Dear Parents,

The 2017-18 School Calendar will be released next week. There are a few important points I want to highlight for you on the new calendar.  The major change is with the structure of the school year.  Next year we will be moving from a quarter system to a trimester system.  Trimesters break the school year into three parts, and students will get three official report cards during the year.  Neither the length of the school year nor the start and end dates of the school year will be affected by this move.  This modification was decided collaboratively with the teachers for several reasons.
 
1.     Trimesters provide more time for students to learn and demonstrate proficiency of the many standards for which they are accountable.
2.     Trimesters provide more time in the beginning of the year for students to acclimate to a new school, grade level, and/or schedule before the first grading period closes.
3.     Trimesters provide more time for teachers and parents to identify and correct areas of concern during the grading period.
4.     Trimesters allow for more flexibility for teachers to pace and plan curriculum and ensure mastery of content.

As a staff we are excited about this change, because we anticipate that it will help lead to higher student achievement.  Many other schools in our area have made this switch and have already experienced this success.

The second highlight is with fall conferences.  Next year, conferences will take place before the report cards are released.  This conference is designed for parents and teachers to meet together to address areas of concern before the end of the grading period.  It will also provide enough time for the student to make necessary changes that will help lead to higher overall achievement. 

Conferences are scheduled on the evening of November 8 and during the day and evening of the 9th. As in the past, SignUpGenius will be used for you to schedule your times.

We do have some early dismissals scheduled this upcoming year to allow staff to hold important meetings during their contracted times.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly at pat@st-alphonsus.org or 414-421-1760.  I anticipate a strong finish to the 2016-2017 school year and look forward to a great school year next year.

God Bless,

Mrs. Wadzinski


3K Leprechaun Hunters 



__________________________________
5K Mitten Play




5K Mitten Play




Message from Mr. Tim Lethlean, School Safety Coordinator

Earlier today, we ran a school-wide Lockdown/Inside Threat drill.  The practice exercise was a strong success.  

We continue to evolve our Lockdown procedure to include current best practices and maintain our alignment with our crisis response partners at Greendale Schools.  This drill was the first time many grade levels practiced barricading and other techniques.  All performed admirably.

The presentation slides we've shared with students this month to educate them on the Lockdown response plan are now posted at http://www.st-alphonsus.org/school_student_safety_training.cfm.  Please feel free to review; your feedback is always welcome!

As always, we take the safety of our children seriously.  Thank you for your continued support.
 

Spring Art Sale

Home and School is excited to kick off the 2017 Art Sale in partnership for the first time with Original Works!  Original Works offers a great selection of quality products featuring YOUR child's artwork! Next week, a packet containing art, order forms, and instructions for the Spring Art Sale will be coming home with your child. PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHILD'S BACKPACK FOR THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION.  Artwork from each child has been received and checked in, so EVERYONE should have a packet coming home by  3/24/17 !  Again, if there are any questions or concerns, please email Jennifer Nencka at  drjennypt@gmail.com .  Thank you, and keep an eye out for your little artist's masterpiece!


Scrip Delivery Change – This Week ONLY

Due to volunteer scheduling conflicts, this week all Scrip orders coming home through backpack mail will be sent home tomorrow, FRIDAY, March 17th, instead of the usual Thursday timeline.  Backpack orders will be filled at the conclusion of our Friday morning lobby sales.  Please keep in mind that “Friday morning pickup” is not be available as a delivery option this week, as your order will not be retrieved from the office until after 8:30am.  You are invited to come to purchase your Scrip in person in the lobby tomorrow (Friday) morning between 7:30-8:30am, or during regular weekend Scrip sales in the community room (Sat. 4:00-4:30pm, Sun. 8:30-11:00am).

Again, this is a one-time change.  Scrip will return to our regular backpack schedule next week.  Thanks in advance for your understanding.


Pet Supply Drive Update

Thank you to all the families who sent items in for the Daisy Scout Pet Supply Drive. Donation boxes are still out and will be delivered to the Wisconsin Humane Society next week.  Please bring in any donations by  Friday.  We appreciate your support!

St. Patrick’s Day - Give up! Take up! Lift up!

