JUST CHECKING IN ~ FEBRUARY 24, 2010
Dear Lord, please let me walk with you these forty days of Lent.
“GOOD MORNING BISHOP!” was the greeting heard in the classrooms in which Bishop McFadden could stop by yesterday before leaving for a day full of appointments. Although he had a full schedule, after our meeting the Bishop couldn’t make himself leave without visiting at least a few classrooms. How proud we were of our students and how proud of our school!
SNOW AND MORE SNOW means that we have to do some re-scheduling to adjust our school year. We will do this in a way that is, we hope, the least inconvenient for you. There are some dates on the calendar which can’t be changed though. The end of this week sounds like another snow question mark, doesn’t it? Because of that, we’ll hold off the March calendar until next Wednesday. There is a trip for K-1-2 on Monday, the 1st, as a reminder to those parents and no school on Thursday, the 4th.
Snow brought a change of date for our H&S Casino Night and so we’ll get to enjoy it this Saturday the 27th. The committee has done even more to make this a special evening of fun.
Although the last H&S/CYO Children’s Bingo was cancelled due to you-know-what, there is another one scheduled for Wednesday, March 3rd, as it is the night before the teachers’ Archdiocesan Inservice.
REPORT CARD REMINDER - Second trimester report cards will be distributed on Thursday, March 18. We will be holding report cards if offertory contributions for stewardship families are at a very low level, if monthly tuition is not paid through February or if there is an open balance on any other payment plan. These payments must reach the parish office no later than Monday, March 15. Please speak with Maryann Junod if you have questions or concerns.
To insure an accurate record of your Sunday offertory contributions
always use the Sunday collection envelopes provided and clearly mark the amount enclosed; i.e. $100.00 or $200.00 so the amount is not recorded as $1.00 or $2.00 .
For the purpose of recording church attendance, only one envelope per week is posted and all amounts totaled as one unless envelope has notation indicating church attendance elsewhere.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS Our Basketball Teams have been on a roll. Our Girls Varsity B Team won the Region 1 Championships last weekend, our Boys JV won their Region Championship and Boys Varsity B were runners-up in their championships. Going into the Archdiocesan-wide Championships as 2nd Seeds, our Girls Varsity A has already advanced to the Elite Eight. They will be playing in the Quarterfinals they Saturday at Archbishop Carroll in Radnor at 2:30 PM. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for adults. If your day is open, come and cheer them on Saturday and hopefully on Sunday again same time/same place in the Semifinals. Knowing how much our end-of-day pep rallies spark our teams on, we will be holding one for the girls this Thursday (safety net).
Speaking of basketball, for the second year in a row Jessica Sylvester, SCS ’07, has been named to the AACA Team for the High School Catholic League. Jessica is now a junior at Nazareth Academy and you might also remember reading about her in the Catholic Standard in the fall as Athlete of the Week.
Jared Celona, SCS ‘08, was recently awarded All Catholic honors for Concert Band and for Orchestra. Although he is only a sophomore, who attends Archbishop Ryan High School he ranked 3rd out of all archdiocesan percussionists who competed. He will perform along with the Archdiocesan All Catholic Concert Band in a concert scheduled for 2/6 and is joined by one other student from AR that will perform in the Archdiocesan All Catholic Orchestra performance the following month. In his free time he also plays in AR’s Jazz Band, in AR’s Concert Band and for AR’s plays, open houses and other special school events.
CRITICAL THINKING 101 Congratulations to Nicholas Azzarano (1-31) for having his correct entry drawn. Nick knew that the five Olympic rings represent the following regions: Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania and he will receive this week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice certificate. A few students anticipated our question for this week and so I’ve kept their entries. Why are the colors of the Olympic rings what they are?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February 17, 2010
JUST CHECKING IN ~ FEBRUARY 17, 2010
“May we walk a Lenten journey with the strength that each of us has within us.”
WE’RE BACK! Undaunted, everyone moves on. We left off on a moved up C Day and returned to a moved up D Day so today is E Day and Ash Wednesday. If you re-mark your February calendars, the month should end on a B Day now. Notice we said “should end”. Our Book Fair will resume with the adjusted letter days and we will hold our evening fair tomorrow, the 18th, from 6:30 to 8:30 in the library. Even though it was a long time since we had school and you had no written notice, our H&S Mardi Gras Sweets Day went well yesterday.
A PART OF PHILADELPHIA HISTORY How does it feel being a part of weather history? Your children will be telling theirs about the Blizzard of 2010 and the records made that winter. Have they been finalized yet, do you think or is there more to come?
OUR LENTEN JOURNEY begins today and our students in Grades 4-8 have been to mass and received ashes there, students in Grades 1-3 went to an afternoon prayer service and received their ashes, and our Pre-K and K students received ashes in their classrooms.
Just as your family makes Lenten commitments at home, so do we in our classrooms. This is a most special part of our liturgical year as we move to the crux of our faith—Christ’s Resurrection after his dying for our sins. The promise of our own resurrection is the support we all need when we are confronted by dying and death in our families. What an eternal blessing that promise holds and what a comfort it is!
THE BISHOP’S VISIT Along with Bishop McFadden’s official visit to the parish and to you at each of this weekend’s masses, he will also be visiting our school. On Tuesday morning, he will be here to see some of the school and meet with administration. We know that, as ever, our company manners will shine.
TUITION RATES FOR 2010-2011 Can you believe that we’re looking at calendar years like those? We are though, and, as ever, our parish finance committee worked carefully with our finance manager to keep the necessary increases as low as possible. The budget and projections are looked at from every angle for you. After reviewing both sides, please keep this information sheet tucked away with your other paperwork for future reference.
STEWARDSHIP VS GENERAL TUITION RATE – We are reaching the time of year when we review our school families’ records to determine which tuition rate they can expect to receive for the next school year. The special stewardship rate is the lesser rate. Our criteria for determination of the Stewardship rate are regularity of participation at Mass as well as fulfillment of the minimum expected financial contribution. Please review your records and make sure you have made us aware of all your church attendance whether at St. Christopher Church or elsewhere. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Maryann Junod at the parish office.
