Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Principal's Memo





Building Confident Catholic Leaders Through Faith, Community, and Education





September 17, 2013

ITBS Testing
Standardized testing started yesterday. We ask that students come to school on time, get plenty of sleep, and eat a healthy breakfast. Students who arrive late, after testing starts in the morning, will stay in the office until the next testing period. Students must complete all sections of math, language, and reading to receive a core score. It is important that all sections of the test are taken to receive a total score.

Walk-a-Thon Meeting
We would like to invite everyone to participate in our first meeting of the 2013 St. Dominic's Walk-A-Thon Committee this evening (Tue. Sep. 17th) at 6:30 p.m. in the school lunch area. If you are not able to attend this meeting we hope you will be able to join us in one of our weekly meetings to come. We would also like to announce that the date for the Walk-a-Thon event has changed from Friday October 4th to Friday October 11th. We look forward to meeting all of you and hearing all the creative and fun ideas you have for our Walk-A-Thon. See you tonight!
         - Jason Valdecantos

Morning Drop-Off Valet
Parents, this week is the 3rd grade parents’ turn to volunteer to assist during morning drop-off.  Morning drop off valet opens at 7:40 a.m. and closes at 8:00 a.m. Parents have an opportunity to earn 20 minutes service every morning and also assist with the safety of our students!

Halloween Carnival
This year the Halloween carnival will be held on Friday, Oct. 25. Mrs. Renee Galvez has volunteered to chair the Halloween Carnival. Over 60 parents signed up to assist with organizing or working during the carnival. Please read the Principal’s Memo each week for updates on meetings, donations, and scheduling hours.


Parish Fiesta
The Parish Fiesta will be held in the big parking lot, lower lot, and Parish Hall, Nov. 1-3. Our parents traditionally work on Thursday and Friday to set-up the booths and on Sunday to tear down the booths. This year parents may sign up for the set-up or tear down only in the school office. Parents may earn up to 10 service hours working at the Parish Fiesta. The school parents are responsible for the dessert booth during the fiesta. Room parents will be contacting parents for donations and to work in the dessert booth by grade level (Friday: preschool, TK, K and 1st grade parents; Saturday: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade parents; Sunday: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade parents).


Parish Picnic
Come and spend time with your St. Dominic family at our annual PARISH PICNIC!
Saturday, September 28 
10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Eagle Rock Park
Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and beverages will be served. There will also be raffle drawings and a variety of activities for all ages. All food and games are compliments of our parish! Don’t miss out on this fun-filled event. To assist with a head count, please pick up a ticket in the parish office for yourself and each of your relatives and/or friends who will be attending.


Choice Lunch
6th grade parents who would like to earn lunch credit should sign up to serve lunch for the month of October. Please call the school office ASAP for your preference of day to volunteer. Parents must be fingerprinted and have attended a Virtus training session to volunteer to serve the students.

School Choirs
First of all, thank you for your interest in and support of our choirS. Yes, the “S” is enlarged because I would like to have three different levels of choir, each with its own character and musical level. They are as follows:
2nd Grade Choir which will rehearse on Tuesdays from 3:05-3:40 p.m.
School Choir (grades 3-8) which will rehearse on Thursdays from 3:05-4:00 p.m.
Junior High Choir (grades 6-8) which normally rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30-8:00 a.m. We aspire to be a 3-part harmony, SAB with the changing boys’ voices on their own part. This is the ideal; schedule conflicts can mean a student is in a different choir. See Mr. Acosta for exceptions, changes, etc. We are already off to a great start! Choirs will sing at school masses, some of the Saturday evening Family Masses, holiday events, Catholic Schools Week, etc.


Schoolwide Learning Expectations
These are the Schoolwide Learning Expectations that students are reviewing 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.