PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MR. RIDDER’S REMINDERS

Sept 19-23          3^rd, 5^th, & 7^th Grade Terra Nova Testing
Sept 19-20          8^th Grade EXPLORE Test
Sept 19               Home and School Meeting 7:00pm Staff Lounge
Sept 22               2:00 Dismissal – Teacher In-Service
Sept 23               All School “Go Green” Dress Down Day
                            2:15 - 8^th Grade vs. Staff Kickball
                            Progress Reports Sent Home
Sept 28               September Birthday Dress Down Day
Sept 30               No School – Archdiocese In-Service

8^TH GRADE VS. STAFF ANNUAL KICKBALL GAME– Our Annual 8^th Grade Class vs. School Staff Kickball game is scheduled for Friday, September 23rd, at 2:00 on the soccer field.  All staff and students will go to cheer on their “team”.  Parents, grandparents, etc…are invited. Please feel free to join us on the field to see who will hold the title for 2011-2012 school year. “Go School Staff”. NOTE – This day will be a SPIRIT dress down day for all so wear St. Patrick’s colors and/or apparel! Jeans are allowed but follow the dress down guidelines in the uniform policy.

ACTIVITY/FIELD TRIP FORMS GOING HOME TOMORROW– We use an annual activity fee for students rather than collecting money for each field trip or activity. On the form coming home, we list the grade level 2011-2012 Activity Fees explaining what is scheduled for the year. An art fee is assessed in all grades.  A technology fee is included to help defray the cost of the student computer subscriptions in kindergarten through 8^th grades. The 4^th through 8^th grades, students will subscribe to ALEKS – an online math program to compliment the curriculum taught in the classroom. The ALEKS subscription will begin for those students on Monday, September 26^th, 2011. Your youngest and/or only child from each family will be bringing home a gold 2011-2012 Activity Fees form tomorrow. Please return one form per family by clipping the bottom portion and a check to school in an envelope. The Activity Fee is due by Thursday, September 29^th, 2011.

ABSENCES – Just a reminder, if your child is going to be absent from school, the office must be notified by 8:30 a.m.  Please send an e-mail to your child's homeroom teacher, Kathy Moritz kmoritz@stpatselkhorn.org and Deanna Timmerman dtimmerman@stpatselkhorn.org or call the school office 402-289-5407.

NOTE FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE, MRS. FRIEDT - We frequently have students coming to the office mid to late morning with stomach pain, sometimes nausea, but no fever. When given a small snack their symptoms improve. We realize mornings can be a hectic time and not all children are good eaters in the morning. A breakfast of simple items like, cereal, a piece of toast, or a toaster pastry may be what works. However, a well balanced breakfast that includes protein like eggs, hard cheese, or cottage cheese, a carb like the items above, fruit, and dairy are more likely to give the students enough nutrients to make it through until lunch time. We ask that you make every effort to have your child consume a well balanced breakfast before coming to school.

LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCED EDUCATORS TO VOLUNTEER IN THE CLASSROOM – We are interested in retired educators that would enjoy getting back into the classroom each week to help with grading papers or assisting a teacher with a lesson.  If you or someone you know would be interested.  Please contact Don Ridder at ridderd@stpatselkhorn.org.

LUNCHROOM CHECKOUT HELP NEEDED - Would you be willing to volunteer to assist Mr. O’Hara one or two days a week at the end of lunch line point of sale?  Due to continuing increased enrollment and lunch participation, another check-out point would help to increase the lunch line speed. Another advantage is your child/ren will have more time to eat their nutritious school lunch. The check-out point would be next to Mr. O’Hara, and available for any overflow to maintain line speed. The volunteer would not have to use a computer but check off on a class roster which children can see and point out their name.  Any and all assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Mr. O’Hara at dohara2004@q.com.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR LUNCHROOM DUTY - Each month we need to fill 100 volunteer positions in the lunchroom to help serve and clean up after the students. Whether your child buys their lunch at school or is a cold lunch kiddo - they utilize the lunchroom. Parents (or grandparents) are needed from 10:45 - 12:50 each school day. We need help every day of the week, but specifically we could use additional volunteers on Mondays and Fridays. Please call or email Kris Morrissey if you would like more information or are willing to help: krismorrissey@cox.netor402-630-8964.

