THIS IS YOUR SUMMER MAILING!
This mailing contains important information
for the 2019-2020 school year.

If you would like a hard copy of the Summer Mailing packet, please come by the office to pick one up. (Summer Office Hours 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.)

NOTE: You are receiving this email because your have recently been added to the Blessed Sacrament School family. The original mailing was sent July 10, 2019.
“When God sends you something extraordinary in your life,
you must treat it like the gift that it is.”

The Gift of a Second Family

It’s always been right in front of us. That something different, that attribute that made our school unique in 1939 and distinguishes us today in 2019. We are a family . We have a history that binds us and a unifying narrative that defines us. We stand on the shoulders of the great ones who have gone before us the many families, mercy sisters, parish priests, and graduates who sacrificed, overcame obstacles, and believed we had something distinctive to offer young people.

What does one do with such a gift from God? Cherish it. Give it your time, your talent, your loyalty, and love. We have much to celebrate in our school family this coming year: new families, new staff, and new school-wide initiatives.

Our enrollment is strong at 420 with 38 new families joining us. Our faculty family tree has grown with many new additions and some changes in positions. Please welcome them into our family with love and support.

As is our tradition, each year we focus on several school-wide initiatives to improve our school and keep us moving in a unified direction. This year, guided by our mission, we will work to grow in the areas of character and competency . 

CHARACTER

  • Digital Citizenship: Like it or not technology is an integral part of your child's world. For some, that includes social media, gaming, YouTube, and a variety of other digital platforms. It is important that we join together to teach our children how to be responsible with these tools and provide them clear boundaries and helpful, age-appropriate guidelines. Please join our "think-tank" as we consider these needs and contemplate new digital expectations for technology use both at school and at home. We look forward to your input at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23rd in the school lecture hall.

  • Cultural Sensitivity: Our Blessed Sacrament community will promote cultural sensitivity through opportunities to celebrate diverse backgrounds. Please join us at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 28th in the school lecture hall for a collaborative sharing of ideas.

  • School Code of Conduct: In thinking about ourselves as one big family, we realize that each of us is perfectly imperfect. We are perfectly made in God's image, and yet imperfect in our humanity. In our search to be the best versions of ourselves, we will come together to create and live by a "School Family Code of Conduct." It will be rooted in our beliefs as a loving Christian community guiding us in both our words and action. We will work in partnership with school families, the School Board, and Home & School to create a document that will help us emulate Jesus' call to love one another. Please contact the school office to participate in the development of our Code of Conduct.
 
COMPETENCY

  • Google Classroom: This year Chromebooks will be provided for each student in grades six through eight. This will be a joint school and parent endeavor with students purchasing their books on a lease to own basis. This one-to-one opportunity will allow students continued and efficient access to projects, teacher-made lessons, textbooks and sharing of resources. It will mean less paper and better communication. Our teachers will be taking part in a Google Classroom training in August. 

  • MAP TEST UTILIZATION: Last year was our benchmark year for determining effective testing procedures and working through technology hurdles with this new test. At the end of the year many teachers began utilizing the data to create flexible grouping in their classrooms to address the needs of their learners. This coming year all students in grades K-8 will have an opportunity to set individual math goals from their fall data (WIGS). These will be shared at the fall conference along with lead measures to address the goal. These goals will be revisited spring quarter to measure success.

  • WRITERS OF THE LOST ART: Some children love to write, others not so much. Teaching children to write is one of the most important life-long skills we can impart to our children. This summer teachers came together to take Part II of Ruth Culham’s Workshop, “ 6+1 Traits of Writing.” We are committed to putting in the time and focus to help children become more confident writers and gain a greater sense of enjoyment from this lost art. Each student will be participating in daily writing instruction as well as opportunities for free writing. Each student will need a personal writing journal to explore their thoughts on paper. Writing teachers will be sending home guidelines for these journals on Curriculum Night. 

In 1939 our school mission read very much like it does today: “Let us develop the character of young people in faith, principles, morality and educational rigor.” 
Let us each preserve this deeply-rooted family connection, while accepting our responsibility to move us forward. We are not only a link to the past for our children, all of us are a critical piece to their future. Thank you for saying yes to being a part of our great, big Blessed Sacrament family!

See you in August!

Lynn Brown

 
BSS is Committed to Self-Improvement!

Let us know how we are doing by sharing your opinion through an informational survey. Help us improve our beloved BSS! An email will be sent tomorrow. Please check your email and complete your survey by July 22nd. Your comments are anonymous. The data will be evaluated and used in planning for the upcoming school year.
Thank you!
School Scoop
Notables . . .

