FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
O Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, come and dwell with us. Desire of all nations.
Gift to every generation, Come, make your home with us.  All nations, everybody, is waiting for you. Jesus, come to us.

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Dec 6 & 7                            Hearing & Vision Screening

Dec 11                                K - 2nd Grade Christmas Cantata – 6:30 in Church

Dec 13                                2:00 Dismissal – Teacher In-Service

Dec 17                                6:30 pm - Meet the 2008-2009 Football Coach       

Dec 18                                3rd-8th Grade Christmas Cantata – 6:30 in Church

Dec 20 & 21                        PreS & PreK Christmas Programs 9:30am & 1:30pm

Dec 21                                Kindergarten – 8th Grade Christmas Parties 2:30-3:00

                                           1st Semester Ends

Dec 24 – Jan 4                    No School - Christmas Vacation

Jan 7                                  School Resumes & Report Cards Sent Home

TRAGEDY AT WESTROADS MALL – Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families as well as everyone else who was involved in that terrible incident.  We also pray for all the troubled and depressed individuals throughout the world so that they can feel the love of God.  We suggest conversations with your children regarding this terrible incident should take place at home within their family. The students and staff will continue to pray for God’s healing hand for this tragedy, as well as, all the other unnecessary acts of violence throughout the world.  

DID YOU KNOW…Thirteen St. Patrick’s 5th though 8th Grade students make up St. Patrick’s Student Council? Here at St. Patrick’s, these students take part in raising money for Pennies for Patients by hosting a penny war, having a bake sale at conference time, selling Mimi’s Muffins to raise money for a sick child, babysitting during conferences, making tie blankets and collecting gifts for foster children at Christmas, hosting Charlie from the Leukemia Society, dropping off food to the St. Francis Sienna House for Lent, collecting Kool-Aid for the troops in Iraq, collecting school supplies for the children in Iraq, hosting the talent show, making advent prayer cards, donating time and talents to the school carnival, organizing Toys for Tots, a coat drive for C.O.P.E. & canned food drives for the Omaha Food Bank. As well as with many other activities that help in making our school and community a better place. While doing so, these students and the students around them are learning how much better it is to give than to receive and that by working together, their effort can make a difference.  Our Student Council sponsors are 5th Grade Teacher Deirdre DeWald and 2nd Grade Teacher Chuck Valish.

INFORMATION ON THE NEW BUILDING PROGRESS –The pouring of the concrete on the second floor will be completed by the end of this week.  They are in the process of framing the walls in the lower level. The F & B Constructors are hoping to start setting steel for the beginning of the roof sometime next week.  All the workers for this project have been impressive as they have not let the weather affect their work.  We need continued prayers for their work and for our Capital Campaign which is supporting this building process. Thanks to all that have been a part of this success. Updated pictures can be seen at www.stpatselkhorn.org.

EAST ENTRANCE – If everyone follows the recommended traffic flow, the opening of the east entrance will only affect the traffic after school. Thanks to all of you and your need to ensure the safety of each child, the morning traffic pattern has worked very well and it will not change. However, the after school pick up will allow vehicles to enter the parking lot and go to their assigned lot. Traffic will not be allowed to move after 3:20 just like the other entrances to ensure the safety of the kids walking out of school. People in lots 2 and 4 will be able to leave through the east entrance, but please remember that you will not be permitted to exit through the north or take a left as you leave to the southwest.  As always, the safety committee and I appreciate your total support of the safety of our kids and the understanding that these rules must be followed for everyone’s safety.

SCHOOL WEATHER CLOSINGS – As stated in the Family Handbook, In the event of bad weather, please listen to Radio Station KFAB or KKAR and/or watch channels 3, 6, and/or 7 for school closing, late start or early dismissal.  If school is closed or dismissed early due to inclement weather, all events or activities after school will be canceled or postponed to a later date.  In case of early dismissal, students will be sent home their usual way--walking, carpool, etc., unless we are notified otherwise.  No child will be dismissed unless proper provisions have been made.  St. Patrick’s School will follow the recommendations of the Catholic School Office and Elkhorn Public Schools regarding announcements made concerning dismissal because of weather.  In the event of bad weather and no early closing, children can be released early only if a parent/guardian comes to school to pick them up.  Reminder, students must be picked up at the office.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA –The Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade Christmas Cantata will be on December 11th at   6:30pm in the Church. The 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Cantata will be on December 18th at 6:30 in the Church.  The students should report to their classrooms no earlier then 6:00 and no later then 6:15 on the night of their performance.  Mr. Ridder will dismiss the students in the church after the concert is over. We look forward to celebrating this Advent Season with you all during these musical programs. Please have your children dress in their “Christmas Best”.  This means no jeans, shorts or tennis shoes.   

MESSAGE FROM STUDENT COUNCIL - As we celebrate this season of advent, we are focusing on giving to those less fortunate than us.  Student council is sponsoring a school supply drive for our sister school in Uganda.  The students need pencils, crayons, and other materials to help with the learning process.  The teachers are also donating teacher supplies to the teachers in Uganda.  The drive will run from Monday, December 10 to Thursday, December 20.  Let’s all work together to make this school supply drive to be the best ever!

