Alumni Association

Alumni Newsletter

Alumni Events

Support Saint Ann School

• Fundraisers
• Sponsor a Student
• Scholarships
• Classroom Wishlist
• Planned Giving
• Mentoring

Distinguished Alumni

Alumni Directory

Saint Ann School Alumni Association Newsletter Vol 1

Formation of an Alumni Association Many alumni and friends have “shared the wealth” of their Saint Ann’s education by contributing both time and financial aid to the school. Some alumnus directly volunteer time to the school programs while others support fiscal programs. As alumni we have accomplished a great deal, but much more must be done. The need to form an alumni association in hopes of organizing and providing opportunities for further support has risen. We are looking for people like you. To help us provide the dollars or time necessary to continue support for the Saint Ann School programs such as: Fundraisers Sponsor a Student Scholarships Classroom Wishlist Mentoring Planned Giving Your contribution will help us to expand our resources and do a far more extensive job of supporting our alma mater. Chris Ostermann Class of 1976
Association’s Goal With your help the alumni association can make donations into the school’s Planned Giving program. Planned Giving is a scheduled donation that is given monthly, quarterly or annually. As a member of the association you will receive a biannual newsletter. You may also directly support the Planned Giving Program without being a member. More information on Planned Giving is available through the School or Parish Offices.	Planned Giving Program Sponsor a Student Saint Ann School is committed to making Catholic education affordable for families in Ridgecrest. The Sponsor-A-Student tuition assistance program provides grants and scholarships to eligible families. By making a one to five-year pledge, benefactors are matched with a student who exemplifies the spirit of Saint Ann School by showing a strong commitment to their school, parish and community and has a financial need. Students/families can communicate with benefactors through the Saint Ann School Office. The Sponsor-A-Student program is maintained throughout the year. If you would like to contribute, please contact the School Office. Scholarships If you would like to donate to a general Scholarship fund to help needy students with tuition at Saint Ann School, arrangements can be made through the School Office.
Classroom Wish Lists Have you ever had the urge to buy an extra stapler and give it to a classroom full of adorable children who could really use one? Each classroom has compiled a wish list of items they would love to have donated. These lists may be viewed here and on each individual classrooms website. Donated items may be dropped off in the School Office. Please include your name and address if you would like a personal Thank You!		Fundraisers The Parent Teacher Guild (PTG) at Saint Ann School holds several fundraisers per year. Volunteer help with these fundraisers is always needed and appreciated. 2005/2006 PTG Fundraiser Schedule: Fireworks Sales - July 4, 2006 Innisbrook Gift Wrap Sales - Early September Oktoberfest/Casino - Oct. 2005 Holiday Bazaar - Nov. 2005 Children's Bazaar - December 2005 Car Raffle - Feb. 25, 2006
	Mentoring Do you have a specific skill or knowledge base that would enhance the educational environment at Saint Ann School? If so, please contact the School Office to find out what opportunities can be made to utilize your skills.	Contributions to a Quarterly Newsletter The proposed Quarterly Newsletter will furnish stories covering current school topics, as well as memories and news on people from our school days. Ample material exists for current stories. However, your participation in this association will provide the necessary material for many stories from the past. The back page of this newsletter contains a membership application. Please take the time to join the association and provide your current biographical data. You may also contribute stories and memories at any time in the future. These should be mailed or emailed (address on back page) to the School Office with the Attention of The Alumni Association or emailed to alumni@parishofsaintann.org.
Echoes from the Past: Sister Mary Claudine Early in the morning hours of February 17, 2005, Sister Claudine returned peacefully to God. Mary Alice Peacock was born in Bluffs, Iowa on August 5, 1915. After graduating from High School in 1932, she attended Holy Names College, Oakland. After attending classes for one year, she requested entry in the Novitiate and two years later professed her first Vows on August 5, 1935. Teaching and administration became her life’s work. Understanding of children and their parents guided her as a teacher. Sister Claudine opened some schools, and with her characteristic zest for life, brought energy and renewal to others. She gave the students pride in themselves and set a positive tone. Involved and interested in their activities, from the after school CYO sports, to the Dodgers’ games, she encouraged them to have good sportsmanship and to try their best. Her singing was also memorable. She led the singing at children’s Masses, and always had her favorite hymns, and never forgot the words of the many songs that she had sung from her youth. In 1995, it was off to “retirement” at Sisters of Holy Names of Jesus & Mary in Los Gatos, Calif. No traditional retirement for Claudine. She chose how she was going to live. She made this transition in her life with her ever-present graciousness and deep faith. She became director of the Marian Community for three years. She joined the “Grandmother Program” in Casa Maria Montessori School where the children loved her dearly. At 85 years of age, in response to a need at the orphanage in Nicaragua, she traveled there to assist in the preschool educational program. She said , “I knew in my heart that I could wash a child’s face, show a little love, help a child hold a pencil. I was ready for a new challenge! My two months in Nicaragua made a difference in my life.” Claudine always assisted wherever she saw something to be done.
From The Principal’s Desk Why should families send their children to a Catholic school? This is a question to which the answer might have been obvious a generation ago-“Because we’re a strong Catholic family…Because most of our neighbors go to the local Catholic school…Because Catholic schools have a more disciplined environment and a stronger academic program.” All good reasons, but are they enough for families today? Society is changing; culture is changing; values are changing. Rarely do families stay in the neighborhoods in which they grew up, with people of similar backgrounds attending church together, supporting each other in the rearing of their children. With increased economic prosperity has come greater mobility and isolation. Materialism and the need to be entertained pull us away from long-held Catholic values. Do Catholic schools still meet the needs of families? Many of us say, “Yes, more than ever!” As the United States Catholic bishops wrote in their statement in support of Catholic education, Catholic schools collaborate with parents and guardians as they struggle to educate their children in an academically rigorous and doctrinally sound atmosphere designed to strengthen their connection to Christ and his Church. Nowhere else, no other public or private institution, can offer what Catholic education can-an atmosphere where the fullness of the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service to our brothers and sisters is the norm, and thanksgiving and worship of our God is cultivated. Why would you not send your child to Catholic school? Mary Little Saint Ann School Principal