Thursday, November 30, 2006

Thursday Note Home

Dear Visitation Families,

Sunday begins the Advent season. This is a wonderful opportunity to help your children focus on the true purpose for our celebration: the birth of Our Lord. In the school, we will have our Advent wreaths and will be using them as a focus of our daily prayer. In Music class, students are learning traditional Advent songs (as well as practicing for the upcoming Advent Program!) and in Religion class there are discussions of the scripture readings used during Advent.

If you would like some ideas for celebrating as a family, come to the Lower Hall on Sunday, December 3rd from 11:30 to 2:00. You will have an opportunity to make an Advent Wreath and enjoy a wonderful bowl of chili. Check out the flyer in today’s Note Home envelope.

REMINDER: Next Monday will be a noon dismissal as teachers prepare report cards. There will be no hot lunch served. Extended Care will be available. Report cards will be sent home with students on Friday, December 8th, so check the backpacks!

THANK YOU: You might have noticed the beautiful wooden pew that is now sitting outside of my office. Thank you to Kate and Hal Amundson for generously donating it to the school.

TURKEY FEATHER WINNER: As you might have read in the Tacoma News Tribune’s Wednesday edition, Miss Fiona was the proud wearer of the lovely Turkey Feather Hat. Check out our weblog article for the full visual effect...

This contest brought in 580 food items and $57.25 to our food bank. Miss Fiona won with 485 feathers. Second place (280 feathers) was a tie between Mr. Manley and Mrs. Teich. Mrs. DM rounded out 3rd place with 170 feathers. Great job Visitation students!

YOU ARE INVITED: The monthly PTO meeting is Thursday, December 7th in the school cafeteria.The meeting starts at 7:00. Hope to see you there!!

GENEROSITY TO OUR SCHOOL: Thank you to the Knights of Columbus and John Klein for the generous gift of $1000.00 to our tuition assistance fund.

CONGRATULATIONS: To the winners of the VFW Essay Program for 2006!

Peace and Blessings,

Sheila Harrison

PTO Meeting December 7th

You are cordially invited to attend the Visitation Catholic School PTO Meeting on Thursday, December 7th.

The meeting will be held in the school cafeteria. Please enter through the side door from the playground.

All Visitation parents, guardians, staff members, volunteers, parish cluster members, and/or alumni are welcome to attend any and all PTO meetings throughout the year.

Meet with your Visitation comrades. Get informed, get involved... Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Earn Free Tuition

No. Really. Any current family can earn one month of free tuition for their child.

Recruit a new family, and you will receive one month of free tuition for one child. Recruit two families, earn two months. It’s that simple.

A month not enough for you? How about a year?

For every family you recruit, your name will be placed in a drawing. Once ten families have recruited new families, we will draw one name for a year’s free tuition for one child for next year.

What’s the catch?

No catch. There are a few details, though. The new family must have a child in Kindergarten through 8th grade–new Pre-Kindergarten students are not eligible for this promotion. Your month of free tuition will be awarded in the month following the new family’s registration.

This offer valid from September 28, 2006 through March 30, 2007.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Late Start Wednesday

Due to inclement weather, school will begin two hours late on Wednesday, November 29.

No School Tuesday

Due to snow, school has been canceled for Tuesday, November 28.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Who's a Turkey? (Part Two)

A photo of our own Miss Fiona, wearing the coveted Turkey Crown.

The Week Ahead (Nov. 27-Dec. 3)

Everything you need to know for the upcoming week.

Monday, November 27
  • Classes Resume
  • Scrip due - 9:00AM
  • 2:00PM - Early school dismissal

Tuesday, November 28
  • return Thursday folders to school
  • Advanced Band - 2:45PM to 3:20PM

Wednesday, November 29
  • Beginning Band - 2:45PM to 3:20PM (openings available)

Thursday, November 30
  • Thursday folders and scrip sent home with students
  • Counselor on campus for students, staff and parents / guardians - 11AM to 1:00PM - Joel Hellenkamp. Contact Visitation office or e-mail at jhellenkamp@saintpats.org to make an appointment (optional).
  • Brownie Girl Scouts - 2:45PM to 4:15PM - Collier Center
  • Chess Club - 2:45PM to 4:15PM - School Library - Bring a chess set if you have one. (4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders)

Friday, December 1
  • Full Dress Uniform
  • All School Mass - 9AM to 10:00AM - All friends and family welcome to attend.
  • Beginning Band - 11:45AM to 12:15PM (openings available)
  • Advanced Band - 2:45PM to 3:20PM
  • Scrip available at PM carpool - 2:45PM. If raining (or snowing!), will sell in PTO room.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Who's a Turkey?

