Monday Morning Memo

Results are in from our very successful Book Fair!  Many thanks to Susan Bell, Courtney Goddard-Hawkinson, Jessica Marien, and Vanessa Thorsten for their dedication, selection of volunteers to help and make goodies for the students, and hard work to set up and manage this special project for three days!  And thanks, too, to Mr. Nerstheimer, our Librarian, who also worked hard in helping these ladies and identifying the needs for the library.  There will be approximately $3,000 in money and books donated to the library, thanks to this great fundraiser. And a whole lot of happy children also got, or will get at Christmas, a wonderful new book to read.  Thanks to all!

Our first ever Lunch and Learn that took place this past Saturday.  Cristi Williams, Kevin Christensen, and Kathleen Wiedeman all helped provide this opportunity for our students and their families.  There was a delicious Thanksgiving meal, games, crafts, and even a Thanksgiving themed photo opp.  The next Lunch and Learns will be Tuesday, January 28 and Monday, March 3.  They will focus on love languages and tech free talking in the car, respectively.  Thanks to our leaders and participants!

We will offer Extended Day Care on the following days during Christmas Break:

December 23, 26, 27, 30, January 2, 3, and 6.   A minimum number of children is required in order to offer care each day so please register by December 10^th.  If you have questions or need to register, please contact Karen McDonald at 816.268.6536 or Kmcdonald@speds.org.

Please note that there is no Extended Day Care during the Thanksgiving Break (November 27, 28, 29).

Our Thanksgiving Ingathering has already surpassed its first goal!  Over 10,000 items have already been donated to the pantry and much of it hauled over there by our industrious, strong and committed students!  What a delightful contribution we are able to make because of your generosity.  We will continue the drive through this Friday and sincerely appreciate your continued support.  One need highlighted by the pantry is personal hygiene items where even hotel sized shampoo and soap are greatly appreciated.  Here are the foci for this week but any contribution is welcome on any day:

Monday, Nov. 18:  Double points for personal hygiene items

Tuesday, Nov. 19:  Double points for dry bean, rice, pasta, crackers, Mac & Cheese, and dry meals such as Hamburger Helper

Wednesday, Nov. 20:  20 points for each multi-load bottle or box of laundry detergent

Thursday, Nov. 21:  Double points for disposable diapers sizes 3, 4, 5, and 6, and adult Depends  (we will count each diaper in the package)

Friday, Nov. 22:  Double points for cereal, beverages (coffee, tea, etc), and canned meals (beef stew, chili, spaghetti-os, etc.)

Friday is Spirit Day so show your school pride by wearing your St. Paul’s t-shirts and sweatshirts! 

If you are planning to apply for tuition assistance for the 2014-2015 school year, the school is now accepting applications online, via FACTS Grant and Assessment (the company that processes our applications). There are some key differences in this year’s application process, so please read on for this important information:  New Deadline: Current families must complete an online application and submit all necessary supporting documentation to FACTS by December 31, 2013. This is approximately two weeks earlier than previous years, so please plan accordingly. Note that an application is not considered complete until all supporting documentation (2012 tax return and W-2) has been received by FACTS.  New website/login: FACTS has updated their site, including a new website address, so if you applied for assistance last year, you will need to create a new User ID and password in order to access the system this year. You will also have to enter your information (name, address, etc.) again—the updated platform, unfortunately, did not retain this from last year’s application. More information, including the amount of assistance you could receive, is available here. To begin the tuition assistance process click here.  

Remember that your application must be completed by December 31, 2013.

Have you read Michelle Johnson’s latest blog?  Our Diversity Coordinator has published a blog that has resonated with many who have read it.  Check it out at:  http://spedsdiversitydialogue.blogspot.com/2013/11/when-i-was-kid-there-was-very-popular.html

Monday Morning Memo

We have a Middle School French teacher!  Dr. Eric Matheis (pronounced “Mathis”) is looking forward to joining us in August.  He’s also very willing to teach electives in one or two of his other four languages, so we’re excited to have him on board.

