September 25, 2013
Dear Parents,
“Only by love will we win the love of the children and draw their hearts to God; through the children we exert a good influence on the mothers, and through the mothers on the fathers.” Mother Theresa Gerhardinger, S.S.N.D., Foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame
Every time I read this quote in the writings of my Foundress, I am forced to examine my conscience to see if I am carrying out these words of my Foundress. As a Catholic School Principal and also as Catholic School Teachers, our staff makes every effort to teach the children about the Faith as well as how it plays out in all the aspects of our daily lives--on the playground, in the classroom, at home, and I am pretty sure that stress is also placed on the workplace as discussions are held about what people do in their private lives. The children are encouraged to pray at school and often reminded to do the same at home--not just at dinnertime, but daily in the morning and evening, in restaurants over a meal, on the playing fields of soccer and football, the track fields and so on. They are reminded about Mass on the weekends and this is our way of hopefully influencing you, the parents, to live your Faith in such a way that what we say at school IS carried over in the home. As Father Toni says in his letter this past week in our Parish Bulletin, parents are the first teachers of their children and the example of parents is so powerful. Please take time to read Father’s Message one more time, ESPECIALLY THE FOURTH PARAGRAPH, and maybe post it somewhere in your home as a reminder of what your Faith calls you to do for your children.
This is a busy week for all our students as they begin the Iowa Tests. Again, I ask that you make sure the children have a good breakfast and get a good night’s sleep. You may also want to talk with your children about how these tests help us to know where the weak spots in our teaching are and how to best help each student with their learning.
Our Drawdown is quickly approaching and there are still many tickets out. Because the Committee needs to know where we stand right now, all families are asked to send in their Ticket Stubs and money by this Friday, September 27th. This is presuming that you have sold your tickets. This information is also needed for the food counts for the dinner.
This Envelope includes the following:
- Lunch Menu for October
- Lunch Helper Sheet--There are a few slots for helpers needed, so please call the office if you can give an hour or two.
- Grade 3 Permission Slip for Outdoor Education
- Grade 4 Permission Slip for the Architectural Walk
(These are great activities for our students to particitpate in, so be sure to sign)
- Flyer on the Food Pantry Day-This will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013, and food will be picked up at our school. You can also leave items on your porches at home. Please note items needed on the flyer.
- Flu Clinic Flyer--The Flu Season will be here soon. Hopefully this information will assist you to stay healthy.
- KSB Hospital Flyer--The Hospital is sponsoring a special program in honor of Breast health Month. See the flyer for details.
- Note for Grades 6,7, and 8 only.
REQUESTS, REMINDERS, AND REMARKS:
Many families have not yet turned in their Party Money as yet. Please send this to the office as soon as possible as the Room Parents will need to begin their planning for the events of this year.
Last week you should have received your SCRIP totals for this year so far. I would like to remind all who signed to sell after Masses that you are required to be at the Mass you signed to serve every week. Even if no one purchases, it gets the SCRIP Logo out there for people to see and you may get some new customers.
Every week on Wednesdays, parents are invited to come into the building at 3:00 PM with your children to pray the Rosary. This is a wonderful way to ask for blessing on your home and on our school. This is one way you can show your children by your example the importance of prayer in your family. The month of October is a great time to start this activity and it only takes about 15 minutes out of a busy schedule.
This cooler weather is a great reminder to get your sweatshirt/spirit wear orders in. These are due by October 4th.
Our Grandparents Day is also coming up soon. It will be held on October 11th, and we will be sending the children home with their grandparents at 1:00 PM that day. This is not on the Calendar, so be sure to make note of it on your family calendar. All children will be dismissed at that time on the 11th of October!
This Friday after the 8:15 AM Mass, our newly elected Student Council will be installed. An email will be sent announcing the new members as the votes are not yet tallied as of this writing.
May God continue to bless you and give you the graces needed to be Faith-filled first teachers of your children.
Sincerely,
Sister Marcianne, S.S.N.D.
