Principal Notes 12/05/2014
St. Cecilia School
Notes from the Principal
Thank You!
I wanted to thank the parents and students that made Principal Day special for me. I loved the idea this year of the pajama and book donations. The connection of that to Principal’s Appreciation Day meant a great deal to me and to be a small part in the donations made my day!
I am grateful to be a part of St. Cecilia’s every day and the opportunity to be a part of the school and play a role in your child’s faith development and academic program.
Again, thank you and I continue to pray for the students and families of St. Cecilia School.
Concert Practice
All School Practice
· On Tuesday morning, December 16th, all kindergarten through 5th grade students will be transported to and from the auditorium by bus for practice. Please make sure your child arrives to school on time.
ATTENTION: Please drive ALL BAND STUDENTS to the auditorium and arrive by 7:30am to practice. Students in band need to bring their music and instrument for practice. All siblings not in band should arrive first to school for attendance and lunch count.
Our Faith, Our Children, Our Future School Tuition Organization
Dear St. Cecilia Families & Supporters,
The Our Faith, Our Children, Our Future School Tuition Organization awarded nearly $4.1 million in 2014 in need-based tuition grants to almost 3,200 students, representing over 32% of the students attending Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. At St. Cecilia School we received $57,218 to assist 45 students. Families are eligible for STO assistance if their taxable income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty rate for the previous tax year.
The STO grants are made possible through the support of hundreds of donors across the Archdiocese. These donors not only receive the satisfaction of helping thousands of students, but also receive an Iowa income tax credit equal to 65% of their total donation. In addition, their entire gift is eligible for federal income tax deductibility. The goal for the 2014 tax year is $5.7 million.
I am personally asking you, as a school and parish leader to consider a gift to this program. It is so important that we are able to count you among those who show support for this program at our school. Donor applications, as well as a complete explanation of the program are available at www.ourfaithsto.org.
This program benefits not only our school, but the entire Archdiocese. Please support and share this program with others. Thank you.
Salvation Army Kettle
I was contacted by the kettle coordinator from the Salvation Army and they would like us to do an additional two hours on 12/06/2014. All we need is for four more families to sign up below:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4daca62fa1f94-salvation
Thank you for your help!
Angela CarlCoat Drive and Hot Cocoa Sale
Do you have gently used coats that you aren’t using anymore hanging in your closets? Clear them out! The 5th and 2nd graders are wanting to help those in need this winter and you can assist in two ways!
1.) Simply bring your gently used coat(s), size infant to adult, to St. Cecilia School and drop them in the totes located in the hallway by the front office doors between Monday, 12/8 and Wednesday morning, 12/17. Preschool will have a tote in their classroom for their donations. The 5th graders will sort and distribute the coats to local charities, as well as local community members in need on Wednesday, 12/17, just in time for Christmas.
2.) Want to help, but don’t have any coats to provide? Purchase a hot cocoa packet from the 2nd graders by Friday, 12/12! Look for an order form in your child’s Friday folder or attached here. Hot cocoa packets will be distributed on Wednesday, 12/17. All proceeds from cocoa sales will be used to purchase hats, gloves and scarves. These accessories will be donated with the coats.
Questions, please contact Lisa Weary at sept16@msn.com or #515-292-0488. Thank you for helping those this winter and Christmas season, as well as supporting the 5th and 2nd grade service projects!
Fifth Grade Class Trip Fundraiser
Help support the 5th grade and their class trip to the Omaha Zoo. Head to Noodles & Co. on Tuesday, December 9th from 5-9 p.m.
Bring in a flier or mention St. Cecilia's at the register and the 5th grade will get 25% of sales! Take the family out for a great dinner and a great cause!
Jeans Day - December 12
We will be having a jeans day on Friday, December 12th. You may wear jeans with your polo shirts for a suggested donation of $1.00. All proceeds will be donated to the St. Cecilia Gabriel Project.
SUNDAY - 10:30 AM CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD
Children's Liturgy of the Word - Children pre-k through 2nd grade will be dismissed by the Pastor right before the proclamation of Scripture. They will be taken to the Chapel by adult volunteers to hear the Word of God proclaimed to them in words they can understand.
Please let us know if your child will be part of this wonderful celebration of God's Word. Please also join us in sharing this precious gift. If you have any questions, please email Dori Gass at dgass@stceciliaparish.org.
Fifth Grade – Stations of the Nativity
Please mark your calendars for Friday, 12/19 as the fifth graders will celebrate the Stations of the Nativity in the Church at 9 a.m. All are welcome!
