Volume 5, Issue 3
November 2007
Many thanks.
.to all who sent in Hearty Snacks. We had 130 snack bags this month.
. to Barbie Landry and Julie Paysse for chairing the 2007 Book Fair and Boutique. It was a huge success in every way.
. to the many parents who helped staff the Book Fair. Special thanks to Meryl Andry, Kelli Barnes, Valerie Bayle, Laura Brooks, Jennie Chimento, Mary Belle Connick, Melanie Ditta, Cecilia Domangue, Angel Edrington, Denise Galloway, Tracie Garner, Melanie Gerrity, Ingrid Garvey, Lynne Gibbons, Vivienne Hayne, Patricia Hebert, Ann Hughes, Shelby Hunter, Daniele Lane, Erin Luetkemeier, Stephanie Martin, Monica Mehaffie, Machelle Payne, Kiran Pugh, Susie Toso, Leslie Tufaro, Nicole Waguespack, and Michelle Wise.
. to the moms who supplied the snacks for the October Faculty Appreciation: Everything was delicious! Thank you to Therese Kessels, Michelle Mannino, Ann Wypyski, Elizabeth Gally, Erin Lawless, Suzanne Childs, Krystil Lawton, Jan Leonhard, Kelly Ellis, Meryl Andry, Julie Boyd, Patricia Hebert, Jessica Bourgeois, Kennon Suarez, Ann Dwyer, Gigi Graffagnini, Odalys Gonzalez-Ortiz, Robin McGoey, Lana Whitlow, Margaret Pelitere, Valerie Bayle, Veronica Koclanes, Alana Keller, Marcia Leone, Tara Tedesco, Elaine Huddell, Edie Pitt, Staci Champlin, Colleen Nusloch, Lauren McFadden, Shannon Adams, Crystal Bonura, Kristy Vanderbrook, Marcelle Landry, Linda Kennedy, Kelli Barnes, Sharon Major, Michelle Wise, Dorian Baham, Stephanie Martin, Gia Lovisa, Kanako Eriksen, Terri Jo Vojkovich, MaryBelle Connick, Jorden Davis, Kelly Licciardi, Kelly Hardie, Denise Galloway, Charlotte Steber Shahlaei, Lisa Clark, Boo Kallenborn, Kay Smith, Sanchita Hadler, Michelle Haefele.
.to Paul Lawless for planning the Father’s Club Pancake Breakfast on Saturday. It was great fun!
Applause
Fourth Primary was invited to attend the Red Mass at St. Louis Cathedral. The girls sang beautifully and even had their picture taken with the Archbishop. Great job, fourth primary.
On Mater’s Feast the lower school girls participated in a Day of Friendship after the liturgy. The first primary played bingo with the residents of St. Anna’s on Prytania Street. The second primary and the Cathedral Academy students made Thanksgiving cards for the priests in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The third primary girls invited our friends from Good Shepherd School for mass and then they made ornaments to decorate our tree at Christmas in the Oaks. At Poydras Home on Jefferson Avenue the fourth primary students sang songs and did interviews with the residents. The weather was fabulous and our hearts were filled with goodness as we lived out goal three, criteria one - The school awakens a critical consciousness that leads its total community to reflect on society and its values.
Volume 5, Issue 3
Academy of the Sacred Heart
November 2007
Page Two
Applause (continued)
To our friends at the Sacred Heart Primary School in Uganda. They are graduating their first class in November. We have supported this school by providing an annual scholarship to a student through the bake sale funds. The Mater Campus has sent a package to the students which included cards and several copies of the Child of the Sacred Heart prayer. If your family would like to send a card or an email, please see below:
In a few weeks our first graduating class will take their examinations and be sent on their way with the blessing of the whole school. All of you are part of this historic day for these young Ugandan women. I know they count on your prayer. Should you wish to send a word of congratulations and encouragement I invite you to do so now. Below is the address.
Sr. Cullen, RSCJ.
SEVENTH CLASS
SACRED HEART PRIMARY SCHOOL, KYAMUSANSALA
PO Box 1759
UGANDA, EAST AFRICA
Shps.rscj@gmail.com
Back to Basics
ASH PLUS—Early Closing!
Because of Halloween, ASH PLUS will close at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 31.
Halloween
On Wednesday the lower school girls will be attending a Mad Scientist day hosted by Mrs. Morales and the Fourth Primary. The fourth primary girls have been learning several experiments and will be showing the kindergarten through third primary how to make some spooky, slimy and fun Halloween experiments. The girls can wear black and orange free dress on this day. Have a safe and happy Halloween.
Wrapping Paper Orders
The Innisbrook orders went home on Friday. We ask that you check your order carefully. A correction form was included with your order. Please return it if there is an error.
