We invite three types of families to attend our Open House next Thursday the 16th starting at 6:30PM, taking place throughout the main school building, as well as the north wing and the gym:

           

        Thank you, parents, for confirming your Parent/Teacher Conference date and time with your child's homeroom teacher for November 20 or 21 in the recent Confirmation of Conference slips which were sent home. The teachers are looking forward to having this time to meet with you to go over the accomplishments of your children, to see the progress they've made in the curriculum and in the behavioral/social aspects of school, and to look ahead to what is coming up in the last 2/3 of the school year. 
        Remember, all grade 1-8 teachers have time built into the conference for the child himself/herself to speak and be a part of the agenda, so students in these grade levels are required to attend the conference. For pre-K and kindergarten, those students may be dropped off in the library while parents conduct their conferences. Our specialist teachers are supervising students and siblings in the library during the November 20-21 conference days.

       

Check out today's Family Envelope where you'll find the handout:

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PARENT-STUDENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES.

 

        If you are out-of-town on November 20-21, your child's teacher is waiting for you to contact him/her via an email and suggest another date for a before school (7:30AM) or after school (3:15PM) conference to hold in November or December. Thank you for being responsible for setting this up ASAP. The teacher's calendar is filling up, much like your doctor's and dentist's appointment books do, and you'll want to quickly contact the teacher to make sure you can find a date that works to come in as a family and conference. 

   

         Veterans' Day is November 11, and we want to give special thanks to any of our St. Louise parents and grandparents who are Veterans. Thank you for your service!

          Here is a video-prayer that you can join in with your family this weekend. It takes exactly two minutes to watch. Have your kids gather 'round your computer screen or phone screen to view it with you.

          Throughout the year, our 4th graders write letters to our Troops, thanking them for their service and telling them we are praying for their safe return. At left, Angela shows off the letter she wrote this week, as her classmates work on their letters behind her. The 4th graders don't just write occasional letters to servicemen and women, but they also collect necessary items to complete care packages to send to those who serve. Also, Mrs. Scruggs' and Mrs. Danforth's students connect with the children of the deployed Troops through the "Battalion Buddy" program. This program is designed to comfort the children while their parent is far away serving their country. A "Battalion Buddy" - AKA a stuffed animal - is given to children to comfort and hug when their parent is deployed. Our 4th graders complete service in their homes and neighborhood to raise money to purchase these Battalion Buddies/stuffed animals for military children. What a difference our 4th graders are making!

   

         Next Friday, November 17, the entire school will be donating food items and other goods for our annual Thanksgiving Baskets service project. We will be partnering with the parish and the St. Vincent de Paul Society to create 25 bountiful, traditional Thanksgiving feasts to deliver to families in need within our community. Here's how your family can help.

          Your child has discussed  in his/her homeroom what he/she agreed to bring to school to add to the classroom basket. It could be food (e.g. flour, canned pumpkin, sweet potatoes, etc.), or it could be items (e.g. the basket itself - we carry these donations in new, plastic laundry baskets we gift to the families). We suggest you allow your child to select the designated item from your pantry or help you shop at the store. This assures your child will feel a connection to the service project. Please have your child bring the food or item to the classroom next Friday, November 17 (November 16 for Pre-K). If you have any questions, please ask your homeroom teacher.

   

         Every school family should have received an email this week confirming how many Volunteer Hours have so far been logged in for St. Louise programs or services. First off, let us tell you how much we appreciate any and all time which you give to St. Louise Parish and School in the form of your volunteer time! Being a nonprofit organization, we could not function without your terrific support!
        Secondly, let us remind you that each school family has committed to volunteer a minimum of 40 hours for parish or school programs or services. Once you have logged in 40 hours, you no longer have to keep logging in, but of course we would love for you to keep volunteering! Why stop a good thing?! If you do not believe you will be able to fulfill your 40 hour commitment by the end of the school year on June 15, 2018, you may pay a fee in lieu of the volunteer time. The fee is $18.50 for every hour.
        Finally, if you have a problem with logging in your hours online, or if you need help coming up with volunteer jobs, please contact Marinell Zevenbergen, the Volunteer Coordinator on the Parents' Club Board. And check out this Bulletin weekly for miscellaneous volunteer job listings. This week there is a listing for volunteer help needed this weekend with the Auction (see the Auction blurb). And there is always the Adopt-a-Garden program for year-round volunteer hours which may be earned weekends and evenings on your own time. You may email Megan Kirk for more information on that program.

   

         Be looking for the School Photo package from Lifetouch to be coming home with your child today, if your family ordered school photos. Individual school photos are being sent home today. Class photos will be sent home in the coming weeks.

          Retakes are being shot this coming Wednesday morning the 15th for any student in any grade who was not here on the original photo day (October 5) or whose parent is not satisfied with the individual school photo received today. In the latter case, please return the individual photos on Wednesday and have your child report to the lobby for a photo retake when his/her homeroom is called for anyone in that homeroom desiring a retake. (Parents of younger children, you should give the teacher a heads-up that your child is returning the individual photos on Wednesday and desires a retake.)

          Please note that on retake day this Wednesday, PreK, KA, KB, and 1A will also be retaking their CLASS Photos, so students in these classes are asked to be sure to wear their school sweaters/fleece.
          If you have questions on school photo retake day, please contact Cindy Wagner. If you have questions for Lifetouch, please contact them directly at 866-955-8342.

           Last Saturday, eight students from our St. Louise Chess Club participated in the Seattle Prep Catholic Schools Tournament and led the St. Louise Charger Chess Team to the 2nd place trophy!

          Participating in the K-3 division were Christopher A., Matthew H., and Rachel S.. Christopher was the overall 2nd place winner out of all the students in this division. The grade 4-6 division was represented by St. Louise chess players Drake W., Harper S., Jason Jose P., and Louis T.. Louis won the 1st place individual trophy in this division, Drake took 3rd place, and Jason came in 5th. Rounding out the Charger Chess Team, Ian W. participated in the Open Division, which is where the stronger players compete.