Monday Morning Memo

Reminder:  NO LUNCH SERVED ON FRIDAY!  This Friday, we will have the last event in our 50th anniversary – a Pillars of St. Paul’s luncheon to thank former rectors, heads, trustees, and teachers for the school they have established and maintained in this first fifty years.  For the occasion, we are taking the lunchroom and teachers and students will be dining in their classrooms or having a picnic outside, but ALL need to bring a lunch.

Jenny Wyllie, our first grade associate but a fully certified teacher with years of experience at second grade, will be our new second grade teacher next year.  We had a number of fine candidates for the position but Jenny’s experience and proven competence won her the position.

Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day for students in kindergarten, 4th and 8th grades is this Wednesday, Apr. 30.  We have so much support from our wonderful grandparents that it is not possible for us to invite all of them from each of the grades, so we include these grades each year with the hope that all grandparents will be able to celebrate with us three times during their children’s tenure here.  Grandparents have received an invitation with the details about times and the schedule but, if you have questions, please contact Katie Gregg at 816-268-6541 or the main number at 816-931-8614.

The Art Fair is also this Wednesday,  Apr. 30 from 3:30 – 7:30 in our gym.  Each student from kindergarten through 8th grade has at least four pieces of his/her art work on display – a gallery display provided for us by our art teachers:  Ms. Laird and Mrs. Crumpecker.

I am sorry to report that Ms. Laird will be unable to attend the Art Fair, as her father passed away on Saturday.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

From the Admissions Office:  As a reminder to our returning families, your 2014-15 enrollment agreements are binding as of May 1, 2014. Should you decide, for any reason, to withdraw your student(s) from St. Paul’s after April 30, 2014 (which we sincerely hope will not be the case!), you will still be responsible for payment of the full year’s tuition and fees.  If you have any questions about this, please contact Jill McGee in the Admissions Office:  816-268-6542 .

Don't forget to cast your vote for next year's Parents' Guild board of officers. The Parents’ Guild could not do all of the wonderful work it does without YOU!  Please submit your vote by following this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9BSMRXQ
You have until May 7, 2014 to complete your vote. Thank you for being an active part of our community!

Max M. will be Head of School for the Day on Wednesday, May 7 and has declared the dress to be that with an American Day theme!  So start planning your red, white and blue, patriotic attire for next Wednesday and also prepare for a new eighth grade leader for the day.

We will be sponsoring a blood drive on Friday, May 16 from 12:00 noon to 4:30 p.m. in our gym.
Community Blood Center needs to collect 580 units of blood daily to meet the needs of area hospital patients. As there is no substitute for blood, they rely on volunteer donors like you, to supply life-saving blood and blood components to 70 hospitals in Kansas and Missouri. As a special reward for St. Paul’s Blood Donors:  Register for our Blood Drive and receive a “Buy One, Get One Free” coupon for Schlitterbahn Water Park.  If you have any questions about donating blood, please contact the Community Blood Center at 1-888-647-4040 or visit  https://www.esavealifenow.org/index.cfm?group=op&hlc=stpauls&hostlookupcode=stpauls
 If you have any questions about the blood drive, contact Jill McGee, our site coordinator at jmcgee@speds.org.

The middle school book fair will be Wednesday, May 7.  Fifth through eighth grade will attend.  Charge slips will be sent home Monday, May 5, for students wishing to charge books to their St. Paul's account.

The book swap will be Friday, May 9.   This is an opportunity for students in first through fourth grade to bring in books they have finished and exchange them for new reading material.  Please start looking for reading material appropriate for grades 1-4 that you want give to the swap. You must donate a book in order to participate.   You may get up to five books if you donate at least five books.

Reminder - It's time to order school supplies for next year!  You may pre-purchase a school supply pack for next fall.  The packets are ordered through Innisbrook School Supplies and are priced at the school’s cost.  This opportunity is offered as a convenience for St. Paul’s families.  Parents are free to choose the supply pack or shop on their own.
Order dates:  Tuesday, April 15 – Friday, May 2.  There are two ways to place your order:
1)  Order online at www.ordermypack.com, select Buy School Supplies, and enter our school number: 120688.  Pay with a credit card at checkout.  There is no longer a convenience charge for this service!
2)  Complete and return an order form to the school front desk.  Charges will be billed to your school account in August.  Click here to view lists and order supplies:  http://www.speds.org/Page/School-Supplies   If you are unable to print what you need, please contact Linda van Thullenar and she will send them to you.