BLOCS AND TAPS APPLICATIONS will be posted on the Archdiocesan website for families to download to review the steps for tuition assistance for grade school and/or high school. Our Bridge lottery will also be opening soon.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS Calista Wagner (4-14) was not just playing in the snow while we were off. Calista donated 10 inches of her hair to Locks of Love to help children who lose hair during illnesses.
Stay tune for news of some SCS alums and their achievements.
CRITICAL THINKING 101 This week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice Certificate goes to Paul Sullivan (2-5) for knowing that seven months separate Alaska and Hawaii’s entries into the Union. For this week, as great Olympian fans, tell us specifically by name what each of the Olympic rings represent.
“May we walk a Lenten journey with the strength that each of us has within us.”
WE’RE BACK! Undaunted, everyone moves on. We left off on a moved up C Day and returned to a moved up D Day so today is E Day and Ash Wednesday. If you re-mark your February calendars, the month should end on a B Day now. Notice we said “should end”. Our Book Fair will resume with the adjusted letter days and we will hold our evening fair tomorrow, the 18th, from 6:30 to 8:30 in the library. Even though it was a long time since we had school and you had no written notice, our H&S Mardi Gras Sweets Day went well yesterday.
A PART OF PHILADELPHIA HISTORY How does it feel being a part of weather history? Your children will be telling theirs about the Blizzard of 2010 and the records made that winter. Have they been finalized yet, do you think or is there more to come?
OUR LENTEN JOURNEY begins today and our students in Grades 4-8 have been to mass and received ashes there, students in Grades 1-3 went to an afternoon prayer service and received their ashes, and our Pre-K and K students received ashes in their classrooms.
Just as your family makes Lenten commitments at home, so do we in our classrooms. This is a most special part of our liturgical year as we move to the crux of our faith—Christ’s Resurrection after his dying for our sins. The promise of our own resurrection is the support we all need when we are confronted by dying and death in our families. What an eternal blessing that promise holds and what a comfort it is!
THE BISHOP’S VISIT Along with Bishop McFadden’s official visit to the parish and to you at each of this weekend’s masses, he will also be visiting our school. On Tuesday morning, he will be here to see some of the school and meet with administration. We know that, as ever, our company manners will shine.
TUITION RATES FOR 2010-2011 Can you believe that we’re looking at calendar years like those? We are though, and, as ever, our parish finance committee worked carefully with our finance manager to keep the necessary increases as low as possible. The budget and projections are looked at from every angle for you. After reviewing both sides, please keep this information sheet tucked away with your other paperwork for future reference.
STEWARDSHIP VS GENERAL TUITION RATE – We are reaching the time of year when we review our school families’ records to determine which tuition rate they can expect to receive for the next school year. The special stewardship rate is the lesser rate. Our criteria for determination of the Stewardship rate are regularity of participation at Mass as well as fulfillment of the minimum expected financial contribution. Please review your records and make sure you have made us aware of all your church attendance whether at St. Christopher Church or elsewhere. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Maryann Junod at the parish office.
BLOCS AND TAPS APPLICATIONS will be posted on the Archdiocesan website for families to download to review the steps for tuition assistance for grade school and/or high school. Our Bridge lottery will also be opening soon.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS Calista Wagner (4-14) was not just playing in the snow while we were off. Calista donated 10 inches of her hair to Locks of Love to help children who lose hair during illnesses.
Stay tune for news of some SCS alums and their achievements.
CRITICAL THINKING 101 This week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice Certificate goes to Paul Sullivan (2-5) for knowing that seven months separate Alaska and Hawaii’s entries into the Union. For this week, as great Olympian fans, tell us specifically by name what each of the Olympic rings represent.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
February 3, 2010
JUST CHECKING IN ~ FEBRUARY 3, 2010
“Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb
I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you’…” Jeremiah 1:4-5
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2010 is underway and what a week it is! Many of you and your families were able to join us at Sunday as we opened the week at noon mass. A tradition at this mass is that the two students whose essays of what being an SCS student means to them were selected, read those essays at mass. This year we heard from Jessica Sucharski and Claire Cochrane reading Collin Wiercinski’s. Jessica and Collin shared their essays at some of the earlier masses as well. Representatives of each grade level were asked to carry their class flags in the procession as well. These students are K-Patrick Lonergan, 1st-Joseph Parker, 2nd-Emilia Tomes, 3-Erin Dunphy, 4-Lucas Spicer, 5th-Jettaka McWilliams, 6th-Connor Green, 7th-Ashley Hunter, and 8th Sabatino Caranci.
In addition to all the planning that our faculty does to make this week so special, our H&S is as busy with all that they do from the traditional pancake breakfast to the free hot dog student lunch to the Teacher Luncheon to the special parent Casino Night this Saturday evening, they work hard all week long. You should be very proud to be a member of the H&S. Our Catholic Schools are family affairs and there’s no greater family than the SCS family.
With not one but two spelling bees on Monday, we had not two but four winners. Timothy Lamb was the winner of the 4-5-6 bee with Samantha D’Alfonso the runner-up, and Marikate Kidd was the winner of the 7-8 bee with Jorel Aramburo the runner-up. Tim will represent us at the Archdiocesan Bee and Marikate at the Philadelphia Tribune Bee. Look for the names of all the participants of the bees and the “Smarter Than an SCS Student” competition on the back of next week’s JCI>
When families came to watch our faculty and students “sweat for sweats” on Monday evening, you gave donations to the cause at the door and at the snack table. We’re proud to say that we’ll be able to purchase $1,063.50 worth of sweats for our injured military as they undergo treatment and therapy.
FEBRUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH Like their families, we are very proud of these students and congratulate them: PK- Michael McCusker; Kindergarten-Riley Bowes and Julianna Deluisi; First- Gianni Galdo, Katelyn Weller and Kathleen Walsh; Second- Partick Cunningham, Marco Rossillo and Justin Kraft; Third- Barbara Walsh and Catherine Ferry; Fourth- Christopher Bowman, Julia Wilson andChristian Vanore; Fifth- Brendan Ruskowski and Chris Kuhar; Sixth- Alyssa O’Mara, Claudia Candidi and Bailey Warner; Seventh- Michelle Nocitra, Nina Juntereal and Jillian McNamee; Eighth- Bill Wilkinson, Rachel Shaw, Caitlin Logue and Erika Jesberger.
THOSE KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS OF OURS are so busy every day whether it’s conducting science experiments, increasing their reading readiness or proficiency, learning about what a great gift diversity is, or going about the day-to-day adventures of being kindergartners, we can tell you that they are right there. With the guidance of Mrs. DiCicco and Mrs. Whalen, these cherubs are thriving.
YOU’RE OUR BEST ADVERTISING, BUT see what you think of the ads’ we’re putting in the NE Times. Last week was the first one and they’ll continue for a number of weeks to come.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO AUTOMATED PHONE PROGRAM for now. We had begun School Reach in February and that’s when the annual bill is due. Since we are looking to upgrade our database software, many of the new programs also include an automated phone calling program. Rather than having to lay out the full year price for our present system, it made financial sense to be on hold for a few months. We would rely on our homeroom parents to help in contacting parents if we had a non-weather emergency that involved closing school.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS We received word from State Senator Michael Stack’s office yesterday that Samantha D’Alfonso (6-20) was a winner in the Presidential Idol contest that his office sponsored. Sam will attend a reception breakfast where she will be recognized and also be presented with a $100 US bond. Congratulations from all of us, Sam. You did a great job depicting Thomas Jefferson.
Collin Wiercinski (8-25) and Frank Vanore (7-22) were chosen to represent the Archbishop Ryan Middle School Ice Hockey team in the Lower Bucks County Scholastic Hockey League (LBCSHL) All Star Game. The boys played well and contributed to the team winning 5-1. Funds raised at The All-Star Game will be donated to The Special Olympics. We congratulate Collin and Frank. Our hats are off to our Swim Team! Once again, they made it all the way to the District Championships as they were again up against their traditional rival, St. Albert the Great. With St. Albert’s winning, you know that our swimmers already have their goal in place for next year. We thank them, their parents and coaches for representing SCS.
CRITICAL THINKING 101 Mathew Anthony (8-27) had his correct entry drawn to win this week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice certificate. The next five numbers after 1 divisible only by themselves or 0,1 are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11. For next week, “To the month, how much longer has Alaska been a state than Hawaii?”
“Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb
I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you’…” Jeremiah 1:4-5
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2010 is underway and what a week it is! Many of you and your families were able to join us at Sunday as we opened the week at noon mass. A tradition at this mass is that the two students whose essays of what being an SCS student means to them were selected, read those essays at mass. This year we heard from Jessica Sucharski and Claire Cochrane reading Collin Wiercinski’s. Jessica and Collin shared their essays at some of the earlier masses as well. Representatives of each grade level were asked to carry their class flags in the procession as well. These students are K-Patrick Lonergan, 1st-Joseph Parker, 2nd-Emilia Tomes, 3-Erin Dunphy, 4-Lucas Spicer, 5th-Jettaka McWilliams, 6th-Connor Green, 7th-Ashley Hunter, and 8th Sabatino Caranci.
In addition to all the planning that our faculty does to make this week so special, our H&S is as busy with all that they do from the traditional pancake breakfast to the free hot dog student lunch to the Teacher Luncheon to the special parent Casino Night this Saturday evening, they work hard all week long. You should be very proud to be a member of the H&S. Our Catholic Schools are family affairs and there’s no greater family than the SCS family.
With not one but two spelling bees on Monday, we had not two but four winners. Timothy Lamb was the winner of the 4-5-6 bee with Samantha D’Alfonso the runner-up, and Marikate Kidd was the winner of the 7-8 bee with Jorel Aramburo the runner-up. Tim will represent us at the Archdiocesan Bee and Marikate at the Philadelphia Tribune Bee. Look for the names of all the participants of the bees and the “Smarter Than an SCS Student” competition on the back of next week’s JCI>
When families came to watch our faculty and students “sweat for sweats” on Monday evening, you gave donations to the cause at the door and at the snack table. We’re proud to say that we’ll be able to purchase $1,063.50 worth of sweats for our injured military as they undergo treatment and therapy.
FEBRUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH Like their families, we are very proud of these students and congratulate them: PK- Michael McCusker; Kindergarten-Riley Bowes and Julianna Deluisi; First- Gianni Galdo, Katelyn Weller and Kathleen Walsh; Second- Partick Cunningham, Marco Rossillo and Justin Kraft; Third- Barbara Walsh and Catherine Ferry; Fourth- Christopher Bowman, Julia Wilson andChristian Vanore; Fifth- Brendan Ruskowski and Chris Kuhar; Sixth- Alyssa O’Mara, Claudia Candidi and Bailey Warner; Seventh- Michelle Nocitra, Nina Juntereal and Jillian McNamee; Eighth- Bill Wilkinson, Rachel Shaw, Caitlin Logue and Erika Jesberger.
THOSE KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS OF OURS are so busy every day whether it’s conducting science experiments, increasing their reading readiness or proficiency, learning about what a great gift diversity is, or going about the day-to-day adventures of being kindergartners, we can tell you that they are right there. With the guidance of Mrs. DiCicco and Mrs. Whalen, these cherubs are thriving.
YOU’RE OUR BEST ADVERTISING, BUT see what you think of the ads’ we’re putting in the NE Times. Last week was the first one and they’ll continue for a number of weeks to come.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO AUTOMATED PHONE PROGRAM for now. We had begun School Reach in February and that’s when the annual bill is due. Since we are looking to upgrade our database software, many of the new programs also include an automated phone calling program. Rather than having to lay out the full year price for our present system, it made financial sense to be on hold for a few months. We would rely on our homeroom parents to help in contacting parents if we had a non-weather emergency that involved closing school.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS We received word from State Senator Michael Stack’s office yesterday that Samantha D’Alfonso (6-20) was a winner in the Presidential Idol contest that his office sponsored. Sam will attend a reception breakfast where she will be recognized and also be presented with a $100 US bond. Congratulations from all of us, Sam. You did a great job depicting Thomas Jefferson.