Thank you for all of the attention and very thoughtful gifts bestowed on us last week during Teacher Appreciation Week and all year long through the Parents’ Guild’s Staff Appreciation Committee.  This year Tracy Gordon and Ann Fasel have chaired this committee that provided meals and treats for us that were so appreciated.  The notes from parents and children also mean so very much.  Thank you, Parents, for your support!

Great job second graders and Mrs. Haskamp for ending our performance season on such a great note!  Dancing, creative movement, instrument playing, and, of course, singing entertained us royally.  Thanks to all for a wonderful season finale!

Seventh and eighth graders will be having finals this week.  We know they’ll be relieved when this week is over and the fun of the end-of-school activities can begin!

The chapel on Friday will honor the teachers who will not be returning next year and the reception that follows will give special kudos to our seasoned veterans who are retiring:  Mrs. Bottoni, Mrs. House, Chaplain Bauer-Nolan, and Mrs. Reynolds.  Again, seating in the chapel service will be very limited, especially since some of the retirees have invited family to join them, but there will be lots of room in the Parish Hall for the reception that will follow the service.  Come join us there to say thanks for the many years these teachers have shared with us and our students.

We’re having our Spirit Day for this month on Thursday, May 16, since we’ll be dressing up a bit for our special chapel service.  Encourage your child to wear his/her St. Paul’s colors this Thursday!

Thank you to all who helped support our fundraising efforts for Haiti!  The students were so enthusiastic but your support was so critical to the effort.  Thank you for baking, buying, transporting, and offering your lawns and homes and soccer gloves to the project!

Summer is just around the corner and classes are beginning to fill! Don’t waste any time -- take a look at our summer camp brochure and all of the options we have to offer!  Send in your registration today to guarantee a spot in the class of your choice.  If you have questions, feel free to contact Karen McDonald at kmcdonald@speds.org

Congratulations to Natalie Denzer who has received a $4000.00 academic scholarship to

St. Pius X High School!  Hooray to another of our talented graduates!

The Rev. Daniel R. Heischman, D.D., Executive Director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools writes a message to our faculties each week.  I thought this one would be appreciated by the whole community.

The Great Irony

It may be common knowledge that, in the hours after the Boston Marathon bombings three weeks ago, investigators were overwhelmed with thousands of still pictures and videos, pouring in via email and Twitter. These images came from individuals who hoped that, in some way, their pictorial accounts of what took place that afternoon might be helpful in tracking down the suspects. What may not be as commonly known was that another race was beginning to take place: officials were concerned to release official images of the suspects as quickly as possible to avoid chaos in the investigation.

Within a very short amount of time after the tragic event, thousands of individuals were going online and mimicking the official investigation. Amateur investigators were inspecting digital images of the crowd at the bombing site, and in some cases were coming to quick and irresponsible conclusions about people who might have been the bombers. The official investigators had to rush the release of the images of their alleged suspects, in part to limit any damage done to people who were being wrongly targeted as suspects on the Internet. 

Increasingly we hear from school officials across the country about the added challenge, in times of school crises or controversies, of having to deal with what might be called a “side show” effect online, with quick judgments being made in social media about the situation in question, and, in some cases, individuals being targeted or preemptively accused. This obviously adds another layer of complexity—if not the potential for chaos—to what so often are already inherently complex issues.

Savvy school officials now need to be thinking about what may spin out of control online, when difficult issues surface in the life of the school. At the same time, this reminds us of the need to balance our technological advances with good judgment, patience, and a focus on interpersonal integrity. Thomas Friedman expressed it quite well in a recent column in the New York Times:

… the faster, more accessible, and ultramodern the Internet becomes, the more all the old-fashioned stuff matters: good judgment, respect for others who are different, and basic values of right and wrong. Those you can’t download. They have to be uploaded, the old-fashioned way, by parents around the dinner table, by caring but demanding teachers at school, and by responsible spiritual leaders in a church, synagogue, temple or mosque.

