Wednesday, November 30, 2011

DECEMBER NEWS 2011

PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Many thanks to the entire Family and School Committee and their families and all those (including students and Girl Scouts) who cooked, served and helped to make this year’s Pancake Breakfast on November 20th a success. The food was delicious, the decorations and atmosphere were terrific and the company was pleasant. Our thanks also to the all of the guests who came to enjoy the event! Everyone’s hard work brought a profit of $750.00 to the school. THANK YOU!

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM—MONDAY, DECEMBER 19TH—7:00 P.M.
Parents/guardians, grandparents, family and friends are all invited to join us for an evening of musical delight. Our children and teachers are working very hard to present our Christmas Program. The school children, Pre-K—8, should wear “Sunday Best” clothing—red and/or green or Holiday dress. If a grade needs to wear something special, the teachers will inform the families. On December 19th the children should be in Church by 6:45 p.m. They are to leave their coats with their families. The children will be sitting with their classes until the end of the program.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
We are in the season of unpredictable weather conditions. Please listen to the weather reports on radio and TV. We will also use the School Reach phone system. That is why we need accurate phone numbers; please notify the school if you change your phone number. Children should dress appropriately for the weather.

Throughout this year I have been trying to encourage you to use the morning drop off plan on the parking lot. With the new Wal-Mart opening, the traffic on 112th has increased both in volume and speed (many times without regard for the stop signs). Traffic will probably get heavier as Christmas gets closer. When the snow arrives, the parking lot will be plowed and the snow will be heaped along 112th and Avenue H making it very difficult to walk or climb through. Paths will be cleaned for the ease of walking to the building. The paths will be from the drop off lanes to the school doors. So the mystery remains, why you would park the cars on the very busy 112th Street to drop off children or jay-walk. Many cars just don’t stop on 112th. It’s mind-boggling!!! Please consider using the safest plan to drop off children in the morning. Use the Avenue H driveway to enter and the Avenue G driveway to exit. If the children exit the cars on the passenger side they NEVER WILL BE IN FRONT OF A VEHICLE. If you do park the car to walk your children to the building, PLEASE CROSS AT THE CORNERS (WE HAVE A CROSSING GUARD).

For the after school pick-up, drivers need to be cautious, as well. PLEASE DO NOT DOUBLE PARK, ESPECIALLY ON 112TH STREET; AND BE ALERT WHEN YOU PULL AWAY FROM THE CURB!

BE SAFE NOT SORRY!!!

Monday, October 31, 2011

NOVEMBER NEWS 2011

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES-NOVEMBER 4TH
On Parent/Teacher Conference Day we will have school in the morning. Dismissal will be at 11:30 for all students. Conferences will begin at 2:30 p.m. and continue to 7:30 p.m. They are scheduled for 10 minutes each (A bell will ring every 10 minutes as a reminder). As a courtesy to all the parents and teachers, please help us keep to the schedule. If you need a longer conference please make an additional conference at another time. There will be a request form available for you if you need to see other teachers. On November 4th, Ms. Kopchak, the P.E. teacher, will be available for conferences from 2:30 – 7:30 p.m. The Title I instructor, Ms. Costello, and the Title I Counselor, Ms. Portillo, will be available from 3 – 7 p.m.

There will be a dinner break for the faculty/staff from 4-4:30 p.m. No one will be able to wait in the school. Therefore, do not come early for appointments beginning at 4:30 p.m. Thank you for your understanding.

ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH, THERE WILL BE EXTENDED DAY BEFORE SCHOOL, BUT THERE WILL NOT BE EXTENDED DAY AFTER SCHOOL.

SUPER BINGO
Many thanks to the Bingo Team and all who helped with Super Bingo. All of your hard work provided a fun day for everyone. All proceeds from Bingo go directly to the school. A profit of over $4,000 was realized. We look forward to the next Super Bingo in the Spring. Thanks also to all of those who came to play Bingo—without you, super Bingo would not have been such a success.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Keep those Box Tops coming! The efforts of everyone that collected the Box Tops certainly paid off. The school will receive $724.40 and it’s only November. Just think what we can collect by the end of the school year! These profits also benefit your children directly.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN ALL THE FUND RAISERS!!!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST/CHRISTMAS BAZAAR & CRAFT FAIR – NOV. 20TH
Join us for a delicious pancake breakfast and great Christmas ideas. Tickets will be sold ahead of time through the school. If you buy your tickets through school, your child(ren) will earn an out of uniform pass (date to be announced later).

