We wish all of our St. Patrick’s Family a very blessed Easter!

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MR. RIDDER’S REMINDERS

Apr 21-25             Easter Break – No School

May 2                  Home and School Meeting 7:30pm Staff Lounge

May 5                  3^rd & 4^th Grade Spring Sing

May 6                  No School – Teacher In-Service

May 12                2:00 Dismissal

May 19                PreS Picnic & Last Day of School

                           7^th & 8^th Grade Variety Show

May 24                8^th Grade Mass 8:30am & Graduation 6:30pm

May 25                Pre-K Graduation 9:30 & 1:30

May 27                Last Day of School – 11:00am Dismissal

TUITION COMMITMENT FORMS WERE SENT HOME & WERE DUE BACK YESTERDAY –. Your youngest and only child came home with an envelope containing your “Tuition Commitment” form and letter. This letter explains how tuition can be paid for your child/children for the 2011-2012 school year. Please, if you have not already done so, take the time to understand the letter, choose the option that works best for you and return to the school office asap.  We have had 65% of families enrolled for next year submit their forms already.  If you have any questions regarding your form, please email Kathy Moritz at kmoritz@stpatselkhorn.org  in the school office.  Please note if you are not currently attending St. Patrick’s School during the 2010-2011 school year, the “Tuition Commitment” form was mailed to you.

TUITION ASSISTANCE DEADLINES – Families who feel Tuition Assistance may be necessary for the 2011-2012 school year need to apply for the Archdiocese Children’s Scholarship Fund.  In order to qualify for St. Patrick’s Tuition Assistance, applicants must have first applied for the Children’s Scholarship Fund.  Applications for St. Patrick’s Tuition Assistance will be due by June 1, 2011.  Due to increased demand, and less funding available, deadlines must be adhered to.  All information is kept strictly confidential. Forms may be acquired online at www.stpatselkhorn.org under the “School” tab.  St. Pat’s application is to be filled out prior to printing.  Any questions, please contact our Business Manager, Vicki Payton at the parish office at 289-4289 Ext 1521, or via email at vpayton@stpatselkhorn.org.  Completed forms are to be either emailed back to Vicki or in a sealed envelope to her attention.

ELECTRONICS AND CELLPHONES REMINDER - Students may not bring electronic devices to school. This includes, but is not limited to: cell phones, PDA’s, beepers, handheld games, audio players, etc. These items are costly, distracting, and often cause problems among peers. Any electronics confiscated by faculty will be turned over to the Principal. Devices will be released only to the student's parent/guardian. Consequences, such as detentions, will occur if this policy is violated. Teachers and the Principal retain the right to remove any item that could be distracting to students in the classroom.

FATHER OF TWO OF OUR STUDENTS PASSES – Many of you may already be aware that the father of two of our students passed away suddenly on Monday afternoon. Anthony Lanzante is the dad to Kathryn in 7^th grade and Dominic in 5^th grade. Their family has been a part of our school for several years.  Many of their classmates may choose to attend the services.  The arrangements are as follows: 

Rosary - Sunday, April 24^th at 7:00 pm at Reichmuth Funeral Home

Funeral - Monday, 10:30 St. Patrick's Church, Elkhorn 

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

VERONICA KRETZ HIRED FOR 6^TH GRADE – I am so excited and blessed to be joining the staff at St. Patrick’s Catholic School as one of the 6^th grade teachers.  I have lived in a variety of places, and will be making Omaha my new home with my family in June.  My husband, Steve, and our children, Andrea (9) and Justin (6), are looking forward to becoming a part of the St. Patrick’s community as well.  We knew right away that St. Patrick’s was a great place during our visit in March.  Everyone was very welcoming and we knew it was the perfect fit! Although teaching was not my first career, it has definitely proven to be the right one for me.  I very much enjoy teaching children and seeing the “light bulbs” turn on.  Teaching, for me, is a passion and vocation.  I live that role each day at school, the community and at home teaching my own children. 

I graduated with a B.S. in Business Management from New York Institute of Technology.  I dove into the corporate world following graduation, and have worked for The National Basketball Association, Continental Airlines and Administaff.  In 2002, after my daughter was born, we moved to Wisconsin where I got the calling to become a teacher and I began working as a substitute.  I decided to pursue teaching professionally and enrolled in classes at local universities. In May, 2010, I graduated from The University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX with a Masters in Education. After two years of teaching at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in The Woodlands, TX, I became a 5^thgrade science teacher at Travis Intermediate in Conroe, Texas.  

I look forward to getting to know your children, the families and growing relationships with each of them. 

