Golf Classic Saturday!

Come join us for the Fourth Annual Visitation Golf Classic. This year, we're holding it at Allenmore Golf Course on Saturday, September 22.



Registration—9AM
Tournament start—10AM
Reception—3PM

Included: Green fees, opportunities to win great prizes, silent auction, and awards reception.

Mulligans, KPs, and Putting Strings will be available for purchase during registration.

Registration: $125 per player. Proceeds to benefit Visitation Catholic School Scholarship Fund.

For more information, please contact Elisabeth Albers at 253-564-8077.

Viking Dragonboat Wins!

The Visitation Vikings Dragonboat won the first place youth-division trophy at the Commencement Bay Maritime Festival on Saturday.

In the third and final heat, the Vikings beat the Faith Lutheran Youth Group team by four boatlengths.

Please join us in congratulating all our Viking Dragonboaters!

Upcoming Events

Sept. 14: All School Mass hosted by 6th Grade at 9 AM (Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross)

Sept. 15: DragonBoat races at Commencement Bay Maritime Festival

Sept. 18: Art/Drama classes begin

Sept. 21: All School Mass at 9 AM
Popcorn: 50 cents
Gift Wrap sale ends

Sept. 22: Visitation Golf Classic at Allenmore

Sept. 25th: 7th and 8th grade Retreat

Sept. 28: Box Tops/Soup Label contest ends

Oct. 4: PTO meeting

Oct. 12: No School; Teachers Inservice

Oct. 17: Individual Pictures
Cookie Dough Sale begins
Skating Party sponsored by PTO

Thursday Note Home

September 13, 2007

Dear Visitation Families,

Our summer-like weather continues! I hope you get the chance to enjoy some sunshine while we still have the abundance. One way to do that would be this Saturday at the Commencement Bay Maritime Festival where you could watch the Dragon boat races and cheer on our very own Visitation student boat. These Vikings have been practicing hard and I know they will make a great showing. The races start at 11:00 AM.

RECEIVING THE SACRAMENTS: This is a reminder that if your child is in 2nd grade or older than 2nd grade and you would like to get information on preparation for the sacraments, ask the office to send you the Sacramental Sign Up form. The four parishes are combining their resources to provide a strong program. Also consider signing up for GIFT (Generations In Faith Together). This is a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to deepen your knowledge of the Catholic Faith and share community.

This program begins Oct. 14. Check at the end of the newsletter for more information.

4th ANNUAL FRIENDS OF VISITATION GOLF TOURNAMENT /SUPPORTERS DINNER

Dust off your golf clubs and take part in the Friends of Visitation Golf Tournament next Saturday, Sept.22nd at Allenmore Golf Course. Money raised will go towards supporting Visitation Catholic School. Questions? E-mail Elisabeth Albers at EandJalbers@cs.com.

SCHOOL DIRECTORY REMINDER: If you don’t wish to have your home phone number and/or address published in the school directory, please notify the office by Friday, Sept. 14. Also, any changes to information that will be listed in the Visitation Catholic School Family Directory since you signed your contract need to be given to the main office no later than Friday, Sept. 14.

SAFETY ISSUES: There is still some confusion on the morning carpool procedures. If you are going to park your car inside the playground and walk your child in, please be sure to park along the fence, and not in the middle of the carpool lanes, so that parents who are dropping off children can drive through the carpool lane and not be stuck behind a parked car.

In the afternoon, when you pick up your child(ren), be sure that you return to your car before Mr. Binh opens the gates to allow the cars to go.

Frankly, I am not happy with the current carpool plan both in the morning and afternoon, from a safety, as well as organizational standpoint. I would welcome suggestions on how to improve the current plan. If you are interested in working on this, or other safety issues, please let me know, as we do have a Safety Committee and they would be happy to have input.

RETURN OF THE POPCORN: Our popcorn guys will be back on Friday, Sept. 20th to pop that fragrant
tasty popcorn. It is a great treat for after mass. The price is still only 50 cents a bag.

