Parent Bulletin

PARENT BULLETIN

April 13, 2017

DAN'S BLOG

The teachers and I have enjoyed being able to help teach your children about Holy Week, and to focus at age-appropriate levels on the theme of "death and resurrection." This morning we see the end of the Lenten season and prepare for the Triduum - the three days which will bring to focus the Passion of Christ and then end with the Easter Vigil. Remember, you are invited to walk the Stations of the Cross with the classes tomorrow morning, and then school dismisses at noon for Good Friday. Being that Easter is the most joyous day of the year, we're going to take off Monday as a holiday to celebrate. Alleluia!

Our long time junior high social studies teacher, Todd O'Connor, has announced that he is not going to be returning next year. In a letter he wrote to upper-grade families last week, Mr. O'C explained why after 19 years teaching he needed to step away:

" These are hard, complex, and confusing times for everybody, myself included. Even the sturdiest of dispositions, or most resilient of souls, may find themselves knocked off-kilter, askew. For me, I now need to separate myself from the demands and managed, but often chaotic motions of our daily school routine. In so doing, I hope to re-center my soul of gravity and regain my footing in this profession, or another... I ask for your continued thoughts and prayers that God will restore my spirit to full strength and vitality, and/or will provide the compass of direction I need to go where I and my gifts are most presently suited - while remaining in better harmony with my existing capacities, preferred focus, and need for moderate pace... I believe St. Louise School to be one of the finest K-8 institutions in Washington State. Thus, this is just another reason why it is so hard to leave, and why I have stayed on for so long. It's not about finding some utopian, greener, school pasture somewhere, for St. Louise is already a definition of that. Rather, for me, it is about finding that pasture that is most suitable to my continued functioning, growth and challenge as a social studies and life educator, at this point in my journey, and at a pace and work load that is more focused, comfortable, and manageable to me as an individual."

If you've seen Todd teach, you can understand his need to rest. He's famous for pouring himself into his spirited lectures. It goes without saying that he'll be sorely missed! We've already started the search for a new social studies teacher in grades 7-8 for next year, and Mr. O'Connor will help us find that teacher who, though maybe not able to fill Todd's big shoes, can at least attempt to match his passion for history, civics, and current events.

We've also started looking for a new instructional assistant, as we're doing a shuffling of positions that has one of our current I.A.s leaving that role. Maria Zambrano currently is an I.A. in KB for Lauren Samson for 3/5 of the day as well as an I.A. in the 4th grade for 1/5 of the day, a recess supervisor for 1/5 of the day, and director of Kids' Club for 3/5 of a typical day. If you are good at math, you realize Maria works more than a full day! In an effort to keep her from an unhealthy number of hours working each week, and to help the school in our efforts to grow our preschool program, Maria's job title starting in August will be Director of Extra-Curricular Programs. With that, she will direct the extended day pre-kindergarten program four days a week starting at 11:45 a.m., and continue to direct the Kids' Club program five days a week every afternoon. Our pre-kindergarten program this coming fall will have 20 students in the standard morning session Mondays through Thursdays with Karen Salmon continuing as our teacher and again assisted by her two I.A.s - Sheila McAllister and Colleen Lowell. The new component is at 11:45, eight of the students will go home but 12 of the students will remain for an extended-day until 3:00 (2:00 on Mondays). For that extended-day, the preschoolers will be supervised by Maria and Marilu De La Torre, our afternoon Kids' Club supervisor. (Marilu will continue working in Kids' Club also next year.)

With Maria directing Kids' Club and extended day pre-K next school year, as well as acting as the administrator overseeing all other extra-curricular programs next year (from everything from after-school art classes to chess club to band), we will be hiring a 32.5 hours-per-week instructional assistant. This I.A. will be working approximately 3/5 of each school day in the KB kindergarten room, 1/5 of the day in the 4th grade, and 1/5 of the day supervising recess. For a full job description and explanation of how to apply, please go here . Please pass on this job opening news to any qualified person you know who is looking for a position.

Thanks for reading,

Mr. FITZ

p.s.

