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October 20, 2009 Memo

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

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

November 10 “The Daughter of the Regiment” Opera ala Carte Performance - 1:45 pm in the Fellowship Hall (T)

November 15 Dave Ahlquist presents G. K. Chesterton – 7:30 pm in the Chapel (SUN)

I hope to see you all at the school picnic this Sunday—last year was a great time. Please read on for some very important information.

I want to take this opportunity to update you on some developments re: math instruction at the school. Teaching is a difficult profession—teaching math well is more difficult still. Add in teaching two grade levels and multiple learning levels at the same time in Grades 1-8, and the picture becomes very clear that this is no easy task.

Various teachers had expressed concern about the state of the math performance of many of their students. Their analysis was that many of the students were not proficient in the fundamental building blocks of math—the four basic functions of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as such concepts as fractions, decimals, and place value. Without these skills as a good foundation, it becomes progressively more difficult to succeed at high school math.

Accordingly, early in the school year we performed an evaluation of basic math skills, appropriate per grade level, for all students in Grade 1 Math through Algebra 1. These assessments tested grade-level knowledge of such items as the four basic functions and reducing, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions. The results are in and have been analyzed.

The assessments, while fairly limited in scope, validated much of the concern expressed by teachers. We are committed to constantly engaging in self-examination and improvement, so I want to outline for you the steps we have taken and will be taking to ensure that we offer the finest education at Kolbe Academy & Trinity Prep, not just in religion, history and literature, but also in areas such as math and science:

I hope you will agree that these are steps in the right direction and will be patient with us as we implement these changes. This represents an identified Year 1 Action Item under Section II Program, Curriculum, Student Life, and Athletics of the Strategic Plan, by the way. I encourage you to come speak with Nancy and/or me if you have any concerns, questions, suggestions, large donations, etc. For our part, we will update you on any new developments and provide a comprehensive update sometime in the spring.

I will be contacting all those families who have not yet made a pledge to the development campaign in the very near future. I know that times are tight for many of us, but we’ve pretty much all heard the story of how little of our costs tuition covers. If we wish to make improvements to the school, both necessary and desirable improvements, we need to 1) maximize our fundraising and 2) raise the necessary funds for the Development Campaign. I would be happy to make personal presentations at school or at your home if you haven’t seen my presentation or would like to see it again.

We have some great ideas for Mardi Gras and have scouted possible venues. One idea we 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.

Recently I received an article that Fr. Gary Sumpter faxed to the office. The article was titled “New Guide Recommends Faithful Catholic Colleges”. If you’re interested, visit the Newman Society website to access the article and a free guide for parents, www.thenewmanguide.com. One of the universities recommended as a Catholic college is the University of Dallas. This 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 to juniors/seniors in attendance!

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. Thank you Mrs. Kersting, Mrs. Thornton, Mrs. Fetterly, and Mrs. Stagner for your help with our rainy day lunches.

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.

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.

The entire student body will participate in an election for student body President and Vice President. Each class will also elect its own representative to the student government. Campaign week for President and Vice President is October 26-30. Seniors and Juniors may run for President and Vice President. Mrs. Thornton and Miss Jaminet will be serving as faculty advisors for the student government. We are still looking for a parent volunteer interested in helping as a Parent Advisor.

The Parent Teacher Conference schedule was mailed out last week, however you can also access the schedule on our web site 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.

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.

Please come to hear the President of the American Chesterton Society, Dale Ahlquist speak on the most widely quoted man in modern times, G.K. Chesterton.

Chesterton was both a profound and prolific defender of Christianity and the Church and he wrote over 100 books on subjects ranging from philosophy to fiction, poetry, theology, literature and history. Please don’t miss this opportunity to gain a new perspective on the issues of Chesterton’s time and ours.

Dale Alhquist is the author of Common Sense 101 and G.K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense and is considered to be one of the most respected Chesterton scholars in the world. Mr. Ahlquist will speak in the chapel at 7:30 pm on Sunday, November 15. There will be no charge for this event but donations are always welcome. For more information please see the flyer posted on the school website by clicking here.

With the intention of saving our parents from emergency runs to Staples and Office Depot for fountain pens, we will now be selling the disposable pens for $3.00 in the office. We have both blue and black ink pens.

Our annual family picnic will be held at the school campus on Sunday, October 25^th from 11:00am to 3:00pm. The Parent Guild will be providing hot dogs and hamburgers (please call/email the office with your RSVP and choice of entre). We ask that families bring their own plates/utensils and beverages. If your last name begins with an A – G we ask that you bring a side dish to share, H – Z we ask that you bring a hand held dessert (nothing involving plates/forks etc.). The picnic tables fill up fast so bringing blankets and chairs is always a good idea. We hope to see you there. J

It took five games, but the Trinity Prep girls’ volleyball team held off North Hills Christian of Vallejo for a 21-25, 27-25, 20-25, 25-13, 15-10 victory Thursday, improving the Crusaders record to 4-1 in Northern Pacific Athletic Conference play. Rachel Nelson continued to shine for Trinity with 13 kills, seven aces, and a dig. Marisa Streett had five kills, four aces and four assists, and Anna Arend tallied two kills, three aces and eight assists. Claire Maxson added one ace, one dig and two assists, Barbara Bakh three aces and one kill, Mary Birdsall one kill and one dig, Shannon Pace two aces, Clare Quinn four aces, and Bailey Sciambra two kills. With three matches remaining the Crusaders’ hopes for a NPAC championship remain. Trinity hosts Auburn Christian Tuesday, October 20 at 4 p.m. at Crosswalk Community Church, before traveling to Marysville in an attempt to avenge its only NPAC defeat of the season against talented New Life Christian. The home finale is set for Tuesday, October 27 against Freedom Christian at Crosswalk Community Church at 5 p.m.

In Trinity Prep boys’ soccer action, Sean LaRochelle netted his first goal of the season on an assist from George Bakh, but it was not enough, as the Crusaders dropped their only game of last week to Faith Christian in Yuba City on Friday. Trinity will look to get back in the win column playing a couple of Sacramento Metropolitan Athletic League contests this week. On Tuesday, the Crusaders host Sacramento Country Day at 4 p.m. at Napa Valley College. Then Friday, the Crusaders head to Vacaville to face Buckingham Charter at Elm Elementary School at 4 p.m.

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.

I know our coaches (John Streett and Jesse West) are – Are you and your student-athlete? High School Boys’ and Girls’ basketball practice begins Tuesday, November 10. Anyone who is interested in participating, but unfamiliar with the process and procedures, see Athletic Director Bob Greene.