August 27, 2008

Dear Parents,

“It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

St. Francis of Assisi

Yesterday the St. Michael School community lost a very special student.  Julia Rowe died in the early morning hours of August 26^th in her home in the presence of her mother and father. Julia was only in third grade but in her short time on this earth she impacted the lives of many, many people.  We continue to thank God for Julia’s presence in our lives here in the St. Michael School community.  Please join with me in extending prayerful sympathy to Mark and Kate Rowe.

In a separate e-mail you received information about the arrangements for Julia’s wake and funeral.   If your child has never attended a wake or a funeral, I would encourage you to talk with your child about this prior to coming to the church.  The counselors from Catholic Charities met with all of the classes today.  They are available to you or your child should you need to talk with them.  In addition, they will be providing an evening opportunity in the near future for parents who may want to share their grief process.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can help you or your children in any way.

Please join me in extending sympathy to Mrs. Jan Eichen on the death of her father this past Sunday in Columbus, Indiana.  Our thoughts and prayers go with Elizabeth (grade 3), Nick (grade 8), Andrew (Class of 2007) and their parents as they travel to Indiana for the wake and the funeral.

Be sure to complete the Student Information Form that is included in today’s Wednesday Folder.  It is extremely important that we have up-to-date contact information for you at all times.

Please note a change on the school calendar – Thursday, September 18^th was originally scheduled to be a half-day with teacher training in the afternoon.  The training for teachers will now be a full-day session.  This is a very important session presented by Empowering Writers® that will train our teachers to assist students in the writing process.  There will be NO SCHOOL on SEPTEMBER 18^th or SEPTEMBER 19^th.

I am grateful to everyone who came to volunteer for our Third Annual School Clean Up Day on Saturday.  I would like to extend a special thank you to Mrs. Peggy Thompson and Ms. Tara Schultz for their help in coordinating the clean up.  The weather cooperated and the many volunteers allowed the work to all be completed within the scheduled timeframe.  The grounds look wonderful.  We still have some tools from Saturday so please pick them up if they belong to you.

It was great to see so many of you at the Ice Cream Social and Orientation on Wednesday evening.  There was a great atmosphere of energy and excitement.  Thanks to Kilwins® for the delicious ice cream.

There will be a Parent Meeting for all students in Grades 3 – 8 who are interested in joining Band this year on Wednesday, September 3rd at 6:15 PM.  The meeting will take place in the Music Room.  Mrs. Judy Okamoto, our band director, will be able to answer all of your questions.  There will be no fee for students who are interested in participating in Band this year.  Mr. Burt from Burt’s Music will be there to answer band questions. 

You are invited to join us for Open House on Wednesday, September 3^rd.  The Open House will begin at 7:00 PM in the school.  During the Open House teachers will be in their classrooms prepared to give a brief 15-minute overview of their teaching/learning goals for the year.  There will be six rotations so that you will be able to see multiple teachers.  The rotations will begin at 7:00 PM.  A bell will sound every 15 minutes signaling the time to move.  Please note that out of respect for your child, there will be no opportunity for individual conferences during this time.  If you would like to schedule an appointment to talk with your child’s teacher, you may e-mail or call him/her on the telephone.

Our Opening School Liturgy will occur on Friday, September 5^th at 8:30 AM.  This is also First Friday.  The Student Council officers and class representatives will be installed during the Mass.  The faculty will plan the Liturgy with Bishop Michael Burbidge as our celebrant. You are invited to attend.

School will be dismissed at 11:30 AM on Friday, September 5^th.  The celebration of Bishop Gossman’s fortieth anniversary as a Bishop will be held at St. Michael Church with a Mass and a picnic on the grounds to follow.  You are invited to join Cardinals, Bishops, and Priests from across the United States in this celebration. 

The PTO Auction Committee invites you to the Parent Back-to-School Night on Saturday, September 6^th at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lutz.  Tickets for the evening are on sale in the front office for $100 per couple.  Please purchase your ticket by Wednesday, September 3^rd.  See the flyer included in today’s Wednesday folder for more information.

September 9^th is the first PTO meeting of the year.  The speaker, Amy McCready, will address the issue of “Positive Discipline Education for Parents of Children Ages 1 – 15.  The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM and end by 8:30 PM.

Please complete the “RSVP” card for Grandparents’ Days, which will take place on Friday, September 12^th or Monday, September 15^th.  Due to the retreat for priests of the diocese that will take place the week of September 8^th, no Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 12^th.  The day will begin at 8:30 AM with Grandparents meeting their grandchild(ren) at the school building on September 12th.  Grandparents coming on September 15^th are invited to attend Mass at 8:30 AM.  Please inform your child if his/her Grandparent intends to attend Mass.  Our special time will end at 11:00 AM.  Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate Grandparents for lunch either day.

Campbell’s Labels for Education Promotion and Contest - During September for every customer who is linked to a participating Together In Education school and uses their VIC to purchase participating Campbell’s products, Harris Teeter will donate 1 label per unit. Plus 3 schools will win additional labels in the Campbell’s Labels for Education.

See the flyer included in today’s Wednesday folder for more information about what can be saved.

Please remember to hang up your cell phone when picking your child up in carpool each day.  In order to expedite the process, I ask that you attach your carpool number to the rear view mirror or to the visor on the driver’s side of the car.  The first few weeks of afternoon carpool moves slowly, but then we return to our usual 15-18 minute dismissal timeframe.  Please be patient!

Just a reminder that Debit Cards are $70.00.  This equates to 20 meals or approximately one month.

Don’t forget about Angel Bucks.  I was so disappointed when Harris Teeter® withdrew from the national Scrip® program because it is a convenient place for me to shop.  However, there is a way for Harris Teeter® shoppers to continue to use the Angel Bucks program.  Here is a tip:  purchase a Lowe’s® card, go to Lowe’s® and buy Visa® gift cards, use the Visa gift cards to shop at Harris Teeter®.

Our new school year is off to a great start.  The energy and enthusiasm your child brings to school makes each day a joy.  I pray that our students will know this same joy and that it will continue all throughout this school year of building the city of God at St. Michael School.

Peace,

Dr. Sarah Wannemuehler