PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MR. RIDDER’S REMINDERS –

Apr 7- 25           Student Council Penny War to benefit the Lymphoma/Leukemia Society

Apr 25               Students May Begin Wearing Shorts

Apr 26                Open House 8:30 - 9:30am Accepted 2008-09 PreS (2 Day)                                   Students & Their Parents.

April 29              6:30pm    K – 1st Grade Spring Program in Church

April 29-30         6th Grade Outdoor Education Field Trip

May 1                Ascension Thursday – Holy Day of Obligation

May 2                1st Grade Rainforest Play in PC @ 2pm – Parents of 1st Graders are invited

May 4                Confirmation @ 12:30 in the Church

May 6                5th - 8th Gr. Spring Music Program (Held at Elkhorn Methodist Hills) @ 6:30pm

May 8                2:00 Dismissal – Teacher In-Service

May 12              2nd – 4th Grade Spring Program in Church@ 6:30pm

May 13              8th Grade Last Day of School

May 14              Acrodunk Presentation from Magazine sales

May 15              All School Mass Honoring 8th Grade Class. Followed by Breakfast for the                    Graduates and Their Parents.  Graduation in Church @ 6:30pm 

DID YOU KNOW … about St. Patrick's Catholic School’s New Middle School Program? With our energetic and excited students, dedicated and passionate staff, and resources available, we have begun to design next year’s schedule which will include 9-week courses, such as journalism/newspaper, computer applications, speech, art, exploratory science, library skills, drama, and study skills.  In addition, new extra-curricular opportunities are being developed, such as Robotics, Chess Club, a Newspaper Staff, Science Olympiads, Forensics, Math Olympiads, Word Masters, Future Problem Solvers, Clash of the Wits, and Math Counts.  Other activities are in the works, too, as we tap into the talents and strengths of present and new teaching staff while striving to meet the needs and talents of our students and bringing learning to life.

SHORTS WEATHER IS HERE – Beginning Friday, April 25th, Students may begin wearing their uniform shorts and sweaters are no longer required at school Masses. Enjoy!

REMEMBER EARLY DISMISSAL – There is an early dismissal on Thursday, May 8th.  The teaching/administrative staff will be having an in-service meeting.  Please make arrangements to have your children picked up at 2pm. 

DID YOU MISS TUITION COMMITMENT WEEKEND? -   If you are still needing to sign your tuition commitment papers, please come into the school office at anytime Monday through Friday, 7:45am to 4:30pm and we will get your paperwork for you! The form cannot be sent home.  Filling out this paperwork is required and will take less than 5 minutes! This form MUST be filled out in order for your child/children to remain enrolled in the 2008-2009 school year.  Please come into the school office to sign this form by Wednesday, April 30th.  We truly appreciate your cooperation with this matter.

TUITION ASSISTANCE INFO – Any families who feel Tuition Assistance may be necessary for the 2008-2009 school year must have already applied for the Archdiocese Children’s Scholarship Fund, in order to qualify for St. Patrick’s Tuition Assistance. Applications for St. Patrick’s Tuition Assistance will be due by June 1, 2008.  All information is kept strictly confidential.  If you are in need of St. Patrick’s Tuition Assistance Application, please contact our Business Manager, Vicki Payton, for the updated forms.  She can be reached at the parish office at 289-4289, or via email at vpayton@stpatselkhorn.org.  Completed forms are to be either emailed back to Vicki or in a sealed envelope to her attention.

SPRING PICTURES – This week, your child’s spring picture was sent home.  These pictures were not prepaid.  Your family should choose whether or not to keep any or all of the photos.  If you choose NOT to keep the photos, please return the entire package to school asap.  If you choose to keep any or all of the photos, simply follow the directions on the back of the LifeTouch package. Send any unwanted photos along with your payment to LifeTouch to school asap.  PLEASE NOTE:  LifeTouch will assume that any unreturned photos are wanted, so YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THEM. 

ANOTHER WIRING PARTY – Thanks again to the people that helped with the computer wiring “party” at St. Patrick’s school.  Please mark your calendars that on Saturday, May 17th; we will be wiring the top floor. If you again, would be available to help, your assistance would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you!

SPRING PROGRAMS – This Spring, we will be doing the spring programs a bit differently, breaking them up into three shorter programs opposed to two longer ones. The Kindergarten through 1st Grade will perform in our Church at 6:30pm on April 29th.  The 5th – 8th Grade will perform on May 6th at 6:30pm, but will be held at Elkhorn Methodist Hills Church, and lastly, on May 12th, 2nd – 4th Grade will perform at 6:30pm at St. Patrick’s Church.  Making this adjustment should reduce the parking lot perplexity and crowded seating in the Church during performances.  Thank you!

