December, 2010

Dear St. Catharine Families,

As the month of December quickly approaches, the faculty and staff wish to each of you the blessings of the season and the wish that each of you will find time to reflect on the special time of preparation during Advent.  Beginning this Monday, and continuing throughout Advent, our students will spend their morning prayer time to reflect on the meaning of this season.  Our school Advent wreath continues to remind us of this time for spiritual preparation for Christmas. We always welcome these special times!

As we approach this special time of year, we are also very aware of the needs of others.  A special thanks to all our families who generously helped us in gathering food items that were collected in our “turkey dinner boxes” and then sent to the Griffin Center.  Each HEART group worked together in the planning and “gathering”. There is also an information sheet on Advent Angels that the 4^th grade will again be sponsoring for the Christ Child Association.  The class would appreciate any support from the school community in their endeavor.  Finally, we will gather in our HEART groups the day before Christmas vacation to work on making blankets that will be given to children who need these for warmth.  It will remind us of the warmth and love that is shared by the baby Jesus during the Christmas season.

As we prepare for this parent pack, I am sorry to announce that Mrs. Plank has decided to retire, effective December 31.  She has been such a part of our school community for so many years!  She has certainly helped me to keep our school running so effectively.   We’re so thankful for her work in keeping our parents and school community in touch with each other….parent packs, phones, records, all of the tuition information, and handing out those ice packs and bandaids to our students!  We will miss her very much and wish she and her husband, Gary, lots of time to travel and spend with family!

Carefully review the calendar for December….we have a busy month of performances, field trips, and service opportunities.  Please also note the early dismissal on Wednesday, December 8. In addition, the students in grades 3 – 8 will be participating in a Penance service on December 14 as the liturgical calendar advances through the Advent season.   Father Lumpe has scheduled a number of priests to assist with this service.

Interims for the second quarter of school will be sent home via mail for any students who are struggling to “Meet the Standards” in any academic areas.  These will be mailed on Monday, December 13.  If your child is academically progressing on standards during the second quarter, no interim will be sent.

Please continue to check the new school website for any updated information, school Advisory Board minutes, teacher homework sites, and calendar information.  This website provides our parents with the most current information.

As always, feel free to contact the school with any questions or concerns.  Blessings for the Advent and Christmas season!

Sincerely,

Janet L. Weisner, Principal