Weekly Word
2012-04-04

Dear Families:

Tomorrow the Church begins Triduum, The Three Days—the holiest days of the Church Year. While popular culture exults Christmas as most important, the Church focuses on Christ’s saving actions in the Last Supper, Crucifiction and Ressurection. I encourage your family to attend one or all services. While they are long (Easer Vigil being the longest), there is a quiet and a richness we no longer experience in our daily lives. Give your family a gift beyond and more enduring than the Easter basket.

Crosswalks
Please leave the crosswalk in front of Church clear for children to cross safely to the median or the other side of Lockwood. Vehicles parked on the crosswalk force children to walk between vehicles, which means oncoming traffic can’t see them. Besides, it is illegal to block a crosswalk. Thanks.

Alive In Christ Scholarships
Recently the Archdiocesan Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation announced Alive in Christ scholarships for the 2012-2013 school year. The scholarships are for K-8 students to attend Catholic schools and range from $1000 to $2000 based on need. Contact Sue Barnowski at the Parish Office for more information.

Free Lunch?
Thanks to the many families who promptly reimburse the Office when children need to get a chip for a school lunch. However, several families presently owe us for such lunches. Mrs. Zimmerman has sent notes and we ask that you promptly reimburse the Office. Thanks.

Stewardship in the Community
Kirkcare has featured our 3rd grade in their most recent newsletter, recognizing their food collections for Kirkcare and St. Vincent de Paul. You can view the newsletter at www.kirkcare.org and selecting “view our newsletter” on the upper left.

DARE Graduation
Earlier this semester our 6th Grade students completed the DARE program and will graduate on Wednesday, 18 April at 7:00 p.m. in the Gym. Congratulations to all of them on learning important lessons about making healthy and safe choices for themselves and how to positively influence their friends.

Mass Change
Next week we will not have the scheduled Grade Level Masses. Instead, we will have an All School Mass on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in Church. Ending the day with Mass will be a nice variant on our routines.

Improving Your Catholic Parenting Skills
The Archdiocese is piloting a parenting program (Birth – 5th Grade), Leading & Loving, in our deanery. The session will be at St. Peter’s in Kirkwood on Friday, 13 April 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, 14 April 9:00-2:00. More details in this week’s Wednesday Folder.

Insight Theatre Company
We don’t often advertise for other entities, but Insight Theatre Company has some student-appropriate productions this year in the theatre at Nerinx Hall. In July they present Seussical the Musical and in October they present To Kill a Mockingbird. The latter provides great opportunities to discuss social justice with older students. The arts often provide conversation starters for valuable discussions. For details, visit www.insighttehatrecompany.com

Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School will be July 16-20. Mark your calendars—more details will come later. Thanks to the many adult and teen volunteers who make this possible!

In His Peace,

Gerry Kettenbach, Ph.D.
Principal

Coming Events

Thu 5 Apr Holy Thursday Activities—K-6 Presentation/Service (1:45 in Church)
Fri 6 Apr Good Friday [NO SCHOOL]

Mon 9 Apr Easter Monday [NO SCHOOL]
Tue 10 Apr Professional Development Day [NO SCHOOL—CHANGE]
Wed 11 Apr All School Mass [change from level masses] (1:30 p.m. in Church)
Wed 11 Apr Home & School Meeting (7:00 p.m. in Board room)

Mon 16 Apr Board of Education Meeting (7:00 p.m. in Board Room)
Wed 18 Apr DARE Graduation (7:00 p.m. in the Gym)

Wednesday Folder
Bringin’ Home the Bacon
Improving Your Catholic Parenting Skills (K-5)
Papa John’s School Night
2012 MQP Spring Festival Food Order
SLU Summer Reading Program
Spring Festival Raffle Tickets
Spring Festival Auction Parties

Summer Opportunities

St. Louis Community College “College for Kids) for Grades K-8. Info in lit rack and at stlcc.edu/Continuing_Education/College_for_Kids.html