Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Principal's Memo



Building Confident Catholic Leaders Through Faith, Community
 and Education
           
Dec. 18, 2012

Cookie Dough
Cookie dough is for sale at $10.00. The following tubs are available: 2 Reese’s Peanut Butter, 2 Monster, 6 Peanut Butter , 3 M & M’s 2 Lemon Drop 1 Walnut Chocolate Chunk. Pre-Portioned: 1 Chocolate Chunk, 1 M & M’s, 4 Oatmeal Raisin, 5 Snicker Doodle, 1 Classic Sensation, 1 Walnut Chocolate Chunk, 3 White Chocolate Macadamia, and 4 White Chocolate Oatmeal Cranberry.


Christmas Program
All are welcome on to join us in the church on Wed. Dec. 19 at 7:00 p.m. for the Christmas performance by the talented students from prek-8th grade. Join us at 6:00 p.m. for refreshments provided by hospitality before the Christmas Program!


After School Foreign Language
Enrichment Program
Hola! Cultural Bytes is offering After-School FULL IMMERSION classes in SPANISH at St. Dominic School. Imagine learning and speaking a new language in a fun and game-based environment! Whether your child is a novice or a native speaker, we will challenge them in a fun and competitive environment. Classes are divided into groups of  10 students maximum: The groups include: Pre K and Kinder; 1st and 2nd grades: 3rd and 4th; 5th and 6th; and 7th and 8th. And teachers and students ONLY speak the target language 60 minutes a week! Speak from day one, learn tongue-twisters and enjoy the culture our natives speakers bring to each class. This Enrichment Program is currently offered at other Catholic schools in the area. Enroll online for eleven Fridays from 1:45-2:45 pm starting 01/11-3/22 $220 plus $30 materials and workbook fee-Check our website for more information at www.cultural-bytes.org

The location for the Spanish presentation and demonstration lesson has changed. Join us on Wed. Dec. 19 in the 3rd grade classroom at 6:30 p.m. prior to the Christmas Program.
Santa’s Workshop
We need parent volunteers to assist in Santa’s workshop on Wed. from noon to 4:00 p.m. and Thu. from noon to 4:00 p.m.  Please call Emma Duke at 323-254-2545 if you are able to help.

Student Council
On Tue. Dec. 18, Student Council will sell hot chocolate during recess for 50 cents. Students may wear their favorite cap, hat, scarf, etc, (in Christmas or Advent colors) with their P.E. uniform for free. On Thu. Dec. 20, Student Council will have a bake sale. Students may wear Christmas or Advent colored socks for free.

Character Education Assembly
On Monday, Dec. 17, our students were privileged to participate in an amazing character education assembly. The production focused on inspiring the students to become Champions at school and in life. Instead of paying a fee for the program, the NED show makes NED (Never Give Up, Encourage Others, and Do Your Best) messaged items available for purchase for 5 days following the show. These items reinforce multi-sensory learning and are tangible reminders that increase your children’s ability to retain NED’s message long after the assembly. The proceeds from your purchase will allow another school to experience the NED Show at no cost as well!

Choice Lunch
It is time for the fourth grade parents to sign up to volunteer to serve lunch. Parents are able to earn lunch credit for their child. If you are interested please call ASAP.

Parents need to be fingerprinted and have attended a Virtus training session.

Parent Updates
Updates will go out in the family envelope the last week of January. The updates will include tuition, raffle, service hours, fiesta hours, and mandatory meetings.

Catholic Schools Week
Sunday, January 27, 2013 marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. Here at St. Dominic’s we start out with Mass at 9:00 a.m. Following Mass, please join us for our Open House from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Scholastic Book Fair will be open during Open House. Students will have a fun filled week of activities!


Mandatory PTO Date Change
The January 16 scheduled PTO/Preschool meeting has been changed to Wednesday, Jan. 30. A special speaker, Mike Norman, is scheduled for the January meeting.


School wide Learning Expectations
These are the Schoolwide Learning Expectations students are expected to review this week.
A student of St. Dominic Parish School will be...

an active and involved student who:
  • is a self-motivated learner who demonstrates the skills and technological knowledge to succeed.
  • builds a solid foundation in the academic subjects and an appreciation for the arts.
  • communicates effectively, thinks critically, and is a creative problem solver.
a committed Catholic who:
  • builds a firm foundation in, knowledge of, and love of the Faith.
  • actively participates in the Mass, sacraments and traditions of the Church.












Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Principal's Memo



Building Confident Catholic Leaders Through Faith, Community
 and Education
           
           
Dec. 11, 2012

Reconciliation
One of our requirements as Catholics is to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year. Our students are fortunate to have the parish priests available to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation twice a year during school hours. This Advent season is the first opportunity this school year for students in 3rd to 8th grades to go to confession. Confessions will be this Friday Dec. 14, at 9:00 a.m.

Advent
During the second week of Advent at school we light the second purple candle on the Advent wreath. We will pray all week for those who need it the most.  This is how we will wait and prepare for the coming of Jesus.

Perhaps as a family you might ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to bless our country.  

See’s Candy
All order forms for See’s Candy are due this coming Thursday, Dec. 13. Orders will be delivered on Monday, Dec. 17. Candy orders will arrive in time for the Christmas holidays!


Santa’s Workshop
Santa, Mrs. Duke, and the elves are preparing to open the Christmas workshop on Monday, Dec. 17. Santa’s Workshop will be held in the school library for all to do Christmas shopping.

Preschoolers and kindergarten parents: please put your child’s money in an envelope and give it to their classroom teacher. The teacher will keep the envelope until it is time to visit Santa’s Workshop.


Student Council
Student Council is hosting a raffle for a giant candy cane. Students may purchase tickets for 75 cents all week and the drawing for the candy cane will be on Monday, Dec. 17.
On Tuesday, Dec. 18 the Student Council will sell hot chocolate during recess for 50 cents. On that day students may wear their favorite cap, hat, scarf, etc., (in Christmas or Advent colors) with their school uniform for free. On Thursday, Dec. 20 Student Council will have a bake sale. On that day, students may wear Christmas or Advent colored socks for free.

Raffle Winners
The annual school raffle drawing was held Friday, Dec. 7 after the Honor Roll assembly. Congratulation to the school raffle winners:  first prize of $1,000, Marilyn Fuentes; second prize of $500, Jillian Lerma; third prize of $250, Marcela Barajas.

Schoolwide Learning Expectations
These are the Schoolwide Learning Expectations students are expected to review this week.
A student of St. Dominic Parish School will be...

a committed Catholic who:
  • willingly shares his/her gifts to serve others in the Church and global community.
a responsible and respectful person who:
  • understands his/her innate value and the value of others as beloved children of God.
  • is self-confident and self-motivated and has the inner strength to make moral, compassionate, and healthy choices.
  • is prepared to make a positive difference in the world through his/her words and actions.
  • appreciates and values the diversity of all God’s people.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Principal's Memo



Building Confident Catholic Leaders Through Faith, Community
 and Education
           
           
Dec. 4, 2012

Honor Roll Assembly
The first trimester honor roll assembly is this Friday, Dec. 7 at 1:00 p.m. Honor roll is for  students in 4th-8th grades who have distinguished themselves with at least a 90% average in the academic subjects and have shown good study habits, good effort and good behavior.

Sunday Collection/Matching Grant
We are trying to raise $6000 to assist families  on the Catholic Education Foundation waiting list. The CEF will match the other $6000! On Sunday, Dec. 2 the following students from 6th, 7th and 8th grades served as collection ushers: Saturday 5:00 p.m. - Carla and Jesus; Sunday 7:30 a.m. - Matthew, Cate, and John, and Gabby; 9:00 a.m. - Caitlyn, Nick, William, and Cameron; 10:30 a.m. - Cristina, Richard, Bryan, and Dominick C.; 12:00 p.m. - Karl, Janmae, Melissa A., and Max; 1:30 p.m. - Mina, Victoria M., Christopher, and Victoria B.; 5:00 p.m -  Sammy, Elias, Dominic L., and Ty. We want to thank these students for serving St. Dominic School.

Scrip/Raffle/See’s Candy
The PTO board and Scrip committee were extremely busy on Sunday morning selling scrip, raffle tickets and See’s Candy.

We want to thank Eva Matas, Martha Marquez,  Sheila Quintana, and Annette Manning from the PTO Board for working on such a busy, rainy day. We also thank Annalie Leis, Gayle Campos, Marcos Lujan and Robert Carreon for assisting with the fundraising.

