auction Committee is hosting a Bake Sale in the Parish the weekend of December 15-16. See the flyer for further information, and get your spoons and bowls busy!

Another Box Tops Collection Flyer is also enclosed. We are very close (over 8500) to our goal of 10,000 Box Tops. Let’s give it one last push and see if we can reach that goal this week.

A flyer is also enclosed for Jr. High Students for the dance being held at St. Mary Parish in Sterling. The permission form must accompany your youngster in order to get into the dance.

The last enclosure is the Home and School Connection for the month of December. Check it out for some good advice.

A FEW NEW SPINS:

Many thanks to all who work the Market Day Program and those who order from this program also. Market Day has over half of its goal earned for year, so congratulations to the Chairperson for all their efforts!

You are reminded to turn in your 50/50 Ticket Money as soon as you sell those tickets. This way total results can be reported and this is one way to encourage the selling of more tickets to make that total grow. The Auction Committee also has an I Pad for raffle and those tickets are available in the school office.

Our Christmas Program will be held on December 20^th at 7:00 PM. For those in need of costumes, you will find a sheet enclosed with some suggestions.  A “wing form” will be sent home to families if your child is a Partridge, Turtledove, French Hen, Colley Bird or Pheasant. Hopefully, you can make these wings look ‘feathery’.  Every family is responsible to find their own costumes as described in the flyer or something very similar.

Please remember that this Saturday is a Holyday of Obligation, celebrating the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Catholics are required to attend Mass on that day. Our Parish has a Mass on Friday evening at 5:30 PM and on Saturday Morning 8:15 AM. This feast celebrates Mary’s Conception without sin in the womb of St. Anne. It is under this title that she is also the patroness of our country, and there is a special evening of prayer in our Parish on Saturday, December 8^th, to ask for blessing on this country and an end to abortion. Please come to this event with your children as one way of preparing for the coming holy season.

Our annual school Toy Mass is this Friday, December 7^th.  The children have always been so generous in giving their gently used or no longer played with toys to this collection. Please encourage them to start looking so they are ready to being these in on Friday Morning. The Goodfellows Organization will be here to collect them right after the Mass.

As the second week of Advent approaches, may your home be filled with joy!

Sincerely,

Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.

November 7, 2012                                                                              

Dear Parents,

The month of November, like October, is a month with several focuses. In the religious area, it is dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory and reminds us to pray for our friends and family who have died. In the secular world, the holidays of Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving take center stage, or should, though they are often in the shadows of early Christmas Preparations. This year, Veterans Day falls on a Sunday, and with football games and other activities, we may be tempted to overlook its importance in our daily lives. Because of the actions of so many men and women, we are able to enjoy the freedom to do many of the activities of our daily lives. In the midst of this busy month, let us not forget to pray for our veterans, to thank them in some way, to write them a letter or have our children make a card and drop it off at the VFW or the American Legion. Let us let them know of our gratitude for the service they have given so that we can enjoy our freedoms each day.

Many thanks to all families for coming for Parent Teacher Conferences and keeping to the scheduled times so well. I hope the information shared between you and your child’s teacher will enable all of us to continue to encourage them to work to their full potential.

This Friday, after the 8:15 AM Mass, we will have our first Awards Assembly and while this first quarter does not have many awards, we do invite you to join us in prayer and to celebrate our youngsters’ accomplishments thus far.

This Friday is also our annual Food Drive Mass. You are surely aware of the many needs of this Dixon Community. Please encourage your youngsters to bring donations of canned goods to give to the Food Pantry, as a way of saying thank you to God for the blessings of your own family.

In this week’s Brown Envelope, you will find the following:

1. SCRIP Flyer with dates for ordering before Thanksgiving

2. SCRIP Family Totals—As promised in last week’s envelope, here are your totals for the year so far.

3. Permission Slips—

Grade 2 –to go to the Nursing Homes for Mass with Father

Grades 6,7, and 8 for Bowling as part of their PE Classes

4. Box Top Flyer—Currently over 5500 Box Tops have been collected and that total should be even higher by now since many more have been sent home since that number was marked. We are doing well on our way to 10,000, so please keep those box tops coming.

A FEW NEW SPINS:

Our Turkey Trot is quickly approaching. We congratulate Maddy Jacobs whose design made in art class will be featured on the Turkey Trot Shirts this year.  Flyers are available in the school office if you plan on trotting in this year’s event.

We also congratulate our Fifth Grade Class that earned the most votes via pocketbook donations with their ROBOT Pumpkin. All together, this Student Council Event earned $320.00 and combined with the PINK DAY Event and raffle, $ 400.00 will be sent to the Home of Hope from our Student Council. All enjoyed these events and we look forward to some other fun activities in the future.

This Thursday, November 8^th, our Student Council will be sponsoring a Bake Sale and there will be some Raffle Items also. The funds raised at this event may be sent to assist with Hurricane Relief on the East Coast.

Thursday will also be a Dress Down Day for those with no tardies in K--2, no or 1 Homework Notice in Grades 3--5 and no late assignments, etc. in Jr. High. Students will be told of their eligibility for this day.

November is the month when we are also reminded that we are part of the Communion of Saints. The saints in heaven and the souls in Purgatory pray for us. Let us ask them to intercede for blessing on our country, our community, and our homes.

Sincerely,

Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.

October 17, 2012

Dear Parents,

The month of October has many causes that are espoused throughout the month. Known as the month of the Holy Rosary, it is also known as Respect Life Month. Another of the many causes is that of the Missions. The month begins with the feast of St. Therese, the Little Flower, who along with ST. Francis Xavier, is the patron saint of missionaries, even though she never left her convent. During this month, our students study about various mission countries to learn about the cultures and religious activities of these countries, and the work that missionaries do with the people. When this study is over, the children are asked to donate to the missions to assist with the work of these men and women. This Friday, we will celebrate the missions in our Communion Service and you are invited to join us in that celebration. Churches throughout our country will also observe Mission Sunday on October 21^st, so our timing is just right. We ask each child to make a donation of $1.00 and this money is then sent to the Holy Childhood Association, a mission group that uses its funds to assist children around the world. Please encourage your children to do something to earn this money so that it is a sacrifice for them and helps them to remember the sacrifices the missionaries make to serve the poor around the world.

