PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MR. RIDDER’S REMINDERS –

Mar 14               Open House For Anyone Interested in St. Pat’s School 8:30am -3:00 pm

Mar 15               St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Downtown Omaha

Mar 17               St. Patrick’s Day – Spirit Day – Wear your green! – Report Cards will go home!

Mar 20-25          NO SCHOOL – Easter Vacation

Mar 29 & 30       First Eucharist Weekend

Apr 1                 Kindergarten Roundup Meeting for Parents Only – 7pm in PC

Apr 4                 Kindergarten Roundup for 2008-2009 Kindergarteners (see note for more info)

Apr 3 & 4          “Spring” School Pictures – Appropriate Spring Attire Allowed

Apr 5 & 6           Tuition Commitment Weekend After All Masses

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

Apr 12               Data Wiring Party 7:30am – 4:00pm

Apr 26               Open House for Accepted 2008-2009 PreS (2 Day) Only Students

DID YOU KNOW…our science lab is the only lab in the area that will be accessible by all of our Kindergarten through 8th grade students?  It will be fully stocked with sinks, lab tables, scales, Bunsen burners with ventilation, etc.  Just west from the Science Lab will be a new green house as well as two outdoor classrooms.  What a terrific learning opportunity our kids will have here at St. Patrick’s.  We are so very excited to share this with all of the staff and students of St. Patricks. 

A SPECIAL BULDING ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE COMING HOME ON FRIDAY

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED – We are in need of additional substitute teachers.  If you or someone you know are certified and are interested in joining our wonderful staff as a substitute teacher, please let us know by contacting the school office at 289-5407.

MONDAY, MARCH 17TH ST. PATRICK’S SPIRIT DAY – The focus of this day will be for us all to to show our St. Patrick’s Spirit.  Students and staff are to wear their green clothing from head to toe.  Hats and Shamrock Stickers may also be worn.  Shorts, tattoos, makeup, green hair spray, or anything of that nature WILL NOT BE ALLOWED!  We will not be having any contests on St. Patrick’s Spirit Day!

TUITION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE - We ask that families who plan to attend St. Patrick's School and feel that Tuition Assistance may be helpful complete the application in order to be considered.  This application is available by emailing me and I will send it to you via email.  This information will remain very confidential.  This application must be completed annually to qualify. Also, we would like to thank the Knights of Columbus, Men’s Club and the various others that have stepped forward to contribute to our Tuition Assistance Program.  If you or anyone you know would like to contribute to our Tuition Assistance Fund, please contact Don Ridder, Principal at 289-5407 or via email at ridderd@stpatselkhorn.org.

TOP 10 REASONS TO PARTICIPATE IN ST. PATRICK’S MAGAZINE SALE

10. Online buying at www.qsp.com (code: 425052783)

9. If you find a better magazine price, QSP will honor it

8. You can renew any time of the year (go online!)

7. 40% of the sales goes right back to St. Pat’s

6. We’ll raise money to fully equip the library media center

5. 1000 sales: PJ/Dress Down Day

4. 1500 sales: Teachers vs. 8th grade Dodgeball

3. 2000 sales: ACRO-DUNK!!!!

2. Magazines make reading FUN

1. A great Easter gift that keeps giving!  Reading magazines encourages creating lifelong readers.

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, IS THE LAST DAY TO TURN IN ORDERS! 

NOTE FROM MRS. REHN – Dear colleagues, students, and parents of St. Patrick’s School,

I have enjoyed the past two years here more than I can ever say. I love working with these terrific students and the amazing staff, and I have been truly blessed to learn many things from everyone here. However, my husband’s job is taking our family in a new direction, and I need to step away from a full-time job to be at home more for my children. Therefore, I will not be returning to St. Patrick’s next year. I am excited about this new direction in our lives, but I am very sad to be leaving this wonderful family at St. Pat’s. This school, the wonderful students, and the terrific staff will be in my prayers. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity,

Yours in Christ, Jennifer Rehn

JOIN US FOR STATIONS OF THE CROSS – During this Lenten season, Fr. Dan Lenz, from Mount Michael has been here to lead us in the Stations of the Cross. He will be here on Friday, March14th at 2:30pm and as well on Wednesday, Mar. 19th.  Our 8th Graders will be presenting a “Living Stations of the Cross” for the school community on Wednesday, March 19th.  We will begin at 2:15pm and all parents are more than welcome to join us.  Numerous 8th graders will be portraying characters from Christ’s Passion while others will be leading us in a meditation and prayer for each station. 

