Dear Parents:
Friday is the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul. Vincent de Paul (24 April 1581–27 September 1660) was a priest of the Catholic Church who dedicated himself to serving the poor. He is a saint regarded in great respect. Vincent de Paul was canonized (officially declared a saint) in 1737. Please take a moment to read and reflect on the Prayer of Saint Vincent de Paul. Think about ways you can show a little kindness while making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
Dear Saint Vincent, the mere mention of your name suggests a litany of your virtues: humility, zeal, mercy, self-sacrifice. It also recalls your many foundations: Works of Mercy, Congregations, Societies. And the Church gratefully remembers your promotion of the priesthood. Inspire all Charitable Workers, especially those who minister to the poor - both the spiritually and the materially poor. Amen.
SANDWICHES-FOR-THE-NEEDY: Please don’t forget that this Friday, September 27th, is our next collection of sandwiches-for-the-needy. All are encouraged to participate and the kindergarten and first graders are charged with taking the lead that day.
PERSONAL ITEMS COLLECTION: Please remember that we will continue to collect personal items for the Little Sisters of the Poor and the residents of St. Anne’s Home in San Francisco through October 11th. Thank you to those who have already brought in donations; please keep them coming.
INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL: This weekend, St. Thomas More Church is holding it's 7th Annual International Food Festival in the schoolyard. Your support of this event is very much appreciated. The variety of foods offered is always delicious. Please check out the enclosed raffle flyer.
PROGRESS REPORTS: Progress Reports are going home today. This year all students, fourth grade and up, are receiving such a report. These progress reports show a snapshot of the student’s current academic standing with optional comments from their teachers. The grading scale is available here. As a system default, art, PE, music and tech will show P/100% for students who fully participate. Students in the lower grades with behavior and/or academic concerns have already been contacted by their child’s teacher. Please sign and return the progress report by Friday, September 27th, so that we know you have received the notice. If you wish to keep a copy of the report, you may make a copy of it before you return it or contact your child’s teacher directly.
FUNDRAISING CATALOGS: We have over 90% of your orders back, but we are still waiting for the stragglers. We need all the orders forms returned before we can place the school order. Please return those orders by tomorrow, September 26th.
BAND: We are still accepting sign-ups for our band program. Interested third through eighth grade students may use the flyer they are receiving today to sign-up. Band classes begin tomorrow at 3:00pm. If you are not sure about signing-up for this afterschool class, please visit with the band instructor tomorrow and try out some instruments.
ITBS TESTING: The annual ITBS testing continues this week. Results of this testing will be shared with you at the November parent conferences.
UTOPIA PARENT MEETING: At least one parent is required to attend the parent meeting tomorrow night in the preschool classroom from4:45pm-6:00pm. If possible please make childcare plans for children under 3 to allow the meeting to progress smoothly. Use this great opportunity to meet other preschool parents and to learn about the variety of activities and learning experiences in your child’s classroom.
FIELD TRIPS: In today’s Envelope, the preschool students are receiving permission slips for their upcoming field trip to the Lemos Farm Pumpkin Patch on October 17th. Please return the permission slip along with the fee by the due date. Also going on a field trip are the fourth graders who will visit the Academy of Sciences on October 8th. That permission slip is included in their envelope today.
FALL FESTIVAL: Sign-ups for the Fall Festival are now online. Please click here to select an assignment. The event will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, however, we need a lot of help setting up before and breaking down after the event.
LUNCH MENU/CALENDAR: We have included the October calendarof events in your Envelopes today as well as the school lunch menu for the month. Please keep them handy for reference.
UNIFORMS: We have been told that both uniform companies now have a supply of patches for the student cardigan. As a reminder, students have until September 30th to be in compliance with this new addition to the school uniform.
SHOPAROO: How are you doing?! We have almost $225 in our school account thanks to those who simply signed up for Shoparoo and snap their receipts. We were also #1 nationwide up until last weekend – snap those receipts and lets get back on top! There is no limit to how much money we can raise with Shoparoo, so be sure to invite your friends and neighbors to join in – every receipt counts!
TARGET: Thank you to all who participated in Give with Target. They have just extended the deadline to September 30th! Voting will support St. Thomas More School's Technology Program. Remember, each vote is worth $1, and currently we have 339 votes (this means $339). Just click on the red and white "vote" button at GiveWith.Target.com to vote for St. Thomas More School.
SCHOOL TOURS/APPLICATION FORMS: We ask your help in encouraging prospective parents to consider St. Thomas More School for their child for the 2014-2015 school year. You, our current families, are our best advertising! Please invite friends and relatives interested in St. Thomas More School to come to one of our school tours for prospective parents. Click here to reserve a place on one of the tours listed below:
- Tuesday, November 5th at 9:00am
- Thursday, November 14th at 9:00am
- Wednesday, November 20th at 11:00am
- Tuesday, December 10th at 9:00am
- Tuesday, January 28th at 9:00am
K-8 application forms for the 2014-2015 school year will be available in the front office and online beginning November 1st, 2013. Siblings of current students as well as preschool students can use the flyer in next week’s envelope to request an application. Students currently attending Utopia Preschool and/or with siblings currently attending St. Thomas More School will be given preference in the kindergarten class of 2014-2015.
YARD DUTY: Thank you for all who have signed up for yard duty. Our teachers really appreciate your help in the mornings and during snack and lunch recess. Just a couple of reminders – when volunteering for yard duty, please see that common sense rules of safety are followed and that children do not get too rough. If you see something of concern, please let the office know immediately.
How quickly the first month has passed! Students are well settled into their routines and for the most part, are excited to learn new things and to come to school everyday!
Sincerely,
Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal
Principal