In this week’s envelope, you will find the following:

1. Statements—Making payments every month is a great help to our budget. If you are behind in payments, we ask that every effort be made to bring your account up to date. Thank you!
2.  Conference Times—Many thanks to all who returned their forms on time. Please keep this form handy so you can remember your time. Conferences are on November 1^st and 2^nd.
3. Jr. High Dance Flyer—This is the first dance of the year. Please do not lose the flyer, as there are no extras.
4. Room Parents Letter—Last week all room parents should have received their party money. Enclosed is a letter explaining all responsibilities of room parents and the times for parties, etc. The teacher’s birthday is also listed on each letter.
5. Elks Clinic Letter—The Dixon Elks are hosting a FREE Clinic on October 25^th. Please read the letter enclosed for further information.
6. Box Tops Flyer/ Information and a Collection Sheet—Let’s all work to get to that 10,000 box tops goal!
7. Permission slip for Grade 2

A FEW NEW SPINS:

There are still 25 families who have not yet returned the Sexual Misconduct Volunteer Forms. Please remember that our Diocese asks that every family read these online and return the form to school. I must send these forms to the Diocese, so those who have not yet read these, please do so as soon as possible and return your form to school by this Friday, October 19^th.

Our Parish is sponsoring a Bible Study Class on Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 PM and repeating this class on Mondays from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. Childcare will be provided for the Monday time. Cost for the program is any donation you would like to make. For further information you may contact Mary Grace Crisham at 815-288-6408 or Janet Payne at 815-284-3768.

Please remember that this is the month of our PIE Sales through Market Day. There is still time to place a PIE Order or any other order online until Thursday, October 18th.  Please help us to make this a successful sale. Remember, ordering one pie makes you eligible for a drawing for a great dinner prize!

This Thursday, October 18^th, our Student Council is sponsoring their first Bake Sale of the year. Hopefully, there will be plenty of items to sell, and few raffle items as well. Everything is still a quarter each and money earned will go into the Student Council Treasury for future events for the students.

This Thursday, October 18^th, will also be a DRESS DOWN DAY FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAD NO TARDIES IN GRADES K, 1, AND 2, FOR THOSE WITH NO OR ONLY 1 HOMEWORK NOTICES IN GRADES 3, 4, AND 5, AND FOR THOSE IN JR. HIGH WITH NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS OR UNIFORM NOTICES during the month of September. Please remember that for Dress Down Days, certain Dress Code Regulations still apply. Please check P. 22 of the School Handbook.

Last of all, many, many thanks to all who sent in such delicious goodies for our Grandparents Day Celebration. Everything tasted so good and everyone enjoyed the treats as well as the great lunch cooked up by our lunch ladies.  It was a great celebration!

As this first quarter comes to an end next week, let us continue to ask for God’s blessing on our children, our teachers, and you, our parents, that we work together for the good of our school.

Sincerely,

Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.

September 26, 2012                                                               

Dear Parents,

            “Angel of God, my guardian dear…”

Surely many of us learned that prayer as a child and have seen the picture of the Angel watching over two little children crossing a small bridge. This week and early next week, the Church celebrates these angels and the three great archangels—Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. As grownups, we sometimes forget this invisible guard watching over us and carrying our messages, prayers, and requests to God. Again, we can recognize the goodness of God in giving us this special being to watch over us. Perhaps as this month of October dawns for all of us, we could take a lesson from our young children and pray this prayer each day or night and work on developing a better friendship with this special guardian who watches over us so well.

Once again this envelope is filled with many items so please read carefully:

1. Lunch Menu for October—Please be sure to turn over the menu for a letter from the Kitchen Cooks. They explain some changes and some of the new items. You, as parents, need to be aware that even though we are not on a federal lunch program, we are making an effort to follow the new lunch guidelines issued by the government, serving more veggies and salad and using more fiber rich items at times.

2. Helper Sheet for lunch—If you can give a little time, it would be greatly appreciated.

3. Flights of Taste Flyer-Consider coming to this event for an evening of fun without your children. You’re guaranteed a good time with great food, great wines and great friends!

4. Permission Slips for Grade 4—There are two-one for the Nursing Homes as Grade 4 will accompany Father for all the October Masses, and one for the Downtown Walk which is a very enriching experience for the students.

5. Box Tops Collection Sheet—Remember, our goal is 10,000 box tops this year!

6. Climbing Higher Flyer—If your child needs some study skills assistance, this is a good program to investigate.

   A FEW NEW SPINS:

Many thanks to all who ordered magazines from our recent drive. Every little bit helps. If you did not get your order in, please remember that you can order online at www.gaschoolstore.com and our User Name is 2634558 and the password is 770569.

As this cooler weather approaches, we are readying our sweatshirt/spirit wear order. All orders must be here by September 28^th so we can place the order before it gets any cooler!

Those who still need to pay their Room Fees and /or Project Discovery Fees will find a reminder in this Brown Envelope. Please try to get that in as soon as possible.

Remember our Drawdown is this Saturday evening. If you have not yet returned your ticket stubs and money, please do so as soon as possible. The success of this event is based on the selling of all the tickets, so please be sure yours are back BY THURSDAY.

This Friday is also the first of our cookouts. If you are willing to make a dessert, you can drop it off at Dixon Food Center early on Friday or Saturday Morning. These usually bring in a good offering and help with our totals.

Many thanks to all the families who have gone to the Diocesan Website to read the new Sexual Misconduct Norms, and sign and return the necessary form. If you have not done that yet, please do so by September 30^th and send your volunteer form to school.

One last reminder that the children of all the families who attended the Home and School Meeting do have a Dress Down Day on Friday, October 5^th. It is not limited to jeans, but please remember that torn clothing of any kind or clothing with inappropriate words, etc. is not acceptable in our school. Shoes and socks must be worn that day, though socks may be colored for that day.

In all that you do in this coming month, may you have a greater awareness that you are never alone, but that an angel is watching over you!

Sincerely,

Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.

September 19, 2012

Dear Parents,

The official start of the Fall Season will be here in just a few days. After this past hot summer, many will welcome the cool breezes and the changing of colors. Some trees have already changed due to the dry weather, and colors may not be as beautiful as they have been in past years. But change will happen, and it is good to note how God, in His wisdom, arranges for change to take place each day and each year. It works the same for us, too. God expects to see us change—for the better, of course. Sometimes it is good to just stop and think about whether one has changed in relating to God. As a person, perhaps there is a need to ask one self if one has grown closer to God over the years. As a family, it may be good to think about the many ways one might bring family members closer to God. In this coming autumn season, as nature changes around us, finding some quiet time to think about these changes may be a good thing.

Things are always changing around our school. Check out these coming events:

1. The Drawdown10 days away! See the flyer and if you can help on those last few tickets, just give the school a call.

2. Grade 3 Permission Form—These students will see changes as they spend a day at Outdoor Stewardship.

3. Asbestos Letter—Our Diocese requires that we inform you yearly about the status of the asbestos in our school.

4. Home and School Flyer on Bullying—Here are some hints on how to change a school environment through kinder, more respectful behavior.

