From the Desk of
Sr. Judith....

October 25, 2007 

A Word on “H” Day
Among many Christians, there has been concern that things have gotten out of hand with Halloween.  After all, doesn’t Halloween glorify evil?  Of course, at school we focus on the celebration of the saints whose nearly forgotten feast day is the reason for Halloween.  Hallow is the same word for “holy” that we find in the Lord’s Prayer, and e’en is a contraction of “evening.”  The word Halloween itself is a shortened form of “All Hallows Eve,” the day before All Saints Day.  To get the Christian perspective, go to www.AmericanCatholic.org and type in Halloween in Search for Articles.

All God’s People
Next week the church sets aside two special days to remember those who have died.  On the first of November, we celebrate the saints:  people who lived for God and others.  On this day we remember and honor the “famous” saints, those whose names we know because they left us a legacy of inspiring words, actions, signs, and miracles.  We also celebrate those saints whose names we have forgotten, or perhaps never knew:  people whose lives witnessed their love of God – maybe grandparents, relatives, and friends.  We can ask all of these saints to pray for us, and to help us.   On November 2^nd we remember the souls of those who have died and might need our prayers as their souls are prepared for entering into the full presence of God in heaven.   You are most welcome to join us at Mass on November 2^nd at 10:15 a.m.   This is also our First Friday liturgy and we will have 11:15 dismissal.

Here Come the Saints!

• On Wednesday, October 31^st, “All Hallows Eve,” the Saints will go Marching In at 1:30 p.m.  We will have our All Saints Parade as our students process around the block a few times.  Weather permitting, we will end up lined up in the playground and two representatives from each class will come up to the “platform” outside the office and give a brief description of his/her saint.  Students will then go back to their classrooms for refreshments.    Individual homeroom teachers will send you information on the specifics of the day and may ask homeroom parents to provide refreshments.   Parents are welcome to come and view the parade.
   

• All Saints’ Day, November 1^st, is a Holy Day of Obligation; check your parish for the mass schedule on this day.  As you remember, there is no school on that day. 

Calendar Update
Included in this packet is the November Calendar (click to see calendar).  There are many important dates on this calendar.  Please be extra vigilant.  Take note of the days for Parent/Teacher Conferences and that  the Thanksgiving Holidays will begin at 3:00 p.m. dismissal on Tuesday, November 20^th.  There will still be Extended Day on that Tuesday but there will be NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, November 21^st. 

A Big Word of Thanks!

1. A word of thanks to all of you who participated in our Food Court Fundraiser – especially those families who have already paid the flat $250 fundraising fee. 
    

2. Today was the day that the Winter Holiday Sale Orders were due!  We can’t give an extension if you wan to receive your orders before Christmas.  Thanks to all who have already sent in their orders.
    

3. Congratulations to the family of Aaron Cruz in Grade 6 for winning the October Tuition Raffle!   We are so grateful to all the families who send their Tuition Raffle tickets in on time each month.  You can’t win unless you participate!

School Pictures

• Students in Grades PreK - 3 have gym scheduled for Tuesday, November 6^th.  Students are NOT to wear gym clothes on that day if you want them to have their picture taken. 
   

• Since these are school pictures the regular uniforms will be worn for both individual and group pictures.  In the spring we will have a special picture opportunity when students can wear their regular, non-uniform clothes.   As last year, the spring program will allow you to purchase magnets and other items with your child’s picture on it. 
   

• Please send your child to school with the envelope and payment on Tuesday, November 6^th – not before.   All students need to have their pictures taken since these are the pictures we put in the yearbook and on their records.  

Class Group Pictures will be taken on Friday, November 16^th.
On Friday, November 16^th we could use the help of a few parents (sorry, no siblings may come along) in each grade from PreK – 4 and two for Gr. 5 - 8 on Friday, November 16^th, from 8:00 – 8:25 a.m.  We need your help in supervising the classrooms in these grades during the faculty group picture.  If you can help, please speak to Mrs. Ricciardi in the school office (863-5047).  Thank you in advance for your help!

Final Reminder:   On Monday, October 29^th, students begin wearing the regular school uniform:  see my notes in the last week’s packet regarding this.  Thank you.  SHPS Regular Uniform  

A Word of Caution
The NYPD Traffic Patrol gave out about 5 parking tickets yesterday at dismissal time in front of the school to those cars that were double parked.  The officer claimed that this is standard procedure and they have a zero tolerance policy – which started yesterday, I presume since no one has gotten a ticket at that time before.   Her suggestion was that you wait until a car by the curb pulls away and then move in – but I’m not sure what you’re supposed to do with your car while you are waiting.  I suggest that you drive around the side streets looking for a parking place and then walk back to the front gate to claim your child.  I’m sure some of you have heard of praying to St. Anthony to find lost objects; well, I’ve heard of a prayer to find a parking place:  “Mother Cabrini, Mother Cabrini, find me a place for my little (or big) machine-y!”

The Family Directory is included in this packet.  Please keep it for future reference and contact info this year.

Classroom Highlights

The kindergarten students have been busy!
We are finished our covers for the “Senses” booklets and your youngsters know all about their senses…go ahead and ask them questions! For autumn, the students made gorgeous wreaths, and created yummy paper plates “Pumpkin pies. In Art, Mrs. Ardon has been keeping the students busy with their H-day projects: they made beautiful cats by the moonlight and are “Leaf People”…you can see their creative side on the walls outside the APH. The students are learning about Matter and bout the solids, liquids and gases. They conducted an experiment what happens if we place ice cubes in the sun?

Grade 4 students are working with different types of Poetry in Language Arts class.  The students studied the elements of a HAIKU…and wrote their own Haiku Poem.  They even created a picture or symbol to go with it on the computer as part of their technology lesson.  You can take a look at these CREATIONS on the Web page.  We are very proud of them!   Soon the children will learn what a CINQUAIN is and later write their own as well.  Students are also creating their own NEWSPAPER…entitled “ALL ABOUT ME.”  This is a very “CREATIVE” group of students. 

During the week of October 22, Grade 5 Religion will discuss the readings of St. Luke.  These readings are only in St. Luke, the evangelist whose writings are used for this Liturgical Year 2006-2007, Year C.  After reading Zechariah, Elizabeth, Ten Lepers, Good Samaritan, The Lost Son, The Rich Man and Lazarus, and Zacchaeus groups will decide on the kind of picture they will use to illustrate the story. The illustration will be part of a mural titled, Only in St. Luke.  Too, in computer class students will make titles for their pictures. Finally they will write a summary for the story for homework. A rubrics assessment paper will be given out initially so the students know how they will be graded.  Be ready to take a walk through scripture “Only in St. Luke” as you visit our mural on the third floor. 

GRADE 5 SOCIAL STUDIES HIGHLIGHTS

 The 5^th grade geographers are producing physical maps of the United States.  They are plotting the 5 regions as well as important mountain ranges, rivers, plains, valleys, and lakes.  It’s a great way to learn about our country!

The Packet next week will go home on Friday, November 2^nd.