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     Set of weekly School Newsletters

 

 

 

 

 

St. Henry School Newsletter

 

February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

“Against you only have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight.”

         Psalm 51: 6

 

What a nice evening last night!  Despite the speaker being sick, he still was entertaining and made some important and interesting points.  The food was delicious and the company was extraordinary.  Thank you, all those who came and all who helped make it happen.

 

I imagine we will pray with many of you at the 4:30 Mass this weekend because a number of you have mentioned that you were grateful to have this chance this Saturday to thank Misako Sensei in person for her gracious and generous service to all of us these past months.  She is excited about the potluck gathering after church in the Parish Center because SHE wanted to have an opportunity to thank YOU all for your wonderful hospitality. Also, she is looking forward bringing some Japanese dishes to share.  How we are going to miss her!  I hope you were able to read the full-page article about her in this week’s Catholic Herald Citizen.  Her last teaching day here will be Friday, March 14, and I will be taking her to the airport Holy Thursday morning, the 20th.  (Bummer.)

 

Don’t forget:  NO SCHOOL MONDAY.  It’s a staff development day arranged by the public school.  We always get invited to this one since federal funds are used to pay for many of the presenters.  They have a number of excellent speakers this year so we are taking full advantage of the opportunity to attend.  Have a good day yourselves!  By the way, for whatever reason – only God knows – I forgot to put the Wednesday, March 12th early dismissal day on the yearly calendar last fall.  I apologize but it will show up now for a couple of weeks on our ongoing newsletter one.

 

Eighth grader parents, don’t forget about your meeting at the high school this Monday evening the 3rd at 7 pm.  How can these youngsters, many of them we have been blessed to have had in school since they were four, be almost ready for high school?  Oh my!  But we ARE proud of them. 

 

Could we please ask some extra special prayers for the father-in-law of our first grade teacher, Mrs. Fortlage?  He died early this week and I’m sure she and her family will appreciate your sending some spiritual support their way.  Thank you.

 

We were blessed to have two inspiring speakers at school this week. Both gave us all a much greater appreciation of our solidarity with our brothers and sisters throughout the world.  One was Mr.Greg Darr, a lay missioner who is at present the regional director for the Maryknoll Fathers out of Chicago. He spent three wonderful years living and working with the very poor in Kenya. The other man, Mr. Santo Carfora, was part of the second diocesan group to visit our partnership diocese, Navrongo/Bolgatanga in Ghana.  The conviction of how valuable our Penny War contributions are certainly was reinforced.  Please ask your youngsters about some of the things they learned from these two men.  I think you will be impressed.

 

Reminder:  Have you made your reservations for Mt. Olympus (Treasure Island) for the St. Henry School Families Dells Weekend of May 16-18?  Call 1-800-800-4997 and ask for Beth at extension 601.  See the October 5th newsletter for more information.  It’s available in the school section of the parish website:  sainthenryparish.org.  You might want to get that done soon if you plan on going.

 

STUDENTS PERFORM IN MYTHOLOGY PLAY

 

The time has arrived!  The seventh grade is now ready to perform their annual Greek mythology play.  While studying mythology in reading the students were given six plays to choose from to perform for others on stage in our own parish center.  It was a quick decision on the part of the class, and they have been memorizing their parts, creating props, and practicing on stage when time is available (a special thanks to Mrs. Oestreicher and Mr. Messmann).  The play, “Ransom: The Story of Theseus and the Mintoaur,” will be presented on Monday, March 10th at 12:45 pm in the parish center.  In this myth a prince named Theseus risks his own life to stop the deadly payment of human lives that his father has been forced to make to a cruel enemy.  To win his challenge, Theseus has to overcome the Minotaur, a raging, human-eating bull, as well as face the deadly depths of the deep blue sea.  All are welcome to attend.  There will only be one performance.  Thank you to all who provided costumes and props.

 

Mrs. Smedema

 

GOOD HEALTH IS IMPORTANT TO ALL

 

This month we have been talking about healthy teeth and gums.  It is so important that children get routine visits to the dentist.  We were honored that Dr. Sommers took time out of his busy schedule to come and reinforce healthy habits.  Please encourage your children to brush their teeth at least twice a day and to floss often.

 

Next month we will be talking about other healthy habits.  These will range from proper eating and exercise to being safe outside.  I will be using the Child Lures program from the Diocese as a guideline to help the children distinguish between safe and possibly unsafe adults. We also talk about what to do in a “sticky” situation.  Officer Gilbert hopefully will come to remind the children to always check with their parents before they go with anyone other than their mom or dad.

 

Watertown Area Health Services will be coming in to do a presentation regarding poison prevention.  They do and excellent job informing the children about what poisons are that are around the house.  They also will pass out a packet that contains Mr.Yuck stickers.  Take time to go through your house and put those on.  In class we will be making posters with what is good for us and what we should stay away from. 

 

We will have a busy month then with our guests as well as with getting ready for Easter. I hope that the children have talked to you about what Lent means to them.  We have talked about the walk that Jesus took on Good Friday and what it means to us.  We will continue to talk about the Stations and make a special visit to church.  It would be great if you too could look at the Stations with your child after one of the weekend Masses.

 

God bless,

Mrs. Lapp

 

Dates to Mark on Your Calendar

 

FEBRUARY

Friday      29    HASA sponsored “Open Gym,”  6:30 – 8:00 pm

 

MARCH 

Saturday    01    School Children’s Cantor Choir lead congregation at 4:30 pm Mass

                  After Mass in PC:  Potluck in honor of Misako Sensei –

who flies home on March 20 – in PC. Bring dish to pass.  Paper plates and plastic

ware provided but feel free to bring own dishes and silverware if you prefer. 

Coffee and some drink will be provided by HASA.  Remember to call HASA president,

Michelle Uecker, if you’re coming.  Her number is 206-9125.

Monday      03    NO SCHOOL  -- Staff Development Day  (Same as Watertown Public Schools)

                  Meeting at High School for PARENTS and Grade EIGHT students, 7:00 pm, auditorium.

Wednesday   05    Grade Four fills liturgical roles at 8:15 Mass

                  Athletic Association meeting, 6 pm, computer lab

Friday      07    Grades 1-8 visit Blessed Sacrament in am at various times and have Stations at 2:30 pm.

Sunday      09    First Communion parents mtg. following 8:30 am Mass. Contact Mr. Weissenborn at 261-6332

if UNable to attend.

Monday      10    Grade Seven’s annual mythology play in PC at 12:45 pm. 

                  HASA meeting in rectory hall at 6:30 pm.

Tuesday     11    FINAL day for Penny War contributions

                  Education Commission meeting in rectory hall at 6:30 pm.

Wednesday   12    Grade Two fills liturgical roles at 8:15 Mass

                  11:30 am EARLY DISMISSAL DAY

Thursday    13    St. Henry Dress Day

                  Reconciliation Service, Grades 2-8, 1:00 pm, Church

Friday      14    Grade Two to Golden Living for Stations with the elderly in the afternoon

                  Grades 1-8 visit Blessed Sacrament in am at various times and have Stations at 2:30 pm.

Friday      21    Good Friday, NO SCHOOL, Spring break begins.  School resumes Monday, March 31st.

 

Memory verse for week of March 4-8

“A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.”  (cont. from last four weeks)    Ps   51: 12

 

Reminder:  Have you made your reservations for Mt. Olympus (Treasure Island) for St. Henry School Families Dells Weekend of May 16-18?  Call 800-800-4997 and ask for Beth at extension 601.  See October 5 newsletter for more information.  Available in school section of parish website:  sainthenryparish.org