October 13, 2009 Memo

October 14                No Classes for Grades 9 and 12 (W)

October 14               PSAT tests for grades 10 & 11 (W)

October 14               Hot Lunch - Hot Dogs - $3.00 - (W)

October 15               Open House - 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (TH)

October 15               School Board Meeting - 7:00 pm (TH)

October 15               Finals Review begins for grades 7/8 - (TH)

October 16               Finals Review begins for grades 5/6, 9/10 & 11/12 - (F)

October 19 - 22       Finals begin, Noon dismissal from class - Monday – Thursday

October 22               College App. meeting by the University of Dallas – 12:15 pm (TH)

October 23               Teacher In-Service day - No School for students (F)

October 25               Kolbe/Trinity family picnic - 11:00 am to 3:00 pm @ school campus (SUN)

October 27               Fire Safety Class for grades K – 6 – 9:45 am (T)

October 28               Hot Lunch - Quesadillas - $3.00 - (W)

Click HERE to view the complete calendar

SPECIAL WEATHER UPDATE:  The heavy rains have uncovered some serious problems at school.  The roof in 11/12 is leaking (perhaps the heaviness of the rain causing water to get under the tarp that is already up there), the HVAC intake vent in the 5/6 classroom is leaking (my guess is a caulking issue, but perhaps coming down in the wall), and there are two places with missing downspouts causing waterfalls.  If you can help resolve any or all of these issues, please let me know.  I appreciate your help!

From the Principal’s Pen

October 13, 2009

Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Dear Parents,

Mardi Gras Update

Many thanks to those of you who came to the Mardi Gras planning meeting last Thursday, October 8.  We have some great ideas and will be scouting venues soon.  One idea we do have is to really scale back auctions in favor of a big ticket item raffle.  If you have any thoughts on what this big ticket item could be (all expenses paid trip, new car, his-and-hers scooters, etc.) and how we could obtain it on very favorable terms (free would be great!), please let me know ASAP.

Open House Reminder (Again)

We have our first Open House of the school year coming up this Thursday, October 15, from 7:00-8:30 pm.  If you would be willing to act as a Parent Ambassador, please call Bob Greene.  Also, tell any interested families about the Open House and encourage them to attend.  We do need more students in the school, especially at the lower grade levels.

Harvest Fest Fund-a-Need Reminder (Again)

Just a reminder:  our Fund-a-Need this year was to raise money for two important projects:  chapel renovation and technology in the classrooms.  Unfortunately, we fell about $10,000 short of our $25,000 goal.  If you were unable to make a donation at the event, or were unable to attend, but would like to contribute toward these projects, please feel free to write a check to the school specifying “Fund-a-Need” in the memo line.  As evidenced by the new playground and playing field, I take very seriously the spending of earmarked money on the project for which it has been raised.  Please consider helping in this way if your means allow.

Development Campaign (Again)

Another category of earmarked money is for our Development Campaign.  We need your help to continue making improvements to the people, program and plant of the school, which the Development funds allow us to do.  While the pledging to-date has been great, we do need to ramp up, as a) we still have a ways to go and b) our largest pledger has hit a snag and been delayed in beginning contributing.  I know money is tight, but this campaign is critical to the long-term success of the school.

Item Needed

For the little strip of grass under the overhang, the school is in need of a simple push mower—the human-powered type, gas or electric.  If you have one you can donate, that would be greatly appreciated.  Otherwise, Bob and I will have to cut it with scissors…

Yours in Christ,


Brian

Weekly Words from Miss Jaminet

October 13, 2009

Let me take a moment to share some success stories with you! 

Our mission statement theme for the month of October is Hospitality like Our Holy Mother’s: A Servant’s Heart.   The students are being encouraged to make private sacrifices for fellow students, teachers, and family members. The sacrifices can be anonymously collected in the office or put on the 40 Days for Life poster. 

The dedication of the month is to the Holy Rosary.  Our 11th-12th class organized and led a school-wide, living rosary on last Thursday morning.  All the students and teachers participated in praying the rosary with each student leading a prayer.

It’s that time of year – RAIN!  Please remember to send your students with school sweaters, jackets, umbrellas.  Most of the 5th -12th grade students must move from room to room via the outdoors.  Please remind your students that the school sweater is the primary outer garment.

It’s that time of year – rainy day lunches.  On rainy days, the students eat their lunches in the classrooms.  Normally, our teachers rotate lunch duty so they can have a break twice a week, but during the rainy season they must manage the increased supervision time.  I cannot emphasize enough how helpful it is to the teachers to have a few moments free at lunch. Not only is this time an essential break, it is often time to clean-up or set-up instructional activities.  As well, we would like to be able to offer the students the use of the Fellowship Hall for playing games or ping-pong, yet it is our school-wide practice to always have a yard duty supervisor present.  Another parent volunteer would make this space available consistently to the students for recreation on rainy days.  Could you find it in your heart or your schedule to help us?  Doing Lunch Duty once a week more than fulfills ALL your volunteer hours.