CATHOLIC 101 - The Fifth Commandment Part Two: Thou shalt not kill.  Part Two
This commandment as expressed in the Hebrew is thou shalt not commit murder, rather than kill.  In fact when St. Jerome translated all the books of the Bible from their original languages into Latin, which was the very first Christian Bible, he used the Latin word occidere, which means to kill.  When you read about the Fifth Commandment in the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) this is clearly the translation the Church uses to tease out this commandment.  And it’s an important distinction; killing an innocent person is murder, killing someone who is trying to kill you or someone else, is killing, but it’s not murder.  If used as a last resort, deadly force is not immoral.  If a person is threatening to do something horribly evil, and it is within your power to do so, you have every right to protect yourself and others.  Murder is always wrong, there is no conceivable instance in which killing an innocent person can be considered moral.  Killing in self defense, or to prevent the murder of someone else (for example a police officer in the line of duty) is justifiable, if it is done as a last resort.  Soldiers in war who use deadly force in certain well-defined and restricted circumstances do not break the 5^th commandment.  Ask any veteran who has killed in war, and they will tell you that the legitimate taking of human life, any human life, is not done casually.  As we expand this commandment through the lens of the Christian Tradition, abortion is intentionally taking a human life.  Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.  From the first moment of his/her existence a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person. (CCC2270)  Euthanasia is intentionally taking a human life.  To stop all medical procedures that aren’t going to do anything or have become a burden to the person is acceptable because the intention is not to kill, but to allow the body to follow its natural course.  Or if a dying person’s pain is so great that only the most aggressive pain medications can relieve their pain, they can be used even if they might accelerate death because the intention is not to kill, but to make their last moments tolerable (CCC 2279).  But to outright kill someone who is suffering or dying is murder.  Suicide is also the taking of an innocent life; we are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us.  It is not ours to dispose of (CCC2280).  With that said, we look at the tragedy of suicide through compassion not judgment.  People who kill themselves because of mental illness, depression or because of grave fear or suffering or torture cannot be held responsible for their own death, in the same way as someone who knowing kills an innocent.  Finally, the CCC includes the death penalty in this discussion.  People put to death for a crime are not innocent, they have been found without doubt to be guilty.  And the state has the right to protect its people from dangerous criminals.  There have been times in human history when the death penalty was the only way to assure the safety of the community.  But remember, deadly force is only allowed as a last result.  In most parts of the world incarceration for life, even if it must be done in isolation, can effectively protect society.  The cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity are very rare, if not practically none-existent (CCC2267). 

COME JOIN US FOR THE FIRST HOME & SCHOOL MEETING - Home & School will be having their first meeting of the school year on Monday, September 19th, 2011 at 7:00 PM in the Teacher's Lounge. All H&S Members are welcome to attend! Various committees will be reporting, such as the Carnival, Book Fair, and SCRIP. The agenda is on the H&S section of the website. Barb DeFreece will be visiting as a guest speaker. The SCRIP committee will also present info about the SCRIP fund. Voting will take place at the November meeting. Please contact Shelley Weeks atshel5@cox.net, if you have any questions. We hope to see you on Monday night. Thank you!

CALLING COPY MOMS/DADS/GRANDPARENTS/AUNTS/UNCLES -The St. Patrick’s School Copy Mom Team is searching for volunteers for Monday mornings and/or afternoons, and Thursday afternoons. If you are interested in this fun and helpful volunteer opportunity please contact Deb Strumberger at dstrumberger@cox.net.

PAGE ONE KICK-OFF PARTY - Our reading club, Page One, is back this year! Page One is an extra-curricular reading program for students in 3^rd-8^thgrades. (Level I consist of 3^rd-4^th graders. Level II is for 5^th-6^th graders, and 7^th-8^th graders are in Level III.) Kids read different types of literature throughout the school year and participate in a competition in the spring. These books are listed at www.pageonenebraska.com.Join us in the Library after school today, Thursday, September 15 as information for all the reading groups will be given at this informal meeting. Please email Jean Lindsay at jjalindsay@cox.netor Kerry Benes at kerry@benesfamily.net to RSVP. If you can’t make it, but you would still like your child to participate in the program, please email Jean or Kerry to receive the information.

SCRIP NEWS – There are 4 ways to order Scrip:
1)Send in payment and a green order form in your child’s backpack -Orders received by Tuesday 8:00 am will be returned the following Tuesday
2)Order online at www.shopwithscrip.com(use enrollment codeD6693A9234L6) and send in payment in your child’s backpack or pay online using PrestoPay -Orders received by Tuesday 8:00 am will be returned the following Tuesday.
3)Scrip is available on a cash and carry basis at the Welcome Desk from 3:00 – 3:15 pm every school day (from 1:30 – 1:45 on early out days)
4)Scrip is available on a cash and carry basis at the podium near the elevators after Mass
**The September Scrip promotion is under way. Each family who orders $200 or more of Scrip gift cards during the month of September will be entered into a drawing to win a “Family Fun Night” gift card bundle. Three winners will be drawn at the end of the month. **Send your Scrip order in TODAY!

