St. Cecilia School News

February 2008

 

 

 

Hearing Tests

Beginning the week of February 4th, a nurse from the Ear Diagnostic Center will do audiometric screening for Grades K, 2, 5, and 8.  If your child is not in these grades, but you want to refer him/her for screening, please notify the school office by Friday, February 1.   We are grateful to Siobhan Orford for coordinating this service.

 

Re-registration

The Registration letter for 2007-2008 school year will be in the Wednesday Envelope on February 20.  The  Re-registration Fee ($225 per child) will be due on Tuesday, March 18.

 

Sandwiches

This is a reminder that each Thursday families can send an extra sandwich to school and put it on the bench outside the office.  Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society pick up the sandwiches by 11:00 and deliver them to one of the homeless shelters.  It is not necessary to put your sandwich in a brown bag.  A ³Sandwich² reminder is on the calendar for each Thursday.  Thanks to those families who have been faithful with this donation!

 

Year of the Rat

On Thursday, February 7, we will celebrate Chinese New Year--the Year of the Rat!  People born in the Year of the Rat are creative problem solvers, resourceful, and love to collect things!  Rat people were born in 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, and 2008!

 

Box Tops

We recently received a check for $1100 from General Mills Box Tops for Education. This is the most we have ever received!  Thanks to those of you who send in those box tops!

 

Lent

Wednesday, February 6, we begin the season of Lent -- a time of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting.  The faculty and clergy will be providing opportunities for the students to come closer to Jesus during this holy season:

 

            On Ash Wednesday, February 6, the school community will participate in a special 11:00 Mass prepared by the third graders.  All are welcome!

 

            Our school community will pray together in the morning as students from each class take a turn leading us in prayer on S.C.T.V.

 

            There will be an opportunity for students in Grades 2-8 to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesday, February 26.

 

            Each teacher will provide prayer experiences which will help the students walk with Jesus on this Lenten journey.  Students in Grades 3-8 will use Totally Lent, an age-appropriate Lenten booklet of Scripture readings and activities.

 

            During Lent the students will collect money for the Little Flower Primary School in Lesotho, Africa.  This school is staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Names, the same community of Sisters at St. Cecilia School.  This year there are 292 students enrolled at Little Flower Primary School in Kolonyama, Lesotho.  Of this number 34 boys and 57 girls have been orphaned through the death of one or both parents!  Often they are living with grandparents who are unemployed and unable to provide new clothes, proper food, or tuition.  The principal reports, ³It seems the school is the only place of their comfort.²  Already the teachers, Sisters, and other students who are able are trying to provide uniforms, track suits, shoes, and other clothes for those children who come to school in tatters.  The school also tries to provide these students with vegetables and maize meal for nutrition and takes care of their health needs at the clinic the Sisters have close by.  The care of ONE child at Little Flower Primary School for ONE year is  $90.00 which covers tuition, books, uniforms, school fees, and pilgrimages.

 

            For more information see the Sisters of the Holy Names website (snjm.org).  Go to the link path: Provinces, Lesotho, Ministries, Little Flower Primary School.

                                                                                     

            Abstinence

Everyone fourteen years of age and older is bound to abstain from meat on ASH WEDNESDAY and FRIDAYS of Lent.

 

            Fast

Everyone eighteen years of age and older, but under the age of sixty, is also bound to fast on ASH WEDNESDAY and GOOD FRIDAY.  On these two days, the law of fast allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food during the day, so long as this does not constitute another full meal.  Drinking liquids during the day is permitted.  When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.  The faithful should not lightly excuse themselves from this obligation.

                                                                                                           

            ASH WEDNESDAY--Masses:  7:00, 9:00, 11:00 A.M. and 5:30 P.M.

 

Multicultural Day

On Thursday, February 21, we celebrate Multicultural Day!  This is a time for share your favorite regional cuisine at the International Food Fair.  We also look forward to the International Student Show.  Students will share part of their culture through music, dance, song, poetry, and performance.  We thank Helen Roy and Sandy Jadallah for chairing these celebrations!

 

Remember:

Presidentsı Day:              Monday, February 18                   No School

Teacher In-Service:           Monday, February 25                  Minimum Day

 

 

 

Graduates of St. Cecilia School are effective communicators who:

      express written thoughts clearly, using correct grammar and mechanics

express personal opinions respectfully and work cooperatively with others

speak clearly and confidently

exhibit listening skills