PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MR. RIDDER’S REMINDERS

May 12                2:00 Dismissal

May 13                Uganda Dress Down Day

                           Sister School T- Shirt Entries Due

                           Yearbook Orders Due

                           Parish Grounds Clean-up 5-8pm

May 15                Uniform Presale Ends

May 18                School Supply Kit Order Deadline

                           Initial Safe Environment Training 6:30-8:30pm              

May 19                PreS Picnic and PreS Last Day of School

May 20                8^th Grade Last Day of School

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

May 25                PreK Graduation and PreK Last Day 9:30 & 1:30

May 26                Field Day – Details Below

May 27                Kindergarten – 7^th Grade Last Day of School – 11:00am Dismissal

TODAY IS A 2:00 DISMISSAL.  PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU PICK YOUR CHILD UP ON TIME SO TEACHERS MAY ATTEND THEIR IN-SERVICE. THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

WEAR YOUR UGANDA T-SHIRT DRESS DOWN DAY ON FRIDAY – On Friday, May 13^th, all staff and students are invited to have a Uganda T-Shirt Dress Down Day. 

CATHOLIC 101 – May is the month of Mary

What does the month of Mary have to do with Mary?  What started as a secular celebration of spring, with picnics parades and May Poles, evolved into May devotions to our Blessed Mother.  Associating The Blessed Mother with May dates clear back to the 16^th century.  It began in Italy with Parades lead by statues or images of our Blessed Mother Mary in solemn processions from church to church.  The practice quickly spread to Central Europe and incorporated daily and weekly prayers, devotions and novenas.  Some of the devotions even included pilgrimages to various Marian shrines.  The practice continues to this day though not as popular or pervasive.  There’s really no set structure or ritual that’s uniformly followed, parishes or families just do what they find appropriate.  Some sing more Marian songs and hymns, some pray the rosary, and others hold a May crowning honoring Mary Queen of May.  Some families make a little “Mary Altar” which might be a favorite statue or icon of Mary with some flowers and a candle and pray the rosary together each evening, or one day a week.  Pope Pius XII in his encyclical Ingruentium Malorum wrote:  The custom of family recitation of the Holy Rosary is a most efficacious means.  What sweet sight, most pleasing to God, when at eventide the Christian home resounds with the frequent repetition of praises in honor of the High Queen of Heaven!  When the Rosary, recited in the family assembled before the image of the Virgin, in an admirable union of hearts, the parents and their children, who came back from their daily work.  It unites them piously with those absent and those dead.  It links all more tightly in a sweet bond of love, with the most holy Virgin, who, like a loving mother, in the circle of her children, will be there bestowing upon them an abundance of gifts of concord and family peace.  May crowning is a traditional Catholic ritual that celebrates Mary as Queen of Heaven and Mother of God.  The beautiful prayer Salve Regina (which we pray to end Night Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours every single night) has a popular English translation in the prayer Hail Holy Queen, but the more literal translation is better (now this is just my opinion) because it more completely expresses what all Marion devotion and the special attention to Mary in the month of May is meant to do, lead us to her Son:  …Turn now to us the gaze of your all loving eyes, so full of mercy.  And Jesus your Son, and Lord, your womb’s most blessed fruit, show him to us when we complete our sojourn.

LOST & FOUND – We will be displaying items from “Lost & Found” that have been left behind St. Patrick’s School.  These items will be displayed near the entrance in the school building through May 27^th.  Anything not picked up by the final school day, will either go to the Used Uniform Committee or a charity. Many sweaters and sweatshirts that are approved uniform wear need to be claimed by their rightful owner.

PAYING OFF ALL 2010-2011 TUITION, ACTIVITY FEE, LUNCH, LIBRARY ACCOUNTS NEEDS TO BE DONE BY THURSDAY, MAY 27^th DISMISSAL TO AVOID HAVING REPORT CARDS OR RECORDS HELD.

7^TH & 8^TH GRADE VARIETY SHOW CANCELLED – Due to the hectic year-end activities of the 7^th and 8^th grade classes, we decided to free-up their schedules and cancel their show originally set for May 19^th.  We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause.

LIBRARY NOTE - Please make sure that all of the library books are turned in no later than FRIDAY, MAY 13^th.  We need to get all of the books checked in. If your child’s book is missing then you need to pay the replacement cost for that book.  Thank you for all of your help. Ms. DeFreece.

PAPERWORK NEEDED - Health information listed below for students should be turned into the school office by August 1, 2011.  Please refer to the Family Handbook for additional information.

