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January 20, 2010

“Let Me Be As Christ To You”

Thank you for your concerned response to our safety scare last Friday. I hope you know how seriously we take your child's safety. I believe we will be able to turn this into an opportunity to move towards a safer campus more quickly. We are receiving estimates on security camera systems and looking into fencing options now. We are also going to make some changes to drop off and pick up procedures. I would prefer you drop off in the front of the school. If you choose to drop off in the back, I ask that you park your vehicle and walk your student up to campus. Also, remember that on Fridays we attend Mass. Students are picked up from the blacktop by about 7:50. If you arrive after that time, please walk your student into church. We are going to try some new options for pick up. For now, please continue to plan on all students being picked up from the front of school. We do have a closed campus in terms of procedure. No one is to be on campus without authorization. The trick is controlling those who don't know our procedure. As we work on this, outdoor bathrooms are only being used during recess and lunch. Class time bathroom breaks will be taken indoors. Finally, for now, we are more actively enforcing the non-use of the campus by others before 5:30pm.

The Preschool Survey is ready! I'm sorry I'm about a week behind schedule, but would really appreciate you taking the time to respond. The link to the Survey Monkey is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3F3PN95

We begin Catholic Schools Week next Monday and culminate our celebration with Open House on Sunday, January 31st. We celebrate our students on Monday with Crazy Hair and Sock Day. Students are welcome to donate a minimum of $1 and wear appropriate non uniform dress, with the proceeds to be donated to Catholic Relief Services to support Haitian recovery. Also, please plan to join us Friday, January 29th after Mass in the school library for Parent Appreciation. Please check the CSW attachment for further details.

The Gallery 2010: Wonderful donations are coming in for our upcoming Gala on March 20! A very special thank you to the Campbell Family for their generous donation of a one week stay at their ocean front Kauai home on Poipu Beach! The home is located just opposite a terrific snorkeling spot and a short walk to a great beach. Pictures of certain donated items will be available on our website, so please visit often at www.sjagala.org. If you have not yet signed up to help, you can contact one of the Gala Chairs, Doreen Smillie, Kristian Keeney or Kimberly Caccavo. (An excellent and FUN way to complete your 30 service hours for this year).

Ki's Night Out! Please join our Gala Committee to celebrate Catholic Schools Week at Ki's Restaurant on January 26 from 5:30pm-7:30pm. The dividends of a Catholic school education-students prepared in faith, knowledge, morals and discipline-last a lifetime. Delicious buffet menu will include chicken fajitas, grilled Mahi Mahi, veggie fajitas, and more. Chicken nuggets and quesadillas available for the kids! The cost is $15 per adult and $6.50 per child. St. James Academy receives 20% back, so leave your pots and pans at home and please join us!

I enjoyed meeting with the 7th and 8th grade students for Hot Chocolate (student version of Coffee with Kathy) this morning. They had many thoughtful suggestions on improving the school. I hope to act on some quickly and will share progress soon.

If you have a prospective Kindergarten student you must fill out an application and sign up your child for a screening time. Kindergarten screening will take place on Thursday, February 4th. There is a $30.00 screening fee and you must provide proof of age (a copy of either your child's birth certificate or Baptismal certificate). Please contact the office if you have any questions.

Mission Circle would like to extend a big "thank you" to the students and families of SJA. The 100 gift boxes you prepared for the poor children in Tijuana were absolutely fabulous! Much thought and preparation was lovingly put into each gift box. As you may have heard MC was unable to locate the children from the school we have supported for several years, due to circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, however, that the gift boxes were received with great delight by the kindergarten children that live near the TJ dump. The families of SJA are so generous in supporting the social outreach programs sponsored by Mission Circle. Special thanks to Caron & Sienna Rohrer and the student council for working diligently to make the Epiphany gift box project a huge success!

All men of our parish: This is an invitation to you to attend a Men's Winter Seminar being led by Father Timone. The theme is "Updating our understanding of the Great Christian Mysteries".
When: Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm - January 13, 20 and 27, February 3, 10, and 24, and March 10 and 17
Where: Nativity Church Parish Library/Commons
Who: Facilitator - Father Timone All men welcome - 18 years and older
Each evening will present an examination of various Catholic teachings opening them to prayerful reflection and questions.

Congratulations to the four finalists in the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) essay contest; only 8th grade participated: Trevor York, Michael McRoskey, Morgan Hazel, and Anna Kalfayan.

Also, the junior high raised $250.00 this year for World Wildlife Fund to buy habitats for endangered species. They chose: The Darwin Fox, Snow Leopard, Pygmy elephant, Tasmanian Devil, and the Black-footed ferret.

Scrip Classroom Contest: Monday is the deadline to order Scrip in order to qualify for the class pizza party. First grade is in the lead with 32%...fifth grade is the caboose with 9%.

Just a reminder that the Catholic High School Entrance Exam is this Saturday.

Please join us for 8:00 Mass this Friday as the 8th grade assists with the Liturgy.

Please note that these items are on line: Parents in Prayer, Catholic Schools Week Activity Flyer Academic Chess (begins tomorrow, Jan. 21st)

Wednesday Documents

Community Outreach
Walk—Donate—Benefit Others


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