Here is the great irony of our technological age: these advances do not render judgments of value and goodness any less important. They render them all the more important.

Liz’s note to this:  Our St. Paul’s community exhibits the care and concern needed to help our children make the right decisions and the ability to work together to ensure they have the skills and judgment we seek for them.  It is a new challenge to our world that we will approach together.

Monday Morning Memo

We hope you enjoyed your long weekend.  Our faculty and staff worked together on vertical integration of curriculum with an outside consultant, enVision Math for grades 1 – 4, and uses of technology in the middle school on Friday.  Then we appreciated the three-day weekend!

The Fifth Grade Showcase will be this Thursday night at 7:00 in our north wing multipurpose room!  Our talented students, under the direction of Mrs. Everly, will wow you with their talent, energy, and humor.  Come join us for a lively evening of fun!

Predictions are that the snow and ice are coming on Wednesday night or Thursday morning.  While such alerts are often more dramatic than the reality and tend to skirt us after all the hype, we must be prepared for that possibility.  We will still use One Call Now to send out a message to all families and do our best to get the notice on TV as well.  Our fifth grade program will be rescheduled to the earliest possible date, if school is cancelled for that day.

Friday is Spirit Day so show your school spirit by wearing St. Paul’s colors!

Our Science Olympiad Team competes at Penn Valley Community College this Saturday, under the direction of Mrs. Gruss and Mr. Stewart.  They’ll be representing our school from 7:30 – 4:00 so we all need to keep them in our thoughts this week and weekend.  We wish them good competition and much fun!

Read any good books lately?  Please take a moment to collect any great books you may have on hand and donate them to the Annual Teachers' Book Drive.  Books may be placed in boxes by the ECC entrance and near Mr. Darnell's desk between Mon. 2/25-Fri 3/8.  The books will then be available to the teachers for their reading pleasure over spring break. If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Gordon at trcgordon@gmail.com

From our Chaplain:

1.      This past week at the Middle School Health Fair, students were exposed to relaxation exercises that they can access from their home computer.  These are provided by Loyola (Maryland) University’s counseling department and include exercises for sleep relaxation, relaxed body/calm mind and taking an exam.  Additionally there are short clips to facilitate deep breathing in order to quiet oneself.  The site:  http://www.loyola.edu/department/counselingcenter/students/relaxation.aspx

2.       For those interested in online devotionals, the Irish Jesuits have two options that might prove very helpful during this Lenten season:

a.        www.prayasyougo.org:  This is an auditory devotional that uses music and scripture to invite you in to some personal meditation time with God.

b.      www.sacredspace.ie:  Leads you through a written devotional that invites prayer and reflection.

Find us on Facebook! http://facebook.com/stpaulskc. 

Monday Morning Memo

Our hearts, our thoughts, and our prayers go out to the people of Newtown, CT.  This tragedy elicits the worst fears of parents, teachers and administrators in thinking that innocent children and adults could be the victims of a deranged killer, while feeling safe within their school environment.  We want to assure you that here at St. Paul’s, we take precautions to protect your children:

-          A locked facility

-          Security guards when students are on campus

-          Privacy shades in classrooms to block views into them when they are drawn

-          Annual lockdown drills

-          Teachers and administrators who would do anything to protect your children

-          Assistance from a responsive police force.

But this sanctity can be violated, as we saw at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It is incumbent upon all of us to work to keep our children safe without allowing them or us to become unduly frightened every time they are outside our vision.  Your children’s safety is foremost in our minds and we will review again our safety procedures to ensure that we are doing all we can without creating an environment that is too restrictive for the children, parents and guests.

            Note:  Because of the heightened sensitivity and fears at this time, we will not hold a lockdown drill this week.  Our teachers know the procedures and are prepared, but we’d like to allow the children to enjoy this holiday week, which will include many prayers for the families of Newtown.  Here are some ideas that may help you in talking with your child(ren).

