April, 2009
April!!!!! Where is this year going??? Is it my advancing age or does time seem to be racing at a more rapid pace than ever? We are well into the third trimester, well into planning for next year, and yet, Christmas seems like yesterday.
March has been a great month at SJF. We have heard that that all members of the class of 2009 have been accepted into the high school of first choice and many will be taking honors classes. The St. Baldrick Event was amazing! Not only did we raise well over $25,000 for a very worthy cause, but the spirit of the volunteers, of shavers and shavees, and the support of the fans who watched curly locks fall to the floor was incredible. Special thanks to Mrs. Hughes who organized the entire event so beautifully.
I think we have some future physicists and physicians in the fifth and sixth grade. The Science Fair was a grand display of their ability to problem solve, come up with alternative answers when an original hypothesis was incorrect, and "think on their feet" when asked a difficult question by a project judge.
Hoopsmania was also a successful event; thank you for your continuous support of the many efforts that help defray tuition costs.
Helping Hands, Glowing Hearts is off to a good start. The link between those who need a bit of help and those willing to provide it gets stronger each week. If you have not had a chance to volunteer, please consult the school website or parish bulletin. Our volunteers report that the experience of reaching out to others has been as much a gift to them as to those whom they have helped.
The Holy Name Society has launched a terrific new program to help fill local food pantries during these difficult days. Last weekend you should have received an empty shopping bag with a note asking you to fill it with non-perishable items that can be donated to local food pantries. The bags will be picked up next Saturday by a crew of volunteers who will sort the items and pack them for delivery to pantries and shelters. Thanks in advance for your participation. If you would like to be part of next Saturday's effort, please call the rectory for a pick up assignment.
Stock in Borders must be suffering a huge decline thanks to the wonderful book fair we are hosting in Kane Hall this week. I hope that if you missed the sneak preview after the Grandparent's Mass on Sunday, you will have a chance to visit the fair. Many thanks to Mrs. Quintero and her crew who have worked so tirelessly to make the Book Fair a huge success.
New books will help maintain the reading records the students have completed as part of the March Madness Reading Program. Students have met and exceeded all of our goals.
Our sports teams have done exceptionally well this Spring. A new trophy case may be necessary to house the recent awards that have come as a result of the boy's basketball and girl's volleyball seasons. Our coaches do a remarkable job of including all who want to play and our fans are second to none. Many thanks to the Athletic Association who organizes one of the finest programs in the Archdiocese.
Much has been written about the end of the South Side Irish Parade this year. Like many of you, I share the view of the well crafted press release which concluded that the end of the parade in its current manifestation was the result of its success. The parade we knew included a trolley full of kindergarteners proudly wearing their designer shirts and chanting their pride in the school and parish. The parade we knew included strollers carrying future Falcons proudly marching behind the trolley. The parade we knew included parents and grandparents waving at us from every corner on Western Avenue.
As a parish family we have begun to think about what we can do next year. Know we welcome your suggestions. We remain grateful to the many, many loyal SSI committee members who, from the wee folks of Washtenaw thirty years ago to this day, made us proud to be part of this great community. The parade will change, but the spirit that was its foundation and motivating force will not change.
April is a short, but busy month at school. Please remember to allow your children to wear their favorite "jammies" to school on Wednesday, April 1. Fall out of bed day, sponsored by the Student Council will just be a time for a bit of fun after a long winter.
We will conclude the "Starfish" project with the collection of the boxes that were distributed at the beginning of Lent. Please return your box either to Church on or before Holy Thursday or to school at any time before our Spring break. As you remember, funds from the collection will be divided evenly between the poor in Haiti and our Scholarship Fund.
Progress Reports will be coming home on Monday, April 6th. Please take a minute to review them with your child and give him or her the encouraging words needed to make the push for a grand finale.
Many of our classes during the next few days are focused on the events of Holy Week and Easter. The best way to appreciate those events is by attending Holy Week Services at Church. On Holy Thursday, the Mass is at 7:30 p.m. Good Friday Services are at 3:00, and The Holy Saturday Easter Vigil is at 8:00 p.m... Although many shy away from the vigil because they think it is too long, in reality, the music and movement of the Service is so beautiful (including lighting the Easter Fire on the parking lot!) it really is not a long service. Our Easter Sunday Masses are at 8, 10, and 12. All are welcome to march in our "Easter Parade" at the beginning of Mass, and bring wrapped candy from their baskets that we will share with children in local shelters.
The fifth graders are very excited about their trip to Springfield on April 23rd. This is always a highlight of the year. The trip includes stops in the Capital, Lincoln's Home, AND a wonderful buffet with all of the soft ice cream you can eat!
Our faculty and faculties throughout this area will have a professional development day on differentiated instruction on Friday, April 24. Students will have no school that day.
The Art Show will be on Monday, April 27. Kane Hall will be transformed into a lovely gallery to display the work done by our students throughout the year. Later that night, we will welcome Father Francis Hoffman, who will give a presentation called "Raising Children in a Catholic Home." Father is a well known speaker and writer throughout the country. The presentation will be in Church at 7:30.
The Band is preparing for their Spring Concert on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00. You will be amazed at the wonderful progress our musicians have made since September.
I mentioned in an earlier email that we are already planning for next year. Please tell friends and neighbors who might have missed earlier pre-school and kindergarten registration that we have limited openings in both programs. Encourage them to call school if they have a question. As we make our plans, it is important to know the number of students we can anticipate for each grade. Our presumption is that you will be returning, but if for some reason you are not; please call the school at your earliest convenience.
The School Board will be finalizing next year's budget soon. We are doing our best to keep costs as low as possible. Important to our budgeting is the timely payment of this year's tuition bills. We never want to embarrass a child, but need to hold report cards if we have not heard from your family if you will not be able to make the final tuition payment on or before May 10th. Please write or call me if you anticipate there will be a delay in making your final tuition payment.
The eighth graders are thinking May Crowning and Graduation, the second graders are thinking First Communion, the Golf Team is thinking hole in one, the Music Department and Art Department are thinking concerts and exhibits, the third graders are thinking Chicago Trip, and the entire school will be thinking Thunderbolts as we make plans for an end of the year all school field trip to a Thunderbolts Baseball Game in Crestwood. This year's Feet Feat will have some great new "twists". The days are longer and FULLER but certainly never boring.
I read a lovely Lenten reflection last week that might be helpful to all of us as we try to balance all of the expectations, responsibilities, challenges and surprises that fill our days.
"Live Gladly and Kindly" was a simple invitation to put things in proper perspective. We have just a few days left in Lent to re-visit whatever we had hoped to change over the forty days. If you, like me, have let them go, perhaps a good mantra from now until Easter might be to remember to Live Gladly and Kindly.
Happy Spring and Easter.