Yesterday, the Auction committee chairs got together with our new Auciton director, Sue Richards, and they got a sneak peek at the Auction theme and logo. The rest of you will have to wait one week - next Thursday we'll send each of you an "Auction Kick-Off Packet" of information, showing you not just the theme and logo, but giving you all the directions you'll need to start procuring donations and getting involved in our biggest party, biggest community builder, and biggest fund raiser! St. Louise needs EVERY ONE OF YOU to help make Auction 2017 a success! By being involved with the Auction, you will not only be helping your children's school raise critical funds, you will witness the blessing of our St. Louise community in action - the generosity, kindness, and St. Louise spirit will fill your heart and renew your appreciation for being part of the St. Louise family. There are so many different ways to help and contribute: whether you're the creative type or like to organize; enjoy working with kids or are best when directing adults; need to work from home or can help at school; have time only for a small job or can assist with a larger one. There is truly something for everyone, so please contact Auction Director Sue Richards to find out how you can be a part of our dynamic auction team. You'll make new friends while earning volunteer hours!

Finally, please read the article below regarding the upcoming AUCTION DECK PARTY! You may RSVP now - the party is in just 2 weeks!

School Calendar

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TODAY & TOMORROW

Today

Holy Thursday Prayer Service, 9:00AM; parents invited to meet outside the classroom at 8:45 and walk to church with their children

Friday, April 14

Good Friday Stations of the Cross (see article below for times; parents invited to walk the stations; please arrive 10 minutes early as times are approximate)
NOON DISMISSAL
No Afterschool Kids' Club

NEXT WEEK

Monday, April 17

NO SCHOOL; Easter Monday Holiday

Thursday, April 20

Special BAKE SALE for the students put on by school teachers and staff; the faculty will be baking cookies, brownies, etc. and selling them to raise funds, enabling them to purchase supplies which the faculty will then use to create mini-hygiene-bags; these bags - given to the Salvation Army for the homeless in our area - will be constructed as part of the faculty's spiritual retreat experience on their May 5th retreat day (by the way, May 5th is a no school day)

Saturday, April 22

Spring Spruce-Up from 8AM-12PM; meet outside the north wing with your yard tools

SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, April 29

Auction Deck Party, 6-8PM, RSVP here

Monday, May 1

St. Louise Day at Menchies! Grab some frozen yogurt from 2-7PM at Menchies in the Kelsey Creek/Walmart Shopping Center on Main Street and tell them you're from St. Louise. 20% of your purchase will be donated to St. Louise School! Double your support for St. Louise by buying Menchie's Charger Cards in advance! Menchie's rebate is 20% also!

Wednesday, May 10

Deadline to order a school yearbook; order here

Walk the Stations of the Cross Tomorrow

Led by our 8th graders, all the K-8 classrooms will walk the Stations of the Cross tomorrow - Good Friday - and parents and grandparents are invited to join us. It will take about 30 minutes' total to walk the Stations throughout the school and parish grounds, reflecting on the Passion of the Lord and stopping to say prayers. (Most Stations will be outdoors so students should dress accordingly.) Classes will begin walking at approximately the following times, so parents should wait outside the main school building under the second story deck 10 minutes prior to these times

8:45- 6A;

8:50-6B;

8:55-4B & 1A

9:05-2B;

9:10-7B;

9:15-5B;

9:20-KA;

9:25-KB;

10:40-4A;

10:45-3A;

10:50-3B;

10:55-5A & 2A

11:05-7A;

11:10-1B;

11:15-8A & 8B.

Remember, school dismisses at noon tomorrow, and there is no afterschool Kids' Club. Have a blessed Good Friday and joyful Easter!

Party on the Deck

Please save the date of Saturday, April 29, at 6:00 p.m. and plan to join fellow school parents on the school deck for a fun-filled evening celebrating our St. Louise community as we hold our second annual Auction Deck Party! The Auction Deck Party is a time to get everyone excited about volunteering for, procuring for, and looking ahead to the November 11th Auction at the Marriott.

Drinks & light appetizers will be served;
There will be drawings to win thrilling giveaways!
You'll get a sneak peek at sensational items that will be up for bid at the November 11th Auction;
FREE DRESS coupons for your kids will be given to all parents who attend!
Mingle with teachers and fellow St. Louise parents at this festive, free event.