Collin Wiercinski (8-25) and Frank Vanore (7-22) were chosen to represent the Archbishop Ryan Middle School Ice Hockey team in the Lower Bucks County Scholastic Hockey League (LBCSHL) All Star Game. The boys played well and contributed to the team winning 5-1. Funds raised at The All-Star Game will be donated to The Special Olympics. We congratulate Collin and Frank. Our hats are off to our Swim Team! Once again, they made it all the way to the District Championships as they were again up against their traditional rival, St. Albert the Great. With St. Albert’s winning, you know that our swimmers already have their goal in place for next year. We thank them, their parents and coaches for representing SCS.
CRITICAL THINKING 101 Mathew Anthony (8-27) had his correct entry drawn to win this week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice certificate. The next five numbers after 1 divisible only by themselves or 0,1 are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11. For next week, “To the month, how much longer has Alaska been a state than Hawaii?”
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
January 27, 2010
JUST CHECKING IN ~ JANUARY 27, 2010
“Dear God, help us to keep the people of Haiti in our hearts.”
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE ABOUT Our children again made our mission of carrying Christ to others a real one as they realized $2,251.14 for Catholic Relief Services from their dress down day last Friday. Together with the donations collected at mass on the weekend, those funds will be a help to the desperate need of the Haitians.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU TONIGHT AND DURING CSW This is our mid-year General H&S meeting and we look forward to seeing you there. H&S has arranged a good speaker and has another surprise in store for you. Then, please refer to your Catholic Schools Week brochure sent home last week to see how you can celebrate with us.
“HOW’S SCHOOL?”-- “FINE.” Check it out yourself when you review the progress reports being sent home tomorrow. Although you should have a good sense of how your child is doing at present, this report is a concrete reminder coming mid-way in the trimester. Either you or a teacher might be requesting a conference based on need.
2009 TAX STATEMENTS will be sent home with your child during the coming week. Please check the school bags. We are continuing to send home as much correspondence as possible through school in order to save on postage.
COMMITMENT ENVELOPES In this week’s Communication Envelope, you’ll find the green envelope for your use in committing to hold your children’s space for the upcoming school year. We ask that you do this by February 12th so that we can determine numbers of classes and the numbers of new students that we can consider for 2010-2011. There are spaces on the front of the envelope for necessary family information and your $120 fee can go inside. Please remember that you should only send in one envelope per family.
TERRA NOVA TESTING K-7 As indicated on the yearly tentative calendar, our Terra Nova testing dates are from March 5th to 12th. We cannot provide make-up testing for students across the board and so encourage you not to have students away on those days. Once again our Nutritional Development Program will provide free breakfast to our K-7 students every test morning.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS Kada McGovern (3-6) qualified for and has been chosen to compete in the All Ireland Irish Dance Competition being held next month in Killarney, Ireland. Like Kada’s family, we are so proud of her and this wonderful accomplishment. Kada, her mother, and her sister Erin (6-17) will certainly have many stories to share with everyone about their trip. Way to go, Kada!
What a weekend it was for our cheerleaders! Our Junior Varsity team came in 3rd at the competition held at Father Judge while our Varsity came in 1st along with a “Most Crowd Pleasing” award. These girls practice long and hard and we can see the results. We’re proud of both teams and their coaches.
Taking their model of their future city, Novus Genesis, to the regional Future Cities Competition at Penn’s Landing Saturday, our students brought back the Engineering Club of Philadelphia Award. Their city will be on display in school so that everyone can see it and they will also make their presentation at tonight’s meeting.
Our Swim Team will participate in the Championship Swim Meet this Saturday, January 30th at 5:45 against St. Albert the Great at the Nepsca Pool across from Ryan. As you can imagine, these are the top two teams in our district and SCS swimmers will give their all. We’ll keep you posted.
Dr. Patricia Sisca Pace holds area programs for different kinds of test prep, etc. for 7th and 8th Grade as well as high school students. If you’d like an information flier, they are available in our office.
During CSW Old Country Buffet is offering students who come with the flier or in school uniform the opportunity to dine for free when they come with paying adults. We’ll have some fliers available for interested families at tonight’s meeting.
CRITICAL THINKING 101 Allison Ross (3-8) had her correct entry drawn for this week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice. The prisoner’s visitor was his uncle. We thank Amanda Dean and Emily McCarrick in 4-11 for submitting that riddle for Critical Thinking. For next week, “Starting after 1, name the next 5 numbers that can only be divided by 1 or themselves.”
“Dear God, help us to keep the people of Haiti in our hearts.”
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE ABOUT Our children again made our mission of carrying Christ to others a real one as they realized $2,251.14 for Catholic Relief Services from their dress down day last Friday. Together with the donations collected at mass on the weekend, those funds will be a help to the desperate need of the Haitians.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU TONIGHT AND DURING CSW This is our mid-year General H&S meeting and we look forward to seeing you there. H&S has arranged a good speaker and has another surprise in store for you. Then, please refer to your Catholic Schools Week brochure sent home last week to see how you can celebrate with us.
“HOW’S SCHOOL?”-- “FINE.” Check it out yourself when you review the progress reports being sent home tomorrow. Although you should have a good sense of how your child is doing at present, this report is a concrete reminder coming mid-way in the trimester. Either you or a teacher might be requesting a conference based on need.
2009 TAX STATEMENTS will be sent home with your child during the coming week. Please check the school bags. We are continuing to send home as much correspondence as possible through school in order to save on postage.
COMMITMENT ENVELOPES In this week’s Communication Envelope, you’ll find the green envelope for your use in committing to hold your children’s space for the upcoming school year. We ask that you do this by February 12th so that we can determine numbers of classes and the numbers of new students that we can consider for 2010-2011. There are spaces on the front of the envelope for necessary family information and your $120 fee can go inside. Please remember that you should only send in one envelope per family.