The 2nd Annual Turkey Feather Contest results are in!

VCS collected 580 food items and $57.25 for the parish food bank.

For each donation of one food item or 50¢, students were awarded a paper "turkey feather", which they could assign to the teacher or staff member of their choice. The feathers were pasted onto pictures all over the school. Whoever's picture ended with the most feathers is awarded the Visitation Turkey Crown.

The honor of wearing the lovely Turkey Crown this year goes to Miss Fiona, who gathered an amazing 485 feathers.

Second place was a tie, with Mr. Manley and Mrs. Teich each collecting 280 feathers.

Great job Visitation students!

A Blessed Thanksgiving to You All

Visitation Catholic School will close at noon today for Thanksgiving break. Classes will resume on Monday, November 27th.

Monday, November 20, 2006

The Week Ahead (Nov. 20 - 26)

Everything you need to know for the upcoming week.

Monday, November 20
  • Turkey Feather Contest continues. Bring a can/box of non-perishable food to get 1 feather OR buy 2 feathers for $1.00. Bonus items are worth 4 extra feathers each = Small jar of Pickles, Olives, Instant Pudding, Tomato Paste
  • Scrip due - 9AM - Limited quantities this week only - First come, first serve
  • 2:00PM - Early school dismissal
Tuesday, November 21
  • Cookie Dough Distribution - 12:30PM to 6:30PM - Lower Hall - MUST BE PICKED UP - Any dough not picked up will be donated to the food bank.
  • Last Day Turkey Feather Contest.
  • return Thursday folders to school
  • Advanced Band - 2:45PM to 3:20p
  • School commission meeting - 7PM - Collier Center
Wednesday, November 22
  • Noon Dismissal
  • NO Hot Lunch
  • NO Beginning Band
  • NO Family envelope sent home
  • Thanksgiving Break begins!
Thursday, November 23

NO school - Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 24

NO school

Monday, November 27

Classes Resume

Wanted
  • Espresso maker for staff room
  • School Uniforms. Gently used to replenish emergency closet
  • Baskets for Auction - send to school


Volunteer Opportunities

In Order by Date:
  • Nov. 21 - Cookie Dough Distribution - 10:30AM to 6:30PM - Contact Tona Mickelson.
  • Dec 2 - Chili Cook-Off - Contact Kileen Swortz, Elizabeth Albers, or Kathi Morley.
  • Dec 4 - Santa Shop Set up - 11AM to 3PM - contact Tona Mickelson.
  • Dec. 5 thru 7 - Santa Shop helpers - 8AM to 3:30PM - contact Tona Mickelson.
  • Dec. 6 - St. Nicholas Day - contact school
  • Dec. 7 - PTO Meeting - 7PM - School Cafeteria
  • Dec. 8 - Santa Shop helpers, Take down & Clean up - 8AM to 2PM
  • March 23, 2007 - Family Auction Night. Contact Annette Thomas at jonaza_3@msn.com.
  • March 31, 2007 - Auction Gala. Contact Annette Thomas at jonaza_3@msn.com.
Ongoing:
  • Auction 2007 - info on the web at http://www.visitationschool.net/support/auction.html. Any questions or comments contact Marta Palmquist Cady at mpalmquist@ups.edu
  • After-School Art program - contact Mrs. Woodard or Mrs. Harburg-Petrich
  • Athletic School Board Members - contact Mrs. Marcy at marcym@visitationschool.net (Be a part of the team!)
  • Basketball Coaches (get 30 commitment hrs!) - Contact Mrs. Marcy.
  • Chess Club helpers. Meet every Thursday, 2:45PM to 4:15PM at School Library. Contact Thom Ryng at ryngt@visitationschool.net - we're always looking for parent volunteers. If you have a board or chess clock, bring them!
  • PTO Fundraising chairs. Contact Tona Mickelson.
  • School Safety Committee Members - contact school
  • Treats / Snacks for staff on Wednesdays. Sign-up sheet posted in PTO room or contact Celeste Ayton.
  • Visitation Vision Committee Members - contact Lillian Albers.


