PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MR. RIDDER’S REMINDERS

May 8                2pm Dismissal – Teacher In-Service

May 9                Hawaiian Theme Dress Down Day

May 12              2nd - 4th Grade Spring Program at 6:30pm in the Church

May 13              8th Grade Students Last Day of School

May 14              Acro-Dunk Performance for Students/Staff for Magazine Sales Reward

May 15              All School Mass Honoring 8th Grade Class

                         Followed By Breakfast for Graduates & Their Parents Only.

                         Graduation in Church at 6:30pm

May 15              PreS Picnic & Last Day of School / K-2nd Field Day from 12:30 – 3:00pm

May 16              3rd – 5th Field Day from 12:30 – 3:00pm

May 17              6th – 8th Grade MS SPY Dance in PC 7:30 to 10pm

May 19              6th-8th Field Day from 12:30 – 3:00pm & PreK Field Day and Last Day of School

May 20              Last Day Of School –11:00am Dismissal 

DID YOU KNOW…THIS WEEK WAS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK? – Our staff was treated, and I mean treated, quite well this week during Teacher Appreciation Week.  Home & School went above and beyond as they always do to show our staff how much they are appreciated.  From lunches to limo rides and everything in between, the staff at St. Patrick’s was made known how much they are loved.  Thank you to all of the people involved in Home & School!  We hope you know how much we appreciate you!

END OF THE YEAR LUNCH & LIBRARY ACCOUNTS - We want to thank everyone who supports St. Patrick’s lunch and library programs. With the end of school year approaching we need to receive payment for all negative lunch account balances by Friday, May 9th. Library overdue/lost book amounts must be in now. Families with unpaid lunch account balances or overdue/lost books will not receive their child/ren’s report cards. If your family has a positive lunch account balance, no checks will be issued and it will carry-over to next year. For updates on your lunch account contact Mr. O’Hara via email dohara2004@msn.com, or call 402-753-9940.  Any questions on library issues, contact Mrs. Kalkowski via email akalkowski@stpatselkhorn.org.

SPRING PICTURES – Two weeks ago, your child’s spring picture packet was sent home.  These pictures were not prepaid.  Your family should choose whether or not to keep any or all of the photos.  If you choose NOT to keep the photos, please return the entire package to school.  If you choose to keep any or all of the photos, simply follow the directions on the back of the LifeTouch package. Send any unwanted photos along with your payment to LifeTouch to school ASAP.  PLEASE NOTE:  LifeTouch will assume that any unreturned photos are wanted, so YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THEM. 

 ST. PATRICK’S HAS CAUSE FOR APPLAUSE – (Note from Mrs. Moritz) If any of you know Mr. Ridder, you recognize that his humble spirit makes accepting praise difficult for him.  But, we as a staff recognize that it is he who facilitates the positive environment at St. Patrick’s School that we all love and enjoy working in. Here is what a few staff members had to say:

Mr. Ridder is one of the hardest working, most dedicated individuals within the field of education.  He is passionate about creating an environment that embraces all individuals, helping them to immediately feel that they belong here with us.  This sense of community is what sets St. Pat’s apart from many schools.  Mr. Ridder would be the first person to say that it takes all of us working together to accomplish this but without his patriarchal leadership, St. Pat’s would not be the family it is today.  Congratulations Mr. Ridder! - Missy Chvatal 

I just wanted to take a moment to say to the St. Pat’s family the impact you have had on me the past four years. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough to all of the professional guidance and support which has been here for all teachers. It has been the most difficult decision I have had to make by choosing to relocate to Texas. The hardest thing to think about is how much I will miss the family oriented environment. I can recall telling Mr. Ridder while touring the building about how much I liked the physical aspects of St. Pats and he was quick to correct me by saying how the staff and students are the top priority. Since then I have always found that statement to be so accurate. Thanks so much for the memories, unending positive support, and most importantly the blessing to work with and become part of such a strong catholic family! I will miss you all!!  - Chuck Valish

