Weekly Newsletter
Immaculate Conception + St. Joseph School
February 22, 2024
From Our Middle Schoolers..
Our elementary and middle school archery programs have made it to State! The students competed at multiple tournaments at different schools the past few months. 24 archers from the elementary team, 24 archers from the middle school team, and four archers from high school qualified for state. Did you know the highest score you can get in a round is a 50? At tournaments there are six rounds that get counted toward your score. The highest score you can get is a 300. State archery is the first weekend of March. Students will be shooting on the fairgrounds in Des Moines. Our team made nationals two years ago and we are hoping to get archers to nationals again this year. The archery program has grown each year. We have around 72 kids in it right now and we hope it gets bigger! The archery program has wonderful coaches that are very helpful and know a lot about what they are doing. Everyone on the team is truly grateful for the great coaches, especially the one who started the whole thing, Randy Weber. Each archer on the team has worked very hard this year to beat a personal score or get the opportunity to go to State. Good luck at State to all of our archers!
By: Karsyn Brannon and Connor Short
Exciting News
Hello, my name is Mike Schmidt. I live in Dysart with Julie, my wife of 27 years. We
have two daughters. Emily, our oldest, lives in North Carolina and works for the 23XI
NASCAR team. Aubrey, our youngest, is finishing her degree in sonography and will
begin her career at MercyOne in Waterloo in May.
My family and I have been parishioners at Immaculate Conception for the past 11 years. I grew up in Holstein,Iowa, and attended Wartburg College. For the past 33 years, I have taught at Union
CSD with the last 27 of those years teaching middle school math. During those years, I
coached middle school football and track. Some of my favorite past times include:
cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, traveling (especially to Disney World),
woodworking projects, officiating basketball, hiking, hunting, and fishing.
I am excited to continue my teaching career at Bosco Catholic Schools. The
combination of a strong faith community and smaller class sizes are just a couple of
things that attracted me to this position. I look forward to meeting the staff, students,
families, and sparking my students’ interest in math.
Middle School Concert CHANGE
Hello parents! We have come across some unexpected conflicts with the original date for the middle school concert. After some consideration, I believe we have come up with a win-win solution. The concert is now going to be what we call an "in-formance" which means it will happen in the school day. Middle school students will need to bring their basketballs to school that day.
Parents, family, and friends are invited to attend our "in-formance" on Wednesday, March 27 at 1:50 PM in the Don Bosco Gym. Due to copyright laws, we cannot livestream the concert, but we will be recording it and emailing it to families of middle school students.
Please reach out to Mrs. Knepper with any questions.
No Waterloo Busing
Please note there is no Waterloo Busing February 23, the Bosco bus will still run in the morning and afternoon. The transfer bus will still run from Bosco to St. Joseph.
Spring Conference Sign Up
Dear Families,
The time is here for your student and his/her teacher to share with you about your student’s overall progress.
All students in grades Pk4-8 are required to participate in the conferences. Students, parents, and teachers should all participate in the conference.
K - 8 conferences will be:
3:00 - 7:00 PM on Monday, March 11
3:00 - 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 12
No classes March 13,14 & 15.
Preschool 4 year old conferences will be:
3:00 - 6:00 PM on Monday, March 11
4:00 - 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 12
No classes March 13, 14 & 15.
Parents will schedule conferences online with the Parent Teacher Conference (PTC) scheduler on our website. PK4-5 conferences will be scheduled in 15 minute increments. 6-8 and specials conferences will be scheduled in 10 minute increments. Instructions for scheduling conferences are below.
Conferences for grades PK4-5 should be scheduled with the student’s homeroom teacher. You may schedule additional conferences with specials teachers.
6-8 grade conferences:
If your student's last name starts with A - L, please schedule with Mrs. Zimmerman (Mr. Chicchelly will also be present). Last names starting with M - Z, please schedule with Mrs. Bergfeld (Mr. Armbruster will also be present). Middle school students only need one scheduled conference with Bergfeld/Armbruster or Zimmerman/Chicchelly. You are meeting with the pair of teachers you did not meet with in the fall. You can schedule separate conferences with Mr. Knepper or Mr. Kruse, if wanted.
