Dear St John Fisher Families,
I have often told friends that if you cannot work in Santa's Shop at the North Pole, there is no better place to work in December than at a school filled with the anticipation of Christmas. The month ahead will be busy, but also great fun! Be sure to keep the school calendar handy so that you do not miss any of our pre-Christmas events.
November was a great month at SJF. Despite the fact that the nightly news is so filled with huge concerns about the economy, we still have so much for which to be grateful in this season of Thanksgiving.
Thanks for the partnership we share that was so evident at parent teacher conferences. Our kids are so blessed to be surrounded by love and supported in all of their endeavors.
Thanks for your immense generosity with the "Count your Blessings" Day.
A single half sheet of paper that invited your response had an amazing outcome.
Thanks for the gifts and talents of Dr. Dave McGinnis, an SJF graduate who came to talk to the students from grades 5-8 about his work at Fermi Lab. The input he gave was great and the questions the kids asked were so intelligent!
Thanks to all who worked with the students on the Presidential Debate. What a great learning experience for all! Because of their efforts and encouragement, we had a very informed student electorate who experienced both voter registration and actual voting.
Thanks to our athletes and their coaches. Although there were no championships in football this year, the teams represented the school so well at every level of competition. The girls basketball teams did exceptionally well with two teams winning the Southwest Conference Championships! Thanks too to the loyal fans, chauffeurs, and concession stand workers who add so much to our athletic program.
Thanks to the new running club. More than 80 students and parents ran in the Pilgrim Pacer Race in LaGrange and represented our school well.
Thanks to all who worked so hard to make the FSA Boutique Night so successful. (Was anyone able to finish their Christmas shopping?)
Thanks to all who came for the Mass and Dinner that marked the opening of the 60th Anniversary of the Parish. Thanks especially to the eighth graders who wrote a beautiful poem to commemorate the event. (The poem will be displayed for Catholic Schools Week).
Thanks to the School Board, Family School Association, Special Lunch Servers, MANNA workers, Market Day workers and all whose consistent volunteer hours help make the school stronger.
Thanks to the grade level breakfast providers who once each month deliver the most elegant breakfast treats for the faculty!
Thanks to our teachers who do such an outstanding job not only in November, but absolutely every day! Thanks also to our school secretaries who do so much "behind the scenes work" to help the school operate efficiently.
Thanks to the Scouts and their leaders who flipped literally thousands of pancakes for a very successful pancake breakfast. Thanks also to the girl scouts and brownies that baked delicious apple pies at Thanksgiving.
Thanks to the Women's Club who hosted the lovely Mother-Daughter Mass and fashion show. Thanks also to the men of the Holy Name Society for organizing a coat collection for persons in need. Both groups provide wonderful role models for our students.
Thanks to Mrs. Funk who organized children's book week activities, partner reading day, and family reading night. I hope you enjoyed the peace and quiet of a good book, a hot cup of tea, and the joy of watching your children read.
Thanks to all who make the Thanksgiving Family Mass at SJF such a memory-maker. The music is spectacular. The fifth graders did a wonderful re-telling of the story of the First Thanksgiving. Special thanks to Nello Sabatini from Franconello's who so generously donates the bread that we take home to share around the family table. (Some have confessed to an after mass treat when they warm the bread, smear it with butter, and relax before guests arrive! Sound familiar?)
Thanks to all who helped organize our first Advent Wreath Making Project for our families. What a great way to expand the meaning of Christmas for our families.
The list could go on and on....Perhaps before you close your eyes tonight you could do something very "Oprah-esque" and list three things for which you are grateful. The practice does wonders for your heart and your insomnia.
The red and green construction paper is flying off the shelves as we get ready for Christmas. Important events to remember include the Annual Sacks for Santa Campaign, our toy collection for children served by Catholic Charities. The business section of the paper reports almost daily that charitable contributions will be down this year. Please know that we understand this very tight economy and just ask you to do what you might be able to do. Taking the kids with you to select a gift, or asking them to make a small sacrifice toward the purchase of the gift can make this a very significant part of a more meaningful Christmas. The toy collection begins next Monday, December 8. Representatives from Catholic Charities will come for the toys on Friday, December 12. Thanks in advance for your help.