SMILE FOR THE CAMERA: Visitation parish members are encouraged to sign up for pictures to go into the new parish directory. Sign ups are available in the back of the church. You can receive a free 8 x 10 Signature portrait along with a free parish directory!

A GREAT MATH OPPORTUNITY: Mrs. Falsetta is inviting 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to do their math homework after school in her classroom every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 – 3:30.

LIBRARY INFORMATION: Mrs. Todd, our Librarian, would like you to know that the library books are coded with colored apples to indicate what reading level they are. Light pink indicates 1st grade, yellow is 2nd, orange is 3rd, green is 4th, red is for 5th grade, blue for 6th, purple for 7th, light green is 8th, peach is 9th and bright pink is for 10th grade.

If your child brings a book home at a low reading level it is fine if it is for their reading enjoyment. If they are reading a library book as part of a classroom assignment (such as a book report) the level should be more challenging.

OLD COUNTRY FAIR: Mark Sept.29th on your calendar to attend an old country fair at our sister parish St. John of the Woods. A guaranteed good time!

FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE: Our regional parishes are offering flu shots after Sunday masses during the months of October/November. They are scheduled for the following: Oct. 28th at SJW after the 10 AM Mass, Nov. 4 after the 12 noon Mass at Sacred Heart, Nov. 11 after the 9:30 Mass at St. Ann, and Nov,. 18th after the 10:30 Mass at Visitation. This opportunity is open to all with a $5.00 suggested donation.

THANK YOU: I would like to thank four of our wonderful students who put up a lemonade stand to sell lemonade and then donated their profits to our school. Thanks to Sammy (8th) and Tessa (6th), Angela (6th), and Marisol (6th). Thank you also to Celeste Ayton for the wonderful deviled eggs and thank you to Horyong Yu for the tasty Krispy Kreme donuts.

FYI: If you know someone who might qualify for a Habitat for Humanity house, you can call 253-627-5626 for more information.

FINALLY: This Sunday at all the masses in the Archdiocese, the Fulcrum Foundation will be advertising their capital campaign to raise money for their endowments.

I urge you to consider giving whatever you can to this worthy organization. Fulcrum was responsible for giving over $30,500.00 directly to Visitation School for tuition assistance last year. In addition, they gave us over $30,000.00 to open our satellite Pre-K program at St. Ann.

Money you give to Fulcrum will help ensure not only the future of Visitation Catholic School, but all of the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle.

Peace,


Mrs. Harrison

Welcome from the Principal

Welcome to the 82nd year of Visitation Catholic School opening our doors to educate young men and women in south Tacoma. Although the good Benedictine Sisters who founded this school are no longer part of our faculty, we continue their mission of passing on the faith, culture and traditions of the Catholic faith paired with a strong academic framework. In partnership with parents, the faculty and staff work to form a strong faith-filled community to nurture the students of Visitation.

Visitation Catholic School offers a place where the Catholic world view is taught and lived. It is a place where students experience what the Church calls us to: what the world should be like, a place where people treat each other with respect, where faith and life is integrated. At VCS, we are committed to living out a Catholic culture of faith, learning, and love.

Our high standards, strong motivation, effective discipline and caring atmosphere combine to foster academic excellence. Our graduates are highly successful in high school and the good study habits they learn at VCS prepare them for successful futures.

VCS is wonderfully diverse, both culturally and economically, and we offer a special opportunity for all children to live and learn within a Catholic community. To see the Body of Christ working together to resolve conflict and grow in respect for each other is not something that children experience in public school.

This year we look forward to working on the goals that were identified from our Accreditation process last year and we also are excited over the expansion of our fine arts program to include art and drama within our regular day schedule. 2007-08 promises to be a great year!

Peace,

Sheila Harrison

School Calendar Posted

The new school calendar is posted here.