TALKING WITH CHILDREN ABOUT TRAGEDY
Images from school shootings saturate our televisions, radios and conversations, calling to mind other dark days. When this kind of violence happens, it is important to talk with our children, but it is often difficult to know what to say. Here are some suggestions that may help…

• First and foremost, children need to be reassured that they are safe. Children often experience anxiety, fear and a personal sense of risk. Limit television viewing for younger children, especially those of preschool age. It is very difficult for young children to process images and messages in news reports. Let children know that tragic events are not our everyday experience and that the adults who love them will always try to take care of them. (ie – “I know you are scared. I am too. It’s a scary thing that happened, but I love you and I will always do my very best to make sure that you are safe.”)
  
• Just like adults, children will have varied reactions. They may ask lots of questions, cling to parents or exhibit behavior of younger children, have stomachaches or headaches, or may have difficulty sleeping or have nightmares. Older children and adolescents may make inappropriate jokes or glib comments or direct their anger and frustration at other seemingly unconnected situations. All of these are various ways of dealing with tragedy.Expect and give permission for a wide range of reactions. It is important to validate your child’s feelings and not try to explain to them why they should feel another way. Many children will need more physical affection and one‐on‐one time with parents.
  
• The best plan for discussion is to talk honestly, but without a lot of graphic detail. Be gently concrete and truthful when answering questions. Be careful of using euphemisms for death such as the people “passed” or “went to sleep” or “went away”. These may send scary messages to younger children who wonder if they might go to sleep and not wake up or if their parents will go away forever.
  
• Be aware of where your child is developmentally. Preschool children may see death as reversible, temporary or impersonal. Children between ages 5‐9 are beginning to realize that death is permanent but may still think they could escape through their own ingenuity or efforts. From age 9 or 10 through adolescence, children begin comprehending fully that death is irreversible, that all living things die, and that they too will die someday.
  
• Reinforce your family’s values. This is a good time to talk about your family beliefs regarding the sanctity of life or helping others. Reiterate your position as a person of faith and don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know why this happened” or “I just don’t know how to answer that.” Also be aware that some religious explanations that may comfort adults may unsettle a child. For example, saying “It must have been God’s will” or “Those people are with God now” might be frightening to a child who may worry that God could decide to come get them. Assure them that God loves us and is present as we struggle to understand.
  
• If they don’t want to talk, give them other options. If your child doesn’t want to talk much about the incidents and you suspect they may be worrying about things they can’t articulate, you might ask them to draw pictures or talk about what feelings they think other people might be having. This gives the child an opportunity to gain some distance to what they themselves are feeling. If your child doesn’t want to talk about the events at all, they may not need to talk and you might just take a walk with them or read them a book or give them a hug to let them know you care about them and how they are feeling.
  
• Remind children of safety procedures. Talk about measures that are already in place, such as police, fireman, authorities and policies at school for dealing with danger, etc. Talk with them about safety plans that might make them feel more comfortable. Keep talking with them even after the media coverage subsides.
  
• Keep your schedule normal. In as much as it is possible, try to continue with family routines such as dinnertime or bedtime rituals. Children (and adults) can often find some comfort by connecting with some sense of normalcy, even in the midst of chaos and fear.
  
• Find a way to participate in rebuilding or reconciliation. Times of tragedy bring out both the worst in people and the best in people. Help your children by making a conscious choice to take part in caring for others and helping where you can. Get involved in a neighborhood watch or a community campaign. Doing something concrete helps us feel like we are part of the solution and it a definitive statement of hope and rebirth. 

When we respond to tragedy, our feelings may be intense and varied. Give your children and yourself some time to adjust. There are no magic words, no “right answer” – just be with your children and talk with them. Remember there are people available to help you – your school counselors, as well as community agencies and professional counselors who are specially trained to deal with situations like this; and there are many resource people in the church who can be of tremendous help and comfort in a time of tragedy. [Tracy Herger, Leader Resources]

Our Christmas programs last week were beautiful, entertaining, upbeat, and delightful showcases for the talents of our students and teachers!  The children sang with pride and enthusiasm, led by Mrs. Everly, Mrs. Rousey and Mrs. Haskamp.  What wonderful gifts to all of us these programs are!  Each year we exceed the previous year’s attendance records – a happy problem with which to have to deal.