(in Pk4-5 Conf. group; 15 min)
- Ms. Heather - (SJ Room 102)
- Mrs. Wellman - IC Room 104
- Mrs. Mangrich- IC Room 102
- Mrs. Short - IC Room 103
- Mrs. Rosauer - IC Room 106
- Mrs. Monaghan - IC Room 105
- Ms. Johnson - IC Room 206
- Mrs. Schroeder - IC Room 203
- Mrs. Olson - IC Room 205
- Mrs. Gutierrez - IC Room 204
- Mrs. Frick -IC Room 202
(in 6-12 Conf. group; 10 min)
- Mrs. Zimmerman & Mr. Chicchelly - DB Room 107
- Mrs. Bergfeld & Mr. Armbruster- DB Room 104
- Mr. Kruse - DB Room 203
- Mrs. Knepper - DB Band Room
- Ms. Carolus - DB Room 212
- Mr. Knepper - DB Room 205
- Mr. Mikita - DB Band Room
If you would like to schedule a conference with Mrs. Trueg, please email her at vtrueg@boscocatholic.org
The PTC scheduler will go live on our website Friday, February 23 at 7:00 AM. Please sign in and schedule your conferences. You may schedule conferences from February 23 at 7:00 AM until March 10 at Midnight. Anyone who does not schedule a conference time will be assigned a conference time. Please print or write down your conference schedule. You will not be able to go back to it after March 10 at Midnight.
PTC Registration Process for Parents/Guardians
To Start
• On our website click on Parent Resources then Parent Teacher Conferences.
This link will also take you to the registration/sign in screen.
- Sign In or new families - Sign Up
YOU ARE NOW AT THE PTC SCREEN
Signing Up for Parent-Teacher Conferences
PK4-5 conferences will be scheduled in 15-minute increments.
Grades 6-8 + specials will be scheduled in 10-minute increments.
Step 1: Choose the conference date and grade of students and you will be taken to a list of teachers.
Step 2: Select the teacher(s) you wish to conference with from the list or start typing the last name in the "Search Teacher" field.
Note: You can reserve time with up to eight teachers. You can register for additional teachers once you complete the current process.
Step 3: Enter the student's name.
Step 4: Click continue.
Step 5: Check the box next to the conference times(s) you wish to reserve.
Step 6: Click Update.
The timeframe/s you chose will be colored green. Watch your times, do not double book with two teachers at the same time.
At this point you may sign up for conferences for additional students in that same grade group by clicking on the “Teacher Selection” button at the bottom of the page.
To schedule a student in another grade group click your name next to “Signed in as” then the “Home” (house) button, then repeat step 1-6.
At the bottom of the screen you will see the confirmation of your conference registration. You will have the option to "click here to print" to get a copy of your Conference Registration Report.
If you have any questions about the process or have difficulty registering, either email icsecretary@boscocatholic.org or call Ms. Leohr at 296-1089 for assistance.
Print or write down your conference schedule.
Leader In Me Bingo
The habit for the month of February is #5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood. How have you been living Habit #5 at home? Fill out your February Bingo card and return it to school by Mar. 1. Any card that has at least one Bingo will be in a drawing for a $25 gift card to Caseys.
We Need You!
Did you know that an AA, BA, or 60 hours of college coursework is all you need to take the substitute authorization course? In as few as five weeks you can complete the one required class! This class offers great tips for any one new to substituting, it offers tips on classroom management and helpful tips on how to navigate the lesson plans left by teachers.
Please share if you know anyone who might be interested in serving as a substitute at BCSS!
#204756 CR - Substitute Authorization
- Start Date: April 1, 2024
- End Date: May 5, 2024
- Cost $100
Fall Enrollment Now Open
Refer a Family
Do you know of a family that might be interested in St. Joseph Preschool, Immaculate Conception, or Don Bosco High School? Use our new referral form to let us know!
Incoming Kindergarten Events
Kindergarten Parent Information Meeting
Wednesday, March 6, 6-7 PM
Immaculate Conception Room 102
Child care provided
We'll cover a typical day, provide helpful information for the fall, answer questions, and explain Education Savings Accounts. This meeting is for those who have saved their child's spot as well as any who are undecided. Sign up here so we know to expect your family, speed up check in which starts at 5:45, and staff appropriately for child care in our ABC room.
