October 1, 2008

A revised Parent-Student Handbook is being sent home today. It is each family’s responsibility to be familiar with the policies stated in the Handbook.

The count down to Carnival is on! Some of our great staff (along with our great parents, of course!) has been busy the past two weekends doing all the preliminary cooking for the Mexican Café. Toys have been coming in for the Toy Walk and Carnival prizes have been arriving. This week we will be giving a new Wii for families who have sold 30 tickets. On Oct. 10, we will give away a TV for those who have sold 50 tickets. Here is a reminder about Carnival deadlines:

Fun Run registration/money is due Oct. 6. The Run/Walk will be a healthy way to begin the day! Pre-register for $10. Race-day registration is $15. A T-shirt is included in the registration fee. To be guaranteed a shirt, entry forms must be postmarked no later than Oct. 6.

Toy Walk – Every family is asked to contribute one NEW TOY valued at $5.00. For any toys donated above the required amount, you will earn one volunteer hour per toy. Please bring your toys to the school by Oct. 9.

Sweet Shop – Every family is asked to donate ONE DOZEN individually wrapped home-made items such as brownies, cookies, candy, cupcakes, etc. Each additional dozen donated above the required amount will earn one volunteer hour per dozen. Please bring Sweet Shop goodies to the school on Oct. 10.

HSA will sponsor a Popcorn, Soda, and Pickle Sale on Oct. 16, 3:30, in the area near the west cafeteria doors. All items will be 50 cents each.

Parent Conference Day for grades 1-5 will be held the evening of Oct. 16 and the morning of Oct. 17. Please see the attachment with today’s Wednesday Note. We ask that you indicate your preferred conference time on the attached form and return it to the school no later than Oct. 6. Conferences will be twenty minutes in length. Teachers will use this time to discuss your child’s strengths, areas to work on and ways you can help your child academically. Good home/school communication is a necessary ingredient in student success.

“Connect Safely on the Internet,” sponsored by AISD and the Tascosa Cluster police Liaison officer will be presented on Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m. at the Southwest Branch Library. Attached is a flyer. St. Mary’s hosted this program last school year. We learned valuable information about protecting children from internet predators. This will be time well-spent.

Don’t forget to save your Boxtops for Education. This is another painless fund-raiser. These may be turned in to the office.

Target “Take Charge of Education” is an easy way to raise money for our school. All you need is a Target REDcard and designate St. Mary’s School. You can do this online at Target.com/tcoe or call toll free at 1-800-316-6142. Target will donate 1% of every purchase to our school. Since 1997, the school has earned $2,437.96 from Target.

Blessings to all our families.

St. Mary’s School Community believes that each person is unique and created in the image of God. We affirm that this uniqueness is best fostered in a loving community that helps the child develop the academic and spiritual gifts given by the Lord. We believe in a strong academic program balanced by fine arts, technology and physical education. We believe in the integration of Catholic beliefs and values in all classroom sessions, liturgical worship and service to others.

A Montessori Preschool was begun in the fall of 1985. St. Mary’s Montessori respects the child as an individual and therefore provides a method for guiding his growth which fits his individual needs.