LIBRARY NEWS - Congratulations to the following students for taking top prizes in Culver’s National Library Week Art Contest!

Kindergarten:    Jack L., 1st place; Livia S. and Alexis M. runners-up

1st Grade:         Madison B., 1st place; Seth H. and Clare S. runners-up

2nd Grade:        Taylor M., 1st place; Sydney S., Benjamin W., and Colin L. runners-up

3rd Grade:         Brittany O., 1st place; Jack B., Chase K., and Ari O. runners-up

4th Grade:          Abbey L. 1st place; Brittany W. and McKenzie M. runners-up

5th grade:          Katy A. 1st place; Christian C. and Evan S. runners-up

These artists’ wonderful works of art will be on display soon at Culver’s restaurant at 120th and Miami St.  A special thanks to Culver’s for providing free frozen custard coupons to all of our participants, prizes for our winners, and most of all for supporting libraries. Don’t forget to join the Circle of Knowledge @ your library! The last week that students will be able to check out books is the week of April 28th.  All books must be returned to the library by Tuesday, May 6th.

NEW THIS YEAR – 2007-08 YEARBOOK WILL BE IN FULL COLOR - Get your pictures in the yearbook! The Yearbook Staff invites students and parents to submit photos for the yearbook. If you’ve got great photos of school events or you and your friends just having fun, we’d like to see them.  Help us get as many photos as possible to create a terrific book everyone will want to have.
Here is how you can submit photos online:
   • Log on to: images.jostens.com
   • Enter Login ID: 1148179
   • Enter Your Password: password
   • Browse to select the photo(s) you wish to upload.
   • Enter information about the photo and provide contact information in case the staff needs additional information.
   • Click "Save Details".
It’s that easy! Submit your photos today! The last day to submit photos is 6/1/2008.
The Yearbook Staff will review all photos and determine final yearbook content. We cannot guarantee that all submissions can be used in the book.

ST. PATRICK’S SUMMER SCHOOL INFORMATION - This summer St. Patrick’s School will be hosting one session of summer school.  Each of the classes is intended as a “kick-start” for students who will be entering grades K-4.  The class size limit will be cut off at 15 students based on the 15 turned in first.  Please take a few moments to review the classes listed below. If you are in need of a registration, contact the school office.

2008 Sessions:      August 4th-August 8th

Time:     8:00-11:00

Course Fee:     $100 (Includes $20 building fee)

Please make checks payable to the teacher in charge of the session.

Kindergarten Readiness (Miss Ashley VanDyke) - This class will be an upbeat session for children entering kindergarten to fine-tune skills needed to be successful in the fall.  Emphasis will be on readiness skills such as fine motor, listening, social, and letter/number recognition.

1st Grade Readiness (Mrs. Tracy Kill) - This class is intended for students who will be entering first grade in the fall.  Emphasis will be on early reading/phonics skills: word analysis, word patterns, sight words, and decoding. VoWac will be introduced.  Basic math skills will also be covered.

2nd Grade Readiness (Mrs. Jodie Hotovy) – This class is intended to build reading and VoWac skills for students entering second grade in the fall.  A continuation of basic reading skills will include oral reading, decoding, and comprehension.  Math concepts to be covered: addition and subtraction strategies, place value, money, and time.  The students will be introduced to two digit addition and subtraction.

3rd Grade Readiness (Miss Betsy Larson) - This class is intended for students who will be entering third grade in the fall.  Emphasis will be placed on reading, writing, and grammar, as well as the review and application of VoWac sounds and rules.  Math concepts such as addition and subtraction with regrouping, problem solving, time and money will also be covered.

4th Grade Readiness (Miss Tiffany Wagner) - This class is intended for students who will be entering 4th grade in the fall.  An emphasis will be placed on both reading and writing skills. Math concepts such as multiplication, division, and geometry will be covered.  General mastery of basic facts will be encouraged through daily review and timed tests.  Your soon to be 4th grader will be sure to start the New Year with confidence!

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC BANQUET - Invitations have been mailed for the 2nd Annual St. Patrick's Athletic Banquet.  If your son/daughter is a 5th - 8th grade student and involved in any St. Patrick’s sports, you are invited.  Be sure to RSVP as directed on the invitation to enjoy a great meal, participation awards, and some special honors.  It will be held on April 27th.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT INITIAL TRAINING IS BEING OFFERED AT THE FOLLOWING PARISHES:

▪Saturday, April 26, from 9am to Noon at St. John Vianney Parish. For more info call 895-0896

▪Tuesday, May 27, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at St.Vincent De Paul Parish. For more info call 496-7988, extension 239.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT RECERTIFICATION - St. Patrick’s will be hosting a SE recertification class (you must have attended a previous initial SE training session in order to come to this one).  The date and time for the recertification class is Thursday, April 24, 2008, from 7:00pm - 8:30pm.   Please call Jenni Vankat at 359-1950 or email Jenni at jvankat@stpatselkhorn.org to register.