School Supply List, 2007-2008

Required supplies, listed by grade.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN AT VISITATION
1 package plain white paper plates
1 package quart size Ziplock bags
1 package sandwich size Ziplock bags
3 boxes family size Kleenex
3 packages Wet Wipes 80 count or higher
3 packages 5 oz. Dixie cups 90 count or higher
1 box Crayola crayons 24 count size
1 box Crayola markers 8 to 10 count size

PRE-KINDERGARTEN AT ST. ANN
1 package plain white paper plates
1 package quart size Ziplock bags
1 package sandwich size Ziplock bags
3 boxes family size Kleenex
3 packages Wet Wipes 80 count or higher
2 boxes Crayola crayons 24 count size

KINDERGARTEN
Please label the following items with student's name.
ALL UNIFORM ITEMS (sweatshirts, sweaters, pants,
headbands, scrunchies, etc.)
l weatherproof backpack (2 shoulder-strap variety) with zipper
1 small blanket
1 oversized t-shirt for painting

The following items will be community property. Please DO NOT label them.

12 glue sticks
12 pencils, #2, plain yellow
2 boxes of 16 crayons (or more) (CRAYOLA REQUIRED)
1 pair of Fiskars scissors (blunt required )
5 folders w/bottom pockets (1 blue, 1 green, Assorted solid color
2 pink erasers
1 individual pencil sharpener
2 boxes of crackers (graham, saltines, Ritz, etc)
1 pkg. plastic cups
2 large boxes Kleenex
1 pkg. of plates (paper)

FIRST GRADE
1 Weatherproof backpack
1 Water bottle
2 White 1" binders with clear plastic view
50 Clear plastic sheet protectors
5 Folders w/bottom pockets (assorted solid colors only)
2 Adult size shoe boxes
1 Oversized t-shirt for painting
1 Pair of Fiskars scissors (blunt required)
1 Tray of watercolor paints
1 Small pencil sharpener that will hold shavings
1 12" ruler

The following items will be community property. Please DO NOT label them.

12 Glue sticks
2 Boxes Crayola 24 count crayons
1 Box Crayola 12 count colored pencils
1 Box Crayola 10 count washable markers
2 Pink erasers
24 No.2 yellow pencils
2 Large boxes of Kleenex
1 Bottle of hand sanitizer
3 Packages of wet wipes
1 Bottle of spray Lysol cleaner

Last name A-L

• 1 Box sandwich size Ziploc plastic bags
• 1 Pkg. paper plates

Last name M-Z

• 1 Box gallon size Ziploc bags
• 1 Pkg. of cups

SECOND GRADE
1 weatherproof backpack
24 #2 pencils, plain yellow
2 Flair brand black pens
12 colored pencils (Crayola preferred)
3 glue sticks
2 large boxes Kleenex
1 pair children's Fiskars scissors
1 box of 24 crayons
1 box of 8 markers
2 dry erase markers
1 box water colors
2 pink pearl erasers
1 bottle Elmer's liquid white glue
1 1" binder
25 clear page protectors for binder
2 spiral notebooks, wide-ruled, 1 subject
2 folders with bottom pockets
Pencil box with a lid that snaps shut

Last name A-L

• 1 Box sandwich size Ziploc plastic bags

Last name M-Z

• 1 Box gallon size Ziploc bags

1 box wet wipes

THIRD GRADE
1 Kleenex (large box)
3 - 4 #2 pencils
1 pink pearl eraser
1 box crayons or colored pencils or both
1 ruler (metric & English)
1 calculator, simple and easy to read
1 pair pointed scissors
1 pkg wide ruled 3-hole notebook paper
1 8 1/2 x 11 spiral notebook wide rule
1 1" binder and dividers
Pencil pouch or pencil box
3 pkg. of 3 x 5 index cards
1 large bottle Elmer's glue
1 red pen
1 pencil sharpener that will hold the shavings
1 box of wet wipes (for cleaning tops of desks.)
1 box gallon size zip lock plastic bags
1 box sandwich zip lock bags

Please label all supplies and replenish supplies as needed.

