Panther Press
OCTOBER 21, 2021
ICCS Mission Statement:
A MESSAGE FROM SISTER MARY NOEL PEREIRA
Dear ICCS families,
It is hard to believe that the first quarter of the school year ended last Friday and we are almost finished with the first week of the second quarter!
It has been beautiful to see the growth in our students during their first quarter as their minds, bodies, and spirits continue to be strengthened in the teachings of Jesus Christ. I am edified by our families’ flexibility and patience amidst the challenges and changes we have faced during the time of pandemic, construction, and weather closures.
As we close the books on the first quarter and open up the second quarter, here are a few highlights from the first part of the school year:
Responsibility and loyalty were our first virtues of the year. Our middle school students in particular have grown so much in responsibility in making sure they have what they need for each of their classes. Let’s start off the second quarter right with our focus on loyalty!
Welcoming our new Panther families to ICCS at the beginning of the year. We are so glad to have you a part of our family!
Our new teachers: Mrs. Stanic, Mrs. Higginbotham, Mrs. Ney, Coach Pickle, Senora Garcia, and Mrs. Copeskey who have been a huge blessing and fit in so well as a part of our faculty and staff.
The in-service faculty retreat at St. Charles Retreat Center was a wonderful way to grow in community and to spend time in prayer together.
Our school Masses, especially the 8th-grade commissioning. Our 8th graders were sent to be examples and leaders of our school in academics and virtue.
And there have been so many more blessings during the first quarter! My prayer for this next part of the year is that our ICCS students will continue to grow and flourish and become who God created them to be.
In Christ,
Sister Mary Noel Pereira, RSM
Principal, ICCS
CURRICULUM CORNER
By: Blair Tadlock, Assistant Principal of Curriculum
Teachers and students in Kindergarten through 8th grade use the Renaissance suite of products in various ways to impact student learning. Math and reading teachers use the Star assessments to monitor student learning and track student growth in K-8th grade. These screening and progress monitoring assessments give teachers and students actionable data that is used in other Renaissance programming such as Accelerated Reader Independent Reading and Instructional Practice, and Freckle Math.
This year, teachers at ICCS are using a more growth-oriented and student-centered approach to Accelerated Reader. Whereas in years past, students may have been focused on accruing a specified number of points to be a class or school AR superstar, this year students are focusing on meeting their own personal reading goals. These personalized reading goals are developed from the Star reading data and data conferences between students and teachers. In this first nine-week period, this tailored and meaningful approach to student reading growth is already proving to drive student reading, empower students to read within their reading range, and support reading growth.
At home, parents can use Renaissance HomeConnect to view student progress toward their reading goal. It also allows you to sign up to receive email notifications after your student completes an activity or assessment at school. The easiest way for students to access Renaissance HomeConnect is through the Clever portal because Renaissance usernames and passwords are saved in Clever.
As a reminder about how to access the Clever portal, information is provided below. We are looking forward to a strong year of reading growth and success for all of our students.
Accessing the Clever Portal
Computers or Chromebooks:
To ensure your student can access all resources in Clever with a single click, make sure to download the Clever Browser extension on your student’s device. Directions for downloading the Clever extension can be found here.
To log in, simply navigate to https://clever.com/in/iccswebiPads:
Download the Clever iOS app. Once downloaded, you can log in by either scanning your Clever Badge or entering your school-provided username and password.
Students may log in with either their badge which is carried with them in a designated location depending on the grade level or their Clever login credentials. Please reach out to your student’s homeroom teacher for login issues.
RED RIBBON WEEK STARTS MONDAY
ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY
ICCS ROSARY CLUB DETAILS SHARED
October is the month of the Most Holy Rosary. Praying the Rosary is a wonderful devotion that is over 500 years old. It is especially associated with our Blessed Mother Mary. She has appeared in visions with a Rosary in her hands and has urged us to pray the Rosary for peace in the world.
Since March of 2020, the ICCS Rosary Club has been put on hold due to COVID restrictions. We are happy to announce a plan has been devised to host weekly Rosary Club gatherings in a safe manner. If your child is interested in participating in this modified Rosary Club format, please read the following information very carefully. Students do not have to formally sign up for the Rosary Club, just show up in the Gym on their designated date at 7:30 a.m. Students may bring their own rosaries if they wish, or one will be provided for them.
Beginning next week, on Wednesday, October 27, at 7:30 a.m., our Rosary Club will begin meeting to pray the Rosary in the Gym. During these prayer times, students learn to pray the Rosary and offer their prayers for our school, their families, and for any special intentions they may have. It is a beautiful way to start the morning. Our Rosary Club students really enjoy this quiet, peaceful, and prayerful time.