SCRIP - Help us reach our sales goal of $15,000 so the kids get their DRESS DOWN DAY on Friday, May 2nd!  We’re almost to our goal!  Our contest ends tomorrow!  As always, any questions contact Jane Chapman @ 553-6131 or email KCCJDC@cox.net.

SPRING CLEANUP – Mark your calendars and please consider joining the grounds committee for a Spring Cleanup around the outside of St. Patrick’s School and Church.  The date will be April 26th, from 9am to Noon.  Contact Julie Kaup for more information at julie.kaup@cox.net

DONATIONS FOR SPRING CLEAN-UP – If you would like to donate a flat of annuals (preferably “full sun”)  drop them off Friday or Saturday morning, we will gladly use them to spruce up the front containers and flower beds.

WILL YOU HAVE ANY USED SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO DONATE? - Please consider donating your used school supplies at the end of the school year.  These items will be used for our new art lab, teachers classrooms, teacher workroom and our Sister School in Uganda.  There will be boxes at the front entrance of the school where the supplies can be dropped off.  Drop them off here instead of the landfill!!!  Love Mother Earth!

GIRL SCOUT LEADERS – WE APPRECIATE YOU! - April 22 was Girl Scout Leader appreciation day. As troop leader (or co-leader) their efforts go above and beyond to ensure that the girls in our troops have experiences that last a lifetime! Thanks goes out to all of the leaders in our community that share their time and talents.

MOMS SPRING FAMILY EVENT – SAT MAY 3rd at 11:00am - Ladies of MOMS bring your families and join us at Ta Ha Zouka Park in Elkhorn on Saturday, May 3rd from 11:00am to 1:00pm.  We have lots of fun things planned!  Bring a picnic lunch/drinks/blanket for your family!  Then we will have a treasure hunt for candy, live bunnies to pet, and an awesome face painter!  RSVP to your Guardian Angel’s by Wednesday, April 30th.  Hope to see you all there!

THE LABELS AT ELK CITY - There are still tickets available if you missed it at the auction.  This fun summer evening will be on Friday, June 13th in Elk City - on Hwy 31 near Hwy 36 - just a few miles north of Elkhorn.  You will be treated to a fabulous BBQ dinner from Boyd & Charlie’s, dessert, and beverages.  After dinner, The Labels will take the stage and you can dance the night away under the stars.  Tickets are $50/person. To purchase tickets contact Deb Gustafson at debragustafson@hotmail.com or 491-3820.  If you've already purchased tickets the night of the auction, you will be receiving confirmation in the mail in the next week.  All proceeds go to St. Patrick's.
 

LILY LEYDEN SPAGHETTI AND AUCTION BENEFIT – Lily was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in June 2006 when she was just 2 ½ years old. At that moment, the Leyden's life changed forever. Lily underwent countless testing and procedures including biopsies, chemotherapy, bone marrow aspirations and more. Although Lily achieved remission early in 2007, she relapsed in July of the same year. The next step took the Leyden's to Minneapolis for a triple stem cell transplant in October 2007. Lily again underwent another battery of procedures, including more chemo and radiation. On December 4th 2007, Lily was transplanted with cord blood. Although there were a few complications, for the most part Lily did amazingly well with the transplant. She had the doctors, nurses and staff in awe of her spirit and determination. Unfortunately 60 days post transplant, it was determined that Lily had relapsed again. The Leyden's have come back to Omaha to pursue further treatment under supervision of the medical team from MN and NE. Although Lily's prognosis is not good, John and Shelly are determined to give her all possible treatment and options for healing. This very condensed version of Lily's story brings us to today. Through this long and painful journey many expenses have come with it. The trips back and forth to Minneapolis, meds, co-pays and numerous general expenses that go along with caring for a sick child for nearly 2 years. Family and Friends of the Leyden's are organizing a spaghetti benefit on Sunday, May 4 from 4:00 until 7:00pm at Bethany Lutheran Church to help diffuse some of the expenses that have been incurred and will likely continue to add up. Please join us in support of this family and this courageous little girl who battles this disease everyday! Monetary donations can be made to any Wells Fargo Bank Branch "Lily Leyden Fund".  Tickets are available at the door $7.00 for Adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under.  Children 3 and under are free. You may also purchase tickets online at Lily’s website:  www.lilyleyden.com. You can also purchase your Spring Flowers at this event.

Principal's Notes Deadline

Please submit all items/information in final form for Principal's Notes

by Tuesday, 8:00am to the school or email to:

ridderd@stpatselkhorn.org or kmoritz@stpatselkhorn.org

Archived Principal's Notes