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St. Henry School Newsletter

 

September 28, 2006

 

              “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ,

                    amen I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.”      Mark 9:41

 

 

Lots of items to share so we’ll just get at it.  We realized we never shared with you how generous the grandparents were in donating to the band teacher’s dream of purchasing a drumming curriculum (with all the accompanying instruments).  From the Mass collection on Grandparents’ Day the fund netted $361.00.  A few supportive parents have already donated to it too. Maybe the realization of this dream isn’t in the too distant future! That would be grand.  A sincere thank you to all who have helped so far.  Speaking of thanks, many “God bless you’s” to all involved in providing the fun evening at the Sock Hop last Friday evening.  It was such a nice event – as usual.  And what a great crew of first and eighth grade parents (and some older students) who made quick and efficient work of sprucing up the playground and parking lot after school this past Tuesday.  Thank you!!

 

NO SCHOOL TOMORROW, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH.   The reason is that there will be no teachers in the building because the entire faculty will be in Madison for the annual Diocese of Madison Central Institute (convention) for all the Catholic school educators.  It’s always a worthwhile day; our keynote speaker will be the president of the National Catholic Education Association, Dr. Karen Ristau.  Hope it will be a good day off for the students.

 

The month of October brings with it two very Catholic traditions:  the rosary and the Blessing of Pets.  Our supply list always requests rosaries.  If you have a child without one, please send along 50 cents on Monday -- we have a number of inexpensive ones on hand.  Teachers incorporate praying a decade of the rosary (one “Our Father,” ten “Hail Mary’s,” and one “Glory Be” while meditating on an event in the life of Jesus and/or Mary) into the prayer of the school day during October.  The Blessing of Pets is connected with the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Weather permitting, Father will do the honors in the church courtyard on Wednesday.  The students with pets will join the parent and pet(s) in the center of the courtyard while the pet-less ones of us will stand on the sidewalks.  We told Father we could begin the prayer at 2:40 so if you come around 2:35 that should work!  Please do join us in the short prayers.  They remind all of us of the gifts our pets are and the responsibilities we have towards them.

 

Mrs. McCloskey, one of our parents, came in Tuesday with information about Linda Anderson, a nationally known speaker and founder of “Mom to Mom” – a parental support organization with Biblical underpinnings – who will be filming sessions for a video series October 3-6 (Tuesday –Friday) at Westbrook Church in Hartland, just south of the interstate on the east side of highway 83. And you are welcome to attend any or all of the sixteen tapings free of charge!  We have some brochures in the office, there is a poster up near the kindergarten room, and/or you can call Lisa M. for more information at 920-248-1896.  Baby-sitting is available for morning sessions if you call 262-367-8422, ext. 226 TODAY!  (Their brochure asks you do this by September 28th.)  Looks wonderful to me; I hope some of you will be able to go.

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SECOND GRADERS ARE BUSY

 

The second graders have had a busy start to the school year.  We practice math facts daily.  Everyone has passed from the first level on to the second, third, fourth and even fifth level already.  Practice at home sure accelerates this progression. You can tell which facts need to be studied as well as what level your child is on by asking for their daily one minute page.  Each child has his/her individualized goal noted on this sheet also.

 

Soon we will begin our preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Some (50%) of the parents attended the first parent meeting last week.  They received the child’s textbook that will be worked on at home with the parents’ guidance.  The remaining books will be sent home along with a more specific timeline for completion of each lesson.  I hope that more parents will be able to attend the next meeting on Sunday, October 22 after the 8:30

mass.

 

Remember, you are your child’s first teacher of faith and best example of how to grow in faith.

 

Enjoy the crispness of fall!

Mrs. Menzia

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NOTES FROM PHY ED

 

We got the school year rolling with our soccer unit; a sport everyone can play and enjoy.  Besides learning the basics in soccer, the younger students really enjoyed our sideline soccer games while the older students played some competitive soccer indoors.

 

With a “Free” – day (students’ choice) in between units, we will be starting our football unit on Monday.  With the younger students we will focus our attention on throwing and catching.  The upper grades will hopefully get outside and play some exciting flag football games.

 

Mr. Messmann

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Dates to Put on Your Calendar

 

Scripture verse for week of October 2-6                                         Mark 10: 14          

              “Let the children come to me;

   do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these..”

 

SEPTEMBER    

 

Friday                   29           NO SCHOOL for Catholic schools only – Diocesan Central Institute

for Teachers in Madison

OCTOBER

 

Sunday                  01           School Children’s Cantor Choir singing at 8:30 am Mass

Monday                02           Athletic Association mtg., 6:00 pm, computer lab

Tuesday                03           St. Bernard/St. Henry Sub-committee mtg., 5:00 pm, computer lab

Wednesday           04           Grade 7 filling children’s liturgical roles for 8:15 Mass

                                                Play group meets, 9:30 - 11:00 am, Parish Center

                                                Blessing of Pets, St. Francis Assisi Day, 2:35 pm, courtyard –weather permitting

Thursday               05           MANDATORY meeting for parents of basketball athletes if they did not already

attend parent meeting for volleyball (or watch video), 6:30 pm, school cafeteria

Friday                    06           First set of Accelerated Reading points due for students in Grades 4-8

Monday                09           Standardized testing begins for grades 2-8.  Spread out over two weeks. 

Home and School Association (HASA) meeting, 6:30 pm, rectory hall

Tuesday                10           Education Commission meeting, 6:30 pm, rectory hall

Wednesday           11           Grade 5 filling children’s liturgical roles for 8:15 Mass

Thursday               12           Fall Music Program, all K-grade 6 children in it, 6:30 pm, Parish Center.  Everyone

invited!

                                                (This is the promised spring program that had to be re-scheduled.)

Friday                    13           Mid-quarter reports go home. 

                                                Grade 5 field trip

Monday                16           11:30 dismissal

Thur-Fri             19-20        Grades 7 & 8 to Camp Gray Retreat Center

Saturday 21           HASA Blood Drive in Parish Center, 8-2

Wednesday           25           HASA Halloween Bash for children through grade 5

Thur-Fri                 26-27     NO SCHOOL – Public School Teachers Convention Days

 

NOVEMBER

 

Tuesday 07           Picture make up day