Monday Morning Memo

What a GLORIOUS Family Fun Fest we enjoyed on Friday!  The weather was perfect and, while the wet field eliminated one ride that was planned, everything else was better than could have been expected.  Thanks to Katie Moreland and her vast crew of volunteers who made the event so much fun for the children. 

The Kindergarten Music Program takes place this Wed., Sept. 25 at 9:00 in the north wing Multipurpose Room.  Come see these amazing youngsters, under the direction of Mrs. Haskamp, demonstrate their skills just a little over a month after school has begun!

High School Night is Thursday, September 26, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the third floor commons.  Eighth grade students and their parents are invited to first hear from Mr. Van about the high school application process and how teachers and administrators help in that process.  Then at 6:30, parents and students will go to the north wing multipurpose room to talk with representatives from local high schools about their program and application process.  If you do NOT want your child’s address given to local high schools, please let Mr. Van know, so that he can remove your child’s name from the mailing list that the schools request. 

This Friday, Sept. 27^th,  is both Spirit Day and Pet Blessing Day, if the weather cooperates!  Please note that, due to our limited space, only students in kindergarten, first and second grades may bring live pets.  ECC students bring stuffed animals and third through eighth grade students may bring pictures of their pets.  The chapel service will begin at 8:30 on the upper field.

We would love to have you participate in this fun tradition, but to keep it fun and safe for everyone, we have a few requests:

-- Parents of kindergarten, first and second grade students who bring live pets, please go to the upper field before 8:30am. 

-- Please drop your child off as usual to his/her class.  The teachers will bring the children to the upper field.

-- If you are bringing a live pet, please bring gloves and bags to pick up any waste they may leave behind as we will be up on the field for PE classes and sports later in the day.

-- Please remember that live pets should not be brought into the building.  We have a number of children with pet allergies and others who are frightened of different pets.

-- There will be signs signifying the dog area, the cat area, etc. on the field.  When you get to the field, please head to that area right away.  We’d like to avoid any animal fights!

-- In the event of rain, the Pet Blessing on the field will be cancelled and we’ll bless our pets (in absentia) in the all-school chapel service in the church.

Thank you so much, and we look forward to seeing you all on Friday morning!

Community Learning Event -- Bill Severns, coach and author, has written a compelling book titled, Keepers of the Sandlot, where he provides insight and perspective into what our children truly seek through their participation in team sports. Bill played professional baseball for six years in the Brewers organization, but his true passion came from the twenty-three years he spent coaching youth baseball. Through Bill’s life experiences, he has valuable insights and perspectives to share with our community. On Tuesday, October 1^st, 2013, Bill will be at St. Paul’s for a community discussion at 6:00 PM in the north wing multi-purpose room.

We strongly encourage all coaches and parents of children who play sports to attend. There is no charge for this event but please RSVP by contacting Linda van Thullenar at Lvan@speds.org. Copies of Keepers of the Sandlot and the Sandlot Strategy are available for check out from the Early Childhood office. If you would like more information about Bill or the books please visit:  http://billseverns.com.

Get ready to get your groove on!  Individual registration for the October 4th Buddy Run is now open.  Registration is $25 per student.  This includes a St. Paul's sweatband to show your spirit the day of the run, and each student registered is entered in a raffle to win a St. Paul's Spirit Pack.  Please register by September 30th.  Follow this link to register online today!https://stpeds.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/BuddyRun2013/Registration/tabid/484794/Default.aspx  Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsors do not need to individually register their children.  Please note, all students preschool through 8th grade participate in the Buddy Run.  All students toddler through 8th grade receive a Buddy Run t-shirt.  The toddlers will have a special activity with their buddies on October 4th, but they will not attend the Buddy Run as a class.

Go to the SPEDS website and find out how your child can create a website for online fundraising or to print a paper sponsor form (sponsor forms also came home in backpacks).  Remember there are awards available for the students based on sponsorships and spirit.  P.E. Teacher for a day, master of ceremonies for the buddy run, a pizza party, and a donut breakfast with St. Paul's parent and Sporting K.C.'s Jimmy Nielsen are all awards this year.  http://www.speds.org/current-parents-and-students/parents_guild/buddy-run/  

Get ready to shop at STUFF in Brookside on Thursday, September 26th.  STUFF will donate 15% of sales to the Buddy Run if you mention St. Paul's.  Bring in the STUFF rack card that is sent home in backpacks (or download the STUFF flier) and you will receive a free canvas "pursue good stuff" tote bag.  Don't forgot to eat at SPIN Pizza every Tuesday in September.  SPIN is donating 10% of sales to the Buddy Run. http://www.speds.org/file/download/SPINSept2013_sm.pdf  

Parents, we need your help the day of the Buddy Run.  Please follow this link for volunteer opportunities.  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044DAEAD283-volunteers

Eighth grader Ella L was the only St. Paul’s girl to participate in the Barstow Cross-Country Meet.  She won the 1.5 mile girls race!!  Her closest competitor was 33 seconds behind.

St. Paul’s doesn’t officially have Cross-Country or Track as a sport, but Mr. Kurt encourages students to participate when these events come up.  Congratulations, Miss Ella!