The Auction Deck Party is for adults only, and we need you to RSVP HERE so we have enough food and beverages...and free dress coupons to hand out. Thanks!

Last Chance to Oder Tickets for Our School Musical

Our school musical - Seussical, Jr. - stars many of our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, who have been working on it since November. They will be performing at the Bellevue High School Theater on May 3 and 4. Ticket order forms are being sent home in today's Family Envelope. With no tickets sold at the door, and the best seats in the house filled on a first come-first served basis, you'll want to get in your ticket order now! Pre-ordered tickets will be sent home next week. For more information, contact the show's producer/director, Terry LaRussa Banton.

Do You Know of an Extraordinary Volunteer?

Every year St. Louise Parish School honors up to three school parents with our "Volunteer Extraordinaire" awards. This is recognition to parents who have given years of volunteer service above and beyond the fabulous volunteering most St. Louise parents are famous for. Past recipients include: Tom Brennan, Joni Hoffman, Sue Richards, Ingrid Flaat, Sarah Fleming, Andrew Miller, and Lori VanderZanden. If you know of a St. Louise parent you would like to recommend be considered for this award, please email Dan Fitzpatrick with a brief listing of the various ways this parent has done extraordinary volunteering over the years.

Wanna Earn 8 Volunteer Hours Before Lunch?

On Saturday, April 22, we'll be holding our next Spring Spruce-Up. Under the direction of head landscaper, Jeffrey Hummer, school parents and parishioners put on their work gloves and work around the parish and school grounds - weeding, planting, and spreading bark. If a husband and wife can work the 8AM-12PM shift on the 22nd, you'll log in 8 hours of volunteer time! Please RSVP to Jeffrey, as he needs to know how many volunteers he'll have, and thus be able to know which gardening tasks we can accomplish. Plus, Mike Fuerte will get a lunch count and serve sandwiches to all at noon as the morning wraps up. Make sure you bring your yard tools, including wheelbarrows if you are able

Invite Your Children's Grandparents

We would love to have your children's grandparents join us for a special, annual event - our Grandparents' Mass on Friday, May 12th, at 9:00 a.m. This morning includes a special liturgy, honoring grandparents for their special roles in their grandkids' lives, and then immediately following Mass, grandparents and grandchildren enjoy a reception in their classrooms. The morning ends at 10:30.

If you would like your child's grandparents to be mailed a special invitation to this event from the school, please complete the form provided in today's red Family Envelope and return to the school by April 19. If the grandparents are not available, another relative or special friend would be welcome to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Wagner in the development office.

Earn Free Dress With Charger Cards

This month of April, place an order online and earn a free dress day for all the kids in your family! Here's how it works:

> Place an online order of Charger Cards any time between April 1-28. (Promotion ends at 9:00am on April 28.)
> Simply one online order earns free dress for all the children in your family.

The free dress day will be Thursday, May 4.
> Any size order qualifies.

Place an order as small as one $10 Charger Card for any number of stores.
> Pay for your order online via Presto Pay, or pay by check.

An online payment is NOT required.

Here is the link to the Charger Card information page including Online Registration Directions: www.stlouiseschool.org/chargercards

Spring Has Arrived; It's Time to Get Back into the Garden!

Set your yard up for floral magnificence! New shrubs, plants, trees, and selections of fountains and statues for your outdoor space are available in store and online for delivery straight to your doorstep from Home Depot (in stock now in $25 and $100 denominations) and Lowe's. We also have Costco, Target, Fred Meyer and Pottery Barn cards for new home décor, outdoor furniture and more!

Fred Meyer Has Reopened!

The remodeled Fred Meyer on 148th in Overlake has finally reopened. Buy Fred Meyer/QFC cards and earn 5% rebates! Denominations are $25, $50, $100 or $250.

Please return Charger Card plastic envelopes to the main school office once you have received your Charger Card order.

For more information on Charger Cards and online ordering, please visit www.stlouiseschool.org/chargercards or email chargercards@stlouiseschool.org.

Charger Card Office hours: Fridays from 8:15-8:45am.

Go, Chargers!

Congratulations to our grade 6-8 volleyball teams who have made the upcoming CYO playoffs! Here is the schedule of playoff matches. Bring the family to cheer on a St. Louise Charger team.

