FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE
Our Lady Queen of Heaven School :: October 2nd, 2013
The FHS is a monthly on-line school newsletter. It will be emailed to you through School Reach. There will be weekly reminders of important events and activities that are planned for the upcoming week.
Dear Parents and Members of the OLQHS Community
The Common Core Standards are becoming an issue in the public forum. It has become a controversial issue. As I have said before we are adapting some of the aspects of the CCSS but we are not following all of it. OLQHS does not receive federal funds so we would never be required to adopt them. There are some instructional methods that we will be using to improve teaching and learning. The use of best practices is always beneficial to improving the quality of education our children receive. I am including in this newsletter the position paper provided by the National Catholic Education Association on the Common Core Standards.
Common Core State Standards May 31, 2013
A Statement by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
NCEA Position Statement on the Common Core State Standards
Catholic schools have a long-standing commitment to academic excellence that is rooted in the faith-based mission of Catholic education. The Common Core State Standards in no way compromise the Catholic identity or educational program of a Catholic school. The Common Core State Standards initiative, begun in 2007, is a state-led, bipartisan effort that is not a requirement for participation in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) or any other federally funded program, and there are no mandates for any Catholic school to follow any federal rules if they adopt the Common Core. Adoption of the Common Core is voluntary; individual states, Catholic dioceses and other private schools make their own decisions about whether to adopt the standards. The Common Core State Standards are a set of high-quality academic expectations that all students should master by the end of each grade level. The standards establish consistent learning goals for all students that focus on preparing them to succeed in college and careers in a globally competitive workplace. The standards define and clearly communicate grade-specific goals and inform parents about learning outcomes, making it easier for parents to collaborate with teachers in helping their children achieve success.
The Common Core State Standards are not a curriculum. A curriculum includes what is taught, when it is taught, how it is taught and what materials to use. None of these items are included in the Common Core State Standards. For Catholic schools, all of these elements will continue to be determined by diocesan superintendents, principals and teachers working to meet the needs of their students. The Common Core represents a fundamental shift in the teaching and learning process. The Common Core establishes clear, measurable goals for students that assist teachers in making instructional decisions. The standards place emphasis on creativity, critical and analytical thinking and application to curriculum content.
The Common Core is not a national curriculum. It guides the way that instruction takes place in each classroom, allowing the Catholic school to develop its own curriculum content. An excellent Catholic school provides a rigorous academic curriculum that integrates faith and knowledge. As trained professionals, Catholic school administrators and teachers continually seek the best instructional methods for educating students. In the past, dioceses and schools have developed their own standards or adapted state standards for use with their own curriculum. Some will continue to do this.
To assist those incorporating the new standards, the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and partners in Catholic education established the Common Core Catholic Identity Initiative (CCCII).
CCCII provides resources to design and direct the implementation of Common Core within the culture and context of a Catholic school curriculum. Thus Catholic schools can infuse the standards with the faith, principles, values and social justice themes inherent in the mission of a Catholic school. NCEA, the largest private professional education organization in the world, provides leadership, direction and service to its members through a variety of professional development activities that support whatever teaching and learning activities the individual school chooses implement.
OLQHS is an incredible place to be.
Ms. JoAnn
“He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing.” (Job 8:21)
Important Messages From Our School
The date of Bishop Provost’s visit has been changed to Wednesday, October 23rd.
We will have liturgy beginning at 9:00 am.
DROP OFF ON QUILTY:
Traffic flows both ways in the morning, with drop off allowed ONLY at the crosswalk; NO DROP OFF ALLOWED ON CHURCH OR FLCC PROPERTY. Parents may park at the church and accompany the student to the campus.
PICK UP ON QUILTY:
Traffic flows one way (westbound only) at pick-up time. This is due to the relay system used to call students to the line.
Please be aware there are now large trucks moving dirt, etc around the school.
All students going on the trip to Washington, tuition accounts must be up-to-date by the date of the trip.
Catholic Charities is in need of food to fill their pantry.
OLQHS has been asked to help out. Each month there will be one designated item that Catholic Charities is going to ask us to contribute. That item will be “Rice” this month. There will be a box in the lobby that you may place your donation in.
Thank you for donating.
