May 8, 2013

Dear Parents,

Forty days ago, our Church celebrated the beautiful feast of Easter, and the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of Jesus Ascension to heaven on the fortieth day after Easter. In many areas of our country, this feast day is now celebrated on the Sunday following the 40^th day so that people can more fully celebrate this special event in the life of our Lord. In light of many other Church feasts, this one may seem a bit unimportant, but if one stops to remember why Jesus returned to heaven, it may have more significance. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for us and that He would return and take us with Him to our real home. While we wait for that day, we also have the promise that He is always with us, giving us the graces that we need to “furnish that heavenly home.” So perhaps this coming Sunday, as the feast of the Lord’s Ascension is celebrated, you may want to talk with your family about what heaven will be like, how your home in heaven will look, and who you hope to greet when you get there. I bet it will make for interesting conversation! 

These days of May are very busy ones. Many thanks to all who came to sign their Commitment and Fundraising Forms. The Drawdown is now closed as it has enough workers, but all other fundraisers are still open.

This week’s envelope contains the following:

1. A short flyer from SCRIP about special offers to say Thank You for all your buying this past year.

2. A Box Top Collection Sheet—Now we are starting to collect for next year, so start saving over the summer and we will let you know how well we did in the Collection Contest.

3. Flyer regarding Sports Physicals at KSB Hospital

4. Permission Slip for Grade 8 for their Class Picnic

5. Vacation Bible School Flyer—St. Anne is once again sponsoring a summer Vacation Bible School. Please see the flyer for further information.

5. Home and School Connection Flyer—This is the last one for this school year

6. Cub Scout Flyer—For Boys in Kindergarten through 4^th Grade only

 A FEW NEW SPINS:

Congratulations to the Sauk Valley Saints Track Team for their great season. Two of our students, Maddy Jacobs and Kirsten Tunink will be heading to the State Track Competition this Friday and Saturday. Congratulations to our 7^th Grade Girls who placed 1^st at sectional. Great job, all track team members! 

If your child is planning to be in track next year, please send a note to the office by Wednesday, May 15^th. We must have this information by this date.

Congratulations are also due to our new Home and School Officers who were elected at our meeting on Tuesday Evening:

President—Andrew Accardi

Vice president—Betsy Partington

Secretary—Thomas Halla

Treasurer—Dr. Eric Riley

We also want to thank everyone for participating in the Box Tops collection this year. The winners of the spring contest are:

1^st Place—1^st Grade—Pizza Party and Dress Down Day

2^nd place—5^th Grade 5-- Ice Cream Party and Dress Down Day

3^rd Place—4^th Grade—Dress Down Day

The Finney Family is the family who won the $100.00 SCRIP Gift Certificate. Congratulations to all!

Flyers are available in the school office on the various Vocation Camps offered by the Rockford Diocese in the summer. These camps are not just for youngsters considering religious life, but give young people an opportunity to meet many more priests and sisters and to meet children from other areas of the Diocese than they normally see in their parish. They spend time sharing information, but also doing a variety of activities that make camping fun.

Seventh Grade Parents are asked to contact Mrs. Strum to assist with the 8th Grade Breakfast and Graduation Reception. Some Seventh Grade Parents have Eight Graders graduating and it would be great if they did not have to serve at their own reception. Mrs. Strum can be reached at 815-284-3407.

Please remember that next Wednesday, May 15^th is an early dismissal at St. Anne School. School will be dismissed at 11:00 AM that day and on May 16^th, St. Anne School will only begin at 12:00 Noon. No lunch will be served on either day.

In closing, we want to wish all the mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day. May our Blessed Mother ask her Son to shower many graces and blessings on you and your family!

Sincerely,

Sister  Marcianne, S.S.N.D.