There will be lots of creative gift making at the annual Family School Association' Christmas Crafts Night on December 5th. Gifts crafted here are "keepers" that never go on sale at Nordstrom's! The party begins at 5:30. You should have received a flyer detailing information about the event.
Promise yourself now to take one night out of your busy pre-Christmas schedule to come for the Gavin Coyle Christmas Concert on December 9. We are so happy to welcome Gavin for a return engagement. The program is about 90 minutes long and is guaranteed to touch your heart and soul and prepare you for the busy days that can drain so much of our Christmas cheer. Please try to come. Families are welcome!
Please check our webpage and your children's book bags for information about HOOPSMANIA. This is a popular and non-mandatory fundraiser which last year raised almost $19,000 to offset the costs of our Science and Technology Programs. A winning ticket might be an excellent Christmas gift for the hard to buy for friend or sports fan on your list. We will streamline the program a bit this year to make it easier to have the tickets more easily available. We are also looking for help with "ticket sellers". Those who helped last year can verify that because there are so many opportunities to win, the tickets were easy to sell. If you have any ideas for selling the tickets or other suggestions to help make the project more successful, please call or email Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Maxwell or me with your ideas.
As mentioned in previous newsletters, we will also be hosting a Super Bowl Party again this year. Although the Bears performance yesterday did not bode well for their Super Bowl aspirations, Kane Hall with good friends and great food is a great way to spend Super Bowl Sunday.
When you gather at Christmas, please remind your extended families that as part of Catholic Schools Week and our 60th Anniversary Celebration, we are having a multi-generational family Mass on Sunday, January 25th. If your siblings, cousins, or other members of your extended families are SJF graduates, please invite them to come. Mass will be followed by light refreshments, tours of the school, and an opportunity for family photos.
There will be several Christmas programs this month. The band performs in concert on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 7:00 p.m. The pre-schoolers make their stage debut in a special Christmas Show on Wednesday, Dec. 17 and the Kindergarteners will do a show for their parents and guests at a matinee performance on Wednesday, Dec. 17. (Teachers from both groups will send details.) If there is even a hint of Scrooge in your Christmas, attendance at any of the above guarantees it will vanish!
Masses for Christmas are at 4 and 6 on Christmas Eve and at 8, 10, and noon on Christmas Day.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Dear St. John Fisher Families,
The early morning rattle of the heating pipes, the first collection of single left-handed mittens in the lost and found, and bags of Halloween candy ready to be sent to local shelters. . . November is here!
We begin the month with a day of great celebration for the parish as we launch events that will mark the 60th Anniversary of our Faith Community. We hope you will be able to attend the Anniversary Mass at 4:00 on Sunday, November 2. It will be a wonderful gathering of family and friends to celebrate the history and heritage of St. John Fisher. This event is the first of many to celebrate this momentous time. Watch the bulletin and future newsletters so that you can plan to be part of the festivities to follow.
Our students have become a very informed electorate over the last several weeks. In addition to projects students are doing at various grade levels, we have conducted three straw polls at lunchtime and on Monday will have our own version of the presidential debates. Students from grades five through eight have researched the position of each candidate on key issues and will present their platform to the student body. Moderated by Mr. Dunkle and Mrs. Nitsche, the debate promises to be lively and informative. All of the students have been invited to register to vote in our election on Tuesday. It should be an exciting day.
Spookfest was a great success. Kane Hall was transformed for the day and the Student Council under the guidance and leadership of their moderators, Mrs. Caffrey and Mrs. Sullivan entertained hundreds of our youngest ghosts, goblins, super heroes. Many thanks to all who worked so hard to entertain our very excited guests.
You will need to check the November calendar daily so that you will not miss any of the events that are planned for the month. On Saturday, November 1, the fifth and sixth grade football team plays at St. Rita in the first rounds of the playoffs. Saturday is also the day to “Pack the House” to celebrate the many accomplishments of our girls’ basketball season. Both events will be lively and spirited. Know you are welcome to come to cheer our athletes to victory.
