November 1, 2017

Happy All Souls Day Everyone,

One of the year's highlights occurred yesterday with the first grade procession of the saints. It was a very reverent and joyous celebration. I even received a phone call from a parishioner who said that she was "edified" by the whole experience. "The staff is so friendly and the children were so attentive as they sat at the altar listening to Father Britto." What a beautiful compliment on this saintly day. I would bet that any child who was in first grade here, remembers which saint they were. 

Yesterday and today is Parent-Teacher conferences. Even though report cards are not complete at this time, your child's progress report is important. Working together for the success of the students is what conferences are all about. Please contact your child's teacher if you ever have any questions or concerns. Emails are good for short answers but a discussion deserves a face to face meeting. It is so easy to misinterpret emails--tone cannot be perceived, questions are not addressed immediately and misunderstandings can occur. We can't dismiss the importance of an actual "sit down and chat" meeting. If you still have unanswered questions after a teacher meeting, then please contact me and I will arrange a group meeting to clear up any unresolved issues. 

If you are unable to make your appointment for conferences, please contact the office and we will get the message to the teacher.

Bundle up--November is here.

Hand in Hand in Education,
Mrs. Wadzinski
PARENTS: Due to the short week, there is no backpack mail. Please check backpacks next week as there will be items sent home.
INTRO TO A NEW TEAM – LEADERS IN VIRTUE
We are forming a new team called Leaders in Virture – or because everyone loves an acronyn – the LIV Team. Our team started about a month ago, and formed with the purpose to bridge the gap between faculty and parents on understanding virtue based restortative discipline (VBRD). The VBRD program has been used by the faculty at St Alphonsus for two years. We are in our third year of practice. We are seeking to build a relationship with families to expand the use of virtue in both home and school.
 
Our Mission Statement is to strengthen the relationship between school and family by building awareness on how to live in virtue with God.
 
Our current members are:
Madeline Schmidt           Marita Thiele   Jill Staudacher
Holly Ligocki                      Kelly Zierden     Mary Grogan    Rhiannon Caufield
 
More information to come – including a survey that will be sent via back pack mail for your input. This will help us build the team and create value-add activities for our community. If you are interested in learning more prior to the survey, please contact one of our members. We are having so much fun kicking this off, and encourage you to join us!
TAYLOR JANNSEN NOVEMBER 29TH
The Valuing Virtues team is sponsoring a speaker on November 29th. Taylor Jannsen is an author, motivational speaker and basketball trainer. He comes to us highly recommended. He will have time with each grade level during the day and speak to the parents at 6:30. Please mark your calendar for this must attend event!
THE COOKIE WALK IS COMING!
The cookie walk is a St. Alphonsus tradition and fundraiser. Please plan to help make this year's event a success!

Please see the following flyer HERE and check your child's backpack mail next week for the flyer on ways to help! 
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
The annual Thanksgiving Food Drive for the House of Peace has started. This is a combined project that includes school families, Christian Formation families, and other members of the parish. Each grade level is asked to bring a different type of food item as noted on the attached flyer .
Donations can be brought to your child’s classroom beginning Monday, November 6th. The food drive ends Wednesday, November 15th. Please be generous in sharing your blessings with those in need. Thank you.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

11/07/17 Home & School Mtg. in Rm. 200 6:30 PM 

11/08/17 Mass 8:00 AM
 
11/08/17 Unity T-shirt Day

11/09/17 Archdiocesan Speakers 6:30 - 8:00 PM

11/15/17 Cousin's Night at 7700 S. Lovers Lane 4:00 PM 7:00 PM

11/15/17 Mass 8:00 AM 

11/16/17 Archdiocesan Speakers 6:30 - 8:00 PM

11/17/17 Non-Uniform Day

11/21/17 Mass 8:00 AM 

11/22/17 NO SCHOOL

11/23/17 No School

11/24/17 No School

11/29/17 Mass 8:00 AM 

11/29/17 Unity T-shirt Day

11/29/17 VBRD School Presentation Taylor Jannsen 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

11/29/17 Taylor Jannsen 6:30 - 7:30 PM
 SAFETY PATROL 
Cadets should report at 7:15 a.m. each scheduled day and may count this time as required service hours. They will have the privileged responsibility of assisting our parents and students during morning drop off. They are supervised by a staff member.  


Mrs. Sokup
November 6th – 10th
Lucas N.
Ashley O.
Madelyn S.
Lucy V.
ST. ALPHONSUS HAPPENINGS
Our 4K students had fun on Halloween with their Halloween Party and costume parade.
Our 4th Graders had a great time at Camp Edwards!
HOME AND SCHOOL CORNER
FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE "THANK YOU!"

On behalf of Tricia Czajkowksi and Nancy Violette, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the families that supported this year's Father Daughter Dance. Through your generosity, we raised over $3000 for Home and School! While that's fantastic, it is truly rewarding to be a part of the priceless memories between a father and daughter(s).

Watch for pictures to be sent home via backpack mail beginning 11.13.17. We had a much improved system in place, thanks to Scholastic Reflections! We are confident that everyone will receive any optional pictures that they purchased, in addition to the complimentary father daughter picture!  

We would also like to acknowledge our numerous sponsors, including McDonalds (Franklin), Starbucks (Hales Corners), Knights Popcorn, and Angee B's cookies. 

Finally, this event would not be possible without the support and assistance of the following individuals, Principal Wadzinski, Mrs. Halwas, who moved Friday afternoon gym classes outside (God really blessed us with a beautiful afternoon), and our wonderful mom crew of Mrs. Berlin, Mrs. Downs, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Marx, Mrs. Paz, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Turdo and Mrs.Zierden.   

We already looking forward to next year! Thanks again!


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Home and School Calendar

Please mark the dates below in your calendar and be on the lookout for ways to help out and participate.
 
Thank you for everything you do, and we look forward to seeing you at the Home & School meeting on Tuesday, November 7 th !
 
Mark your calendar!
  
Looking Ahead -
In addition to the events this month, we wanted to highlight a few dates in the upcoming months. These are great events with the opportunity to support the school, church and get to meet a lot other people.

11/7  –  Home & School Meeting (6:30/Father Alan Room)

11/17 & 11/18  –  Trivia Night(s) -  Fun, Adult Evening with church (need to sign up)

12/9 & 12/10  –  Cookie Walk –  There are many ways to help out!
IN AND AROUND OUR COMMUNITY...
DSHA Presents: The Little Mermaid
Divine Savior Holy Angels High School is hosting a production of The Little Mermaid November 3-5 and November 10-11. For more information, please see the flyer HERE or call 414-616-2813 for tickets.
Sing with Pius XI Choirs at Christmas!
Students grades 5-8 are invited to sing with the Pius XI choirs at our annual Christmas Concert December 13th at St. Sebastian's in Wauwatosa. Rehearsals will be held at convenient times and locations; 9:30 AM Saturday, Dec. 9 @ Pius, and a 2:30 PM dress rehearsal on Tuesday, December 12th. For more information or to sign up, pleased email Tom Ajack at tajack@piusxi.org . There is no cost to participate. Practices may also be held at your school as is possible.