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