5. Vaccination Flyer—Cooler weather sometimes brings flu germs around. This flyer lists dates and places for the flu vaccinations

A FEW NEW SPINS:

Many thanks to all who attended our First Home and School Meeting on Tuesday evening. It is important that we work together for the good of our school.

Please remember to turn in your Sweatshirt and /or Spirit Order Forms by Friday, September 28^th. An order will be placed once we are sure all forms are in.

Just gentle reminders to turn in your Room Fees so the Room Parents have resources when planning the parties for this year. Many thanks to the two volunteers who stepped forward to be Room parents for Grades 5 and 7.

Reminders are in the Envelopes of those who still owe for milk. Please have this paid as soon as possible.

Market Day Pickup is Monday, September 24^th.  Workers are reminded to be here to assist with the unloading of the truck and the boxing of orders.

Our Magazine Drive officially ends today, Wednesday, September 19^th. Hopefully, your orders have come in but please remember that you can always order magazines online through the Great American Program.

The Rockford Diocese has issued Revised Sexual Misconduct Norms. All employees and volunteers of our school are required to read these and sign a form stating that this has been done. There will be no paper version of the norms; therefore, families are asked to go to the website of the Diocese-www.rockforddiocesee.org- and scroll to the Resource Links on the left side of the home page. Click on Documents and Forms and you will find the Sexual Misconduct Norms. Enter the password- dmalloy! -to access these. Once they are read, please sign and return the enclosed forms to the school office. This needs to be done by October 1, 2012. Please take time to do this as soon as possible. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Please continue to keep our students in your prayers during these weeks of testing.

God bless your autumn days!

Sincerely,

Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.

September 12, 2012                                                                

Dear Parents,

One of the first things you are asked to do when you have your child baptized is to make the sign of the cross on their forehead. During the rite of Baptism itself, this act is repeated several times by the priest and members of the family. These are the first of many times that your child and you sign yourself with this special mark of the Christian. On Friday of this week, the Church celebrates the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a feast commemorating the finding of the True Cross by St. Helena, mother of the Emperor, Constantine. Here at school, we begin and end our day with this important sign—sandwiching every action in the day between these two moments of prayer. The importance of this sign is that it recalls the love God has for us, choosing to die on the cross and reminding us of how much the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are a part of our daily lives. Perhaps at home on Friday night, you can gather near the crucifix in your home and pray together for God’s continued blessing on your family, and then sign one another with the sign of the cross as you did when your children were baptized. And then celebrate with a treat of some type to end the day!

Once again, this Brown Envelope is full so here is a rundown of what you will find:

1. Statements—One month of school is almost over and the bills are coming in, so please stay up to date with your tuition payments. It really is a great help to our budget.

2. Drawdown Flyer—Our Drawdown is quickly approaching. See the flyer for more details about this special event. Those who signed to work this event will also find a reminder in their Envelope.

3. Sweatshirt Orders—The cool weather is coming-really! The sweatshirt order includes the regular school sweatshirts as well as Spirit Wear. Please be aware that if ordering Spirit Wear, it can be worn TO SCHOOL, BUT NOT IN SCHOOL, unless it is a Spirit Day—and we do hope to have some of those throughout the year. Hooded sweatshirts cannot be worn in classrooms. Payment must accompany your order.

4. Electronic Recycling Flyer—Please note the date for this event and take the opportunity to recycle many outdated items in your home.

5. Box Top Flyer—As promised, here is news about this fall’s Box Top contest. Please read the flyer carefully and note the date all box tops are due. It would be great to reach a goal of 10,000 box tops by December. Also attached is a listing-both sides—of all items that carry box tops.

6. NED Show Flyer—This Thursday, our school is hosting a program for our students. After the program, items will be available for purchase for one week and this note to you tells what these are and the cost. You are welcome to attend this show, which will be on Thursday at 2:00 P.M. in the Father Callahan Room. Check out the program at www.theNEDshow.com for ideas you can use at home to incorporate the message. More information is on the flyer.

7. Minutes and Agenda for the Home and School Meeting--Our first Home and School Meeting is next Tuesday, September 18^th, at 6:00 PM in the Father Callahan Room. It is also our Back to School Night, which gives you an opportunity to visit your child’s classroom and meet the teachers again. Hope we see you there!

8. Y Flyer and Roller Skating Ticket—These are included for your information.

9. Permission Slip—Grade One, with Mrs. Overcash, will represent our school at the Newman Homecoming Parade this year. Drivers will be needed.

A FEW NEW SPINS:

ROOM PARENTS ARE NEEDED! Take pity on the 5^th and 7^th Grades, PLEASE! Should these children be deprived of parent help for their parties? Please parents, step forward and volunteer to help your child’s class!

All parents are reminded to please send in Room Fees for parties, etc.

Market Day Flyers went home in last week’s Brown Envelope. The  Pickup Date is September 24^th. Please think about ordering even one item. It makes such a difference in our totals.

Next week, our students in Grades Two through Eight will begin taking the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. These tests enable us to know where our students need work and how well they are progressing. Please be sure your child gets enough sleep and eats a good breakfast as this help them to do well—not just at testing time, but everyday. Results will be shared with families at conferences in early November.

Installation of Student Council Officers will take place after the 8:15 AM Mass this Friday. Parents are certainly welcome to attend the Mass and installation.

Please remember that our Magazine Drive is ongoing at this time. Please try to send your orders in or order online as soon as possible.  Many thanks to all who returned the postcard booklets. These can still be turned in also and students can still earn the Chocolate Calculator. Congratulations to Zachary DeForest who earned a Golden Ticket and MacDonald Gift Card! There are still 2 of those available!

In my many conversations with Sister Lorraine, she tells me that our school is always in her prayers, and we are surely experiencing the effects of those prayers as this year moves on! God bless your week!

Sincerely,

Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.

           

September 5, 2012

Dear Parents,

September is a month full of surprises. With this year’s weather, one cannot tell if fall is on its way or if summer is planning a longer stay.   Trees are beginning to change, but the hot weather wants to hang around a bit longer this year—or so it seems. The feasts of this month also offer a great deal of variety. Unlike some months, which focus on one special saint or theme, September brings feasts of Mary, the Cross, the angels, apostles and many others. Mary does seem to dominate, however, as the end of this week brings her birthday, and next week, her name day and the feast of her Seven Sorrows. Everybody likes a birthday, so maybe this coming Saturday, you might have a small Birthday Celebration for our Blessed Mother with your family. Perhaps as a family, you could gather and pray a decade of the Rosary, and then, top it off with cake and ice cream! It’s a great way to end the week and to remind yourself and your family of Mary’s importance in our lives as Catholic Christians.

