Panther Press
DECEMBER 16, 2021
ICCS Mission Statement:
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
At the beginning of November, PTO President-elect, Katie Devall, came to me with a new idea, the ICCS PTO Christmas fund, to show support and appreciation for our dedicated and devoted faculty and staff. Katie, along with Corlissa Hoffoss, PTO President, thought that our faculty and staff would appreciate a monetary gift during the holiday season in lieu of the traditional holiday gifts that they might normally receive. The plan was that they were hoping to match up to $10,000 of what was raised by both parents and ICCS community members. This past Tuesday, we had a faculty meeting that secretly was a Christmas celebration where two elves, Katie and Corlissa, arrived to gift our ICCS faculty and staff with YOUR generous gift from the Christmas fund.
Words or actions cannot express the reaction from our faculty and staff members when our jolly PTO elves told them about the fund and then– oh the best and most unbelievable part– that enough was raised so that they EACH received a gift in the amount of $1,000! Shock, tears, gasps, and then joy-filled laughter some of which happened out of that order and took time to truly sink in filled the room. To say that you all, our ICCS community, made our teachers and staff members feel abundantly appreciated is an understatement – YOU made them feel loved, valued and supported all of which they desperately needed. As one teacher put it, “how will I ever be able to properly thank everyone?” I told her I would do it here. From the bottom of my heart and the hearts of the ICCS faculty and staff, THANK YOU. What a wonderful school community we have!
Merry Christmas to you all and all of your families. Have a wonderful Christmas break!
Yours in Catholic education,
Blair Tadlock
T-SHIRT DAY TOMORROW
Just a reminder! Tomorrow is an early dismissal day. All students must be picked up by 12:30 p.m. After-care services will not be offered on Friday, December 17.
ICCS MORNING CARE SERVICES SURVEY
JOIN US FOR "CAROLS ON THE COURT" TOMORROW AT 10:00 A.M.
"Carols on the Court" will take place tomorrow morning, December 17, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on the ICCS playground basketball court. Our creative and talented Enrichment teachers will share the story of Christ's birth with all students, faculty members, and guests. Between readings, everyone will unite and sing traditional Christmas songs together.
Parents are welcome to attend and join in the caroling. A designated parent section will be set up for all guests. Parents are asked to enter the playground area through the Library courtyard gate. Please note parking around campus will be limited tomorrow and guest chairs will not be available during the "Carols on the Court" event.
ICCS T-SHIRT SALE ENDS TOMORROW
t-shirts to help raise funds for their end-of-the-year party and other class activities.
All t-shirts feature the 2021-2022 theme, "We love because He first loved us" 1 John 4:19. Shirts come in sizes youth small to adult 2Xlarge and are $20 each. The shirts can be billed through your FACTS account or paid for by check (made out to ICCS).
Students, parents, and "Grandpanthers" are invited to purchase a t-shirt. BUT HURRY! The order deadline is TOMORROW, December 17. Shirts will be sent home with students in January. Please complete the google form below to place an order.
"GRANDPANTHER" CARDS
ICCS ADVENT BLESSING
As our PK-8th Grade students prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth, we invite parents to view our weekly virtual Advent Blessings. This week, Ms. Sarah House and Mrs. Brittany Stine's Kindergarten students, along with Father Brian King, led the Advent Blessing. To view the virtual Advent Blessing, please click the link below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oZZFMMJ48RZl4WyTxVwbHfj49LZjRW2O/view?ts=61b3bdb9
SAFETY PATROL UPDATE
In years past, 5th Grade students have had the privilege of joining the ICCS Safety Patrol. The Safety Patrol members assist with safely unloading and loading students during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times on the Wilson Street loading dock or the Park Avenue loading dock. Unfortunately, due to the events of the past 18 months, we put a pause on the program. At this time we are hoping to bring the program back after the Christmas holiday with a Safety Patrol team consisting of both 5th and 6th Graders. If your 5th or 6th Grade student is interested in this safety service, please complete the survey form linked below. We were very proud of our Safety Patrol program and we are hopeful that we will be able to bring it back to ICCS in January 2022.
PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD
ICCS PRINCIPAL SEARCH NOW UNDERWAY
Candidates must be Catholics in full communion with the Church. Candidates should be a leader who can empower staff, and lead with integrity and consistency. Salary and benefits are negotiable and are based upon qualifications and experience.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Education Leadership or its equivalent
Minimum 5 years teaching experience
Evidence of prior school administration experience – Eligible for state certification
Catholic school administrative experience preferred
Excellent spiritual, educational, managerial, and communication skills
Qualified candidates are to submit a letter of interest, resume, academic credentials, and a letter of recommendation to dana.wimberly@lcdiocese.org or in writing to Kimberlee Gazzolo, Superintendent, Office of Catholic Schools, 1112 Bilbo St. Lake Charles, LA 70605
Submission deadline: 01/14/2022
Interviews of selected candidates will be held in January 2022.
The Diocese of Lake Charles is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees by reason of race, age, sex, handicap, or national origin.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CATHEDRAL PARISHIONER?
As we near the end of 2021, all Immaculate Conception Cathedral families are reminded of what qualifies parishioners to receive subsidized tuition rates. The Cathedral parish has set the following criteria: to be officially registered with the Cathedral, to worship regularly by attending Mass and participating in parish functions and activities, and to offer financial support by contributing to the church regularly. Families should check with the Cathedral office if they are unsure of their status. For more information, call the Cathedral office at (337) 436-7251.
THE VIRTUE OF AFFABILITY
Throughout the month of December, all PK-8th Grade students are practicing the virtue of affability. Affability is being easy to approach and helping those around you feel comfortable. Sometimes it’s easy to be affable to our friends and classmates because we don’t see them all the time. It can be difficult to practice affability in our families, but it is very important.
Do I remember to smile at my parents or siblings?
Do I acknowledge and listen when those closest to me speak or want to visit, or instead run off to play with my friends?
Mother Teresa often said, “Love begins at home.” The same is true for affability. We have to practice it in our own homes to really grow in this virtue.
Dear Jesus,
It is easy to smile at my friends and to greet them in the morning. It is much more difficult to be affable to my parents when they wake me up, or when they ask me to do chores. Sometimes I take out my frustration on my family, instead of practicing affability. Help me to spread Your love in my home by smiling and using cheerful words when I get home today. Amen
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
Friday, December 17
8th Grade Christmas Breakfast in the ICCS Gym
"Carols on the Court" at 10:00 a.m. on the ICCS Playground Basketball Court
Class Christmas Parties from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
12 Noon Dismissal for all students (NO AFTERCARE)
End of the Second Quarter
Christmas Holiday Break
Monday, December 20-Friday, December 31
Monday, January 3
Teacher In-service (NO SCHOOL)
Tuesday, January 4
Classes Resume
PTO FUNDRAISER NEWS
PERKY PRIZE DRAWING WINNERS ANNOUNCED
$100 cash winner: Eloise Byrd, Kindergarten
Occulus System winner: James Henderson, 1st Grade
Flat Screen Television & LED Light Set winner: Alexander McCall, 8th Grade
Sports Package & Electric Skateboard winner: Emmi Cholley, Kindergarten
Backpack Purse with Bath Products winner: Elisabeth Middleton, 1st Grade
American Girl Doll winner: Penelope Leonards, Kindergarten
Moonpod winner: Sarah Kathryn Burnham, 7th Grade
PANTHER RUN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
PTO Panther Run 5K and 1-Mile Color Run Chairperson, Kelly Henderson and her team are in need of RACE DAY VOLUNTEERS to help with set up, clean up, and other important tasks that will take place before, during, and after the PTO Panther Run 5K and 1-Mile Color Run. APPROXIMATELY 30 ICCS PARENT VOLUNTEERS will be needed on Saturday, January 29 to ensure the event runs smoothly, efficiently, and safely!
Please contact Kelly Henderson by email at kbhenderson@yahoo.com or by phone at (337) 368-3473 for more information or to sign up to volunteer.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! The 2022 ICCS PTO Panther Run 5K and 1-Mile Color Run is scheduled for Saturday, January 29, starting at 8:00 a.m. at ICCS. Click the link below for more information, or to register.
https://runsignup.com/iccspantherrun2022
NEW THIS YEAR: additional Panther Run shirts can be purchased without officially registering for the race. Click the link below to order extra shirts (PLEASE NOTE this is for extra shirts ONLY): https://runsignup.com/Race/Store/LA/LakeCharles/ICCSPantherRun
AND THE WINNER IS....