One of the things I like best about teaching at St. Patrick’s is the committed and caring staff I work with that is lead so supportively and positively by our Principal, Mr. Ridder.  We join together each day in prayer; we lift each other on days we are feeling down, and we celebrate when things go well.  This caring and nurturing attitude doesn’t stop when we leave the prayer circle; it carries forward into all we do.  This caring spirit is what draws people to St. Pat’s and makes working here such a pleasure.  - Chris Nelson

The first day I came to St. Patrick’s School for student teaching, I knew that this is where I wanted to begin my new teaching career.  With a combination of the students, parents, staff support, and mostly Mr. Ridder, I felt more welcome here at St. Pats than any other school I have ever been in.  The support and encouragement from the school community and parish really helped me realize that St. Pats would be a great environment to begin and nourish my new education career.  I am so thrilled to be a part of this team here at St. Pats and am so eager to continue building my relationships with the community. - Tiffany Wagner

MEDICINE REPOSSESSION – If you supplied medicine for your child to be administered while at school you will need to pick it up by May, 20th (Last day of school).  Any medicine not picked up will have to be disposed of on May 21st.

FIELD DAY(S) INFORMATION-The different grade level field days are planned for Thursday, May 15th (Kindergarten – 2nd grades), Friday, May 16th (3rd – 5th grades), and Monday, May 19th (6th – 8th grades) from 12:30-3:00pm. Students will be able to dress down on the day of their grade’s Field Day. To help everything run smoothly, we are in need of a few volunteers at all the field days.  Both the (Kindergarten – 2nd grades) and (3rd – 5th grades) field days will be at St. Patrick’s.  The (6th – 8th grades) field day will be at Mount Michael. If you are interested or have any questions, contact Mr. Reilly via email at nreilly@stpatselkhorn.org. 

8TH GRADE GRADUATION – St. Patrick’s School will celebrate its 3rd Graduating Class on Thursday, May 15th at 6:30pm in the church.  All parishioners are welcome to attend as these 25 students complete this phase of their education and look ahead with excitement to high school.

ANOTHER WIRING PARTY – Thanks again to the people that helped with the computer wiring “party” at St. Patrick’s school.  Please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 17th  from 8:00am until finished, we will be wiring the top floor. The lower level lasted under 3 hours because of the awesome turn out of volunteers.  If you again, would be available to help, your assistance would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you!

FINAL SPRING MUSIC PROGRAM –On May 12th, our 2nd – 4th Grade students will perform at 6:30pm at St. Patrick’s Church to round out our Musical Programs for the 2008-2009 school year.

BIRTHDAY BOOK CLUB PARTY - Reminder: Tuesday, May 13, we will have our Birthday book Club Party for those students who joined our club 3rd or 4th quarter.  The party is after school in the parish center until 3:50 p.m.  Please let Mrs. K. know if your child will need to go to extended care because you will not be able to pick him/her up at that time.  Permission slips should have been sent in by Thursday, May 8, in order to attend.  Any Questions?  Contact Anne Kalkowski at akalkowski@stpatselkhorn.org  A BIG THANK YOU to all students that participated in the Birthday Book Club this school year.  Because of your generosity, our school library has 183 more books!

USED UNIFORMS – It is that time of year…spring has sprung and the children are growing like weeds.  Please consider donating the uniforms that your children have outgrown, to the Home & School Used Uniforms.  A box, marked “Used Uniforms”, will be in the school entrance for you to put your uniforms in.  Please do not put in shirts with stains or pants with holes or faded spots.  These items cannot be sold.  The next Used Uniform Sale will be on August 3, 2008.  Details will be sent out this summer.

NO TAX ON SPRING PRE- ORDERS FOR NEW ST. PATRICK’S UNIFORM TOPS – From now until May 19th Midwest Impressions is offering uniform shirts for $18.00 (Tax Fee).  Order forms are attached to the link below, and must be turned into the school office by May 19th.  Shirts that are pre-ordered can be picked up at Midwest Impressions after August 1st.

