FEBRUARY NEWS 2009


OPEN HOUSE—THANK YOU
Our thanks to all of you who helped to make the start of Catholic Schools Week a success. Whether you baked, served, set-up, cleaned-up or attended, all of your efforts helped to make our Open House a wonderful, positive experience. We also acknowledge the hard work of the students and their teachers for the great display of Science projects. Many visitors complimented the Science Expo and the school in general.

Many thanks also to the Family and School Committee for coordinating the exciting events and to all of the volunteers who helped carry out the activities for Catholic Schools Week. The Ice Cream Social is always fun and delicious (volunteers have as much fun as the children). The children very happily donated $1.00 to wear jeans and give the very much needed money to St. Vincent DePaul Society to help needy families in our community. All school Bingo is always enjoyable, especially with the anticipation of winning prizes. And as always, we end Catholic Schools Week with an all school mass celebrating and giving thanks for the opportunity to be in a Catholic School where we can deepen and share our faith.

POSTER CONTEST
The East Side Lions sponsored the “Say No To Drugs” Poster Contest. This year’s winners listed below will receive awards at a presentation dinner on February 17th.
Good Job Everyone!

6th grade—Elizabeth Zuccarelli--$100 Savings Bond
7th grade—Victoria Ramos--$100 Savings Bond
8th grade—Kayla Castaneda--$100 Savings Bond


TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT
For those of you who live 1½ miles or more from Annunciata School and your children are in attendance for the 2008-2009 school year, you may complete a claim form in the school office for travel reimbursement. When you are ready to complete the form you need to know the miles to and from school, and the person completing the form must provide his/her social security number. The form must be completed at the school before the last day of school in June.

LENT
Lent gives us time to reflect and pray as we take a good look at ourselves. Join us on our journey with Jesus as we pray the Stations each Friday at 1:45 p.m. during Lent. Talk about Lent with your children. The story of Jesus can never be told enough. Each time it’s told, our lives are touched in different ways. Praying together as a family, at home and at mass, is a wonderful preparation for Easter.

Catholic Schools Week 2009

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
January 25 – January 31, 2009

Good Morning! In spite of the prolonged cold, snow and ice, it is always terrific to be here with you. The warmth of our parish family shields us from winter’s frigid days. With the inspiration of today’s powerful readings, our very soul is warmed with our desire to be like Jesus.

In all of the readings today, Jonah, the faithful, the disciples, all are summoned to follow and serve the Lord without question, and they do. Jonah realizing that he has been given a second chance and seeing a merciful God, unconditionally follows through with God’s charge for Jonah to help the Ninevites, St. Paul cautions the Corinthians not to put so much emphasis on material things, but to put their faith and trust in the Lord. The early disciples see Jesus is the Son of God, a powerful teacher and healer, a person of authority, and without hesitation are willing to follow and serve.

We, all of us at Annunciata, are on the same mission. We are called to teach and serve as Jesus did. It is with pride that all here in this church have been part of a 60 year tradition of quality education. Yes, 2009 is the 60th year of Annunciata School. For all those years our school has held its own among many. Our students are consistently being sought by high schools. A high percentage not only graduate from college, but go on to find excellent jobs and careers. The foundation that they receive at Annunciata Elementary School is what sets them on a positive course for their futures.

In a world where society allows values to slide, it’s not always easy to hold on to the basic tenets of our religion, let alone, instill them in the youth. Holding on to these values is a good part of what helps Annunciata maintain its high standards of achievement and provide the students with excellent study skills that can take them anywhere. In recent times, external forces (like the economy, for example) have played a significant role in making life difficult for us. But when things were looking a little down we had some wonderful signs. The Big Shoulders Fund and the Archdiocese have not only supported us with kind words and prayers, but have given significant financial help. With the help of both—Big Shoulders and the Archdiocese, we have a patron, the DeSantis family (of Martinque/Drury Lane Fame). They have made a financial commitment to Annunciata for the next 3 years. The new computers in the lab are a result of the DeSantis family’s commitment. Most recently we had a visit by our new Superintendent of Schools, Sr. Mary Paul. Some of you may know her as the former principal and president of Marion High School. Sr. Mary Paul came while we are in the midst of repairing the roof and two classrooms. Even with all this distraction, Sr. Mary Paul picked up on a positive spirit, a pleasant atmosphere, a student body that is comfortable, courteous and willing to learn. She sees in us a substantial reason to continue supporting Annunciata and a Catholic presence on the East Side.

When you visit our school today following this mass, you will be able to see for yourselves the academic excellence and vitality of our children and staff. Throughout the building there are science projects on display so don’t miss our Science Expo. Outside of each room, students’ work is displayed. We are proud to show you what we do and who we are. Oh and don’t forget the new lab.

This year’s Catholic Schools Week theme is Celebrate Service. At Annunciata parish and school we celebrate service in many wonderful ways. We see service in the pastoral staff, Fr. Paul, Fr. Dennis, Br. Brian and Fr. Conrad, who guide us in our religion whether in celebration of mass or in visits to the classrooms. We see service in our faculty, staff—including secretarial, classroom aides, Extended Day, Title I, librarian and maintenance—all of whom care for Annunciata as their own home and diligently devote their time and energy each day of the week developing values, academics and responsibility into our students. We see service in members of groups like Family and School—our parent volunteers for the school that coordinate activities like catalog sales, candy sales, Halloween party, today’s refreshments, and this week’s special events, and many other activities throughout the school year—all to benefit each child and the school; in the Annunciata Athletic Association (our parent volunteers that coach and co-ordinate our school sports teams); in Market Day volunteers that faithfully offer help monthly early on Saturday mornings; in our Bingo volunteers (and those who attend) who devote their time Wednesday after Wednesday; in the Board of Specified Jurisdiction (our parent and business volunteers that help the administration promote the school). We see service in the parents/guardians of our students who sacrifice to send their children to our quality school. We see service in our children as they strive to learn and help in a variety of ways in and around the parish. We see service in our loyal Seniors and parishioners who are always there to support our school whenever we have special events, projects or activities and fund-raisers. [Believe me Seniors and parishioners without your continued support our events and fund-raisers would not be nearly as successful—you are an excellent example of giving back to the community while placing a continued value on Catholic education.]


We are truly indebted to all of the groups and can never thank you enough.

All of you have been summoned just as the disciples in today’s readings and you are following that call. For in your service, you are carrying out the Good News. You are choosing to center your lives around Jesus and helping to instill this same message in all of our children for now and future generations.

Today we celebrate service through all of you, through all of us with the love that only a faithful people can give. And with that love Annunciata School and Parish will continue to grow indefinitely.

Thank you and God Bless you all!





I would also like to take this opportunity to welcom two new members to our staff:

Ms. Linda Moscinski is our new third grade teacher.

Ms. Seana Higgins is our new art instructor.


Welcom to Annunciata Catholic School