TERRA NOVA TESTING K-7 As indicated on the yearly tentative calendar, our Terra Nova testing dates are from March 5th to 12th. We cannot provide make-up testing for students across the board and so encourage you not to have students away on those days. Once again our Nutritional Development Program will provide free breakfast to our K-7 students every test morning.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS Kada McGovern (3-6) qualified for and has been chosen to compete in the All Ireland Irish Dance Competition being held next month in Killarney, Ireland. Like Kada’s family, we are so proud of her and this wonderful accomplishment. Kada, her mother, and her sister Erin (6-17) will certainly have many stories to share with everyone about their trip. Way to go, Kada!
What a weekend it was for our cheerleaders! Our Junior Varsity team came in 3rd at the competition held at Father Judge while our Varsity came in 1st along with a “Most Crowd Pleasing” award. These girls practice long and hard and we can see the results. We’re proud of both teams and their coaches.
Taking their model of their future city, Novus Genesis, to the regional Future Cities Competition at Penn’s Landing Saturday, our students brought back the Engineering Club of Philadelphia Award. Their city will be on display in school so that everyone can see it and they will also make their presentation at tonight’s meeting.
Our Swim Team will participate in the Championship Swim Meet this Saturday, January 30th at 5:45 against St. Albert the Great at the Nepsca Pool across from Ryan. As you can imagine, these are the top two teams in our district and SCS swimmers will give their all. We’ll keep you posted.
Dr. Patricia Sisca Pace holds area programs for different kinds of test prep, etc. for 7th and 8th Grade as well as high school students. If you’d like an information flier, they are available in our office.
During CSW Old Country Buffet is offering students who come with the flier or in school uniform the opportunity to dine for free when they come with paying adults. We’ll have some fliers available for interested families at tonight’s meeting.
CRITICAL THINKING 101 Allison Ross (3-8) had her correct entry drawn for this week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice. The prisoner’s visitor was his uncle. We thank Amanda Dean and Emily McCarrick in 4-11 for submitting that riddle for Critical Thinking. For next week, “Starting after 1, name the next 5 numbers that can only be divided by 1 or themselves.”
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
January 20, 2010
JUST CHECKING IN ~ JANUARY 20, 2010
Dear God be with the Haitian people and give them strength and comfort; encourage us to live our mission of carrying Christ to others.
HELPING THE HAITIANS As they know from the news, our students know that the best way we can help the people of Haiti is by donating the money so urgently needed at present. To that end, our Student Council is coordinating a Dress Down Day for this Friday. They ask the usual $1 minimum but are hopeful that students will open their hearts and their banks to contribute more. The funds collected will be joined with those of the parish to be sent to Catholic Relief Services.
FUTURE CITIES COMPETITION takes place this Saturday at the Sheet Metal Workers Union on Delaware Avenue. As our superintendent states, he students involved are definitely engaged in a “total rigor and relevance opportunity.” SCS has named their future city, Novus Genesis which means New Beginning. We are proud of the students involved and grateful to their moderator Ms. Kelso and to the parents who have worked with the students at their evening meetings for a number of months. Stay posted for results next week.
WHAT’S UP? Our Pre-K is graphing weather as well as learning facts about dinosaurs as they do “D” for these amazing creatures. 1st Grade is looking to see how they can give their hearts to others as their joint hallway display clearly shows. Not only are 2nd Graders preparing for 1st Reconciliation in three weeks, they are busy putting their writing skills to use as their New Year’s Resolutions and “If I were a Mitten” displays clearly show. Going to the 3rd Grade means entering into Jim Henson’s world of puppets SCS-style. These cherubs have each created their own puppets and then wrote engaging stories about them which they then shared with their classmates. You can see all the different facets of learning involved. Ask any 4th Grader about the Lenni Lenape, our PA Native American tribe, and you will come away with a head full of information. However, be prepared to go international, if you venture into 5th Grade. They are engaged in their own Olympics competition as different groups of students represent different nations around the world. Who will take home the gold? With Confirmation on the horizon in March, you can be sure that our 6th Grade is hard at work learning what they need to know to have ownership of their faith. Both our 7th and 8th Grades are engaged in literature and finding how so much of their curriculum in other subject areas is related to what they read.
7th GRADE PARENTS PLEASE ASK your student for the information envelope from METC about Terra Nova test prep classes to be held here at SCS beginning in early February in readiness for Terra Nova testing which will take place in early March.
LOOKING AHEAD A reminder that as we prepare for Open Houses and accepting new parent applications, we will need to know that you are committed to SCS for the fall in each grade level. Look for information in next week’s Wednesday Envelope.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS Congratulations to 8th Grade Michael Berry who has been named a Presidential Scholar and will be receiving a $1000 four year academic to Archbishop Ryan.
For the third year in a row, families may send in their old cell phones to be configured so that our military overseas can use them to call home to their families. Please send phones in to the main office from now through the month of February. We are grateful to 8th Grader Tori Matthews for coordinating this effort for us.
CRITICAL THINKING 101 Emily Delgado (8-27) had her correct entry drawn and will receive this week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice certificate. The palindromes were Abba, radar, level, deed, and tenet. For next week, we have a riddle submitted by two of our students: “A guard comes up to a prisoner and tells him he has a visitor. The guard asks who it is. The prisoner replies, ‘Brothers and sisters I have none, but that man’s father is my grandfather’s son.’ Who is the visitor?”
Dear God be with the Haitian people and give them strength and comfort; encourage us to live our mission of carrying Christ to others.
HELPING THE HAITIANS As they know from the news, our students know that the best way we can help the people of Haiti is by donating the money so urgently needed at present. To that end, our Student Council is coordinating a Dress Down Day for this Friday. They ask the usual $1 minimum but are hopeful that students will open their hearts and their banks to contribute more. The funds collected will be joined with those of the parish to be sent to Catholic Relief Services.
