PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Jan 26 & 27                   Catholic Schools Week Kick-Off – Wear uniforms with sweaters to Mass

Jan 28 – Feb 1               Catholic Schools Week

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

Jan 31                             8th Grade Mass at Cathedral – Luncheon to follow

Feb 1                              Dress Down Day – Wearing school apparel/colors

Feb 2                              Annual St. Patrick’s Parish Dinner Auction

Feb 5                              H & S Meeting in Gym Entrance @ 7pm

Feb 6                              Ash Wednesday – Masses @ 8:30 and 11:30

Feb 7                              2nd – 8th Grade Progress Reports Sent Home

Feb 11& 12                     PreS/PreK Valentine’s Parties

Feb 13                          “Biker Themed” Dress Down Day

Feb 13                           NO SCHOOL for Pre Kindergarten classes

Feb 13& 14                     PreS/PreK Parent/Teacher Conferences

Feb 14                           NO SCHOOL - Parent/Teacher Conferences upon request

Feb 15                           NO SCHOOL

DID YOU KNOW….that our school board recently approved the Houghton Mifflin traditional math series?  This decision was made in order to further meet the needs of our students and prepare them for the rigors of middle school and high school levels of mathematics.  This is an exciting time for our students as they will become even more confident in their fact foundation, application of skills, and it will allow for smooth transitions between grade levels.   We are going to build on the successes of the conceptual theories that are utilized with Everyday Math.

INFORMATION ON THE BUILDING PROGRESS – The building progress and F & B Constructors are in full swing despite the freezing temperatures. Work on the roof of the new addition is underway.  The upper level is 70% framed and the lower level drywall will take place very soon.   Take a moment to view the pictures of the progress 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 need to 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. A sign that states “DO NOT ENTER Monday – Friday from 7:45 to 8:15 and Wednesday 3:45-9:00” will be in place soon.  You must abide by this regulation

STEWARDSHIP FORM – All families must complete a “2007 Feed The Sheep” stewardship form to receive the parishioner tuition rate for the 2008-2009 school year.  The form can be found and printed off from the Admissions link on the school website.  This form MUST be completed annually to meet the admissions policy for St. Patrick’s School.  Current student registration forms will go home the week of conferences in February.  The completed forms may be dropped in the Sunday Collection basket, sent to the school office or mailed to the parish office in a sealed envelope. 

LUNCH ACCOUNTS – For your information, all credits for family lunch accounts will carry over from this 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.

EXTENDED CARE UPDATE- Due to the high volume of students attending extended care we need to make sure all students in need of care are registered.  Any family that needs care should have a registration form filled out and a calendar turned in.  Drop-In care is only for emergencies and need prior approval.  These stipulations are enforced in accordance with Nebraska Health and Human Services Regulations.  Our student to teacher ratio must always be within the state parameters.  If your child needs to be enrolled for any future care, applications are available on the school website.  Contact Dana Gerten with any questions 350-7200, dgerten@msn.com.

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

BLOOD DRIVE A SUCCESS - Thank you, thank you for your wonderful support! St. Patrick’s School and RF registered 112 people and collected 105 units of blood.  The American Red Cross thanks the students, donors, teachers, catechist and volunteers. You all potentially changed the lives and given hope and health to 315 patients and their family and friends. Our students learned how valuable a lesson that what they have can be shared with others.

LOCKS OF LOVE – This year we had a wonderful turn out, again, for donations of hair given to the Locks of Love.  This program makes wigs donated from real hair and gives them to children that are going through treatment for cancer and other illnesses that cause a loss of hair.  This year 27 students donated their hair.  They included:  Isabelle Brown, Kirsten Meyer, Jordan Gustafson, Delaney Jakopovic, Megan Raszler, Megan Sitzmann, Allison Raszler, Abby Lenz, Jaden Thiem, Madeline Meier, Tierney Johnson, Paige Hoffmann, Lauren Gamm, Deon Gottsch, Mackenzie, Allison McMahon, Morriah Nelson, Mackenzie Woita, and Mary, Hadley, Becca and Grace Chvatal.  Teachers that donated were Julie Simons, Kathleen Gottsch, Sonja Dreher, Diane Anielak and parent Nancy Raszler.  Other relatives and friends who also donated hair from a previous hair cut include Kaityn Parlor, Amber Johnson, Kelly Fortune, Maddie Steinauer and Jenica Jackson.  Stylists donating their time included Tammy Kloewer, Sarah Miller, Denise Kimnach, Julie Fay, Sarita Mendoza and Kim Mandolfo.  A big THANK YOU to everyone! 

ST. PATRICK’S 2008 SCIENCE FAIR DATE –  The St. Patrick’s School 7th & 8th graders will host a Science Fair on Thursday, March 6th, 2008 in the Parish Center from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.  All who can attend are welcome to join in witnessing the upper grades of our school represent themselves at the highest level.

6th & 7th GRADE FOOTBALL NEWS - Our player sign-up date is 2/19/08 from 6:30-7:30pm. All St. Patrick’s Catholic School 6th &  7th grade boys as well as the RF 6th & 7th grade boys are invited and encouraged to sign up. Look for more information to come in Principal Notes.

CHANGE IN SPRING MUSIC PROGRAM DATES – Due to our growing number of students and their families, we have decided to move from having two Spring Music Programs to three programs.  This should allow for more comfortable seating, ease to parking issues and a more enjoyable experience for all. The dates and grades associated with them are listed below:

Tuesday, April 29th         Kindergarten & 1st grade

Tuesday, May 6th             5th – 8th grades

Monday, May 12th           2nd – 4th grades

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 1 week left to sell.  Contact those neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers.  Anyone who bought a house lottery ticket is someone to ask again!  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 Cameron Lacoma, from Mrs. Matz’s  3rd Grade Class.  His name was drawn from the 44 different school and RF students who have turned in tickets.  Make sure your name is in next week’s drawing.  