September also brings a flurry of flyers for various activities, so here are this week’s inserts:

1.     Permission Slip for Mass—Each month a class accompanies Father Mike to the area nursing homes to celebrate Mass with the residents. Drivers are needed to bring the children so please offer your services if at all possible. This first month our 3^rd Grade Class will take on this important task.

2.     Scrip Flyer—As you know, this is one of our important fundraisers. Please take the time to purchase your Scrip Cards each week and watch for specials that will raise your percentage quickly.

3.     Turkey Trot Flyer—If you’re thinking it’s too early to sign up for this fundraiser, you are wrong. You need to start training so you can be in great shape to trot on Thanksgiving Morning. Flyers can be picked up in the office.

4.     Box Top Flyer—Keep on sending those box tops in. The flyer helps to make the counting easier. Be sure your name is on the form, too. Contest news will be coming in the near future.

5.     Magazine Packet and letter-- This is another fundraiser that is held at this time of the year. Remember, we don’t want your children going door to door. We just ask that you renew your family subscriptions through our drive. If you are connected to a doctor or dentist’s office, you might ask if they need to renew their subscriptions and could you help by doing it through our drive. We are using a new company, so be sure to look for the new account number on the flyer.

A FEW NEW SPINS:

Our Project Discovery Program begins on September 5^th. All students received their courses for the year. Please understand that every effort has been made to give students their first choice, but that is not always possible. All courses are enjoyable and hopefully, if they missed something this year, it will be available again.

Communication from teachers comes through the Teacher Ease Program. If you are a new family or if your email address has changed, please send your email address to school as soon as possible. You will then receive a message allowing you to access the Teacher Ease Program, which will enable you to get information on your child’s progress.

While the local stores are gearing up for Halloween, it is not yet on our agenda, but collecting money for parties does have to be done and soon. The Room Fees for this year are $8.00 per child and this money is given to those who have signed to be Room Parents. This money is used for the following:

            Halloween and Valentine Parties

            Small remembrance for the teacher’s birthday

            Class treat for Christmas on January 6^th or closest day of celebration

There is still a need for Room Parents for Grade 7 and Grade 5. Please offer your services for these classes.

The Next Picture Show is sponsoring a program for 4^th and 5^th graders who are interested in special art lessons. The program costs $175.00 per students and further information is available in the office for anyone interested.

For those who have called and asked, our Grandparents Day Celebration will be held on October 12^th this year. Be sure to mark that date and let your relatives know!

Our Drawdown is just 25 days away. Have you sold your tickets yet? Please turn in your tickets and money to the office as soon as possible and watch this envelope for some new information next week. The meal for the event will be Italian Beef, Potatoes, Apple Salad and of course, those great St. Anne Desserts! Is your mouth watering yet? There are extra tickets available in the office for those of you who are great sellers.

For those who use the Aftercare Program only once in a while, you are asked to send a note if your child is to go to Aftercare at the end of the day. That will insure that the person in charge is aware of who is to be present at the program that day. If your child stays everyday, your check at the beginning of the week will suffice.

In this new month, let us together pray for our children as they enter deeper into the tasks of this school year. Let us encourage them to pray often, to study hard, and to play fairly, just as Mary and Joseph must have encouraged their child, Jesus.

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.

                                                                                                                                          

August 29, 2012

Dear Parents,

This week the Church celebrates the feasts of Saints Monica and Augustine—mother and son—the only time, I believe that such an event exists in the Church Calendar. As a mother, Monica prayed hard for her son, that he would turn his life over to God, and after many years of prayer and tears over here son’s behavior, she was rewarded with Augustine finally seeing the need for God in his life and once that happened, he became one of the greatest saints of the early Church. Once Augustine was converted, Monica did not stop her prayers, but instead, they prayed together. Augustine knew of his mother’s prayers for him all during his life, and he saw her pray often.  Perhaps in putting these two feasts together, the church wants to remind parents of the importance of praying for and with their children. Our children today need to see prayer as an important part of family life. It does not have to be lengthy prayer, but children need to see their parents making prayer a priority each day. Driving to and from school, at meals, and before bedtime are good times to pray with your children, and of course, going to Mass each week together is the best way to show that prayer brings a family together, just as it did for Monica and Augustine.

If you made it through last week’s Brown Envelope, you deserve a medal!  Many thanks to all who returned so many of the items in last week’s envelope. This week the list is much shorter:

1. September Lunch Menu and Helper Sheet—If you can give time to help in our lunchroom, it will be deeply appreciated.

2. Home and School Connection Flyer—This comes to us through the use of Title Funds—your tax dollars at work. There are very good suggestions on a number of topics to assist you in parenting.

3. Flyer from the YMCA

A FEW NEW SPINS:

We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Jennifer Strock has stepped forward and offered to serve as Home and School President for the 2012-2013 School year. We are grateful to Mrs. Strock for her service. Our first Home and School Meeting is scheduled for September 18^th, so be sure to save that date.

Now that we have a H & S president, I can make a plea for some Room Parents. The children of Grades 5 and 7 are seeking another person to come forward to serve as Room Parent for their classes. Please call the office and volunteer for this important role.

Parents are reminded to pay their milk fees and, if possible, to pay Project Discovery Fees as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to give each child its first choice for Project Discovery, but this is not always possible.

Dental Forms for students in Grades K, 2, and 6 should already be in the office. If you have not yet taken care of this, please send a note telling us when your child’s dental appointment will take place.

All parents are reminded to read the School Handbook and return the form, signed by the students and the parents. You may not agree with all our regulations, but all must abide by them.

Many thanks to all who ordered from the first Market Day Sale of this year. It was a great sale and gave us a good start to our profit total of $5,000.00.

Please work on selling your DRAWDOWN TICKETS, as this is our next big fundraiser. Anyone can sell after any of the Masses as long as you let Father know that you would like to do that. That is one way to sell your tickets if you do not have contacts to whom you could sell.

As this Labor Day Weekend approaches, let us thank God for all who work for the good of our country and pray for those who are seeking employment at this time. May St. Joseph, patron saint of all workers, intercede for us as we work together for the good of our children.

Sincerely,

Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.

