Friday, October 8, 2010

OCTOBER NEWS 2010

CONGRATULATIONS!
This year our first grade teacher, Mrs. Lynda McQueary, has been selected to be honored by the East Side Chamber at their Annual Awards and Leadership Night. Mrs. McQueary has been with Annunciata since 1997 and has been a dedicated teacher in the Catholic schools of Illinois and Indiana for 32 years. Mrs. McQueary has been recognized in the Cambridge Who’s Who Among Professional Women and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

SUPER DABBER BINGO—SUN. 10/10/10
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!

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 30th 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 30th 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 11th, from mid-afternoon to early evening. Dismissal on November 11th will be at 11:30 a.m. There will not be Extended Day after school on November 11th. 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
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 follow the guidelines: THE LIFE YOU SAVE COULD BE YOUR OWN CHILD! Please share this information with anyone you designate to drop off your children.
SEPTEMBER NEWS 2010

WELCOME TO THE 2010-2011 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 Ms. Michelle Johnson as the grade 7 homeroom teacher and the Junior High Math instructor. 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. 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, repairs have been completed, and the old carpets on the first floor have been replaced. 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 3rd at 8:00 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 Wednesday, September 8th. The schedule will be the same each week: grades 6, 7, 8—Wednesdays; grades 2, 3, 4, 5—Thursdays. 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.

REVISED HANDBOOK
The revised August 2010 Handbook 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 9th 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!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

MARCH NEWS 2010

TERRA NOVA TESTING
Testing for grades K-7 will be administered from March 1st through March 12th. The preparation you can help with is to be sure that the children have plenty of rest (at least 8 hours of sleep) and eat three balanced meals daily. 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 16th 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 – David Stahl, grade 8; 2nd prize – Andrew Navarro, grade 7; 3rd prize – Tiffany Rivera, grade 8. Annunciata is proud of all of you!

FAMILY AND SCHOOL NEWS
The two recent events they were sponsored through the Family and School Organization were quite successful. Besides being a fun filled evening with good food, the production of “Til Death Do Us Part” realized a profit was $900. Our Candy Sale brought in a profit of $6,000. Thanks to all the hard work and energy of the Family and School group, as well as, all of you who bought tickets for the play or sold candy. The financial gain is great, but does not compare to the cooperation from all of the school and parish families. Winners of the Candy Sale contest are: 1st place—Ricardo Medina (24 cases) won the $350 in tuition; 2nd place—Richard Rebeles (21cases) won $100; 3rd place—Robert Flores (15 cases) won $50. Congratulations!

HELP ME UNDERSTAND?
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 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).
BE SAFE NOT SORRY!!!

Monday, February 1, 2010

FEBRUARY NEWS 2010


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, other 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—the most in a long time.
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 Haiti, a Talent Show and an all school mass on Friday.

SPECIAL CLEAN-UP GROUP
Several parent volunteers got together on January 23rd to help clean the school hall and stairways. All the hard work, time and effort is very noticeable and very much appreciated. The support and pride that you take in your school is what makes Annunciata successful.

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 February 16th. Good Job Everyone!

6th grade—Gianna Caporale, Mikayla Kelly, George Mitchell
7th grade—Jessica Balaszek
8th grade—Victoria Ramos



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.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

DECEMBER NEWS 2009

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM—TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15TH —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 15th 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.

FAMILY AND SCHOOL UPDATE
Remember that all of the activities of the Family and School are centered around your children. The first distribution of any funds received through their events is always for the students. If any money is left over then it goes to the school for items that classrooms need.

HALLOWEEN LUNCH
The Halloween lunch was a “blast”. All of the Moms, Dads, friends and family that came to help had more fun than the children. Many thanks to all of the families that came; the children had a great time and are grateful to all of you.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Many thanks to the entire Family and School Committee and their families and all those (including students) who cooked, served and helped make this year’s Pancake Breakfast on November 15th a success. The food was delicious, the decorations and atmosphere were terrific and the company was pleasant. Our thanks also to the over 300 guests most of whom are our parishioners who came to enjoy the event. Everyone’s hard work brought a profit of $1,132.00 to the school. THANK YOU!

F.Y.I. In order to help in the school or with activities centered around children you must be Virtus trained (meaning you need to attend a 3 hour class and do online readings) AND you must complete an online Criminal Background Check. You may request information from the school office.

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 November 30th --December 11th. 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.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WITH DIAGRAM
On November 24th a detailed set of instructions and a diagram was sent home with your children. Many of the drivers do not follow these directions. In the rush of the morning, some drivers do not look before they pull away and someone will have an accident and more importantly someone will get hurt. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE read the drop off and pick up directions and review the diagram; AND share this information with other family members and friends who also drive your children to school.
NOVEMBER 2009 NEWS

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES-NOVEMBER 13th
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 13th, Ms. Kopchak will be available for conferences from 2:30 – 7:30 p.m., and Mrs. Edwards, the Catapult instructor, will be available from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. both will be happy to have conferences if you wish to see them.

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 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH, THERE WILL BE EXTENDED DAY BEFORE SCHOOL, BUT THERE WILL NOT BE EXTENDED DAY AFTER SCHOOL.


PANCAKE BREAKFAST/CHRISTMAS BAZAAR & CRAFT FAIR – NOV. 15TH
Join us for a delicious pancake breakfast and great Christmas ideas. Tickets will be sold ahead of time through the school. If you buy you tickets through school, your child(ren) will earn an out of uniform pass (date to be announced later).

SUPER BINGO
Many thanks to Mr. Sellers and all who helped with Super Bingo for all the hard work in providing a fun day for everyone. All proceeds from Bingo go directly to the school. A profit of $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.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
We are in the season of unpredictable weather conditions. First and foremost, please make sure that your children are dressed for the weather. Unless the temperature is below 30 degrees or it’s raining or snowing, etc., the children will wait outside in the morning and/or have recess.

If weather conditions are questionable, 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.

FOR THE SAKE OF SAFETY
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. Please be respectful to the adults who help monitor traffic. Also, do not have the children sit in your cars and wait for the second bell to ring. WHEN THESE RULES ARE NOT FOLLOWED, ERRATIC DRIVING OCCURS AND A CHILD WILL GET HURT.