January 9, 2013                                                                                  

Dear Parents,

Having just enjoyed our Christmas Program last night, it is good to remember that the Christmas Season is not over yet. This year it extends until Sunday, January 13^th, the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord.  Though the baptism of Jesus was very different from ours, this feast should serve as a reminder to us of our own Baptism and be a source of grace to renew us in our Faith, especially in this Year of Faith. In this day and age, our Faith needs to be made visible to our children and those around us  more than ever so that the message of God’s Love, celebrated in the Christmas Season, continues to resound to others, even after all the decorations and programs are put away. Perhaps among our New Year’s resolutions, there could be one that relates directly to a way to make one’s Faith Life more vibrant in this New Year.

A new year brings new items in the Brown Envelope, so here’s a List:

1. Statements—Just like the businesses, St. Anne School has a January bill for you. Your statement is enclosed for this month and you are asked to see if your account is up to date. What this means is that tuition should be paid up to and including the month of January. That goes for all on a monthly plan, a quarterly plan, or a semester plan. Please put us in your “bill stack” and make us one of your regular payments!

2. The Dixon Elks Lodge is sponsoring a free orthopedic diagnostic clinic for children on Thursday, January 24^th, 2013. A flyer with more information is enclosed.

3. Our School Auction is quickly approaching. Several weeks ago, families received 50/50 tickets and we need to have the funds turned in as soon as possible. It helps to sell more tickets if the prize total can be published so please turn in your stubs as soon as possible.  You can send money back in the Brown Envelope or put it in the DROP BOX just outside the Teachers’ Lounge. Also, if you are offering a service or something for the auction, please send it in or contact the Auction Chairpersons as soon as possible.  Auction Tickets are available in the School Office @ $30.00 each. In our efforts to go green, paper tickets will only be issued if absolutely necessary.

4. The Six Flags Reading Log is included in this envelope. This program encourages your children to read non-school related material for six hours over a period of several weeks. This can include newspapers, comic books, picture books (for the younger crowd) and all other sorts of reading materials. Just keep track and return your child’s log for a free ticket to the Six Flags Amusement Park. All of our students should be able to reach this goal, based on the books they take out of our school library each week. Please encourage your child to participate—it’s a great way to get a free pass to a good time in the summer!

5. Milk for the second semester is due by January 22, 2013. The cost for Kindergarten is  $43.00 and for Grades 1-8,  $21.25.   If your child drinks more than one milk, please include that in your cost.

6. Permission Form for Grade 8 to Newman High School

A FEW NEW SPINS:

The Student Council is sponsoring its first Bake Sale of this New Year on Thursday, January 10^th. There will be some raffle items also and everything will be 25c. Thursday will also be the day that students who have had no tardies in K-2, one/no homework notices in Grades 3-5, and no missing or late assignments or uniform violations in the Jr. High can have a Jeans Day. Uniform shirts need not be worn.

Please keep our Second Graders in your prayers this weekend as they will be celebrating their First Reconciliation on Saturday Morning at 10:00 A.M. Students should be in school by 9:45 A.M. and families can go directly to the Church.

In preparation for Catholic Schools Week, you are asked to do a little homework. You will find a paper asking each family to list the top 10 reasons you send your children to St. Anne School. This assignment is due January 18^th. Now is your chance to show your children the importance of a Homework Assignment—Notices may be sent home! We really want to hear from you, so get your Top 10 List in as soon as possible.

Please remember that St. Anne School will have early dismissal at 11:00 on January 18^th. No lunch that day, no Aftercare and no bus service at the end of the day to Oregon.

Parents are reminded to once again check out the Dress Code for our School. Fashion Boots are not to be worn during the school day. Students can wear boots for the snowy weather, but these must be taken off during the day and regular shoes must be worn. Also, the socks students are wearing are not ankle length in many cases and you are asked to please comply with our Dress Code regulations.

May God bless you and your family abundantly throughout this New Year!

Sincerely,

Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.