Dear Parents,

Welcome Back and a special welcome to all our new families as this new school year opens! Besides the new backpacks and school supplies, a new school year brings many opportunities to listen to what God has waiting for each of us. As parents, you have already heard God’s call through your desire to have your children learn more about their faith and so you have chosen a Catholic School Education. You may continue to hear more as you discuss daily learning with your children. Your children have the opportunity to listen to God’s message each day in their Religion Classes and other studies, but also to put that message into action by their words and their deeds as the year moves on. Our staff responds to God’s messages as they work together to bring the Good News of Catholic Education to each person who enters our building—small or tall. Staff, too, continue to hear God speak in many ways through the course of a year. As this new year begins, let us work together to listen to God’s message through whatever means it comes to us and we’ll surely make it a great year! 

A new year brings many important items and events that need attention, so here is the first list:

1. School Handbook—Every family is asked to go over this with your children. We have talked with all grade groups about changes, but you are responsible for knowing what our school regulations are, so please read the book, keep it handy and return the form enclosed by August 31st.

2. Project Discovery Packet—Once again we will be offering special classes on Wednesday afternoons. Please have your child choose courses and return the form as soon as possible. It is hoped that classes can begin the Wednesday after Labor Day.

3. School Calendar—It is nice and bright so hopefully, you can put it somewhere and keep it handy as a reference guide to days off.

4. Hot Lunch Menu and Helper Sheet for August—Great lunches at a great price!

5. Playground Duty List—Each family is asked to give service for playground duty a few times during the year. Please keep this list handy and highlight your days. Fee for no shows is $25.00.

6. Mass Schedule—Please try to come and celebrate with us. Your children always enjoy having you there as they assume the roles of lector, song leaders, etc.

7. Milk Fees—An envelope is provided with a flyer regarding the cost of milk. Please send your money in the envelope provided.

8. Magazine Flyer—Our Magazine Drive will start on Sept. 5^th, so try to save your renewals until the drive begins. More information will be coming soon.

9.   Market Day Flyers—The last day to order is tomorrow—Thursday, August 23^rd—so you can still get an order in. Market Day workers will find reminders in the Envelope.

10. Drawdown Tickets—This is our first really big fundraiser of the year. Each family is asked to sell the three tickets enclosed and to return the money to school as soon as possible. There are only 5 weeks until the actual Drawdown, so search out last year’s buyers and encourage them to try, try again!

11. Permission Slip—The first one of the year. Our Jr. High Students will assist the Special Olympic Bowlers on Sept. 7^th. We will need drivers and ask you to assist if you can. This is a very good experience for our students and a great service to the community.

12. Max Dollars for Education Form—If you shop at County market, please fill out this form and turn it in to your County Market Store. We could be in the running for this $1000.00 prize!

A FEW NEW SPINS:

The Scrip Chairpersons just want to remind you that Scrip Ordering will now revert back to the school schedule of orders in by Tuesday and ready to go home on Thursday. More information on Scrip will be coming in the next envelopes.

Parents are asked to be very careful when pulling into and out of the Parking Lot each morning and afternoon. Students are not always watching for cars, but instead are walking to the Pavilion or walking to their own transportation. Please be alert.

A special thank you to our maintenance staff for the great job of polishing up our school over the summer. Everything is in great shape and there are some surprises in store for all! More later!

We are still in need of a Home and School President. Again, I ask that anyone interested please contact me. This is for the good of our children, so please think about offering your services for one year.

With new hope and a listening heart, we look forward to this school year. Let us work and pray together for continued blessing on all we do for our children.

Sincerely,

Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.

August 1, 2012

Dear Parents,

“Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, through whose word all things were called into being…” One Hundred Graces

As this new school year begins, it is good for us to recall that it is God who calls this year into being and so, we bless our God and ask for God’s continued blessing on our school, you, our parents and children, and all our school staff. Let us pray together that this school year brings a harvest of great blessings to all of us.

As this year begins, we welcome to our school staff Mrs. Jeanne Fuger, who will be teaching Social Studies and Religion to our Jr. High Students. Mrs. Fuger replaces Mr. Lemmer, who has accepted the position as principal at St. Andrew School in Rock Falls. We will miss Mr. Lemmer, but wish him God’s Blessing in this new venture.

Our own school year will be underway soon. Below is the information you need as you come to our Registration Days on August 7^th and 8^{th ::}

The year will begin on August 22nd with dismissal at 1:00 P.M., with all students in uniform beginning on that first day of school. Lunch will be served this day. We are praying for a cool down in the weather department by then! Our school is all shined up and ready for its young learners, thanks to the efforts of Mr. McCoy and his summer helpers.

Our school day begins at 7:50 A.M. with the first bell. Students are expected to meet at the Pavilion and to walk into school to their classrooms. Prayer begins our day at 7:55 A.M. and ends our day at 3:00 P.M. An Aftercare Program is available and runs from 3:00 to 5:30 P.M. daily except on days when there is early dismissal or emergency dismissal.  The fee for Aftercare is $6.00 per day per child and includes a snack and a drink as well as supervision by certified personnel. The Aftercare Program will begin on August 23rd, the first full day of school.

 Here are some other important dates to assist you in preparing for this New Year:

August 7--Registration and Fee Payment--8: 30 A.M--12: 30 P.M., 1:00--5:00 P.M.

August 8--Registration and Fee Payment--8: 30 A.M.--12:30 P.M.

August 22--First Day of School--Dismissal at 1:00 P.M.

August 23-24--Full days of school--Dismissal at 3:00 P.M.

Registration for Preschool will take place on these same days.

If you are unable to come to register on the above days, please call the office @815-288-5619 to arrange for another time. Please do not come before August 7th, as forms will not be available.

When registering your children on August 7th and 8th, please be prepared to do the following:

1.     Sign the Emergency Form

2.     Sign the Textbook Loan and Asbestos Forms

3.     Pay Book Fees and one month Tuition Fee

4.     Purchase Assignment Tablets--Grades 2 through 8 @$4.50 each

5.     Sign for various school volunteer events--library helpers, lunch helpers, room parents, etc.

6.     Bring in the necessary physical forms required for your child—eye, dental, etc.

7.     Bring in Baptismal and Birth Certificates if registering for the first time

There will be a Uniform Exchange this year. ONLY THE SCHOOL UNIFORMS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR EXCHANGE. Please do not bring any other items of apparel. Clean uniforms may be dropped off on Friday, August 3rd, with your name on an envelope attached to each item and a suggested price. If your clothing is sold, the money will be sent home to you in the first Brown Envelope. Clothing not sold will be returned to families. New uniforms must be purchased through Educational Outfitters at 16310 S. Lincoln Highway in Plainfield, or through their website, www.educationaloutfitters.com.  The school code for St. Anne School is IL 0792. The phone number is 815-436-7777.  Please do not use any other store, as they do not carry our required clothing.