All supply packets will be delivered directly to school and distributed to students at Open House on Wednesday, August 13th.

Tuesday, May 6th , 6:30 pm – Technology and Your Child: Parents of 4th-8th grade students are invited to join us for the second installment of this conversation with Drs. Kevin and Natasha Burgert. Last month they spoke to parents of younger students, and the presentation was very well received. Don’t miss this important conversation on parenting and technology. The doctors will discuss how to successfully navigate a child's growing independence on the Internet, and will offer foundational boundaries and expectations for a child's early tech devices. From these essential starting blocks, they will discuss tips for avoiding unintentional negative and risky online exposures, teaching first steps in online communications. Finally, they will briefly discuss active monitoring for online safety, and consequences to a child's intentional misuse.

Monday Morning Memo

We hope that you enjoyed a lovely Easter weekend!

Christine Cowan, one of our fourth grade teachers, has decided to resign her position at the end of this school year.  Mrs. Cowan is looking for more work/life balance while her children are so young and will be seeking a part-time position for the near future.  We hate to lose her but do understand her priorities.

Johanna Russell has been selected for the part-time ECC Physical Education position.  Ms Russell has a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.  She brings experience in teaching, and not just PE, from preschool through high school.  Mrs. Shurtleff will be teaching our first through fourth grade students next year and Mr. Kurt will continue his work with fifth through eighth graders.

Our In Harmony choir will perform at Crown Center and Bishop Spencer Place this afternoon!  They will demonstrate their enthusiasm for and talent in singing and will represent our school well.  Mrs. Everly is their teacher and Ms. Meli assists.

Parents of kindergarten students are invited to preview first grade on Tuesday morning, April 22 or Wednesday, April 23 from 9:00 – 10:00.  First grade students will be engaged in their regular morning work which we invite you to observe.  Teachers will not be able to converse with parents, because of their teaching responsibilities, but Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Abio will be available outside the classrooms to answer any questions you might have.  We recognize that the transition into a new division is not only a change for students but for our families too. As always, parents are also welcome to join us for chapel in the first floor commons that morning.

Tomorrow Night! Tuesday, April 22nd - Technology and Your Child for parents with students in ECC-3rd grade at  6:30pm.   Drs. Kevin and Natasha Burgert will address the challenges of parenting in the online space.  They will describe sites commonly used by our children, discuss health consequences that arise from unrestricted or unmonitored internet use and finally, suggest practical ways to guide and monitor your child's online life. (There will be another session for parents with students in 4th-8th grade on Tuesday, May 6th at 6:30pm.)

Parents of second grade students are invited to preview third grade on Wednesday, April 23 from 9:30 – 10:30.  Mrs. Jones will be in the commons area to answer any questions you might have.

World Culture Night, an evening of fun, facts, and food from around the world that is created and presented by our eighth graders, is this Thursday evening, April 24, from 4:30 – 6:00.  The students dress in costumes and prepare food representative of the country they have selected.  Be sure to ask them facts about their country, if you come to share the experience.  Our third floor classrooms and commons area are transformed for this international experience.  Mr. Stewart is their teacher.

The Fourth Grade Showcase is also this Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the north wing multipurpose room.  The students have worked hard to bring a program of music to their parents and guests that will be a fun, memorable experience.  Mrs. Everly will be directing the students.

Chapel services will be a little different this week in order to celebrate Easter Eucharist with our 3^rd through 8^th grade students.

·        Thursday, April 24^th – Toddler through second grade has a special chapel in the church sanctuary

·        Friday, April 25^th – Eucharist Chapel for 3^rd – 8^th grade students

·        Feed The Need – Friday, April 25^th – This is an opportunity for students to bring items for our food pantry.  Our younger students are welcome to bring their contributions on either Thursday or Friday.  Thank you for your support!

