Happy Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

 This week we celebrate everyone!  PTCO has put together a number of treats for you and Gina and I have put together some FUN!!  It is called SURVIVOR - The Game You Didn't Know You Were Preparing for ALL YEAR!  If the word survivor were to apply to any school year, this certainly would be the one.  I want to thank all of you who have held in there knowing that this will get better!  I also appreciate your commitment to the students because they are who we are here for.  No back to Survivor.  No, we won't be sending people home early ... sorry... but there will be dares, challenges, riddles, and ridiculousness of all kinds.  Mostly, thought, this is going to be an excuse to hand out tons of prizes and show as much appreciation for everything you all do around here.

You may have noticed some decorations in the office cubicles last week.  THAT is where the fun happens.  The game feels like a combination of Wheel of Fortune (because there is a Wheel and there is Big Money - well some money) and Survivor because you will have tasks to complete for your prize.  The game will take place over three days - Monday through Wednesday - during which you will earn points.  Those who earn enough points will go onto the Bonus Round on Thursday and that's where you will find the really cool prizes.  The Bonus Round prizes consist of themed tote bags and the themes are:  Beach Fun, Self-Care, and Family Game Night.  There is also a very nice Grand Prize for the person who earns the most points.  So how does it work?  Here are the directions:

• Come to the cubicles near the office copy machine
• Everyone can spin the wheel ONE time each day
• Ring the bell near the computer to alert staff in the office someone is spinning.  We will come out and cheer you on.
• Using the computer, Spin the Wheel (directions on how to do that are on the desk)
• It will land on a number.  Look that number up in the binder.
• If you complete the challenge next to that number, you get points.  Be sure you put the challenge number you completed and the points earned on the score sheet.  NO CHEATING - We have cameras :)
• If you have to take a picture or send a video, send it to both Gina and me by email.
• Some spaces on the wheel include a Grab Bag Prize (all the little brown bags on the desks)
• Some spaces say Big Prize and we have special bags for that.  If you land on Big Prize, see Karen, Flo, Gina or me and we will get you your prize.
• If you earn 600 points by the end of day Wednesday, you will be able to compete in the Bonus Round.
• If you are going on a field trip this week, be sure to stop by the Wheel before you go home that day.

Who's ready to spin??  I hope you all enjoy this and have a wonderful week.

Now for the serious side of the week.  Here is what is happening:

• Catapult visitors Patty, Sarah, and Maureen will be here on Monday to see how we are doing with our Math instruction.  Please have two chairs somewhere in the room for them to use.  Ken can grab some chairs from the music room in the morning if you need them.
• May crowning on Wednesday.  There will be some seat adjustments for grades 2, 3, 4 and 8.  I will send a separate email.
• i-Ready testing on Wed. and Thurs. 
• Marvelous Mustang on Friday
• Professional Development on Friday.  Gina will finish up the Evolving Learner Presentation

Have a great week!

Jesus, I Trust in You!

 As Fr. Dermot said in his homily today, this is the final day we can say Happy Easter as it is the 8th day of celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord.  So today, I wish you all a very Happy Easter and I hope that this past week allowed you to rest and gear up for the final stretch.  Today is also Divine Mercy Sunday and as we skate through these final weeks, make this your prayer... Jesus, I Trust in You!

As we are wrapping up this year, I am already preparing for next year.  You will find all the events I am currently aware of on the school's Google calendar.  Please remember that ALL teacher requested events and class/NJHS/Student Council/etc. fundraising, MUST be in school dude by April 30.  Requests may not be honored next year if they do not make it on the calendar now.  If you need help, please send the details to Flo and she will put them in school dude.  Be sure to send her all the details she needs. Keep in mind that she will need time to do this, therefore, if sending to Flo, be sure she gets it by Wednesday morning.  

Gina and I will both be out on Friday at the Bethany Center.  Gina will be there in the morning and I will be there in the afternoon.  I will be at school in the morning and we both can be reached by phone.  

Tuesday we will be administering the ARK test to grades 2-8 and i-Ready testing starts later in the week.  I did not tell parents about the ARK test yet because I did not want anyone stressing this.  I am going to send an email today asking that parents ensure students arrive on time.  When you talk to the students that morning, ask them to do their best to show how much they have learned about their faith.  Explain that this information will help us develop our Religion program next year.  Also, let them know that Part II, which is more personal, will be anonymous.  

Thank you and have a wonderful week!

Palm Sunday

 This morning I sat and listen to the Gospel reading and thanked our Lord for the sacrifice he made so that we may be saved.  I was also reminded how insignificant my own crosses are in comparison to what Jesus was made to bare for our salvation.  Later in the day I learned that one of our own, Brian Laxton, a former instructional assistant at St. Stephen, was called home to be with our Lord.  He was a young man of about 26 years old and my heart goes out to his family for the cross they are called to carry as then mourn the loss of this kind, beautiful soul.  Please keep the Laxton family in your prayers.  His funeral is April 20 at 11 am in St. Stephen church.  

This Thursday during our retreat, you will all be amazed at how awesome our 7th graders and 6th grade choir members are when they present the living stations of the cross.  I had so many compliments Friday night after their presentation.  Thank you to all who played a part in it.  

Please be sure to check the calendar for other events this week.  The faculty meeting tomorrow will just be for all K-8 homeroom teachers and ESE support personnel (if you could all stay that would be great) to go over administering the ARK test.  It should be a brief meeting. If you have any questions about the retreat, let me know.  I wish you all a WONDERFUL and much deserved Easter Break!