Let us together continue to ask God’s blessing on this New Year as we work to educate our children in their Faith and in the many academic areas needed to live in our global society. May these August days continue to be full of good times for you and your family. See you soon!

Sincerely,

Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.

                                   

August 1, 2012

May 23, 2012

Dear Parents,

In these weeks of May, this opening paragraph has touched on Mary as wife, mother, and  as one who sat with the Apostles and awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit. The month ends with the feast of her visitation to Elizabeth, her cousin, whom she helped prepare for the birth of her son, John. Our Church holds up this feast as a way of reminding us of our own need to be servants to others, as Mary was. It was when she greeted Elizabeth that Mary prayed the beautiful  canticle, the Magnificat, in which she praises God for all the wonderful things He has done for her and all people. Like Mary, we, too, need to offer praise to God for all that He has done for us, especially this past school year. There have been great successes this school year, both among the students and within all our families. There have also been some failing moments--moments that need forgiveness of one another, just as the Israelites needed forgiveness from God for their wayward ways at times. For all of these moments of this past year, we, like Mary, praise God and look forward to the great and wonderful events still to come in the future, knowing that God will direct our way as He did that of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This last week of school brings many reminders and events in this envelope. Please read it carefully:

1. Library Booklet--The Dixon Public Library will again host a summer reading program. The brochure will give you the necessary information and parents are strongly encouraged to sign their children up for these events. There are great events for children of all ages. All children who participate in this program will receive a special award from St. Anne School when school resumes  in the fall.

2. For those who need a little extra work in the summer to keep up their skills, a flyer from Climbing Higher is  enclosed.  This is also a good program for all students.

3. The SCRIP Program has a flyer to make you aware of how to order and keep ordering over the summer. It would be good to post this on your fridge so you can refer to it during those summer months.

4. The Y is sponsoring a one day water safety program and a flyer explains this.

5. Sauk Valley College is again sponsoring its College for Kids Program this summer. There are special classes for all grade levels and you will find information flyers for your child’s grade level in this envelope. These camps will really stretch your child’s mind!

PRINCIPAL’S POINTS:

Those families who have yet to come in and sign their commitment forms will find reminders in this envelope. Please remember that your $100.00 Registration Fee will not count as part of your tuition if not paid by this Friday, May 25th. The fee becomes $125.00 after that date and will not be part of tuition. Please try to come in to sign by 3:00 P.M. this Friday.

Students will be in school uniforms for the remainder of the year, including the day of the Awards Assembly. For the picnic, of course, it is a dress down day, but no tank tops or halter tops, and all students must wear socks and shoes--no clogs or open back sandals, please.

If you have not yet sent in your Chaperone Form, please do so as it is important all parents understand the role of a chaperone for the safety of the children.

Our Awards Assembly will take place on Tuesday Morning, beginning at 9:00 A.M. Families are welcome to attend. School will dismiss for the year at 11:00 A.M.  A Brown Envelope will go home with the children that day containing information on school supplies, Commitment/Fundraising Forms, report cards, etc. Please try to return your envelope so that it is here for that day.

Please remember to send in your Market Day orders for this last month of the year. The school will be open on June 1st to pick up orders and those who signed to work this event last year are asked to work your final shift on that Friday. The new Market Day Program for 2012-13 begins in August for those who signed to work it as part of your fundraising efforts. Remember the special raffle just for St. Anne School Families--it is a great package and you could be the winner with just a one item order.

At this time, we usually say farewell to the families that are graduating and leaving our school for good. However, this year, all four of our graduates still have brothers and sisters in our school so no farewells as yet. But congratulations to our four young ladies as they move on to new experiences in their educational journey.

As you may have heard, Sister Lorraine, who has been a part of St. Anne School and Parish for the past 34 years, will be officially retiring this year. Sister will be leaving St. Anne’s in June of this year and a reception is being held on June 10th to honor Sister and enable families to say farewell. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy will live on in the many lives she has touched these past years. The reception will be in the school from 12:00 Noon to 2:30 P.M. Do come and help us celebrate her many years here.

As the feast of Pentecost and the Visitation of our Blessed Mother come in the next days, let us ask Mary to continue to intercede for us as she did for the early Church, that God will continue to send special blessings to all our school families.

Have a very wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

Sincerely,



Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.


        *

May 9, 2012

Dear Parents,

As the Mother’s Day Weekend approaches, it is good to think about Our Lady as a Mother. What must her days have been like as she, Jesus, and Joseph moved about the small house in Nazareth? Certainly there was cooking to be done, laundry (imagine the sawdust on the clothes of Jesus and Joseph!), and probably many trips to the well for water.  Jesus probably helped with that, too, as well as working with Joseph in the carpenter’s shop. Time was probably given to prayer together in the morning or evening as Scripture shows that Jesus knew the psalms and other Jewish Rites. What a peace-filled home it must have been. Sometimes, it seems hard to pattern one’s home on that of the Holy Family, but with prayer, especially to Mary, moms of today may be able to find the guidance needed to make today’s home a little more like the one in Nazareth. The blessings of the home at Nazareth are certainly something for which all families can and should strive to attain.

These weeks of May are full and busy. In between dress down days and field trips, there are many other activities taking place, including some studying. Here’s what’s happening:

1. St. Anne’s last Cookout of this school year will be next Friday, May 18th and 19th. Helper sheets are enclosed. Please remember that when you sign to work the cookouts, you sign to work BOTH THE FALL AND SPRING COOKOUT. Please be sure to fulfill your commitment. See the flyer for cost and order information. Our Cookouts are always very successful--other groups are asking how we do it!--and if anyone wants to bring baked goods to the cookout, I am sure they will go quickly!

2. Market Day Order Forms are also enclosed in this week’s envelope. This is the last order for the year, and to thank you for ordering, there is a special raffle for St. Anne School Families ONLY. If you order even one item this month, you will be eligible for a great summer meal package. See the flyer for more information and get your order in soon.

3. Grade 5 has a permission slip for their Reward Party

4. Grades 4 through 7 have a letter from the new Athletic Director for the Catholic Schools Sports Program of Dixon. We are very grateful to Aaron Walter who gave many years to the Sports Program as its Athletic Director, and we wish him well as he moves on. Please welcome Mr. Jesiolowski (Mr. J) and support his efforts to continue to make Dixon Catholic Sports a great program for all our youngsters.

