HIGHLIGHTS
Huron Valley Catholic School
1300 N. Prospect Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48198-3067 Fax: (734) 483-0372 www.huronvalleyschool.org Main Office: (734) 483-0366; Absent/Tardy: ext. 1; Sports Info: ext. 6; Staff Directory: ext. 9 Grocery Cards – Valerie Lochocki, 480-7161; Scrip – Annette Kageff, 944-4472; Auction email: HVCS-Auction-Team@umich.edu
Volume 6, Issue 4
December 2007
The pictures that you purchase also appear in the school yearbook, and we are looking for consistency in the dress of our students. A number of students were not in dress code on that day. The week prior to the picture retake day, we sent a parental email requesting that all students be in dress code on retake day. Several staff members reviewed the questionable pictures (dress code violations) and we asked those students to have their pictures retaken just for the yearbook. A number of those students were surprised and caught off guard about the request. We realized that we should have contacted each affected student prior to the retake day so that they were prepared. I apologize for this inconvenience. If your child had a picture retaken and you would like the original picture used in the yearbook, please contact Elana Lanzetta with a description of the desired picture. Periodically, we hear of events that support the spiritual mission of the school and often involve th current or past parents. On Saturday, February 16 , “Accept the Challenge”, an event for men will be held at St. Patrick‟s Church in Brighton. See their website for more information, www.acceptthechallenge.org. Have a Blessed and Joyful Christmas Celebration! -Tim Kotyuk
From the Principal…
The continued growth of the world wide web has made it much easier to access information and to communicate in an efficient manner. There are many, however, who are concerned with the resultant decrease in reading among the general population, especially young people. The staff continues to encourage reading different genres via a number of initiatives, among which are the monthly Book it program, regular visits to the media center, class “read-in days”, daily silent reading times, classroom libraries, recommended class reading lists, and required novel outlines. At home, it can become very easy to resort to television programs and video games for relaxation. We are encouraged to hear about families that require their children to spend time each day in silent reading at home, whether they have homework or not. Please consider such an approach in your family. Also, let Barb Oas, our Media Specialist, know if you would like some recommendations for books in our collection. We want to continue to make HVCS a safe environment. We receive a monthly newsletter that specializes in school safety and security. Additionally, our insurance agent prompts us regularly about developing issues, and how the school can implement and enforce different measures. In line with recommendations of the State Police, all staff members now wear an identification badge, and there are different tags for parent volunteers, visitors, and contractors. We are fine tuning our after school dismissal procedures particularly carpool lists administration. We ask for your patience and cooperation, particularly with updating carpool arrangements and making sure that you sign in whenever you come into the building. The seminar I attended stressed “CONSISTENCY” in all policies. I want to apologize for some miscommunications during the recent school picture retakes. All students are required to be in dress code for school pictures.
Join us! Christmas Assembly December 21st at 8:45am
Our annual festive Christmas Assembly and Concert will be in the gym. Parents are welcome to join us as Grades 1 – 8 perform music to help celebrate the Christmas season. We are counting on available parents to help us set-up chairs from 8:15 – 8:30am.
Congratulations to the November
Students of the Month
Kyle Livingstone
and
(8th) (7th)
Rachel Thornton
Kris Kringle – Dec 17th – Dec. 21st
Grades 1-8 will be participating in secret gift exchanging these days prior to Christmas break. More instructions will be provided by each Homeroom teacher. Sally Foster/Cookie Dough Update!
for distinction in exhibiting exemplary conduct and character!
Forensics Family Showcase
All are welcome to join us for the Forensics Family and Friends Showcase on Monday, December 10th at 7:30pm in the gym. Come hear 6th, 7th and 8th grade students perform pieces they will be presenting at the state tournament on Saturday, Dec.15th in Birch Run, MI. These students have worked hard and we know you will enjoy their pieces. 5th graders are particularly invited to check out this program.
