PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Jan. 18                     Dress Down Day - Scrip Goal Met

Jan. 21                     No School – Teacher In-service

Jan. 23                     Locks of Love & Blood Drive 1:00 – 7:00pm

Jan. 26 & 27             Catholic Schools Week Kick-Off at all Masses – Students wear uniforms

                                with sweaters to church

Jan. 28 - Feb 1st       Catholic Schools Week

Jan. 30                    “Special Friends Visit” Day –See schedule below

Jan. 31st                   8th Grade Mass/Luncheon at Cathedral

Feb. 1st                    Dress Down Day – Wearing school apparel or school colors –Must pay $1 to

                                Student Council for St.Mary’s School in Uganda

DID YOU KNOW… that on August 23rd, 2000, St. Patrick’s School opened with a three-year old preschool program that had 19 children, a prekindergarten program with 30, a kindergarten class full of 17 students, a 1st grade class of 8 and a combination 2nd & 3rd grade class that had 6 children, for a total of 80 students?  On that opening day we stood and prayed together in front of the doors of the old school, which no longer exists. We proudly intend to open the doors to the completion of our academic facility in the fall of 2008, with approximately 725 students and 75 staff members strong.  In four years, we expect to meet our capacity of 910 students. 

INFORMATION ON THE BUILDING PROGRESS – The building progress is moving right along. Work on the roof of the new addition is being developed. The lower level is 90% roughed-in, framed and ready for drywall.  The 2nd floor framing has begun!  I encourage your prayers to continue for the financial growth of St. Patrick’s Parish & School. Thanks you to everyone for contributing to our Capital Campaign. Please take a moment to view the pictures at www.stpatselkhorn.org. 

DRIVERS MUST ENTER THE SCHOOL VIA THE NORTH ACCESS ROAD FOR MORNING DROP OFF – The opening of the turning lane off of 204th Street into the east entrance to our parking lot has caused a lot of safety concerns and many close calls.  I am REQUIRING everyone to use the north entrance as you did during the first semester.  The turning lane is NOT to be used between 7:45 and 8:10 am on school mornings. The space from Laramie Street to our drop off lane is what you will use, and it allows for plenty of room for all cars.  Our number one concern is the safety of these students and you, so please use the north access road as your morning drop off for your children. Also, vehicles in parking lot #2 are encouraged to use parking lot #1 as an exit after school. Thank you for putting safety first.

TUITION DUE – The 2nd payment was due January 11, 2008. You may send it to school with your child in an envelope, drop it in the Sunday collection or mail it to the school office.  Please write tuition in the memo so it is properly posted to your account. If you have questions about the statement, you may call the school office.

LUNCH ACCOUNTS – For your information, all credits for family lunch accounts will carry over from this school year to the 2008-2009 school year.  Balances owed for the 2007-2008 school year must be settled prior to the last day of school.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) – We constantly evaluate the quality of the education we offer at St. Patrick’s School.  A team is in place to help with assessing our performance each year through several methods.  One method is by having families and older students currently involved in St. Patrick’s School as well as graduates and their families complete a survey.  The results give us better insight as to what needs are being met and what areas we should work on. Please click on the link below for the survey that we are asking all parents to fill out and email back to Kim Fangman, CIP and School Board member.  You may also submit a hard copy in an envelope to the school office. Please know your input is critical to our continued success.  Thank you for your participation!

CIP PARENT SURVEY

LAST DAY OF COLLECTIONS FOR SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE -We are continuing to focus on giving to those less fortunate than us.  The Student Council is sponsoring a school supply drive for our sister school in Uganda.  These students need pencils, crayons, paper and other materials to help them in the learning process.  St. Patrick’s teachers are also donating teacher supplies to the teachers in Uganda.  The drive began Monday, December 10 and will end on Friday, January 18th. Please consider involving your child in choosing the items to donate.  Let’s all work together to make this school supply drive to be the best ever! Special thanks for the support of Mrs. DeWald and Mr. Valish -Student Council Sponsors.

SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY - Students will have the opportunity to show their Special Friend around their school on Wednesday, January 30th.  This tour of the school is an excellent way for everyone to meet the teachers, friends, and other important staff members as well as see our growing facility. Please fill out the Special Friend Reservation form linked below. The tour times are as follows: A-H  9:30-10:15am, I-P  1:00-1:45pm, & Q-Z  2:00-2:45pm.