CASH FOR STUDENTS - St. Patrick’s School is once again participating in Hy-Vee’s Cash for Student program.  Here’s how it works: Send to school ALL receipts from area Hy-Vee stores, pharmacies and gas stations from September 1- December 31, 2011. Ask family members to save them…grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and neighbors. For every $200.00 in receipts, St. Pat’s will earn a $1.00! Send in the receipts to school weekly, monthly or when the envelope is full! Whatever works for you. Contact Susan Drvol at rsdrvol@cox.net or 402-493-7000 with any questions.

GIRL SCOUTS – Girl Scout Troops are now forming for the 2011-2012 school year. Take the Girl Scout Journey!!! Make new friends, try new things, and explore the world! Contact Cindy Blumenkemper at blumenkemper@cox.netor402.315.9668.

HELP A FAMILY IN NEED - Tony Grasso and his wife, Wendi, worship with us here at St. Patrick’s and next door at Bethany Lutheran; Tony is Catholic and Wendi is Lutheran. They have a baby boy named Jaden.  They traveled to Colorado for a weekend getaway, when Wendi went into labor sixteen weeks early.  Jaden was born weighing less than two pounds, and his little heart and other organs were not yet properly developed. As a result, the family of three has been in Colorado for about five weeks waiting for Jaden to be healthy enough to travel back home to Elkhorn.  As you can imagine the medical costs are immense not to mention the costs of being away from home.   Bethany Lutheran is hosting a benefit for the Grasso family on October 15 from 2:00 – 6:00.  It will be a Fall Festival with food and games and hayrack rides and music and a silent auction.  I would love for us to help in any way we can.  If you have or could get silent auction items, if you would like to help sell food, or set up or clean up, or run a game booth please let us know, contact Fr. Rodney at 402-289-4289 x1522 or radams@stpatselkhorn.org if you would like to help or want further information.  Thank you.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING – ALL staff and volunteers must be Safe Environment Trained as required by the Archdiocese of Omaha to be around children in any capacity. This includes but is not limited to volunteering in any way around the school, coaching, sponsoring clubs, etc. The following information will tell you when, where and how you may take the training classes.

Initial Training
The next trainings at St. Pat’s for Safe Environment Initial Certification are in Boland Hall on:
Saturday, Oct. 1^st from 9:00-11:00 am in Boland Hall
To register, contact Jenni Vankat, Safe Environment Coordinator, at jvankat@stpatselkhorn.org or 402-289-4289 x1527.

Recertification Online Training
The Archdiocese offers a Safe Environment Online Recertification program.  This online program was created so individuals may complete the training at their convenience.

The training takes approximately 60 minutes to complete.  Below are the steps to access the online recertification and other key points to acquire recertification.

• Go to the Archdiocesan website -  www.archomaha.org
• Select the “Safe Environment” tab.
• Click on "Recertification Online Training" to get started.
• Follow the instructions.  Note:  You will have to create a login and password for yourself.
• When the training is finished, you must print out and fill out:  1) the Online Recertification Registration form, and 2) the Notification, Authorization and Screening form.  Mail the two completed forms to the Safe Environment Records Office along with the fee (see step 6).  The address is noted on the Recertification Registration Form.
• The training fee is $12 for volunteers and $15 for employees.  If you need reimbursement, print out and complete the SE Reimbursement Form found on the Safe Environment page of the parish website (www.stpatselkhorn.org) and turn it in to the Parish Office.  A reimbursement check will be mailed to you.
• You will receive an LMS email report of your recertification session with LMS and an Attempt % in the subject line.  Please forward this email to safeenvironment@stpatselkhorn.org so we can update your certification status.  Thank You!

2011 FALL BASKETBALL SESSION - Registration is now open for the 2011 Fall Basketball Session for parish youth grades K-4. The grades will be separated as the following: Kindergarten, 1st/2nd grade boys, 1st/2nd grade girls, 3rd/4th grade boys, 3rd/4th grade girls. The season runs October 22nd - December 10th. For any questions regarding this session please contact Scott Kubicek: carrie.kubicek@cox.net. For questions regarding online registration please contact Katie & Brent L'Heureux at lheureux03@yahoo.com. Cost is $30 for YMCA members, $60 for Non-YMCA members. Registration will end September 17th and late registration fees will apply after the 17th. To register please go to: http://new.stpatselkhorn.org/athletics/athleticsindex.cfm.