FUTURE CITIES COMPETITION takes place this Saturday at the Sheet Metal Workers Union on Delaware Avenue. As our superintendent states, he students involved are definitely engaged in a “total rigor and relevance opportunity.” SCS has named their future city, Novus Genesis which means New Beginning. We are proud of the students involved and grateful to their moderator Ms. Kelso and to the parents who have worked with the students at their evening meetings for a number of months. Stay posted for results next week.
WHAT’S UP? Our Pre-K is graphing weather as well as learning facts about dinosaurs as they do “D” for these amazing creatures. 1st Grade is looking to see how they can give their hearts to others as their joint hallway display clearly shows. Not only are 2nd Graders preparing for 1st Reconciliation in three weeks, they are busy putting their writing skills to use as their New Year’s Resolutions and “If I were a Mitten” displays clearly show. Going to the 3rd Grade means entering into Jim Henson’s world of puppets SCS-style. These cherubs have each created their own puppets and then wrote engaging stories about them which they then shared with their classmates. You can see all the different facets of learning involved. Ask any 4th Grader about the Lenni Lenape, our PA Native American tribe, and you will come away with a head full of information. However, be prepared to go international, if you venture into 5th Grade. They are engaged in their own Olympics competition as different groups of students represent different nations around the world. Who will take home the gold? With Confirmation on the horizon in March, you can be sure that our 6th Grade is hard at work learning what they need to know to have ownership of their faith. Both our 7th and 8th Grades are engaged in literature and finding how so much of their curriculum in other subject areas is related to what they read.
7th GRADE PARENTS PLEASE ASK your student for the information envelope from METC about Terra Nova test prep classes to be held here at SCS beginning in early February in readiness for Terra Nova testing which will take place in early March.
LOOKING AHEAD A reminder that as we prepare for Open Houses and accepting new parent applications, we will need to know that you are committed to SCS for the fall in each grade level. Look for information in next week’s Wednesday Envelope.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS Congratulations to 8th Grade Michael Berry who has been named a Presidential Scholar and will be receiving a $1000 four year academic to Archbishop Ryan.
For the third year in a row, families may send in their old cell phones to be configured so that our military overseas can use them to call home to their families. Please send phones in to the main office from now through the month of February. We are grateful to 8th Grader Tori Matthews for coordinating this effort for us.
CRITICAL THINKING 101 Emily Delgado (8-27) had her correct entry drawn and will receive this week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice certificate. The palindromes were Abba, radar, level, deed, and tenet. For next week, we have a riddle submitted by two of our students: “A guard comes up to a prisoner and tells him he has a visitor. The guard asks who it is. The prisoner replies, ‘Brothers and sisters I have none, but that man’s father is my grandfather’s son.’ Who is the visitor?”
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
January 13, 2010
JUST CHECKING IN ~ JANUARY 13, 2010
“…We entrust all our priests to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary…”
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY A reminder that our school will be closed on Monday in honor of this man who gave his life for the cause of racial equality in our nation. Being a Catholic community, we are proud that so many engage in an on-going way in the call to service that is asked of Americans on this day.
FORMS / DOWNLOADS aka TENTATIVE CALENDAR, ETC. As you work your way around our new website, you can find our usual tentative yearly calendar and application forms when you go to the Forms/Downloads link on the left where you go for Teachers. We are working to make this site user-friendly for both you and us so we all are in it together.
THE SOUND OF BAGPIPES will resonate at Ryan on Monday evening, February 1st, at the opening of our annual faculty-student basketball game. As we dedicate our game and its proceeds to our wounded military, John Nicklous’ music will inspire us with its haunting beauty.
2010-2011 ALREADY? That’s how we have to think here. As we enjoy the beginning of 2010 and all the school activities still to come between now and June, we also know that there will be a September. For that reason, we will be sending out our re-application envelopes to you for return during the first two weeks of February. These envelopes indicate to us that your family will continue to be part of our community in the fall. We are accepting applications from new families starting in February as well so we want to know that all of our present families are on-board.
ENOUGH!! We need help from home! No students should have any color in their hair and yet, we’ve even seen primary grade boys with highlights. Hair should be combed and not so long as to be in faces and down the neck for boys. We shouldn’t see make-up or nail polish on girls and they should wear only one small earring per ear. Boys should wear none.. Anyone wanting more piercing needs to do it in summer—“My holes will close up” doesn’t garner any sympathy. No colored shirts or camis (girls) are allowed under uniforms nor are other sweatshirts allowed. Girls with rolled up and/or too short skorts (4 inches above knee) will be given sweats to wear and then will have to go into the uniform slacks. Everyone needs what we call “school-tied” shoes and white sneakers. Following policies about appearance and uniform in place is part of the preparation for the future in a student’s life. We will issue detentions for before or after school when needed.
JANUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH We congratulate the first Students of the Month for 2010: PK- Kellie Clark; Kindergarten- James Roach and Natalie Gablein; First- Gabriele Celona, Richard Dean, and Sarah Luca; Second-Sophia Smagissi, Madison Coyne, and Nicole Gablein; Third- Mike Whalen and Joey Valori; Fourth- Erica Wagner, Antonio Pfleegor, and Brittany Kahhan; Fifth- Ryan Comas and Rhianna Heim; Sixth- Kristian Celona, Natalie Kolek, and Michael Berchick; Seventh- Gregory Hoch, Matt Dixon, and Brian McLaughlin; Eighth- Collin Wiercinski, Victoria Kahhan, Mathew Anthony, and Christopher Bonacci.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS Congratulations to our Swim Team for doing their best against St. Albert the Great at La Salle this past Sunday. It was the first loss, but the team will meet St. Albert again at the finals on Sunday, January 31st, and will be at their best. Go team!