DRESS DOWN DAY – Because we have exceeded our goal of selling 750 raffle tickets for the Harley Davidson Sportster (or $10,000 Cash) that will be raffled off at the Dinner/Auction on February 2nd, our students have earned a “Dress Down Day”.  The day is a “Biker Boy/Girl” Theme. This day will be on February 13th.   Our next reward will be when we have sold 1,250 tickets; this reward will be a “Wear Your Favorite Sports Team” Theme Dress Down Day.  This reward will also include a surprise for each student!  Keep selling those tickets and help us meet our goals.  If you are in need of more tickets to sell, please contact the school office.

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 attends.  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 (Link below for Special Friends Visit)

Last name beginning with:

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 Stars (in PC)

1:10-1:55 - PreK-3rd  Grade

2:05-3:00 - 4th-8th Grade

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK SPECIAL FRIEND DAY FORM

SCRIP TIP OF THE WEEK… The new Menards in Elkhorn is now open! Menards gift certificates are available through SCRIP in $25 and $100 increments!  Menards gives a 3% discount.  Doing some home improvements?  Need light bulbs?  Batteries?  Menards has it all.  Stop by the Information Desk at school or after masses by the Parish Center steps to purchase your Menards gift certificates!!  You can also get many other gift cards – groceries, fast-food, Kohl’s, JCPenney’s.  Please check it out – It is free money that goes directly to our school. If you have any questions or comments?  Contact Jane Chapman @ 553-6131 or email KCCJDC@cox.net. Thanks for supporting our SCRIP program!

HYVEE SMILES FOR EDUCATION - Our receipts have been totaled and submitted. St. .Patrick’s collected a total of $122,891.22 in receipts. We will be receiving a check in the amount of $614.45 sometime in the month of February.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION - Our check for the first submission date of October 15, 2007 has been received.  A check in the amount of $1694.48 was deposited into the Home and School account.

Keep collecting and sending your box tops for education into the school. The next submission date for this year is February 28, 2008.

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.

REGISTER NOW FOR SPRING SPORTS - Late Registration is still open for CYSL Spring Soccer.  Teams have already been formed so there is no guarantee of space. You may also still register for the following sports:

•Micro Soccer (Spring 2008) Late charges will begin on Feb. 15th

•T-Ball (Spring 2008) Late changes will begin on Feb. 15th

You can access the online registration from the St. Patrick’s Athletic Page, via the following link: http://stpatselkhorn.org/athletics/Athleticsindex.cfm.  If you have any questions regarding online registration, please contact Lynette Davis – Cell Phone – 402.496.0764

DESSERTS FOR THE LENTEN FISH FRYS - The St. Pat’s Men’s Club will once again be holding a Lenten Fish Supper each Friday night during Lent. We are asking all parishioners to help supply the dessert for these suppers. We are asking that each family bring a pie, small cake, dessert bars, or other dessert (about 6 to 10 servings) to the parish hall 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. 

Beginning letter

Of your last name:                                     Date:

A through D                                                   February 8

E through H                                                   February 15

I through L                                                     February 22

M through P                                                  February 29

Q through S                                                   March 7

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.

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.

LIONS CLUB ~ RECYCLE FOR SIGHT- Throughout the year Lions, Leos and other volunteers collect used eyeglasses for donation to Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers that are located throughout the world. The eyeglasses are cleaned, classified by prescription, and then distributed to those in need by Lion volunteers and other organizations hosting optical missions in developing countries. The goal of the program is to meet the demand for quality eyeglasses in developing nations. Currently, it costs less than US $0.08 to provide someone with recycled eyeglasses. All types of eyeglasses are acceptable, especially children’s eye glasses.  A box to drop off any unused glasses is located in the school entrance between the glass doors! If you want more information about Lions and their eyeglass program contact John Unruh @ 289-3244.

DON’T MISS OUT ON ST. PATRICK’S FIELD OF DREAMS DINNER/AUCTION - "Field of Dreams" is February 2nd!  You don't want to miss the biggest parish event of the year at St. Patrick's!  There are some spots left, so get your reservations turned in today.  Don't forget to pick up your catalog after all Masses this weekend and start shopping! The online catalog is available at www.stpatsevents.org.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HELPING SET UP?  - We will be setting up the auction items at the DC Centre on Friday, Feb 1 from 10 am til 6 pm if you'd like to join us.  Whether you have an hour or two or the entire day, it's a fun way to get involved and get a sneak peek at the items!"

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.

with questions.

LITURGICAL TRAINING – St. Patrick’s training for Holy Communion Ministry (EMHC) and Lecturing will be held on February 14th from 7 to 10 pm at The Cathedral.  The Commissioning from the Archbishop will be on Feb. 28th at 7:30pm at The Cathedral. 

DANCING WITH THE NEBRASKA WIND SYMPHONY- Do you love to dance?  Then dance the night away while helping out Music in Catholic Schools.  Benefit dance, bake sale and silent auction featuring the Swingtones and Music in Catholic Schools Jazz Band will be held on Friday, February 1st at the St. Robert Bellarmine Mainelli Center from 7:30-10:30.  Tickets are $15 at the door.  Hope to see you there!  Click on the link for more information.  http://www.archomaha.com/Education/MCS/pdf08/Danceinfo08.pdf

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