The HVCS students and their families sold $12,886 (compared to $11,973 last year) for a profit to the school of $6,443 (compared to $5,986.50 last year)! Cookie Dough sales raised $4,938 for HVCS! Victoria Hoffman was our top seller! The highest selling class - Mrs. Wolfe‟s 5th grade! Michaela Frohnen, Dominique Green, Timmy Kramer and Andrea Reyes were our drawing winners for the movie night gift certificates! Tymi Staub was the winner for the Ipod drawing! Thank you so much HVCS parents and students for your participation! Also, a big thank you to the McNally Family for all your help with this fundraiser!
HVCS Open House…
Please mark your calendars and tell your friends:
Thursday, February 7th
Visit Classrooms 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tours and Presentations are from 7 to 9 p.m. Registrations will be accepted at Open House and we will be time/date stamping them. We will be sending out additional information as the date approaches. Be sure to pass the word to friends and family that may be interested.
“House of Clowns” If you missed last year‟s, HVCS Upper Grade Drama Club presentation of "House of Clowns", or if you would like to watch it again, here are the replay dates: Monday, 11/26 at 3:30pm Saturday, 12/1 at 9:00am Wednesday, 12/5 at 1:00pm Saturday, 12/8 at 6:00pm All telecasts are on CTN Cable Channel 17.
Presenting the HVCS Auction, “Un Viaggio In Italia “ (A Trip Through Italy)
Saturday, March 1st, 2008 Kensington Court, Ann Arbor
Don’t miss out on the fantastic HVCS dinner auction! Mark it in your calendars today and help spread the word! Take action!!!! Parents are already working behind the scenes to procure items to be auctioned, developing the look and feel of the evening, and much, much more.
How You Can Get Involved
To facilitate timely auction logistics and publication of the auction program, the deadline to donate items is February 1st – only 2 months away! There are opportunities still available to be a part of a fantastic team. Email the core committee today: hvcsauction-team@umich.edu If you know the name of a local business who might be interested in advertising in our auction catalog or interested in becoming an event sponsor, contact Cris Morales through the email: hvcsauction-team@umich.edu. More information will be sent home to families in early January with details on sponsorship and advertising. Be sure to attend the event and join in on the fun and festivities. Behind every worthy plan is a team committed to making the project a success. You are part of that team and your reward is the knowledge that you have positively affected your child’s spiritual and educational growth. On behalf of the Auction Core Committee, we send our heartfelt thanks!
Contact hvcs-auction-team@umich.edu for questions, ideas or comments.
Donate an item to the auction. Stop by the auction basket wish list in the school hallway to purchase auction items. Items purchased go toward your fundraising needs, just don’t forget to turn in your receipts along with your items. Ask your favorite vendors to donate their services, or your favorite store to donate an item or gift certificate. The auction acquisitions team can help facilitate this transaction with local businesses. They have packets ready to deliver. Email: hvcs-auction team@umich.edu Sign up for your auction hours.
Grazie mille, The Auction Core Committee,
Elwood and Loretta Downing, Glen and Ann Heiser, Christy Hoban Cris Morales and Margie Smith
Outdoor Recess
Please remember to send your child to school with adequate warm clothing. All students will be expected to go outside for recess unless it is raining or the temperature, including wind chill, is less than 10 degrees.
Calendar of December Events
(See December Calendar for more information)
Dec. 7
Adoration 8:30-2:30
Join us for Mass…
Fridays at 7:20am Wednesdays at 10:35am and 12:20pm
(unless there is one all school Mass at 10:35am)
Dec. 10
Forensics Showcase @ 7:30pm, in the gym.
& Communion Service….
Mondays at 7:45am.
Dec. 11
NO DRESS DOWN DAY FOR ANY STUDENTS.
Dec. 12
Finance Cmte. Mtg @7:30pm at the LaCroix‟s.
On Tuesday, December 11th…..
Lifetouch Photography will be at HVCS to take candid and class pictures. All students are required to be in dress code.
Dec. 13
8 Graders to Dinner and Meadowbrook
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Dec. 14
Pizza Lunch
Dec. 17
Board Meeting @ 7:30pm
Caring and Sharing
Dec. 17 - 21
Kris Kringle Days Grades 1-8
Dec. 19
Canned Food Drive (ends at 3pm)
Dec. 21
Christmas Assembly 8:45-9:45am (parents are
welcome!)