PreS and PreK - Birth Certificate & Immunization Record

Kindergarten – Birth Certificate, Physical Exam, Visual Exam, & Immunization Record if you have not submitted this already.

7^th grade- Physical Exam and Immunization Record

Out-of-State Transfer Students - Physical Exam and Immunization Record that meets Nebraska requirements.

ALL STUDENTS – Verification of 2^nd Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccination if the School Nurse, Mrs. Friedt, notified you that your child needs it.

NOTE * - We MUST have a copy of each child’s Birth Certificate, Immunization Record and Baptismal Certificate (if this sacrament took place at another Parish).

MEDICINE REPOSSESSION – If you supplied medicine for your child to be administered while at school you will need to pick it up by May, 27th (Last day of school).  Any medicine not picked up will be disposed of on May 31st.  Medicine cannot be sent home with a student, it must be picked up by a parent or guardian.

CALLING FOR FIELD DAY VOLUNTEERS - With the end of the year approaching, that means that Field Day is also coming quickly.  If you would like to volunteer and be a station leader this year could you please email Mr. McKenzie (smckenzie@stpatselkhorn.org) and let me know if you are able to help.  On Field Day this year the Kindergarten-2^nd will be going from about 9:20 till 11:00 and the 3rd-5th & 6th-8th will be from 12:30 - 3:00.  Unless the weather doesn't allow it the K-2 & 3-5 Field Day will be at the soccer field just north of St. Patrick’s while the Middle School Field Day will be held at Mount Michael High School on their Football Field.  Thanks for your support.

SHANNON WATKINS JOINS TEAM - My name is Shannon Watkins and I am very excited to be taking on the role as a part-time TEAM teacher for the primary grades in the fall.  I graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1994 with a Degree in Special Education with endorsements in Mild/Moderate and Early Childhood Special Education.  I received my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Technology from Peru State College in 2005. I taught Special Education and Early Childhood Special Education for 7 years in Papillion, before deciding to stay home with our growing family. I recently started substitute teaching and have had the great opportunity to work for Mrs. Friedrichsen in TEAM while she has been on maternity leave.   My husband Doug and I have four children.  Parker, Cooper, and Olivia attend St. Patrick’s and our little Charlie is 19 months-old. We feel so bless to be able to give our children a Catholic Education and be a part of such a caring community of families.  I am thrilled to be a part of the dynamic staff here at St. Patrick’s and look forward to working with your children in the fall.

FULL-TIME OFFICE ASSISTANT NEEDED – We are seeking a person who possesses the following characteristics: caring, flexible, hard-working, and passionate about making a difference for students, a team player, models Christian behavior, as well as, strong technology skills. It is not necessary to have a college degree. This job offers comparable salary and benefits. This position is year-round and will begin this summer.  Applicants can email Mr. Ridder ridderd@stpatselkhorn.org their application letter and resumé along with two written references.

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.

ST.PATRICK’S STUDENTS ADD UP TO AWARDS IN ARCHDIOCESE MATH CONTEST - On Saturday, April 30th, eleven students from St. Patrick's School competed at the annual Omaha Archdiocese Math Contest held at St. Vincent De Paul.  Two students were allowed to compete from each class in grades 4 - 8 and 2 students for the algebra competition. 

Each student took a test consisting of 60 questions and had one hour to complete as much of the test as he or she could.  Placing in the Individual competition was:
4th Grade:  Nate Witkowski 5th Place and Megan Raszler 3rd Place.  
5th Grade:  Nolan Gottsch 7th Place and Nolan Huetter 4th Place.
6th Grade:  Nicholas Huetter 9th Place and Anthony Benes 2nd Place.
7th Grade:  Julia Smith 14th Place and Brianna Siracuse 8th Place.
8th Grade:  Quincey Hogue 8th Place.
Algebra:  Ethan Pfeifer 15th Place and Emily Benes 13th Place.

After the individual competition, the 2 students from each grade took a team test consisting of 60 questions.  Team placements were as follows:
4th Grade:  1st Place
5th Grade:  3rd Place
6th Grade:  2nd Place
7th Grade:  7th Place
8th Grade:  9th Place
Algebra:  9th Place

Overall St. Patrick's exceptionally represented by the individuals who competed in the competition.  Their hard work was evident in the individual and team placements!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS - On Sunday, August 7^th, 2011 all families can come to the Parish Center and learn who their child’s teacher is for the 2011-2012 school year and establish their lunch and extended care accounts, sign up for Home and School committees, approve entries into the directory, etc.  Also, the calendar for the upcoming school year is available on the St. Patrick’s School webpage. Please plan vacations over the scheduled days off that you will find over the Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and spring breaks.

