.We.Are.Cougar
The Nerve Center for All Things 8th Grade
'Tis the Season
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord!
The busy-ness of our daily lives often keeps us from realizing what matters most. I am hoping that the information below will help alleviate a bit of the confusion and ambiguity so that we can regain our focus and preparation for the coming of what we all seek: LOVE.
Fasten your seat belts...
High School Admissions | Deadlines Coming Up: Mitty, Bellarmine, St. Francis - Friday, Dec. 15
Please make sure that you have completed your process using the online tools for these schools. You must complete your process as stipulated in the Admissions site. If you haven't already sent me an online Recommendation Request (use hs.admit@stmaryslg.org address) PLEASE DO SO TODAY even if you've sent me a paper copy of the request. The portal will likely prevent you from going further until I have accepted the request. I will keep an eye on requests and ACCEPT them as they come. Essays will be due at the time you complete your application. A fee and signing up for testing (and interview at St. Francis) will likely be required as well. Review the check list provided by the high school's admissions team to see if there's anything that needs to be finalized before the end of the week! Let me know if you have any questions.
There seems to be an additional request for a second ACADEMIC recommendation from some of the high schools. Feel free to use my email address or the email address of one of your core teachers: Dr. Karloff, Mrs. Delgado, or Mrs. Dickerson. Mr. Johnston assures me that the high schools know our process: that Recommendations are completed as a junior high staff. However, if a second academic recommendation is indeed necessary, please rest assured we will comply.
Reconciliation Service
This past Thursday, we received the Sacrament of Reconciliation (a blessing for our non-Catholic students). This gift of grace prepared us to rid our hearts of the burden of sin to make room for the LOVE that is to come. I am so very proud of how the students sat in quiet anticipation for their turn. How lucky am I to witness their growth in taking this Sacrament more seriously!
Advent Program: "Be the Present" | Tuesday, Dec. 19, 6:30P in the Church
This Christmas play, adapted from a structure created by Ms. Christa Hanson, conceived by our very own Daniella and performed by the Class of 2018, will feature Christmas carols sung by students from each of the St. Mary School classes, and a "live" Baby Jesus portrayed by one of our newest St. Mary sibling. Because we have such an incredibly talented staff, we have soloist who will be sharing their talents with us in song, through dance, and by playing a musical instrument. How lucky that we get to witness this!
Students have been doing an amazing job rehearsing their lines, blocking the play, and contributing as part of the production crew. We are will be off book this week, which means players must have their lines memorized by now. We are so fortunate to have this talented group of students lead the whole school in praying together and getting us in the spirit of Christmas!
Currently, we need some help with the set. The Class of 2017 painted an amazing backdrop for us last year. We need frames to display the backdrops. If you can help with construction of a simple bi-fold or tri-fold frame that will fit the canvas, please let me know.
More importantly, on the evening of the performance, I will need some parents "backstage" to help students dress before the performance. Once students are set, you may take your seat to enjoy the production.
Sets: Do you have a shoji screen or other self-standing screens to obscure some parts of the sanctuary that you would be willing to loan to us?
Sound/Lighting: If you have expertise in these areas, we could certainly use your help! We will need to rent a simple, small platform spots for occasional use during the play. We will need to rent wireless mics as well. If you can help underwrite the cost,please let me know.
What to expect on Tuesday, December 19
8:15-9A This is our tech/dress day. We will need parent volunteers (about 3-4) to help students get ready (costumes). We will run the whole play from start to finish with classes singing in between scenes. Please have students eat a hearty breakfast on this day as they may not have the opportunity to have a full recess. We will give them a break, but it is best if they have an energy bar and water on hand for a quick break. Students will be dismissed as usual at 3P.
5:30-5:45P Drop students off in the church [USE TAIT STREET ENTRANCE - WE WILL NOT OPEN ANY OTHER DOORS] to get in costume and get mic'd (if it applies). Please make sure that students needing make up come to the church already made up. Parents helping should arrive at this time as well. Santa, Mall Cop, angels, Bethlehem folks, shepherds, and kings will need costume assistance.
6P All other students (TK-7) will need to be dropped off in the classroom.
6:20P Church doors will be opened for seating.
6:30P The Program begins. You may photograph (refrain from using flash) and record the program. We request that you share your best photos with us so that we can feature it on the website, Instagram, and Facebook. We ask that you keep the aisles free once the play begins so that our actors can move freely in the space.
The Program will run for about an hour and a half. Students AND parents [ALL HANDS ON DECK PLEASE] will need to help get the church ready for daily mass on Wednesday by putting away all evidence of the play that evening. We will secure Hofmann to move "play" items (costumes, props, sound/lighting rentals, etc.) here so that we can finish putting things away on Wednesday morning. Parent help appreciated on Wednesday morning as well.
On Wednesday, Dec. 20, all students will enjoy a 10A start time. However, if students are willing to come at 9, we can finalize "cleaning up" Hofmann from the night before at this time.
Secret Santa | Desk Decorating Begins Thursday, Dec. 14
This week, we will draw Secret Santa names and decorate our bulletin board with Christmas wrap and Christmas stockings. Starting Monday, Dec. 18, students can bring a gift for their Secret Santa. We will establish the parameters for the gifts. Ask your students for details after tomorrow. (It will likely be no more than $5 per gift for MTW and a "reveal" gift worth no more than $20 for Friday.)
Christmas Party | Pajama Bowling | Wednesday, Dec. 20
Thank you to Patrick Clifford for setting this up. Field trip permission forms are due tomorrow. Please volunteer to drive -- make sure you have all your paperwork on file at School Office and that they are current. We will need at least 5 drivers!
Christmas Outreach: Field Trip to Live Oak Senior Nutrition Center | Thursday, Dec. 21
Thank you to Magda and Ranya Tobin for arranging this opportunity. We will walk to the Center, perform for them and interact with the Senior Citizens, and return back to school in time for dismissal. (We will reveal our Secret Santas before we leave. Send Christmas cookies for the students to enjoy and to bring to the Seniors at the Center.)
As always, thank you for your continued support and for entrusting us with the care of your precious gifts. It is with love that we were given life, it is through love that we are sustained, and it is LOVE personified who gives us HOPE.
Happy Advent!
Mrs. Cecile Mantecón