Principal's Newsletter

February 2010

Archive

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Welcome to Catholic Schools Week!    Our school theme “Keys to the Kingdom:  Faith, Knowledge, Discipline, Morals” is intertwined with the Catholic Schools Week theme, “Dividends for Life:  Faith, Knowledge, Discipline, Morals.”  We celebrate Catholic identity, Catholic tradition, Catholic values, all found in the mission of Catholic schools.  We join Dioceses across the United States in celebration of the importance of Catholic education for our children.  It is integrated into every aspect of the curriculum.  Our Catholic Schools Week schedule is as follows:

Our Sprit Day celebration is the culmination of the week and includes grade level service projects, games for the children, The Great Pig Race among the homerooms for the Magazine Drive, Student/Staff Volleyball Game, homeroom cheers, and much more.  Children and staff look forward to Catholic Schools Week.

At this time of year, re-registration material is sent home to our school families.  If you intend to return to St. John of the Cross Parish School, please complete the form and return to school with the registration fee.  We rely on these numbers as the budget process begins.  You should have already received the information.  Please contact Mrs. Val Nelson if you have not received the information.   If you have any friends or relatives who might be interested in Catholic education, invite them to our Open House on Thursday.  If they wish to enroll their child/ren, they may contact Miss Wheeler for information.

Thursday, February 11^th and Friday, February 12^th are Parent Teacher Conferences.  Once again, parents may sign up to visit your children’s teacher online.  Information was sent home to you with instructions.  Please note that these conferences are optional.  The schedule for conferences is as follows: 

Due to the conferences, the Valentines Parties for our younger children will take place on Wednesday, February 10^th.

Our 2^nd graders celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the month of January.  It was a beautiful celebration where family participated in the sacrament with their child/ren.  We now look forward to the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation for the 8^th grade class on Saturday, February 20^th.  Our teachers have been preparing the students since 7^th grade.  Besides the daily activities and religion classes these last two years, students participated in several service projects, small faith groups intermittently meeting during their 8^th grade year, and a Day of the Spirit retreat during the Fall.  Please keep our 8^th graders in your prayers as they readily approach Confirmation.

A proposal for a change in the present school day came to the attention of the School Board at our last meeting.  Before making any decision, we felt it was important to hear from our families in regard to this change.  Over the past several years, we were tied to the 8:55 start because of the number of buses. We have fewer buses now.   Because of our late start and finish of our school day, it limits the number of after school activities for our children.  On the website beginning February 2^nd – February 8^th, we invite parents to select preference for the time of the school day.  Your first choice is to keep the present school day hours.  The Early Start Proposal beginning 2010-2011 choices are:

Proposal 1           8:00 AM – first bell – students may begin entering the building

                                8:15 AM – School day begins

                                11:04 AM – Lunch grades K-4

                                11:48 AM – Lunch grades 5-8

                                2:50 PM – Dismissal

Proposal 2           8:15 AM – First bell – Students may begin entering building

                                8:30 AM – School day begins

                                11:19 AM – Lunch grades K-4

                                12:03 AM – Lunch grades 5-8

                                3:05 PM - Dismissal

Thank you in advance for your input.

Student Council sponsored an out of uniform day for the students in order to raise funds for the Haiti earthquake victims.  A total of $1360.00 was raised.  We are very proud of Student Council and our students in realizing the importance of helping our neighbors.

Applications for the Reverend Joseph F. McDonnell Catholic High School Scholarship for school year 2010-2011 are now available and may be requested from the School Principal, the Assistant Principal, the Director of Youth Catechesis, the Director of Youth Ministry, or the Pastor.  All completed applications must be received by the Director of Youth Ministry on or before Friday, March 5^th.

At this time, St. John of the Cross Parish School will be undergoing The School Improvement Process (SIP) through the Archdiocese of Chicago.  SIP is a yearlong self-study of all programs which follow the Genesis Program of the Archdiocese.  Its components include Catholic Identity, Academic Excellence, and School Vitality. This in-depth self study celebrates our strengths and makes recommendations for improvement. We are in the process of formulating teams of teachers, parents, and community members to serve in the different areas.  While we are working on the SIP, our Early Childhood Program has begun their work for accreditation of their program through National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  It is our hope that both studies reinforce and strengthen the already solid academic programs at SJC.

January has been a very cold month.  Usually, the children stay inside when it is below 25.  We do like to have them go outside when the weather is warmer, but hats, mittens, and coats are still needed.  Please remember to send your children to school dressed for the weather.   We will go outside when we are able.

Congratulations are in order for two staff members.  First of all, Rhonda Floros, 1^st grade teacher, has the honor of presenting to other Catholic School teachers at Marian Catholic on February 22^nd, .  The conference is a gathering of all Catholic elementary and high school teachers and administrators.  It is sponsored by Catapult Learning and has highly distinguished keynote speakers in the field of education and innovative workshops.  Her particular presentation is “Graphing Fun for Everyone.” 

Congratulations also to Miss Zita Wheeler who is receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the Archdiocese of Chicago.  She joins 24 other individuals to be honored at the Marriott Downtown on February 21^st.  In nominating Zita Wheeler for this award, I stated,  “Zita Wheeler has dedicated 45 years to Catholic education at St. John of the Cross Catholic School.  Her day to day commitment to the students sets her apart from her peers.  All actions are based upon the learner’s individual needs, whether they are academic, social, or emotional.  If there is a behavioral issue, Zita digs deep to find the source of the problem.  She helps the child to realize his/her worth.  She sets high, achievable standards for the children.  Her relationship with families spans three generations.  Because of it, Zita provides those of us here at St. John’s with a rich history and continuity.  I am proud of my colleague, Zita Wheeler.” 

Congratulations Mrs. Rhonda Floros and Miss Zita Wheeler.   We are all proud of you!

Have a great month of February.  Stay warm!

Sincerely,

Kathleen Gorman

Principal