SAFETY PATROL NEEDS YOUR HELP - We are in dire need of adults to help with morning Safety Patrol.  My plea goes out to parents who have no kids left in their car after they drop off.  Could you find it in your heart to help us out for 10-15 minutes?  I challenge you to find 10-15 minutes for one morning a month – maybe even every other month – if we can get enough parents to help.  The days we need help in order of need are Wednesdays, then Monday and Friday.  This job is all about getting your children out of the cars and into school safely.  Drop off times start at 7:45. If you can help from 7:50-8:10 please consider offering it up.  Call Denise Kimnach at 496-1210 and let her know you can help.  Thank You!

BIRTHDAY BOOK CLUB - A special thanks to the following students for participating in the    Birthday Book Club in November:   Cassidy W., Audrey H., Rachel R., Mattie M., Marie E., Cecilia N., Kyle N., Marisa B., Connor S., Trey S., George D., Lauren Z., Jonny F., Anna H., Emilie F., Josh L., Cameron L., Cameron B., Megan R., and Michaela P.  Thanks to their generosity, our library media center has 20 brand new books for St. Patrick’s students to check out and enjoy!  If you would like to know more about the Birthday Book Club check out the library media center web page on Edline or e-mail akalkowski@stpatselkhorn.org

HOME & SCHOOL CHRISTMAS ELVES - This is your opportunity to show your appreciation to ALL faculty and staff without having all that shopping and accumulated expense!  All contributors will be acknowledged and the SCRIP certificate that will be given to the staff.

SAVE THOSE HY-VEE RECEIPTS – Send us your Hy Vee receipts that you collect through the end of 2007.  We have enough receipts turned in to-date to receive about $250 from Hy Vee.  The receipts must be dated September 10, 2007 through December 31, 2007.  We have to have them turned in early in 2008.  Send your Hy Vee grocery, gas, pharmacy, etc. receipts.  Remember to use SCRIP so we benefit from both programs.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? – Meet the 2008-09 St. Patrick’s Football Coach, Mike Robinson, on Monday, December 17th, from 6:30 to 7:30pm in the Math/Science classroom, located in the lower level of the school.  This is open to all current 6th and 7th grade boys and their parents in St. Patrick’s Parish as well as anyone who would like to learn more about the start up this sport. These boys will participate in the Parochial Athletic League (PAL) next fall when they    are in 7th and 8th grade. We expect this will become a long standing tradition at St. Patrick’s.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP – Special thanks to the volunteers for helping with the Hearing & Vision screenings on Dec. 5th and 6th.  The following people should be thanked…Liz Fleissner, Melissa Groff, Pam Hotovy, Joan Lacoma, Catherine Mahoney, Tammy Perry, Jacquie Schumacher, Renee Stokowski, Jeff Faimon, Betsy Ramm, Kim Copple, Kim Parsons, Kelly Jo Yaksich, Susan Wurtz, Julie Beaudoin,  Dr. Jones, & Colleen Starman

 LOCKS OF LOVE -   is coming soon!  We are asking for girls who wish to donate 10 inches or more of their hair to participate in this wonderful cause. This year we will be holding this great event on January 23rd.  If interested please call Denise Kimnach at 496-1210.

RECONCILIATION RESCHEDULED – The services for the 2nd graders 1st Reconciliation have been rescheduled for Saturday, January 26th, 2008.  The services are as follows:  10:00am for families with last names beginning with A-K and 11:30am beginning with L-Z.  If you have any questions call 289-4947 or email mmcmahon@stpatselkhorn.org.  A cookie reception will follow each celebration in the Parish Center.

DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS – Mr. Willis is looking for help to decorate the church after December 23rd’s 12:30 Mass.  Please contact him at 359-1951 if you will be available.

RELIGIOUS FORMATION PROGRAM THANKS YOU - Thank you to all of the Religious Formation and 5-day school volunteers who donated cookies to be served at our 1st Reconciliation reception.  (I hope we can count on your generosity once again.)  The cookies did not go to waste, once a determination to cancel 1st Reconciliation was made, the cookies were donated to our St. Patrick’s Women’ Club for their cookie/catalog sale. As many of you are aware, St. Pat’s Women’s Club donates the Bibles for use by the students in both our 5-day school and RF program and the bad weather became an opportunity for both programs to give back to our Women’s Club.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPY NIGHT – Middle School SPY night is next Sunday, Dec. 16th from 6-7:30 pm in the Youth Room.  Topic: O is for Advent.  Bring or wear an item that begins with “O” and get a goodie!

SPY PARENTS, TEENS AND FRIENDS - This Saturday, Dec. 8th is Parents Day Out – a SPY fundraiser for summer service camps.  I need teen volunteers and some parents to help with the day.  Time commitment would be 8 am – 1:30 pm.  If that may be too long of a time frame, the morning shift is available from 8 -11 am and the afternoon shift is 10:30 am -1:30 pm.  Please check your calendars to see if you can give some time to this effort.  If you (your son/daughter) plan to attend Young Neighbors in Action (YNIA) or Youth Serve this summer, your time is especially needed.  Thank you.

THE WINNER OF THE WEEK IS...  The first winner of the weekly drawing for $10 in SCRIP is Jack Tomsu – 1st grade 5:45 RF.  Jack was chosen randomly from the 46 School & RF Students who had turned in at least one sold ticket between the start of the sale and Friday Nov. 30th.  Students make sure to turn in your sold tickets for the Harley Davidson Sportster or $10,000 cash.  Turn them in this week to be included in the next drawing.

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