WANT TO JOIN M.O.M.S? NEW GROUPS TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER - Are you a MOM looking for a little soul time every week?  Two new sessions of M.O.M.S. (Ministry of Mothers Sharing) are scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 27^th (morning group) and Thursday September 29^th (evening group).  The morning group will meet once a week for 7 consecutive weeks on TUESDAY MORNINGS from 8:45 to10:45am.  The evening group will meet once a week for 7 consecutive weeks on THURSDAY NIGHTS from 7-9pm.  Registration is $35.00 and includes a personal journal.  Childcare is available for the morning group for a small fee.  Take this opportunity to enhance your spirituality as a mother and to better appreciate motherhood as a ministry.  Please call Tracy Fernandez at (602) 578-6687 (cell) or email her at fernan52970@cox.net to register or with questions.

TASTE OF BRIX – If you have enjoyed St. Patrick’s TASTE in the past, you are going to love Taste of Brix……..a new tasting experience!  Join us on Sunday, September 25th from 6:00 – 9:00pm at Brix, Village Pointe. It’s not just wine anymore!! We will sample 10 wines, 5 spirits, 5 beers, fabulous food, coffee and desserts all sponsored by Brix! Registration includes a complimentary Riedel tasting glass.  Return registration to the school office.  Questions, please call Kristen Panowicz #289-4961 or Michele Zadalis #965-8449.

CLICK HERE FOR THE TASTE OF BRIX REGISTRATION

SAVE THE DATE FOR TRIVIA NIGHT– NOVEMBER 4^th - Start forming your dream team and get ready for St. Pat’s 1^st annual Trivia Night, Friday, November 4^th in the Parish Center.  If you would like to get involved please contact Ann Monday at annmonday@cox.net  Stay tuned for Registration information…

SPIRIT - St. Patrick’s Increasing Religious Identity Together – SPIRIT 2012 has officially kicked off!  Please visit our new website at https://stpatrickselkhorn.ejoinme.org/home for information on this year’s dinner/auction.  If you happened to miss kick-off weekend, simply contact one of your chairs to see how you can help be a part of SPIRIT…On the Wile Side!  John & Jenn Copenhaver, General Chairs (jennkfly@yahoo.com) Tim & Rene Kremer, Auction Chairs (renekremer@cox.net), Matt & Stacie Witkowksi, Event Chairs (ladybug97@cox.net)

THAT MAN IS YOU! - “Men mark your calendars. That Man is You! begins Friday September 9^th in the Parish Center. Modeled on some of the country’s leading men’s programs, That Man Is You! combines Scripture, solid secular research and a little fun to address the pressures and temptations facing men in our modern culture. It seeks to form authentic leaders who will be capable of transforming homes and society.

The program will be hosted every Friday. We gather at 6:00am for breakfast, coffee, and some entertaining videos. Then there’s a presentation at 6:15 that combines the best scientific research with the teachings of the Church and wisdom of the saints. It’s followed at 6:45 with breakout groups that provide the opportunity to discuss what’s been presented. Finally, we’re on the road around 7:15 so everyone can get to work. Registration is available on line at www.thatmanisyou.orgor by contacting Mike Rasmussen402-677-2991or mikejrasmussen@cox.

CATHOLICISM, JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD AND DEEP INTO THE FAITH – With creator and host Father Robert Barron, you will learn what Catholics believe and why, while being immersed in the art, architecture, literature, beliefs, and practices of the Catholic tradition.  Filmed in 50 locations throughout 15 countries, the CATHOLICISM DVD series is on-location and in the streets illustrating the splendor of the global Church.  The Adult Formation Program expands and reinforces the content of the DVDs with extensive commentary and questions for understanding and application.  Father Robert Barron is an acclaimed author, theologian and podcasting priest from Chicago, and one of the world’s great and most innovative teachers of the Catholic faith.  He is the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries.  Date:  1^st Session is on Tuesdays, October 4^th thru November 8^th in Boland Hall.  2^nd Session is on Tuesdays, January 10^th thru February 14^th in Boland Hall.  Cost/Registration:  Study Guide is $30.  Contact/Registration:  Beth Kathol (402) 289-4289 ext 1525 or Bud Polk (402) 289-4610.

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