Mary did you know....

 ...that our students are amazing?!   Thank you, Jeff, for highlighting the talent that lies within each of our students.  Thank you, Heather, for creating a beautiful Nativity scene, helping with logistics, and bringing it all together.  Thank you, Yesenia, for making the concert available to those unable to attend.  Thank you to everyone else who had a hand in making this a wonderful night.  

I'm not sure where the first half of the year went, but here we are in the final week before Christmas.  Tomorrow is a Holy Card free dress day.  The holy card to be looking for is the Holy Family.  Friday is also a jean day with a Christmas shirt, red or green shirt, or a spirit shirt.  

All I can say about this week is that the children will be crazy, so just help them keep it together.  I'm hoping that being away from each other over the weekend will help bring down the number of students who are sick.  I believe we had about 55 students absent on Friday.  Remind them to wash their hands often.  

Finally, can't wait for Friday.  Remember to bring a small gift to participate in the left/right game (it will be epic).  When you arrive, you will each receive two drink tickets.  They can be used for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.  Or you can give me yours, and I will auction them off :)

Have a Merry Week!  

Hail Mary full of Grace....

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception! May Our Lady's purity fill your heart with joy and peace.  Remember that Monday is a holy day of obligation, and we are switching our Mass day this week.  If you have an encore class on Monday, please speak with the teacher and see if it can be switched to Wednesday.  First grade and 8A may be able to switch to Wednesday morning for art and PE, respectively.    

The week is pretty quiet until we get to Friday, when all the fun begins.  We have Marvelous Mustang (please complete the spreadsheet and inform parents), followed by practice at the church (be seated and ready promptly at 9:30 am), and the concert and PTCO after-party at night.  I'm looking forward to a great evening.  

Please remind students that next weekend is Uniform Sunday, followed by free dress Monday, and our last week before Christmas break.  This is the time of year when the students get anxious as Christmas is getting close, and it's important to keep them focused on their work.  For our Jesse Tree this week, the middle school teachers have what they need for the students to present on the morning show Tuesday through Friday.  They will pick up PK3 through 1st-grade helpers on the way and should be at the morning show by 7:45.  I will deliver the materials for the final week by Tuesday.  

Have a blessed 2nd week of Advent as we focus on peace.  May the Lord fill us with a deep and abiding peace and help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most.