Principal's Page
To: ParentsFrom: Sister Helene
Date: March 28, 2010
Greeting: It is with deep joy that we extend to you and your families the blessings of the Easter season. We have journeyed together as a school community during Lent - praying together each morning, reflecting on the Passion of Christ through our weekly Way of the Cross and attending to the needs of the poor by making small sacrifices. Most parents were able to attend at least one of the prayer services. Since these reflections were presented by the students with great feeling and earnestness, know that our school is blessed in a special way through this particular ministry of the children. We express our deep gratitude to their teachers who have entered so fully into the preparation for Easter. We thank you, the parents, also. It is so important that all of us encourage the children to grow in the expression of their faith. Accompanying them to Church on Sunday is one of the best ways you can do this. It is, then, with great joy that we wish each of you new hope, deep joy and the blessing of peace as we celebrate this extraordinary Feast of the Resurrection. Christ lives and walks among us. We are an Easter people!
Events of Holy Week: The Passion of Jesus will be re-enacted by our 8th Grade on Wednesday, March 31, at 2:00 p.m. I invite the whole parent community to attend. Your presence will be a powerful witness to the student body and a most appropriate way to participate in the Holy Week services. The Passion will be enacted in the Church.
The Junior High Division will participate in a Seder Meal on Holy Thursday, at 10:30 a.m. in the school hall. This solemn ceremonial meal will be complete with readings from the Old and New Testament.
The 4th and 5th Grade will have a mini-Seder meal on Holy Thursday in Father Moynihan Hall.
Third and Final Trimester: I encourage you to monitor the progress of your child right from the start of the term. Assignments for homework, whether written or for study, need to be mastered. It is not enough to glance over material and then announce that home work is completed. Teachers post the assignments so if you are in doubt, please check. The Student Helping Student Program will begin this week. If your child needs help please contact the school.
Beta Society Induction: I am pleased to announce that students at the Junior High level who achieved First Honors will be inducted into the National Junior Beta Honor Society on Wednesday, April 21 at 10:15 a.m. Students at the 5th Grade level who achieved the distinction of the Principal's List will also be inducted. I encourage as many parents as possible to attend. Our guest speaker will be Barbara Dolan, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Archdiocesan School Office.
Enrollment: The magic number for a very healthy school our size is 225, K - 8. Once a school dips below 200, there is cause for concern. We all have a responsibility to keep our school strong. You, our parents, are our best public relations persons. You need to speak to other families about our outstanding program and the uncommon warm and caring environment in which your child is being educated. We need parents interested enough to get a group of their friends or acquaintances together to hold an evening of information here at the Academy. Are you that parent? Or you might consider approaching a family whom you know would benefit from our program. I remind you, that a referral from you in regard to the school, merits you a grant of $500.00 toward your child's tuition once that family successfully registers at the school. Any help you might need in your efforts, will be gladly supplied by the school.
Tuition: Thank you very much to the vast majority who made their payments on time or kept their promise on a brief extension of time. All final payments must be made on or before April 5. Payment on tuition includes following through on financial commitments to the Home School Association and to the Grocery Certificate Program. The financial commitments to both of these programs are an integral part of the tuition, as you know. This is a very busy time of the year and I would really appreciate not having to make phone calls in regard to tuition. Thank you for your cooperation.
Special Programs: The After Care Program, administered by Mrs. Theresa Holland who is assisted by Mrs. Mukala and the After School Study Programs supervised by Mrs. Shetty and Mrs. Mays are very important programs. Again, most parents are most careful to keep up with payments. However, we remind all that it is not possible to provide these services without payment. We ask those with outstanding balances to attend to this right away.
Spring Fling: The Spring Fling, the Junior High Dance, will take place on May 14, in the school hall, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This is a really fun evening for the children.
The boys wear a jacket and tie and the girls age appropriate simple dresses. Need I say more about dress? Again, thank you for your cooperation.
School Uniform: Flynn and O'Hara will continue to supply our uniforms. Due to the demand for school shoes from schools across the country, Flynn and O'Hara have researched and developed a line of school shoes that meet our needs. Flynn and O'Hara will supply the school shoes, beginning this school year. You will find all your uniform needs in one place.