FINAL ROSARY CLUB OF THE YEAR - Monday May 16th will be our final Rosary Club of the 2010-11 school year. We will again be having our beautiful Balloon Rosary and sending it off to Heaven. This is one of the highlights of the year, and the kids really look forward to it. We are hoping that all children who participated in Rosary Club this year can attend. The children will be dismissed to and need to be picked up at Boland Hall at 4:30pm as usual. If there are weather concerns we will postpone this event until the following Monday.

We loved having your children join us each week to pray the Rosary. Thanks to these special kids, we were able to send over 700 Rosaries to St. Mary's in Uganda this year alone.  It was wonderful to see them grow in the love of Mary and this beautiful prayer. Hoping to see you all next week. God Bless, St. Patrick's Rosary Team

CHESS CLUB OVER – This is a reminder to all parents of Chess Club members that the club held their last meeting this week and we will not meet again until the fall.  We had another successful year competing and learning the game.  Encourage your students to practice their strategic moves over the summer.

WHAT'S YOUR TIME WORTH?  SCHOOL SUPPLY KIT ORDERS - Home & School is offering School Supply kits. 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.  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.   NOTE – PRES/PREK morning & afternoon assignments will be determined in June so place orders by the preference that you have for your child to attend. If in doubt, order the afternoon list. Sorry for the confusion.

LINK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY KIT ORDER FORM

SISTER SCHOOL T-SHIRT CONTEST - We have supported our sister school, St. Mary’s in Uganda for the last three school years.  We have been able to provide a lunch to the 1300+ students who would normally go without a lunch for the entire school day. We would like to continue this service. Help us to create a new sister school t-shirt for the upcoming school year.  The link for the t-shirt pattern can be found below.  Your design needs to contain a slogan or motto for this school year incorporating our Catholic identity.  All designs are due to the office on/before the morning of May 20th.  The winning design will be announced at the Pep Rally on May 20^th with a special surprise going to the winner.  

LINK TO SISTER SCHOOL T-SHIRT TEMPLATE

SUMMER SCHOOL REGISTRATION BEGINS - This class is intended to be a brush up to get the students ready for the upcoming school year. Emphasis will be placed on reading, writing, and grammar, as well as the review of math concepts. Parents should register for the grade their child will be entering in the fall of 2011.  The list below tells what teachers will be teaching and to the right you can find a link to their registration form.  Please make checks payable to the teacher.

Ms. McGinty       Kindergarten Summer School Form

Mrs. Kill             1ST Grade Summer School Form

Mrs. Hotovy        2ND Grade Summer School Form

Mrs. Peal           3RD Grade Summer School Form

Mrs. Miller          4TH Grade Summer School Form

Mrs. DeWald      5TH Grade Summer School Form

Ms. Dobel          6TH Grade Summer School Form

Mrs Perrault       7TH Grade Language Arts Summer School Form

Mr. Shanle         7TH Grade Math Summer School Form

Information regarding summer school registration for Middle School will be available next week.

UNIFORM PRESALE –Pre-Order Polos NOW for next school year!  The choice is yours.  Midwest Impressions and Educational Outfitters are offering to pre-order polos for pick up in August.  Print off the attached form for the retailer that you choose to use and return it to the school office with attached check by May 15th.

LINK TO EDUCATIONAL OUTFITTERS PRESALE FORM

LINK TO MIDWEST IMPRESSIONS PRESALE ORDER FORM

2010-2011 YEARBOOK ORDERS AVAILABLE - It is time to order your 80 page, full color 2010 - 2011 yearbook.  Orders are due Friday, May 13th.  The yearbooks should be available for pickup in August.  If you have any questions, or any pictures that could be included in this year's yearbook, please contact Victoria Brichacek at stpatsyearbook@hotmail.com. 

LINK TO 2010-2011 YEARBOOK ORDER FORM

All pictures are needed, especially pictures of preschoolers, First Communion, Confirmation, St. Patrick's sponsored sports teams (CYSL or PAL), and special events such as music programs, field trips, classroom visitors, etc. 

There are also a limited number of last year's yearbooks (2009 - 10) available for purchase as well.  Please contact Victoria Brichacek at stpatsyearbook@hotmail.com for details.