Half-Day, Dismissal 11:55am
Dec. 24 – Jan. 6
No School, Christmas Break
This is a program that helps our HVCS families if a need arises. Usually it’s a family that could use meals brought to them because of surgery or another medical situation. By informing each other of such needs, we hope to be better able to support each other as a Christian community. Please check the lower left hand corner of the bulletin board in the front hall when you come into school. There will be a “Caring and Sharing” Corner. There you will find notices when one of our families has a particular need for our support. If you would like to participate in making and dropping off a meal to a family in need, or sending a card, that would be great! Thank you very much to Rose Bogdan and Nancy Ligeski for agreeing to co-chair this program. If you know of a HVCS family that could use our support, please let Rose, Nancy or the office know! Thanks!
Jan. 7
Classes Resume
Jan. 21
No School – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day/ Staff In-Service
Jan. 25
No School – Records Day
Who’s Who In the News!
Andrea Reyes, HVCS 8 grader, won 2 place in the Ford Hispanic Heritage Local Art and Essay Contest. She will be awarded a $1000 US Savings Bond and will be honored at a ceremony on Dec. 6th at the Detroit News building. Way to go Andrea!!!
th nd
Check out the new HVCS Website! Our website has a new look! It contains all the same information you are used to finding on the old site, such as sports schedules, directions to games, a link to Renweb, current school information, but now it includes an alumni page with the ability to email and attach photos to keep in touch!
Soup Labels and Box Tops
Can you believe it‟s already December? Holiday baking season is upon us, and while you are preparing meals and baking goodies this month, please remember that we are still collecting Campbell‟s Soup Labels and General Mills Box Tops. Labels and box tops should be left in the white “bucket” just inside the office door. Thank you for your participation!
Tardies – We are having many students
arriving tardy to school in the morning. This can be very disruptive to Homeroom or First Period. In most instances, it is the same students who are tardy. You may need to allow for additional time in the morning if your student is often late. Additionally, students should report to the office if they arrive after 8:05 a.m. If they arrive later than 8:20am, a parent must sign them in at the office. Without parental notification a student’s tardiness will be considered unexcused. Excessive unexcused tardies will result in an after school detention.
Messages From the Media Center
Beware of The Golden Compass. The book, by Philip Pullman, is “the anti Narnia book”. It is part of a trilogy that is really geared to older children, middle school and up, and is very anti Christian, anti Catholic. I have a three page interview from Zenit.org that gives many details about the book and the movie from a Catholic perspective. I will put a few copies in the info racks in the front office. My advice is to avoid both the book and the movie. The 1st book and the movie will not be obviously anti Catholic, but what Pullman really wants is for the other two movies to be made. If the 1st movie is not successful at the box offer there is hope the others will not be made. I also read an interesting article about the book and the movie in the Dec. issue of Atlantic Monthly magazine. Groliers Online Available at Home The school has a subscription to Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia that can be accessed at home. Go to http://go.grolier.com. Enter in the user name and password in all lowercase. User name : huronvcsd, Password : huronvcsd. The following data bases are available there : Encyclopedia Americana – in depth for older students and adults, New Book of Knowledge – reference and current events for elementary and higher, Lands and People – countries, cultures, and current events for middle school and high school.
Thank you to all those who have brought in canned food!! The last day for the canned food drive is Wednesday, December 19th. Upcoming PIZZA DAY !!
Canned Food Drive
Friday, December 14th!
A slice of Pizza is $1.50.