SPECIAL INVITATION FORM

HAVE YOU SOLD THE WINNING TICKET YET? -  Remember to sell your Harley-Davidson Raffle tickets.  They are only $20 each or 6 for $100. If you’re potential buyer doesn’t want a motorcycle?  They can choose $10,000 cash instead!  We only have 3 weeks worth of selling time left. Contact those neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers.  Anyone who bought a house lottery ticket is someone to ask. Each time a student/school family turns in a sold ticket their name is entered in a drawing for a Wii.  If you sell 1 ticket, your name goes in 1 time, if you sell 10 tickets your name goes in 10 times.  So, get out there and sell your tickets!  More are available for checkout in the office or after Mass on the weekends. The winner of last week’s drawing for $10 in SCRIP was Parker Watkins.  Parker’s name was drawn from the 44 different school and RF students who turned in tickets between Jan. 7th and Jan. 11th.  Make sure your name is in next week’s drawing by turning in your tickets.

ST. PATRICK’S ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE - As of today, we have 115 donors signed up to give blood on Wednesday, January 23rd from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm in the Parish Center. This is awesome!  The American Red Cross has added additional appointment to help make donating more convenient.  St. Patrick’s School and RF are the first to participate in the Pint-Size Hero program in Nebraska. By signing up to give or volunteer, we are educating our children on the importance of blood donations. FYI - You may give blood, every 56 days; platelets every three days, up to 24 times in a 12-month period, and if you are 16 years or older.  Any questions regarding giving blood may be directed toward the American Red Cross Metro Nurses line at 341-2723. Thank you in advance for your support by giving. You may sign-up to give blood at www.givebloodgivelife.org or by contact the school office at 289-5407.

LOCKS OF LOVE – Mark your calendars for St. Patrick’s School Locks of Love drive on January 23rd, 2008. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers. Anyone donating their hair must complete the permission slip below and return it to the school office.  Please let us know ASAP to allow enough time to line up stylists. If you, your daughter or someone else you know would like to join this annual drive at St. Patrick’s, contact Denise Kimnach or the school office at 289-5407.

UNABLE TO GIVE BLOOD? WE STILL NEED YOU - We need volunteers to work the day of the Blood Drive.  There are several shifts to choose from. If you are interested, please contact Kristen Panowicz at 289-4961.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2008: “LIGHT THE WAY” - Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated the week of January 28th – February 1st.  . There will be Masses on the weekend of January 26th and 27th to kick off the week.  If your child has a part in his/her grade’s Mass, you will be notified by your child’s teacher.  We ask that you please plan to attend that Mass time.  All St. Patrick’s students are asked to wear their school uniform with sweater to the service your family goes to.  Below are some of the many things the students and staff of St. Patrick’s will be enjoying:

Saturday, January 26th:

Kick off Catholic Schools Week Mass @ 5pm  - Students & Staff will lead the Mass

Sunday, January 27th:

Kick Off Catholic Schools Week Masses @ 8am, 9:30am, 11am and 12:30pm- Students & Staff will lead the Masses

Monday, January 28th:

8:30- All School Mass

1:50-2:15-Students decorate grocery bags for Hy-Vee with buddy grade.

2:25-3:00- 4th-8th Grade Spelling Bee in Parish Center

Tuesday, January 29:

(No School Mass)

Wear a crazy hat or crazy sock day

1:30-1:55-Teacher Switch Time

2:00-2:30- Duchesne Choir perform in Parish Center

Wednesday, January 30:

Special Friend’s Visit Day

(Last names)

A-H   9:30-10:15

I-P    1:00-1:45

Q-Z   2:00-2:45

Students will take their special friend on a tour of the school, and have a cookie with him/her.

Thursday, January 31:

9–1:15 8th Grade to Cathedral for 8th Grade Mass/Luncheon

1:00-3:10- Talent Show

Friday, February 1:

Dress Down Day, wearing St. Patrick’s apparel or school colors-

Each student must bring $1.00 to donate to St. Mary’s in Uganda.