FOURTH GRADE
colored pencils
1 bottle of Elmer's glue or glue sticks
2 pink pearl erasers
1 box of 12 pencils #2 lead
scissors - pointed
wide rule notebook paper
1-3 ringed notebook w/dividers
2 PC diskettes
blue or black pens
1 box narrow tip markers
2 large boxes Kleenex
1 pencil pouch for three ring binder
1 ruler - metric and English
1 small calculator

(Pencils, paper, etc. need to be replenished throughout the school year.)

FIFTH GRADE
colored pencils
1 bottle of Elmer's glue
2 pink pearl erasers
1 box of 12 pencils #2 lead
crayons
1 Crayola Washable Watercolors
3 highlighters (1 yellow, 1 green, 1 red or pink)
2 PC formatted diskettes
scissors - pointed
1 or 2 inch three ring binder
wide rule notebook paper
2 glue stick
1 compass and protractor
2 large box Kleenex
1 pencil pouch for three ring binder
1 ruler - metric and English
pencil sharpener that will hold the shavings
1 pkg dividers
1 pkg of 3 x 5 lined index cards

(Pencils, paper, etc. need to be replenished throughout the school year.)

SIXTH GRADE
Mechanical pencils only! *replaceable lead
10 Blue or black pens…NO GEL PENS!
1 eraser for pen/pencil
2 box Kleenex
10 3x3 post its
10 pkgs 3x5 index cards
1 set narrow tip markers
1 set colored pencils
1 zipper pouch (pens/pencils) kept inside binder
1 2” binder
1 set of binder dividers with tabs
1 calculator
8 colored folders with pockets (no brads on inside of folders)
3 pkg. college ruled notebook paper (3 hole)
1 ruler (metric and standard)
1 pair pointed stainless steel scissors
1 compass
1 protractor
1 Merriam Webster paperback dictionary (REGULAR NOT STUDENT EDITION)
4 spiral notebooks (college ruled)
1-3-subject notebook
2 glue sticks, 1 bottle Elmer's glue
5 disks
1 diskette carrying case (small)
5 self-addressed stamped postcards
5 highlighters - different colors
1 four-pack package of vis-à-vis pens
1 clipboard
2 white-out tape PLEASE: NO LIQUID WHITE OUT!

SEVENTH/EIGHTH GRADE
2 boxes Kleenex
3 boxes #2 pencils
4 pkg blue or black pens
NO ERASABLE PENS
2 pkg red ballpoint pens
1 pkg of colored pencils
1 set of narrow felt tip markers
1 roll plastic book cover
3 pkgs college ruled 3-hole notebook paper in September / 3 in January
12 packs post-its
1 roll Scotch tape
8 pkgs 3 x 5 lined cards
1 ruler (metric & standard)
1 pair fiskars scissors
1 protractor with arm
4 highlighters
1 Oxford (preferable) or Merriam Webster paperback (regular not student edition dictionary)
2 scientific calculators with name - one kept at home; one kept at school
1 thumb/flashdrive
2 white out pen type
1 roll paper towels
Highly recommended - soft or hard sided
attache case rather than back pack.

ALL GRADES PLEASE NOTE: "SPORT" OR TENNIS SHOES ARE TO BE WORN ON PE DAYS!

PLEASE MARK ALL CLOTHING WITH CHILD'S NAME.

THANK YOU!

Southeast Tacoma Youth Celebration & Mass

Calling all the Youth (ages 13 to 19) from Visitation, St. Ann, St. John of the Woods and Sacred Heart!

Mark your calendars:
September 22th at St. Ann
10:30AM - 5PM

Vigil Mass follows at 5PM

Come for:

• Ice Breakers
• Games
• Prayer
• Community Building
• Food!
• Spiritual Enrichment
• Fun

Thursday Note Home

Dear Families,

Greetings to all as we enjoy the last few weeks of August. I hope that this summer has been restful, restorative, and fun for everyone. It has been a busy week as we opened the school office for our eighty-second year. As a reminder, the office is open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM every day.