November 7 marks the end of the first trimester of the school year. (Can you believe it??) Report cards will be distributed on Friday, November 14. Our students make such great strides each year. We have much to celebrate as we watch their curiosity and creativity grow; so many are excellent writers and fine mathematicians, others are future scientists and artists. Please continue to encourage their best efforts. If you have questions or concerns about any area on the report card, please remember to discuss it at the parent teacher conferences scheduled for the end of the month.
Mrs. Nealis has done an incredible job of scheduling all of our students for conferences and trying to honor all of your requests. You will receive your “appointment schedule” the week before conferences. If it is impossible for you to come at your scheduled time, please email your child’s teacher so that another time can be arranged.
November 16-21 is National Children’s Book Week. Mrs. Funk has planned several events to celebrate the week including our Partner Reading Day on Thursday, November 20. That evening, all are encouraged to participate in Family Reading Night when, for an hour, all things digital are turned off and families are encouraged to read. Given how very busy all of our families are, this hour to relax together could be very rewarding for all.
The Family School Association and Women’s Club have also planned some lovely events for the month of November. On Thursday, November 13, they will host a Boutique Night in Kane Hall with local vendors sharing a variety of items for early Christmas Shopping. On Sunday, November 16, Mothers and Daughters are invited to Mass followed by a breakfast fashion show in Kane Hall. Last year’s party was a great success. Watch for details about both events in your children’s book bag.
Families need not cook on the following Sunday, November 23, because the Boy Scouts will be hosting their annual Pancake Breakfast. If you are looking for a delicious breakfast at a very affordable price, you will not want to miss this event.
Among the many things we have to celebrate this month, I am proud to announce that our school was awarded a grant for a proposal we submitted. Mrs. Shannon and Mrs.Reed wrote the proposal to demonstrate how digital video photography could be used to help our students learn. The 7th graders are delighted to be selected as the “pilot” group to participate in a project called “Whose Earth Is It?” These young scientists are using scientific inquiry to propose solutions to real-life environmental problems and create digital artifacts showcasing their findings. Our school was awarded over $6,000 in equipment, including MAC Book Pros, digital video cameras and software. The student projects will be presented to administrators at the Office of Catholic Schools.
We are grateful for all who have already been so generous with this month’s Student Council Fundraiser, “Dimes for Dollars”. We have had many, many requests from very worthy organizations and individual causes to sponsor an out of uniform day. In fairness to all, we have decided to try this project and share your generosity with so many who can use our help. Perhaps your child can earn a few dimes by doing a special chore. Perhaps dessert could be sacrificed in order to help someone who might need a helping hand. Our school is noted for unlimited generosity. Thanks for your help with this project.
Thanks to all who have been so supportive of our efforts to make our students more responsible young men and women. As you know, we have initiated a new policy that discourages already busy moms and dads to come to school with forgotten assignments, lunches, gym shoes and other items that forgetful students should have remembered.
Please know that no student will go hungry! Our lunch program now offers peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every day for $1.00. If a student does not have the money with him, we are happy to float a loan. We also know that given the size of the lunches students do bring to school, most friends are willing to share a sandwich or snack.
We are also grateful for your cooperation with the homework policy that we initiated this year. As a reminder; if a student misses one or two days of homework because of illness, upon his return, he should ask the teacher for the essential work missed while he was gone. The teacher will determine what needs to be accomplished and give the student a reasonable time for completion. If a student will miss more than three days, please email the teacher so that arrangements can be made for the essential work to be completed in a timely way.
Next week, all of the families in our parish will receive an important survey. We are in the process of forming a Parish Council that will act as an Advisory Group to our Pastor, Father Kyfes, and help set the direction for the parish as we plan for the future. In order for them to be most effective, it is important that every member of the parish have an opportunity to reflect on their own vision of and goals for our parish. Please take the time to complete the survey and return it either to school, church, or the rectory. We would ask every member of the family from high school up to do a survey. Additional copies are available or can be downloaded from the school website. Please return your survey(s) by Thanksgiving. THANK you for your valuable help with this most important project.
