Merry Christmas!
December 19th, 2023
Memo from Mary
Hello everyone,
As much as we need the rain, the timing isn't the best this week! However, as always, we will work around whatever little glitches we come across. I have created a rainy day schedule in the event the kids need to stay indoors at recess and/or lunch. I will update this for the rest of this week, as needed.
This bulletin will serve for the rest of this week, as well as the first week back in January.
I hope that the busyness of the next few days will be fun for you and your students, and that you can step away on Friday and truly relax and take a break from work for a couple of weeks. Thank you all for your flexibility and cooperation with all things Christmas Program!
God bless,
Mary
CALENDAR & REMINDERS
Wednesday 12/20:
- 5th Grade prayer at assembly (W/TH/F)
- All school rehearsals in church, as follows:
1. 8:30am - 9:45am
2. 10:30am - 11:45am
3. As needed, in the afternoon.
- Christmas Program at 6:30pm; students to meet in classrooms by 6:00pm
Thursday 12/21:
- PTG will be providing breakfast for the faculty and staff. Enjoy!
- K-2 Pajama Day!
- No French classes after school
Friday 12/22:
- I will be out
- Christmas colors free dress
- 12:30pm dismissal; No Extended Care.
- Merry Christmas!
Monday, 01/08/24:
- I will be out
Wednesday 01/10:
- Earthquake drill
Thursday 01/11:
- I will be at a principals' cluster meeting; I should be back after lunch
Friday 01/12:
- Epiphany Prayer service (6th & 2nd)
Looking Ahead:
- Catholic Schools Week Mass & Open House is on Sunday (01/28); we will also have an all school mass on Friday 01/26
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
We will meet in church at 8:30am tomorrow morning. We will run through the entire program until first recess, and return again at 10:30am for a second run through.
There will be some stopping and starting, as we need to iron out a few logistics with seating arrangements, walking on and off, and of course, finding a space for everyone for the final song!
I am hoping that the afternoon can be devoted to tidying up some small pieces of the program, or working with soloists, and that we will not have to have another run through. If we do, however, please be prepared to return to church at 1:30pm.
After tomorrow's rehearsals, we will know how many pews we need to reserve for students. We will use the side pews for the students as well as the first few of the longer pews.
I know that you are planning to met your students in the classroom tomorrow evening, around 6:00pm.
We will also ask parents to pick up their kids after the program, in the classrooms. Please be sure to retrieve any costume items and props that belong to the school before the students leave for home.
Fingers crossed that the weather cooperates enough for us to get the kids from the school to the church and back tomorrow night!
Also, if a student is missing tomorrow, I don't believe that he/she should attend the program tomorrow night. If he/she is not well enough to be at school, then it doesn't make sense to show up for the program. Please remind students and families.
CANDLELIGHTING BOOKLETS
- If you have your class set of booklets, please keep these in a safe place for next year's mass.
- If you have extras, please return these to the office, so we can keep a stash for the future.
The mass was lovely, and was well attended. It was very nice to see our school community come together for this special tradition. Thank you all for being there and for your work in preparing the students.
TOILETRIES & SHOEBOXES DRIVE
As you know, we are wrapping up our parish-school service project in aid of Arlington House. We are in need of more toiletries and shoe boxes, so that the gift packages can be put together. Please remind your students and families to send in what they can by Thursday.
Linda Buckley is running this program. Student Council will come around to remind classes too.
Thank you!
HEALTH & SAFETY/TECH UPDATES
Thomas and his crew are continuing to work on upgrading our tech/safety systems:
- The speakers in 7th and Science have been fixed; all other speakers have been checked.
- Cameras have been checked and fixed (where necessary) and an assessment done of where more are needed. There is a plan to install these new cameras, including some to be installed near the entrance to the bathrooms (not in the bathrooms, of course). We need to be able to track students going in and out of the bathrooms, so we can try and mitigate some of the behaviors (such as stuffing paper towel down toilets etc).
- A new speaker has been purchased, which can be used for any outdoor events (such a Halloween parade etc). It is currently in the closet of the Science room. It's a "plug and play" system, so very easy to operate!
- Thomas and his team are going to update the PA system, so that everyone, including those in the hall, can hear announcements, especially for drills.
- We have switched from Comcast to Sonic. Yay!
- We are also looking at installing a camera at the front door.
Please remind students to remove ANY food items before break. Lockers and desks should be cleaned out.
The sewer project may be completed by the time we return from Christmas break. Our 12:30pm dismissal on Friday will mean a lot of movement on the street outside school. Please exercise extra caution and encourage the students to do the same.
SIP & SHOP GIFT CARDS
I will be purchasing these gift cards when we return from Christmas break. Unless you prefer something else, I am planning on getting Amazon gift cards. Let me know!
Remember that these will be used to purchase supplies/items for your classrooms/subject area.
JOSEPH THE MUSICAL
When we return in January, we will be getting to work on the production of "Jospeh the Musical." This will be a huge undertaking, and will require much support from parents and anyone who is willing to participate.
Mark your calendars for May 16th for a matinee performance and an evening performance at Riordan!
Happy Birthday to Chris, Ashley, and Victoria!
THANK YOU!
Thank you for ALL your cooperation in getting the Candlelighting Mass and the Christmas Program put together. I appreciate your flexibility and support.
I really want you to switch off your email at 12:30pm on Friday, and to take a complete break from work for the entire vacation. You deserve it!
Merry Christmas, and every good wish for 2024!