Tuesday Tours
The Admission Office will host Tuesday Tours on the Mater Campus on Tuesday, October 30, beginning at 8:30 a.m. This tour is for parents of prospective students, Toddlers - 4th Primary. Please invite any friends who may be interested in learning more about Sacred Heart.
Volume 5, Issue 3
Academy of the Sacred Heart
November 2007
PageThree
Manners of the Month—November
This month we concentrate on "first-time listening." We remind each girl that it is her responsibility to respond the first time a teacher makes a request. This might mean a response to a individual request (e.g., "Laurie, it’s your turn to paint.") or it may involve a response to a directive given to a group (e.g., "Girls, it’s clean-up time! "). This is language we use throughout Little Hearts, Preschool, and Lower School. We ask you to use similar language at home with your daughter and to follow-through when making requests of her. Over time and with practice, you will be pleasantly surprised by her ability to quickly and easily follow your instructions.
All Saints’ Day
Wednesday, November 1, is All Saints’ Day, a holy day of obligation. Mass will be celebrated in the Nims Center at 8:30 a.m. This will be a dress uniform event. In the past space has been an issue when we were in the gym at the Rosary Campus, but since we will be in the Nims Center for all school masses, any parents who would like to attend mass are invited to join us. The students in PK-grade 4 will be sitting with their classes, but we invite you to sit in the balcony.
Fourth Primary Saints Chapel
On Friday, November 2 at 1:30 the fourth primary students will present the oral portion of their religion class project which centers on the saints—the heavenly ones! The lower school students will gather in the chapel on the Rosary Campus to watch the fourth primary girls as saints throughout history.
Lights, Camera, Auction a.k.a. ASH Auction
This year’s auction will take place in the Nims Fine Arts Center on Saturday, November 3. Look for our class projects which are truly priceless. How can you not bid on opportunity for your daughter to have lunch with a teacher, to be an assistant for the week, to have a slumber party at school or to take home the pictures, paintings and pottery of their friends? This adult only event is a wonderful time and we appreciate the time and energy that the chairs have given to plan this event. We look forward to seeing you on the red carpet!
After School Programs
We are happy to announce that we will have some additional after school programs to offer this year. The third and fourth primary can participate in an upcoming volleyball clinic with Ms. Salta and Ms. Erin. The flyers for this program went home last week. Greg Agamy, B.A., M.S., M.S.W. will be the moderator for a chess clinic in November and December. For more information please see the letter at the end of this newsletter. We are also working with Jumping Bean Yoga to offer a Spring yoga class. More information will be coming home soon on the yoga program.
Volume 5, Issue 3
Academy of the Sacred Heart
November 2007
Page Four
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
In November we celebrate the feast day of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne. Rose Philippine Duchesne was born in Grenoble, an ancient city in the French Alps, on August 29, 1769. Strong-willed and impetuous, she was the eldest daughter in a large merchant family. She was educated at home and at the Visitation Monastery of St. Marie d’en Haut on a mountain above the city. She entered the cloister there against the wishes of her family. When the French Revolution swept down from Paris, Philippine was forced to return home. For ten years in dangerous circumstances, she worked for the underground church. Philippine was introduced to Madeleine Sophie in 1804, and she then entered the Society of the Sacred Heart. The two, Philippine and Sophie, remained life-long friends. Philippine’s greatest desire was to be a missionary to America to serve the Native Americans. She persisted in her requests, and in 1818 Mother Barat consented. Philippine set out with four companions on a small sailing ship called The Rebecca. They reached New Orleans on May 29, 1818, and Bishop Dubourg, Bishop of the Louisiana Territory, soon called them to St. Charles, Missouri, where they opened a boarding and day school.
Though Philippine could never master the English language, through her efforts and those of other religious the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart spread rapidly throughout the new world, and the schools survived against great odds because of her prayer and sacrifice. Philippine died in St. Charles, Missouri on November 18, 1852. She was canonized by the Church on July 3, 1988. Her remains rest in the lovely chapel dedicated to her on the campus of the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles. We will celebrate her feast day on November 16 with an all school liturgy at 8:30 in the Nims. This is a dress uniform event.
Giving from the Heart—Thanksgiving and Christmas
We will be having a canned goods drive for Thanksgiving. Beginning the week before Thanksgiving we will be collecting cans in the locker areas in the Lower School to be distributed in Thanksgiving baskets. We are asking each girl in the LS to bring two canned goods or dry food items to school between November 12th and November 16th.
Sacred Heart has a long-standing tradition of providing food baskets for families in need during the holidays. This the year the PK and K will join us in this all school tradition. In grades PK-12, each ASH family is asked to provide a food basket (suitable for serving a traditional holiday meal for a family of 6-8) to be presented at our Christmas Basket Liturgy on December 19th. Look for more information on this in late November.