After all of these years, many of you know that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. Since I am not the cook in the family, (that alone is something for which my siblings are grateful!) I enjoy every aspect of the day. The day begins with the 9:00 Family Mass, a rich tradition of our parish. Please try to come. I promise it will inspire you to capture the real meaning of the day and set the tone for the busy holiday season ahead.
I also love Thanksgiving because too often we are so busy with so many things that we are unaware of the many, many blessings in our lives. A stroll down any corridor in our building to see the faces of our students, to hear the “tales they tell” in the primary grades, to listen to the insightful questions of our older students, to appreciate the pictures they draw or the songs they sing. . . How could one not have a grateful heart?
Thank you for the privilege of working with your children. Thank you for your generous support of all of our school programs. Thank you for giving us so many reasons to be thankful!
October, 2008
Dear St. John Fisher Families,
If your gym shoes are still squishy, you have proof positive that you were at Fisher Fest. Despite record breaking monsoon rains, the Fest was a great success. Children and their parents were undaunted by the weather and enjoyed the puddles as well as the rides. In addition to setting records for the most times on the Tilt-a-Whirl, others set records for the most times they returned home to change a wet shirt. Because of the tireless efforts of the committees, the endurance of the guests, and the generosity of so many who purchased raffle tickets, this year’s Fest was very successful. One kindergartener was so pleased with the rides and the rain she asked if next year we will have the water rides again!
Thanks also to all who came for Mass and Open House. It was great to see the church so full and to hear the comments of folks who walked through the building to appreciate the upgrades to the facility, the artwork and creative projects of the students, and the welcome of the faculty. We know your weekends are crammed with so many activities and are grateful you could come.
Our first school mass of the year was a wonderful experience. Pope Benedict has named this the year of St. Paul, so Ms. Chermak helped the eighth graders do a wonderful presentation of the work that St. Paul did in the early church. At the end of Mass, each of us selected the name of another student who would be our prayer partner for the year.
Please remind your students to continue to pray for the person and the family whom they selected. It is a great idea to think of this powerhouse of prayer that is growing in our school and church community.
We are deeply involved in the election process. A faculty committee is coordinating events to help our children realize this history making moment of which they are a part.
We have had two straw polls, students at several grade levels are researching the candidates and their platforms on vital issues, and we will have our own debate later this month. As part of our school wide project, Mr. Dan Hynes, State Comptroller and SJF graduate was the guest speaker at our Student Council Inauguration earlier this week. In addition to his reflection on Leadership, Mr. Hynes participated in a mini “press conference” at which students at every grade level were invited to ask him questions about his work, about important national issues, and about his experience as a delegate and Speaker at this year’s National Democratic Convention. (Mr. Hynes was very impressed with the insightful questions that were asked.) Our newly elected officers were challenged to make this a very successful year and were inspired by Mr. Hynes’ comments and recollection of his own experience as a former officer of the SJF Student Council.
If you want to complement the work our teachers are doing on the election, visit the school webpage to check the websites that are available to help become a better informed electorate.
SJF is going green! You may have noticed two recycling bins in our parking lot.
We also have bins in each of the classrooms and working on helping each other become more aware of how we can be more responsible recyclers. In addition to our school paper recycling, we encourage you to use the bins in the parking lot to recycle your newspaper, catalogues, business papers, and cardboard. If you need help emptying your papers, just call the school and we will send someone to help you. Look for more information about this very important new program in the weeks ahead.
Another important aspect of our recycling efforts is collecting ink cartridges of every size and variety, toner cartridges and game systems. Not only does this project help “save the earth”, it also helps defray the cost of our fifth graders’ trip to Springfield. We also continue to collect old cell phones for recycling. If you have contacts at work that could help with this effort, please enlist their support.
Please check the October calendar for an overview of the many events that make this a very busy month. Please also check the website for important information about the school lunch program. (www.sjfschool.net)
Our website has two new features this year. “The Backpack” contains copies of school correspondence, permission slips, and other items that may have been lost in the black hole of the book bag. We also have an “Athletics” section that contains team schedules and other important information for parents and volunteers.