The school office will be closed on Friday, August 31st and Monday, September 3rd. If you have any questions, need additional copies of the calendar, uniform guidelines, etc. or are just in the neighborhood, please stop by. We would love to see you.

I’m sure many of you have already begun purchasing school supplies and additional uniform items. Teachers have returned to begin getting their classes ready. In addition to getting some well deserved rest, many of them spent time this summer working on their professional development.

The teachers, staff, and I begin our in-service days with a retreat on August 27th directed by Fr. Bryan Dolejsi. The 28th and 29th will be devoted to "housekeeping" duties associated with the start of a new year as well as focusing our efforts toward the goals identified by last year’s Accreditation study.

In staff news, Beverly Falsetta is rejoining our staff as the 7th/ 8th grade Math/Science teacher.

We are also pleased to welcome Colleen Lardie as our new 5th grade teacher and Mandi McDonald as our new Kindergarten teacher. Both these teachers come with great enthusiasm, energy, and new ideas.

We are also very excited to welcome Victoria Kristy Zalewski (Mrs. Z.) to our staff. Mrs. Z will be working part time as our art/drama teacher. She comes to us from Sacred Heart in Bellevue and before that Villa Academy.

Collette Ferdig will also be rejoining the staff as an educational aide to the faculty.

Aracely Perez is rejoining the staff as a kitchen assistant.

Our playground assistant supervisor, Bridget Gardner, will continue in her position until she goes on maternity leave.

A few reminders regarding the beginning of the year to make you aware of:

ORIENTATION DAY/SUPPLIES: PK – 8 orientations are scheduled for Thursday, August 30th from 9:00 – 12:00 and 1:00 – 3:00. The building will be closed from 12:00 - 1:00 so the faculty can enjoy lunch traditionally prepared for them by the PTO.

Orientation Day is an opportunity for your child to drop off supplies, say hi to their teacher, and pick up a short assignment that will be due the first day of school. Please remember that comfort kits have been ordered for every Pre-K- 8th grade registered student, so you do not need to bring one.

If you would like to add a note/letter, family picture and/or special treats into your student’s kit, please bring those things with you on the 30th in an envelope/bag marked with your child’s name and grade. It is expected that all students will stop by at some point during the day unless arrangements have been made with your child’s teacher before then.

All of our affiliated organizations (CYO, PTO, Auction Committee, Development, Scrip, Extended Care, Boy Scouts, Campfire Girls and others) will also be available in the cafeteria to hand out information and give you an opportunity to sign up to complete commitment hours and fund-raising opportunities, so be sure to stop by.

MONDAY EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS: Please remember that we will be dismissing at 2:00 PM on Mondays, beginning Monday, September 10th. Extended Care will be available beginning at 2:00 on those days. As a reminder, students must be pre-registered to attend Extended Care. Sign up will be available on Orientation Day or you can stop by the office to pick up the form daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM between now and August 30th or call us and we will be happy to send one to you.

HOT LUNCH: Our hot lunch program is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 10. Hot lunches, which cost $3.00 per student, are sold by weekly tickets. Don’t forget to pack lunches for the Sept. 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th! Milk will be available for $0.35.

PARENT DIRECTORY: Every year we make a parent directory available to all of our families. If you do not want your address and phone number published, please call the office by Friday, September 14th.

REMINDER OF IMMUNUNIZATIONS: There is a new immunization requirement for SIXTH GRADERS . As of July 1, 2007, children attending 6th grade who are 11 years and older, are required to show proof of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) vaccination if it has been five years since receiving a tetanus-containing vaccine.