Ward Foley Speaker: Thank My Lucky Scars (in PC)

1:10-1:55 -  PreK-3rd  grade

2:05-3:00 - 4th-8th  grade

MAGAZINE RENEWALS TO BENEFIT ST. PAT’S - Mark the dates of March 7-17. St. Patrick’s School will hold a Magazine Renewal fundraiser to raise money to purchase equipment and materials for our new Library Media Center to open in the fall. (Material needed include: barcode scanner, magazine covers, book repair materials, projector, DVD player, and much more).   We are teaming up with QSP and it couldn’t be simpler.  More details are to come soon, but until then, be sure to hold off renewing those magazine subscriptions until March 7-17.

ST. PATRICK’S STUDENTS EARNED A SCRIP DRESS DOWN DAY - Thanks to everyone for making our HO HO HO SCRIP promotion such a HUGE SUCCESS – our sales goal was $20,000 and the reward was a DRESS DOWN DAY for the kids for tomorrow - Friday, January 18!  We outdid our goal with… $43,622 in SCRIP sales, making our SCRIP profit for November & December $2671.65… which is unbelievable!  The SCRIP box is always available at school and by the Parish Center steps after weekend Masses. Questions or comments - call Jane Chapman @ 553-6131 or email KCCJDC@cox.net.Thanks again!

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE - Top of the day to all of the Leprechaun's at St. Patrick's.  The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in the Old Market (Omaha) is fast approaching.  Please mark your calendar for Saturday, March 15th.  The parade will start at 10:30am and wind through the Old Market. The past 5 years, we have brought home a 1st place trophy for either Best Costume or Best Float Presentation, and with the theme St. Patrick's: Elkhorn…Green and Growing, we hope to make it 6 years in a row. Last year we had well over 200 parishioner's walking in the parade, this year, let's go for 300.  Along with our float, we will have a team of Belgium Horse pulling a wagon. We will also be incorporating our 140th year as a Parish with this grand addition. School and Parish members as well as extended family are welcome to walk along.  Bring your wagon, strollers, pets or anything you can turn green and come along and enjoy this great day as we honor of our Patron Saint Patrick. So get you green shopping stared early and if you would like to volunteer to help carry signs, decorating, throwing candy etc. or just have questions please contact: Patti “O'Hertel” @ pjhertel@msn.com -779-4304 or Steve and Keri “O'Robey” @ mksrobey@cox.net - 964-1170. More information will follow in future Principal Notes.

DON’T MISS OUT ON ST. PATRICK’S FIELD OF DREAMS DINNER/AUCTION - Turn in your reservations soon – only two weeks before the big event. The online catalog is available at www.stpatsevents.org.  The catalogs will also be handed out to all registered guests after  Masses on Jan 26th  & 27th. Check your child’s backpack today for more information. "Field of Dreams" Dinner/Auction is only 2 weeks away so please get your reservations turned in!  There are nearly 500 items to bid on this year including fantastic trips to Disney World, Puerto Vallarta, Chicago, Colorado, and Florida; sports memorabilia and tickets to games; great items for everyone in the family.  You don't want to miss out!

NEED A BABYSITTER FOR THE NIGHT? - Rosewood Academy will be open the night of the auction from 4:30 until midnight.  It's a PJ Party for the kids and includes dinner, activities and a movie!  Make your reservation by 1/29/08 for ages 6 weeks to 12 years.  Contact Fran or Kelli at 496-6332.  Fees: $40 for 1 child; $60 for 2 and $20 for each additional child.  20% of the proceeds will go back to St. Pat's! Please contact Deb Gustafson at debragustafson@hotmail.com or 491-3820 if you have any questions.

MOMS MINISTRY (Ministry of Mothers Sharing - New MOMS Group To Begin JANUARY 2008  - Are you a “MOM” looking for a little soul time every week? A new session of the MOMS Ministry (Ministry of Mothers Sharing) is scheduled to begin Tuesday, January 29th  through Tuesday, March 11th.  This group will meet weekly on Tuesdays from 8:45am to 10:45am.  Take this opportunity to enhance your spirituality as a mother and to better appreciate motherhood as a ministry.  Please call Debbie Otwell at 614-4032 to register or with questions

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