Happy Thanksgiving from the Staff of St. Patrick’s School,
to all of our wonderful St. Patrick’s families. We are thankful for you all!
PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION
MR. RIDDER’S REMINDERS
Nov 25, 26 & 27No School – Thanksgiving Break – Extended Care will be closed
Nov 30 3rd-8th Grade Progress Reports Go Home
Dec 4 Student Council sponsored “$1 Dress Down Day”
Dec 5 1st Reconciliation
Last Names A-L at 10:00am; Last Names M-Z at 11:30am
Dec 8 Immaculate Conception
Dec 9 8th Grade Confirmation/Candidate Retreat 7:30pm
Dec 102pm Dismissal – Teacher In-Service
Dec 15 7th & 8th Grade Christmas Program in Parish Center at 6:30pm
Dec 17 2nd Grade Christmas Program in Parish Center at 6:30pm
3rd Grade Christmas Program in Parish Center at 7:30pm
Dec 21 PreK Christmas Programs – 9:30 & 1:30
Dec 22 PreS Christmas Programs – 9:30 & 1:30
Dec 22 “Dress Down Day” - Students may wear St. Patrick’s Apparel
K- 8th Christmas Gatherings in the classrooms at 2:15
1st Semester Ends
Dec 23-Jan 4 Christmas Break – No School
Jan 5 School Resumes
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING - Wow, what a new week can bring! Everyone is working as usual and kids are learning. The staff and I have received many emails, phone calls and words of encouragement throughout the last week as to how we handled a difficult situation. Our number one goal is to look at what is in the best interest of the students at St. Patrick’s School. We chose to be proactive and keep you all up to speed on developments related to a few cases. We appreciate your listening to us and acting on behalf of your child’s best interest together with us.Thanks for all your support and patience along with the delicious lunch many of you provided for the staff today. The parents, staff and students at St. Patrick’s are the best and we all feel blessed!
TEXTBOOK LOANPROGRAM FOR 2010– Forms for the 2010- 2011 School Year were sent home last Friday with EVERY CHILD in Kindergarten - 7th grade. In order to qualify for this program, parents/guardians must fully complete the Textbook Loan form and return it to the school office by today, Tuesday, November 24th, 2009. Textbook Loan is a federally supported program that allows private schools to borrow textbooks from the school districts that the private school resides in. The finances for this program come from the government, and the public schools work with the private school to coordinate the program. We appreciate your cooperation and rapid return in this important matter.
A BIG THANKS TO HOME AND SCHOOL – A huge “Thank You” to St. Patrick’s Home and School for purchasing the new chairs and other equipment in the school office. The chairs were greatly needed and much more practical for cleaning purposes. We have received many compliments on how nice they look. We appreciate your thinking of the office, as well as, all the other support you offer our school staff in all areas of the building.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS WITH THIS CHANGE – The 7th – 8th Grade Christmas Music Program is scheduled for December 15th, at 6:30pm in the Parish Center. The 6th Grade Winter Music Program was moved to Thursday, January 28th in the Parish Center at 6:30pm in the Parish Center.
$1 DRESS DOWN DAY - Student Council is sponsoring a $1 “Dress Down Day” on Friday, December 4th to support the needs of COPE. COPE stands for Christian Outreach Program of Elkhorn. This charitable organization works with St. Patrick’s and other area churches to meet the needs of the citizens of Western Douglas County. An 8th grade confirmation group will use the money to buy socks, gloves, hats, diapers and other necessities that COPE families need.
CANNED FOOD DRIVE - Student Council in conjunction with the Religious Formation program is sponsoring a canned food drive from November 30th to December 4th. The canned goods will be used to make Christmas food baskets for the families in need in our area. We are collecting cans of soup, vegetables, fruit, etc.
ITBS (IOWA TEST OF BASIC SKILLS) SCORES ARRIVED - Results of the 2009-2010 ITBS are in, will be returned to students in a sealed envelope on Friday, December 4th. At St. Patrick’s School, teachers administer the ITBS to all 2nd – 8th grade students in the fall. Our numbers continue to improve each year and have done so since the opening of St. Patrick’s School in 2001. We anticipate scores to continue to rise as the students go through the rigorous academic curriculum at St. Patrick’s School.
YOU TOO CAN HELP SANTA’S ELVES - The holiday shopping season is right around the corner. But not to worry, your St. Patrick’s Home & School Elves are here to help! It is time for the annual H&S Elf program to begin. H&S will again present a gift to all teachers, aides and school staff who work hard to make our school a wonderful, learning environment. A letter and envelope went home with each student Monday, November 30th. We invite each family to donate to the Elf fund. Our Elves will use the money to purchase SCRIP gift certificates and deliver them to each staff member before the Christmas break. Each participating family will be recognized on the attached gift tag. All donations will bedue December 11th. This is an optional program offered by H&S to save families shopping time during this busy season. If you have any questions, please contact Michele Zadalis 965-8449 or Jenn Copenhaver 964-1313.