Year of Faith
The Feasts of the All Saints and All Souls
All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2) are holy feasts in the Church that celebrate our Catholic belief in the Communion of Saints. The Church teaches that every member of the body of Christ is eternally connected and cannot be separated by time or space, or even death. These feasts days are times of remembrance, celebration and prayer.
All Saints’ Day is a time to honor all of the great saints who have graced the earth. All Souls’ Day is a special day where we remember every member of the Communion of Saints – including our faithful family members or friends who have passed away. We pray for all the souls in purgatory.
“Instant Wisdom”
Ways to help your child with reading:
• Read to your child every day.
• Choose a book that you like.
• Sit together on the couch or a chair.
• Talk about the book.
• Look at the pictures.
• Talk about what might happen next.
You are building vocabulary and understanding about what is being read.
What a gift you are giving your child!Read everywhere that you go. Read the stop sign, the Walmart sign, and the billboards on your way around town. I remember when my daughter was 5 years old and we went to the mall. She said,"That says J.C.Penney." She was amazed that she could read the signs above the stores. What an amazing discovery!
Caught You Being Good this week at OLQHS!!! Let’s Celebrate!!!
8th graders, Cameron Kingery, Owen Connor, Ryan Monk, and John David Houssiere, gave up their afternoon off on Friday, September 13 to serve as Alter Servers for Father Long during the teachers afternoon of Reflection. Thank you, boys!!
Maya Sanders was being kind and helpful to Davey Hassell as she is his official helper. Davey just broke his foot and is on crutches.
Cornerstone Capital Campaign
Thank you to all who have supported the Capital Campaign!
To date, we have raised 92% of our goal. This has allowed us to break ground on Phase I, the new middle school building, and plan for Phase II, the renovation of existing classrooms and relocation of grades (PK, K, 4, 3) to the main campus. You will see great progress this fall and into the spring as the building goes up. Our plan is to have the middle school building open and all students together, on the west side of Creole Street, for the 2014 -2015 school year. With all of the campaign’s success over the past year, we are still not at 100%. In order to finish the project in its entirety, including Phase III – the relocation of the Early Childhood Center – we still need your help. If you are interested in making a donation to the campaign or would like more information, please contact Megan O’Quin at 477-7349 or moquin@olqhs. org. Thank you for your support and help continuing the legacy of OLQHS!
“Layers of Legacy” Courtyard
There is still time to purchase your brick in the “Layers of Legacy” Courtyard! In the new OLQHS middle school building, there will be a brick courtyard where students will be able to congregate, learn and perform school activities. You have the opportunity to purchase a brick for this courtyard for yourself, a loved one, an organization or business, or in memoriam. Bricks may be purchased in increments of $100, $250, $500 and $1,000. We hope you will join us in making a lasting tribute, paving the way for generations to come!
Please contact Megan O’Quin at 477-7349 or moquin@olqhs.org for more information.
The deadline for purchasing bricks is December 31, 2013.
Middle School Youth Ministry of Our Lady Queen of Heaven
Middle School Edge Night will meet this Thursday October 3, 2013 from 6pm to 7:30 pm at the Youth House. All 6th, 7th and 8th graders are invited.
Youth Ministry will hold a Putt Putt Night on Tuesday Oct 8, 2013 from 6-9. 8th grade through 12th grade are invited to purchase tickets for themselves, family and friends and play unlimited games during that time. Tickets are $6 each and can be purchased from (me) Marty Berry at the youth house 474-8755 (or I can be reached by cell 802-6757)
Middle School Rally for 6th thru 12th graders is Saturday, October 19, 2013 10 am - 4 pm. Lake Arthur Unity Park. Deadline for registration is October 11. We have registration forms. Cost is $15.00
Middle School Rally will be held November 9, 2013 at Our Lady of Prompt Succor. 10-5 cost is $20.00 registration deadline is October 31.
SWAG TEAM
Congratulations SWAG members on your outstanding accomplishments.
Special Pre-Kindergarten Days
Pre Kindergarten to begin Fast Start on October 21st
Mr. Crosby will be giving another short presentation on the Fast Start program on Wednesday, October 16th.
The presentation will be from 3:30 until 4:00 in the Elementary Computer Lab.
Please attend if you would like to know more about Fast Start.
Heavenly Jazz Fest Weekend :: OLQHS Auction & Carnival!
