PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MR. RIDDER’S REMINDERS

Oct 8                      2pm Dismissal - Teacher In-Service

Oct 9                      All Staff/Students - Uganda T-Shirt Dress Down Day

Oct 11                    Bagels & Coffee Social for New Families10:15-11:30 Boland Hall

                              Annual Parish Pork Dinner 10:30-2:00 Parish Center

Oct 12                    School Board Meeting 6:30pm

Oct 13                    Picture Retake Day

Oct 16                    1st Quarter Ends

Oct 18                    "Families with Children" Big Red Barn Event 1-3pm

Oct 20                    Parent Teacher Conference 5:00 – 8:00pm

Oct 20, 21 & 22       No School for PreS/PreK; PreS & PreK Parent Teacher Conference

Oct 20-25                Fall Book Fair in the Media Center (Closed Saturday, Oct 24th)

Oct 22                    Parent Teacher Conferences Noon - 8:00pm

Oct 23                    No School

Oct 29                    PreS Halloween Parties – Details Later

                              4th & 5th Grade Fall Music Program; 4th grade 6:00 & 5th Grade 7:00

Oct 30                    Halloween Parade/Parties - PreK–4th Grade

Nov 6                     TASTE - St. Patrick’s Parish Evening of a Food and Wine Experience

UPDATE AT ST. PATRICK’S CONCERNING H1N1 (SWINE FLU) - We have seen an increase in absences over the past 2-3 weeks.  Many of the absences are due to common symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue.  These are all typical symptoms of H1N1.  We have had very few “confirmed” cases of H1N1 reported to us and these were a couple of weeks ago.  At this time most Health Care providers are not testing to confirm H1N1 which is consistent with Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.  Persons with these symptoms need to stay home from work or school.  Symptoms of fever and body aches should be treated as indicated and a health care provider consulted as appropriate.

In an effort to maintain the health and safety of all students and staff at St. Patrick's, the office staff will be vigilant that anyone with symptoms will be sent home.  A fever of 100 degrees or more or flu like symptoms is an indication someone is ill.  Persons are considered contagious and should be kept home at least until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducing medication.  It is our understanding that some symptoms, like a cough, may last for several days to weeks after the person is no longer contagious.  We ask that if your child has been ill and is returning with a continued cough that you plan accordingly to control the cough.  Frequent coughing can be physically exhausting for a student.  It can disrupt their ability to concentrate at school and can disturb other students. 

In an effort to limit the spread of H1N1, our maintenance staff is working diligently everyday to disinfect all areas of the building to prevent the spread of H1N1 and any other illnesses that are circulating our community. Teachers and students wash hands regularly throughout the day. We, also, feel it is necessary to consult with a medical doctor regularly and we have done so since the beginning of this school year. He continually updates us on the latest information regarding H1N1 as this illness makes its way through the population. If we have questions or concerns, we call him immediately for his advice. Below is information that he felt would be beneficial to the families of St. Patrick’s School.  Please take the time to read this so you may be better informed.

A few common questions regarding H1N1: 

How can I protect my child against the H1N1 flu?

Get a seasonal flu vaccine for yourself and your child to protect against seasonal flu viruses.

Take everyday steps to prevent the spread of all flu viruses. This includes:

     • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

     • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

     • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

     • Try to keep your child from having close contact (about 6 feet) with sick people, including anyone in the household who is sick.

     • Keep surfaces like bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

     • Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by sick persons in your household in the trash.

Who should receive the H1N1vaccine?

Limited quantities of H1N1 vaccine will be available at first, and will be dispersed from the Douglas County Health Department to local providers.  Because of this, first available doses will be given to the following individuals:

• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated; Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus.
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
• Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,

• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

Where can we find the H1N1vaccine? 

Contact your child's health care provider to find out when and where the vaccine may be obtained.  The initial available doses will be of the nasal spray version of the vaccine. The injectable form will become available in the following few weeks.

Who should not receive the nasal spray version of the H1N1vaccine?

The nasal spray version of the H1N1 vaccine is NOT approved for use in the following groups:  (These individuals will have to wait until the injectable version of the vaccine arrives in the following weeks.)

      • Children under 2 years of age

      • Children under 5 years of age with Asthma or an episode of wheezing in the past year

      • Pregnant women

      • Individuals with long term health problems : lung disease (including asthma), heart, liver, or kidney disease, metabolic disease (including diabetes), anemia, blood       disorders, and certain muscle or nerve disorders.

      • Adults over 50 years of age

      • Anyone in close contact of an individual with a weakened immune system

      • Children requiring long term aspirin therapy

If my child has already had H1N1 does he/she still need the H1N1vaccine?

