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 Electronic Recycling Flyer—Please note the date for this event and take the opportunity to recycle many outdated items in your home.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