January 2006 Newsletter Joanne F. Gannon, Principal James T. Ferdella, Asst. Principal

Calendar

Diocesan Winners

Congratulations to Meghan McCaffrey for taking first place in the Diocesan essay contest on celebrating the Eucharist in her life.

Congratulations to our sixth grade class that won third place in the Diocesan poster contest on celebrating the Eucharist.

Thank you to their teachers who supported their effort, Mrs. Kelleher, Sr. Rosemarie, and Mrs. Wiseman. St. Mary School is well represented in our Diocese.

Students gather wrapped Christmas presents purchased and sent to Transitional Housing in Worcester with the help of Fr. Manny.

Catholic School Mission

When you support St. Mary School you are supporting more than your child, school families, or parishioners. The mission of the Catholic schools is like a stake in the ground that we can never remove. That stake is what makes us different and special. The mission is the teachings of Jesus Christ.

All of our parents support our school in many ways through their time, talent, and treasure. It is true that some parents you see all the time giving unselfishly and others who do so much behind the scenes to make a difference in our school.

Many meetings are going on through out the weeks, months, and years as we continue to seek improvement and support for our school. The School Advisory Board continues to work on putting forward the best possible budget. The tuition letter for next year will be out before our open house, January 29th.

We have formed a common bond and enthusiastically ask for your input in a parent survey that will be going out soon. We need everyone to be active with recruiting for our school. We ask that you reach out to a family you know and share your experience with them and ask them to think about visiting our school and seeing first hand what the Catholic Educational difference is all about. You are our best recruiters.

The F.P.P. committee has been busy compiling survey results and drawing up a proposal to be heard at the School Advisory Board meeting and the next Parents’ Association meeting. Survey results and a recommendation for change will be shared with you this week in the weekly envelope and at the February general meeting.

Since it is the end of the first year of their strategic plan the Diocesan School Board has published their annual report. This will be sent home in the weekly envelope to keep you informed about the direction of our schools in the Diocese of Worcester.

The Diocese will be conducting a survey to evaluate technology and its use in our schools. You will be asked to fill this out on the internet beginning the end of this month. They have contracted with the technology section of the Massachusetts Elementary School Principals’ Association to conduct and compile the information which will most likely direct future technology funds and professional development for teachers in our Diocesan schools.

Our technology committee is working on reviewing our technology plan and submitting a proposal for a tech grant with some of our faculty. They also do problem solving to keep us up and running.

Our development office will be tackling our strategic plan objective to kick off an annual campaign. Mailings will go out to supporters of our school during Catholic Schools Week and continue throughout the year to a variety of different stake holders in our school.

This is a change in paradigm for many of us to support our elementary schools, but it has become necessary. Elementary schools have been adding development offices to their staffing. Our future depends on funding our schools with other income sources to support the cost of Catholic Education. Most elementary schools are behind in this effort and need to work on making our school more secure for the future.

Our faculty will be meeting with a representative from New England Association of Schools and Colleges to begin our reaccreditation process. It will take the next 18 months to prepare for their final visit in the fall of 2007. Sandy Hudson and Cecile Coté have agreed to chair this process. Your input will be solicited, valued, and included along the way.

We all have a stake in St. Mary School and its future. No matter how big or small your part in our mission please join me in supporting the many parents and faculty involved in all of these efforts and pray for our students and our school’s future in God’s plan.

Homemade gingerbread people were dropped off at Catholic Charities on Christmas day.

Cold Weather Alert
by Mrs. Deknis, Nurse

Please be sure your children are dressed properly for recess.

It is coat, hat, mittens/gloves, something covering the legs and boots time. Sending your child/children with these items helps, but also encourage them to wear them. Frostnip, the precursor to frostbite hurts.

Happy New Year, 2006
by Mrs. Brookhart, Office

As a new year begins please take a few minutes to review the parent/student handbook with your children. Unfortunately, it is the season for colds, flu, and other common illnesses so be sure to call the school office if your child will not be attending school or if your child will be late to school for any reason. Please remind your children to check in at the office if they are late for school. It is important also that any change in transportation be sent to the school in writing. Children will go home their “usual” way unless there is a note from a parent. Thank you.

Ohio’s Gain is our Loss

For several years now your children have been served their lunch by Mrs. Holly Hansen. She loved her job in the kitchen and seeing the children everyday. Her husband has been transferred to Ohio and so she will be moving with her family at the end of this month. Her last day with us will be Friday, January 20. Send in your well wishes to Mrs. Hansen through your children.

Mrs. Bernie Sex will lead the good cooking in the kitchen now with the help of Mrs. Debbie Foy. Mrs. Foy is the past owner and operator of Bagelmakers in Northboro where we used to buy our bagels for lunches from her. Welcome Mrs. Foy!

May God Bless you and your family and keep you safe and healthy in the New Year!