School Newsletter
May 22, 2020
Principal's Page
Dear Presentation Families,

Well, we made it to the home stretch! We being teachers, principals, students, and you - our honorary, at-home teachers. Who would have thought when we left for spring break that we would not have class, not celebrate student birthdays as we have in the past, nor interact with each other as we have grown so accustomed to doing? Teacher! Did you want to be a teacher when you grew up, perhaps not? It has been a long haul hasn’t it? But, as we told Fr. Peter today, we are so proud of all that has been learned and all that has been accomplished given how everyone was thrust into this ready or not . For some it was easy and for some it was daunting, but no one threw up their hands in despair and said “no way, no how, can’t do it.” (at least not in public :+) ) This is why we are moving up the date of Parent Appreciation Day from July 27 to May 27 to honor you, our partners in distance learning. We really could not have done it without you, your sacrifice, and your perseverance. Know of our heart-felt gratitude for all you did over the course of these past 10 weeks. Please view our Facebook page on May 27 for a special message, watch for billboards along the I-94 loop, and look through Friday’s bags for something special. In the meantime, yes it is still Easter, Alleluia or Hallelujah .     

Panther Pride,

Mary and Gary

Ashley Way Scholarship Fund
 
As if distance learning was not hard enough, our beloved Middle School teacher Ashley Way went home to God our Father over the past weekend. What a loss for the Presentation community, especially the middle school students who got to know her in a very special way. Ashley was a beacon of Panther Pride, and in an effort to keep her legacy alive and well, an Ashley Way Scholarship Fund is being developed thanks to the leadership of school parent, Bill Josten. No specifics are available as of yet; watch for communications in the weeks to come. “May eternal rest grant unto her oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.” Please offer continued prayers for Ashley’s husband and her two boys so they know they are supported and loved by the Presentation community.  

All School Mass for our 8 th grade leaders and Virtual Awards Ceremony  will be held May 29 at 8:45 AM via Facebook. Please join Fr. Peter as he celebrates Mass in honor of our 8 th grade students. Mass will be followed by a virtual Awards Ceremony.

Final Drive up Up/Drop Off Day and Car Parade : May 29 from 11:30am-2:00PM

Next week teachers will pack up and send home school supplies from students' lockers and desks so they can be used at home over the summer. In return, we ask families to pack up Chromebooks, chargers, textbooks, sheet music, instruments, library books, recorders, and anything else you find on desks, tables, under beds, or in closets. Well not everything, each homeroom teacher sent home a list of returns. Please put your name on the list and check off items as you place them into a paper grocery bag with your child’s name on it. Please include this check off list in the bag when you return it so we can compare yours to ours. Your efforts will expedite our inventory process.       

Did you see the word PARADE ? Yes, please decorate your cars, display signs of well wishes for our graduates, and follow the parade route below. Principals, teachers, and staff will be there to greet you along the parade route blowing bubbles, squirting water guns, and shaking Presentation pom poms so students will see how very special they are to all of us. Please note the following parade details for access as we will barricade our normal access routes on that end of the campus to ensure the safety of everyone.
1.     Cars should enter the parish parking lot between the church and the rectory on the north end of the campus on Kennard St.
2.     Cars will proceed in line through the parking lot down the hill. Middle School bags will be at the Flag Pole Entrance and K-4 bags will be at the Preschool Entrance. Locations will be marked. Please stay in one line whether you have a Middle School Pick up or not.
3.      Staff will put the bags in car trunks or tail gates as you drive up. Trunks will be better than tail gates if you can manage that. They will not put bags in your back seat where children may be sitting in an effort to maintain social distancing. While we know the kids will be excited to see everyone, please ensure they keep their distance during this transfer. Bags will only be available for drive up. No one should park and come up to staff for pick up nor start a parallel line of cars.
4.      Cars will then proceed to the Gym Door for your Drop Off. This may get a bit tricky so be prepared to wait in your car. An adult should bring the family bags to the gym where they will be left in the designated space for each grade level. Ms. Prahl will check in all electronics in the center of the gym. Please be as swift as possible with the drop off to keep the parade moving. Cars will depart through the Kennard Exit for that day.     
5.     Families with last names beginning with A-G can drive up for bags between 11:30am-12:15pm
6.     Families with last names beginning with H- N can drive up for bags between 12:15pm-1:00pm
7.     Families with last names beginning with P-Z can drive up for bags 1:00pm-1:45pm

Again, no one should leave their car for pick up and will kindly be asked to proceed to the drive up line. We will fill cars as quickly as we can but plan for wait time. Please call the school office if you have any questions or concerns about the drive-up and parade.  
Congratulations 8th Grade!!

It is with much excitement we announce that this year's 8th grade class WILL be able to have a mass and ceremony in the church to commemorate their graduation! The Graduation Mass will be on Tuesday, June 9 at 5:00 pm. What a blessing to be able to have the Eucharistic celebration happening once more. For the families of graduating students, only immediate family members may attend since we will need to follow the guidelines of how many people can be in the church. An announcement from Fr. Peter will explain the guidelines and procedures for those that will be attending. We must follow the requirements and provide a safe place of worship in consideration of the Covid-19 pandemic. Safe distance will be a part of the requirements along with other procedures as outlined by Fr. Peter. It will be a wonderful graduation celebration for all - we are so proud of our eighth grade students!
Dear Presentation Families,
 