Scrip and See’s Candy will be sold again this coming Sunday, Dec. 9 after all the morning Masses.

Uniform Exchange
All used uniforms will be on sale Friday, Dec. 7 and 14. All used uniforms will be on sale for $1.00. Now is the time to exchange your child’s outgrown uniform or purchase any used item for $1.00. We have many unclaimed in the uniforms: P.E. shirts, gray sweatshirts, and crew green sweatshirts. Please claim any lost uniforms by Friday, Dec. 7. before the items are placed on sale. After the Dec. 14 sale, all unclaimed or donated used uniforms will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul.

Advent
During the first week of Advent at school we light the first purple candle on the Advent wreath. We will pray all week for those who need it the most.  This is how we will wait and prepare for the coming of Jesus.

Please refer to the Advent pamphlet sent last week for some ideas on how to gather during family time and pray. Perhaps as a family decide how to share with those less fortunate.

Mandatory Raffle Tickets
All school families are required to submit the money for the mandatory raffle by this Thursday, Dec. 6. The annual school raffle drawing is this Friday, Dec. 7. The raffle will be held after the 8:00 a.m. Morning Prayer assembly. First prize is $1,000, second prize is $500, and third prize is $250. Good luck to all families! We pray for a school family to win.

St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas is known for leaving small gifts in shoes the night of Dec. 5, the eve of his feast day. St. Nicholas will visit St. Dominic students on Thu. Dec. 6 at about 1:00 p.m. Students, remember to leave a shoe outside the classroom so St. Nicholas can leave a treat for you!

Mass
We invite you to join us for our all-school Mass during this Advent season on Friday, Dec. 7 at 9:00 a.m. Our 5th grade students will lead the student body Mass.  We hope to see many parents at Mass.  Preschool students are now attending our all-school Mass!

Reconciliation
One of our requirements as Catholics is to receive the sacrament of reconciliation at least once a year. Our students are fortunate to have the parish priests available to offer the sacrament of reconciliation twice a year during school hours. This Advent season is the first opportunity this school year for students in 3rd to 8th grade to go to confession. Confessions will be next Friday Dec. 14, at 9:00 a.m.


Blessed Sacrament Confraternity
Every year the kindergarten students are invited to sing Christmas carols for the Blessed Sacrament Confraternity luncheon. Their performance is entertaining and brings joy to the ladies of the parish during the holiday season. The kindergarten students will sing on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 12:45 p.m. in the Parish Hall and this year, for the first time, both preschool classes will also perform!

Christmas Program
The spirit of Christmas has arrived at St. Dominic. Students are anxiously preparing for their Christmas performance on Wednesday, Dec. 19. The schoolwide performance starts at 1:00 p.m. in the church and again at 7:00 p.m. for parents.

School Choir
SDS Marketing News -- Our school choir has been invited to use their wonderful talents and perform at two local events.  On December 10 they will be singing at the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce Christmas mixer to be held at City Hall.  Then, on December 14, they will perform at the Lutheran International School's annual Christmas program.  This will be the second year that our school has been invited to sing at the Lutheran School.  We know they will shine and make our school proud of their school spirit! We THANK them and wish them luck. This is also a great marketing opportunity for our school name to get out into the Eagle Rock community.

Hearing Screening
Vanessa, a nurse from Queen Care Hospital, will conduct a hearing screening on Mon. Dec. 10 for kindergarten students.

Fresh & Easy
Please turn in your receipts from Fresh & Easy before the Christmas holiday.  The closing date to fundraise for Fresh & Easy is Dec. 31st.  Mrs. Ramirez will collect the Fresh & Easy receipts when we return from the Christmas holidays.  St. Dominic School will receive $1.00 for every $20 receipt submitted.





School wide Learning Expectations
These are the Schoolwide Learning Expectations students are expected to review this week.
A student of St. Dominic Parish School will be...

an active and involved student who:
  • builds a solid foundation in the academic subjects and an appreciation of the arts.
  • communicates effectively, thinks critically, and is a creative problem solver.
a committed Catholic who:
  • builds a firm foundation in, knowledge of, and love of the Faith.
  • actively participates in the Mass, sacraments and traditions of the Church.
  • shows respect, tells the truth, and tries to be like Jesus.