YOUNKERS BOOKLET SALES UPDATE & HYVEE RECEIPTS - Thank you to everyone who helped make this a success! We had a VERY successful Younkers Sale Day! We met our goal and our school WILL be getting the Salad Bar! H & S will get this ordered after Thanksgiving break. As well, please continue to send in your receipts for HyVee!
LOOKING FOR TUTORS – We are looking for adults that have experience working with children to tutor St. Patrick’s students before or after school. There will be opportunities for compensation. If you or someone you know would be interested, please contact Don Ridder at ridderd@stpatselkhorn.org or call him at 289-5407.
OUR ANNUAL SPRING MAGAZINE FUNDRAISER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER - Each spring, we kick-off our Magazine Subscription Fundraiser to benefit our students. The success of the program depends on your participation. We will be kicking off our fundraiser on March 3, 2010. However, you can get started right now! This is a great way to start your Christmas Shopping and support our school at the same time, especially if you plan on giving the gift of reading! Save Time. Go Online. Go to www.qsp.com. Enter account number 425052783. Renew your current magazine subscriptions and/or order new subscriptions on-line. While at www.qsp.com you can also spread the word to further support St. Patrick’s School, by emailing friends and family anywhere in the country and inviting them to take advantage of our special offers. Although the kickoff is not until March, starting TODAY, all internet orders will count towards our school goal!!! All “People Magazine” orders count double for our Special school goal! Code # 372
St. Patrick’s School earns 40% profit on your purchases. The funds raised will help support educational, academic and extracurricular programs for our students. Your support is met with much gratitude and appreciation.
OLD CHRISTMAS CARDS NEEDED - Mrs. Jensen; our wonderful Art teacher is looking for old Christmas cards for her Art Projects. Please send them to the school office ASAP. Thanks!
KIDS SPRING SOCCER REGISTRATION - Registration is currently open for the spring season of CYSL soccer. Register soon to avoid late fees. To register your children please go to the Athletics Page on the school website. For questions regarding online registration please contact Renee Shotkoski at: mjsshots@yahoo.com or 763-9133. For questions regarding CYSL Soccer please contact Mike Meyer at: mrmomm@cox.net.
RESCHEDULED CONFIRMATION CANDIDATE/SPONSOR RETREAT - The reflection will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2009, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Parents, if your child’s sponsor is not able to attend, please plan to attend this evening of reflection with your child.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA IN THE ST. PATRICK’S PARISH CENTER ONSATURDAY, DECEMBER 12TH 9:30 to 11:00 AM - Bring your camera to take a picture with Santa and enjoy some holiday fun. We will have donuts, juice, coffee, and activities for the kids. The cost is $12 per family. Registration forms are available in the Church entrance and the Parish Office. Please make checks payable to St. Patrick’s Church and return it and registration to the school or parish office by Dec. 9th. Call Cecilia Grigsby for any questionscgrigsby10@cox.net or 991-5604.Sponsored by Families with Children. Please bring a new toy to donate to COPE.
A NEW CAR WILL BE RAFFLED AND WON ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2010 AT THAT’S AMORE – ANNUAL DINNER AUCTION - Thank you for your support of St. Patricks! If you have any questions about the raffle or would like to volunteer on the 2010 Raffle Committee, please contact:
IRA GIFTS CAN HELP PARISHES, SCHOOLS & YOUR TAX BURDEN - During this month of giving thanks for our many blessings, we are grateful for all of the ways so many people have helped St. Patrick’s through the years. Again this year you, your parents or grandparents may have a unique opportunity to make a charitable gift to St. Patrick’s without paying additional taxes on income from their IRA’s.
One small part of the 700+ Billion Bailout Bill can directly help our parish, school, RF programs, and individuals over the age of 70 ½! Under this bill, a regular or Roth IRA owner age 70 ½ or older may make a direct transfer from their IRA to a qualified charity without declaring additional income from the transfer. This transfer may be up to $100,000 per year and is tax-free to charity, but at this time this option exists only until December 31, 2009. This may* allow you to make your charitable gift without paying income taxes on your annual required IRA distribution (*Dependent on your unique personal tax situation.)
A few important rules: 1. Your IRA administrator needs to cut a check directly to St. Patrick’s. 2. Married couples can each make a gift from their IRA. 3. You do not receive a tax deduction for your gift. We can supply you with any additional information you may need, but you need to act quickly. This law currently expires December 31, 2009.
There are limitations on the type of charity that qualifies for such a direct transfer/gift, but your parish does qualify. Please prayerfully consider contacting your IRA custodian and/or accountant to see if this new charitable tool will help you save on income taxes. Or please contact family members over the age of 70 ½ to see if they would be willing to consider such a wonderful opportunity. Thank you for your past and future support of St. Patrick’s!
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
