Principal Notes 01/15/2016
St. Cecilia School
Notes from the Principal
Catholic Schools Week
Starting January 30th, we will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week. This year we will continue with many of the same traditions that have occurred in the past with a variety of events that recognize the people that make our school succeed. We would like to invite you to join us for Mass on Wednesday of that week. Following Mass we will be honoring three individuals that have contributed to the success of our school over the years.
We will have a reception after Mass for those able to attend to say thank you to our parents, volunteers, and those that have made St Cecilia School a success. I hope that you will use this week as a chance to say thank you to all of those that work with our young people at St. Cecilia School and Parish.
Please join us for a part of the various activities that we have to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. This is a special week for the St. Cecilia School but we need to remember that the school is a special mission for our parish and we would not be able to provide our students with a Catholic education without the support of the parish family. Thank you to everyone that contributes, not only financially, but with their time and talents. Thank you.
Reminder on Students Absent
Parents, please remember to contact the school (#515.232.5290) if you child is ill or has an appointment during the school day. We need to hear from you if they are gone to ensure their safety. Your calling saves the office personnel time from the calls to parents of the students missing from school. As we enter the winter season, some days the list gets long as students deal with colds and other winter illnesses and we appreciate this assistance. Thank you.
Early Dismissals, School Closings, and Late Start Procedures
St. Cecilia Catholic School follows the Ames School District
regarding school closings due to inclement weather. However,
based on local conditions, St. Cecilia Catholic School may elect
to close due to bad weather. Please watch for the closing on
WOI(Channel 5), KCCI(Channel 8) and WHO(Channel 13), on
WHO(1040AM ) radio, via email/text alerts and our St. Cecilia
School website.
If you have not signed up for text alerts, and would like to, please fill out the following form. Unfortunately we are not able to send text alerts to people who use Republic or Google Phone as their carrier. Text Message Sign Up
If late start, no morning Preschool classes will be held.
If there is a late start on Fridays, band practice will not be held
Teacher Assignments for 2016-17
I am starting the planning process for the 2016-17 school year and a portion of that planning includes assignment of teachers for the various classrooms. Currently in our building, we have the classes that have one section and as a result of that our teacher assignments and needs are different every year. I have been planning possibilities for next year, but until we have contracts back from teachers for next year, we will not know which teachers will be assigned to the various classrooms.
I am sure there will be rumors of what teachers are moving to a different grade level, but those are rumors and the final decision will not happen until March or early April and then are tentative. The assignments are subject to change if we have significant changes in the number of students in a particular grade or if a teacher resigns in the early part of the summer. One of those events causes a reevaluation of assignments for the classroom. I know the students and parents want to know who their teachers will be for the following year, but please understand that there are a number of factors in that decision and some are variable until the end of the summer.
We will announce the tentative assignments in the spring and if no changes over the summer the assignments will stay until the start of school. I normally end most items by saying call if questions, but in this case I would not have additional information. We all need to be patient and let the process work over the spring and summer. The assignments stay fluid during the spring and I will have an announcement in the principal notes later providing more information.
Talent Show – Sign Up Now!!!
Dear Parents of All Talented St. Cecilia Students,
The St. Cecilia Talent Show is going to be presented in conjunction with Catholic Education Week and the public is invited to attend! It is currently scheduled for Sunday afternoon, January 31st, following the pasta lunch and will take place in the multi-purpose room at school.
PLEASE sign your talented child(ren) up for audition times at the following link:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f49acaa2f4-stcecilia
Don't worry if your child's audition isn't perfect. It is more to see and get an idea of what acts we will all enjoy on the 31st!
Thank you for your attention to this. Looking forward to seeing and hearing some great talent!
Sincerely,
Angi Nespor
(email anespor@stceciliaschoolames.org or anginespor@gmail.com or call 232-6683 with any questions)
Catholic Schools Week
National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week, which in 2016 is January 31 - February 6. The theme for the National Catholic Schools Week 2016 is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.”