  • Fri., July 12th, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Used Uniform Sale, PreK Building (Childhood Development Center)
  • Tues., July 16th, 9:00-11:00 a.m.: For rising 6th, 7th, & 8th Graders. MATH CAMP to help with Summer Math expectations. $20/student.
  • Tues., July 23rd, 6:30 p.m. Voluntary Parent Meeting for BSS Technology Forum, BSS lecture hall
  • Sun., July 28th, 1:00 p.m., Cultural Sensitivity Collaboration, BSS lecture hall
  • Wed., July 31st, 10:00 a.m., VIRTUS Training class (required for anyone volunteering with our school)
  • Thurs., Aug. 8th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. New Family Orientation
  • Sun., Aug. 11th, 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m., Welcome Back-Meet & Greet (Find out Classroom assignments!)
  • Mon., Aug. 12th - First Day of School for all students. Early Dismissal (12:30 p.m.) EDP Students, please pack a lunch.
  • Thurs., Aug 15th, 10:00 a.m., Feast of the Assumption, Holy Day, School Mass (full dress uniform).
  • Thurs., Aug. 15th, Curriculum Night, 6:00 p.m. (Parents ONLY, please)
  • Thurs., Aug. 29th - Middle School Parent Night 6:00 p.m.

Summer Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

SUMMER READING/MATH

We hope your child/children are experiencing success with this Summer's Reading and Math Expectations. In Math, remember that that each page represents one lesson (30 lessons in all). You must show your work to receive credit on the page provided.
Should your rising middle school student need assistance over the summer, Math tutorial will be provided at the school on July 16th from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Fee is $20.00 for a 2 hour session. Please contact the school office if you have any additional questions.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL Summer assignments (math & reading) are DUE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Lets Keep in Touch:
Please remember to sign into RenWeb and update any contact information such as emails, phone numbers, and addresses as they change .
If you are a NEW FAMILY...the PreK Building is also known as the Childhood Development Center, and is located across from the back door gym entrance on Chatham Crescent & Victory.
Join our "think-tank" as we create school-wide policies for technology use at BSS. These new policies will be implemented this Fall. Your input is invaluable.
2019-2020 Calendar Overview
(Dates are subject to change)
EARLY REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED.
Registration is $25.00 until August 11 th and $60.00 per family afterwards.

The fee will be billed through FACTS within 10 days of the director receiving the registration form.  This fee is nonrefundable. 
IMPORTANT NOTE : Fees for required school supplies will be billed (July 12th) and deducted from your FACTS account (deducted on Aug. 9th).
There are still a few spots open! If you would like to NAME A CUBBY in EDP, just click, print, and send in your donation today!
BSS believes in COMMUNITY!

Over the last several years we have seen an increasing need for students to integrate SERVICE into their daily lives. Many children today often focus on what can be done for them rather than what they can do for others. 

As part of our Christian formation, students in grades 6, 7, and 8 will be required to share their gifts through service for others. Service is a strong component of our Leadership work. These service hours are mandatory and must be completed in all three categories: Local, School, Home Communities. NOTE: Service Hours are not required PreK-5th grade.

Click below for additional information and service requirements for your student:
Box Tops For Education
 Please keep clipping Box Tops over the summer.
It really does add up!
Thank you for your contributions!
VIRTUS EDUCATION CLASS: July 31, 2019
Location: BSS Lecture Hall
Time: 10:00 a.m.

Blessed Sacrament is committed to providing a safe environment and to protecting our children.    Anyone wishing to volunteer in our church or school must be VIRTUS certified. Register online at  www.virtus.org, or email Ethel Tuttle at  etuttle@bss-savannah.org.
2019-2020 School Board

Officers
President- Jennifer Mountjoy
Vice President-Meg Hollis
Secretary-Lisa Puhala

Voting Members
(Third Year)
Jennifer Mountjoy - Communications
Suzie Joyner-Finance
Adam Kirk-Facilities

(Second Year)
Meg Hollis-Finance
Emily McCarthy-Communications
Patrick McCarthy-Facilities
Junior Torres-Facilities
Lisa Puhala-Communications

(First Year)
Cher Norris-Facilities
Tony Uhrich-Finance
Suzanne Ward-Communications

2019-2020 Home and School Officers

President- Jessi Horne
VP/Fundraising- Leigh Ann Burke
Volunteer Chair- Erika Simpson
Room Moms- Kelli Whitaker & Jodi Clark
Secretary- Gini Lynn Jenkins
Treasurer- Jeanine Roach

Willingness to Serve Parent Volunteer Opportunities
Each year, the Blessed Sacrament Home and School Board oversees programs to help celebrate our children, teachers and school, while also hosting fundraisers throughout the year to keep tuition and fees manageable for all families who seek a faith-filled education at Blessed Sacrament School.

Many hands make light work! Don't forget to sign up to help out on a committee for the upcoming school year. There are several committees that can use extra hands. Click here to sign up online. If you have any questions, ple ase contact Erika Simpson at erikawsimpson@gmail.com . Thank you!

Volunteer Support is critical to our success...we need you!
REMINDER: If your child cannot serve on his/her scheduled date, you are responsible to get coverage. Please make sure you have secured a substitute and verify that there is coverage for the altar.

As you make summer plans, please keep in mind our need for altar servers! There are a lot of "needs" marked bold/italicized in red on the attached July schedule. You and your child’s stewardship is greatly needed, and SO very much appreciated.

Sign up using the signup genius link below:

Blessed Sacrament School| www.bss-savannah.org