CRITICAL THINKING 101 Shannon Maguire (5-15) had her correct entry pulled for this week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice certificate. The palindromes were eye, noon, pup, ma’am (madam, mam), and kayak. Here’s another set of palindromes for next week that are just a bit harder now that you’re warmed up: 1) a famous Swedish pop music group 2) a system for detecting aircraft, ships, and even speeders 3) flat 4) an action 5) doctrine
“…We entrust all our priests to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary…”
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY A reminder that our school will be closed on Monday in honor of this man who gave his life for the cause of racial equality in our nation. Being a Catholic community, we are proud that so many engage in an on-going way in the call to service that is asked of Americans on this day.
FORMS / DOWNLOADS aka TENTATIVE CALENDAR, ETC. As you work your way around our new website, you can find our usual tentative yearly calendar and application forms when you go to the Forms/Downloads link on the left where you go for Teachers. We are working to make this site user-friendly for both you and us so we all are in it together.
THE SOUND OF BAGPIPES will resonate at Ryan on Monday evening, February 1st, at the opening of our annual faculty-student basketball game. As we dedicate our game and its proceeds to our wounded military, John Nicklous’ music will inspire us with its haunting beauty.
2010-2011 ALREADY? That’s how we have to think here. As we enjoy the beginning of 2010 and all the school activities still to come between now and June, we also know that there will be a September. For that reason, we will be sending out our re-application envelopes to you for return during the first two weeks of February. These envelopes indicate to us that your family will continue to be part of our community in the fall. We are accepting applications from new families starting in February as well so we want to know that all of our present families are on-board.
ENOUGH!! We need help from home! No students should have any color in their hair and yet, we’ve even seen primary grade boys with highlights. Hair should be combed and not so long as to be in faces and down the neck for boys. We shouldn’t see make-up or nail polish on girls and they should wear only one small earring per ear. Boys should wear none.. Anyone wanting more piercing needs to do it in summer—“My holes will close up” doesn’t garner any sympathy. No colored shirts or camis (girls) are allowed under uniforms nor are other sweatshirts allowed. Girls with rolled up and/or too short skorts (4 inches above knee) will be given sweats to wear and then will have to go into the uniform slacks. Everyone needs what we call “school-tied” shoes and white sneakers. Following policies about appearance and uniform in place is part of the preparation for the future in a student’s life. We will issue detentions for before or after school when needed.
JANUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH We congratulate the first Students of the Month for 2010: PK- Kellie Clark; Kindergarten- James Roach and Natalie Gablein; First- Gabriele Celona, Richard Dean, and Sarah Luca; Second-Sophia Smagissi, Madison Coyne, and Nicole Gablein; Third- Mike Whalen and Joey Valori; Fourth- Erica Wagner, Antonio Pfleegor, and Brittany Kahhan; Fifth- Ryan Comas and Rhianna Heim; Sixth- Kristian Celona, Natalie Kolek, and Michael Berchick; Seventh- Gregory Hoch, Matt Dixon, and Brian McLaughlin; Eighth- Collin Wiercinski, Victoria Kahhan, Mathew Anthony, and Christopher Bonacci.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS Congratulations to our Swim Team for doing their best against St. Albert the Great at La Salle this past Sunday. It was the first loss, but the team will meet St. Albert again at the finals on Sunday, January 31st, and will be at their best. Go team!
CRITICAL THINKING 101 Shannon Maguire (5-15) had her correct entry pulled for this week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice certificate. The palindromes were eye, noon, pup, ma’am (madam, mam), and kayak. Here’s another set of palindromes for next week that are just a bit harder now that you’re warmed up: 1) a famous Swedish pop music group 2) a system for detecting aircraft, ships, and even speeders 3) flat 4) an action 5) doctrine
Friday, January 8, 2010
January 6, 2010
JUST CHECKING IN ~ JANUARY 6, 2010
“Children, run joyfully, Jesus is born. Tell all the mountains to sing. Pray to our Father in heaven this day. Thank you, for Jesus is born…”
A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS! Our prayers and wishes for you in 2010 are that you know God in your life, and are content in that life as you recognize the many gifts that God has given you. Some are within in you and others are around you.
TONIGHT’S TUITION REMINDER ALERT – Second tuition payment is due on Tuition Night, this evening Wednesday, January 6, 2010. Tuition will be collected between 6:30 and 7:30 pm in Main Lobby of school. If you prefer to mail or drop off your payment, please feel free to do so. Payment should be received no later than the January 6, 2010 though. If you are redeeming scrip, a Gift Card Voucher should be included as part of your payment. You can pick up a Request for Gift Card Redemption Voucher at the Gift Card Center. Please note change in location to Main Lobby.
CAR LINE DECISION—THE VOTES ARE IN As promised, we said that we’d test the curbside drop-off until we could get a good sense of it all over a period of time and then announce in today’s JCI which way we’d go. The overwhelming majority of you who chose to give us the feedback we requested about morning car line thought that the old way was better for ordinary weather and that we could use the way we’ve been piloting close by the curb for inclement weather. So, starting tomorrow morning we’re back following the arrows at the top except when the teachers on duty direct you to come down near the curb in bad weather.
WHAT TO WEAR?? When we have frigid weather in the low 20’s and below that, be reminded our students are welcome to wear white turtle necks with their regular uniforms instead of blouses and polos. They can also wear their gym uniforms—sweatpants AND sweatshirts-- to school even if it’s not a gym day for them. If they wear a turtle neck with their gym uniform, it should be white or gold. Why do we have to be so specific? You guessed it! We all should be seeing our girls in tights now and everyone in winter jackets with hats or hoods and even gloves or mittens. We can be hopeful! If we can get out a bit at lunchtime during winter, we do. So everyone needs to be dressed for the season.
www.saintchris.angelcities.com We’ve been in a transition mode with our website and our now operating it on the overall TeacherWeb site. If you usually go to a teacher’s webpage on our site, you’re already familiar with this venue. For many years, parent Debbie Geoghan managed a site that she had created for us, but with both her boys in high school, it was only fair that we manage a site ourselves. Besides, we want to keep Mrs. Geoghan on in her role as one of our forensics coaches and so we’re happy to have her in consultant status for our new website. A group is working “as we speak” to make the school and parish sites as user-friendly for everyone as possible.
