Principal Notes 09/04/2015
St. Cecilia School
Notes from the Principal
Sad news to share
We need to share that Ms. Brenda Brink has accepted a position at Ames Middle School. While we’re happy for her, we are sad to see her leave our St. Cecilia School family. Due to the quick turnaround necessary, Ms. Brink’s last day is today, Friday, September 4th. We wish her the best of luck in her new position.
Ms. Diane Sorenson will be our teacher substitute as we complete the application and hiring process. We’re fortunate that Ms. Sorenson has been in our building as a teacher substitute and long term substitute in the past and knows our students and school well.
New Staff
I want to mention our new staff for the year. Hopefully many of you have met them, but please take the time to stop in and introduce yourself. We are very pleased to have them as part of the St. Cecilia’s family:
- Ms. Morgan Amundson – Guidance Counselor
- Ms. Melisa Bowker – Cook
- Ms. Sally Dubois – Physical Education
- Mr. Craig Sills – Custodian
Tuition Assistance Fund
As we begin the Fall schedules, we find there is an ongoing need for Tuition Assistance contributions to assist families with tuition for the school, for faith formation and for youth ministry. With the educational opportunities we have at St. Cecilia, it is a blessing to see so many families wanting to help their children grow in their faith. Some families, however, experience financial setbacks from time to time and really appreciate the assistance we offer to help them.
Simply mark your contribution according to the area education you desire when you send it into the office. Make Checks payable to St. Cecilia Church. Contributions to the local tuition assistance program are deducible on your taxes for 2015.
Thank you for considering a contribution to the assistance program.
Char Van Kerckvoorde
St. Cecilia Business Manager
All School Mass
This year we continue with our tradition of a Mass on Wednesday for the school students. Please join us at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays for Mass. During the year there will be days that a class will be responsible for planning and participating as cantors, readers, and the other roles in the Mass. Following Mass, that class will be hosting a coffee for the parents and parish members. Hope you’ll join us!
Concert Dates
I know we are just starting the year and very early to think Christmas, but I thought you might want to add two dates to your calendars. We have the set Christmas Program date on December 15, 2015 and the Spring Program will be May 2, 2016. These will be held at the Ames City Auditorium. Hopefully you can join us for these two special nights for the students
Iowa Alliance for Choice in Iowa
There is an ongoing effort to work with the Iowa Legislature and Governor to offer benefits for students to attend private schools in Iowa. I have included two links that you can access to find additional information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PquPqRBOHbo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx1350eBtuA
Please let me know if you are interested in more information or would like to volunteer to work for passage of this program in the State of Iowa.
St. Cecilia School Band – 4th & 5th Grade
It's not too late to sign up for 4th and 5th grade band. We will be starting lessons on Friday, September 4th. Mass Band rehearsal will begin at a later date. If you have not filled out a registration form, even if you were in band before, please fill out and turn in to the office ASAP so I can set up a schedule. I would love to see all 4th and 5th graders in band.
School Picture Day
On Thursday, September 10th, we will have school pictures taken. Your child will be coming home with an order form in their backpack. If you’d like to order a picture package, please circle the package you’d like to order, complete the form and include a check made payable to Pete Tekippe Photography. Even if you are NOT ordering a picture package, please return the form and write their name and ‘No Order’ on it.
Preschool students who do not meet on Thursdays, are welcome to go to the social hall anytime between 8 a.m.-1 p.m. If you’re able to come on September 10th, the retake day is on Wednesday, October 14th.
If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
St. Cecilia Playgroup
The St. Cecilia Playgroup would like to invite all families with young children (babies to preschool age) to attend playgroup this school year. If you are interested in more information or being added to the email reminder list, contact Jessica Loecke at (515) 451-8126 or jjloecke@gmail.com.
In September playgroup will be meeting on the following days/locations:
* Wednesdays, September 2nd & 16th following the 9:00 Mass, from approximately 10:00-11:30 at Moore Memorial Park (3050 Northridge Pkwy)
* Tuesdays, September 8th & 22nd at Daley Park (340 Wilder Blvd) from 10:00-11:30
Scrip Tidbits
Welcome back to school! We process Scrip orders almost every Monday morning. Place your order online or send a paper order form in with your child, the cards will come home with your child on Friday.
Wondering what Scrip is? See “The Scrip Information” attachment. Also, if you need to make changes to where your Scrip credit goes or if you are a new family, please complete the “Scrip Participation and Waiver Form” and send it back in to school (also attached).
Just a reminder that SCRIP will be processed on Tuesday of next week due to the Labor Day holiday. Please have your orders in by 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8th.
If you have any questions about Scrip, please contact Bev Williams at scrip@stceciliaschoolames.org
Thank You!
(This is a thank you note from one of our jeans day recipients during the 2014-2015 school year.)
Dear St. Cecilia School,
I wanted to thank you all so much for the books and resources that you gave to my school in Honduras. It is such a treat to have multiple copies of the same book so that we can do small reading groups! I know the other teachers who are using the books are thankful as well! Thank you for fueling my students' love for reading and for giving me tools to teach them better. I wish you could have seen my second graders' ecstatic faces when I let them "check out" a book from our classroom for the first time on Friday! You would have thought I had just handed them a ticket to Disney World! :) Thank you for reaching out to students that you've never even met. Here are a couple pictures so you can see a few of the kids that you have blessed through your generosity!
I am praying for you all and your new school year!
CreeAnn Gruenloh
Teacher at Abundant Life Christian School in Gracias, Honduras
School Events
- Monday, September 7: NO SCHOOL-Labor Day
- Wednesday, September 9: All School Mass 9AM and FSA Meeting 7:30PM (Library)
- Thursday, September 10: School Picture Day (Even if you aren’t ordering a picture package, please return the order form with your child’s name and ‘no order’ written on it. That way we know you didn’t forget your order. Thank you.)
Other Opportunities
Ames Foreign Language Program – Fall 2015: clink link for information and registration form
Autumn Art Class for K-5 Students: clink link for information and registration form
Volleyball Introductory Skills Clinic for 4th/5th/6th Graders: click link for information Volleyball Flyer
Cub Scout Pack 159 would like to invite any family interested in Cub Scouting to come meet the pack at our fall picnic. The Picnic will be held Sunday, September 13th from 1-3PM at the Hickory Shelter at Brookside Park.
For more information contact the Cubmaster, Eric Lehmkuhl at Eric.lehmkuhl@gmail.com or(515) 290-1778 or Jon Ryan at sjryan422@gmail.com or (515) 337-1016. There will also be information available at the St. Cecilia Ice Cream Social on September 3rd.
(Pack 159 is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Cub Scouts is for boys in grades 1 through 5. Boys may begin scouting at any grade.)
St. Cecilia School
Website: www.stcames.org/school
Location: 2900 Hoover Avenue, Ames, IA, United States
Phone: (515) 232-5290
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stceciliaschoolames?