TAWNYA MANN WILL BE OUR NEW 2^ND – 8^TH GRADE PE TEACHER – After graduating from Iowa State University in 1998 with BS in Exercise and Sport Science and having the wonderful opportunity of playing college soccer, I was so very fortunate to get my first teaching job. At St. Joseph School in Des Moines, IA, I taught PE and Technology for 5 years before moving to Tucson, AZ.  My husband and I spent 2 years working for the University of Arizona and I found myself once again teaching where my heart belongs, in a Catholic school.  We moved back to Des Moines in 2002. I returned to St. Joseph's once again teaching PE and Technology. I took a break from teaching for a couple years and joined the corporate world working for a Semi-Professional soccer team in Des Moines but missed my calling to teach.  I subbed for 2 years in public school in Des Moines, IA and in 2010 we were fortunate to find ourselves moving to Omaha, NE to be closer to family. As my husband Casey, and children, Keagan(8), McKenna (6) and Kellen(3) visited St. Patrick's that summer, there was no doubt this school and parish was for us. The minute we toured the school and I interviewed for the PreS TA position, I knew this was our home.  The St. Patrick's staff and families have been so welcoming and were an important part of our move to Omaha.  We couldn't be happier.

Having been active and involved in sports and education for some time, I look forward to instilling the healthy lifestyles and faith-based values I have grown up in, with the students of St. Patrick's School.

 MARY BALTES, 1^ST GRADE TA, HIRED AT ST. MATTHEW’S – Ms. Baltes accepted a position at St. Matthew’s School in Bellevue as a 2^nd grade teacher.  We are very happy for her and wish her well in her new school.

LOCKS OF LOVE A SUCCESS - Our 6^th Annual Locks of Love Drive was a success again! The girls listed below donated 8 or more inches of hair during our Locks of Love Drive, which was held on April 12^th.  Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia aerate, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

Additional thanks to Julie Fay for coordinating this event along with Parishioners, Kim Mandolfo, Randi Wortman and Denise Kimnach for donating their time and talent by cutting and styling the hair!

6^th ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE A SUCCESS – We collected 50 units of blood to help others. Many parents, siblings of students and parishioners took part.  WE THANK YOU ALL for answering the call and taking the time to give.  This donation saves many lives!

STUCO AND HEART MINISTRY SHOE DRIVE – For every pair brought, we put up a footprint to show our journey through Lent. We collected shoes through the last month.  We delivered 1013 pairs of shoes on Monday, April 18^th to the Heart Ministry to distribute to the homeless in Omaha.  A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to this cause! Way to go!

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING – There will be an initial Safe Environment Training class on Wednesday, May 18^th, 2011 from 6:30 – 8:30pm.  As required by the Archdiocese of Omaha, it is mandatory for all staff and volunteers that work around our children in the school and parish to take this class. If a volunteer or staff member does not complete this training, they will be unable to serve in any capacity around children. To view this policy or see other training dates go to http://www.archomaha.org/pastoral/se/.  This applies to all parish and school organizations such as athletics, scouts, Home & School, lunchroom volunteers, etc. To register for the May 18^th training at St. Patrick’s, email Beth Kathol at bkathol@stpatselkhorn.org.

PARISH ELECTIONS TO SCHOOL BOARD – Parish Elections are scheduled for May 14^th & 15^th, 2011. Parishioners will vote on positions for Parish Pastoral Council, RF Committee, and School Board. There are 3 positions available to fill on the School Board. If you are interested in running for the board, send your bio to Don Ridder at ridderd@stpatselkhorn.org by next Tuesday, April 26^th and it will be published in the Parish Bulletin the weekend of May 7^th & 8^th. The commitment for this position is 3 years. Any parishioner may run for any of the committees listed above. Please participate in the election by completing your ballot at any of the Masses that weekend. You can be a part of the decision-making process.    

WALKING CLUB IS BACK - Spring is here and so is St. Patrick's Walking Club!  Beginning on Tuesday, April 19th, students in grades K - 8th may participate in walking club before school.  We will be walking around the soccer field on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:40 to 8:00am. Physical activity in children has been shown to improve academic readiness, so send your kids and set an example by walking with us!  If it is raining, there will be no Walking Club. Please see the link for more information and the required permission form.  If you have questions, contact Christina Diers at acediers@cox.net.

LINK TO WALKING CLUB PERMISSION SLIP FORM

WHAT'S YOUR TIME WORTH?  SCHOOL SUPPLY KIT ORDERS - Home & School is offering School Supply kits again.  The order forms will be coming home via backpacks with every PreS-7th grade students today. PreS and morning PreK will recieve their forms next week.  Order your student(s)'s school supplies for the 2011-2012 school year; save yourself the hassle of running from store to store to find all the supplies.  All proceeds support 2011-2012 St. Patrick’s Home & School operations like the Parish carnival, Staff Appreciation and Catholic School's Week. Orders must be turned in by May 18^th, 2011.  No need to drag the supplies into school; they will be here for you to pick up at "Back to School" night in August.  Just pick them up and bring them down to your new classrooms(s). Any questions?  Contact Christina Diers at acediers@cox.net.  