As you know we will be welcoming a new principal to Presentation in July to take over the wonderful work Gary Faust and Mary Kane have been doing for our school this past year. We are so grateful for all they have done for us, in particular for their leadership during this pandemic. I invite you to share in demonstrating our appreciation at the final school pick-up/drop-off on May 29 th by making farewell and/or thank you signs for them to see. Wave your signs, honk, shout – show them some of that wonderful Presentation love! They’ve been an incredible blessing to our school, let’s make sure they know it!
~Fr. Peter
All School Library Books Due

All Presentation Library books should be returned to school on Friday, May 29th. If you are unsure of what books your student(s) may have checked out, please email me . Thanks for sharing your kids with me in the library this year - I have
thoroughly enjoyed having them!
Sincerely, Mrs. Davini
Uniform Exchange

Don’t forget that every August Presentation offers a uniform exchange for those families looking for a lightly used uniform for the upcoming year.
This year’s exchange will take place on August 13, 2020, so please drop off any uniforms that are no longer needed at the pick-up/drop-off taking place on May 29th. Make sure the uniforms are laundered prior to drop off so they can be sorted according to size and packed away for the summer months. Thanks and know that your donation will be worn with Panther Pride. 
Presentation of Mary Discovery Center

Lake Area Discovery Center is celebrating 20 years of helping children grow in Gods love. Presentation of Mary Discovery Center has the program for you and your family. POM Discovery Center offers preschool for children ages 3, 4 and 5 as well as before and after school care. POM also offers care for infants and toddlers! POM Discovery Center seeks to support parents and children through a creative environment that promotes and teaches Christian values, honors diversity, and fosters fellowship within the greater community. Check out their website at:   https://ladcfamilies.org/  

During these unprecedented challenging times, LADC is currently open serving first responders in our community. Please join us in praying for these teachers who are helping those on the front lines, they are appreciated more than they can ever know.
2020-2021 Classroom Supply Lists
We are happy to let you know that for the 2020-2021 school year we will also be utilizing School Tool Box, an online, ship-to-your-home option for buying school supplies that is customized to each grade's supply list. More information will be forthcoming, watch your email for details!
A Note From Ms. Rogers

HOORAY! The day has finally come, the one we all look forward to, FIELD DAY! As you are well aware, the way we are ending this wonderful school year is very different from anything we've seen before. That doesn't mean that we can't still have fun, right?!  
This year's field day will be a Family Virtual Field Day and will be held on Wed. May 27. This will be posted in the P.E. Seesaw account, which you are all familiar with. So login and let's have some fun!!

There are 15-20 events listed. You can choose to do as many as you'd like. Activities, along with directions, are all on the document.  

Items you will need are all household/outdoor items and you can modify any activity to fit the equipment you have. THERE IS NO NEED TO GO OUT AND BUY SUPPLIES. Get creative if you have to, that is all part of the fun!

Some examples include, but are not limited to the following:
-Some kind of marker for distance, start and finish lines, and placement spots (cones, paper plates, rocks, sticks, water bottles, etc.)
-Timer/watch
-Shoes
-Pool noodle or something to throw safely 
-Basketball - Hoop - Socks - Basket - Box
-Balloon - Plastic Bag - Ziplock Bag
-Bike - Scooter - Roller Blades - Skateboard
-Cups - Legos - Blocks
-Bucket - Bowl - Plastic Cups
-Pillow Case - Grocery Bag - Tote
-Pole - Bat - Pool Noodle - Long Stick
-Eggs - Water Balloon - Ball
-Broom - String
-Paper
-Chalk - Markers - Paint - Crayons - Pencil - Pen

Let's make this Virtual Field Day one that no one will forget! Go Panthers!!
Aim Higher Foundation Scholarship Opportunity

Aim Higher will begin accepting new TADS applications on June 1, 2020 through August 7, 2020. Unlike the first cycle, they will be awarding scholarships on a rolling basis throughout the summer to help more families make decisions about enrollment as soon as possible.

Families that have not yet applied for Aim Higher scholarships for this school year will follow the normal TADS application process.

Families that have already applied but have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 will need to complete a two-step process so Aim Higher can review the updated circumstances. First—families will need to complete a form on the Aim higher website with the updated information. Second—they will need to log-on to TADS to upload the appropriate documents to verify their information.
Congratulations to these Presentation graduates that are currently students at Hill-Murray High School:

Kirsten Feesl: February Biology Science Wizard

Shannon Heymans: Academic Letter Award; NHS 20-21 Inductee; March Campus Ministry Student of the Month

Logan Jones: February World Language Student of the Month; April Math Student of the Month; Bronze Service Award

Zach Lynch: DECA State Qualifier - Personal Financial Literacy; DECA State Qualifier - Financial Literacy Project; DECA State Finalist - Qualifier for International Competition in Nashville, TN April 29-May 3, 2020; Academic Letter Award; NHS 20-21 Inductee

Rachel Meniboon: Gold Service Award

Abbey O'Brien: Academic Letter Award; NHS 20-21 Inductee; Silver Service Award

Teagan Ott: February French II Star Student

Natalia Reese: Excellence in Art & Design Award
Looking Ahead
Our Mission: The purpose of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School is to provide a Catholic community that fosters the religious and academic development of the individual student in a safe and welcoming learning environment.
Our Philosophy: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School creates a supportive Catholic community committed to the Gospel message that calls us to faith, service, and worship. An environment of respect, peace and justice fosters an appreciation of God’s gift of life in all people. Each student is empowered to develop their own potential, which will lead to excellence in academics, athletic activities and the fine arts.