September 18, 2009      

Dear SJV Families,

     Thank you to all who attended the parish meeting on Monday night.  It was really good to see all of you there.  It is so important that your voice is heard.  Remember this is a process and the next meeting will be held September 28th at 6:30 PM.  Please continue to be part of this.

     Grandparents Day is next Friday, September 25th.  In your Friday folder is a form to fill out if you have guests attending.   Please return to the office by Wednesday, September 23rd.

     We are still having glitches with our new lunch program.  If you have not sent in any money for school lunches this year, you may want to send some $$ in.  We should have the printouts next Friday, but we do not want you to be surprised of the large bill as we are finishing our third week of school.

     Also, this year we will NOT be sending midterms home as parents will have access to grades at all times.  We will be sending home all the information on how to access the new system in next Friday’s folder.   The first midterm ends on Friday, September 25th so you will be able to check grades beginning on that day.

     We received a check this week from KWIK TRIP for $175 so your milk caps and labels do bring in a significant amount of money.  Also, the Catholic Daughters are no longer doing the pop tabs so there is no need to save these.  Just keep them on your pop cans and we will get that much more when we take in the pop cans for recycling.  Thanks!!

     If families know that the afternoon schedule for pick up or bus on a given morning is different than normal,  please send a note to your student’s teacher at the beginning of the day.  Teachers , often, do not have a chance to check their email during the day so messages may not be seen. 

     Remember that school pictures are Wednesday, September 23rd.  We will begin with preschool at 8:30 PM.  We are still in need of parents to help with this.  Please call the office to let us know if you can assist.  Thank you in advance.

          On Saturday, October 3, 2009, the 38th Annual Marathon for Nonpublic Education for SJV Students,  PK (optional) through 6th Grade will once again be held at the Fairmont Cardinal Track, 9 AM - 12 Noon.  St. Paul ’s Lutheran School in Truman and St. Paul ’s Lutheran in Fairmont will join us.  Please be welcoming as they join us for the morning.  Strollers are not permitted!  PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR  PETS ON THIS DAY!!!

     The goal this year is  $11,000.  Last year the school raised almost $14,000.  A portion of the proceeds from this year’s marathon will be for Smart Boards, a new laptop computer and travel expenses for the teachers to attend the National Catholic Education Association conference in Minneapolis in April of 2010.  Ten percent will go toward teacher workshops and a $100 “Wish List” for every teacher for use in the classroom.  Special events are being planned for this year’s event...live music with a DJ, face painting, hair glitter, refreshments and FUN, FUN, FUN!!  RAIN DATE: Saturday, October 10th!  A reminder that each family is to bring 1 dozen cookies, donuts or other goodies for all to enjoy marathon morning.  We will be combining the treat tables with Saint Paul ’s as the students go to either anyway.

     When asking for pledges, parents / guardians are asked to have their child(ren) identify themselves, state that they are representing SJV School , tell the purpose of the fundraiser and to use good manners. Children should avoid soliciting for pledges during the supper hour (5:00 - 6:30 PM).

     Attached to today’s letter is a marathon info sheet.  Also included is the pledge sheet envelope in which to put the pledge money.   Additional copies can be obtained on the table located outside the school’s office.  Please remember to send a separate check for each student’s envelope.  Please do not put one check in for a family.  This makes it so much easier for the money counters.  Thank you!

     Prizes will be awarded at various levels.   “SURPRISE” rewards will also be awarded to the entire school, if we bring in $5,500  by Thursday, Sept. 24th.   Pledge sheets for K-6th (including with cash / check donations) are to be turned in Thursday -9/24, Tuesday -9/29 and Thursday -10/1.  Our very last count day will be Tuesday, October 13th.

     Pledge sheets for preschool will be counted on Wednesday, September 30th, and Thursday, October 1st.   Pledges “will not” be credited to the student until payment is received in SJV office.  Pledge forms will be returned to the students so that they may continue to obtain additional pledges.

     Remember, all 2-way mailers are due back to the school by Friday, September 25, to count for that award.  All 2-way mailers need to have out of town addresses on them, along with stamps and the student needs to send out ten to qualify for the class award for the most mailers.   We will mail them from the school so we do not miss anyone who qualifies for the award.

     Please pray for the following families during this difficult time.  Barb Denney’s aunt and Bob Petrowiak’s godmother, Bunny Nawrocki, passed away this week.  Also passing this week was Angela Schultz and Laura Hady’s grandmother, Betty Bezdicek.

Our sympathies go to all the families. 

God’s Blessings,

Joan Schaffer

Principal