Sunday, April 23
12:00 - 8^thAA Girls AA at St. Joseph Seattle

2:00 - 8^th AAA Girls at St. Joseph Seattle

4:00 - 6^th Girls at St. Louise

4:00 - 7^th Boys at Assumption Seattle

Tuesday, April 25

6:00 - 8^th AA Girls at St. Catherine Seattle - if they won on the 23^rd

Wednesday, April 26

7:00 - 6^th Girls at St. Catherine Seattle - if they won on the 23^rd
7:00 - 8^th Boys at Assumption Seattle

Saturday, April 29

9:00 - 6^th Boys at Assumption Seattle

10:00 - 8^th AA Girls at Holy Family Kirkland - if they won on the 25^th

12:00 - 6^th Girls at Assumption Seattle - if they won on the 26^th

12:00 - 8^th AAA Girls at Holy Family Kirkland - if they won on the 23^rd

1:00 - 7^th Boys at Holy Family Kirkland - if they won on the 23^rd

1:00 - 8^th Boys at St. Louise - if they won on the 26^th

And if the St. Louise teams win their semifinal matches on the 29^th, then it's on to Championship Sunday!

Sunday, April 30 - Championship Matches - all at Blanchet High School

12:30 - 6^th Girls

12:30 - 7^th Boys

2:00 - 8^th AA Girls

3:30 - 8^th AAA Girls

5:00 - 6^th Boys

5:00 - 8^th Boys

A Special Guest Is Coming to St. Louise

We are excited to announce that students in kindergarten through sixth grade will be meeting guest author Simon Calcavecchia this coming Wednesday, April 19. Simon is a local author and motivational speaker. He has written the picture book, The Adventures of Frank and Mustard; Stuck in the Mud. Simon visits schools to share his journey about becoming an author and how one event changed his life forever.

"In 2002, I broke my neck during a rugby game in Australia. The transition from my injury changed my life forever. However, it has allowed me to grow in ways I never imagined.

In the last decade, I have spent a tremendous amount of time working with kids. It is a passion of mine that has led me to publishing my first children's book. With it, I want to share my experience with quadriplegia." -- Simon Calcavecchia

Simon will base his presentations on the ages of the children. Even though he wrote a children's chapter book, he will be able to share his story with the older children and bring his motivational speaking skills to reach them at their level. The St. Louise Library is thrilled to have him visit, and parents are more than welcome to listen to one of Simon's presentations. Here is his schedule:

Grade 6: 8:40-9:25

Grades 4 and 5: 9:30-10:15

Grades K and 1: 10:50-11:30

Grades 2 and 3: 1:05-1:50

Thank you to the Parents' Club for funding this guest author visit through their enrichment grants program - which is made possible due to funds raised by the Walk-A-Thon. If you have any questions, please contact Cherie McIntosh.

Financial Peace University at St. Louise Parish

Financial Peace University (FPU) is a nine week program that helps people eliminate their debt and learn better financial habits. These behaviors are founded on commitment and accountability; learning new ways to get control over how you use your money. Financial Peace University's financial expert is Dave Ramsey, radio host and author; he'll offer practical ways to pay off debt, overcome your fear of budgeting, and create a savings plan to replace retirement worries with financial peace. Approximately 70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, regardless of their income. "Broke" has become the new normal in our nation, but this doesn't have to be true for you.

We're starting Financial Peace University classes at St. Louise Parish. We're offering this nine-week course on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays starting on April 18th, 19th and 20th. We setup the registration to register two participants at the same time (spouse, friend, relative, etc.) so each participant has an "accountability partner." You can register here. If you have any questions, please email FPU@stlouise.org.

There are more than 800 Scriptures on money, yet many people are frustrated when it comes to their finances because they haven't learned and applied them. What if you could live out your God-given dreams without money being your limiting factor? Enjoy the financial peace God has intended for us.

Congratulations to Cooper Thielman who was baptized last month. It's not many of us who, when we grow up, will remember the day we got baptized!

If you have a photo of your kids in a school or community event and/or at a CYO game, send it to Dan Fitzpatrick for possible publishing in an upcoming Parent Bulletin and/or to Catherine Saffel for possible inclusion in the end-of-year School Yearbook.

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