Best April Fools Day Ever!!

 

Thank you to everyone who made April 1 a great April Fool's Day!  Yes, it was time we all got Julie back, but all of the shenanigans that were going on were a lot of fun. 

 
There is a lot going on this week with field trips and field day.  The Gabie Bus will be here on Thursday morning.  They will arrive at approximately 7:45 am to set up.  The participation schedule is:

8:15 - 9:15     -   PK 4 & K

9:30 - 10:45   -   1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grades

Please be outside in front of the school at your scheduled time.  I will have them park close to the Angel's Wing gate.  

Field Day is also on Thursday and the schedule is:

9:30 - 11:00 am  -  Grades 5-8

1:00 - 2:30 pm    -  Grades K-4

The fun continues on Thursday with the Sunshine Committee Game Night at 4 pm at Leaven Brewing, 11238 Boyette Rd., Riverview. 

Friday is the last Fish Fry followed by Living Stations of the Cross presented by our 7th graders.  I hope many of you will be able to join us for this presentation.  

The Lent Retreat is finished and I will share the folder with everything you need for it by tomorrow (Sunday).  

The faculty meeting on Monday is a business meeting and the main topic of conversation will be Clubs/Electives for next year.  Bring your thoughts.

Finally, the payroll budget for next year is set.  While we are not ready to sign agreements, everyone is welcome to stop by my office to see what you will earn next year.  The 6% increase in tuition for next year has allowed me to give wage increases that are more substantial than in the past and I'm hoping everyone will be pleased.  

Have a wonderful week!

Blue and Yellow Day

 

Happy Sunday everyone.  The School will be having a Blue and Yellow non-uniform day in support of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine on Friday, April 1.  We are asking that each student pay $1 to have free dress and wear the colors blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.  Students should give the $1 to their teacher Friday morning.  Please send the money down with the runners.  (Karen, please put an envelope in each HR teacher's mailbox labeled "Ukraine" before Friday.)  The funds will be sent to Catholic Relief Services to help with the work they are doing to support refugees.  This is optional, but we hope that everyone, including teachers and staff, will stand together in solidarity for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.  I have sent an email home to the families, and I am also asking that each HR teacher talk it up this week with your class.  Also, keep reminding students to continue to add to their rice bowls. We are also having our final canned food drive this week for SVDP and I know they appreciate all you do to promote this in your class.  

This week I will work on the Triduum Retreat and get that information out to everyone.  We will continue with Confession on Wednesday this week and next.  

During the month of April (and maybe this week too), I will be conducting the second formal classroom observation.  I will be coming in as my schedule allows.  Please be sure your lesson plans are up-to-date so I can choose a day when you are not testing.  If something different than I am expecting is happening when I arrive, I may decide to come back another time which is perfectly fine.  

Thank you for all you continue to do this year for our students.  

Spring has Sprung!

 Happy Spring!  If you had a chance to be outside today, it truly was a beautiful spring day.  

Spring pictures take place on Tuesday.  Teachers received a schedule from Karen last week.  Please be sure students know it is free dress in a school-appropriate outfit.  Students in grades 5 and 6 should bring their PE uniforms to change into right after pictures.  Coach Green has requested that 1st and 2nd graders either wear or bring sneakers to change into.  Flo will send an email home to all parents Monday morning and a text alert Monday afternoon reminding them what students should wear. 

Please be sure you continue to encourage students to put their money in their rice bowls which will be collected the week before Easter Break.  

Grades 5, 6, and 8 will have confession after Mass on Wednesday.  Teachers, take some time during religion class on Tuesday to prepare them.  

Please pray for our 7th graders who we are sending off into the woods this week to Nature's Classroom in Palm Harbor.  Please pray twice as hard for the chaperones staying with them!  

Have a wonderful week!

Happy St. Patrick's Day... almost

 May the luck of the Irish be with you all!  I hope you all enjoyed this long weekend.  It's important that everyone checks the calendar on a regular basis as there are many events happening this month.

Here is a quick look at some of the events:

• On Wednesday, teachers please remind students what they should be wearing for Jeans and Green day on March 17.  
• Spring pictures are the following week and Karen B. will be sending out a schedule.
• 7th graders will be missed from March 23 to March 25 when they will be attending Nature's Classroom in Palm Harbor.  
• Lent confessions begin on March 23.  Check the calendar or refer to my email.  
• Our final canned food drive begins the week of March 28.  Please tie this into your discussions about Lent in religion class.

You may have seen the update from the Office of Evangelization in the Weekly Update last week where they talk about Ukraine.  They wrote, "CRS and Ukraine Relief:  Please consider the possibility of holding additional fundraisers, such as a Dress Down Day, in solidarity for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. This would be a way to raise additional monies for the work that CRS is doing to support refugees."  

We did talk about how we could promote helping those in Ukraine prior to this and I gave parents information in Tidbits that was posted on the Diocese website.  When a few of us saw this idea Thursday in the Weekly Update, we felt this was something simple we can do and this money will be added to the Rice Bowl money we send to CRS.  The Dress Down Blue and Yellow Day will be April 1.  Please help students understand what we are doing.  Rice bowls, a dress-down day, and canned food are all excellent ways we can help those in need during Lent. 

Have a great week and teachers I hope you enjoy your various professional developments tomorrow (Tuesday).