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     Set of weekly School Newsletters

 

 

 

 

 

St. Henry School Newsletter

 

December 18, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests.

             They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of  Peace.

                              Isaiah 9:5

 

We are getting this out a day early in case we have a snow day tomorrow.  As always, we do whatever the public school is doing.  By the way, that would also be true of cancelled activities on the late afternoon or evening on the day of a beginning snowstorm.  If Watertown is canceling practices or programs in the evening, we will too.  That should avoid confusion.

 

That said . . . Have a lovely, lovely Christmas!  All of us here wish you – pray for – God’s choicest blessings on you and all your loved ones.

 

Thank you, all of you who brought shoes for the Guatemalan poor.  That was a good and generous thing to do, given how busy everyone is at this time of year.

 

You will see a couple of things coming up in January to which I would like to alert you.  We were able to get an assembly called “All for Kidz, Promoting Academic Achievement through Character Development” for free – with a catch.  We need to make it possible for you to order yo-yo’s!  You don’t have to – honest, but if you think your children would enjoy one, the ordering sheet is included in this week’s packet.  The Ned Show people use them while talking about Never giving up, Encouraging others, and Doing your best.  They were in our area on Tuesday, January 6th, so that happens fast, the day after we get back from the Christmas break.  You’re invited, of course.  It’s scheduled for 10:15 -11: 00 in the Parish Center.

 

The incomparable Jim Fay of the Love and Logic Institute of Colorado is coming to Wisconsin on January 8, Thursday.  He will have an all day conference at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton right off the beltline.  It’s very reasonable for these types of presentations at $99 so if you are interested in attending, give them a call at 800-338-4065.  The title of this one is “Success with Underachieving Kids.”  Give yourself a Christmas present!  These are always really worthwhile.

 

Our annual school National Geographic Bee will be held in the Parish Center around 12:45 on Friday afternoon, January 9th.  The classroom winners who will be competing are the following youngsters:

 

                        Grade Four:  Erin Haeger and Karli Kohls with Caitlynn Hesse being the alternate

                        Grade Five: Trey Jahnke and Natalie Lemminger; Jesse Jones, alternate

                        Grade Six: Katelyn Vandersommen and Caleb Walter; Allison Jonas, alternate

                        Grade Seven:  Jessica Mallow and Nikki Williams; Sara Hogan, alternate

                        Grade Eight:  Ben Uecker and John Wagner; Jerry Tracy, alternate.

 

Congratulations for making it this far, Students.   Buena suerte – good luck!

 

Another really neat and new activity planned for January is a joint event sponsored by St. Henry and St. Bernard’s Home and Schools entitled “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?”

 

It sounds like a really fun time.  I am hoping a large number of you adults will participate.  What a great way to get to know our compatriots at St. Bernard’s and have a delicious night out.  Information about it is included in this week’s packet.

 

The economy is certainly causing hardship on a number of families.  Please be aware that if your financial circumstances have taken a turn in a negative direction, you can certainly inquire whether or not your children would be eligible for free or reduced lunches.  The guideline for help is family income that is “at or below 185% of the federal poverty level” – or, to give you an idea, just over $38,000 for a family of four.  If you think you might qualify, just let me know in the office that you would like to fill out an application.  We’ll let you know within a few days of receiving your information whether or not you do.  Please don’t hesitate; the program is there to help out in just such difficult times.  Of course, if getting your tuition payments done on time and in the amounts you thought you could handle when you did your agreement is proving a real burden, talk to me.  I’ll certainly keep our discussion confidential.

 

A couple of teachers thought I should relay a few recent experiences that touched their hearts.  While practicing for the Christmas program in early December, Mrs. Oestreicher happened to mention to the third grade class that in the public school they wouldn’t be able to talk about God like they were doing..  She said they were aghast!  “Do you mean they can’t pray?”  Right, they can’t.  “They can’t pray the siren prayer?”  (It’s a verse of a psalm we pray whenever we hear a siren for whomever needs help.)  No, they can’t.  “They can’t even pray for someone when they die!”  (We often pray that Catholic prayer “Eternal rest, etc.” for a school member who lost a loved one.)  Nope.  She was so touched on how sincere the students were as they expressed their total disbelief and dismay that others couldn’t practice their faith in the same free and comfortable manner we do at our school.  It truly is a gift, isn’t it?

 

Mrs. Boyd and Miss Boettcher were also impressed this month when the sixth and third grade buddies did a service project together in preparing for the community’s “Bread and Roses” meal this month. The students were so helpful in setting the tables with placemats and napkins, silverware and mugs, sugar and spices and butter.  They even contributed to the making of the chili.  Their teachers couldn’t have been prouder of them.

 

Dates to Mark on Your Calendar

 

DECEMBER

Monday                 22           NO SCHOOL – Christmas break begins.

JANUARY

Monday                 05           School begins again following Christmas break.

Tuesday                 06           Special yo-yo assembly from 10:15 – 11:00 in PC.  All parents welcome!

Wednesday           07           Grade Three fills liturgical roles at 8:15 Mass

                                                St. Henry/St. Bernard Play Group meets in PC, 9:30 – 11:30 am

                                                Athletic Association Board meeting, computer lab, 6:30 pm

                                                Second grade parents – the first First Communion meeting at 7 pm in cafeteria 

Friday                     09           St. Council “Plaid Day”

                                                Geography Bee in PC for grades 4-8 in PC beginning about 12: 50 pm.

Monday                 12           Home and School Association meeting, 6:30 pm in rectory hall

Tuesday                 13           St. Henry Day – clothes with school emblems/words/colors encouraged.

Wednesday           14           Grade One fills liturgical roles at 8:15 Mass – their first time!

Friday                     16            Second set of AR points due (grades 4-8)

Market Day

Saturday                17           Joint HASA’s “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? event

Wednesday           21           Grade Eight fills liturgical roles at 8:15 Mass

Thursday                22           All Accelerated Reader points for second quarter must be earned today.

Friday                     23           NO SCHOOL – Teacher workday

Sunday                   25           Catholic Schools Week begins!

FEBRUARY

Sunday                   01           New registrations for 2009-2010 should be in to get “privileged status” according to Education

                                                     Commission policy

Monday                 02           Six Flags Six Hour Reading Forms (K-6) must be turned in today.

Saturday                07           Bi-annual St. Henry Dinner Auction today.  Set the evening aside!