News and Notes January 13, 2020
A Note from the Principal
-Registration for Boots N' BBQ is coming to a close. You can register for Boots here. Boots N' BBQ is our largest fundraiser for the RISE program. Anyone who purchases tickets for Boots or makes a small donation can enjoy a Spirit Dress Day this Friday. Help us support our amazing RISE program.
-We are currently taking applications for new students, including new Kindergarten students. Re-enrollment (for current K-7th grade students) will begin during Catholic Schools Week. If you are applying for Kindergarten, you should have received an email already.
-February Hot Lunch & Pizza Closing date is January 30th at 1:30 pm. The schedule is several sections down in this News and Notes.
Cherry Street Construction
February Lunch Menu
Inclement Weather Notice
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.
Calendar of Events
2019-2020 Parent Calendar
*All times and dates are subject to change.
2nd Semester
January 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day-No School
January 25 Boots N BBQ
January 25-31 Catholic Schools Week
February 4 Early Childhood Parent Education Session
February 6 2:15 Dismissal for Conferences (Conferences from 3:00-6:00)
February 7 NO SCHOOL Parent Teacher Conferences 8:30-12:00
February 13 Valentine Parties-2:15 (Kindergarten Friendship Breakfast)
February 14 Diocesan Professional Day-No School
February 17 Presidents Day-No School
February 26 Ash Wednesday
March 3 Early Childhood Parent Education Session
March 12 Q&U Wedding
March 15 Last Day of 3rd Quarter
March 14-22 Spring Break
March 27-April 3 Spring Book Fair
April 9 Living Stations of the Cross-2:00
April 7 Early Childhood Parent Education Session
April 10 Good Friday-No School
April 13 Easter Monday-No School
April 23 NJHS Inductions
April 25-26 2nd Grade Treasure Box Weekend
May 5 Early Childhood Parent Education Session
May 6 K-8 May Crowning 10:00
May 13 Kindergarten Nursery Rhyme Day @8:30
May 1 1st Communion Luncheon--2nd Grade
May 2 & 3 1st Communion Weekend
May 8 Field Day
May 15 Field Day Make Up
May 14 8th Grade Luncheon and 8th Grade Graduation
May 21 Last Day of School/Kindergarten Graduation 10:30/Noon Dismissal
2019-2020 Marquette School Theme
Prayer Request
Heavenly Father as we begin this new school year I pray that you would give us an understanding and discerning heart in our thoughts, words, and actions with our children, with their teachers, and with our fellow parents. Help us to be slow to anger but quick to respond to the needs, disappointment, and problems that others are facing.
Keep me Lord from developing a judgmental spirit that can so often jump to the wrong conclusions and prevent me for speaking too hastily, which can so often cause sadness and pain to those that are in need and trouble.
Lord as a community we want to be used by You as a channel of blessing and of loving compassion. Teach us, Lord, how to be the models for our children and we pray that You would change us from the inside out to be the person that You would have me to be. Lord, bless this school as we celebrate 100 years of Catholic education and may we do all things pleasing to You. Amen.
- For our students, parents, and teachers that we will experience a year of faith-filled development.
- For an increase in vocations within our Christ the King/Marquette community.
- For our Priests and for an increase in vocations to the Priesthood and religious life.
- For those separated from their families due to military deployment.