OLQHS Auction - A Night of Jazz - Thursday, October 17th - 6:00pm @FLCC Gym
OLQHS Carnival - Sunday, October 20th - 10:00am to 4:00pm
The Heavenly Jazz Fest Weekend is quickly approaching! The auction will be held Thursday evening; a casual night of food, spirits & fun with a silent and live auction. On Sunday, you are invited to bring the entire family to enjoy our annual carnival, where we will have music and entertainment, horse rides, games, beautiful fall plants, the Sweet Shop, face painting, pumpkin painting, fun jumps and much more!
We are still taking donations for the silent & live auction, as well as theme baskets!
RESERVE YOUR AUCTION TICKETS NOW!
Tickets purchased after September 30, 2013 will be $55 per person
Simply send the reservation card along with a check made payable to OLQH-PTC to:
OLQH School
3908 Creole Street
Lake Charles, LA 70605.
CARNIVAL TICKET BRACELETS
Ticket bracelets are buy four receive one free until October 11, 2013.
After that date, they will be $5 per ticket bracelet. All pre-order ticket bracelets will be sent home with your child Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Click here for more information about these events including tickets, donations, sponsorships, theme baskets and more!
Thank you for your support of these wonderful events!
THE ART WORLD
OLQH Art Students are off and running! We are busy making beautiful things. Kindergarten students are working hard learning about COLORS—primary colors, secondary colors, warm colors, and cool colors. First graders are busy making flowers—their version of Picasso’s “Mains Aux Fleurs” is on display in the Fine Arts Building and they are now drawing flower arrangements in vases. Second Grade studied shapes and drew dinosaurs and are now drawing “Patches” the Scarecrow for our Fall season.
Our Third Grade classes did a composition that included all of the six basic shapes and are finishing their insect pictures. Fourth Graders practiced their drawing skills by drawing their own hands and shoes. They next met a great challenge by drawing a landscape with correct perspective. They will soon begin their Christmas Gourd Ornaments. Fifth Graders honed their drawing skills by looking at upside down cartoon characters and drawing them upside down. This challenges you to draw exactly what you see.
Our Middle School Art/Band/Chorus students are doing a great job with Zentangles. What? You don’t know what that is!! Look on Artsonia or come to the Fine Arts Building and check out the display. They are fantastic. The 8th Grade Art/Chorus students are painting gourd flowers for our wonderful school production of “Finnian’s Rainbow”.
Please check out your students work on Artsonia. Make a comment—let them know you love their work! Think of purchasing some Artsonia merchandise with your child’s artwork on it. They are the perfect Christmas gifts for family and friends and our Fine Arts Department gets 20% of every item sold.
Remember, we are busy creating, having fun, and making messes!
Brenda Foshee, Art
NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY
Thanks to all who were able to support our Fall Magazine Drive. We earned a profit of $3000, with more to come from online and “Reach Out” booklet orders. Special thanks to Anna Reyes and Margaret Wright for helping throughout the drive.
Congratulations AR Stars Jace Peloquin and Jake Hanks, 6th grade
OLQHS 4-H Club
There will be a 4-H meeting on Monday, October 14th at 3:30 in Mrs. Houssiere’s room
“OL’ Man Winter” Long sleeve T-shirt Sale”
Cold Weather is upon us. . . The OLQH long sleeve gray T-shirts that we have left in stock, regular price $17 are on sale for $10.00. These shirts may be worn on T-shirt days and OLQH field trips.
Limited number of long sleeve T-shirts available. Get yours before they are gone!!!
ASBESTOS STATEMENT
EACH YEAR PARENTS MUST BE INFORMED THAT THE SCHOOL HAS COMPLIED WITH ALL NATIONAL STANDARDS REGARDING ASBESTOS ON CAMPUS. CERTAIN VINYL FLOORS AND THE PANELS THAT ARE BELOW THE QUAD WINDOWS WILL HAVE TO BE HANDLED APPROPRIATELY IF EVER REPLACED. OUR REPORT INDICATES THAT EXISTING ASBESTOS IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RATING GIVEN. YOU ARE WELCOME TO EXAMINE THE ASBESTOS FILE IN THE OFFICE IF DESIRED.
About Our School
Lake Charles, LA 70605
Phone: 337.477.7349
Fax: 337.477.7384
Email: drivero@olqhs.org
Website: www.olqhs.org
Location: 3908 Creole Street, Lake Charles, LA
Phone: (337)477-7349