In order to be able to safely accommodate all students, the following Rosary Club schedule will be followed:
Wednesday, October 27: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Rosary Club members will meet in the gym at 7:30 a.m. to pray the Rosary
Wednesday, November 3: PK, K, and 1st Grade Rosary Club members will meet in the Gym at 7:30 a.m. to pray the Rosary
Wednesday, November 10: 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Rosary Club members will meet in the Gym at 7:30 a.m. to pray the Rosary
For more information, please reach out to Mrs. Rose Viau, Director of Religious Education and ICCS Rosary Club sponsor, at rviau@iccsweb.com.
ICCS "RESPECT LIFE" PANTHER WALK NEXT FRIDAY
SPIRIT T-SHIRTS AND ORANGE ACCESSORIES! Students may wear an ICCS spirit t-shirt with modest shorts (must wear sliders or leggings under shorts), jeans, or uniform bottoms next Friday. Accessorize with an orange hat, hair bow, headband, sweatband, tutu, socks, etc. REMINDER: everyone must wear tennis shoes.
PARENTS ARE INVITED TO WATCH THE FUN! Parents are welcome to stand in a designated area on Wilson Street starting at 1:30 p.m. to cheer on students as they complete the Panther Walk route. Please note parking is very limited around campus due to construction. Please do not block driveways or the car pick-up lines on Park Avenue and Wilson Street. Afternoon dismissal will take place as normal on both Wilson Street and Park Avenue beginning at 3:00 p.m. (early-bird pick up will take place in the Park Avenue parking lot at 2:50 p.m.).
**PK and Kindergarten parents, please note your child's class will be walking in the Gym on Friday. PK and Kindergarten students will be served snowcones on the playground around 1:40 p.m. but will be heading back to the Gym around 2:00 p.m. to continue their modified "Respect Life" Panther Walk.
Visitors and guests are not allowed in the building during the "Respect Life" Panther Walk.
BOOK FAIR INFORMATION ANNOUNCED
REMINDER: VOTE FOR ICCS
FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS LEAD LIVING ROSARY
THE VIRTUE OF LOYALTY
All PK-8th Grade students are continuing to focus on the virtue of Loyalty this month.
Loyalty means accepting the bonds in relationships and defending the virtues upheld by the Church, family, and country. Loyalty is standing up for your friends even if it is difficult. It means only speaking positively about them, especially when they are not there.
"Am I loyal to my friends, and do I defend their good name all the time?"
"Do I speak negatively of my friends when they are not there if it makes me look good, or do I stand up for them?"
Let us pray for the graces to be a good friend.
Dear Jesus, You are the best friend! Help me to imitate You today in all my words and actions. I want to be a loyal friend and always stand by those You have given me as friends. May I also be loyal to those who are in my class and school. Help me to use positive speech whenever I talk about someone else, whether it’s a classmate, a friend, a teacher, or a family member. Amen.
ICCS TO PARTICIPATE IN GIVING TUESDAY ONLINE DONATION PROGRAM
Please mark your calendar! ICCS will once again participate in the #iGiveCatholic Giving Tuesday online donation program. Catholic schools, ministries, church parishes, and organizations around the state and nation will be participating in the #iGiveCatholic Giving Tuesday platform on Tuesday, November 30. Contributions of $25 or more will be accepted through this convenient and safe online donation system. More detail will be provided in future issues of the Panther Press. Please consider supporting ICCS on Giving Tuesday.
RE-ENROLLMENT STARTS JANUARY 10
Re-enrollment for current students: January 10-21, 2022
Sibling Enrollment: Monday, February 7, 2022
**sibling registration information will go out to all families soon
New Family Registration: Monday, February 7, 2022
We need your help! Do you know a prospective family in the area who may be interested in sending their children to ICCS in 2022-2023? If so, please refer them to Kay Morgan, ICCS Director of Development, at kmorgan@iccsweb.com or (337) 433-3497 to schedule a private tour of ICCS.
PTO FUNDRAISER NEWS
PTO GREENERY SALE ENDS NEXT WEEK
SUPPORT THE PTO BY PURCHASING BEAUTIFUL GREENERY ITEMS!
UPDATE: As of today, October 21, we are at the $10,841 profit mark.
