December 2006

HOLY CHILDHOOD

MISSIONS

Each month many of our students faithfully hand in their mission envelope. The money collected is sent to Fr. Sharman at the diocesan office. He over sees this program and has expressed his gratitude to the children with monthly letters. Thank you for your faithfulness.

CALENDAR CHANGE

There is no Open House on Friday February 2, 2007. The parishes will be sponsoring a “Celebration of Catholic Family Unity” on that date from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. More information will be forth coming about this event.

TOWN MEETING

There will not be a Town Meeting this year. Once the budget is approved by the School Board information will be sent home with your oldest child in the family envelope.

PERSPECTIVE PARENT NIGHT

On Thursday February 22, 2007 there will be an information night for any family interested in sending their children to Our Lady of the Angels. This night will be advertised in the bulletin and newspapers. You are our best source of information so please share this date with family, friends and business associates.

COST PER STUDENT

The cost to educate a student at Our Lady of the Angels School for the 2005-2006 school year was $3553. The projected cost to educate a child for 2006-2007 is $3353. We also receive subsidy from Holy Trinity and Saint Peter.

ANGEL CARE

Due to the limited space we have had to put a freeze on registration. Our after school program has been extremely successful. I am very grateful to Mrs. Donna Kloidt for her commitment and dedication to the children. We would be interested in hearing what you would think of establishing an after school program for students in 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grades at the Elementary Building.

PICTURE RETAKE DAY

Students that need to have their school picture retaken should notify the school office. Our retake day is January 17th. Students having their picture taken may dress up but bring their uniform for the group pictures.

DON’T FORGET

Please remember to save:

· General Mills Box Tops For Education

· Turkey Hill Moo Caps

· Campbell Labels

· Used Printer Cartridges

· Old Cell Phones

· Rednar Receipts

Send them with your child or drop them off in either office. Thanks for your help and support.

ABSENTEE NOTES and TARDINESS

When students return to school after being ill they are required to bring a written note. We are required to have this note on file. Children who do not bring in a note may be removed from the class. Of course educationally this is not the best solution but we have a responsibility to follow policy. I would appreciate your cooperation.

Tardiness is a continuing problem at both buildings. Students that accumulate more than 15 minutes per trimester are required to make up the time after school.

HOT LUNCH PROGRAM

We are fortunate to have a nutritious, hot lunch program at Our Lady of the Angels School. Until last year we strongly encouraged all our families to purchase the hot lunches. We did this because we are a small school and our subsidies are dependent on the number of lunches that we serve. Last year we gave the option of packing lunches. It is understandable that the number of hot lunches that we serve has dropped substantially. This decreases the income and endangers the program. I want our families to fully understand if the numbers continue to drop we will need to reevaluate the feasibility of the hot lunch program. I feel that the program is an asset to the school and our families. I want to see it continue but the school must be fiscally responsible when making decisions.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Immediately after Christmas break we will begin the preparations for the weeklong celebration of Catholic Schools. Several events are listed on the school calendar. We do have an Open House scheduled on Tuesday from 9 to 11. All are welcome but this is specifically scheduled for interested parents. Our Family Luncheons provide an opportunity for parents to visit the classrooms however please feel free to visit during the Open House.

INSTRUMENTAL STUDENTS

The students who take instrumental lessons will be performing on Wednesday December 20^th at 1:30. This is an opportunity for these young people to share their talents with the other students. Mrs. College arranges this mini concert each year for the students.

CONFERENCES

Thank you for your attendance at the conferences. There were a few glitches, but hopefully you found meeting with your child’s teacher helpful. After the next grade report you will be asked to complete an evaluation. We are piloting the grade report and the Diocese is looking for our input.

SPRING CONFERENCES

There is a half day scheduled for conferences on March 22^nd. Parents or teachers may request conferences at that time. You will be receiving your child’s second grade report on March 12^th.

CHRISTMAS BREAK

Our Christmas break will begin at the end of the school day on Friday December 22nd. We will return to school on Wednesday January 3, 2007. For those of you traveling this holiday please be careful and return home safely.

CHRISTMAS SHOW

The date for the Christmas performance is Tuesday December 19^th at St. Peter Church. There will be a performance in the afternoonat 1:00pm and one in the evening at 7:00pm.

MIDDLE STATES

The Steering Committee consisting of Mr. Michael Beury, Mrs. Lois Mena, Mrs. Theresa Carey, Ms. Pauline Buchheit, and Mrs. Theresa Burg and chaired by Mrs. Susan Wickenhieser-Roach met to review the Mission Statement and Beliefs of Our Lady of the Angels School. The committee felt that with a few changes the statement met all the requirements of the Middle States Accreditation process. The revised statement and beliefs as follows:

Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School, established in 1998 with the consolidation of Saint Peter and Holy Trinity Schools, serves Columbia and surrounding communities. We exist to preserve the tradition of Catholic Christian education by developing the “whole child” spiritually, academically, emotionally, socially and physically.

As a united community we strengthen the covenant between home and school by proclaiming the Gospel message in a constantly changing world.

We, the parents/guardians and faculty of Our Lady of the Angels School believe:

We provide an academic environment that fosters a lifelong love of learning.
We are partners in educating our children/students.
We recognize each child as a unique individual who learns differently and achieves at different levels and rates.
We provide our children and students with a sense of service and well-being for all God’s people.

The committee will be meeting again the first week of January

LIBRARY EVENTS

The Columbia Public Library story times (children ages 3‑8) are Saturdays at 10:00 am. Themes for January are:

January 6 - Sometimes I Feel Afraid

January 13 - Do You Have a Favorite Toy? January 20 - Is it Wintertime Yet?

January 27 - Are You ever Naughty?

● The Library will be closed on Monday, January 1 for the holiday observances.

● Family Movie Time will be held on Tuesday, January 30 at 6:00pm. Please contact the library for the title.

● Adult Book Discussion Group meets on Monday, January 8 at 6:00pm. The book selected for this month is Friendship Cake by Lynne Hinton. Please contact the library to register and reserve a copy of this book.

● The Make and Take Scrapbook Borders class will meet on Monday, January 15 at 6:00pm. Registration is required and a fee of $10 will be collected at the beginning of the class.

● The Genealogy Workshop will be held on January 22 at 6:00pm when we take a look at the Ellis Island web site.

● The Scrapbook Club will be held on Saturday, January 13 from 12:00 to 3:30pm.

● Registration for Computer Classes for Adults is ongoing, please stop by the Circulation Desk to register as space is limited. A $5 deposit is being assessed and will be returned at the end of the class if you attend.

● Hours are:

Monday–Thursday: 8:30am- noon/3:30-8:00pm

Friday: 8:30am-noon/3:30-6:00 pm

Saturday: 9:00am-4:00pm.

To contact the library, please call 684‑2255.

Merry Christmas