Save and Send to Visitation School
  • Campbell's product UPC labels - (includes Franco-American, Market Day, Pepperidge Farms, Prego, Swanson, V-8 lids)
  • Cell Phones - old
  • Education Box Tops
  • Ink Jet, Laser & Fax Cartridges
  • for more information go to http://www.labelsforeducation.com/eligibleproductsEN.aspx
    and http://www.boxtops4education.com/index.aspx

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Thursday Note Home

Dear Visitation Families,

It is suddenly mid-November and the holiday season is rapidly approaching. It seems that each year the noise of commercialism gets louder and louder, threatening to drown out the true message of thankfulness to our God for all the amazing gifts He has given to us. At Visitation Catholic School we work very hard to emphasize the spiritual side of the holiday season and to help our students celebrate the true meaning of the holidays through the music we sing, the prayers we teach, and the community service we give. I know that you re-enforce this message at home as well.

One powerful way for you to model thankfulness to your children is to participate in the Stewardship Campaign at your parish. This weekend you are to return the pledge cards that were in the pews or you received in the mail this week.

Hopefully, you have had some time to prayerfully reflect on what you and your family can do to help support your parish and its mission. I understand that one of our parent’s, Mike Mello, shared a powerful story of how God has worked in the lives of his family members.

Also, remember that receiving the in-parish tuition rate is contingent on having an established pattern of support to the parish. One way to show that support is to have a current Sacrificial Giving card on file with your parish, whether it is Visitation, St. Ann, Sacred Heart, St. John of the Woods, or any other Catholic parish in the area. Please return those cards this weekend.

REMINDER: Because next Thursday is Thanksgiving and Wednesday is a half day, there will beno family envelope sent home.

THANK YOU: Purple Heart veteran and long-time parishioner John Klein and his wife Genevieve donated new US and Papal flags along with new stands, poles and headpieces to Visitation Church.

These flags were placed in the sanctuary on Veterans Day as a tribute to all Active Duty military, veterans of all wars and the non-veterans who stayed home to do the work needed to support the veterans and their families. The old US flag is faded and will be disposed of in a dignified manner as proscribed by law.

BASKETBALL REGISTRATION: Registration forms are going home today for all boys and girls in 4th through 8th grades who want to play basketball. CYO is also still in need of coaching help on a few of the teams. Please contact Mrs. Marcy if you would like to coach.

ONE OF THOSE THINGS... Every November the school conducts a check for head lice as during the colder months of the year children tend to both wear and share hats, so we try to be proactive.

I am happy to report that all are OK! Thank you to Susan Frey for doing the tough job of checking all heads.

NEWS ON THE AFTER SCHOOL ART PROGRAM: Because there are 35 children signed up to stay after school on Fridays for the Art Program, we have outgrown the space we had! The Art Program will be moving to the Lower Hall and Collier Center for the November 17th classes. Please see the enclosed flyer for more details. Thanks to Mrs. Harburg-Petrich and Mrs. Woodard for sharing their wonderful talents.

Peace and Blessings,

Sheila Harrison

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Basketball Coaches Needed

It's time to sign up for coaching basketball. If you're interested in the positions of coach or assistant coach, please contact Mrs. Marcy.

Fr. Bryan has agreed to be an assistant coach, but he obviously will need some help!

Chili Cook-Off

If you make the best chili west of the Pecos, now's the time to let us know! The Visitation Chili Cook-Off will be held in the Lower Hall on Saturday, December 2 - sign up now!