Our Catholic Schools Week Committee and Jessica Loecke, FSA Chair, have worked hard on a fun new agenda for this year’s Catholic Schools Week. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.
Please read the daily challenges and events and help if you can. Thank you for your support in making this Catholic Schools Week a success!
5th grade pasta lunch, January 31
Please join the fifth graders' and their parents' at the annual Catholic School Week Pasta Lunch on January 31 from 11:00 am -1 pm in the Social Hall. They will be serving pasta, with either meat marinara or Alfredo sauce, garlic bread, salad, and dessert. Your free will donation will help fund the group's overnight trip to the Omaha Zoo in May. Thank you for your generous support for this once in a lifetime experience!
Scrip
Due to no school on Monday, January 18th, we will process SCRIP on Tuesday, January 19th. Please have your orders into the school office by 9 a.m. Thank you!
Take them a Meal
1.) Meals are needed for: Mary Ater Family
If you would like to sign up, you can access the meal scheduling by visiting TakeThemAMeal.com and locating the schedule by recipient last name (Ater) and password (1112).
Additional Notes: The Ater Family had their fourth child over Christmas! Please help welcome the new baby boy by signing up for a meal.
There are 2 adults and 3 children in the family.
There are no allergies.
Please bring the meals to afternoon pick up or text Mary at 515 460-4283 to arrange another time.
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2.) Meals are needed for: Eva Johnson Family
If you would like to sign up, you can access the meal scheduling by visiting TakeThemAMeal.com and locating the schedule by recipient last name (Johnson) and password (3952).
Additional Notes: Patrick and Peyton Johnson welcomed twin babies to their family in December! Please help welcome the new babies by making a meal for the family!
Meals can be dropped off in the morning with Grandma Judy Brown or call Judy to arrange another time. Her cell is 515 231-6589.
There are 2 adults and 2 children.
No allergies but please leave out onions.
Some ideas for meals:
Spaghetti
Lasagna
Tater-tot casserole
Macaroni and cheese
Meatloaf
Thanks,
Elizabeth Heath
5158020102
dbeth1977@hotmail.com
School Events
- Monday, January 18: No School or Preschool Classes – Teacher In Service Day
- Wednesday, January 20: 9 a.m. All School Mass
- Friday, January 22: First semester progress reports being sent home in Friday folders.
- Wednesday, January 27: 9 a.m. All School Mass followed by 2nd Grade Reception
Other Opportunities
After School Art Class – Kindergarten through fifth grade – next session starts January 27th. Attached is the registration form.
Ames Foreign Language Program – Second Semester
The Ames Foreign Language program is offering classes at St. Cecilia School once a week beginning the week of February 1, 2016. Attached is the registration form.
Ames High Winter Cheerleaders Clinic
On Saturday, January 23rd from 4-7:15pm the Ames High Winter Cheerleaders are hosting their annual cheerleading clinic for Ames students (preschool-8th grade). We are inviting all boys and girls within the Ames Community School District, Ames Christian School, and St. Cecilia to attend. Attached is the required registration form.
Elementary Basketball Night – see flyer
A special Elementary Basketball Night for Ames students will be on Friday, Jan. 22. Sponsored by the Ames High Booster Club, the evening will provide low-cost entertainment for the entire family. Highlights include:
- FREE admission for Ames elementary students wearing a school shirt (or orange or black)
- Reduced admission for students’ parents of just $3.00
- FREE bag of popcorn for elementary students
- The opportunity for students to form a tunnel with the cheerleaders after halftime of each game
- Students can enter for the chance to win one of 15 prize packages. Names will be drawn at halftimes of both games.
Students MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian to the games and need to come between 5:30 to 8:00pm that night. The girls’ varsity game usually starts at 6:15pm and the boys’ varsity game will begin after the girls’ game (usually around 7:45pm). If inclement weather cancels the games that night, the make-up date will be Friday, Feb. 5.
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?