Community Learning Center Events are coming!  Please Join Us!

Monday, April 28^th - Sun Safety and Healthy Nutrition 4:30pm

Learn helpful information about how we can protect our children from the damaging effects of the sun and still be able to enjoy outdoor activities. AND Learn nutrition information and resources to help our students develop lifelong healthy eating habits. Head into summer armed with information and solutions for keeping ourselves and our children healthy and safe. 

Protective and attractive hats with the St. Paul’s logo will be on display for purchase.

RSVP with Linda van Thullenar at Lvan@speds.org.   Childcare available $15.

Did You Know?

• Up to 90% of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun.

• There is NO safe tan.  A tan is the skin’s response to injury caused by UV exposure.

• Skin Cancer accounts for approximately one half of all cancers in the US.

• 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. 

• Your risk of melanoma is greater if you have fair skin, blonde or red hair, and blue or green eyes

• Your risk of melanoma more than doubles after 5 sunburns in childhood.

• Many kids aren't hungry for breakfast because they snack at night

• Kids mimic their parent's behavior, so make it a habit to sit down and eat breakfast with your kids every morning.

• Want your family to have healthy hearts? Start with the family dinner table. Not only do most adults consume too much sodium, most kids do as well.

• When parents fail to plan weekly meals, it increases stress at the dinner time hour and inadvertently decreases variety.

• If the kitchen is open all day and night, your child will not understand that eating happens on a structure, with intervals between meals and snacks for other activities. Children learn to graze, overeat and lose the sense of appetite regulation.

• Having moderate exposure to sweets, for example, in the home allows your child to balance them in the real world. Don't make foods "off limits," rather have them as special treats for special occasions or manage them in a way that creates moderate exposure.

Dr. Amy Nopper and Dr. Margo Humenczuk are looking forward to sharing their knowledge with us on these important topics!

Congratulations to our eighth grade students who have been recognized with scholarship opportunities at the schools to which they were accepted!

Zachary T received an Ignatian Scholarship to Rockhurst High School for his 98 percentile score on the High School Placement Test (HSPT). Will P was also recognized by RHS for scoring a 99 percentile on the HSPT, but he has decided to attend Pembroke Hill.

St. Teresa’s Academy Alumnae Scholarship, awarded to students scoring in the 95-98 percentile on the HSPT, was give to:  Natalie K and Caroline S.        

Pembroke Hill awarded the following scholarships: 

Ella L: Raymond B. White Scholarship

Caroline S: Raymond B. White Scholarship

Will P: Headmaster's Scholarship

Roy W: Headmaster's Scholarship

The RB White Scholarships are awarded each year to two, new, incoming ninth grade students who achieved high scores on the admissions test, have exemplary academic records and have received excellent recommendations from their current teachers. These scholarships are renewable through graduation.  Our students received both of these awards!

The Headmaster's Scholarships are awarded to new students entering grades six through nine. These scholarships are awarded based on high levels of achievement on the admissions tests, strong academic records and excellent teacher recommendations. Some are renewable; others are for one year only.

REMINDER:  No lunches will be served on Friday, May 2^nd, as the cafeteria will be used for our final 50^th Anniversary Celebration – The Pillars of St. Paul’s Luncheon. 

Blood Drive:  The Community Blood Center will host a Blood Drive in the St. Paul’s Gym on Friday, May 16^th from noon – 4:30. May 16 is a St. Paul’s Spirit Day—show your giving spirit and register to donate today!   Anyone who registers to donate at our Blood Drive will receive a coupon for a “Buy One, Get One Admission Free” to Schlitterbahn Water Park.    Register for your donation appointment at www.savealifenow.org, enter Sponsor Code: stpauls.

Monday Morning Memo

What an AMAZING auction we enjoyed on Saturday night!  Chairs Mary Morris and Mary Wetzel, and the host of volunteers they recruited to help, provided a lovely evening of camaraderie, good food and drink, and fundraising for our community!  The setting and decorations were beautiful, the auction items desirable, and the company was unbeatable.  Thanks so much to all who gave of their time and talents to make this such a special evening, including Cindy Wissinger, Katie Gregg, and Ryann Schubert.  But the major kudos go to “the Marys” who have devoted so much time in the past year to make this evening the success that it was.   