The 2021 ICCS PTO Greenery Fundraiser committee would like to thank everyone for their support, patience, and generosity. The team is already planning for next year. If you would like to get involved, please contact Doris Mhire and Jessica Steech at iccsgreenery@gmail.com.
CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL NEWS
PAJAMAS DONATION
As a class service project, Mrs. Stephanie DuRousseau and Mrs. Molly Forsyth's PK students recently collected pajamas for New Life Counseling. The students collected nearly 100 pairs of infant and toddler-sized pajamas that will be donated to this wonderful organization. Way to go, PK!
PROGRESSIONS FIELD TRIP
Mrs. Lea Poncho's Progressions friends finished up their Christmas shopping lists this week during a fun and unique field trip to Accessory Zone on Ryan Street. The friendly and helpful Accessory Zone staff helped each student pick out and wrap the perfect Christmas gift for their mom, thanks to a generous and kind donor.
The next stop on the field trip was Big Daddy's Sports Grill on Sale Road! The students enjoyed a hot and delicious breakfast before returning to school. Mrs. Poncho and her students would like to thank Accessory Zone and Big Daddy's for helping to make this special field trip a great experience for everyone!
STUDYING THE CLOUDS
SNOWBALL FIGHT!
POLAR EXPRESS DAY IN PK
DIOCESE OF LAKE CHARLES NEWS AND INFORMATION
CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
The following Christmas Mass schedule will take place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located at 935 Bilbo Street.
December 24
Christmas Vigil Mass at 4:00 p.m.
Midnight Mass with the Cathedral Chorale concert at 11:00 p.m.
December 25
Christmas Day Mass
8:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m. Extraordinary Form Mass
4:00 p.m. Mass (Vigil Mass for Sunday)
January 1
New Years Day Mass
8:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m. Extraordinary Form Mass
4:00 p.m. Mass (Vigil Mass for Sunday)
ART, HISTORY AND SCIENCE EXHIBITION OF THE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE
Bishop Provost recently cut the ribbon for the bilingual “Art, History and Science Exhibition of the Virgin of Guadalupe & the Hispanic Community” following a lively procession led by the Guadalupana Dancers.
The depth of time, talent, and information that was put into the exhibit can only be appreciated by viewing in person. The project, over five months in the making, was directed by Ricardo Ruvalcaba, Spanish Pastoral Assistant for the Diocese. He was inspired by his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
“This is my first experience doing a museum, but when I arrived here to the Diocese of Lake Charles six months ago, I knew I wanted to tell the story about the Virgin of Guadalupe,” said Ricardo. “When I discovered this year was the 25th anniversary of the Hispanic Community at St. Henry, I wanted to do an exhibition to share the history and honor Hispanics of the past.”
Ricardo said his intention in creating the exhibit is to promote the culture, conservation, study, and exhibition of works made by the community of St. Henry Parish.
“If you enjoy learning, this is a good place for you,” he said, noting the museum is a great educational tool for religious education students throughout the Diocese. “I am happy to give tours to explain to guests about the exhibit.”
The “Art, History, and Science Exhibition of the Virgin of Guadalupe & the Hispanic Community” will be on display in the Catholic Charismatic Center at 2409 Second Street, through January 9, on the following dates:
• Sunday, December 19: 9:00 a.m. to noon; and 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Monday, December 20: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 26: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Monday, January 3: 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 5: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, January 9: 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For more information on the exhibit, contact Ricardo Ruvalcaba at St. Henry Catholic Church at 337-436-7223 or click the link below for a full story.
http://www.lcdiocese.org/3-news/3307-hispanic-community-our-lady-of-guadalupe-highlight-of-exhibit
ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
SLC OPEN HOUSE DATE CHANGE ANNOUCED
For more information or to RVSP, please contact Heather Ieyoub, SLCHS Director of Admissions and Marketing, at hieyoub@slchs.org or by phone at (337) 436-7275.
QUICK LINKS
FACTS FAMILY PORTAL
Parent Portal access to student grades and assignments.
www.factsmgt.comDON'T FORGET TO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST ICCS NEWS AND EVENTS!
Contact Information
Email: kmorgan@iccsweb.com
Website: www.iccschool.org
Location: 1536 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
Phone: 337-433-3497
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iccschool