REMEMBER YOUR POP TABS!!!  Please gather all you pop tops up and bring them to school by May 26th.  We have collected about 50 pounds so far this year.  That is about 75,000 pop tops.  Thank you so much!!!  Can we do 100,000?  I THINK WE CAN!!!  Dan Van Anne

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED - Congratulations to the 2011 St Pat’s Angel Scholarship winners Jessica Hotovy and Connor Luff.  These two student athletes were presented with a $500 high school scholarship at St. Pat’s Athletic Banquet held on May 1.

TRACK AND FIELD THREE-PEAT - The St. Patrick's middle-school track & field team just completed another successful season.  At the 16 team Parochial Athletic League championship meet the girls’ team won its third consecutive league championship trophy.  They scored a whopping 154 points to the runner-up total of 63.  The 8th grade girls who have been on the team for three years have never lost a track meet in that time, a perfect 15-0 record.  The boys team had a great showing as well, finishing 4th in a tight points race.  Congratulations to all those St. Patrick's athletes!

FALL SOCCER REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY- Registration is open on Monday for the fall season of CYSL soccer.  CYSL soccer is open to all parishioners from 1st grade - 8th grade.  You can register online at:  http://leagueusa.com/registration/index.jsp?SportsOrganizationId=240.  Register starting Monday avoid late registration complications and fees.  For questions on CYSL soccer please contact Mike Meyer at mrmomm@cox.net.  For questions about online registration contact Katie & Brent L'Heureux at lheureux03@yahoo.com.

VOLLEYBALL REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN - The registration is now open and will close on May 20th.  If you miss this one, your daughter will not be eligible to play and practice over the summer because there will not have a late registration option.  We will open the registration again in the fall for the second mini tryout. If you remember we took a poll last year regarding PAL volleyball. Many of the questions focused on the timing of the tryouts and the season starting.
We have decided to do something a little different this year. Since most of the other PAL teams pick their teams in the spring and then have practices and tournaments over the summer, we have decided to do something similar.  Please pass the word for parents/athletes that didn't play last year. Tryouts will be held sometime in late May. I will follow up with registered players with a note on when and where the tryouts will be.  Remember to sign them up for the grade they will be in NEXT school year.

Our main change to the process is having 2 tryouts.  If you want to play over the summer, please sign them up by May 20.  In the fall we will have another tryout as we prepare for the PAL season.  The girls have an equal chance of making the top teams as long as they make 1 of the 2 tryouts.  Please call or email Dan Hanus if you have any questions - DQH@COX.NET (402) 763-9199.

VOLLEYBALL COACHES NEEDED - We also continue to look for coaches as we get new coaches come in and out every year.  One other thing I will be doing this year is conducting coaching clinics for anyone who would like to get into coaching but isn't quite comfortable enough yet.  Last year I was also able to attend some practices to help.  Please pass along this information to others that may have been inquiring about PAL volleyball but didn't play last year. Thanks again!  Please send me an email if you have any questions.  Dan Hanus - DQH@COX.NET  

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.

CARNIVAL NEWS - SAVE THE DATE – St. Patrick's Parish Carnival is set for Sunday, August 28 from 1:30-5:30 PM. Have you started your SPRING CLEANING? We are in need of some "carnival "type toys and trinkets so look around your house --we would love them for the carnival!  One mom's trash is another kid's treasure at the carnival!!!! A box marked “carnival” donations will be placed in the entrance of the school for you to deposit your items. If you have questions contact Jacquie Schumacher @ 201-1183 or email jacquieschumacher@cox.net OR if you would like to volunteer contact Tammy Olson at olsonp1@cox.net

PARISH GROUNDS CLEAN-UP - A second grounds spring clean up is scheduled for Friday, May 13 from 5-8.  Please consider lending a helping hand for an hour or two!  We'll be tending to the boulevards, tree lines and fence perimeters.  Please bring your rakes, shovels, trimmers and wheelbarrows.  If you plan to attend or have questions, please contact Kim Kidder at kkassen@hotmail.com or (402) 980-3065.

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.

HEART MINISTRY PLANT SALE BENEFIT - The Heart Ministry Center serves the Northwest Omaha community with food, clothing and medical care.  St. Patrick's community was so generous in donating more than 1,000 pairs of shoes to the Heart Ministry Center!  Please consider supporting this wonderful Catholic organization by buying your annuals or perennials from the Sacred Heart Plant Sale.  The sale is located at 90th and Center and is being held Thursday, May 5th through Saturday May 14th from 9am-8pm and Sunday May 15th from 1:00pm-6:00pm.

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