Saint Ann School News

• I would like to ask you to join me in welcoming a new member of our Saint Ann School teaching staff. Mrs. Gina Silong will take over the vacated 5th Grade position. Mrs. Silong has several years teaching experience and is fully credentialed by the State of California. She was awarded a BA in Liberal Studies from California State University, Northridge, and has completed many post graduate units in Education. Mrs. Rockdale will complete her long-term substitute assignment on October 30 (thank you, again, Mrs. Rockdale!), and Mrs. Silong’s first official day as teacher will be November 2.

• The School Portrait Re-Take Day is next Monday, October 26. Please let Miss Rossi know by this Thursday if you would like a re-take (at no charge). LifeTouch asks no questions about why you didn’t like the portrait . . . just send back the original portrait packet and they will do a re-take.

• Enclosed in your Monday Envelope is a Smile Safe Kids ID card which is a ‘freebie’ from LifeTouch.

• The September SpiritWear orders were delivered to students last Friday. Please contact Laurie Ostermann at 375-8297 if you did not receive your shirt(s). The next SpiritWear orders will include sweatshirts and long sleeve polos (and black polos for Middle School and adults only). These orders will be taken during the Holiday Bazaar on November 13-15.

• Reminder about Parent-Teacher Conferences next week–

 Next Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (Oct. 27-30) are Parent-Teacher Conferences. These are minimum days with 11:30 AM dismissal for students.

 I would like to remind you that neither students nor siblings should attend Parent-Teacher Conferences so that you and the teacher are able to give full attention to discussing the educational needs of your child.

 If you are not already on a contract and you plan on your child(ren) attending the Extended Day Program next week during Parent-Teacher Conferences, please call the School Office to let us know.

• We only had eight respondents for walking in the parade so we will not be participating in the Desert Empire Fair Parade this weekend. We hope that more students will want to take part in the Christmas Parade. This is very good advertising for our school when we have enthusiastic students and parents at these events.

• Flu season is definitely here, and I would like to remind you of the steps to take to help us keep the spread of illness to a minimum:
 Students may not return to school until they have been free of fever without the use of medication for 24 hours. (In other words, if a child goes home with a fever, he/she will not be allowed back at school the next day.)
 Everyone should cover their coughs/sneezes.
 Students should wash hands frequently and avoid touching their faces.
 For information on the H1N1 virus, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm

• The Middle School Girls’ Volleyball game schedule is as follows. Please come cheer them on!
o Monday, Oct 19, @ 4:00 PM at Trona

• Please join us at the Grotto at 7:30 AM on Wednesday mornings in October as we say a decade of the rosary. This week, students are saying a decade each day remembering the Glorious Mysteries.

• Please join us at the School Advisory Council meeting at 7:00 PM next Monday (Oct. 26) in the school library. All are welcome to discuss suggestions or concerns. Contact Mr. David Cordes or Mrs. Little prior to the meeting to have an item added to the agenda. Non-agenda items may still be discussed during Open Forum at the meeting, but this time is limited to brief discussions. This Council represents you, the parents, and your opinions are important to them.

• Reminder—This Saturday, October 24, the dialing procedure for the 760 area code will change. From that date on, all calls will require dialing “1” + the area code + the seven (7)-digit telephone number.

PTG News:

• The Holiday Bazaar is less than a month away! Please support this important fundraiser with your time by making crafts, staffing booths, baking treats, working in the kitchen and setting up and cleaning. The Bazaar is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit! Contact Mrs. Kim Metcalf, PTG Vice President, at 608-7228 for more information.

• This is the last week to order holiday pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The order deadline is this Friday!

Upcoming Events:

Wed., Oct. 21
7:30 AM, Rosary in the Grotto

Fri., Oct. 23
8:15 AM, School Mass (2nd Grade)
Pie Orders Due
“You’ve Been Boo’d” Boo Gram Orders Due

Mon., Oct. 26
7:00 PM, School Advisory Council, School Library, Everyone welcome!

Tues.-Fri., Oct. 27-30
Parent Teacher Conferences; All classes dismiss at 11:30 AM these days

Fri., Oct. 30
Pumpkin Carving Contest