MEDICINE
No one on the school staff is allowed to dispense medicine of any kind to the children, even if you send a note. DO NOT SEND PRESCRIPTION OR OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION TO SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILDREN. THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE IT.

PHONE MESSAGES FROM SCHOOL
When the school calls your phone and leaves a message, please listen to the message before you instantly call the school back. It will save time.

DRESS FOR WEATHER
We will have recess unless the weather is really inclement so children need to dress appropriately.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

OCTOBER NEWS 2011

CONGRATULATIONS!
This year our sixth grade and Junior High English teacher, Mrs. Karen Finlon, has been selected to be honored by the East Side Chamber at their Annual Awards and Leadership Night that will be held later this month. Mrs. Finlon has been with Annunciata since 1998 and was at St. Francis DeSales Elementary School from 1976-1992. This is Mrs. Finlon’s 30th year as a dedicated teacher in the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools. Also, many of you know that Mrs. Finlon is a long time East Side resident; member Annunciata Church and choir; and active in community organizations.

SUPER DABBER BINGO—SUN. 10/9/11
Are you looking for something fun to do? Why not go to the Super Dabber Bingo? It’s a relaxing, fun time, several chances to win prizes, great dinner buffet and only $26 per person. Another good reason is that all proceeds from Bingo go directly to the school and help to keep your tuition cost down. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Dinner is served at 2:00 p.m. Bingo games begin at 3:30 p.m. The Bingo committee is waiting to serve you! Have a great time! For tickets call Ron Sellers at (773) 734-3934.

CASH “WIN” FALL RAFFLE
Don’t forget to buy your $100 raffle ticket (or more). Only 500 tickets are being sold; SO DON’T WAIT TIL THE LAST MINUTE! You have a great opportunity to be a winner if you buy tickets. Maybe the $15,000.00 will be your “Win Fall”. THIS RAFFLE COUNTS TOWARDS YOUR $300 FUNDRAISING OBLIGATION. Drawing takes place Saturday, October 29th in the School Hall at 8 p.m. This year the Vendors Bazaar & Chicken Dinner sponsored by Annunciata Human Concerns Committee will take place at 6 p.m. immediately following the 5 p.m. Mass on October 29th in conjunction with the raffle. Tickets are on sale after the Sunday masses.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Please plan ahead for the annual Parent/Teacher Conferences to be held on November 4th from mid-afternoon to early evening. Dismissal on November 4th will be at 11:30 a.m. There will not be Extended Day after school on November 4th. Remember that all students in grades 3-8 are required to attend the conference with their parents/guardians. Information regarding scheduling appointments will be sent home later in October. Sports schedules are not to interfere with the conferences.

FOR THE SAKE OF SAFETY:THE LIFE YOU SAVE COULD BE YOUR OWN CHILD!
Please be mindful of the drop off procedures in the morning. From 7:45 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. no one should stop or slow up to watch your child enter the building on 112th, Avenue G or Avenue H. No one ever is to wait to watch your child enter the building when you are in the drop off area between the two driveways on the parking lot. If you need to drop off your child after 7:30 a.m., please do not park in the traffic drop off lane as described above. A parked car at that time will be in the way of the traffic flow and could cause an accident. Also, do not have the children sit in your cars and wait for the second bell to ring. THE CHILD WILL BE LATE FOR SCHOOL.
In nice weather, it is not too much of a problem; however, when the weather becomes inclement, obstruction to the flow of traffic is magnified and could cause someone to get hurt. It is very frustrating to watch the cars deliberately park in places that they should not. In their hurry to pull away from the curb, there is a good probability of an accident. Please share this information with anyone you designate to drop off your children.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

SEPTEMBER NEWS 2011

WELCOME TO THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR!
All of the faculty and staff welcome our Annunciata School Families back for another great academic and spiritual year. This year we welcome Mrs. Lynn Mendoza as the grade 1 teacher. In addition to our PK to 8 classroom programs we are proud to maintain music, art, computers, P.E. and Catapult (Title I). Very soon our Keyboard and Band programs will also resume. In fact, band recruitment will be on September 1st and 2nd. Parents can sign their children up for band on Tuesday, September 6th from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the school. As you can see, we have a full staff that will provide a complete and well-rounded curriculum for our students from PK through grade 8.