SCRIP CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
Date of Scrip Order Date Scrip Received
11-26-07 (Monday) 12-03-07 (Monday) 12-10-07 (Monday) 12-03-07 (Monday) 12-10-07 (Monday) 12-17-07 (Monday)
Notes from our DRE – Sr. Gail Lancaster December Quote 2007
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a great voice from the throne saying, „Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.‟ And he who sat upon the throne said, „Behold, I make all things new.‟” - Revelation 21:1-5 Reflection Advent awakens a yearning deep within my heart, a yearning for the fullness of all things, in a sense for the end of all things, that the beginning may come. “Behold, I make all things new.” (Rev. 21:5) In “The Passion of the Christ” Jesus says this to his mother when he meets her on the way to Calvary. Jesus has promised to return. He has promised that there are many rooms in his Father‟s house, that when ours is ready, He will come for us. Yet He does not prepare just for us, but for all of creation. Paul writes that all creation groans with longing for the fruit of our adoption as sons, “the redemption of our bodies” because “the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:21) Advent is all about remembering God‟s promises to us, His beloved people, His very own children in whom He sees the reflection of His Beloved Son. We belong to God. He is our Father now for in Baptism we are a new creation. These truths are so deep, so far beyond our capacity to understand or apprehend. “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it,” writes the psalmist. (Ps. 139:6) “God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son.” (John 3:16). Isn‟t it simply marvelous? The Incarnation is not an idea. It is not a dream. It is reality. It has been revealed to you, to me. In this Advent season, as we remember and reflect on the incredible promises of the Lord to us, let us take heart in the midst of the challenges we face. Our God is greater, is bigger. He is the fulfillment of our every hope and desire. As you gaze upon Him in His coming to us as man, in His infancy, as you reflect on Him who became poor that you might become rich, remember His promise to return and bring us home to our Father‟s House where all things are new. He is faithful. He will do it. A blessed and rich Advent Season to you all!
Using Scrip is a great way to buy Christmas gifts, but please buy early! Christmas time is Scrip‟s busiest time of the year. Unfortunately, no matter how much staff and hours they add, Scrip simply cannot process orders during the holiday season as quickly as they can the rest of the year. Consequently, Scrip has added extra time to process orders which is reflected in the calendar above. In order to expedite delivery, the school will pay extra to have the orders ship overnight.
Scrip is urging all families to order early--the sooner the better! Weather delays and
backorders are always a possibility, so please order early. Do not wait until our last order date. The closer we get to Christmas, the greater the possibility of backorders due to increased volume of ordering. Visit www.glscrip.com for a complete retailers list and be sure to check the What‟s New and the Holiday Bonus area. Note to Parents who elect to have their children bring home the Scrip order. The Scrip order will be placed in their lunch box at the end of the day (if a lunch box is unavailable it will be in their back pack). Don’t forget Main Street Ventures This certificate ($25) allows the holder to go to 6 different restaurants (Gratzi, Palio, Real Seafood Co., The Chop House, La Dolce Vita and Carson's American Bistro). $25 Certificates earn you 15% towards your fundraising obligation. They make great Christmas gifts for teachers, friends and families. Available for purchased at the Office or through the school‟s Scrip order form (just write in Main Street Ventures).
Thus far, families have earned $3628.65.
New Vendors: Wal-Mart (Sam‟s club) – 2% Fairmont Hotels – 12% Golfsmith – 8% No Longer Available: Mrs. Fields/TCBY Quizno
HVCS families please remember this Christmas season to support businesses that support our school! Thank You!
The HVCS Staff Wishes You and Your Family a Very Blessed and Merry Christmas!
Huron Valley Catholic School Honor Roll First Quarter November 2006
Eighth Grade
High Honors
Anthony DeBacker Sarah Falvey Joshua Fons Celia Forgacs Adam Kolevar Cecilia LaCroix Jacob LaCroix Maria Ligeski Kyle Livingstone Caroline Manley Nicholas Pauze Jordan Solano-Reed
Honors
Emily Downing Bianca Collins Amalia DiRita Rachel Herbeck Alina Morales Andrea Reyes Robert Thomason Teresa Scerbak Adam Slomiany Carly Stevenson Alex Weitzel Carrie Wolfe
Seventh Grade
High Honors
Mary Bogdan Emily Erickson Mary Sarah Erickson MichonM Girardot Emmanuelle Green Paul Kluitenberg Helena Narowski Maria Perkins Rachel Thornton Lauren Walker
Honors
Jasmine Adams Brooks Bradley Stuart Collins Sean Paul Kageff Lauren Kozlowski
Sixth Grade
High Honors
Elizabeth Bogdan Juliette Collins Haley Jakabcsin Daniel LaCroix Samantha Lanzetta Maggie Pauze Mercedes Reyes Andrew Schmidt Nicasia Solano-Reed Tymi Staub
Honors
Kenneth Bogan Bennett Caputo Abbie Phelps Lucy Shaw Hayden Staub