SCIENCE FAIR WINNERS – The winner’s of our 7th and 8th Grade Science Fair were in

1st Place – Cara Fangman, Clara Burns, and Molly Heiman, 2nd Place – Megan McAuliffe, and 3rd Place – Zach Ernst.  All of the students did an exceptional job in the work and presentation of their projects.  We are very proud of the way they all represented St. Patrick’s School.  A very special thank you goes out to our judges, Dan Van Anne, Michelle Zadalis, Kathy Maline, and Mr. Ridder. Your time and talent is truly appreciated.

TOP OF THE MORNING TO ALL THE LEPRECHAUNS OF ST PATRICK’S - The St. Patrick's Float Green and Growing will be in the parade come rain or come shine.  We just hope that the Irish Eyes will be smiling on us on Saturday morning and keep us warm. Please dress according to the weather--layers are the best and be green on top. If you want to check in and then stay warm in you car for a while, just let me know.

We are still scheduled to line up on Jones Street between 12th & 13th Streets around 9:30am. If you can not find us just ask one of the Royal Hibernians that are helping with the parade.  (They will have a Green. White and Orange sash on and will direct you to us.)  We will have a 9 foot tall Celtic cross on the float so we should be easy to spot. One good thing is we are the last float in the parade so you should have time to find us.  We will not have the Belgium horses in the parade due to Melinda's Dad being ill.  We will miss him and hope we can use him next year.

A BIG THANKS to all the Committee members who have spent so much time making the cross, painting, making flower pots, lining up the horses, making flower headbands, banners, building a float trailer, driving Brother Joseph, or dressing up as a Dancing Shamrock and Leprechauns or even ST. Patrick the Sheppard.  You are all the BEST!  I truly believe this is our GREATEST FLOAT PRESENTATION EVER!  I received a note that there are already over 120 entries in the parade, so we must all show our school and parish pride and cheer loud. Please pray for warm sunshine and a 6th first Place trophy for St. Patrick's of Elkhorn. See you all Saturday morning in the Old Market. If you need any directions please call either Patti O'Hertel-681-3721 (cell) or Steve O'Robey-490-1633 (cell).

PARISH 140TH ANNIVERSARY T-SHIRT ON SALE NOW! Home and School now has available a St. Patrick's Church 140th anniversary t-shirt.  It is Kelly green and just perfect for parade wear!  Priced at just $6.00 per shirt--the entire family can own one!  The shirts are in stock and ready for delivery!  They will be for sale after school Friday in front of the office or e-mail me anytime and it will be sent home with your child.  FYI if anyone is still interested in any apparel, a new order is being placed for the track team and we can add other items as well.  Any questions or to place an order e-mail Joan at jquinn26@cox.net

KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP – There will be a Kindergarten Roundup meeting for Parents with students that are accepted for Kindergarten for the 2008-2009 school year.  This meeting is ONLY for the parents and will be held on April 1st, at 7pm in the Parish Center.  Kindergarten Roundup for incoming 2008-2009 Kindergarteners will be on April 4th.   There will be two sessions 9:00 to 10:30am and 1:30 to 3:00pm.  Pre Kindergarten Students that go to Morning class will attend the morning session of Roundup.  Pre Kindergarten Students who attend the afternoon class will attend the afternoon session.  If you are not enrolled in our Pre Kindergarten Program, but are accepted in our Kindergarten classes for next school year, please plan to follow this…. Last name, A - M should attend the Morning Kindergarten Roundup and Last Name N – Z will attend the Afternoon Kindergarten Roundup.