During the summer general repairs have been completed. We look forward to a productive and exciting year in a pleasantly refreshed environment.

Why not help us celebrate the New Year by joining us at the “Back to School Mass” on Friday, September 2nd at 8:00 a.m. Grades 1-8 will attend, the students should go directly to the church at 7:50 a.m.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve your children and for your support!


MANY THANKS TO THE ANNUNCIATA SUMMER FEST COMMITTEE AND ALL OF YOU THAT HELPED!! THE WEEK-END WAS TERRIFIC! THE HUGE CROWDS OF PEOPLE HAD A GREAT TIME. WE APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT IT TOOK TO MAKE IT SUCH A SUCCESS.


UNIT MASSES
Unit Mass will begin Thursday, September 8th. The schedule will be the same each week: grades 2, 3, 4, 5—Thursdays; grades 6, 7, 8—Fridays. The children should go directly to church at 7:50 a.m. Their teachers will meet them there. When there is an all school mass scheduled, no unit masses will be attended that week.

HANDBOOK
The Handbook with updates was distributed on the first day of school. Please read through it carefully as it contains the school policies and procedures. Details of the Uniform, Discipline and other pertinent information are included and should be read.

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, September 8th at 7:00 p.m. the Family and School Association and the School will host a “Back to School Night”. Come out to meet your child’s teachers, see the school and ask questions! We look forward to seeing you!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

MAY NEWS 2011

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
On Saturday, May 7, 2011 our second graders will receive communion for the first time. They have been working very hard in preparation. Please keep them in your prayers at this very special and exciting time. A photographer will be available in the school hall for individual communion photos from 9-10:30 a.m. and after mass until about 1 p.m.

RIBBON DAY
On Friday, May 13, 2011 at the 8 a.m. mass our eighth graders will receive their first ribbon acknowledging the academic progress they have made over the last nine years. Later in the evening they will be honored at a dinner. We pray for them as they begin their journey to higher education and prepare for their future. The second grade Communion class will participate in the May Crowning at the same mass.

UNIFORMS
Beginning May 1st all students may wear their uniform dress or gym shorts on appropriate days.

MISERICORDIA WALK-A-THON
The benefit for Misericordia will be re-scheduled for May. As soon as we return after Easter break we will look for a day and let you know as soon as possible.

LENTEN MISSION/FOOD DRIVE
Thank you for your participation in the Holy Childhood Mission collection during Lent. We will be sending $300 to the Holy Childhood on behalf of our students.

Many thanks for the items you sent for the Food Drive. The food is given to the St. Vincent DePaul Society in our parish and will help families in our community.

TUITION AND ALL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
The May tuition is due by May 10th. All financial obligations for this school year need to be paid or up-to-date by May 17th. Failure to bring your outstanding debts up to date may change your tuition status, jeopardize records from being forwarded, prevent students from receiving his/her final report card or diploma, and/or prevent us from reserving a place for a student for the next school year. Any payments for this school year made after May 17, 2011 must be in cash or money order—no checks will be accepted.

CONTRACT SIGNING (ALL FAMILIES MUST COME IN TO SIGN CONTRACTS)
The first tuition installment for the 2011-2012 school year is due on June 9, 2011 (All first payments must be made on June 9th not online). Contract signing is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the small lunchroom. If payment is not made on June 9th, a late charge of $25.00 will be assessed beginning June 10th. All previous financial obligations (including church contributions/fundraising/Extended Day/library fines/NSF checks, Bingo, etc.) must be paid in full before any payment for the next school year will be accepted.

DENNIS UNIFORM
On May 17th from 2:30 – 6 p.m. the Dennis Uniform Company will be here for your convenience to try on and order any items. Girls in grade 1 need the new jumper for next year. Girls in grades 2 through 8 will have 2 years to order the new jumper, skirt or skort. Polo shirts with the school logo are required by all students for next year. We are looking into best prices and/or discounts.
APRIL NEWS 2011

SUPER BINGO—MANY THANKS FOR A GREAT JOB!
Thanks to the hard work of all those involved, the March Super Bingo was an overwhelming success. To the Super Bingo Team, the entire bingo committee and to all the Bingo workers, we cannot thank you enough for all you do for our school. Last BUT not least, a huge “thank you” to all of you who came to play. The coordinated efforts of everyone made the whole day terrific. The entire profit of $6,000.00 will benefit the school. The school appreciates all the support.

