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Set of weekly School Newsletters

St. Henry School Newsletter

August 23, 2008

“This is what the Lord asks of you, only this:

to act justly, to love tenderly,

and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Welcome back! Bienvenidos! Hopefully, many of you were able to join us for the school families’ picnic, hosted by your Home and School Association, after the 4:30 pm Mass today. Many, many thanks to all those who made this gathering possible.

We really expect that every family will be represented by a parent – or two! – at the important meeting this coming Thursday, August 28^th. Fr. Brian suggested we begin in church not only because it’s air-conditioned and doesn’t need “set up,” but because it’s a perfect setting to begin our year with prayer. He would like to share some thoughts with all of you as do I, and then there will be a few others with information that affects almost everybody. That will begin at 6:30 pm. Following that, grades 2-8 will have twenty-minute meetings in the individual classrooms. Lots of important information is shared by the teachers so I know you will want to go over to school for those. They will be presented twice for those of you who have more than one child in those grades. The teachers of grades one, kindergarten, and four-year-old kindergarten have made different arrangements for their parents who were contacted by direct mail. But all are welcome to listen in on any of the classroom presentations in case you’d like some “previews of coming attractions!”

We have two new wonderful additions to the faculty to introduce. Mrs. Robyn Boyd will be joining the middle school program as the sixth grade homeroom teacher. She comes rich in experience and is really excited to be part of a community like ours. Miss Carmen Zastrow will be the teacher for the 4K program now that we are part of the Watertown 4 Kids Partnership – finalized late July but in the works since last winter. She comes with a real love for little ones and a vibrant energy and will be aptly assisted by our own dear Mrs. Kemp. Please extend them a warm St. Henry welcome. And thank you, Mrs. Boyd and Miss Zastrow, for accepting this beautiful ministry of Catholic education.

Wait until you see upstairs. You won’t believe the difference. All four classrooms and the entire hallway have been carpeted. It’s so-o-o nice! God bless all of you who helped make this possible by your involvement in the car raffles of the recent past. I think the lower floor people will really like it too – should be a lot less noise coming down to them from above.

We do have a fair amount of homework for you parents to do before the first day of school on Tuesday, September 2nd! We really appreciate your taking the time to do that. Please be sure to fill out COMPLETELY the Emergency Information/Student Information form. Both sides. Please, please give us all kinds of ways to contact you. If addresses or phones or backup contacts change during the school year, please let us know that as soon as possible. It is so important. Thank you!

Please allow me to share St. Henry School’s VISION with you. Our hope and prayer and energy and work are focused on forming “responsible and resourceful graduates rooted in faith and alive in Christ.” Almost every word of that vision statement is packed with power – and we save the best for the last, “alive in Christ!” And to that end our MISSION then is to “provide a fine, solid, academically-based preschool through grade eight Catholic school education that challenges and supports individual students as they develop their God-given skills and talents.” Since we can’t do that alone, we are so grateful we have caring parents who share our vision and mission. Working together, we will surely see our students – St. Henry Hawks! – “soaring with the Lord.” (Our SLOGAN.) God, please bless all of us, our efforts, and especially our children and all our alumni.

Dates to Mark on Your Calendar

AUGUST

Saturday 23 Home and School Assn, “Back-to-School Family Picnic” following the 4:30 Mass, P.C.

Back to school envelopes need to be picked up after Masses this weekend.

Sunday 24 Grade 8 Fund-raiser for spring trip to DC at Piggly Wiggly Brat House from 10 am to 3 pm.

Thursday 28 MANDATORY meeting for at least one parent of every child in school. Begins in CHURCH

at 6:30 pm followed by two twenty-minute sessions in individual classrooms.

Friday 29 4 K home visits begin today.

Tuition Reminders: Those who chose full payment of tuition option: it was due into school last July 31^st. Smart tuition monthly payments began for most others in July. Being on time avoids fairly expensive late charges.

SEPTEMBER

Tuesday 02 The 2008-2009 school year begins! 7:55 am. First day for K-8. (4K begins Thursday.)

Please be sure to have all paperwork filled out properly – found in envelopes in back of church

since weekend of August 23-24. HASA dues of $40.00 also due today. (See contract.)

All school Mass (this early in the year usually means 1-8) at 9:00 am. Everyone welcome.

Home visits to 4 K parents continue today and tomorrow.

Wednesday 03 Play Group, St. Henry and St. Bernard’s Parents and young children come together for fun

and companionship in the Parish Center from 9:30 to 11:00. Call Kelly Beltz at 261-7248.

Monday 08 Home and School Board meeting. EVERYONE welcome and included in discussions and

decisions. 6:30 pm in rectory hall (ground floor).

Tuesday 09 Education Commission meeting, 6:30 pm, rectory hall.

Wednesday 10 All school 8:15 Mass; Grade 8 filling liturgical roles.

Friday 12 Market Day

Wednesday 17 All school 8:15 Mass; Grade 6 filling liturgical roles.

Wednesday 24 School Pictures taken

Friday 26 Home and School Family Sock Hop, PC.