Also, please remember that students in grades K, 1st, and 6th must have had the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. Students in grades Kindergarten through Grade 10 must have the Hepatitis B vaccine and all grades must show proof that they have had their second MMR immunization prior to the first day of school. For additional information on these requirements, forms and other immunization information, go to http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/schools.htm .

SPECIAL REMINDERS FOR PRE-K PARENTS: The first day of class for our pre-kindergarten students is on Wednesday, September 5th. Classes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, September 5th, 6th and 7th will be held from 8:10 am until noon at our Visitation campus and 8:30 am until noon at our St. Ann campus. We will not be having lunch at the school on these days and there is no after school extended care for pre-kindergarten students during that first week.

Our regular class schedule begins on Monday, September 10, 2007.

• Visitation Pre-K Morning Class is from 8:10 - 11:10 and All Day Class is from 8:10 - 2:45.


• St. Ann Pre-K Morning Class is from 8:30 – 11:30 and All Day is from 8:30- 2:45.

We look forward to seeing all of you on Orientation Day!

Blessings,

Sheila Harrison

Upcoming Events

August 30th: Pre-K through 8th grade Orientation Day

Sept. 4th: School begins K - 8

Sept.5th: Pre-K begins (half days the first week)

Sept. 10: Hot Lunch begins. Pre-K begins full days

Sept. 11th: School Commission Meeting at 6:30PM

Sept. 12th: Back to School Night begins at 6:30PM

Sept. 15th: Dragonboat races at Commencement Bay Maritime Fest - come out and cheer on the Vikings!

Sept. 22nd: Golf Tournament

Still Some Pre-K Openings at St. Ann

Our Pre-K at the Visitation campus is FULL! There are still some spots open at our St. Ann campus, so if you are interested in Pre-Kindergarten for your child, please call the school office today.

Registration Still Open

If you desire the benefits of a Catholic education for your children, please contact the school office at 474-6424. We’d love to hear from you!

Why should you consider Pre-Kindergarten for your 3 or 4 year old?

The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) recently released the results of two studies involving primarily lower-income families. One study found that at age 20, those who had attended a quality Pre-Kindergarten were more likely to have finished high school than children who hadn’t. They were also less likely to have been held back in school, or to have needed remedial help.

A second study found that at age 27, those who had attended Pre-Kindergarten had higher monthly earnings and had completed a higher level of schooling than children who hadn’t.

How can you offer your preschool children the best?

Visitation Catholic School has offered three and four year olds a quality Catholic Pre-Kindergarten program for nearly twenty years. Students learn about their Catholic faith while they develop strong academic foundations.

Half-day and full-day sessions are still available at both the Visitation and St. Ann sites. Please call us for more information.

The Last Day

Photos from the last day of school. Have a great summer!

Last Day of School!

Have a blessed summer!

Last Thursday Note Home of the Year!

Dear Visitation Families,

Well, here we are at the end of what has been a very busy and quick year. I would like to thank all of you for making me feel welcome this year. As I look back, there have been wonderful highlights such as the Advent program, Fall Festival, Accreditation, Auction, and Catholic Schools Week that really helped me appreciate the unique qualities of this community.

There have been many changes in this parish and school in the last year and I understand that change is hard for people. However, there has equally been a great pulling together and reaching out that has helped smooth things. The connections that have been made with the other parishes in the cluster, the discussions about Catholic schools both on the Archdiocesan level and Deanery level, and the new connections we have made as a school are all exciting and full of promise for next year.

I am already looking forward to the great possibilities that will unfold in the coming year. But first I am looking forward to a little vacation time! I wish all of you a pleasant, relaxing, and safe vacation time.

We’ll see you in August.

REPORT CARDS: Final report cards will be sent by mail on Thursday, June 21st, if not sooner.

PLEASE: If you have outstanding obligations in the form of service hours not worked, fund-raising not done, tuition, hot lunches, extended care, or band fees due, please take care of it by Friday the 15th. We have sent out multiple notices but if you are not sure you owe something, please check with the office. As a last resort, we are sometimes forced to hold report cards which can be very hard on the students who are eager to see their final progress. If you need to make arrangements with me, please call and make an appointment so that we can avoid disappointing children.