DATA WIRING PARTY – On Saturday, April 12th, from 8:00am to 4:00pm, we are running data-communication lines in the lower level of the new building. This is a work community project that we can all do together that will save us over $20,000 in capital campaign funds.  We would appreciate it if you would be able to help us with this project.  All we need is you, your hard work ethic and a step ladder; no experience is needed.  We just need your help climbing ladders and holding wires back.  This would be a great opportunity for student service hours. Don’t miss out on the fun. Please contact ridderd@stpatsekhorn.org if you and/or your spouse can help. 

SCRIP - A big “thanks” to Younkers for allowing us to sell their Community Days coupon booklets!  We sold 49 booklets – thus, our SCRIP program made $245!  Free money! Thanks to everyone that participated!  Hopefully, you all got some great deals!  RUNZA night is on for Tuesday, March 18 from 5-8PM at the 168th & Maple location!!!!  St. Pat’s H&S SCRIP will get 15% of all drive-thru and/or receipts!!! CASH or CREDIT – gift cards do NOT count!  SCRIP profit for the month of February was $813.40!  Our total profit from June 1, 2007 thru February 29, 2008 is $7877.17.  THANK YOU to all families who participate in the SCRIP program!!!!  When you buy SCRIP gift cards to stores, restaurants, and hotels – our school gets FREE MONEY! Thank you!  If you have any SCRIP questions, contact Jane Chapman @ 553-6131 or email KCCJDC@cox.net.

THE ATHLETIC COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU- This Saturday, March 15th, the Athletic Committee will be marking the St. Pat's soccer fields, and mending nets for the spring season.  We will start at 1:00pm and go until about 4:00pm.  No special knowledge is necessary for you to help with this task.  We hope you will consider helping since "many hands make light work".

ST. PATRICK’S ANNUAL FISH FRY – St. Patrick’s Men’s Club will hold their annual Fish Fry in the Parish Center on Friday’s during Lent (February 15th through March 14th).  They will serve Catfish and/or Pollack Fillets from 5pm to 8pm.  Adults are $8 and children ages 4 to 12 are $4. 3 yrs old and under are free.  Cheese pizza and Mac-n-Cheese will be available as well.  Drive thru service available for those on the go.  Just pull in and follow the signs.  The take out will be brought to your car.

DESSERTS FOR THE LENTEN FISH FRYS - The St. Pat’s Men’s Club will hold a Lenten Fish Supper each Friday night during Lent. We ask all parishioners to help supply the dessert for these suppers. We request that each family bring a pie, small cake, dessert bars, or other dessert (about 6 to 10 servings) to the parish center on the Friday designated by the first letter of your last name on the following schedule. Each family will have to donate only one week. 

LAST NAMES BEGINNING WITH:                               DATE        

T through Z                                                               March 14                                                        

We want to thank each of you in advance for your cooperation and invite you to join us for a great meal each Friday.

AUCTION WRAP UP PARTY - Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make this year's "Field of Dreams" a huge success!  We raised over $170,000 for St. Patrick's Parish!  To celebrate this job well done we're having an auction wrap-up party on Friday, March 28th at 7:00pm.  It will be held at David & Gigi Jensen's home. This will be a very casual event for anyone who volunteered in any way with the auction.  So bring your spouse or a friend, beverage of your choice and an appetizer to share. Please spread the word to friends and fellow committee members. Announcements will also be made for next year's dinner/auction - plans will be underway soon!  Thank you again for volunteering your time to the auction!  Questions or need directions email Deb Gustafson at debragustafson@hotmail.com or call 491-3820.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT RECERTIFICATION - St. Patrick’s will be hosting a Safe Environment Recertification class on Thursday, March 27, 2008, from 7:00 - 8:00pm in Boland Hall Room A.  This is for those who previously attended the initial training session and need to renew.  Contact Jenni Vankat at 359-1950 or jvankat@stpatselkhorn.org to register.

DO YOU Need Service Hours? – Youth needed to assist with the Fish Fry on Fridays during Lent from 5-8 pm or 6th - 8th graders who want to be part of the St. Pat’s dinner on Sunday, March 16th from noon to 3 pm.  Volunteers need to help decorate and to bus tables. Youth entertainers also needed whether vocal or instrumental, solo or group, to provide background music during the meal.  Contact Jenni Vankat at jvankat@stpatselkhorn.org to sign up.

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