Panther Press
Immaculate Conception Cathedral School
ICCS Mission Statement:
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019
PRINCIPAL'S CORNER by Christi Jarreau
While this cartoon makes the reader chuckle, most would agree that it is pretty predictable. I recently came across an article that referred to this cartoon, comparing it to the culture of today that is quick to cast blame on the teacher for a child’s lack of motivation or poor grades.
School can certainly be fun, but it is also hard work. At times, it will be boring and tedious and require real discipline and grit on the part of a student to plow their way through it. Helping our students develop the skills to do hard work now for the long term pay-off is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children.
Most educators would agree that kids of the past were better able to buckle down and grind through unpleasant tasks, whereas today they are more likely to give in to despair and give up. This is not surprising, as we constantly see modern marketing appealing to audiences with a message that says: If you have this, your life will be simpler……or require less work ….. or will be less frustrating. I myself fall for it almost every time!
The article makes the same point using the family meal, which is nearly non-existent, as fewer and fewer of us cook. Why? Because it takes a lot of time and work for shopping, prepping, cooking, and cleanup when we can simply eat out. But even eating out wasn’t convenient enough, and so was born the fast food, drive through industry. And even that was too burdensome, so now we have food delivered directly to our home.
Does this never-ending quest to make life easier have an effect on how our kids tackle school? Of course it does! Watch students try and solve a math problem they’ve never seen before. They often give up before they’ve even started – not because they lack the intellectual capacity to solve it, but because our culture has trained them to believe problem solving should be easy and they often crumble when it’s not.
They will ask the teacher: “How do we do it?” The teacher can show them, give them 5 more questions just like it and they’ll joyfully go about their work. BUT, if the 6th problem introduces a twist, or requires new insight, they will often give up again until the teacher shows them how.
Not having grit, perseverance, or whatever one wants to call it, can rob kids of the chance for real success further down the road. And it is not their fault – it’s the world we’ve created, the world they live in.
If we are committed to developing grit in our kids, we have to go about it very intentionally. Three mindsets that help develop this characteristic are:
- Emphasizing “mastery” and not merely “completion,” which involves revision and accuracy rather than just checking boxes
- Shifting our pedagogy away from teachers “telling” and “memorizing” to one that insists students reason, problem-solve, and discover
- Focusing on “process” and not only “results.” How well they work with each other, the effort they put into their work, the habits and strategies they develop – these are all important
How parents handle their kids will have a large effect on their grit. Challenge your children when there may be an easy way out and do not intentionally make things too easy for them. Choose to coach them through life lessons rather than stepping in to rescue them. Make them save before a purchase and do not be afraid of denying them what they want if it is not good for them.
Our kids are not lacking in character – they are as quirky, intelligent, and funny as ever. We must not sell them short by excusing them from opportunities that build grit or not letting them experience the satisfaction of something achieved through their very own hard work.
CURRICULUM CORNER by Blair Tadlock
Seeds Sown in Rich Soil
Four years ago the American Heart Association along with generous benefactor Mr. Joe Miller gifted ICCS with our very own teaching garden. At the time our grant was awarded, we were the only Catholic school receiving a teaching garden in our AHA representative’s large territory. We have been given tremendous support over these four years by Mr. Joe, Master Gardener Nola Ducote, and many other local Master Gardeners that have graciously contributed seedlings to our garden. This has been a beautiful community endeavor that has brought so much joy to our students. From seeds to seedlings to abundantly producing plants and even sometimes to fighting off fungus on the leaves of plants and powdery mildew, our students have grown through and with our teaching garden. In this fourth spring planting and to the delight of our youngest friends, we were generously gifted with a Grow Light from AHA to help support growing our own seeds indoors. Our students have had a wonderful time watching and monitoring the daily plant growth. In fact, this week our first graders transplanted their very healthy bush bean and squash plants to the garden. At the close of this school year, our generous funding from Mr. Joe and AHA is over but because she is so invested in our garden and frankly has become an important part of our little Catholic school, Mrs. Nola Ducote will be popping in from time to time to support us on her own. As found in Mathew Chapter 13, we are blessed with immense gratitude for Mrs. Ducote’s continuous and generous gifts of rich soil where our seeds have been indelibly sown. Happy spring planting ICCS!