BOX TOP BLITZ - Box Top Blitz-Collect and clip all your box tops and bring them in!  Friday, April 29th will be the last day to bring in box tops for our contest.  Two grades are currently paired up and the 'team' that accumulates the most box tops by April 29th will get a dress down day, a recess with their 'team' and a treat at a date later announced!  It is a close race, but any 'team' can win!

GIRL SCOUTS EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION - Attention current second grade girls!: There will be a parent meeting for girls interested in 3rd grade Brownies for the 2011-2012 school year. The meeting will take place on May 3rd, 2011 at 7:00pm in Rm229.  Please plan on one parent/guardian attending. We will be answering questions and filling out registration forms for next year, so don't forget to bring your checkbook!  All Early Registrations receive an "Early Bird Patch" to place on your Brownie Vest.   Please contact Cindy Blumenkemper at 402-315-9668 blumenkemper@cox.net with any questions.

CARNIVAL NEWS - SAVE THE DATE – St. Patrick's Parish Carnival is set for Sunday, August 28 from 1:30-5:30 PM. We still need some fun "carnival" type toys and trinkets so get a head start on your SPRING CLEANING! Look around your house for any "carnival" type toys and trinkets!  One mom's trash is another kid's treasure at the carnival!!!! A box marked “carnival” will be placed in the entrance of the school for you to deposit your items. If you would like to volunteer, contact Jacquie Schumacher @ 201-1183/ email jacquieschumacher@cox.net or Tammy Olson at olsonp1@cox.net.

SAVE THE DATE – St. Patrick’s Annual Sports Banquet - Sunday May 1, 2011, 5:30 – 8:00pm. Featuring guest speaker John Cook, Coach of Nebraska Cornhuskers women's volleyball team, announcement of the Angel Scholarship winner, and a fajita dinner catered by parishioner Paul Knust.  Invitees include all 5th – 8th grade boys and girls involved in a St Patrick’s sponsored sport (and their parents).

2011 ANGEL SCHOLARSHIPS - The St. Patrick's Athletic Committee is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2011 Angel Scholarships.  The Angel Scholarships are $500 scholarships awarded to an 8th grade boy and girl parishioner toward tuition at a Catholic high school.  The application provides more detailed information and is available online on the Athletics page of the parish website.  For questions about the 2011 Angel Scholarships please contact Mike Meyer at mrmomm@cox.net.

ST. PATRICK’S SPORTS BANQUET - Sunday May 1, 2011, 5:30 – 8:00pm. Featuring guest speaker, John Cook, Coach of Nebraska Cornhuskers women's volleyball team, announcement of the Angel Scholarship winner, and a fajita dinner catered by parishioner Paul Knust.  Invitees include all 5th – 8th grade boys and girls involved in a St Pat’s sponsored sport (and their parents). Please RSVP immediately through our online registration system at the following link http://leagueusa.com/registration/index.jsp?SportsOrganizationId=240.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION BEGINS - Mark your calendars for June 13th through 17^th 9:00 a.m. to Noon and join us for Vacation Bible School. It is open to children entering kindergarten in the fall of 2011 through children entering 5th grade. 6th grade and up are welcome to volunteer.  Registration for participants and volunteers is on the website at www.stpatselkhorn.org under the Religious Formation tab.

Eat, Pray, Love Yourself! - Treat yourself to a little soul time for Mother’s Day! Please consider joining us for a Girls’ Night Out with Nebraska’s only Soul Coach, Betty Jensen. As a Soul Coach, Betty helps people find meaning, joy and inspiration in the ordinary to make it extraordinary!  The event is open to all women of the parish and is sponsored by M.O.M.S. Friday, May 6^th in Boland Hall 6-9pm. Drinks and appetizers are provided. Fee is $10. Please RSVP to Rene’ Kremer at renekremer@cox.net or 402-250-4710. Please mail registration fee to Rene’ Kremer 19208 Sahler Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022 by May 1^st.

TASTE RESERVE: An Epicurean Experience.

Enjoy an evening of Fine Dining, Premium Wines & Mingling!

Wednesday, April 27th

Event Begins 6:30 P.M.

BRIX at Village Pointe

225 N. 170th Street

Omaha, NE 68118

Cost: $75/per person.

For Reservations: Contact the Parish Office at (402) 289-4289, or e-mail, development@stpatselkhorn.org.

Proceeds from this palate pleasing event support St. Patrick’s Parish.

Principal's Notes Deadline:

Please submit all items/information in final form.

Principal's Notes deadline is Tuesday by 8:00am to the school or email to

ridderd@stpatselkhorn.org or kmoritz@stpatselkhorn.org

Archived Principal's Notes