Scrip Tidbits
Did you know that you can do all/most of your Christmas gift card shopping through Scrip? Don’t run from store to store getting your gift cards. Fill out a scrip order form online by Monday, and we’ll send all your cards home with your child in their Friday folder. We can order stores such as American Girl, Nike, Under Armour, Gap, iTunes, Bath and Body Works, Amazon, Harry and David, Omaha Steaks and many others!
There are ONLY 2 MORE MONDAYS TO ORDER SCRIP before Christmas!!!!!! If you have any questions about Scrip, please contact Bev Williams or Shannon Schroeder at scrip@stceciliaschoolames.org.
Christmas Concert Details & DVD Order
SING WITH US THE CHRISTMAS STORY!
Date: Tuesday, December 16 / 2014
Place: Ames City Auditorium
Time: 7:00pm
Dear Parents,
It is with great excitement that we are writing this letter! Christmas is quickly arriving and we are preparing a wonderful performance to give you a wonderful start to the season!
Below you will find important information about this event, please read thoroughly.
K- 5 Students’ Concert Attire
Girls: Dress / Skirts / Pants (No blue Jeans)
Shirt (Make sure shoulders are covered)
Comfortable Shoes
Boys: Shirt & Tie
Pants / No blue Jeans
Comfortable Shoes
All School Practice
· On December 16, during school hours students will be transported to and from the auditorium by bus. Please make sure your child arrives to school on time.
ATTENTION: Please drive ALL BAND STUDENTS to the auditorium and arrive by 7:30am to practice. Students in band need to bring their music and instrument for practice. All siblings not in band should arrive first to school for attendance and lunch count.
Performance Details
· Doors will open at 6:20pm
· Band Students are expected to arrive at 6:20pm
· K - 5 grade students are expected to arrive no later than 6:45pm.
Please have them come to the hallway behind the stage.
· The performance will last 45 minutes.
Performance DVD for Purchase
· If you wish to have a recording of the Musical please send $10 - ten dollars with the completed slip found below. The band part of the show will not be on this DVD as the recording rights for these pieces have not been purchased. The slips will be collected and DVDs sent out in January 2015.
Should you have any questions, please email Mrs. Wendt at lwendt@stceciliaschoolames.org.
God bless,
Luisa Wendt
Vocal Music Teacher
Cecil Stanley
Band Instructor
Christmas Family Liturgy
Plan to participate in this year’s Christmas Family Liturgy on Wednesday, December 24 at 4pm. There are many roles to be filled in the play, liturgy, and music. Once again, we hope to have many families (adults-teens-children) involved.
Follow this web link to sign up today: http://form.jotform.us/form/23324678884163
Any questions, contact Bob Hauser at bhauser@stceciliaparish.org
Christmas Break
Please note that we will dismiss at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, December 19th. Our Christmas break will be until Sunday, January 4, 2015. School and preschool classes resume on Monday, January 5, 2015. We hope you have a safe and relaxing Christmas break that focuses on the true meaning of Christmas. God’s blessings!
Upcoming Events
- Monday, 12/08: 9 a.m. All School Mass (Holy Day)
- Tuesday, 12/09: 5-9 p.m. 5th Grade Fundraiser at Noodles & Co.
- Friday, 12/12: Jeans Day
- Monday, 12/15: 8:45 a.m. Advent Prayer Service
- Tuesday, 12/16: 7 p.m. Christmas Concert at Ames City Auditorium
- Wednesday, 12/17: 9 a.m. All School Mass and 11:15 a.m. 4-Year-Old Preschool Lunch
- Friday, 12/19: 9 a.m. Stations of the Nativity by 5th Grades, 1:30 p.m. Early Dismissal, No Afternoon Owls Club and End of Second Quarter
- Monday, 12/22/14 to Friday, 01/02/15: Christmas Break
Other Events
Kids Movie Night-Parent Night Out
Fundraiser Sponsored by Youth Ministry Trip Participants
Friday Dec 12th 6-8:30 pm St. Cecilia Church
Frozen and Polar Express will be shown.
Free Will Donation. All ages welcome, preferred that they will sit through a movie.
Register at http://tinyurl.com/nvapn64
Contact stcffym@gmail.com with questions.
Vote for Food at First
Help us strengthen communities and fight hunger
Walmart believes that everyone should have access to safe, affordable food. However, for too many people in America, this can be a challenge. Our goal with the “Food Pantry Holiday Makeover” campaign is to strengthen communities by helping food pantries across the country refresh their facilities to make it easier for them to help families who may struggle with hunger.
· Walmart will donate a total of $1.5 million to 75 food pantries through this campaign
· We need your help to decide which food pantries should receive a share of these funds
You can vote once each day. Thanks for your help.
St. Cecilia School
Website: www.stcames.org/school
Location: 2900 Hoover Avenue, Ames, IA, United States
Phone: (515) 232-5290
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stceciliaschoolames?