ST. PATRICK’S SCHOOL UNIFORM SHIRT PRE-ORDER FORM

HIRING FOR ADULT FORMATION DIRECTOR - St. Patrick’s Church of Elkhorn, NE is offering a new full time ministry opportunity to fulfill the adult faith formation needs of our parish.  We are a growing, young and vibrant parish, seeking a creative, self-motivated individual to assist adults in learning, living and celebrating our faith.  Experience and/or education in Catholicism, theology or religious formation is an assumed.  Mail resumes to St. Patrick’s Church of Elkhorn * PO Box 10 * Elkhorn, NE 68022, or email to vpayton@stpatselkhorn.org.  No phone calls please.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN RELIGIOUS FORMATION PROGRAM - St. Patrick's Religious Formation program is currently accepting applications for the following positions: 

• Full-time Administrative Assistant (10 month contract with the potential of a 12 month contract depending on the applicant's qualifications and availability.) 
• Part-time Liturgy of the Word for Children and Sunday Morning Preschool Coordinator (10 hours per week for 32 weeks.) 

To apply or request a copy of the job description(s), please email your resume to mmcmahon@stpatselkhorn.org.   No calls please.

OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETES JUST CELEBRATED A VERY SUCCESSFUL TRACK & FIELD SEASON - The first season of St. Patrick's Track & Field has come to a close, and what a season it was!  Both Boys & Girls Teams finished 3rd place out of 16 teams, in the Parochial Athletic League Super Meet.  Many opposing coaches were impressed with the performances, attitudes and organization that they saw from our program in its 1st year.  Congratulations to all the athletes that helped make this the first of many great years of track here at St. Pat's.  A very special thanks goes to the coaches, Dan Maline, Mike Meyer, Duke Matz, Sally Johnson, Doris Burns and Nate Wigdahl for their time and talent!

FALL SPORTS NEWS - Registration continues to be open for Fall sports including CYSL soccer and Micro-Soccer.  Late fees will begin in June for CYSL soccer, so register today.  You can register at the following link: http://leagueusa.com/registration/index.jsp?SportsOrganizationId=240.  CYSL Soccer registrations received after June 15th will have no guarantee of acceptance.

For any questions regarding online registration, please contact Lynette Davis at 496-0764.  

SAVE THE DATE:   SUNDAY AUGUST 24TH from 1:30-5:30pm at ST. PATRICK'S PARISH CARNIVAL - New this year, will be FUN SERVICES games and activities for all ages!  Featuring the ADRENALINE RUSH- “an obstacle course even adults can do”!  Speed Pitch, Dunk Tank, Plinko, Pitch till U win, Swinger Ball, Crossbow darts, Spin O Prize and many more games and inflatables for all.  Plan on attending with the whole family for an afternoon of Food, Fun and Entertainment!

SPY NEWS - Middle School Dance – Celebrate the end of the school year with a “Summer, Here We Come”, dance for youth in grades 6-8 on Saturday, May 17th, 7:30-10 pm.  $5 at the door gets you pizza, pop, and music by Fastracks DJs!

Youth Serve – Current 7th & 8th graders, join an adventure in Christian service through Youth Serve, a three day overnight service camp in Omaha.  Pick from three dates – June 29-July 1, July 13-15 or July 27-29.  Cost is $110.  $50 deposit and registration form to Jenni or Mary McMahon by May 16th.  Forms in the youth room, RF office, Church lobby or on the web.

Adventureland – The trip to Adventureland for current 6th-8th graders is set for Tuesday, June 3rd from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm.  Cost is $50 by May 16th and $55 by May 23rd.  More information and permission forms in youth room, Church lobby, and on the web.  Parent chaperones needed.  Seats are limited, so get your form in early!

SCRIP NEWS - Thanks to all who participate in our SCRIP program.  For those of you who are not sure what it is… SCRIP is sponsored by the Home & School.  We buy gift cards to many grocery stores, restaurants, and other retailers at a discount.  We have them all available for sale to you at the full face value – the Home & School keeps the difference!