FIRST RECONCILIATION
Please pray for our second graders as they approach their First Reconciliation this month on April 2nd. They have diligently been preparing for this sacrament, as well as, for their First Holy Communion in May.

REPORT CARDS
Report cards for the third quarter for grades PK through 8 will be distributed on Friday, April 8,2011.

POSTER CONTEST
The East Side Lions sponsored the “Say No To Drugs” Poster Contest. This year’s winners listed below will receive $100 Savings Bond at a presentation dinner on April 5th. Good Job Everyone!

6th grade—Anissa Vanna
7th grade—Courtney Bartkiewicz
8th grade—Autumn Flick

UNIFORMS
Please do not purchase uniforms for next school year until you receive an updated dress code. Some items have changed and can be purchased only through Dennis Uniform Co. For example, the polo shirts for boys and girls must have the Annunciata logo on them. The girls jumpers and skirts will be a blue/white plaid (the colors of our school). New students and first and fifth grade girls will purchase the new plaid jumpers or skirts. Girls in other grades will have two years to change to the new pattern. All polo shirts for 2011-2012 must have the Annunciata logo provided through Dennis Uniforms.

EASTER/SPRING VACATION
We will be out of school from Thursday, April 21st through the week of April 25th. Classes will resume on May 2nd.

F.Y.I. – ANY OUTSTANDING MONEY DUE TO THE SCHOOL THAT IS PAID AFTER MAY 10TH MUST BE MONEY ORDER OR CASH!

Blessings for a Happy and Holy Easter!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

MARCH NEWS 2011

TERRA NOVA TESTING
Testing for grades K-7 will be administered from February 28th through March 11th. The preparation you can help with is to be sure that the children have plenty of rest (at least 8 hours of sleep), eat three balanced meals daily and arrive at school on time. This routine sets the tone for the day so the children can start off relaxed and ready to participate. Encourage your children to listen carefully to the teacher as the directions are given and to do the best they can.

If your child misses part of the test due to illness, we will do our best to have him/her make it up. Please understand that if several sections are missed, it may be impossible to make up; and therefore, the test may not be sent in for scoring.

The students should come prepared each day with two or three sharpened number 2 pencils.

CONFIRMATION
We ask for prayers for our eighth graders. They have been preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation that will take place March 25th. Since the beginning of this school year, they have been doing service hours, as well as, keeping up with their studies. On March 1st they will enjoy the experience of the Confirmation Retreat.

CONGRATULATIONS!
Our seventh and eighth grade students participated in an Americanism essay competition sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. Three of the students had winning essays, and the first place essay has been sent on to the Third District Americanism Chairman for further competition. The winners are: 1st prize – Andrew Navarro, grade 8; 2nd prize – Carina Wedryk, grade 8; 3rd prize – Michael Medina- Moulfarha, grade 7.

Several of our Junior High students, whose names are listed below, have written poems that have been submitted and accepted into the 2011 Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans.

Grade 6: Lauren Cikulin, Juan Flores, Justin Goshen, Lisa Ledezma, Lailah Martinez, Ryan Navarro, Karisa Ploszaj, Karina Rivera, Julissa Velazquez.

Grade 7: Noah Alvarez, Jessalyn Cabrales, Gianna Caporale, Delia Cuellar-Gallegos, Destiny Hernandez, Mikayla Kelly, Marco Medina, Michael Medina-Moulfarha, George Mitchell, Crystal Padilla, John Rivera.

Grade 8: Robert Flores, Kaylin Ledezma, Marta Medina, Adam Ortiz, Arianna Vanna, Elizabeth Zuccarelli.

Annunciata is proud of all of you!
FEBRUARY NEWS 2011

OPEN HOUSE—THANK YOU
Our thanks to all of you who helped to make the start of Catholic Schools Week a success! Whether you spoke at the week-end masses, 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 classroom work and projects. Many visitors complimented the students’ work on display, the friendliness of the staff, and the school in general. All in all it was an exhilarating and uplifting day. This Open House was very well attended. Several new families came to see what were are all about.