In general, yes.  Unless your child had the formal laboratory confirmed PCR testing (ie: not just the office version rapid flu test), it is recommended that they still receive the vaccine.  The rapid flu test used by most providers is not considered sensitive/specific enough to reliably make a decision about immunization.  Additionally, there are many other viral infections that may mimic H1N1 symptoms, so a decision about vaccination should not be based on presumed H1N1 infection. 

Should I be concerned about the number of absent students at St. Patrick's?

Nebraska in general is experiencing "Regional" influenza activity at the current time according to the CDC.  Because of this, the heightened awareness, and the appropriate precautions taken by the parents of St. Patrick's children, it is expected that we will experience a greater than normal number of children absent from school at this time. 

Where can I find the latest H1N1 information? 

More information may be found from the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

and from the Douglas County Health Department: http://www.co.douglas.ne.us/dept/health/disease/Swine_flu/H1N1_Swine_%20index.php

SCHOOL PICTURE RETAKES – School pictures have been sent home.  After viewing them, if you decide that you would like to have your child’s picture retaken; it will take place on Tuesday, October 13th, from 8:30am to 2pm in the lower level “Old Library” area. If you choose to do retakes, your child needs to bring in their portrait package (in full) and hand it to the photographer when they have their picture taken that day. If your child was ill and unable to take an initial school picture, this day will be your opportunity to have your child’s 2009-2010 school picture taken. Please remember that all fall school pictures are photographed in the school uniform with sweater in kindergarten thru 8th grades. PreK students may come in anytime during these hours and we will slip them in.  Order forms are available in the school office if needed for those who have not had a picture taken.

VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH PICTURE RETAKES - The VVO (Various Volunteer Opportunities) Committee is still in need of a few more helpers on “Picture Retake Day”, which is on Tuesday, October 13th.  If you are interested and available to help from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on that day, please contact Shelley Weeks at 553-3466 or at shel5@cox.net.  Your support is greatly appreciated!

FALL PARENT / TEACHER CONFERENCES – Below you will find how the various grade levels are implementing parent/teacher conferences. Fall conferences will be held on two different days for kindergarten through 8th grades.

Tuesday, October 20th 5:00 – 8:00pm

Thursday, October 22nd Noon until 8:00pm  

These fall conferences are required. This is a great time to receive feedback and ask questions to teachers on how your child is performing in school. Report cards will be given to parents at that time. Please see that at least one parent/guardian attends for each child. Sign-up sheets for appointments in PreS through 6th grade are posted in the front entrance area. Appointments need to be made by October 16th. If you feel you need more than the allotted time, please email the teacher to make other arrangements. The Specials teachers for Art, Music, PE, & Spanish, will be located in their classrooms and it is not necessary to make an appointment to see them.

KINDERGARTEN – 5th GRADE PARENTS will conference with every student’s homeroom teacher.  If you feel you would like to visit with your child’s other core subject teachers, please make an appointment with the homeroom teacher and the additional core subject teachers at the same time. In these cases, the meeting will take place in your child’s homeroom.

6th, 7th & 8th GRADE PARENTS go to the lower level Jr. High area to pick up your student’s report card. Then, you should proceed to his/her homeroom teacher.  Conferences for these students will be an open forum style, with a waiting area. If you would like to visit with the teachers of other subjects after conferencing with the homeroom teacher, feel free to go to their desk. Please keep conferences with each teacher to no more than 10 minutes.  Appointments are not necessary for 6th, 7th & 8th grade conferences.

PRES & PREK PARENTS conferences will take place in Mrs. Andersen’s classroom on the following days:

• Tuesday, October 20th, from 7:30am to 8:00pm
• Wednesday, October 21st , from 7:30am to 3:30pm
• Thursday, October 22nd , from 7:30am to 6:00pm

Mrs. Andersen visits with every child’s parent/guardian. Please reserve a 10 minute appointment time on the sign- up sheets posted in the entrance if the school by October 16th.

LOST & FOUND – Our lost and found items have begun to cultivate.  We strongly suggest parents or children put their names on the tags of sweatshirts, sweaters and all jackets, as well as lunch boxes.  Our lost & found area is in the entrance of the school, between the glass doors.  During Parent-Teacher Conferences, we will display the items left behind in the school entrance!  Please check that area if you are missing something. At the end of each quarter, what is left behind will go to The Goodwill.

