Volume 5, Issue 4; December 2007
It’s hard to believe that this Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. This is the beginning of the liturgical year, the time when we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child. On Monday, we will light a candle on the Advent wreath each morning: the three purple candles representing our hope and longing for the Savior, and the pink candle representing joy that the time of His coming is near. Children learn so much by watching and observing, and lighting the Advent candles helps them to understand this season of waiting and quiet expectation. Sure, on the surface they may view the "wait" as a means to an end—all those Christmas gifts under the tree, but it’s up to us to help them to realize the true meaning of Christmas—that "Jesus is the reason for the season." Let’s all take that parental charge seriously and spend some time with our children this Advent in quiet reflection and conversation about what Christmas is all about.
Many thanks.
. to the fourth primary girls for being the hostesses at the admissions open house in November. Julia Plauche, Caroline Chunn, Mimi Larmann, Chloe Pelitere, Erin Tolar and Katherine Verlander were fabulous greeters to the many families that attended open house.
.to those that donated toiletries to the California fire victims. We mailed two large boxes of supplies to San Bernadino. Thank you for your generosity.
.to the Lower School families who brought papers to the paper drive. We will have another paper drive on the Rosary Campus on Friday, December 6.
.to the third primary for decorating a Christmas tree in City Park for the Christmas in the Oaks celebration.
.to Michelle Mannino and Boo Kallenborn for helping with the Circus Day on the Friday before Thanksgiving.
.to the parents that donated goodies to November faculty appreciation. We extend a big thank you to Shannon Adams, Dana Bennett, Yohaneth Barreto, Andree Batt, Susan Carazo, Elizabeth Casey, Lisa Clark, Mary Belle Connick, Christy Conroy, Beth Favrot, Dawn Hebert, MeMe Henry, Kelly Jackson, Boo Kallenborn, Barbie Landry, Erin Lawless, Krystil Lawton, Gia Lovisa, Michelle Mannino, Kristine Maruri, Suellen Maureau, Debbie McLanahan, Robin McGoey, Rachel Moriarity, Machelle Payne, Shelley Poore, Anne Ready, Debbie Skremetta, Kay Smith, Nancy Spera, Monique Toso, Jenny Triche, Susan Viator, Celia Ward, and Angela Zimmer.
Volume 5, Issue 4
Academy of the Sacred Heart
December 2007
Page Two
Many thanks.
.to the mothers who transformed the Mater Campus into a winter wonderland. Kelley Abbott and Machelle Payne led a team of elves who hung garland, trimmed trees and spread the Christmas spirit throughout the campus.
.to Mrs. Blum’s homeroom for selling the most wrapping paper in the lower school. The girls had a pizza party sponsored by the junior class.
.to the students on the Mater Campus for their incredible generosity in donating canned food items to Resurrection of our Lord. The staff at Resurrection parish was thrilled to see us drive up with two truck loads of food items. Their parishioners came and picked up the items for their own Thanksgiving feasts.
.to all who were able to attend the Lights, Camera, Auction last month. It was a perfect night in the Nims, the crowd was terrific, and the bidding was high. It was fabulous! Thank you especially to the chairs of this event, Regina Guerra, Anne Guillot, Sarah Hoffman, Colleen McLeod, Nancy Walshe and Angela Zimmer.
.to all who sent in Hearty Snacks. We brought 127 hearty snacks to the Good Shepherd students.
Back to Basics.
Manner of the Month:
During the holiday season it is only appropriate that the entire school is practicing "patience." Please remind your daughter that the manners of the month are fundamentals in building character and relationships. Thank you for helping us with this at home.
Spring Congé:
The Congé is only five and a half months away, and the confetti egg booth is in need of empty eggshells and extra egg cartons. While you are doing your holiday baking, please save your egg shells, wash them out, and send them to school. Your daughter can bring the eggs or empty cartons to the front desk, and the mothers in charge will pick them up.
Spring After School Programs:
In the spring, we are fortunate to have several after school programs to offer to our students. The flyers for these programs will be emailed to you on Monday, December 3rd. Please look through them, print the one that you need and return the form as stated on the individual flyer.