For example, we buy HyVee gift cards in $25 & $100 increments – the Home & School gets a 3% discount for buying in bulk & as a non-profit.  You buy the gift cards for the face value of $25 or $100 – these gift cards are worth $25 or $100 (depending) at HyVee grocery stores or HyVee gas stations!  What you pay for the card is how much the gift card is worth!  It’s an easy “fundraiser” to participate in – you only need to consider buying gift cards to places you already shop – HyVee, Wal-Mart, Bakers, Burger King, Runza, Kohl’s, Menards, Lowes, Home Depot, etc!!! 

This year the H&S voted to donate 30% of our SCRIP profit to the new Library Media Center for its needs!  40% of the profits will help keep SCRIP going for next year!  The remaining 30% goes back to all those people who purchased SCRIP from June 1, 2007 thru May 31, 2008 and profited MORE THAN $5.  Starting at weekend masses on June 14 – your SCRIP rebate CASH will be available at the SCRIP spot by the entrance to the Parish Center!  We will have an envelope with each person’s name & cash ready for you to pick up!  You or your spouse will have to sign confirming you received your cash rebate!

I am very pleased to say that as of April 30, our SCRIP profit total is $9,878.24!  We have 178 families that have participated in the SCRIP program this year (some are teachers, parishioners, etc – not just all school families!) 

I have a report showing each individual’s total sales, profit & cash rebate.  I am in the process of emailing these totals to each individual.  Look for notice of your cash rebate to come soon.

We still have the month of May to increase our SCRIP profits – meaning you have one more month to increase your cash rebate!  I have faith that this rebate program will continue next year as well!  As always, if you have questions or comments, please contact me directly @ 553-6131 or email me KCCJDC@cox.net – Jane Chapman.

Mark your calendars for the ride of your life! - SonWorld Adventure Park is coming to St. Patrick's Parish on June 9th - June 13th .  All children in our parish entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2008 up to and including children who will be entering the 5th grade in the fall of 2008 are welcome to join us for a fun-filled week of Bible stories, crafts, games, skits.  Registrations for VBS are available on the website at www.stpatselkhorn.org and will be accepted through May 16, 2008.   We are currently seeking volunteers to plan and coordinate games, skit and daycare during the week of VBS.  Please call Mary McMahon at 289-4947 or email to volunteer your time as a coordinator at mmcmahon@stpatselkhorn.org.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT - all volunteers who work with the children in our school and/or parish on a regular basis must attend a SE training session and have a background check completed.  If you plan on volunteering in any way, please attend one of the following SE trainings:

Tuesday, May 27, 2008, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm @ St.Vincent De Paul. Call Wendy @ 496-7988, extension #239 to register.

Saturday, June 14, 2008, from 9:00am to noon @ Cathedral Arts Center.  Call 553-5524, extension #1 to register.

THE DATE IS SET FOR THE 10th ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DINNER /AUCTION - Mark your calendars now for the 10th Annual St. Patrick's Dinner/Auction, 'Luck of the Irish,' on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the DC Centre.   Plans are already underway and many more leprechauns are needed to make this night a success!  Contact any of of this year's chairs to volunteer and be a part of this exciting event.
 Jeff & Christen Broz, General Chairs, cjbroz@cox.net or 315-9530
Mike & Ann Monday, Auction Co Chairs, annmonday@cox.net or 933-2692
Andy & Angie Arkfeld, Event Co Chairs, andyarkfeld@aol.com or 932-2129

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN STUDYING THE BIBLE? -   The Catholic Biblical School of the Archdiocese of Omaha offers courses taught by qualified professional biblical  instructors, each of whom has at least a master’s degree in theology or a related field.  This program, based on the Denver Biblical School Model, offers a way for students to study the bible from cover to cover over the course of four years. The Catholic Biblical School of the Archdiocese of Omaha will be holding an information night Monday June 2nd from 7-9 pm at St. Joan of Arc School cafeteria.  For more information about this event or about our programs, please contact Peter or Sarah at 554-8493”   

Principal's Notes Deadline

Please submit all items/information in final form for Principal's Notes

by Tuesday, 8:00am to the school or email to:

ridderd@stpatselkhorn.org or kmoritz@stpatselkhorn.org

Archived Principal's Notes