Welcome Back!

It was very nice to see so many of you last Thursday evening for the open house.   It sounded like the summer was filled with lots of time for fun and relaxation!   I look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday – I know this year will be filled with many opportunities for growth and fun.  

I also have some very exciting news – Room 203 has a SMARTBOARD!!!!   Thank you to the technology committee and to the parents for supporting our technology needs – I’m looking forward to using it with the laptops – I think I will have to rely on the kids for some tutoring!!!

Please note the following:

• 8S Homeroom – I have your schedule available as a file – you are welcome to print it out and color code it if you wish   **possible bonus opportunity
• Remember all folders and notebooks for my classes should have your name and class name on the front top right hand corner – red stays as religion and blue for math
• Remember 3 boxes of Kleenex and either paper towels and Clorox wipes or a box of band-aids and hand sanitizer should be brought to school on Wednesday if you have not already dropped them off.   Please make sure I check off your name.
• Technology Permission/Walking Field trip/Transportation/Photo consent papers need to be returned to me – please bring them on Wednesday if you have not already dropped them off
• 8^th grade will be planning the first All School Mass next Tuesday, September 7^th – we will also install the Safety Patrol members at that Mass.
• You will also need to sign up for a fine arts class if you have not already done so
• We will have an Assembly in the gym at 9:00 on Wednesday morning – regular schedule for all other classes

This year also marks the 150^th anniversary of St. Mary’s Grade School – we will be planning many exciting activities throughout the year to celebrate.   Our school theme is “Joined together by faith for 150 years”.   We also want to remember that we are part of the St. Mary’s Parish community and need to support our parish.   We have been asked to remind you about the upcoming parish Fall Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 11^th and 12^th.   Please do what you can to support our parish.

My mother was organizing her basement a few months ago and came across an old textbook of mine from St. Francis de Sales in Lake Geneva  As I looked at it I recognized the book cover that we all had to use and on the back it had a list of things to remind us of how we should live our lives.  In closing, I wanted to share this list as a review of what a Catholic education means:

ALWAYS REMEMBER:

The Power of Prayer

The success of perserverance

The pleasure of working hard at something

The Value of Time

The influence of example

The power of kindness

The obligation of duty

The virtue of patience

The worth of character

The improvement of talent

The presence of God.

I don't think any of the above ideas will ever go out of style.