Volume 5, Issue 4
Academy of the Sacred Heart
December 2007
Page Three
Carpool Reminders:
In the morning, you may drop your daughter off in the carpool line or you may park and walk her to the gate. Please do not drop your daughter off in the parking lot and ask her to walk across the street without you. We do not always have an adult in the crosswalk to stop traffic. For her safety, it is better for you to walk her to the building.
For afternoon carpool, please make sure you have a carpool card posted on your dashboard until your daughter is in the car. Sometimes it can be difficult to see the cards from a distance, so please make sure they are visible to the duty teachers. This is a busy time of year, please "practice patience" in the carpool line. We are trying to safely place over 300 children in cars in approximately 35 minutes.
Tis the Season.Party with Santa:
Don’t forget about the Party with Santa on Saturday, December 8, from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. in the Nims Center at the Mater Campus. This event, hosted by the Rosary Alumnae Association, offers you an opportunity to have a family picture with Santa. There will be crafts, music by local children’s performer Dennis Berner (husband of our own Nursery teacher, Connie Berner), storytelling, and donuts. Bring the family! A flier was sent home last week, but we have extras at the front reception desk.
Advent:
Advent begins on December 2nd. This is a wonderful time to pray together as a family and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. In religion class, your daughter will be receiving an Advent calendar. We hope your family will enjoy this calendar throughout the season.
St. Nicholas:
Feast of St. Nicholas (Goal 1, 4): Each year we celebrate the generosity of St. Nicholas. The tradition continues today when children put their shoes out on the evening of December 5th in hopes that St. Nick will leave them a treat on the morning of December 6th. Ask your daughter about this practice and decide as a family if you would like to participate.
Lower School Christmas Concert:
The Lower School girls are excited about their Christmas concert this year. The students are busy learning all of the new music and look forward to sharing it with you. The concert will be held in the Mater Campus Nims Fine Arts Center on Friday morning, December 14th, at 10:00 a.m. We are asking that parents and relatives use the St. Charles Avenue entrance to the Nims Center. Those doors will open at 9:00. We will be using the Nims until 9:00 for last minute rehearsals and arrangements, so please do not arrive prior to 9:00. We will have ample seating for your family. The concert will include performances from grades first through fourth, as well as our third and fourth grade choir, Les jeunes chanteuses. The girls should wear their Christmas dresses - or pretty skirts and blouses - and party shoes. The girls may not wear large hair bows and jingle bell bows and ribbons. These hair accessories could block the person behind them or interrupt the wonderful musical instruments. The concert will be fabulous so come prepared to be blest! The Lower School girls will be dismissed after the concert.
Volume 5, Issue 4
Academy of the Sacred Heart
December 2007
Page Four
Basket Mass:
Christmas Baskets is one of the traditions that our school participates in to educate our students to a social awareness which impels to action (Goal Three). This yearly event occurs on the last day before the Christmas holidays, and participation is considered both an honor and a responsibility for every Rosary family. A special liturgy highlights the value of personal sacrifice in order to bring Christ’s joy to others, and each family provides a basket of food to be given to the poor. You should have received a letter from Dr. Burns about donating a basket of food to a family in need. Your family can shop together and gather all of the essentials for a holiday feast. The food items that you purchase may be put in a basket or a decorated box and delivered to the Mater Campus Tuesday, December 18th between 7:30 and 8:30 or 2:00 and 4:00 or on the morning of Wednesday, December 19th for our all school mass. Your turkey will be put in the freezer while the basket is taken to the Nims. After the liturgy we will be dismissing all lower school students at 10:30 via carpool. Thank you and we wish you and your family a happy and blessed Christmas.
PLUS Changes:
We will not have PLUS on Friday, December 14th, Tuesday the 18th or Wednesday the 19th. Please note these days on your calendar.
Looking for a Good Gift?
How about a jump rope? In the spring semester we will be having Jump for the Heart again. We will be practicing for this event in PE classes and your daughter may be asking to jump rope at home as well. This might be a good birthday or Christmas gift for a Lower School girl.