MERCY MATTERS by Rose Viau
Jesus tells us that at times the road to holiness is not easy and goes against the flow of society. There are parts of the world where people are being persecuted for Christ. For them, following Christ means suffering, rejection and even death. For us our persecution might be more subtle. As followers of Christ we must sometimes go against the norm of society and follow the teachings of the Gospels. Jesus tells us that living out the Beatitudes will not be easy but, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”
PTO DINNER AUCTION HUGE SUCCESS
$200,000 Raised!
Thanks a million to every ICCS family, friend, grandparent, teacher and supporter who donated or purchased items, gave monetary donations, bought raffle tickets, attended the event or helped set up or clean up the Gym.
Our sincere gratitude to the 2019 PTO Auction Committee for dedicating their time, talents, creativity and treasures to make this event the most successful fundraiser in school history.
Auction Chairs: Jessica Liles, Katie Devall & Kelly Serrano
Event Emcee: Jody Lavergne
Live Auction Chairs: Corlissa Hoffoss & Megan Gregory
Silent Auction Team: Kelly Hurt (Chair), Kelly Henderson, Brittani Stine, Ashley Foret, Lindsey Crookshank, Mia Dubois, Noelle Nichols, Allison Gary & Lauren Middleton
Decorations Team: Elise Foret & Caroline Crawford (Chairs), Heather Breaux
Auction Database Coordinator: Ada O'Quain
Sign Up Party Team: Courtney Chance, Abby Devall, Monica Devall, Andrea Carmen, Hillary Green & Carey Blevins
Perky Prize Raffle Team: Jennifer Authement (Chair) & Ashley Kerns
Sweet Shop: Colleen Phillips (Chair)
Golden Ticket Team: Hillary & Tyson Green
Finance Committee Team: Marcy Wade & Liz Mixon (Chairs), Laura Ezell, Kathryn Blessington, Melissa Mathew & Ada O'Quain
Food & Beverage: Cortney Blalock
Catering: Andrew Vanchiere
8th Grade Coordinators: Ashley Ivey-Atkins, Jennifer Watson & Cathi Slade
Room Mom Coordinators: Cortney Blalock & Jade Allen
Clean Up Committee: Nicole & Robbie Austin (Chairs), Robin Austin, David Morgan, Denys & Keane O'Neal
AUCTION SIGN UP PARTIES
AUCTION PURCHASES
BOILED CRAWFISH FUNDRAISER UPDATE
CRAWFISH TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
This new PTO fundraiser will take place on Sunday, May 5 at ICCS. Tickets are $25 for 4lbs of delicious boiled crawfish, two (2) potatoes and one (1) corn. A special "buy four tickets, get one free" deal is being offered. A convenient drive-thru pick up service will be available for all ticket holders. For more information, please contact the PTO Crawfish Fundraiser Chairperson, Debra Wilder at (337) 302-1134, or by email at erroldebra@suddenlink.net.
NEED PTO POINTS? Help is needed! Please contact Debra Wilder for more details concerning Boiled Crawfish Sale Fundraiser volunteer opportunities.
PERKY PRIZE RAFFLE WINNERS!
Many thanks to the ICCS students and families for making the Perky Prize Raffle a big hit again this year. Congratulations to the Perky Prize Raffle winners!
$100: Drew Morgan, 8th Grade
American Girl Doll: Grace Adams, 5th Grade
$150 Xbox Gift Cards: Gray Hoffoss, 4th Grade
Kate Spade Purse/Ulta Gift Card Package: Cora Diedrich, 5th Grade
Boy’s Sports Package: Everett Hankins, Kindergarten
Y Flyer Scooter: Lucy Armistead, 2nd Grade
ACT ASPIRE TESTING CONTINUES
ACT Aspire Testing Continues Through Thursday, April 11
3rd-8th grade students will take the ACT Aspire test beginning Monday, April 1st. Please have your students at school on time and avoid scheduling appointments during the morning hours on the following dates.The remainder of the testing schedule will be as follows:
3rd: 4/8, 4/9, 4/11
4th & 5th: 4/8
VARIETY SHOW AUDITIONS NEXT WEEK
REMINDER: MASS TOMORROW
SAVE THE DATE!
