Now that our pre-schoolers have officially begun their academic careers the new school year is launched! Uniforms look so neat and clean, back packs still have two straps, and crayola boxes are still full. The cool temperatures have helped create a wonderful transition to the rigors of a new school year. Welcome!
I am happy to introduce two new teachers to our Fisher Family. Ms. Laura Fahey will be teaching fourth grade and Mrs. Michelle VanderWoude will be our new music teacher. Both bring strong credentials and great enthusiasm to their work. In introducing them to our school, I assured them they would experience both terrific students and supportive parents who are anxious to partner with them to provide the best for our kids. Thank you for making that possible.
I am excited about several new programs at SJF this year. Our extended day program offers a safe and happy place for our children to stay before and after school when that service is necessary. Mrs. Diane O'Grady and Mrs. Jane Zelek, the program coordinators are both parents and understand well the craziness of the early morning routine and the personalities of children at various ages, and the importance of an after school schedule to include time to debrief, time for a snack, and attention to homework. They have created a warm and welcoming environment for the children who will be coming before and/or after school and have made the hours flexible enough to include anyone who might want to take advantage of this program. We will have a direct line to the extended day program very soon, but in the meantime, if you have questions or want to know more about the program, please call the school. I am so grateful to Jane and Diane for their willingness to take on this important new program.
I am also delighted to tell you about our new student support program. Mrs. Khym, Mrs. Keaty, and Ms. Super will act as a team to help address the wide variety of learning styles that exist in our school. They will be "pushing in" and "pulling out" (educational parlance for small group activities for our students) to better address and challenge our students at each grade level. The program is currently in the "defining" stages, but as it develops, I am already confident that it will strengthen our already strong curriculum. We will keep you informed.
Our first school Mass of the year will be on Friday at 10:15. Please know that you are most welcome. We have re-scheduled the skating party for Thursday evening at 6:30. We hope the extra week of practice will have you in better shape to come for this event which is always so much fun.
Please remember that Friday, September 4 is an early dismissal day. The bell will ring at 11:30 to accommodate those who want to get an early start on the Labor Day weekend.
Fisher Fest is almost here! The parking lot will be converted to Great America South on the weekend of September 18-20. The event is our biggest fundraiser of the year and relies heavily on the sale of all of the raffle tickets. This year, the prize has been increased to $30,000. A limited number of tickets @$100.00 are still available. Many of our tickets are also sold to "shareholders" who purchase either one half or one quarter of the ticket. There is also a special Fisher School Family Raffle for any family who purchases a ticket to win a free pass for rides and food for the entire family. Mega bracelets for the Fest will be available each night BEFORE the Fest opens on Friday.
Pray now for good weather for the Fest.
Congratulations to the Schied, Spatz, and O'Boyle Families who are the lucky winners of the early bird school fees raffle. Their names were drawn at Sunday's Parish Picnic.
Sunday, September 13 at 10:00 is the first of our Family Masses. We hope that you will make this a priority. There are many things that make our school uniquely Catholic, but the faith we share should be the center and foundation of our community. During the year, we will be asking different grade levels to host one of the monthly Masses. Our parish is blessed with a beautiful prayer space, great music, and a welcoming community. The example you set for your kids about the importance of Sunday Mass complements the values and goals we believe are one of the principle reasons why you sacrifice so much and choose Catholic Education for your children. We strongly encourage you to come for Mass each week and especially for our family masses this year.
We will be hosting a "meet your teacher night" on Wednesday, September 16th, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Although all of our teachers have sent or "blogged" a welcome letter to you, we know it is important to meet them "face to face" as you begin this year together. Although we encourage all to attend, know the program is very informal and is not a parent teacher conference since it would be unfair to expect a realistic assessment of any student's performance so early in the year.
Thank you for the continued diligence that has helped stem the spread of head lice. As mentioned earlier, we are waiting for more information from the Chicago Board of Health about hosting an information sharing meeting. In the meantime, keep checking each head. Prevention and immediate attention to early stages are the best ways to prevent an epidemic.
We continue to receive almost daily information about the H1N1 virus. The teachers are daily reminding the students about proper hand washing and the building is "lysolized" each night. You can help the spread of the infection by keeping your children home if they show any signs or symptoms of fever or illness.
Emergency cards are going home today. Please be sure they are returned as soon as possible and that all of the information is correct. Please be sure that the person whom you list as an emergency contact is available for pick-up if your child should become sick at school. In response to the H1N1 fears, schools have been advised to send children home immediately if there is a hint of a fever or other possible H1N1 symptom.
The beginning a new school year is like January 1st because of the potential for new resolutions. One you might consider is to use our MANNA program more regularly. This year more than $30,000 was issued in tuition credits to our families who use the program faithfully. The MANNA office is open every day of the week except Tuesday and you do not need to buy large amounts of certificates at any one time to begin to see a difference. If you would like more information about this great opportunity to see a tuition reduction or if you do not fully understand how the program works, please let me know. We hope to increase our customer base significantly this year as a demonstration of our willingness to help keep tuition more affordable.
Our school has one of the strongest technology programs in the Archdiocese. A huge benefit of that program is the ability to communicate in a timely way with each of our families. Please check our website, your children's teacher's blogs, and parent email regularly. If you have a question or concern (or even a compliment!), we would be delighted to hear from you. Research continues to affirm that the best schools are those where there is strong communication between home and school.
I hope the first few weeks of school have gone well for you and your children. When I see them walk in each morning, I am reminded of the wonderful privilege that is ours to help shape the hearts and minds of this next generation. They have infinite potential! May we, with you, continue to provide the love, challenge, and encouragement that will help realize that potential.