We are collecting items for the project until Friday, October 22. A list of suggested items was sent home two weeks ago, additional lists are available in the office. Simple toys (no batteries), small stuffed animals, art materials, and other small items that can be collected and packed with care into a Box of Joy box. Students may bring items to their classroom teacher and we will count and tally the gifts as they come in. We will have a large box in the Commons for classrooms to bring their gifts once they are counted each day.

We will gather as a school and church community on Saturday, October 23 to assemble the gifts into boxes and get them ready to ship to Latin America. You and your family are invited to help pack (and receive Care and Share hours) the Box of Joy boxes up and get them ready for their journey.

Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness and generosity in bringing the joy and happiness of Christmas to a child. What a meaningful project for your family to work on together and what a beautiful way to help teach our children the importance of thinking and helping others.

To help with Boxes of Joy shipping costs, we will be having a $1.00 Paid Dress Down Day on Friday, October 15 for students and teachers. If your child does not want to participate in the paid dress down day, he or she needs to wear uniform clothing to school. This is not a Friday Mass day, so we will be able to dress comfy and cozy and help those in need.

The highlight of many Octobers for our students is always our fun Halloween activities and events during the school day. This year will be no exception. Before too many Halloween costumes are purchased or made, Bishop Rice has requested that Halloween costumes worn to school refrain from any demonic, evil, or scary images and that they are wholesome and fun in nature. We do not traditionally have any problems with scary or inappropriate costumes in our school, but please follow Bishop Rice's wishes.

We will start our Halloween festivities on Thursday, October 28 with an outdoor Halloween Parade starting at 8:30 a.m. Students will wear their costumes to school and classroom parties will begin after the parade ends, probably around 9:00 a.m. Parent involvement during the classroom parties this year will be limited to the designated room parent and two other classroom parents, there will be no exceptions. Even if you are not your child's classroom room parent or one of the additional helpers, there are many ways to help with this fun day. Food items, treat bags, games, and/or supplies for a party craft are always needed and appreciated.

Halloween fun will begin with a costume parade starting at 8:30 a.m. with Mrs. Lone’s 5th grade class leading the way. The classes will parade within the school and then proceed outside so parents can join in the fun. The northern section of the school parking lot will be closed off after morning drop-off so parents can bring lawn chairs or stand where cars usually park. Students will exit from the Preschool entrance, walking in the middle of the closed-off parking lot until reaching the main entrance of the school. At this point students will walk onto the sidewalk and go around the side of the school and parish building, entering back into the school through the south parish doors. Parents are also welcome to line up along the outside of the sidewalks or in the church courtyard to watch the parade. Students will return to their classrooms following the parade and class Halloween parties will begin then, ending around 10:00 a.m.

Don't forget that Thursday, October 28 is a Noon Dismissal Day. After School Care will be available until 5:30 p.m.

One of our favorite St. Mary's traditions is right around the corner, Trunk or Treat! Please join us for a spooktacular evening of fun on Thursday, October 28 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Mary's parking lot. Trunk or Treat is hosted by our 5th grade students and parents as a fundraiser for their spring trip. The event is open to the public so you may invite family and friends to attend as well. In addition to trunk or treating, there will be lots of games and activities for everyone, you don't even have to worry about dinner! Chili, hot dogs, walking tacos, chips, drinks, and Mrs. Lown's ghost cookies will be for sale in the courtyard area in front of the school and there will be tables set up outside for dining.

You are invited to decorate your car, truck, boat, motorcycle, or any other mode of transportation you would like to bring. Set up for the event starts at 6:00 p.m. in the north end of the school parking lot. This is a great family event and there are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes for the entries. If you have any questions about the event, please call the school office, 623-1465. If you would like to register your trunk for the event or make a monetary donation, please use the form found below. Mother Nature is going to cooperate so we can enjoy a beautiful evening outside, but if we have to reschedule due to the weather, the make-up date will be Friday, November 5. Please make plans now to attend this festive and fun evening!

I would like to update and add to our St. Mary's Wall of Honor in our school's main hallway. This is an area in our school that displays photographs (or paper copies of them) to keep our past and present service men and women close in our thoughts and prayers. If you have a family member or friend you would like to include in our Wall of Honor, please bring a photograph or paper copy to school or scan and email it to me (jlown@jacss.org). Having a Wall of Honor in our school is a meaningful way to keep those who so courageously and honorably serve or served our country close in prayer.

Throughout the school year I will include volunteer opportunities in the Communicator Newsletter when a special project or event is coming up. Two such projects will be taking place in November and we could really use some volunteers to help.

• New benches and picnic tables have been ordered for the elementary playground. Although the items were ordered months ago, shipping delays have delayed their arrival. When the items are delivered to school in early November they will need to be assembled and installed. If you have tools and would like to help with this project, please let me know.
• St. Mary's Parish annual Turkey Dinner is being held on Sunday, November 14. If you would like to help with the event, please let me or Stephanie Elbert in the Parish Office know (623-3333). Volunteers are needed to help several days before the event to prep food and set up, and also on the actual day of the Turkey Dinner to help cook and serve. If you are handy in the kitchen and would like to help, please let us know.

Planning is underway for the next JACS Auction, Derby 2022! Please make plans to join us on Saturday, April 30 for a fun and meaningful event that benefits Catholic education in Joplin. If you would like to be involved in the planning and prepping for the event, or if you have a service or item you would like to donate to the auction, email auctionadmin@jacss.org or call 624-5003, ext. 207. Follow the fun on Facebook at Joplin Area Catholic School Auction and jacss.org for upcoming details.

Thursday, October 14: Preschool Classes Visit the Pumpkin Patch, leave school at 8:15 a.m.

Friday, October 15: $1.00 Paid Dress Down Day benefitting Boxes of Joy project

Friday, October 15: No School Mass, Rosary in Church at 8:15 a.m.

Friday, October 15: End of First Quarter

Monday, October 18: No School--Diocesan PD Day

Wednesday, October 20: Joplin Fire Dept. Visits Preschool and Kindergarten, 9-10:30 a.m.

Thursday, October 21: Free Dress Day

Saturday, October 23: Fill and Pack Boxes of Joy Boxes, 1-4:00 p.m. in Parish Hall

Tuesday, October 26: Pink Out Day for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Wednesday, October 27: Halloween-themed Free Dress Day

Thursday, October 28: Halloween Parade and Parties starting at 8:30 a.m.

Thursday, October 28: Noon Dismissal

Thursday, October 28: Parent-Teacher Conferences, 12:30-6:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 28: Trunk or Treat, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Friday, October 29: No School, Fall Break