If you'd like to register for the event, or you've just got questions, please contact Elisabeth Albers, Kileen Swortz, or Kathi Morley.

Thursday Note Home

Dear Visitation Families,

I am very excited that the work is proceeding on the new Visitation Pre-Kindergarten at St. Ann Parish.

As you may recall, the idea of locating a pre-kindergarten at St. Ann Parish operated under the auspices of Visitation Catholic School began last year. Initially, the main reason for this program was to boost our enrollment by increasing the number of students who attend our Pre-K and then follow through to enrolling in our Kindergarten.

Now that Visitation Catholic School has become the regional school for the parishes of St. Ann, Sacred Heart, and St. John of the Woods (as well as Visitation), having a Pre-K program located at St. Ann will help provide more access to families living near St. Ann. It’s also nice to have a Catholic school presence again in that area.

The site of the new Pre-K room is in the old St. Ann grade school. Most of the building is leased by Catholic Community Services’ Phoenix Program. However, the old library wasn’t part of the lease. It is the perfect place for a Pre-Kindergarten room as it is a large, sunny room at the end of the building. Construction began last week to put in a new entrance and a new bathroom for the children.

We are thankful to the Fulcrum Foundation and the Archdiocese for grants to do the renovation. If all goes well, we hope to have the room ready for use by the beginning of December. If you know any families in that area who have 3 or 4yr. olds and might be interested in a quality Pre-Kindergarten program, let them know that St. Ann is happening! Watch this space for more updates!

NEW STAFF: Mrs. Sherry Drake has joined our staff as an aide. She is a parishioner and comes with a wonderful background of working with the Scouting program for many years. Please welcome her if you see her in the halls.

TURKEY FEATHERS CONTINUED!: The Turkey Feather Contest is beginning to heat up! Several staff are in the running for the privilege of wearing that “unique” hat.

PLEASE NOTE: The service hours report for each family is in this week’s envelope. Please be Aware that the reports cover from May 1, 2006 through November 3, 2006. They do not include Cookie Dough totals or Scrip due to a computer crash. They are in the process of re-inputting all the data.

CALLING ALL COACHES: It’s time to sign up for coaching basketball. If you are interested in the positions of coach or assistant coach, please contact Mrs. Marcy.

THANK YOU: Extended Care would like to thank Gonzalo Chale for the computer monitor and Arturo and Sonya Pascual for the computer games.

PRAYERS PLEASE: Please keep the faculty, staff and students of Assumption/St. Bridget School in your prayers. Their Principal, Michael Foy, passed away suddenly this week. He was Principal at Assumption/ St. Bridget School in Seattle for 19 years. Mike touched many lives in the Archdiocese over the years. Among the principals, he was known as a wise counsel and always did his best to help all. He will be sorely missed. Please also keep his family in your prayers.

Peace,

Sheila Harrison

Monday, November 06, 2006

The Week Ahead (Nov. 6 - 12)

Everything you need to know for the upcoming week.

Monday, November 6
  • Scrip due - 9AM
  • 2:00p - Early school dismissal
  • Turkey Feather Contest continues. Bring a can / box of non-perishable food to get 1 feather OR buy 2 feathers for $1.00. Bonus items until Nov. 9th: Peanut Butter, Jelly. Boxed Cereal, Hot Cereal = 5 feathers.
Tuesday, November 7
  • return Thursday folders to school
  • VOTE - General Election - Your Vote is Your Voice
  • Free Dress 1st Tuesday. Bring can of food for food bank.
  • Advanced Band - 2:45PM to 3:20PM
  • Adult Enrichment classes with Fr. Bryan Dolejsi at St. Ann’s Hall - 7PM to 9PM
Wednesday, November 8
  • Beginning Band - 2:45PM to 3:20PM (openings available)
Thursday, November 9
  • Thursday folders and scrip sent home with students
  • Counselor on campus every Thursday - 11AM to 1PM - Joel Hellenkamp. Parents / Guardians contact office to make an appointment (optional).
  • Veteran’s Day Assembly - 12:40PM to 1:30PM - Friends and Family invited to attend
  • Brownie Girl Scouts - 2:45PM to 4:15PM - Collier Center
  • Chess Club - 2:45PM to 4:15PM - School Library - Bring a chess set if you have one.
Friday, November 10
  • NO School - Veteran's Day
  • Bunco Night - 6:30PM - School Cafeteria - $10 - Babysitting provided (Donations cheerfully accepted.) - Dessert and Prizes! - Over 18 please.
Wanted
  • Baskets for Auction - send to school
  • Espresso maker for staff room
  • School Uniforms. Gently used to replenish emergency closet

Volunteer Opportunities - Obtain job positions and descriptions from contacts.