NOTABLE NOTES:

A group called International Experience is seeking families to host students who will be attending Newman High School next fall. All three are girls, aged 15 years old. If you are interested or for more information, please call Tammy Pierson, area supervisor, at 825-222-7966. You may also check out the website usa.international-experience.net.

Please remember that NOW CARE will be doing physicals at St. Anne School on May 18th. Families need to register in the office if planning to have a physical done at St. Anne School.

Because of the K, 1, and 2 Field Trip this Thursday, Scrip  orders will only come home on Friday this week. If for some reason you need your order sooner, please call the office.

Our Blue Ribbon Book Fair is here and open each day until May 16th. It will also be open over the weekend. It is a Buy One, Get One Free Book Fair and you are welcome to come and browse and stock up for the summer. There is a great variety and several types of kits that your youngsters could have a lot of fun with during summer break.

The Student Council is sponsoring its last Bake Sale on Thursday of this week--May 10th. Hopefully, there will be lots of goodies to sell. Grades K, 1, and 2 may even be able to go to the sale before they leave on their field trip so they have some goodies to take with them.

On May 15th, St. Anne School will have  a late start. School will begin at 10:30 A.M. that day and it will be a FUN DAY as planned by our Student Council. There will be games, food, fun and other surprises. To participate, students will need quarters as all items will cost 25 cents each. Remember to mark your calendars about the LATE START. Lunch will be served this day.

Thursday, May 17th,  will be an early dismissal for inservice work for our teachers. We will dismiss at 11:00 that day and no lunch will be served here.

Please remember that this week parents are asked to come in for their Commitment Signup. I will be available on Wednesday from 8:30 to 11:00 A.M. and from 4:00 to 6:30 P.M. and on Thursday from 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. It is very important that all families come in to sign their forms as soon as possible. You are reminded that the $100.00 Registration Fee must be paid by May 25th to count as a part of your tuition for 2012-2013. Some areas of fundraising are filling up quickly and may not be available so please try to come in as soon as you can.

This week, all our moms have been remembered in our prayers each day. May God bless you and strengthen you for the tremendous task that you have in raising your children in these times. May our Blessed Mother be your guide and inspiration.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Sincerely,



Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.


P.S. Just a reminder that our uniform company will again be here on May 16th from 3 to 6:00 P.M. with samples and items for sale.

April 25, 2012

Dear Parents,

During the Easter Season, the feast days of the saints may or may not be celebrated, depending on the choice of the priest. But there are some great saints in the Church Calendar, and at a time when our children need heroes, it is good to look to the saints as role models. Two that have special significance at this time are St. Tarcisius and Pope St. Pius X. Both of these saints are associated with the Eucharist--St. Tarcisius was a young Christian who was taking the Eucharist to those in prison when he was attacked by a group of youngsters who wanted to see what he was hiding. He is the patron of those preparing to receive the Eucharist since he had such great respect  for the Blessed Sacrament. St. Pius X was the pope who changed the Eucharistic Laws to enable children to receive Christ if they could tell the difference between plain bread and the Eucharist. As our children prepare to receive this sacrament this Sunday, let us pray to these two great saints that they intercede for blessing on the children and their families for a great love of our Lord in this special sacrament.

This month is moving quickly with many activities so here is a rundown:

1. Lunch Menu and Helper Sheet for the last month of this school year!

2. Jump Rope for Heart Permission Slip--This event will take place on May 4th and is for Grades K-5 only. Please be generous in making your pledges and donations.

3. Market Day Worker Reminders--Please be sure to fulfill your commitment.

4. Relay for Life Flyer--Each year for the past few years, our school has supported the Parish Relay for Life Team by hosting an Ice Cream Social to assist with fundraising for the team. This year, as a change of pace, the school will host a Pizza Party for Lunch. Offered will be pizza, a drink, and a dessert. The pizzas are being donated by Angelo’s, Pizza Hut, and Dominoes. The lunch scheduled for that day will be canceled and those not buying into this event will be asked to bring their own lunch. The cost for the three items will be $2.00. This event is being coordinated by Missy Koester and in order to be sure we have enough pizza, you are asked to cut off the bottom of the flyer, check your choice, and return this portion with your money and in the attached envelope with your child’s name on it. This is a great way to support our parish team and help raise money for this worthy cause. Please return this little form by Friday, April 27th, so we can get an accurate count for the pizza order. Lunches originally ordered for this date will be given a lunch credit for May.

PRINCIPAL’S POINTS:

The Diocese of Rockford sponsors several vocation camps in the summer at Bishop Lane Retreat Center. These are excellent opportunities for youngsters to meet with several priests, seminarians, and sisters of many communities to learn about religious life and to have fun together with other youngsters from around the Diocese. If interested, there are flyers in the office. These camps are for students entering Grade 7 and above.

Local Bowling Centers are once again offering the Kids Bowl Free Summer Bowling Program. Through this program, kids can bowl 2 FREE games each day all summer. To register for this program, go to www.KidsBowlFree.com. Then click on the State and select the bowling center at which you’d like to participate. Register your children to receive free bowling all summer long. There is also an opportunity to sign up adults, baby sitters, etc. or older children for a family pass to join in the fun.


One last reminder-again for the safety of our children, we remind you that NO CARS ARE TO PULL UP INTO THE CIRCLE AREA AT ANY TIME -MORNING OR AFTER SCHOOL OR DURING THE DAY. This area is only for Emergency Vehicles, Handicapped Vehicles,  and Delivery Trucks. The open spaces between the cones are only for these vehicles to pull through. Please let your children off on the main lot and ALL CHILDREN, except for Preschoolers, ARE TO ENTER THE BUILDING AT THE WEST END DOORS--even if they are late. Your cooperation is appreciated.

May Jesus, through the Eucharist, be a source of great renewal in this holy season.

Sincerely,



Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.


            *

April 18, 2012

Dear Parents,

Alleluia! The Lord is risen--Indeed, He is truly risen, alleluia!

In the early Church, the Christians would greet one another with these words, one speaking the first part and the other responding with the second part. What a glorious way to keep the message of the resurrection alive among the Christian Community! It is easy to celebrate the feast of Easter, but then there is a tendency to think that it is over after that day. However, the Church continues to celebrate this feast for the next 50 days--10 more than the days of Lent. Signs of this celebration include the white garments worn at Mass, the beautiful flowers decorating our churches, and of course, the Paschal Candle which burns at every celebration throughout the Easter Season. At home, a small Paschal Candle can be made, and placed next to a bowl of water and some spring flowers, where it can serve as a reminder of this very special season.