JUST ASK YOUR MAIL CARRIER HOW HEAVY ALL THOSE CATALOGS WERE! Don’t forget to bring them all with your newspapers to our recycling bins and we should have a good-sized check from next time.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS A few Saturdays before Christmas, 8th Graders Laney Coull, Jessica Parker, and Ali Pottebaum participated in the 2nd Annual Holiday Party for the SEANME Foundation. They girls entertained 25 autistic children and their families. Jessica, Laney and Ali have been actively involved in the foundation for the past year and continue to volunteer their time and energy. They also had great help from Joey Parker whom some of you saw as Joseph in our 1st Grade Christmas Prayer Service for the school.
To start off the New Year right, Gabby Celona, room 1-30, decided to do away with the old and bring in the new. She got a new hairstyle and decided to donate her 10 inch ponytail to Locks of Love, a West Palm Beach Florida based organization that uses the hair to make hairpieces for children who have lost their hair to cancer. Last year Gabby and her family won a trip to Palm Beach Florida through a fundraiser at school. When she asked her family if they were going to vacation there again, they said they would have to wait for another chance at a fundraiser. Instead there came the chance to keep in touch with such a wonderful place and at the same time do a good deed through Locks of Love.
Our undefeated Swim Team will be competing this Sunday at LaSalle University at 8:30 AM. They will be swimming against St. Albert the Great and everyone is all geared up to do their best. We wish them luck and will keep you posted.
CRITICAL THINKING Palindromes are words/names like pop, solos, Ava, Bob, etc. They are spelled the same way forward or backward. For a chance to be in the drawing for the first $10 Gift Card of Choice of 2010, can you figure out what palindromes these clues stand for? 1) a part of the body 2) midday 3) a young dog 4) a word for addressing a lady 5) an Eskimo canoe.
“Children, run joyfully, Jesus is born. Tell all the mountains to sing. Pray to our Father in heaven this day. Thank you, for Jesus is born…”
A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS! Our prayers and wishes for you in 2010 are that you know God in your life, and are content in that life as you recognize the many gifts that God has given you. Some are within in you and others are around you.
TONIGHT’S TUITION REMINDER ALERT – Second tuition payment is due on Tuition Night, this evening Wednesday, January 6, 2010. Tuition will be collected between 6:30 and 7:30 pm in Main Lobby of school. If you prefer to mail or drop off your payment, please feel free to do so. Payment should be received no later than the January 6, 2010 though. If you are redeeming scrip, a Gift Card Voucher should be included as part of your payment. You can pick up a Request for Gift Card Redemption Voucher at the Gift Card Center. Please note change in location to Main Lobby.
CAR LINE DECISION—THE VOTES ARE IN As promised, we said that we’d test the curbside drop-off until we could get a good sense of it all over a period of time and then announce in today’s JCI which way we’d go. The overwhelming majority of you who chose to give us the feedback we requested about morning car line thought that the old way was better for ordinary weather and that we could use the way we’ve been piloting close by the curb for inclement weather. So, starting tomorrow morning we’re back following the arrows at the top except when the teachers on duty direct you to come down near the curb in bad weather.
WHAT TO WEAR?? When we have frigid weather in the low 20’s and below that, be reminded our students are welcome to wear white turtle necks with their regular uniforms instead of blouses and polos. They can also wear their gym uniforms—sweatpants AND sweatshirts-- to school even if it’s not a gym day for them. If they wear a turtle neck with their gym uniform, it should be white or gold. Why do we have to be so specific? You guessed it! We all should be seeing our girls in tights now and everyone in winter jackets with hats or hoods and even gloves or mittens. We can be hopeful! If we can get out a bit at lunchtime during winter, we do. So everyone needs to be dressed for the season.
www.saintchris.angelcities.com We’ve been in a transition mode with our website and our now operating it on the overall TeacherWeb site. If you usually go to a teacher’s webpage on our site, you’re already familiar with this venue. For many years, parent Debbie Geoghan managed a site that she had created for us, but with both her boys in high school, it was only fair that we manage a site ourselves. Besides, we want to keep Mrs. Geoghan on in her role as one of our forensics coaches and so we’re happy to have her in consultant status for our new website. A group is working “as we speak” to make the school and parish sites as user-friendly for everyone as possible.
JUST ASK YOUR MAIL CARRIER HOW HEAVY ALL THOSE CATALOGS WERE! Don’t forget to bring them all with your newspapers to our recycling bins and we should have a good-sized check from next time.
PEOPLE AND EVENTS A few Saturdays before Christmas, 8th Graders Laney Coull, Jessica Parker, and Ali Pottebaum participated in the 2nd Annual Holiday Party for the SEANME Foundation. They girls entertained 25 autistic children and their families. Jessica, Laney and Ali have been actively involved in the foundation for the past year and continue to volunteer their time and energy. They also had great help from Joey Parker whom some of you saw as Joseph in our 1st Grade Christmas Prayer Service for the school.
To start off the New Year right, Gabby Celona, room 1-30, decided to do away with the old and bring in the new. She got a new hairstyle and decided to donate her 10 inch ponytail to Locks of Love, a West Palm Beach Florida based organization that uses the hair to make hairpieces for children who have lost their hair to cancer. Last year Gabby and her family won a trip to Palm Beach Florida through a fundraiser at school. When she asked her family if they were going to vacation there again, they said they would have to wait for another chance at a fundraiser. Instead there came the chance to keep in touch with such a wonderful place and at the same time do a good deed through Locks of Love.
Our undefeated Swim Team will be competing this Sunday at LaSalle University at 8:30 AM. They will be swimming against St. Albert the Great and everyone is all geared up to do their best. We wish them luck and will keep you posted.
CRITICAL THINKING Palindromes are words/names like pop, solos, Ava, Bob, etc. They are spelled the same way forward or backward. For a chance to be in the drawing for the first $10 Gift Card of Choice of 2010, can you figure out what palindromes these clues stand for? 1) a part of the body 2) midday 3) a young dog 4) a word for addressing a lady 5) an Eskimo canoe.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)