We also have an email blitz that we use to remind families of upcoming special events, schedule changes etc. We encourage you to check your email daily for information from SJF.
The first Special Lunch is Wednesday…Swanson’s is “catering” with the help of our Special Lunch committee and any of you who might be able to help.
On Friday, we launch the annual Magazine Subscription/Gift Sales Fundraiser. Please know we are very aware that these are tough financial times, but if you can renew a subscription or find the perfect gift for someone on your list, our school does benefit greatly. The committee is working hard to make it as easy as possible, but if you have a question, please do not hesitate to call. Every family will receive several catalogues and order forms on Friday. Please check the packet that was sent to each family for important return date information. Thanks in advance for your help in making this drive successful.
Progress reports will be sent home next Wednesday, October 8 for students in grades 3-8...Be sure to check the back packs. By receiving progress reports at this time, students who might not yet be in the “school groove” will have a chance to focus and improve their study habits before the official report card early in November.
Our school will be participating in an all day in-service on assessment on Friday, October 10. Students will have no class that day.
The October 10 weekend is also Homecoming Weekend. We will have a pep rally in school on Thursday, October 9 and a parade to Beverly Park on Saturday, October 11.
The games follow. Homecoming is a great day to gather at the park, watch some terrific football action, and capture the spirit of the day. Hope to see you there.
Please plan to attend a very insightful evening about internet safety on October 15 in Kane Hall at 7:30. Every parent has to know how easily anyone can access information that is not always appropriate. They must also know how easily most of our kids can navigate to sites that can be very dangerous. You may have filters and blocks on your home computer, but you will be amazed at how easily they can be bypassed. Please make this evening a priority.
Even though we have just begun the school year, our eighth grade students are already pondering their choice of high schools for next year. To help with that decision, we are hosting two High School Options Days. Representatives from local coed high schools will be here on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Reps. From the single-sex schools will be here on Wednesday, November 5. We will send a schedule home to our eighth graders but know parents are most welcome to attend. If you have a question, please do not hesitate to call.
Eighth grade parents are also cordially invited to attend the “Eighth Grade Events” Planning Meeting on Tuesday, October 15 at 7:00 in Kane Hall.
The Student Council will host “SPOOKFEST” on Thursday, October 30. Look for details on the webpage and in the back pack.
Are you aware of the enrichment opportunities that are available at SJF? In addition to our band, we also have violin/string lessons and Irish music lessons. Our Irish Music Teachers instruct the children in fiddle, tin whistle and this year, harp. For more information about any of these enrichment programs, please call the school.
Our Parish is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year. I hope you have received your invitation to attend the first of several events that will be part of this year-long celebration. On November 2, we welcome you for a special Anniversary Mass at 4:00. Mass will be followed by dinner at Beverly Country Club. We hope you will give serious consideration to coming to this kick-off event. Gather friends, neighbors, or former Falcons to help launch this jubilee year. If you have questions about the gala, please call school.
Congratulations to our students who recently received letters of commendation from the Mt. Greenwood Library. Several volunteered many hours this summer to help with the reading program at the library. We are grateful that they represented SFJ so well.
Our Catholic Children’s Book Club meets once each month in the rectory basement.
This month, they had a guest author, Father Terry Deffenbaugh, who came to talk about his very popular book, “The Gospel According to Pup Pup.” The book recalls the entire public life of Jesus through the eyes of his pet dog. It is a delightful story which the children and their parents enjoyed immensely. You are most welcome to attend the next book discussion with your child on Tuesday, October 21. The book selection is: Bernadette, Our Lady’s Little Servant by Hertha Pauli.
The children will also have the chance to make reading history when our school joins with thousands of schools throughout the country to set a record for the most children reading the book Corduroy. It will be fun to be part of this national reading challenge.
Consider this your first “save the date” card for next year. We will be bringing back the Superbowl Party on February 1, 2009. This will be an inaugural event to launch what we hope will be the start of a new scholarship fund to help families at SJF with the escalating costs of Catholic Education. Many more details will follow. We welcome your suggestions.