CLASSROOM NEWS
SMILE MOORE DONATION
MIDDLE SCHOOL GIVES BACK
During Lent, the three pillars of the penitential season are: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Each Middle School homeroom class recently chose a non-profit organization and a project to accomplish almsgiving. The students worked together with Middle School Religion Teacher, Mrs. Amanda Brinkman, to brainstorm, plan and prepare for a fundraising event and goal that would benefit special organizations that are near and dear to our student's hearts.
6A chose to send baked goods and greeting cards to Emergency personnel in the Lake Charles area
6B, 8A and 8B chose to give to LAPAW Animal Shelter
7A chose to donate to St.Jude's Children's Hospital
7B chose to give to the Make A Wish Foundation
In order to raise funds for the philanthropies, students agreed to work the concession stand at the St.Louis Baseball games to successfully earn money for the project.
Mrs. Brinkman would like to thank the students and their parents for their support of those in need and those who help serve our community day in and day out.
STUDENTS VIEW RELICS TODAY
MAGNOLIA MOUND FIELD TRIP
CLUB NEWS:
YES CLUB VISITS ERA HELICOPTERS!
SLCHS NEWS:
STRATEGIC VISIONING LISTENING SESSIONS
This Friday, April 5, St. Louis Catholic will host the first of its Strategic Visioning Listening Sessions. These sessions provide current and future parents a valuable opportunity to offer thoughts and opinions on the present state and future of St. Louis Catholic High School. The SLC team will take what they hear, along with the work of their faculty and staff, to draft a strategic vision and plan for the future of the school.
The sessions will be 60-75 minutes each on the following dates. Please RSVP at this link.
Friday, April 5 - 8:00 a.m. - THIS TIME HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Friday, April 5 - Noon
Wednesday, April 10 - 1:00 p.m. (Immediately following the SLC Parent Guild Meeting)
Wednesday, April 10 - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16 - 6:00 p.m.
The SLC Administration looks forward to seeing you and hearing your thoughts.
DON'T FORGET TO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST ICCS NEWS AND EVENTS!
ONCOURSE CONNECT STUDENT/PARENT PORTAL
Keep up with homework, grades, attendance and get quick access to teacher websites via Oncourse Connect. Having trouble logging in? Email mbmathew@iccschool.org
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Friday, April 5:
April Birthday Mass (4B)
Mass will be led by Fr. Buller
8:30 a.m. ICCS Gym
5th-8th Grade Penance following Mass
Tuesday, April 10:
3rd Grade Field Trip to Vermilionville
8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Variety Show Auditions
3:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 11:
PK Retreat
8:00-10:00 a.m. ICCS Cafeteria
8th Grade Field Trip
6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Variety Show Auditions
3:30 p.m.
Friday, April 12:
2nd-5th Grade Penance
3rd Grade Retreat
12:30-3:00 p.m. ICCS Cafeteria
Sunday, April 14:
Palm Sunday
Wednesday, April 17:
8th Grade to Chrism Mass
School Board Meeting
5:30 p.m. Parish Building
Thursday, April 18:
4th Quarter Progress Reports
(viewable at www.oncourseconnect.com)
Stations of the Cross
8:15 a.m. - 4th-8th Grade Program
9:00 a.m. - PK-3rd Grade Program
Easter Parities (PK-3rd Grade)
2:00 p.m.
Friday, April 19-Friday, April 26:
Easter Holiday
Contact Information
Email: mbmathew@iccschool.org
Website: www.iccschool.org
Location: 1536 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
Phone: 337-433-3497
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iccschool