The ICCS PTO Greenery Sale ends at midnight, next Thursday, October 28. Please continue to encourage your family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to support ICCS by purchasing fresh-cut Christmas Greenery between now and October 28. To view items or to place an order, click the link below.
www.sherwoodfundraiser.com/iccs
IMPORTANT GREENERY FUNDRAISER REMINDERS AND DETAILS
- PAYMENT NEEDED ASAP: If you or a loved one selected "pay by check or cash" while ordering greenery, the payment is due very soon. If payment is not received by Monday, November 1, the order will be canceled. Please remit payment to ICCS PTO, 1536 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA. 70601 or feel free to drop off a check or cash anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
- VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED: ICCS parents are needed to help unload the Greenery truck and sort and organize local orders on Saturday, November 27 starting around 8:00 a.m. in the ICCS Gym. Please contact Doris Mhire and Jessica Steech at iccsgreenery@gmail.com for more information or to volunteer. PTO points will be awarded to all volunteers.
- VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED: ICCS parents are needed to help distribute local orders to customers on Saturday, November 27, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Sunday, November 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the ICCS Gym. Please contact Doris Mhire and Jessica Steech at iccsgreenery@gmail.com for more information or to volunteer. PTO points will be awarded to all volunteers.
- VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED: ICCS parents are needed to deliver bulk business gift orders between Saturday, November 27 and Monday, November 29. Delivery drivers earn double PTO points. Flexible delivery shifts are available. Deliveries will need to be made throughout the Lake Charles, Moss Bluff, Sulphur, Carlyss, Westlake, and Iowa areas. Please contact Doris Mhire and Jessica Steech at iccsgreenery@gmail.com for more information or to volunteer.
ICCS PANTHER RUN SPONSORS NEEDED
SPONSORSHIPS ARE NEEDED: PTO points will be awarded for sponsorships, monetary donations, and in-kind donations. In order to guarantee business logos and personal names are printed on the official race t-shirts, all sponsors MUST be confirmed by January 14. To receive a Panther Run sponsorship packet, please reach out to Race Director, Kelly Henderson at kellybhenderson@gmail.com.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED: ICCS parents are needed to help complete pre-race duties and tasks leading up to the fundraiser. Race Day volunteers are also needed to help set up for the big event, manage particular areas, secure prizes for the race winners and clean up when the race is over. For more information, or to sign up to help, please contact the Panther Run Chairperson, Kelly Henderson at kellybhenderson@gmail.com. PTO points will be awarded to all Panther Run volunteers.
2022 PTO DINNER AUCTION UPDATES
The annual ICCS PTO Dinner Auction is scheduled for Friday, March 25, 2022, in the ICCS Gym. Please review the information below and consider getting involved!
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED: 2022 Auction Chairpersons, Katie Devall and Kelly Serrano are searching for two assistant co-chairs to help plan the event and learn the ropes for future auctions. Please contact Katie and Kelly at iccsptoauction@gmail.com for more information. Each assistant co-chair will earn 300 PTO points for their time, creativity, and service.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED: PTO volunteers are needed to serve on the Sponsorship Committee by helping to contact local businesses and school supporters for event sponsorship opportunities. A leader is also needed for the Sponsorship Committee. Please contact Katie Devall and Kelley Serrano by email at iccsptoauction@gmail.com for more details. PTO points will be awarded to all committee members.
AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED: If you would like to donate an item for the silent auction or help secure unique artwork, restaurant and retail store gift cards, practical items. etc., please contact the Silent Auction Committee Chairperson, Lauren Middleton at lauren.cisneros@gmail.com. PTO points are awarded for securing and/or donating any and all silent auction items.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED: Thank you to our Clean-Up Committee Chairpersons, Becky Abel and Sadie Quinn for volunteering to lead this important group! ICCS parents are needed to help clean up after the auction on Saturday, March 26, beginning at 8:30 a.m. To sign up to help, please contact Becky Abel at beckyaw@gmail.com or Sadie Quinn at sadiequinn@yahoo.com. Clean Up committee members earn 50 PTO points per hour for their time, energy, and manpower.
CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL NEWS
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ICCS?
PK PUMPKIN WEEK
2ND GRADE WRITING ASSIGNMENT
"BEE" AWESOME
VOLLEYBALL TEAMS COMPETE IN CCAL TOURNAMENT
A big ICCS round of applause for our 7th Grade team, coached by Heather Breaux and Shelley Prince for winning 1st place in the tournament and for completing an UNDEFEATED season! Awesome work!
FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND CHEERLEADERS HONORED
KINDERGARTEN ROCKS!
