Communicator

May 17, 2013

Dear Parents,

This is the final Communicator for the 2012 – 2013 school year! 

Today Mass was presented by Father J with parents assisting.  Next week Mass will be on Wednesday, May 22^nd with our fifth graders in both classes assisting Father Justin.  Mass will begin at 9:00am, with awards to students following (approximately 10:00am) and we will then return to St. Mary’s School for a 11:00am dismissal to begin our summer time.  There will not be any after school care on Wednesday.  All are invited to attend the Mass as well as the awards presentations.

This afternoon we will be watching a play presented by St. Peter’s students titled Drama Geeks vs. Zombie Cheerleaders.  This will be at 2:00pm in the McAuley Multi-Purpose Room.  Mr. Emory, Principal of St. Peter’s Middle School asks that the title of the program to not scare us off, it is definitely not scary, but actually a comedy.

All are invited to attend the reception Sunday, May 19^th in honor of Mrs. Sharon Reeve, whom is retiring after 39 years as a St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School teacher.  We will also be honoring Mrs. Gloria Skelton, retiring after 19 years of teaching at St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School.  This will be held in the McAuley Multi-Purpose Room beginning at 12:30pm and concluding at 2:00pm.  We are encouraging all past and present students, parents, peers and friends to attend and wish them the best in their retirement.

Monday, May 20^th will be the last day of school for Monday-Wednesday-Friday Pre-Schoolers in Mrs. Pam’s class.

Fifth graders will be going to Step-Up Day at St. Peter’s Middle School on Monday, May 20^th at 10:15 to 11:15.  This will give students an opportunity to see the school and teachers and they will also be given the results of the Student Council (STUCO) voting.

Scoop-Up will be at 1:30 in the McAuley Multi-Purpose Room.  This is for all students that participated in library book reading, giving book reports, and earning AR points, which will be converted to ice cream and a number of toppings they will be given to put on their sundaes. 

All St. Mary’s students in kindergarten through grade five are invited to the McAuley Football Camp.  This will be held two days, rather than three due to the McAuley Warriors winning the District Baseball Championship and will be playing Monday and possibly Wednesday.  Camp will be Tuesday, May 21^st starting at 4:00pm and concluding at 5:45pm.  Camp will resume Thursday, May 23^rd starting at 1:00pm and ending at 5:45pm.  Cost of the camp is $30.00 and will be held at MSSU.

Tuesday, May 21^st will be the last day for Mrs. Pam’s Tuesday-Thursday Pre-Schoolers as well as the Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday-Friday Pre-Schoolers.

Tuesday, May 21^st will also be the last day for Mrs. Ellsworth’s Pre-Kindergarten students.  For their last day, students will be going to the park at the Joplin Sports Complex, behind Schifferdecker Park.  They will be leaving on the JACS bus at 8:30 and returning to school approximately 10:45.

Wednesday, May 22^nd is the last day of school.  Our morning will consist of Mass at 9:00am in the St. Peter’s Church.  Immediately following Mass, approximately 10:00am, we will have our Awards recognition assembly and then return to St. Mary’s School for a 11:00am dismissal.  Pease note there will not be after school care on this day.

During the summer, the St. Mary’s office will be open at 8:00am and will close at noon on Mondays through Thursdays.  We will be closed the week of July 1-4.  If anyone needs to meet with us outside those hours, please contact us and we will make an appointment that will work for both parties’ schedules.

Our Home and School has been very helpful to our students, parents and teachers this past year.  We appreciate all they have done and for all things they have provided.  I want to again mention that under the request of our librarian, Mrs. Pam, they purchased a program so most books our students read, both from our school library and other sources, are on a list where they can take an Accelerated Reader test.  Please check the web site, www.renlearning.com then going to “store” and type in the exact title of the book.  This will show if the book is on the list of books with an AR test.  This has been a great help to all of our young readers.

At our Home and School meeting Wednesday, May 15, we did not elect officers for the 2013-2014 school year, and are hoping additional parents would be interested in a position either as an officer or a helper for one or more of our many activities and programs we support.  We ask that any parent interested in volunteering or accepting a position to contact our school, either by phone or email to let us know of your interests.  At the June 5^th meeting at 6:00pm, we will elect officers and begin appointing position chairs at that time.  We encourage all parents to attend.   

Nancy Roark, our JACS Financial Officer has requested that we send the following information:

Just a reminder that the deadline for the 2013-2014 school year’s registration forms is June 1^st to receive the early enrollment fee of $50.  Forms may be turned into any of the 3 school offices (St. Mary’s, St. Peter’s & McAuley).  Since June 1^st falls on a Saturday this year it will actually be June 3^rd.  After this date each child’s enrollment fee will increase to $100.  If you are a member of one of the Catholic churches you need to get your registration forms, as you have done in the past, at your church.   If you are a tuition paying family you should have already received your forms in the mail.  If for some reason you did not please call the JACS business office and we will make sure you receive them.

Just a reminder that all fees and tuition must be paid in full for the 2012-2013 school year in order to enroll your child for the coming year.  Also no student will be permitted to engage in any school sponsored sport practices or camps during the summer months without being enrolled first.

Thank you for making faith a priority to your child and we look forward to another great year at JACS!

Just 89 days till school begins! Although school is out starting Thursday, May 23^rd, we will still be sending emails to families letting you know of upcoming events and school activities.  We hope to see all of you Sunday, August 11^th for our Open House, noon to 1:30pm at St. Mary’s School, with classes beginning Wednesday, August 14^th!

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to assist your child’s growth this past year in faith, academics, physically and maturity.

Sincerely,

Stephen W. Jones

Principal, St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School