Panther Press
Thursday, February 6, 2020
ICCS Mission Statement:
CURRICULUM CORNER by Blair Tadlock
Taking a Leap of Faith
This is what our teachers do. They take a leap of faith day in and day out. Kristine Mraz and Christine Hertz focus on this in the introduction to their co-authored book, A Mindset for Learning: Teaching the Traits of Joyful, Independent Growth. The following excerpt from their book is worth a read as I believe it speaks volumes about what our teachers do.
In her book Daring Greatly, Brene Brown draws on Theodore Roosevelt’s famous speech, challenging us to “walk into the arena, whatever it may be . . . with courage and the willingness to engage” (2012, 2). She continues, “Rather than sitting on the sidelines and hurling judgment and advice, we must dare to show up and let ourselves be seen. This is vulnerability. This is daring greatly.” As teachers, we know well that life would be easier outside the arena. Outside the arena, we can deliver the curriculum as it is handed down to us. We can push and pull our students toward academic benchmarks and teach them how to “do” school. We can pack up our bags at the end of the day and say, “Good enough.” Life is safer and easier outside the arena.
But as teachers, we also know in our hearts that our place is actually inside the arena, Inside the arena, we advocate passionately for what is best for our students while helping them develop their own agency and voice. We do all we can to dodge the judgments that are hurled at us, and we use our best judgment to help our students thrive. Inside the arena is where we do our most important work---our work as teachers is to dare greatly and to teach our children to do the same. . .
And, together, we will help your students become the brave, engaged, energized learners and people we need them to be (Mraz and Hertz, xx).
Our teachers at ICCS show up to the arena every day. Without question, they “dare greatly” and are willingly vulnerable for the greatest good--the Catholic education of your children. ICCS teachers are in an arena of important work--Catholic education. I, as an administrator, former teacher, and current parent, am overwhelmed with gratitude that our teachers have made the choice to be in the arena rather than participate in “good enough” education.
MERCY MATTERS by Rose Viau
Some of your children may have come home from school excited about the "Atrium." The "Atrium,” is a special room here on campus where children come to deepen their relationship with God, learn about the Bible and the Liturgy using hands-on works that are based on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
“The Atrium” consists of:
- Life in the Church: Students work with a model altar and learn the vessels used during Mass and the priest gestures. They learn about the vestments the priest wears and the Liturgical Calendar and the significance of each color during the Church season.
- Mystery of the Incarnation: The Biblical Geography, Messianic Prophesies, and Infancy Narratives are discovered in this area of the atrium. Recently the children were presented “The Presentation in the Temple,” which corresponded to last Sunday’s Gospel.
- Mystery of the Kingdom of God: The stories of the Parables Jesus taught are presented. Presently the students are learning the “Parable of the Mustard Seed” and “The Precious Pearl.” - The Good Shepherd: Through this hands-on work the children learn of the Good Shepherd’s love and mercy.
- The Paschal Mystery: The students learn about The Last Supper, The Resurrection, and The City of Jerusalem using maps and hands-on pieces of the places where Jesus walked.
- Practical Life and Baptism are two other areas the students work in.
We are so blessed to have former ICCS Kindergarten teacher,
Mrs.JoLynn Marcantel, helping out in the Atrium on a regular basis. We are also grateful for the many donations that have been given to our Atrium project.
NEW FAMILY REGISTRATION STARTS MONDAY
New Family Registration for the 2020-2021 academic year officially starts Monday, February 10. Since September, numerous families have toured our school or attended an ICCS Open House event. Many of the prospective families were referred to our school by you, our current parents. Thank you for spreading the good news about ICCS to your friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers.
While it appears our PK and Kindergarten classes will fill fairly quickly on Monday, we will have limited openings in 1st-7th grades for the 2020-2021 academic year. Please continue to promote ICCS in the community; especially to families looking for a Catholic school setting for their 1st-7th grade children. Private tours will still be available for prospective families from now until May. Together, we will continue to grow our school community and fill the halls of ICCS with wonderful students and families!
Many thanks to ICCS parents: Lee Fusilier, Kelly Hurt, Andrea Perez and Colleen Phillips for volunteering their time and energy at the January 29 ICCS PK-8th Grade Open House. We appreciate your help and dedication!
REGISTRATION FEES
BISHOP SCHOLARSHIP FUND
2019 TAX STATEMENTS NOW AVAILABLE
Payments made through FACTS (Including registration and August-December 2019 payments) are available for parents to print online.
FACTS Tax Statements can be printed using the following instructions:
- Sign in to your account: https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/440BZ
- Click the blue "View Details" link on the home screen
- Click the blue "View Payment Summary" box
- Click the blue "Print" button at the top right corner of the screen
This report details all payments made through FACTS for 2019 (August-December). The school's tax identification number is listed for tax purposes.
*PLEASE NOTE, THESE INSTRUCTIONS WORK BEST WHEN USING A COMPUTER RATHER THAN A SMART PHONE.
For more information, please contact Melissa Mathew at mbmathew@iccschool.org.
ICCS SPIRIT RIBBON SALE MONDAY
MARDI GRAS BUTTON SALE
2nd Grade Project-Based Learning Unit
Mardi Gras Button Sale
Cost $1.00
Tuesday, February 18 and Wednesday, February 19
7:25 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. in the ICCS Gym
All proceeds will be used to purchase The Good Shepherd Statue for our school.