YOU CAN MAKE MONEY FOR THE SCHOOL BY SIMPLY DOING WHAT YOU ALREADY DO - Rather than using your usual search engine, you can use the search engine at www.goodsearch.com , and every search will earn money for the school.  Here’s how it works.  Go to www.goodsearch.com and type in St Patricks Catholic School.  Then select from the drop down list the one from Elkhorn, NE (That’s us).  Then type in what you’re searching for and every time you do so you will earn money for the school.  You can also add Goodsearch to your Internet Explorer or Firefox toolbar (which will allow you to make money for the school without even going to the Goodsearch page); just follow the instructions on the page.  You can also shop through Goodsearch at a variety of online retailers (like Amazon and many more) by clicking on the shopping link, when you do so it will donate a percentage of whatever you buy back to Saint Patrick’s.  Every search earns about a penny, and shopping can earn more.  It may not seem like much, but multiply those numbers by about five searches a day and then by the number of people in the St. Patrick’s community and you will get a large sum of money fairly quickly. Help support our school while you browse.

BOOK FAIR NEWS - Get ready to travel around the world at the Fall Book Fair!   "Destination, Read Around the World" will be an international experience for the entire family!  So mark your calendars and join us in the St. Patrick's Library October 20th - 25th. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Jane Chapman (KCCJDC@cox.net) or Karen Fontaine (kfontaine2@cox.net ).

This Book Fair is going to be really special this year. If the St. Patrick’s entire student body reads a combined total of 10,000 minutes in one week, they will receive a Uganda t-shirt dress down day!  Look for your child’s reading log to help St. Patrick’s reach our goal.  They will be logging their minutes starting on October 12th and ending on October 16th.  All Reading Logs must be turned into the library by October 19th. If our goal is reached, the students will receive their dress down day on October 26th.  Good reading skills provide all children with a valuable educational advantage. Allowing kids to choose their own books by connecting them with books they want to read will motivate them to practice more. I hope that this will rally our entire school community around a goal and get everyone more focused on the importance of reading. Thank you for supporting your kids in any way possible to help us reach our 10,000minute reading goal. Mrs. McIntyre.

CHESS CLUB NEWS - The St. Patrick’s chess club is a weekly club meeting Mondays after school until 4:30 and is open to all St. Patrick’s students.  The following attachment must be completed to participate should students choose to attend chess club. Please fill out and return the attached permission and information form.

CHESS CLUB INFORMATION AND PERMISSION FORM

ST. PATRICK’S HOME & SCHOOL DIRECTORIES ARE HERE TODAY – Please check your oldest and/or only child’s backpacks for your directory/ies tonight or Friday. Directory Distribution Policy, approved  by the Home & School officers and the school office, is below.  Please contact Home & School officers with any questions. 

• Home & School members:  Receive 1 directory free; additional copies maybe purchased for the member discount of $5/each.
• St. Patrick's staff:  Receive 1 directory free.  If you are a Home & School member, you can purchase additional copies for $5/each. If an employee is not a member, additional copies are available for $10/each.
• St. Patrick’s School families that are not members of Home & School may purchase directories for $25 with additional copies are $10/each.

To become a St. Patrick’s Home & School member, click on the attached link and return it to school ASAP. Over 290 of our 370 families are current members.

LINK TO MEMBERSHIP FORM FOR HOME & SCHOOL

BAGELS & COFFEE SOCIAL FOR NEW SCHOOL FAMILIES - Bagels and Coffee Social for families enrolled in 2009-2010 school year is being held Sunday, October, 11th in Boland Hall from 10:15-11:30.  Stop by before or after mass, grab a bite and meet some friends.  There will be muffins and juice for the kids.  RSVP to Christina Butler, 289-9787 or ecbutler@cox.net by today, Thursday, October 8th.

SCRIP NEWS - Did you know that you can buy VISA and American Express debit cards through SCRIP?  They can be used anywhere VISA and AmEx (can be used at Costco) are accepted.  They are sold in $25 and $100 increments and also make great gifts.  Click on the link to download an order form now and send it to school in your child’s backpack tomorrow! Thanks for your continued support! http://new.stpatselkhorn.org/school/Documents/Scriporderform9302009.pdf

HOW YOU CAN HELP TO SEE THAT THE LUNCHROOM HAS A COLD SALAD BAR OFFERED DAILY? - For $5.00 you will receive a booklet with $10.00 coupon and several other valuable coupons!  St. Pat’s gets to keep the entire $5.00! Proceeds from this sale will go towards the purchase of a COLD SALAD BAR for our students!  Younkers Community Day is Saturday, November 14!

SAVE YOUR HYVEE RECEIPTS – Please save and send in your Hy-Vee receipts that are dated – September 21st through December 31! Hy-Vee is once again helping our school.  Save receipts from any Hy-Vee store, gas station and pharmacy and send them to school.  We will do the rest! 