Kindergarten Roundup
Wednesday, April 24, 9:30 AM-12:45 PM
Next years kindergartners will spend time in a kindergarten classroom, tour the campus, and eat lunch. Transportation provided from/to St. Joseph for our current preschoolers. Details and sign up
All grades! Please share our kindergarten event Facebook posts with your friends and include what you love about our school. Most people choose a Catholic school because someone tells them about it!
STO
Dear BCSS families,
Ever wondered if you may qualify for STO (Student Tuition Organization) and/or ESA (Student First Educational Savings Accounts)? We encourage those families eligible to apply for both STO now, and ESA in April when it becomes available.
Here is a link to the FAQ for STO that you may find helpful
Here is a link to the ESA information
If you need assistance filling out STO, contact Tom Hogan at thogan@boscocatholic.org or call at 319-296-1692.
See the income guidelines in last week's newsletter
COF
The Catholic Order of Foresters youth members can jump for 2 hours for $5.00 at the Get Air Trampoline Park at 3729 University Ave. Waterloo, on Sunday, February, 25 between 1:30 PM & 4 PM. Friends can jump for 2 hours for $10.00. All jumpers need to wear Get Air socks that can be purchased there for $3.00 & sign a waiver that you can fill out on line at www.getairsports.com and submit. See Donna Delagardelle at the front entrance during that time frame.
Sports Information
Softball season will be approaching soon! This is for girls currently in 1st-6th grade. League games will be played on Monday and Wednesday nights in May and June. Please complete the form within the link below if you would like your daughter to play softball this summer. Look for more information regarding parent and coaches' meetings in the future. If you have further questions, please reach out to Kindra Christensen 319.404.3431.
Track 7-8th Grade
There will be a parent meeting for JH track on Monday, February 26 at 6:15 PM in the St. Mary commons area. Parents and athletes are both welcome to attend. We will go over info for the JH track season.
There is still a signup sheet for JH track located on the wall next to the water fountain. This is for all boys and girls in 7th and 8th grade. Please sign up if you are interested.
Thanks. Coach Kuecker
Spring Sports Store
Spring Sports stores are now open.
Stores close February 28
Stadium chairs are pricey but now available. Please note these may take longer than 4 weeks.
Absences
BCSS has updated the form we utilize for planned absences. If a student has a planned absence this Absence Request Form should be completed and sent to school. All K-12 students will utilize the form to communicate with their teachers regarding their absence. Once signed by the teacher(s) the form should be turned in to the office.
Parish News and Information
Sat 4 PM, Sun 8 & 10 AM, M-W-F 7:45 AM
Sat 5:30 PM, Tue 6 PM, Thur 8 AM
IMPORTANT DATES
- February 22-23 : No Waterloo Buses
- February 25: Youth Choir 10 AM Mass
- February 27: Reconciliation Grade 3-8
- March 11-12: No Waterloo Buses
- March 11-12: Parent Teacher Conferences
- March 13: No School PD Day
- March 14-15: No School
- March 17: Youth Choir 10 AM Mass
- March 22-24: Bosco Musical
- March 24: Youth Choir 10 AM Mass
- March 27: Middle School Concert 1:50 PM
- March 28: Holy Thursday No School
- March 29: Good Friday No School
BOSCO CATHOLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
MISSION STATEMENT
With support from families, we respect and encourage students to reach their potential
- Spiritually by developing a strong relationship with Jesus and knowledge of His church,
- Academically by igniting learning, leadership and life skills,
- Physically by learning about and living healthy habits and
- Socially by becoming active members of the community who serve others as stewards of the Gospel so they are the light of Christ in the world.
Preparing students to be the Light of Christ in the World!
Submit newsletter articles to icsjnewsletter@boscocatholic.org by 3 PM on Wednesdays.
Website: boscocatholic.org
Facebook boscocatholic.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 256, Gilbertville, IA 50634
Immaculate Conception K-8
311 16th Ave
Gilbertville, Iowa 50634
St Joseph Center PS/PK
6916 Lafayette Rd
Raymond, Iowa 50667