In Order by Date:
  • Nov. 10 - Bunco Night - contact Heather Liufau.
  • Nov. 21 - Cookie Dough Distribution - contact school.
  • Dec. 2 - Chili Cook-Off - contact Kileen Swortz or Elizabeth Albers.
  • Dec. 5 thru 8 - Santa Shop - contact Tona Mickelson.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Thursday Note Home

Dear Visitation Families,

The four-parish Mass on Saturday, October 28th, was a roaring success! It was a wonderful coming together of all our parish families and all of the cultural groups that help make up our new cluster. The Archbishop remarked that he was most pleased to see all of the groups represented, including the school.

Both Fr. Tuan and I received many compliments about our children. The mass and ceremony were very meaningful. The students and families who attended have mentioned how beautiful the ceremony was and many Visitation parishioners commented that they felt a definite coming together of all of our parishes.

If you didn't stay for the celebration after the mass, you missed great food and music. You also missed out on an opportunity to see Fr. Tuan and Fr. Poao dance with the Samoan dancers!

All in all, it was a memorable evening! Thank you to the children and parents who worked as ushers, greeters, candle lighters, and gift-bearers as well as to all of you who attended.

NEW STAFF: I am very pleased to announce that Joel Hellenkamp, a well-known counselor in the Tacoma area, will be working at our school every Thursday from 11:00AM to 1:00PM. He will work with classes on a number of issues as well as serving as a resource for staff and parents. Joel has worked with Visitation School before. He also works with St. Charles Borremeo, St. Patrick, and Holy Rosary.

INVITATION: The Student Council would like to extend a special invitation to any Visitation family with a family member currently serving in the military to come for our Veterans Day Assembly. We would very much like to honor you. The assembly will be on Thursday, November 9, from 12:40 to 1:30 in the Upper Hall.

A BIG THANK YOU! A very big thank you to the Visitation Women's Club who donated brand new dictionaries to each of our third graders. Every student in the third grade now has his or her very own dictionary to use and keep. A special thanks to Linda Johnson who spearheaded this wonderful gift.

IN THE NEWS: One of our parishioners has been honored in People Magazine's "Heroes Among Us" series. Wayne Mangan has been honored for his work with local families of children with leukemia. Read about it in the November 6th edition of People.

TURKEY FEATHERS: The Student Council is gearing up for the return of the very popular Turkey Feathers Contest. This is a fun way to raise food and funds for our Food Bank. Details in today's note home. The contest begins Friday.

LAST CHANCE ON COOKIE DOUGH: Get those orders in by tomorrow! That's the last day to order cookie dough for your holiday baking.

THANK YOU! Thanks to Yasmin Rodrigues who helped our Kitchen Manager, Cecelia Tun, pick up commodities for our lunch program. Also thanks to Ken Leary and Binh Dang who helped unload the order! Thank you also to the 7th and 8th graders who helped clear out the room at St. Ann so construction can begin!

LOW COST DENTAL FOR CHILDREN: If you know someone with children who is on Medicaid or has limited resources, Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children is offering walk-in exams for all new patients who are children ages 0 to 18. No appointment is necessary. Call 253-539-7445 for more information.

HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: O'Dea High School is hosting an Open House for any interested parents and students. O'Dea is an all - boys high school located on First Hill in Seattle (by all the hospitals). The open house is Thursday, November 9th from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. For more information call their admissions office at 206.622.1308. You can also ask me about the program, as my son graduated from O'Dea.

Peace,

Sheila Harrison