MANY, MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU THAT MADE IT HAPPEN!!

Many thanks also to the Family and School Committee for coordinating the exciting events and to all those who volunteered to carry them out! The activities for Catholic Schools Week include: Scholastic Book Fair, all school bingo, a variety of out of uniform fun days, an ice cream social, a special collection for the Christina Taylor Greene Memorial Fund, a Talent Show and an all school mass on Friday.

BROWNIE TROOP
The Brownie Troop that meets here is looking for a co-leader for next year. If you are interested you may call Mary Ann Sellers at (773) 734-3934.


HELP ME UNDERSTAND/ESPECIALLY WITH MORE SNOW PREDICTED?
Throughout this year I have been trying to encourage you to use the morning drop off plan on the parking lot. I just cannot seem to understand why you would have your children climb through the snow and walk in areas that were not shoveled when they could walk on salted and shoveled paths that were purposely cleaned for the ease of walking to the building? It’s also a mystery, why you would park the cars on the very busy 112th Street to drop off children or jay-walk. Many cars just don’t stop on 112th. It’s mind-boggling!!! Please USE the safest plan to drop off children in the morning. Use the Avenue H driveway to enter and the Avenue G driveway to exit. If the children exit the cars on the passenger side they NEVER WILL BE IN FRONT OF A VEHICLE. If you do park the car to walk your children to the building, PLEASE CROSS AT THE CORNERS (WE HAVE A CROSSING GUARD).
BE SAFE NOT SORRY!!!


DO NOT DROP OFF CHILDREN ON 112TH OR AVENUE H!!!!!
DECEMBER NEWS 2010

PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Many thanks to the entire Family and School Committee and their families and all those (including students) who cooked, served and helped to make this year’s Pancake Breakfast on November 21st a success. The food was delicious, the decorations and atmosphere were terrific and the company was pleasant. Our thanks also to the all of the guests who came to enjoy the event! Everyone’s hard work brought a profit of $820.00 to the school. THANK YOU!

OUT OF UNIFORM DAY—DECEMBER 2ND
Since all the school families did such a fantastic job of collecting over 1,000 food items for our Thanksgiving Food Drive, all students will be given an out of uniform day, Thursday, December 2nd as a thank you. Please wear appropriate clothing watching necklines, hemlines and proper fit. No one is to wear make-up or nail polish.

RECONCILIATION
Reconciliation for our students in grades 3—8 will be December 15th. Grades 6, 7 and 8 will attend in the morning; and grades 3, 4 and 5 will attend in the afternoon.

BAND PROGRAM
The Winter Band Program is Thursday, December 9th at 7 p.m. in the school hall. All band members need to be at school by 6:30 p.m. and piano students are to come at 6:40 p.m. The dress for the concert is as follows: Advanced band wears all black; beginning band and piano students wear nice dress clothes. No one is to wear tee shirts, gym shoes, jeans or shorts!

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM—MONDAY, DECEMBER 20TH —7:00 P.M.
Parents/guardians, grandparents, family and friends are all invited to join us for an evening of musical delight. Our children and teachers are working very hard to present our Christmas Program. The school children, Pre-K—8, should wear “Sunday Best” clothing—red and/or green or Holiday dress. If a grade needs to wear something special, the teachers will inform the families. On December 20th the children should be in Church by 6:45 p.m. They are to leave their coats with their families. The children will be sitting with their classes until the end of the program.

COLLECTION FOR THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
During December our school will be having a toiletry collection for the Little Sisters of the Poor. Since their mission is to care for the aged and disabled, they are always in need of toiletries. As an act of sharing with those in need we are asking for families to donate the following items from December 1st – December 15th. The items listed are the most important: KLEENEX, BODY LOTION, MOUTHWASH, BODY WASH (SHOWER GEL), EFFERDENT, DEPENDS. Please be generous and think of the elderly in your family that someday may need assistance. Items can be brought to your child’s homeroom.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
We are in the season of unpredictable weather conditions. Please listen to the weather reports on radio and TV. We will also use the School Reach phone system. That is why we need accurate phone numbers. Children should dress appropriately for the weather.