5TH GRADE BOOK REVIEW
COMMUNITY NEWS
DIOCES OF LAKE CHARLES EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS NOVEMBER 12-21
“If Angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.” — St. Maximilian Kolbe
The Diocese of Lake Charles will hold the first Eucharistic Congress in its 41-year history November 12-21 to bring about spiritual renewal and a deeper understanding of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
The gathering of clergy, religious, and laity will include the celebration of Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, processions, engaging speakers, and other devotions throughout the 10-day event. A special day will be set aside focused on the youth in each church parish.
The Congress will kick off at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, at the Lake Charles Civic Center Amphitheatre, followed by the main event, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, at the West Cal Arena and Events Center in Sulphur. The Most Reverend Glen John Provost will be the celebrant for Mass at 6 p.m. on Saturday to close out the all-day event.
For Monsignor Daniel A. Torres, V.G., chairman of the Congress, the expectation is for people in the Diocese to rekindle their faith in Jesus Christ, to return to the Catholic Church and the Sacraments, and to possess a reverence for the Eucharist.
“During this time of the pandemic, recovery from hurricanes, a winter storm, and flooding, as well as personal pain and struggles of life, family, economic hardships, and a numbness to everything, the Eucharistic Congress can offer an opportunity for all to see that God is with us; God has not abandoned us,” Torres said.
The idea for a Eucharistic Congress was presented to Bishop Provost and the Presbyteral Council by the Very Rev. Edward Richard, M.S., V.F., pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Sulphur.
Father Richard, who also serves as Dean of the West Deanery, said the intention is to provide an opportunity for Christian formation regarding the mystery of the Eucharist and how lives can be molded in the light of this great gift of God.
“The number one priority of the Eucharistic Congress should be directed to the increase of faith in the Most Holy Eucharist for what it truly is, the Real Presence of Jesus Christ,” said Father Richard.
"The Lord Jesus has given this Holy Sacrament so that we might encounter Him who Is,” Father Richard continued. “My hope is that the entire mystery of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is better integrated into the way parishes worship as well as into the personal faith lives of Christians.”
Opening night at the Civic Center includes outdoor praise and worship music in English and Spanish, a bilingual Rosary, and a candlelight procession with the Blessed Sacrament from the amphitheater to the Cathedral for all-night Adoration until 6 a.m. on Nov. 13.
Highlights of the main event in Sulphur will feature talks from local priests, including Father Ruben Buller, Monsignor Arthur Calkins, Father Ruben Villarreal, and Father Richard, on various aspects of the Eucharist.
On Wednesday, Nov. 17, a Spanish-language Mass will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. at St. Henry Catholic Church in Lake Charles. Adoration and a Eucharistic talk will be presented by Father Randy Courville from the Diocese of Lafayette.
Church parishes throughout the week will offer special hours of adoration, pray novenas and litanies, and offer catechesis on the Eucharist.
When public Masses were suspended in the spring of 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Monsignor Torres, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, said he recognized a concern for those who do not believe in the True Presence. For two months, he carried the Blessed Sacrament throughout the streets of Our Lady Queen of Heaven parish territory with the help of three red Ford trucks.
“The first week, people thought it was a parade; the second week, people continued to act up and did not take it seriously,” Torres said. “By the third week and the weeks that followed, tears were streaming down the faces of the faithful as they knelt in their yards as the Lord Jesus passed them for a few seconds. … All one could do was cry that they were not able to receive the physical Presence of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ Himself in the Eucharist.”
Monsignor Torres said he hopes the Eucharistic Congress will spark a greater awareness, offer catechesis, and help Catholics realize that priests are doing everything possible to bring Jesus to the people of God.
All events are free, and no registration is required. Seating at the West Cal Arena and Events Center is limited to 1,200. A love offering will be accepted during the Mass on Nov. 13 to help with the expenses.
DIGITAL DIRECTORY AVAILABLE IN FACTS
An ICCS digital school directory is available in the FACTS system. To access it, log on to http://www.factsmgt.com/ and follow the steps below.
- Choose Parent Login
- Choose Family Portal
- Enter your login information (District Code: ICCS-LA)
- Once logged in, choose School Home from the menu on the left side
- Then choose Directory
QUICK LINKS
FACTS FAMILY PORTAL
Parent Portal access to student grades and assignments.
www.factsmgt.comDON'T FORGET TO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST ICCS NEWS AND EVENTS!
Contact Information
Email: kmorgan@iccsweb.com
Website: www.iccschool.org
Location: 1536 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
Phone: 337-433-3497
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iccschool