A wonderful opportunity to TAKE UP a good cause is approaching. The entire school family is invited to participate in the “Wearin’ of the Green and Jeans for Daphine” tomorrow, Friday, March 17th. This school service will enable us to continue our annual support of Daphine, a young girl in Africa. Our school pays for her school tuition and room & board. We ask that students, 3K – 8th donate $1 (or more) for this non-uniform day and adults staff members donate $5 (or more). We are hoping to get 100% participation.


FINANCIAL AID – APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 30, 2017

We are again working with TADS to process Financial Aid applications.  The Financial Aid application can be accessed by clicking on TADS Financial Aid tab located at the bottom left side of the St. Alphonsus School website at www.st-alphonsus.org/school.  The deadline to submit applications is March 30, 2017.  Financial Aid decisions will be made and communicated via email on May 1, 2017, for all applications received by March 30, 2017.  Please do not delay your application.  If you know you will be in financial need for the 2017-2018 school year, please apply now.  The financial aid resources are very limited. 

In order to qualify for Financial Aid you must be a parish member, your 2016-2017 TADS account must be in good standing, and your child must be enrolled full-time at St. Alphonsus.  Financial Aid in not available for students in 3K, part-day 4K, or part-day 5K.


Fish Fry 

The Fish Fry had another very successful night serving just under 500 again!! Thank you to the 7th graders and their families for all of their help in making this another successful Friday.

The number of volunteers was amazing, and this helped with the night running smoothly.
6th graders and their families are up for this Friday, March 16th. Please make sure to sign up to volunteer as soon as possible. We need fryers and can always use people on the clean-up crew!

Your Fish Fry Volunteer Coordinators,

Mandy Sowa
Mandy1212.sowa@gmail.com

Tracie Roberts
Tracie_roberts@hotmail.com


Spring Conference Scheduling

If you would like to schedule a conference with your child's teacher and have not yet done so, below are the links

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C094FAEAD2FAA8-patterson  Patterson

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094faead2faa8-spring1 Gr. 5K - 7

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C094FAEAD2FAA8-brettingen  Brettingen, Boyle, Strangfeld, Ligocki

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094faead2faa8-spring  Encore (Specialists)



Mrs. Duckert and Fifth Graders celebrating Pi Day!

____________________________________________


Eighth Grade Students Identifying Mixtures


Third Sunday of Lent

Theme: Jesus is the Living Water

Question for Children: How do you experience Jesus helping and loving you?

Question for Youth: Jesus revealed himself to an outcast of society. How can you be “living water” to the outcasts of your school? Society? The world?

Question for Adults: When you are tempted to try to satisfy your “thirst for meaning” through some other means, what keeps you coming back to the living water of intimacy with Christ? Through what means do you experience Christ’s power in your life: Sacraments? Scripture? Prayer? Others?
IMPORTANT INFORMATION



Dates

03/17/17 Wearin' of the Green and Jeans for Daphine

03/18/17 Communion Retreat 9:00am - Parents join at 1:30 pm

03/20/17 Gr. 3 Doll Baptism

03/21/17 School Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. in the Fr. Alan Meeting Room 200

03/22/17 Gr. 5 - 8 Grandparent Day 8:00am to 10:00am

03/22/17 Mass 8:00am

03/23/17 Early Dismissal 11:30pm

03/23/17 Conferences 12:30pm to 6:45pm

03/24/17 NO SCHOOL

03/25/17 Communion Retreat 9:00am - Parents join at 1:30pm

03/29/17 Cousin's Night at 76th & Rawson 4:00pm to 7:00pm

03/29/17 Gr. 8 Seder Meal

03/29/17 Mass 8:00am

03/31/17 Non-Uniform Day

06/08/17 Last Day of School - Note Change from Calendar


Lunch Recess Help - 11:30am - 12:18pm

Every school family is asked to take a turn twice a year to help supervise students at lunch-time recess (indoors or out).  We need two volunteers each school day.  Please call the school Office at 414-421-1760 to sign up to take your turn.  Thank you!


Next Week's Safety Patrol

Sebastian R., Kellyn S., Evan S., and Emma S.

Thank you for helping to keep your schoolmates safe!