We recently posted a letter about the lunchroom on the website. In an attempt to help make our students more responsible, we are also asking your help easing some of the unnecessary traffic that filters through the outside office. If a student forgets his or her lunch, we have made provision to be sure he or she will be fed. Please also check book bags and assignment notebooks to be sure that each child has assignments, supplies, and projects etc. that are needed for the day. Interrupting a class to find a child to pick up something that was left at the office is a distraction to other students. Please understand that our concerns are based on student responsibility, not a lack of welcome. Thanks for your help.
The school year is off to a great start…As the news and newspapers are filled with the worries of the economy and the challenges that will face a new administration, I am always so grateful for the opportunity that we share with you to shape the values and vision that students who are in our classrooms today will need for tomorrow. May we continue to support each other as we strive to provide the best for our kids and their limitless future.
Our first day of school was picture perfect! Beautiful weather, crisp new uniforms, eager anticipation to meet new teachers and renew old friendships, and NO TEARS!
Thanks to your generous support and that of our extended parish family, the summer was filled with time to make many physical improvements to the school. The new gym floor rivals an NBA surface and provides more safety for our students. We have replaced all of the computers in one of the labs and have equipped seven classes with amazing technology that allows teachers to expand learning opportunities at the click of stylus.
We’ve made a significant investment in improving the Science Lab so that it is more user friendly and better complements the new Science curriculum. Several classrooms, the gym, and many of the corridors were painted. The convent window project was completed so that we should be more energy efficient. Our music and band programs have been moved to the convent building as first steps in creating a “fine arts center.”
We welcome you to see all of these improvements at our Open House on Sunday, September 21. We will begin with Mass at 10:00 in Church and then invite everyone to meet their children’s teachers and tour the buildings. Please try to make this event a priority for your family.
Please also acquaint yourself with the school webpage. Valuable school information will be posted regularly and teachers will be writing weekly blogs so that you are aware of upcoming events. If you have changed your email address since last year, please let us know so that our records can be changed.
The September Calendar affirms that we are off to a busy start. The FSA is hosting the annual back to school skating party on the parking lot on Saturday evening. Grease the axels of your skates and join us for a great evening.
The parking lot will be transformed on the following weekend for FISHER FEST which ranks just behind Christmas for childhood delight! Mega bracelets were available at schools fees day and will be available again during the days before the fest. (Our agreement with the amusement company states that we cannot sell them during the fest, so it is important to get them early.)
The success of Fisher Fest relies on our grand raffle. The grand prize is $25.000! A limited amount of tickets at $100.00 is available. If you have not yet purchased your ticket or wish to be a shareholder for a ticket, please call Jackie Long. Remember that there is a special raffle for all school families who buy a ticket. That raffle prize includes mega bracelets for your entire family and food coupons to have dinner at the fest. Thank you in advance for all that you do to help make the Fest so successful each year.
The Olympics have inspired our teams to focus on great new seasons. Our football teams begin their official season on Sunday, September 8 at Beverly Park. The girls basketball teams are busy with games and practices and the famous Saturday Morning Soccer League is ready for action. Thanks to the coaches, Athletic Board Members and volunteers who spend so much time and energy to provide a well rounded and very inclusive athletic program for our students.
The Family School Association has its first meeting of the year on Monday, September 29 at 7:00. We hope you will come to for some great conversation about how we can make this the best school year yet!
School pictures are scheduled for Friday, September 19th. Students will be out of uniform that day and in their Sunday best.
As we begin the new school year, we welcome you to celebrate Mass with us each weekend. (Masses are at 4:00 on Saturday and at 8, 10, and noon on Sunday.)
The busy lives we live and the scheduled and unscheduled activities that fill our calendars demand tremendous time commitments. The investment you are making in a Catholic Education for your children indicates that you want them to be prepared not only intellectually for the challenges ahead, but also have the faith and values that will be the foundation necessary for their future. We teach the kids that in order to be a successful team player, they must practice….Prayer and regular mass attendance are the best practice we can recommend for authentic Catholic faith development. We hope you will make weekend mass attendance a value in your family.
The year is off to a great start! See you at the Fest.