JOIN US FOR MASS TOMORROW
Parents, Grandpanthers and special guests are welcome to join us as we celebrate the February Birthday Mass tomorrow. Reminder: Boys must wear pants to Mass and girls must wear skirts or jumpers.
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY MASS
(Led by Mrs. Schlang's 5B students)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7
8:30 A.M., CATHEDRAL
UNIFORM ORDER DEADLINE THIS SATURDAY
Attention Parents: Southern Drifter has moved to their new location on Ernest Street, next to Mimosa Boutique.
IMPORTANT REMINDER! Southern Drifter is placing orders for ICCS uniforms for the 2020-2021 school year NOW THROUGH SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8. Families and students can stop by Southern Drifter in their new location on Ernest Street next to Mimosa Boutique to be fitted for uniforms or call in and place orders over the phone.
The last day to order and receive a guaranteed uniform for the 2020-2021 school year is Saturday, February 8. All orders made after February 8 will be subject to 35% increase and the lay-away option will not be available.
For more information, please contact Southern Drifter owner, LeAnne Buff at (337) 602-6668.
ICCS SPORTS NEWS:
BASKETBALL SCHEDULE:
Thursday, February 6:
7th Girls v HC, 4:30 p.m. @ HC
7th Boys V LCA, 5:30 p.m. @ HC
8th Girls v HC, 6:30 p.m. @ HC
8th Boys v HC, 7:30 p.m. @ HC
Saturday, February 8:
5th Girls v OLS, 9:00 a.m. @ ICCS
6th Girls v OLS, 10:00 a.m. @ ICCS
6th Boys v OLS, 12:00 p.m. @ ICCS
AUCTION NEWS:
AUCTION PRE-PARTY & GOLDEN TICKETS
AUCTION PACKETS DISTRIBUTED THIS WEEK
AUCTION PACKETS WERE SENT HOME WITH STUDENTS EARLIER THIS WEEK.
For more information, please contact the following Auction Committee Members:
Sponsorship Committee Chairman: Shelly Devall scfdevall@yahoo.com
Silent Auction Committee Chairman: Lauren Middleton lauren.cisneros@gmail.com
Live Auction Committee Chairman: Megan Gregory megangregory1119@yahoo.com
2020 PTO Auction Chairmen: Katie Devall & Kelly Serrano iccsptoauction@gmail.com
ICCS CLUB NEWS:
YOUNG ENGINEERS SOCIETY (YES)
CLASSROOM & SCHOOL NEWS
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE
STATE BETA CONVENTION WINNERS
4th Place Book Battle Contest Winners: Kate Austin, Ceci Barrios & Betsy Scroggs
4th Place 3D Design Contest Winner: Annie Gaughan
AMERICAN HISTORY
2ND GRADE MARDI GRAS PBL
This week, Sharon and Floyd Saltzman, former king and queen of Krewe de Amis, visited with our 2nd Grade students about the Mardi Gras season, Krewes, king cakes, the epiphany and the roles they played as king and queen of their local Mardi Gras Krewe.
To learn more about the 2nd Grade Mardi Gras PBL activities and adventures, log on to the ICCS Facebook page.
MARDI GRAS MUSEUM FIELD TRIP
MARDI GRAS BUTTON DESIGN WINNER ANNOUNCED
Each 2nd student in Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Arendt's classes designed their own festive Mardi Gras button. Once the final designs were made, students voted on their favorite. The top designs were then voted on by ICCS faculty members. The winning artist will have their design printed on over 1,000 buttons that will be sold to ICCS community members and Cathedral parishioners in a few weeks.
Congratulations to our design winner, Margo Authement! 💜💚💛
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE CLASS PET
CATHEDRAL NEWS:
BOOKKEEPER POSITION OPEN AT CATHEDRAL
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral Bookkeeper, Pamela Menou is retiring soon. We wish Mrs. Menou a very relaxing and blessed retirement!
The Cathedral is searching for a new Bookkeeper. Interested and qualified candidates can call (337) 436-7251 for more information about the position and the job application process.
QUICK LINKS
ONCOURSE CONNECT STUDENT/PARENT PORTAL
Keep up with homework, grades, attendance and get quick access to teacher websites via Oncourse Connect. Families having trouble logging in should email mbmathew@iccschool.org.
DON'T FORGET TO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST ICCS NEWS AND EVENTS!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Thursday, February 6:
3rd Quarter Progress Reports
(Parents can view student progress at www.oncourseconnect.com)
Friday, February 7:
February Birthday Mass (5B)
8:30 a.m., Cathedral
Monday, February 10:
New Family Registration
Pep Rally
2:20 p.m., ICCS Gym
Wednesday, February 19:
School Board Meeting
5:30 p.m., Parish Building
Thursday, February 20:
12PM Dismissal
No Aftercare
Friday, February 21 - Tuesday, February 25:
Mardi Gras Holiday
Wednesday, February 26:
Ash Wednesday Mass (6A)
8:30 a.m., Gym
1st Eucharist Parent Meeting
(immediately following Mass)
Friday, March 6:
March Birthday Mass (4A)
8:30 a.m., Cathedral
Thursday, March 12:
Middle School Performance of June B. Jones, Jr
1:45 p.m., ICCS Gym (school-wide performance)
6:00 p.m., ICCS Gym (evening performance)
Contact Information
Email: mbmathew@iccschool.org
Website: www.iccschool.org
Location: 1536 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
Phone: 337-433-3497
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iccschool