It’s that time of year – random uniform inspections.  Just about now we can be tempted to let down our vigilance when it comes to uniform code.  Let’s make every effort to keep those belts, no-show socks, and school sweaters in line!  You may see an increase in grooming notices to help keep you on your toes.

It’s that time of year – EXAMS.  We provide a half day schedule beginning the day before exams in order to provide ample study time.  Please help your students use this time effectively and productively. 

It’s that time of year - time for seniors to begin applications for college!  Early last week our own Betsey Hayes, Admissions Counselor at Texas Christian University, offered the juniors and seniors an outline of the application process, helpful tips, and information about T.C.U.   We hope to offer a financial aid session in January.  We’ve had one visit from a representative from Gonzaga University in WA. We try to schedule these visits during school hours so our juniors and seniors are available to hear about college opportunities, but sometimes the representative’s travel schedule is limited.  Next Thursday after the last exam, a representative from the University of Dallas will be visiting to speak to juniors and seniors.  Parents are welcome to join us. October 22 at 12:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall.  PIZZA served!

It’s that time of year – Halloween. This year Halloween falls on a Saturday and not on a school day.  We will not be having a school-wide celebration of Halloween.  Individual teachers may choose to have a contained party within their classrooms/periods (which may involve changing into simple costumes and then out of them again).  Otherwise, on Friday, October 30, students are expected to be in uniform.

It’s that time . . . last chance!  At the Back to School Night we began surveying interest in an After School Study Hall.  This would be a monitored study hall for working on homework with assistance available from an adult.  This service could be provided for a small fee if we could establish enough consistent interest and attendance to pay a qualified individual.  Now that your schedules have settled in to a pattern, you may have a better idea if this offer would meet a need for your family.  Please contact Mrs. Williams in the office to express your interest.

Peace & Joy,

Miss Jaminet

Reminders from the Office:


Exam Schedules:

The exam schedules will go home with your students soon, however if you would like to see your students schedule now you may access the form on the website by clicking here.

College Application Meeting:

The University of Dallas will have a representative at school on Thursday, October 22 at 12:15.  We will serve pizza and refreshments for those who attend.  Please stay if you think you or your student has an interest in attending.  This meeting is for High School Students and parents.

Rainy Day Lunch Time:

We will need parent volunteers to watch classrooms during the rainy weather season.  Teachers will have their students eat lunch in the classrooms but it would be nice to have parents willing to watch each class for 10 minuets so our teachers can have a break.  Please call if you are interested.

Parent Teacher Conference:

 The Parent Teacher Conference schedule has been mailed out today but you can also access the schedule by clicking here.  This is the only scheduled conference of the year so please make every effort to keep your appointments.  To make the process of each conference go smoothly and remain on time it helps to have your questions ready for each teacher. (Bringing notes is a good idea)  If you are unable to make your conference please contact your students teacher(s) to reschedule.

Yearbooks for 2007 - 2008:

The yearbooks are in and they look fantastic.  If you are interested in purchasing one you may do so through the office during school hours. The price of each book is $35.00.  We have a limited supply so please understand that it is first come, first serve.  You may call the office with any questions or to place an order.

Boys' Soccer and Girls' Volleyball Update

The Trinity Prep boys’ soccer team picked up its first Sacramento Metropolitan Athletic League victory last Friday, with a 2-0 road triumph over Lutheran. George Bakh opened the scoring off an assist by Dominic Lazzaro, before Danny Rowles netted the second Crusader goal assisted by Bakh. That was more than even for the Crusader defense which pitched a shutout, led by Joe Thornton and Anthony Kersting and goalkeeper Alex Nelson. Congratulations to the Crusaders and first-year Head Coach Andres Flores on the win.

The boys’ soccer team had its match this Tuesday at Global Youth Charter rained out, but the team will be back in action on Friday when the Crusaders travel to Yuba City to take on Faith Christian at 4 p.m.

 The girls’ volleyball team closed out the first half of Northern Pacific Athletic Conference play with a 3-1 record, after holding off Freedom Christian in four games, 25-9, 16-25, 26-24, 25-16 on Thursday in Fair Oaks.  Rachel Nelson continued her solid play, especially at the service line, while Claire Maxson and Clare Quinn also produced quality serves to help preserve the win. Trinity overcame a 20-12 deficit in the key third game for come-from-behind win and carried that moment into the fourth and deciding game.  The girls’ volleyball team travels to Mare Island Sports Center in Vallejo to face North Hills Christian on Tuesday at 5 p.m. for their only game this week.

Trinity Prep Athletics Shirts for Sale!

Want to show off your school pride? Are you crazy about Trinity Prep athletics? Thanks to Bob Quinn and the Trinity Prep Sports Boosters now you can show your support all around town with one of our newly available Trinity Prep sports T-shirts.

We have Trinity Prep soccer, basketball, volleyball, and baseball shirts in red, along with the very-popular gray Trinity Prep Athletics shirt, all available for just $10 and all proceeds support our athletic program.

 See Bob Greene to purchase your shirt today! But hurry, they are going fast.