With April half over, there is much to share about these next weeks’ activities:

1. Statements are enclosed for the month of April. This is the last month for most families who are on a 10 month plan. Please note your tuition figure carefully and pay only what is highlighted on your statement.

2. SCRIP Totals--April begins the new year of SCRIP, but these totals show your 2011-2012 Totals. Goals not met must be paid in order for families to sign their commitment forms for the new school year.

3. Sauk Valley College Flyer--Sauk Valley Community College is sponsoring a new event on nontraditional occupations. This event is for Jr. High Students and older as they think about their future careers. You are encouraged to attend with your child as a means of thinking about courses and classes necessary for their future education.

4.Climbing Higher Flyer--This is the flyer for late April and for the summer.

5. Music Flyer--This is in the envelopes of those attending the Rockford Concert. Please share this information with your children so they not only know about the concert, but what is expected of those who attend such an event. The children will wear their school uniforms to this event.

6. Home and School Connection for April--There are always good suggestions to help your children with learning in these issues.

7. Permission Slips for Grade 5 for the Ag Expo Expedition and one for Jr. High

8. Jr. High Dance Permission Form--Please note that students must bring this form to enter the dance. Also, note that cell phones may not be used during the dance. We receive only so many forms and will not duplicate, so please encourage your youngster to take care of this form.

PRINCIPAL’S POINTS:

Congratulations to the members of the Sauk Valley Saints Track Team who are doing well in their various meets. Some of our girls have taken first and second place in these meets and we are very proud of their accomplishments. The Team Members from St. Anne School are Maddy Jacobs, Kirsten Tunink, Natalie DeArvil, Kaiti Collins, Kirsten DeArvil, Margaret Smith, and Zach Montavon.

Track Team Members are reminded to please have their fees in to the office by Friday, April 20th.

Practice for First Holy Communion will take place this Saturday morning, April 21st, from 9:00 to 11:30 A.M. Students should come to the Second Grade Classroom and be nicely dressed, but not in their Communion clothes. First Communion will take place on Sunday, April 29th, at 12:30 P.M.. For those searching for First Communion items, you may want to contact Maria Rubio at 815-631-4828 or visit her at 506 W. 10th St. in Sterling. She has many items available.

Please remember that our Home and School Meeting will take place here on April 24th, beginning at 6:00 P.M. Minutes from the January Meeting are enclosed. Information will be shared on Commitment Nights and Fundraisers for the 2012-2013 School Year.

Please keep in mind that a Book Fair will be held in the near future. This will be a Buy One, Get One Free Fair and will enable your children to find some great summer reading.

It seems many of you are asking about our last day of school for this year. As of now, barring any unforeseen circumstances, our last day will be May 29th and it will be a half day with dismissal at 11:00 A.M. More details will follow closer to this day, but there is much work to be done before that day, so keep encouraging your youngsters to do their best these days.

May the joy brought by the Risen Christ be with you and your families throughout this holy season.

Sincerely,



Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.


*April 18, 2012

Dear Parents,

Alleluia! The Lord is risen--Indeed, He is truly risen, alleluia!

In the early Church, the Christians would greet one another with these words, one speaking the first part and the other responding with the second part. What a glorious way to keep the message of the resurrection alive among the Christian Community! It is easy to celebrate the feast of Easter, but then there is a tendency to think that it is over after that day. However, the Church continues to celebrate this feast for the next 50 days--10 more than the days of Lent. Signs of this celebration include the white garments worn at Mass, the beautiful flowers decorating our churches, and of course, the Paschal Candle which burns at every celebration throughout the Easter Season. At home, a small Paschal Candle can be made, and placed next to a bowl of water and some spring flowers, where it can serve as a reminder of this very special season.

With April half over, there is much to share about these next weeks’ activities:

1. Statements are enclosed for the month of April. This is the last month for most families who are on a 10 month plan. Please note your tuition figure carefully and pay only what is highlighted on your statement.

2. SCRIP Totals--April begins the new year of SCRIP, but these totals show your 2011-2012 Totals. Goals not met must be paid in order for families to sign their commitment forms for the new school year.

3. Sauk Valley College Flyer--Sauk Valley Community College is sponsoring a new event on nontraditional occupations. This event is for Jr. High Students and older as they think about their future careers. You are encouraged to attend with your child as a means of thinking about courses and classes necessary for their future education.

4.Climbing Higher Flyer--This is the flyer for late April and for the summer.

5. Music Flyer--This is in the envelopes of those attending the Rockford Concert. Please share this information with your children so they not only know about the concert, but what is expected of those who attend such an event. The children will wear their school uniforms to this event.

6. Home and School Connection for April--There are always good suggestions to help your children with learning in these issues.

7. Permission Slips for Grade 5 for the Ag Expo Expedition and one for Jr. High

8. Jr. High Dance Permission Form--Please note that students must bring this form to enter the dance. Also, note that cell phones may not be used during the dance. We receive only so many forms and will not duplicate, so please encourage your youngster to take care of this form.

PRINCIPAL’S POINTS:

Congratulations to the members of the Sauk Valley Saints Track Team who are doing well in their various meets. Some of our girls have taken first and second place in these meets and we are very proud of their accomplishments. The Team Members from St. Anne School are Maddy Jacobs, Kirsten Tunink, Natalie DeArvil, Kaiti Collins, Kirsten DeArvil, Margaret Smith, and Zach Montavon.

Track Team Members are reminded to please have their fees in to the office by Friday, April 20th.

Practice for First Holy Communion will take place this Saturday morning, April 21st, from 9:00 to 11:30 A.M. Students should come to the Second Grade Classroom and be nicely dressed, but not in their Communion clothes. First Communion will take place on Sunday, April 29th, at 12:30 P.M.. For those searching for First Communion items, you may want to contact Maria Rubio at 815-631-4828 or visit her at 506 W. 10th St. in Sterling. She has many items available.

Please remember that our Home and School Meeting will take place here on April 24th, beginning at 6:00 P.M. Minutes from the January Meeting are enclosed. Information will be shared on Commitment Nights and Fundraisers for the 2012-2013 School Year.

Please keep in mind that a Book Fair will be held in the near future. This will be a Buy One, Get One Free Fair and will enable your children to find some great summer reading.

It seems many of you are asking about our last day of school for this year. As of now, barring any unforeseen circumstances, our last day will be May 29th and it will be a half day with dismissal at 11:00 A.M. More details will follow closer to this day, but there is much work to be done before that day, so keep encouraging your youngsters to do their best these days.

May the joy brought by the Risen Christ be with you and your families throughout this holy season.

Sincerely,



Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.


*