November 6, 2009

Dear Families,

Conferences went well last evening.  We will have the rest next Thursday, November 12.  Do you like having conferences on two evenings or one evening and one morning?

We have had a great week.  We had the surprise lyceum, we went to the Opera House for “The Tale of a 4^th Grade Nothing”,  and we had marathon parties.  The students seemed to enjoy the surprise lyceum which was the Zoomobile from the Minnesota Zoo.  She brought 5 animals, birds etc. for us to learn about.  If your student has not mentioned the assembly, please ask them about it. 

Tonight is movie night for 4^th-6^th grades.  Each student can bring a friend.  Admission is $4  plus a donation for the Hope Shop.  For $4, a student will get pop, popcorn, and the movie.  Additional concessions will be available for a cost.

Thank you to all who came and supported the sixth graders spaghetti meal last Sunday.  It sounds like they did well for their trip to Eagle Bluff.

Today in your Friday folder there is a form that tells how many points your family has completed.  Nancy Reischl is the points chairperson.  If you have any questions please call her at 238-4074.  When you are recording your points for “Points for Parents” in the black book, please remember to write down the number of hour(s) you were involved in the activity.  That will give Nancy a better idea of what to put down for your points.  Thanks!!

Beginning the week of November 30th, we will have Roller Skating in gym classes for all students.  We could really use some help from 9:45-10:45 AM  to get skates on the Kindergarteners,  1st graders and 2nd graders.  We would very much appreciate it.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU to NATE BROWN for volunteering to coach the 5^th and 6^th grade boys basketball team.  He does not even have a child on that team.  Elizabeth Shimon has agreed to do the scheduling.  Thank you to her also.  As soon as we get every thing finalized we will pass on that information.  We will have a parent/student meeting soon.  Practices will start after Thanksgiving.

We are doing much better with illness at SJV School .  This week we have the normal 4-6 students absent each day.  Much better than the 22 that were absent a few weeks ago.

Our “Harvest Mass” is Wednesday, November 18th and we will have boxes in the classrooms to collect for the food shelf so you may bring items in anytime until then.  The items needed are spaghetti sauce, hamburger and tuna helpers, peanut butter, jelly, boxed mashed potatoes, noodles, crackers, juices, and canned meats including tuna, ham, spam, chicken.  Canned fruit  and canned soups are NOT needed at this time.  Any paper products including kleenex, or hygiene items would be greatly appreciated.  We will be collecting for a couple of weeks so send in your donations any time.

The “Gifts from the Heart Mass” is during Mass on December 2nd.   Items may include toys, games, hygiene products and hats and mittens.  Give what your family can afford. 

Please keep Brian and Karman Brinkman and family in your prayers.  Brian’s father passed away after battling cancer for four years.  He was able to come to Grandparent’s Day in September.  Our deepest sympathies go out to them.

Check out our website and look at the scrapbook.  There are pictures from the marathon and other school activities.    www.sjvschool.net 

We have a printer in one of our classrooms that is not working well.  If anyone has a printer that they would like to donate, we would love it.

Remember that 4-H is next Thursday, November 12^th, after school until 4:30 PM.

Now that the first quarter is over, I would like your input on a few changes we have made to improve our school.  I am wondering how parents like the new online grade book.  Is it easy to access and navigate.  Do you have any comments on the new Math series?  Parents of 5^th and 6^th grade, do you like the fact that the conferences are scheduled for you so you have an exact time to come.  Please call me, see me, or email me at jschaffer@sjvschool.net  with any comments.  Thank you!

Thank you so much to the families that have written notes about absences, appointments and changes from the normal after school schedule.  We really appreciate that.

Second graders are serving coffee and donuts on Sunday after both Masses.  This is a free social gathering so come join them.  No donations are allowed.

Have a great weekend.  The weather is suppose to be delightful.

God’s Blessings,

Joan Schaffer

Principal