GET A JUMP ON SERVICE HOURS FOR NEXT YEAR! Cleaning the church once a week can earn you service hours over the summer. It takes only about an hour a week and can be done according to your own schedule. Easy for a working Mom or Dad. Please call Pam at 474-5468 to find out how!

PLEASE REMEMBER: There will be no Extended Care on Friday, June 15th, the last day of school.

CONGRATULATIONS: To Ellyn, named Valedictorian of this year’s graduating 8th grade and to Alexa, named Salutatorian.

MEDICATIONS: If your child has any prescriptions or over-the-counter medications in the school office, please make arrangements to pick these up by Tuesday, June 19th. Any medications left will be destroyed. Thanks for seeing that all “meds” get home safely.

PART-TIME WORK: Extended Care is looking for an after-school child care instructor to help our Program Director, Miss Lucy next year. If you are interested, please contact the school office.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO KEEP THE CHILDREN OCCUPIED THIS SUMMER? Please check the flyers coming home in this packet. There are free glass arts classes for children ages 12-18 being offered by Hilltop Artists in Residence. Contact Rachel Morton at 571-7670 for more information. Open Arts Studio is also offering classes and summer fun. And don’t forget to have all of your children READ, READ, READ!!

Peace and the Blessings,


Sheila Harrison

Thursday Note Home

Dear Visitation Families,

This week has all been about passages as we said good-bye to our eighth graders who are graduating and going on to high school. We also celebrate our littlest ones with a Pre-kindergarten graduation.

As I told the eighth grade, graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of our lives. We seek to constantly move forward, gaining more in understanding and love of our God. We will keep all of our graduates in our hearts and prayers.

IN THIS WEEK’S PACKET: There are some very important pieces of paper in this week’s Note Home. Please be sure to check for our Yearly Calendar, Uniform Guidelines, Uniform Brochure, and the Supply List for next year.

SPEAKING OF THE CALENDAR: Several parents have inquired as to whether we would continue with the Monday early dismissal. The staff and I discussed what needed to be done to reach the goals set for us in the accreditation study and decided that the 2:00 dismissal time would afford us the time we need as a faculty to implement the steps to reach our goals. Thank you for your understanding on this.

MONEY DUE: Principals really hate this time of year because we need to have hard conversations with parents who haven’t met their obligations to pay fees for fundraising, service hours, or tuition.

As a last resort, we are sometimes forced to hold report cards which can be very hard on the students who are eager to see their final progress. If you still have outstanding fees and/or tuition and you haven’t made arrangements with me, please call and make an appointment so that we can avoid disappointing children.

YOU’RE INVITED: PTO is having a planning meeting Potluck this Sunday, June 10th at 12 noon in the cafeteria. This is open to all parents who are interested in helping to plan next year’s PTO events. If you have any questions, please call Tona Mickelson.

YEARBOOKS: Yearbooks will be given out to all of the children who ordered them on Monday, June 11, 2007.

PLEASE REMEMBER: There will be no Extended Care on Friday afternoon, June 15th, the last day of school.

MEDICATIONS: If your child has any prescriptions or over-the-counter medications in the school office, please make arrangements to pick these up by Tuesday, June 19th. Any medications left will be destroyed. Thanks for seeing that all meds get home safely.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU: To everyone for making our Spring Book Fair a successful one. There was a cash profit of $632.72 and we received $253.00 worth of books. We also have earned bonus points to use for additional materials. A special thank you to Donna Peck, Karen Lynch, Julia Nottingham, Sonia Garza, and Nancy Hamilton for help during set-up, sales, and clean up.

Peace and the Blessings,

Sheila Harrison

Pre-Kindergarten Graduation! (photos)

Please join us in congratulating all our graduates.