PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MR. RIDDER’S REMINDERS

Jan 8                      SCRIP Rewards Dress Down Day for All

Jan 9                      Catholic High Schools 8th Grade Entrance Exam

Jan 9 & 10              1st Eucharistic Retreat

Jan 11                    1st Semester Report Cards Sent Home

Jan 14                    2:00 Dismissal – Teacher In-Service

Jan 15                    2nd Half Tuition Due for Half Pay Plan

Jan 18                    No School – Teacher In-Service 

Jan 21                    2010-2011 Registration Forms Go Home

Jan 28                    Registration Forms Due Back

                               6th Grade Music Program 6:30pm

NETBOOKS FOR 8TH GRADERS - We wanted to make all of you aware that on Tuesday we celebrated the unveiling of the 8th graders’ netbooks. This is the beginning of a program where the students will have the opportunity to take, use and care for a netbook loaned to them for school use only both at home and school. They are assigned a school email address and have the ability to submit homework to teachers via Gaggle. The faces and enthusiasm of the 8th grade during classes has been wonderful.  Aaron Knust said "These things are sweet." Thank you all, for making this dream a reality at St. Patrick’s School.  Our students, staff, and school board appreciate your generosity. Jake Hasty said "This will be a great way to get my homework done.  I can't wait to be able to take it home." KPTM channel 42 aired a story on our step ahead in technology during its broadcast Tuesday evening.  The Omaha World Herald ran a story today on the front of the Midlands section about us. The Catholic Voice publication also plans to publish an article. This is a great thing that St. Patrick’s School has to offer in the area of technology. Students and parents signed policy acknowledgement forms and immediately began carrying their netbooks to and from school. We truly believe that this will enhance the learning process and look forward to challenging our students in new ways!  Dan Maline said "This will change the way we can learn in the classroom.  We can get so much more accomplished from now on with this technology constantly in the kids’ hands."

MAKING UP SNOW DAYS - Due to the unexpected number of snow days that we have already accumulated, a policy will be implemented that requires that we build back in days missed beyond 5 days. Should it become necessary, we (the staff and school board) will look at the options of where we can make these days up and then decide what is in the best interest of the school.  In other words, we could add on day(s) in May and/or we could look at days that we presently have scheduled to be “no school” days.  We will notify all families as soon as any decisions have been made. As of today, we stand at a total of 4 snow days.  Also, keep in mind that adjustments to schedules such as the lunch menu are directly affected when school is called off. Please continue to stay informed through the school webpage.

REGISTRATION FORMS WILL BE SENT HOME THURSDAY, JANUARY 21ST, 2010– In order to allow new families earlier notification of their status, whether it be accepted or on the waitlist, the registration process will begin in January rather than February this year. Please note that the “Current Student 2010-2011 Registration” forms will go home on January 21st.  They will be due back by January 28th with the $100 registration fee per child to hold their spot. Please make sure you have completed the 2009 Stewardship Appeal form, found on the Parish website, to keep receiving the parishioner rate for tuition.

FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE – When considering what your enrollment status will be for the 2010-2011 school year, keep in mind there a couple of options: Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha and St. Patrick’s Tuition Assistance.  Every family that chooses Catholic education should be given the opportunity regardless of their financial situation. More information will be publicized in the upcoming month.

INTERESTED IN ST. PATRICK’S SCHOOL FOR 2010-2011? If you know of someone that is interested in enrolling their child(ren) for the 2010-2011school year in St. Patrick’s School, please go to the school website and click on the Admissions link.  We are taking applications right now and will begin the registration process for new families in February after the current student process is complete in January.  You may drop applications off in the Sunday collection basket, mail it or drop it by the school office.  No registration fees are required until their child is accepted.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK DATES - Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated nationally on January 31st- February 6th, 2010. On Sunday, January 31st, there will be the masses celebrating Catholic Education with our parish community.  All St. Patrick’s School students are asked to wear their uniforms and sweaters to the Saturday and Sunday Masses.

Wednesday, February 3rd- Special Friend's Day is a time when students invite an adult grandparent, aunt, uncle or close family friend to visit and tour the school for about an hour.  There will be more details on times next week. This day is offered to Kindergarten - 4th graders only and will be held in the afternoon. The times will be by last name. Please keep this date open.

Friday, February 5th- The Talent Show is open to all 4th- 8th graders.

START PERFECTING YOUR TALENT 4th – 8th GRADE STUDENTS– This year’s St. Patrick’s Talent Show will be open to all 4th-8th graders. Each act can be no longer than 2 minutes. Try-outs will be held on Thursday, January 21st from 3:30 to 4:15. Please fill out the permission form found below and send it back to school. The talent show will be held during Catholic Schools Week on Friday, February 5th beginning at 1 pm. More details to come!

TALENT SHOW PERMISSION FORM

SCRIP “HO HO HO” PROMOTION SUCCESS - was a HUGE triumph, with over $50,000 in sales!  There are lots of people on Santa’s nice list this year!  The students earned a Dress Down Day for Friday, January 8th! 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS & GIRLS GROW YOUR HAIR – April 27th will be the date that St. Patrick’s School will hold our Annual American Red Cross Blood Drive, as well as our Locks of Love.  Girls must have a minimum of 8 inches to donate to Locks of Love, in order to participate in this school wide event. More info to come!

SOCCER REGISTRATION - The registration deadline for CYSL Soccer is coming up soon!  After January 24th, a $20 late fee will be added to all registrations and spaces will be given out on a first come, first served basis.  Register now at: Link to Athletics Registration.  If you have questions about CYSL Soccer, please contact Mike Meyer at mrmomm@cox.net.  For registration questions please contact Renee Shotkoski at msshots@yahoo.com.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS TOUR WINNERS FOR RAFFLE SALES - Congratulations to the Foster, Corey, Jacobson, Monday, Strohman, McBride and Gottschalk families--the winners of the Holiday Lights Tour!  Also, many thanks to Brian and Rochelle McGill for donating their time and bus to take the crew around to see all the spectacular Christmas lights!  Make sure to get your sold tickets in by this FRIDAY, JANUARY 8th, for the grade with the most tickets turned in wins a 2 HOUR BOWLING PARTY at Sempeck's Elkhorn Lanes during school!  Need more tickets?  Additional tickets may be picked up in the Development Office and will also be available at the raffle table following all weekend masses.

PICTURES NEEDED! - The annual auction video is in the works and we need your help!  If you have any St. Patrick’s pictures that you would like to share, please email them to Dana Bird at danambird@hotmail.com.   We are looking for pictures from sporting events, classroom parties/activities and other school events.  Any help you can give us with this project is greatly appreciated.

ATTENTION PARENTS! DISCOVER YOUR GOD-GIVEN GIFTS - Don’t forget about yourselves this Christmas and make a New Year’s resolution for yourself! Living Your Strengths is a 4-week series in which participants join a small faith-sharing group.  They discover their unique God-given gifts and how to use those gifts in service to the Church and Community.  Understanding your unique top-five strengths will also have a profound effect on your home and work life.  This is a great program to do with your friends, spouse and adult family members! Contact Beth Kathol in the Adult Formation Office at 289-4289 ext.1525 or bkathol@stpatselkhorn.org to register or for more information.

January 11th - February 1st

• Monday mornings 9:15-10:45am in Parish Conference Room
• Monday afternoons 1:30-3pm in the Family Room
• Monday evenings 7:00-8:30pm in Classroom 229

January 12th - February 2nd

• Tuesday evenings 7:00-8:30pm Teacher’s Lounge

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