Congratulations to the fifth graders and Mrs. Everly for a delightful Fifth Grade Showcase!  The students were all smiles as they shared their enthusiasm for music with their voices and instruments – and they impressed all of us.  Well done!

Our Science Olympiad Team placed 8^th out of 32 teams this Saturday in Columbia!  We are so proud of the work these students have done and their representation of our school at local and regional competitions.  It’s a lot of work and they have embraced it.  Thanks, too, to Mrs. Gruss and Mr. Stewart for their leadership of our Science Olympiad program.  For more information, please go to:  http://spedsgruss.blogspot.com/

This is Holy Week in the Christian calendar.  Besides the Good Friday holiday this week, there are many services at our church to which all, as usual, are most welcome.  Here is a schedule of services.

Monday, April 14, Holy Eucharist 12:05 p.m.

Tuesday, April 15, Holy Eucharist 12:05 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16, Holy Eucharist 12:05 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16, Soup will be served in the Parish Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday April 16, Tenebrae 6:30 p.m.

 Thursday April 17, Holy Eucharist 12:05 p.m.

 Thursday April 17, Maundy Thursday Parish dinner 5:00 p.m. 

Thursday April 17, Maundy Thursday Foot Washing, Holy Eucharist, Stripping of the Altar, 6:30 p.m.

Friday April 18, Good Friday Liturgy 12:05 p.m.

Friday April 18, Soup will be served in the Parish Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Friday April 18, Stations of the Cross 6:30 p.m.

Friday April 18, Youth Lock-in Vigil

Saturday April 19 NO 5 p.m. service

Sunday April 20 – Easter services

6:15 a.m. Vigil and first Eucharist of Easter

9:00 a.m. Easter Liturgy

Easter Egg Hunt -- No earlier than 10:15, NE Churchyard

11:00 a.m. Easter Liturgy & Baptism

Our third through seventh grade students will be taking standardized tests (the ERB’s) on Monday through Thursday mornings of this week.  We urge all healthy students to come on time (8:05) prepared, as we hope you are each day, with a restful night’s sleep and good breakfast behind them to encourage their best work.  And we also request no absences for vacations or appointments so the tests can be completed and scored in a timely manner.  Thanks.

Community Learning Event Reminders:

Tuesday, April 22nd - Technology and Your Child for parents with students in ECC-3rd grade at  6:30pm.   Drs. Kevin and Natasha Burgert will address the challenges of parenting in the online space.  They will describe sites commonly used by our children, discuss health consequences that arise from unrestricted or unmonitored internet use and finally, suggest practical ways to guide and monitor your child's online life. (There will be another session for parents with students in 4th-8th grade on Tuesday, May 6th at 6:30pm.)

Saturday, April 26th - Zoo Day - Community Builder from 9:30am-1pm --  Come hang out at the zoo on what we hope is a beautiful Saturday morning with St. Paul’s families (all ages welcome)!

 

Monday, April 28th - Sun Safety and Healthy Nutrition 4:30pm

Learn helpful information about how we can protect our children from the damaging effects of the sun and still be able to enjoy outdoor activities. AND Learn nutrition information and resources to help our students develop lifelong healthy eating habits. Head into summer armed with information and solutions for keeping ourselves and our children healthy and safe. 

Protective and attractive hats with the St. Paul’s logo will be on display for purchase.

RSVP with Linda van Thullenar at Lvan@speds.org.   Childcare is available for $15 for the evening events.

It's time to order school supplies for next year!  You may pre-purchase a school supply pack for next fall.  The packets are ordered through Innisbrook School Supplies and are priced at the school’s cost.  This opportunity is offered as a convenience for St. Paul’s families.  Parents are free to choose the supply pack or shop on their own.  Order dates:  Tuesday, April 15 – Friday, May 2.  There are two ways to place your order:

1)  Order online at www.ordermypack.com , select Buy School Supplies, and enter our school number: 120688.  Pay with a credit card at checkout.  There is no longer a convenience charge for this service!

