January 16, 2013                                                                    

Dear Parents,

“The Catholic School, far more than any other, must be a community whose aim is the transmission of values for living.”

The Catholic School, 1977, #53 (Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education)

This quote ties in very well with the reasons many of you have stated in your Top Ten Lists submitted for our own Catholic Schools Week Celebration. It has been very interesting to see the many reasons given and we are grateful to all who have turned in these lists thus far. You still have some time to turn yours in and I hope every family will do so. In today’s world it is very important that the values you hold as a family be reinforced by those who are teaching your children. You, as parents, are the first educators of your children. This is the teaching of the Catholic Church and at the baptism of your child, this is reinforced as you promise to raise this child in the Catholic Faith. As teachers, part of our task is to assist you in this important role, as well as to advance the academic, social, and physical education of your child. To fulfill this aim is the main reason for our being here at St. Anne School, and we look forward to celebrating with you in this coming Catholic Schools Week.

As part of the celebration for Catholic Schools Week, the Rockford Diocese would like to honor the teachers of our Catholic Schools and you can be a part of that program. You will find a form enclosed asking you to nominate an outstanding Educator. St. Anne School has many outstanding educators and you are encouraged to use this form, make as many copies as needed and send it in to the Observer by January 27^th, 2013. I hope many families will take advantage of this opportunity.  Next week’s Envelope will have a detailed listing of all the activities taking place at our school for this special week.

This week’s envelope also contains the following:

1. Intent to Return Form—As we prepare to budget for the 2013-2014 School Year, it helps to know how many students we will have. Please fill out this form and return it to school as soon as possible. If you know of Kindergarten or Preschool children who are looking for a great education, please list their name also and if they come to our school, you will receive credit via your tuition.

2. Climbing Higher Flyer—This service is available for those needing assistance with study skills in various areas.

3. Flyer on an after school program offered at Sauk Valley College—You must preregister if you want your child to participate in this program.

4. Market Day Flyers

5. Skating Ticket

A FEW NEW SPINS:

Congratulations to David Swegle of Grade 6, winner of our School Geography Bee and to Justin Sherman of Grade 8 who came in second. We also want to congratulate the contestants from Grades 4 through 8 who also participated as representatives of their class: Brady Partington and Gavin Crowson of Grade 4, Garrett Helfrich and Jaxson Schabacker of Grade 5, Katherine Crisham of Grade 6, Kaitlyn Accardi and Jason Rugh of Grade 7, and Ellie Provo of Grade 8. The questions were challenging and we wish David well as he prepares to take the written test.

Please remember that this Friday there is early dismissal at St. Anne School at 11:00 AM. Our teachers will be working in the afternoon as we wind up this first semester.  

Our School Auction is quickly approaching. Teachers are in the process of checking with you about their class baskets, and a great many items have come through this office for this event. Tickets are now available so please come and purchase your tables before all the good ones are taken. All families are also reminded to please send in your 50/50 ticket money. We would really like a big “pot” but that only happens if the tickets get sold!

One last reminder—if you have not sent in your Top Ten List, please try to do so as soon as possible. This is a part of our Catholic Schools Week Planning and it would be great to have a response from every family.

As the Church has now moved into Ordinary Time, let us not forget that each day is not just an ordinary day, but also an extraordinary gift from our God, who loves us so very much! Celebrate each day!  To help you do that, a book of family prayers is enclosed for each family. May it draw you and your family closer to God in this Year of Faith!

Sincerely,

Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.