8/17/2021 -"The Morning Star" Weekly Newsletter Volume 6, Edition 2

The Morning Star Weekly Newsletter Vol 6, Edition 2 8/17/2021

Morning Star School Mission Statement

Rooted in the Gospel and strengthened by the sacraments, the mission of Morning Star School is to provide a unique, inspiring education empowering students with learning differences to achieve their full potential.

Dear Morning Star Families and Friends,

We are so happy to see all the smiling faces of our students and families on the second week of school!

We hosted our High School Orientation last week where we were able to talk to returning families and welcome new ones. We are looking forward to seeing all our Primary, Intermediate, and Junior High families at Open House on Tuesday, August 24 from 6:30-8pm. This is a time for you to meet your student’s teacher and learn more about our curriculum and routines. We will also go over the family handbook and answer any questions you may have. We ask that only one parent attends (no students) for social distancing purposes. Masks are mandatory.

We are looking forward to an amazing year here at Morning Star School!

Elaine Shott, Principal

MSS SPOTLIGHT

Abbie Johnson, Development Director

I am honored to be a part of the Morning Star School family! I have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University and am working on a Master of Education in Supervision and Administration from Liberty University. I have worked in both public and private schools as a teacher, I moved into an administrative role a few years ago. Like many of you, my greatest achievement is my family. My husband and I have three beautiful children and a playful puppy, Ethan (a junior in college), Emalie (15), Lucas (12) and Harper May (a mini goldendoodle). We are active members of Assumption Catholic Church. We also enjoy road trips, trying new restaurants, and being outside. It is my mission to get to know each of you as we partner to continue the work of Morning Star School, Jacksonville.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Tomorrow is School Picture Day

Wednesday, August 18th is picture day!

Students MUST wear their regular school uniform for picture day. No P.E. uniforms or dress down clothes on picture day. Thank you.

Emergency Information Card

Please return your student(s) emergency information card to their teacher no later than Friday, August 20th.

Open House K-8th

Tuesday, August 24th is Open House for Primary, Intermediate and Junior High parents from 6:30-8:00pm in the gym. We ask that only one parent attends (no students) for social distancing purposes. Masks are mandatory.

Morning Star School Mass and Family Fun Day

On Saturday, August 28th, MSS will hold Mass at 10:00 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church followed by our Family Fun Day (BBQ and activities).(

2400 Mayport Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32233).

Join us for a fun day for the whole family. Please RSVP to Mrs. Binder at ap@morningstar-jax.org

Click HERE to view flyer

Fall Campus Clean Up

Saturday, September 25th is our Fall Campus Clean Up Day!

Please come out and help us spruce up our campus. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Please bring your own tools and gloves if possible.

To sign up click HERE.

REMINDERS

Office Hours & Contact Information

The front office is open every school day from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. To contact the front office call (904) 721-2144 or email our new front office receptionist, Jennifer Capri at jcapri@morningstar-jax.org.

Traffic Pattern/Drop Off and Pick Up Safety

There is one single lane of traffic both morning & afternoon. Please do not attempt to ‘squeeze through or go around’ other cars in the line!
Students may NOT be dropped off before 7:15 am (there is no supervision before that time).
Students should be in their seats at 7:40 am. The tardy bell rings at 7:45. If your child arrives to school after the bell rings you MUST park and sign your child in at the office
PLEASE do NOT block resident’s driveways on Mickler Road.

Afternoon pick-up starts at 2:35 pm. Car rider tags will be given out on Wednesday. Please make sure your car rider name tag is displayed in your windshield. You MUST go through the carpool line. No child will be allowed to walk to a waiting car even when accompanied by a parent. This is a serious safety issue which is addressed annually in our safety audit. Please help us keep your children safe by following this very important safety procedure.

RC Uniforms

To view and print the RC Uniform order form click HERE.

Medical Authorization Form

Please return the Diocesan Medical Authorization form signed by a doctor if your child will need any prescription or non-prescription medicine at school.

To view and print the medical authorization form click HERE.

How to Volunteer at MSS

At this time, we are still limiting visitors/volunteers but if you would like to volunteer, please call the front office to learn about opportunities. Also, look for future volunteer opportunities in our weekly newsletter.

How to register to volunteer at Morning Star:

Studies show that children of parents who are involved in school activities are more likely to be successful. It also models Christian service and teaches children the value of giving back.

Each Morning Star family is required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of service to Morning Star School during the school year. Hours must be completed by the end of the school year. Voluntary participation beyond the 15 hours is greatly appreciated. Parents/families not serving fifteen hours will be required to pay $5 per missing hour. Invoices will be sent home in May. Please keep track of your hours.

Please know that everything you do makes a difference, and we are grateful to have your help. Parent participation is crucial to our school.

To be able to volunteer in the school you must attend the “Protecting God’s Children Class and undergo a Background Screening and Live Scan Fingerprinting. Until this screening process is complete you will not be allowed to volunteer in the school. Sign up for your Protecting God's Children class soon, they fill up very quickly.

PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN & FINGERPRINTING INSTRUCTIONS

Follow the links below to complete your screening process:

1. For Live Scan fingerprinting instructions click HERE

2. Sign up for and attend a Protecting God’s Children Class: Click HERE and select St. Augustine, FL (Diocese)

For help with the Volunteer Screening Process, please contact the front office - (904) 721-1040

Weather Alerts

Superintendent Deacon Scott will inform all Catholic Schools of school closures due to severe weather.

Box Tops & Amazon Smile

Help us fund raise for our school by signing up on Amazon Smile and downloading the Box Tops app! See the information at the end of the newsletter to find full instructions and links for both.

JUNIOR HIGH NEWS

JH3 interviewed classmates on first day of school. Each student had the opportunity to ask five different classmates a question to learn more about them.

Students used Cheetos to activate their five senses and write descriptive sentences and paragraphs using lots of adjectives!

HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

Joshua, a 9th grader, is the new zookeeper for Ms. Brock’s homeroom. He feeds Puff and Sherman daily before prayer.

High School students earned social time and enjoyed it outdoors.

Students took time during the first week of school to get to know each other better.

HELP US RAISE MONEY FOR MSS!

WHEN SHOPPING ON AMAZON SHOP ON AMAZONSMILE INSTEAD!

SELECT MORNING STAR SCHOOL AS YOUR FAVORITE CHARITY AND

A PORTION OF YOUR PURCHASE WILL BE DONATED TO OUR SCHOOL!

If you shop on Amazon, make sure you shop on AmazonSmile. It's exactly the same Amazon you love but a portion of your purchase price will be donated to our school each time you shop!

1. Visit AmazonSmile

2. Select Morning Star School of Jacksonville as your charity of choice and start shopping!

3. Bookmark the AmazonSmile link and use it each time you shop with Amazon! (Proceeds will only be donated if you are logged into AmazonSmile).

Download the Box Tops App Today!

Box Tops is a great way to earn fundraising dollars! And now there is a new phone app which makes it easier to earn points for our school! Shop as you normally would, then simply scan your store receipts to find participating products. The app will automatically credit your school's Box Tops earnings online. It's a much easier way to help us earn dollars.

Download the new Box Tops App HERE.

Watch a video about the new process HERE

You may still clip Box Tops and send them to school. Physical Box Tops clips are being phased out of production but may continue to be found on many products throughout the store.

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER...

Turn in your box tops weekly. They do expire.
Be sure to NOT cut the code off. We cannot use it if the code is missing even one of the digits.
Place them in a zip lock bag and send them in with your student.

SUBMIT A STORY

If you have a great story, please share it with us. We love showcasing the many talents of our students and their families. To submit a story, click the button below.

Submit a Story!