Our final program of the season will be this week and it will be outstanding because of the first and second grade performers.  Mrs. Haskamp will lead the students in this final tribute to the Christmas season in the north wing multipurpose room at 9:00 a.m. on Wed., Dec. 19.  Come join the fun!

Without a doubt, you, the families of St. Paul's, are our best ambassadors in the community.  As you visit with neighbors, co-workers, friends, and clients this holiday season, please remind them that applications are now being accepted for new students for the 2013-14 school year.  Your referrals are vital to our school community.  If you know of a family that is interested in inquiring about St. Paul's for their child(ren), please refer them to Jill McGee in Admissions:  816-268-6542 or Admissions@speds.org

If you are planning on applying for tuition assistance for the 2013-2014 school year:

·        Applications will be accepted November 1 – January 15. Priority will be given to applications that are completed (including supporting documentation) by January 15.

·        The application process begins online, at www.factstuitionaid.com.

·        After completing the online portion of the application, you will need to mail or fax in all required supporting documentation.

St. Paul’s will try to answer questions regarding the online application process, but, since this is not our program, may be unable to do so. If you need assistance with the online application, help is available from FACTS via telephone (866-315-9262) or email (info@factstuitionaid.com) Monday – Thursday, 10:00 – 7:00; and Friday, 10:00 – 5:00.

Spirit Day is this Friday so take the opportunity to show your St. Paul’s Spirit!  Students will be participating in parties on and off campus and we’re proud to let everyone know about our school and the students of whom we are so proud.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a beautiful start to the New Year!  We’ll be hugging our children more tightly, appreciating the light they bring to our lives, and praying for those who grieve this holiday season.

Monday Morning Memo

Greetings from our workday for faculty today.  There is a full day of collaborative work scheduled for faculty today, as a whole group, in small groups, by teams, and individually. 

Welcome back – tomorrow!  We hope your Thanksgiving holiday was delightful!  We have a relatively quiet four days this week and then our Christmas programs begin. Be sure to mark your calendars for these special dates – and keep checking our website and this memo for updates to our school calendar.

            Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the church – 3^rd through 5^th grade program

            Friday, Dec. 7 at 9:15 a.m. in the north wing multipurpose room – toddler/preschool

            Thursday, Dec. 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the church – 6^th – 8^th grades

            Friday, Dec. 14 at 9:15 in the north wing MPR – prekindergarten/kindergarten

            Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 9:00 a.m. in the north wing MPR – 1^st and 2^nd grades.

It is a privilege to enjoy five Christmas programs that remind us of the meaning of this special season so I encourage you to attend as many as your schedule will allow!

Friday is Spirit Day so remember to “show your colors”!  Your children are encouraged to wear their St. Paul’s Spirit Wear this Friday to show support for our school.  Go, Spartans!

The deadline for priority on the waiting list for siblings and church members is December 7.  If you know someone in these categories, please remind them of this opportunity.  And if it applies to you, don’t forget to submit your application before this deadline, or otherwise you will be in the regular applicant pool.

And speaking of admissions, Miriam’s last day as our Admissions Director will be this Friday.  Of course, we plan to hang on to her in part-time ways as an after-school yoga instructor and in other creative ways that we might discover.  We wish her and Baby Josie many happy encounters together! 

Jill McGee will take over as our Interim Admissions Director on Monday, Dec. 3^rd.  Miriam and Jill have worked together for the better part of this month in preparation for this change.  Please help us welcome Jill.

Bob Bundschuh spoke to Middle School students on November 14.  Bob is an avid outdoorsman, marathon runner and Arctic explorer.  He has been to both poles and has run marathons at both the North Pole and in Antarctica.  He is in very select company -- to have run a marathon on all seven continents and the North Pole.  Part of Bob’s message was to set goals, no matter how lofty, and to never give up in trying to achieve those goals.