May, 2008

Dear Parents,

Peace! Welcome to our last full month of the 2007-2008 school year. Easter being early did not slow down the pace of events!

April was filled with many wonderful happenings. You are encouraged to get in touch with your own First Communion and Confirmation. As your faith development grows and deepens may you find ways to share it with your children.

How fortunate we were to have Pope Benedict visit the USA. We will continue to discover ways to proclaim his message of peace and hope. I’m looking forward to hearing his message on Catholic Education. Let’s renew our efforts to do all we can to ensure it will be here for many generations to come.

The Casino Night was a huge success. Thanks to all who made the evening possible. Your time, talent, presence and donations are greatly appreciated.

The response to the First Annual Msgr. Armand Pedata Memorial Golf Classic is overwhelming! Due to inclement weather, the management at Deerwood Golf Club has rescheduled the outing to Monday, June 2. Again, our thanks for making this event possible to honor a man of God so dedicated to the ministry of Catholic Education!

By now you know that Father Chuck has been reassigned to a new parish. Bishop Smith asked him to be the Temporary Administrator of Nativity Parish in Fair Haven, NJ. We will certainly miss him and all the good that he did for us at SJA. We wish him God’s Blessings now and in the future. Thanks to all who were able to attend the 12:00 Liturgy on Sunday, April 27, in his honor.

Rev. Charles Schwartz

Nativity Parish

180 Ridge Road

Fair Haven, NJ 07704

We also welcome Father Mike Wallack to our parish. Father Mike comes from St. James Parish in Red Bank, NJ. He has a great love of Catholic Education and looks forward to working with our school family. God’s Blessings, Father Mike, as you begin your new ministry at SJA.

We will honor Cinco De Mayo with a Family Night Bingo on Monday, May 5, at 6:30 in the school cafeteria. Come out and enjoy the evening.

Our fifth grade students will host the Anointing Mass in May. We are grateful to our children for the many ways they reach out to our shut- ins throughout the year. This is a concrete way of being a peacemaker. May we always believe our Christ friends are one of our greatest blessings.

Many thanks to all who responded to our request for dreams and talents for our Strategic Plan. Your input is greatly appreciated. It’s not too late to send in your ideas. We will collate them and share them with you. Your information is vital in helping us formulate action plans for the future.

This year Mother’s Day and Pentecost are the same day. How wonderful to ask God’s Spirit to descend on our Moms and bless them with many graces. We rejoice with all our Moms who have gone back to God. May they rest in eternal peace.

Kindergarten screening for the 2008-2009 school year will be held on Thursday, May 8. This gives the new students an opportunity to be acquainted with the classroom and teachers prior to the first day of school. All parents and children are to report to the cafeteria at 9:00 am. Children will be picked up at 11:45 am in Trinity Hall. There will be a meeting for ALL NEW SCHOOL FAMILIES on Thursday, May 8, at 7:00 pm in Trinity Hall. St Joan of Arc School policies, procedures and curriculum will be discussed. All new families are expected to attend.

Our tryouts for our annual talent show will be May 13, 15, and 16 during the school day. Students are to have their words, props, etc. with them. Performances are between 2 and 2 ½ minutes long. Please go over all the words prior to tryouts. Teachers review each skit. Rehearsals for the Talent Show will be during the school day on Tuesday, May 27, Wednesday, May 28 and Monday, June 2. Our performance will be Tuesday, June 3. You will receive an approximate time of your child’s performance. As in the past we ask all parents to remind their children of the need to respect and show reverence for each other’s gifts and differences. Hopefully, the rehearsals during the day will make it possible for all the children to be present, not leaving for sports, dance, appointments, etc.

Our May liturgy will be Wednesday, May 14, at 9:00 am. Please plan to join us as we honor Mary, Queen of Peace.

PTA will sponsor a Spaghetti Dinner for our Kindergarten families on Thursday, May 15. Please respond ASAP. We look forward to a delightful evening. It will be a great night to form new friendships

with other families.

The last 7^th and 8^th grade dance is Friday, May 16 from 7:30-10:00 pm. Tickets are sold in school prior to the dance. Please make sure after dance and pick up plans are settled prior to arrival.

The final PTA meeting will be held May 21, at 7:00 pm. Check the brown envelope for more information.

Our annual Field Day is Friday May 23. Thanks to all who are assisting Miss Gliick in any way. We are looking forward to spreading the Olympic Spirit. A number of parents have asked if they could also buy a T-shirt. Order forms will be coming home. It’s another way to spread the good word about SJA around town.

Please remember our military service professionals as we celebrate Memorial Day. We continue to be ever so grateful to all who gave and give their lives so that we may celebrate God’s gift of freedom. Let’s teach our children that with freedom comes a tremendous responsibility.

The St. Joan of Arc Art Show will be held Wednesday, May 28, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the school. Plan to spend an enjoyable evening celebrating the gifts of our children. Thanks to Miss Filipek and Sister Mary for celebrating the Arts with our children.

The Leadership Team will have the last Fun Days on Thursday, May 15, for 1^st grade from 3:00 to 4:00, and Thursday, May 29, for 6^th grade from 3:00 to 5:15. Info will come home with the students.

PTA will have a Ladies Night Out on Thursday, May 29, in the school cafeteria. Please plan to attend. It’s a relaxing and enjoyable evening.

SJA Dare Graduation will be Friday, May 30, at 1:00 PM. We are very proud of our students and grateful to our police officers. Hopefully our students will make the choice to remain drug and alcohol free.

Sales were down for Food Certificates in April. Please remember to purchase them. Our records show that 132 families have used them during the school year. We are hoping that the remaining 168 families will join in during May and June. Remember – all students benefit from our technology.

Thank you for your responses to carnival requests. We are in need of more help with set-up and take down. Please consider this important work. Send your response to JoAnn Aucello via the brown envelope.

Thanks to all people who are cooperating with the car line. We understand that some days the line is longer than others and we appreciate your patience. Please remember it is for the safety of all children that we have these procedures in place.

May begins with the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker and ends with the Feast of the Visitation of Mary. May our homes and hearts be modeled on the Holy Family. Together, let’s teach our children the gift of meaningful work, caring for the members of our families and taking time to visit with those in need.

God’s Blessings,

Sister Pat