2)  Complete and return an order form to the school front desk.  Charges will be billed to your school account in August.  Click here to view lists and order supplies:  http://www.speds.org/Page/School-Supplies    If you are unable to print what you need, please contact Linda van Thullenar and she will send them to you.

All supply packets will be delivered directly to school and distributed to students at Open House on Wednesday, August 13^th.

From the Admissions Office:  As a reminder to our returning families, your 2014-15 enrollment agreements are binding as of May 1, 2014. Should you decide, for any reason, to withdraw your student(s) from St. Paul’s after April 30, 2014 ( which we sincerely hope will not be the case!), you will still be responsible for payment of the full year’s tuition and fees.  If you have any questions about this, please contact Jill McGee in the Admissions Office:  816-268-6542 .

Michelle Johnson, our Diversity Coordinator, has arranged a special viewing of a movie and a panel to discuss the issues of the advantages and challenges of a more diverse community, from the perspective of two families who enrolled in a prestigious school in NYC.  Read more about this special event, scheduled for Tuesday, April 29 at 6:00 p.m. in her blog at: http://spedsdiversitydialogue.blogspot.com/2014/04/one-of-biggest-challenges-of-addressing.html.  We hope you’ll plan to join us.

On Friday, May 2^nd, we will be celebrating the last event of our 50^th Anniversary Celebrations: The Pillars of St. Paul’s Lunch, which will honor past rectors, trustees, heads and teachers of our school.  The luncheon will be held in our school cafeteria so, for this one day, there will be no hot lunch program offered.  All families are requested to send a lunch with their children and students will eat in their rooms or picnic outside, depending on the weather.  We appreciate your cooperation on this and will remind you in several ways so students will not come without lunch.

Blood Drive:  The Community Blood Center will host a Blood Drive in the St. Paul’s Gym on Friday, May 16^th from noon – 4:30. May 16 is a St. Paul’s Spirit Day—show your giving spirit and register to donate today!   Anyone who registers to donate at our Blood Drive will receive a coupon for a “Buy One, Get One Admission Free” to Schlitterbahn Water Park.    Register for your donation appointment at www.savealifenow.org, enter Sponsor Code: stpauls.

Monday Morning Memo

The Mylers were able to find a home on Thursday so Andrew came to Middle School Transition Night on Thursday night, all-school chapel, the Fourth Grade States Fair, and a Program Team meeting on Friday!  He and Landis also attended a party for faculty on Wednesday night and one with Kansas City Heads on Friday night.  It was a good visit and we were glad for the opportunity to get to know them better as they began to know us.

Kudos to fourth graders for State Fair presentations on Friday.  They worked hard to research their state, represent it pictorially, and speak confidently in front of a large audience of parents and friends.  Well done, Students and Mrs. Cowan and Mrs. Field!

Math students in fourth through sixth grade represented us on Saturday in a competition at Barstow.  St. Paul's was represented well at the MCTM math competition held at Barstow this past Saturday.  We had 15 competitors from 4^th - 6^th  grades compete in this "pre-math counts" competition.  Luke F, Pacey S, Mark H, Jack M, and Grant B all won ribbons for placing in the top five of the competition.   Other capable competitors were:  Maggie F, Andrew C, Megan W,  Ella H, Anna B, Luke W, Juliet B, Harrison R, James S, Matt C.  Congratulations to all!

We all have GREAT EXPECTATIONS for this Saturday’s auction at Starlight Theater!  Ticket sales are brisk but reservations can be taken through this Wednesday.  Don’t miss out on all the fun that is being created for you by Mary Wetzel, Mary Morris, and their team of parent volunteers!  Tickets can be purchased on line at: www.stpaulsauction.com

There is a Parents’ Guild  meeting this Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. in the Garden Room of the church.  All families are members of the Parents’ Guild and always welcome at the meetings.

Preschool students will present their music demonstration on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. in the north wing multipurpose room.  This event demonstrates the music and movement these students do in their music classes.  It is a participatory event so parents are asked to come prepared to sing, dance and move with their students.

Toddlers will have a similar presentation on Friday at 9:15 a.m. in the north wing MPR.  Toddler parents are also asked to come prepared to participate!

