November 4, 2009

“…for those who are young and those who are old…” Prayer for Priests

H1N1 UPDATE At this time, we have doctors’ notes from five students stating that they have H1N1—some have culture results but others just say HiN1. It also sounds like other doctors have diagnosed some students over the phone depending on their symptoms. We also have a number of doctors’ notes of students cultured for seasonal flu and strep. And then, there’s a stomach bug!

If we continue to be proactive at school and at home, we will have a handle on all this sickness. Know that we will be administering the vaccine to medically-eligible students for whom you sent consent forms on Thursday, November 12th. At this time, we don’t know the timing of the day, but parents are welcome to be on site if you’d like. In fact, Pre-K parents must accompany their children. We have some nurse volunteers who have offered to help and then there is a paperwork process leading up to/and the day of the vaccinations. If you have time, please send me a message and we can make up a schedule. At this time, we may need help on Tuesday or Wednesday pre-filling forms if they arrive in time, but definitely on Thursday. I am sorry to be so up in the air but you know how this has unfolded so far. It’s a new and hopefully one-of-its-kind situation in our lives.

In addition to the sanitizing, handwashing, and other guidelines, that we are following, we have separated desks in classrooms and made sure that pretzels are distributed with a glove rather than just a paper towel. We appreciate the feedback we have received from some of our parents.

As an additional pre-caution, Mrs. Giammaruti has cancelled the November CYO Dance. As we said with the Halloween party, large close groups of young people are discouraged as they are places where germs are spread so easily.



IF YOU SENT IN $$ FOR THE HALLOWEEN PARTY, it is being returned to you through your child. Our H&S decided that it’d be easier just to return your checks/cash now and then start anew when we are able to host this very popular event. That way, if you can’t make the new date when it is determined, everyone is square.



MIX-IT-UP MONDAY This coming Monday, our students will have the opportunity to sit with some students that they do not normally sit with at lunch. They may be from a different homeroom in their grade. The purpose is to meet other people and learn things about them that one wouldn’t know. Two students might find that they share a common hobby, both take ballet or karate, who knows! It’s a way of reaching out to others.



SAFE ENVIRONMENT CLASS A reminder to anyone who works with our children in any capacity—volunteer, coach, etc. that you must take this class to continue doing what you do. It is a safeguard in place and is a worthwhile class in the information it presents. St. Christopher is hosting a session on Sunday evening, November 15th in HFH. The doors will open at 6 PM. Please call Anne Beebie at the Parish Center to register (215-673-5177).



REMINDER ON TUITION For families on the monthly payment plan, October payment is now past due. For families at the stewardship rate, the amount in the offertory collection should be $255 through October 31. For report cards to be issued on Tuesday, December 15: Stewardship families must have $300 in collection (to be received by 12/7), monthly payments must be paid through November, and lastly please call Maryann Junod at the parish office with any questions or concerns



CAR LINE, CAR LINE, CAR LINE! Please be reminded that our AM carline enters from the open driveway closest to the rectory and that cars go as far toward the Parish Center/Trainer Hall as possible before stopping to let children out. On leaving, it is right turn only for the flow of the line and the sake of other drivers. Faculty is on duty from 7:45-8:00 and we ask that you work with them for the safety of our children.



NOVEMBER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH Congratulations go out to the following students on this achievement: PK- Emily Ward; Kindergarten- Patrick Lichtner and Emily Wright; First- Joseph Parker, Colin Joyce, and Bianca Lopez; Second- Megan Shields, Seaona Kovatich, and Victoria Poggio; Third- Kile Higgins and Nick Kuonen; Fourth- Caitlyn Cliggett, Michael Campellone, and Allana Vanin; Fifth- Courtney Trodden and Alexis Benz; Sixth- Connor Green, Matthew Kaminski, and Samantha Young; Seventh- Justin Crudele, Kevin Brown, and Nicole Serrano; Eighth- Marco Cavallo, Kevin Jurgelewicz, Nicole Nitowski, and Clarissa Atkinson.



PEOPLE AND EVENTS This is a good place to share how students in different and the same grades are helping one another out during this time when so many students are so sick by gathering books, bringing home papers, and the like. Much of this has been good neighbor, good friend activity and has been self-motivated.

The Philadelphia Zoo is now accepting applications for the Junior Advisory Council. The application is on their website under Zoo Headlines and will be there until November 30th. 7th Grader Michelle Nocitra has been a member of the Council and finds it to be a great opportunity to meet new people and be involved in decision making.



CRITICAL THINKING 101 Congratulations to Brigid Young (8-26) who had her correct entry drawn for the Phillies’ total shirt numbers of 789. Brigid will receive this week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice Certificate. For next week, find the names of 12 animals in the following. Some of the names might overlap with the name before or after: pheasantadderaturtleechareelionewtiger