Volume 5, Issue 3
Academy of the Sacred Heart
November 2007
Page Five
ASH Friends, Rosie and Posie
"Please tell us a Rose Posie story," comes a pleading request from a small student in Religion. A What? About Whom? In Religion class? What does this mean?
These stories are one of the highlights of Religion classes in Little Hearts, Preschool, and Lower School where in the late 1970s, Sr. Elia ("Tootsie") Torian, RSCJ, began composing and using Rosie Posie stories as a way of explaining how to follow Jesus. "Jesus is the Light of the World. If you are His friend and follow Him, His light will shine through you." And thus, the stories began.
As the whole class gathers around, two candles are lit, one representing Rosie and the other representing Posie. Once the candles are ablaze, there is much speculation about which girl will keep her light shining and which will let it go out. If either Rosie or Posie does not choose wisely, then her candle will be blown out.
The story begins with Rosie and Posie as sisters, friends, classmates, cousins, etc. They are in a home, at school, or on the playground, and in a situation where they have to make a choice, either to do the right thing and keep their lights shining or to do the wrong thing and let their lights go out. When either Rosie or Posie (or sometimes both) make an unwise choice, a candle is blown out. The story continues with natural consequences of wrong-doing elaborated upon. It always ends with repentance, reconciliation, and the re-lighting of the extinguished candle or candles. The candle light shines brightly again with the Light of the World, Jesus, shining through both Rosie and Posie.
These stories can use the simplest or most profound concepts and relate them to real life issues with which children are dealing. They can be adapted to any age level or situation. The only requisites are a little creative thought, two candles, and a good story. What an enjoyable way of proclaiming the Good News!
Are they effective? Ask any student or former student, and the answer is almost always "One of my favorite memories of Sacred Heart is of our Rosie Posie stories." So it’s true, values and love of God are caught, not just taught.
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. As 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.
ATTENTION CHESS PLAYERS AT THE ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART
ASH will be offering a four-session, introductory, after-school chess program to its LS students during November and December. The four meetings of this program will be on Friday afternoons (Nov. 9, 16, & 30; Dec. 7) starting at 3:30 PM and lasting 90 minutes each. The instructor will provide sets, hand-outs, etc. The meetings will be in the library. Students must have a timely way to get home after each meeting, or be enrolled in aftercare at the school.
The program moderator will be Gregory Agamy, B.A., M.S., M.S.W. Some of Mr. Agamy’s qualifications and chess-related experiences are listed below.
*LA certified teacher (1st - 8th grades)
*lifetime United States Chess Federation member
*U.S.C.F. tournament director
*current Louisiana Scholastic Chess League tournament director
*former Louisiana alternate delegate to the U.S.C.F.
*chess coach at Metairie Academy, Haynes Middle School, & St. Catherine's
*member of the Metairie and New Orleans Chess Clubs
There will be a charge of $25.00 per student for the four-meeting program. Acceptance into the program is NOT automatic, NOR is it on a first-come-first-served basis. In order to be considered, this (completed) form must be returned to Laurie Friedrichs by Nov. 2nd (do not attach funds). In addition to returning this form, the student must be in good academic standing and have a positive behavior history. Accepted students will be informed by Nov. 5th in writing. If a student does not receive written notification of acceptance, there was insufficient space for that student. Payment from the selected students must be received in the office (payable to the instructor) by the first meeting, or the place will be given to another student.
Sessions will be limited to 12-to-18 students. All students in grades 1 and above are eligible to apply. The instructor will try to keep siblings and car pool members together. It is not necessary that students attend all of the sessions, but if it is known that a certain student will miss more than one session, it would be better to leave the slot for another student. Students are not required to have any background in chess (but such background would be an advantage), but they must demonstrate an interest in chess and be willing to work to improve (this is not a daycare program). In order to improve, students will be expected to do more than just attend these meetings.
In addition to providing an introduction to chess, this program will allow the ASH to determine if there is sufficient interest in chess at this school to initiate a permanent chess program at the ASH. Attendees of a permanent program would be expected to have a commitment to chess, and to represent the ASH in scholastic (individual and team) tournaments. The benefits that accrue to those who play chess (e.g. effective decision-making, acting under pressure, pattern recognition, planning) only arise if students are actively pursuing mastery. I have conducted similar programs during the last four years, and students from Metairie Academy, Haynes Middle School, and St. Catherine's have been very successful in competition (winning several city and state championships). If your child enjoys competition and mental challenge, this program could be a good choice for her
I can be contacted through email () if more information is desired. Please fill-out, detach, and submit the form below to the office if you wish to apply.
Greg Agamy
ASH Chess Program
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Student’s Name___________________________ Grade/Homeroom _________
Email address_____________________________________________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature______________________________
Telephone#_______________________
Cell Phone # ______________________
Please return this form to Laurie Friedrichs by November 2nd.