Our Fifth Grade Showcase will be this Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the north wing MPR.  Fifth graders have been working hard to show off their musical talents to parents and friends, so please come join the fun!

Kindergarten Moms or Special Friends will enjoy lunch at 12:15 on Friday afternoon with the students in the kindergarten classrooms.  The work of the students will be on display in their rooms and opportunities for interaction with the students will abound!

Our Science Olympiad students leave after lunch on Friday to compete at the state level in Columbia!  We will be with them in spirit as they compete in a wide variety of Science Olympiad challenges throughout the day on Saturday, after orientation on Friday evening.  Have fun, Students, and thanks for representing St. Paul’s.  Mrs. Gruss and Mr. Stewart are the sponsors for Science Olympiad and we appreciate all of their hard work, along with the parent volunteers who help so much.

Ruth Farkas, one of our lead teachers in preschool, has the following message to share with us in her words:  “In my nine years at St. Paul’s I have been amazed and inspired working with your children.  It's been an honor to be a part of their learning and growth.   But I have an amazing opportunity to pursue and have chosen to do so.  Next year, I will be teaching preschool at an International school in Venezuela.  This opportunity is an exciting chance to teach in another country, live in another culture, learn to speak a new language, and to teach in a Reggio environment.  I am excited about this chance to grow and learn.  My nine years at St. Paul’s have been blessed with knowing many of you as colleague, friend, parent and student.  Having you in my life has brought joy, happiness and growth.  Thank you all for your support and kindness to me during my time teaching here. I will miss you all as I move into this new adventure in my life.   

Thanks and adios. 

Ruth”

Please note that Ms. Farkas will complete the school year here, so have no concerns about her leaving before then!

Please be patient in the morning carpool line on the Main Street side as students and faculty unload students.  Some parents are getting impatient, pulling out of the line, and re-entering it further up the line.  This is a very dangerous practice because of students and parents walking students across the line from parking spots and parents pulling out of the line.  When we have a rainy day, more parents use this side of the campus to unload, so more patience is required.  Please help us protect your children!

Standardized testing begins next week in grades 3 – 7 and will take a good portion of the mornings on Monday through Thursday.  Parents in these grade levels have been sent an email message about the testing but we all want to be aware that the students’ schedule will be different on these days and, if we visit the second or third floors during that time next week, we want to be aware that testing is happening.

Next week is Holy Week and there are many opportunities for families to join us at the church, if you would like to do so.  A schedule of services can be found at:

Please note that Good Friday, April 18, is a holiday for students and staff.  Child care will not be provided on this day because we want our extended day staff to be able to observe Good Friday.

Community Learning Event Reminders:

Thursday, April 10th - Love and Logic  # 6 at 4pm – Cost is $25.  This module will cover parenting styles and guiding children to solve their own problems.

Tuesday, April 22nd - Technology and Your Child for parents with students in ECC-3rd grade at  6:30pm.   Drs. Kevin and Natasha Burgert will address the challenges of parenting in the online space.  They will describe sites commonly used by our children, discuss health consequences that arise from unrestricted or unmonitored internet use and finally, suggest practical ways to guide and monitor your child's online life.

Saturday, April 26th - Zoo Day - Community Builder from 9:30am-1pm --  Come hang out at the zoo on what we hope is a beautiful Saturday morning with St. Paul’s families (all ages welcome)!

 

Monday, April 28th - Sun Safety and Healthy Nutrition 4:30pm

Learn helpful information about how we can protect our children from the damaging effects of the sun and still be able to enjoy outdoor activities. AND Learn nutrition information and resources to help our students develop lifelong healthy eating habits. Head into summer armed with information and solutions for keeping ourselves and our children healthy and safe. 

Protective and attractive hats with the St. Paul’s logo will be on display for purchase.

RSVP with Linda van Thullenar at Lvan@speds.org.   Childcare is available for $15 for the evening events.

The first payment for next year’s tuition for those on the monthly payment plan is Thursday, May 1.  As a reminder:  all tuitions are binding after that date, regardless of your chosen payment plan.  And we look forward to working with each of you next year!