December 16, 2019
The Preschool Press
A Note From the Director
Week at a Glance
Monday, December 16th
Children decorate gingerbread houses
Tuesday, December 17th
Children decorate gingerbread houses
Wednesday, December 18th
Thursday, December 19th
Santa visit
Christmas parties
Friday, December 20th
Santa visit
Christmas parties
PK/TK buddy day
Inclement Weather Notice from Mr. Luetkemeyer
As we enter the winter months, I think it is appropriate to take some time to discuss my approach to closing school due to extreme weather before it happens.
All families handle weather differently and I strongly encourage families to make their own decisions regarding whether or not it is safe to travel to school. On a bad weather day or a potentially bad weather day, the school will make a decision to hold classes or not no later than 6:15 in the morning. The school will send a text message through RenWeb and post on the Marquette Facebook page. I always prefer to make a decision about school closure as early as possible, however, sometimes the timing of incoming weather can make the decision difficult. Often times a decision is made during overnight hours, so check your phone/email or social media early in the morning or even the night before.
Once I determine to open school, I will not close the school early barring a major catastrophe or loss of power/heat. Although the school will not be closed mid-day, we do encourage families to make their own decision on picking up their children early. Please do not delay picking up your child(ren) early if you have concerns, we will not make judgments on your personal family decision. Any child picked up after 12:00 will not have any penalties apply to their attendance. To keep phone lines open, however, please do not call ahead to check out your child. We ask that you arrive in the school office and we will call your child down with their things.
Late starts are an option the school may choose to use in the case of bad roads or the potential for bad weather hitting around arrival time. Theoretically, a late start allows families and teachers to begin driving after the sun comes up and could better allow individuals to navigate icy or snow packed streets. While we understand a late start can disrupt a parent’s ability to get to work on time, our hope is that a shorter day at work is better than taking an entire personal day to watch children. During a late start, the school will indicate through email communication what time the building will open and when drop off can begin.
While the school will not ever close early once the day has begun (barring a major catastrophe), the school may choose to close Extended Care early. In the event of bad weather or potentially bad weather later in the day, Extended Care may be closed early. In the event that Extended Care closes early, we ask families to make every effort to pick up their children as soon as possible so that our employees can drive home safely. We will do our very best to make an announcement about extended care as early as possible.
Decisions on canceling school are always incredibly difficult. Living in Oklahoma, we know that the weather can change quickly. Likely, many of us can remember times that the forecast was wrong and fears of inclement weather never materialized. In my experience, most principals have called off school before only to feel foolish later in the day. In times when I am most uncertain, however, I often think of the quote, “I would rather be foolish 99 times, than deadly wrong once”. While to some, the decision to remain in school or not does not seem one of life and death. Ultimately, however, I cannot risk the potential of a family or teacher being injured in a car accident or slipping on ice when we still have room in our calendar to close without impact to our last day of school. In this situation, the health and well being of our community outweighs the costs of inconvenience.
If you should have any questions about our winter weather closing, please contact me at jay.luetkemeyer@marquetteschool.org or simply call the school office. The decision to close school is not made easily and I will always try to make a decision that is in the best interest of all of our students, families, and staff. I implore you to never go against your better judgment when making a decision to bring your child(ren) to school. I am making a decision that meets the needs of all our students and families, you must make the decision for your specific family.
ART Class
Feast of St. John
Please join the Alcuin Institute in the Holy Family Cathedral Chapel for Mass (12:05pm), the blessing of wine (immediately after Mass), and a family friendly festive social (after the blessing) in honor of the beloved disciple, St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. This Christmastide join the Alcuin Institute in reestablishing this ancient and festive custom... to St. John's love! For ages, Catholics throughout Christendom have had their wine blessed on the feast of St. John. The blessed wine would then be shared by the whole family at the evening meal as a powerful sacramental for health and bodily protection from poisoning. It would also be offered to guests throughout the year- as a most fitting gesture of Catholic hospitality. The tradition traces its origin to the legend that St. John once drank poisoned wine but was not harmed, since he had wisely blessed it before he drank. Come join us on December 27 to have your own wine blessed by Fr. David Carvajal and raise a merry glass in honor of good St. John! To register please fill out this short form:
Class Photos for Sale
Upcoming Events
December
16/17 Gingerbread House decorating
19/20 Santa visits and Christmas parties
21-January 6 Christmas break
January
6 Curriculum Planning Day-No school
7 Classes Resume
7 Parent Project
7 Re-enrollment begins
10 Intruder Drill
10 Kindergarten Open House 11:30am
14 Fire Drill
20 MLK Day-No School
25 ECDC Entrance Screenings
25 RISE Boots N BBQ
25-31 Catholic Schools Week
28 Cookies at the Rectory
FEBRUARY
4 Parent Project
6 Early Dismissal 2:15
6 Parent/Teacher Conferences 3-6pm
7 Parent/Teacher Conferences 8:30-12pm
7 No School
12-13 Valentine Parties
14 Diocesan Inservice-No School
17 President's Day-No School
25 Mardi Gras Parade
26 Ash Wednesday Service 9:15
MARCH
2 Summer Registration opens
2 Lenten Project Collections begin
3 Parent Project
14-22 Spring Break
26-27 Catholic Charities Donations
30-31 Spring Pictures
APRIL
2 Spanish and Art Show
2 Book Fair opens
7 Parent Project
10 Good Friday-No School
13 Easter Monday-No School
MAY
5 Parent Project
4-5 ECDC May Crowning
8 Field Day
13 Lunch at the Rectory with Father Elkin
19 8th Grade Graduation
21 Last Day of School-Noon Dismissal