BASKETBALL TEAMS FORMING NOW - Registration is now open for the 2009-10 PAL Basketball season.  PAL Basketball is open to any 5-day student or parishioner in the 5th - 8th grades providing that enough kids sign up for a team at that grade level.  If enough sign up for multiple teams, tryouts may be held for team assignments.  Teams that are formed will play against other area Catholic schools in the Parochial Athletic League (PAL).  The season will last from approximately Dec. 1st until approximately Feb. 15th.  For questions regarding PAL Basketball contact Tim Tarrence at: ttpt1ne@msn.com.  To register please go to:  www.stpatselkhorn.org under Athletics. For questions regarding online registration please contact Renee Shotkoski at: mjsshots@yahoo.com.

TRUNK OR TREAT... SAVE THE DATE - Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS) is hosting a Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 25th from 3:30pm- 5pm in the church parking lot!  Please bring a can of food for the food bank! Any questions, contact Carrie Kubicek at 556-7479.

CELEBRATE YOUTH BREAKFAST – Pancake and egg breakfast on Sunday, Oct. 25th served from 8:30am-12:30pm as the main fundraiser for SPY-C youth ministry.  $5 Adults, $3 Kids, $20 Family Maximum (3 & under free).  Come see photos, displays, and videos of the latest SPY-C events.  Proceeds go toward youth ministry trips and activities.  Support our parish teens and get a good meal at the same time!  6th-8th graders and parents needed to help cook, serve, and clean-up.  Contact Jenni at jvankat@stpatselkhorn.org to volunteer.

ST. PATRICK’S PARISH ANNUAL PORK DINNER - The Annual St. Patrick’s Parish Pork Dinner will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2009 from 10:30-2:00. This is a great opportunity to enjoy an excellent meal, meet fellow parishioners, visit with old friends and support a good cause. The entire proceeds from this dinner will be used to support the local St. Vincent DePaul Society. A flyer is linked below where there are six tickets for you to buy for your family or sell to your friends. If you can’t attend, please consider a donation in support of this annual event. Advance Tickets: $7.00 / Adult $3.50 / Children under 10. Tickets at the Door: $8.00 / Adult $4.00 / Children under 10. Take out will be available.

MENU: Roast Pork (Hot Dogs provided for the kids)

Mashed potatoes w/gravy

Vegetable Sauerkraut

Bread Applesauce

Dessert & Drink

LINK TO ST. PATRICK’S ANNUAL PARISH PORK DINNER TICKETS

REGISTER TODAY…..LIMITED SEATING - St. Patrick’s Taste! Join the Friday Night Variety Show!
Friday, November 6th at 7:30 at the Elkhorn Ridge.

There’s food and drink for everyone with 10 wonderful wine choices from Brix paired with the perfect food. For example:

• Fruity and Floral Alamos Torrontes wine with California Sushi from Blue Sushi 

• Luscious MacMurray Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with

Smoked Salmon from Taste

If wine is not your thing, enjoy beer from Schilling Bridge Winery and Microbrew and Rustic Pizza.

REGISTRATION ENDS OCTOBER 29TH.  Click below for the registration form or

Call: 289-4289 (x1526) Cost: only $35/person to make your reservation.

CLICK FOR TASTE REGISTRATION FORM

PLEASE consider volunteering for the evening of TASTE. Servers are needed from 5:30-9:30. It is a lot of fun, a great way to socialize, and a way to help the church and school.  Contact Debbie Otwell today at otwells@cox.net or 614-4032.

YOU ARE INVITED TO - THAT’S AMORE!

WHAT:  Parish Dinner Auction Kick-Off Party

WHEN:  Friday, October 9th, 7:00 PM

WHERE: Willie and Jill Douglas’ home

                24313 Leavenworth Circle, Waterloo

WHO:  Will Volunteers for this year’s auction

WHY:  To sign up for committees & meet the honorary chairs

Join us for a fun-filled evening.  Please bring an appetizer to share and your own drinks.  In addition, if you’d like to contribute to this year’s Bag of Booze, please bring a bottle to donate to the cause.  In order to RSVP and/or ask questions, please contact Ann Monday:  annmonday@cox.net. Bring a Friend!  Hope to see you there!

Join “Families With Children” - The Big Red Barn and Pumpkin Farm (open 10-6)

Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 1-3pm

13333 Bennington Road 238-2696

The cost of admission is $7 per person (kids 2 and under are free).  Meet at the bonfire we have reserved from1:00-3:00 to roast marshmallows and make s’mores! 

The Big Red Barn offers a petting zoo, pony rides, corn maze, hayrack rides, acres of pumpkins, eateries, and lots of room to run around! What a great way to meet other families at St. Patricks. Everyone is welcome!

“Families with Children” is a St. Patrick’s Catholic Community that provides support for families by providing activities and opportunities to connect with other families in the 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