Holy Spirit Catholic School

Weekly Newsletter

February 7, 2008

 

NAN-O-GRAM

I would like to again address the ‘snow day’ policy. We finally had an official closure last Monday, and I am sorry for those of you who brought your kids to school that very blustery day. We continue to have those blustery days, today definitely being another one of them!

            Let me reiterate our HSCS plan. If Pocatello School District #25 closes, we do also for the entire day, even if it’s not announced by the media. We have requested to be tagged onto the list of independent school closures, but were not included on last Monday’s list.  KPVI Newschannel 6 begins announcing closures at 6 o’clock in the morning, and also has this information on their website at kpvi.com. Remember, too, that inclement weather closures affect the entire campus, including childcare.

So please check local TV and radio programs or even District #25’s website for the most current notification on any morning that looks like it might be a possible ‘snow day’. And yes, that groundhog saw his shadow, so you know what that means!

            Keep reading to your terrific kids!

                                    Mrs. Corgiat

 

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

                Students in grades K-6 will be doing the Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 1:30 during Lent.  Please feel free to join us.  Following the Stations, the 6th grade students will prepare a meager meal of soup and bread for those in attendance.

 

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

                The 2nd trimester of school ends Friday, Feb. 22, which of course means parent teacher conferences are right around the corner.  Conferences will be held Feb. 28 in the afternoon and evening and in the morning on Feb. 29 for preschool through sixth grade students.  If you need a specific time to meet with your child’s teacher, please contact Miss Polly in the school office either by note or phone, 232-5763.  Once these schedules are set it is extremely difficult to rearrange, so please make your request now! Thank you!

 

HELP WANTED

Part time Janitor.  As many of you know, Bakin’ Barb will be retiring at the end of the school year.  Richard Howlett, our maintenance man, bus driver and general help out everywhere guy, will be taking Barb’s place.  Some of you may be surprised, but Richard does have extensive chef experience.  Have you tasted his cheesecake?!?!  We would like for Richard to start phasing into the hot lunch program soon.  Therefore we are looking for a part time janitor to help out in the school and childcare.  The hourly pay is $7.25 per hour.   Hours are relatively flexible.   If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact the school office (232-5763) or Richard (244-1107).

 

CAR SHOPPING?

                If you are planning to purchase a new set of wheels during the next month, make sure you check out the enclosed coupon from Phil Meador’s Courtesy Ford.  This coupon is for everybody, not just those who attended the auction.  A big thank you goes out to Phil Meador, Jim Bacigalupi and the rest of their staff for all the effort and help they gave in making the auction a success.

 

BOX TOP REMINDER

                Enclosed with today’s newsletter is a flyer to create a “bouquet” of Box Tops.  Please complete the bouquet and return to your child’s teacher by the 15th of February.  This is the last chance for this school year.  Remember, all money collected from the Box Tops stays right in your child’s class for use by his/her teacher(s).

                We are way behind the amount collected in October!  Any questions please call Judy Yochum at 232-4653.  Thanks for your help and collecting!

 

RECONCILIATION

                Please keep our second graders and those in the parish in your prayers as they will be receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time this Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Chapel.   

 

“TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM”

                Mrs. Aytes, our Fifth Grade Teacher, participated in the Idaho Fish and Game class “Trout in the Classroom” last weekend.  She won one of four tank set-ups to raise trout in her classroom.  This is a $1,000 value and our school can keep it for as long as we participate in the program.  This year because of time constraints the 5th graders will raise fish from the button-up fry stage to approximately two inch fish.  Next year the fish will be raised from eggs to adulthood.  The fish will be released into the wild at the end of each school year.  A big thank you goes out to the Idaho Fish and Game and the Southeast Idaho Fly Fishers for supporting this project.

 

RAFFLE DRAWING WINNERS

                Winners for the monthly raffle drawing for January were announced at the dinner auction last Saturday.  The winners were as follows: $400 winner – Karen & Joe Sloup; $200 winner – Shared Ticket – Richard Howlett, Polly Hennessy, Diana Shipley, Jeanne Tyson, Jeanette Betty & Debby Belcher; $100 winner – anonymous ticket.

 

Auction Recap 2008

            This year’s auction “Just Me & My Shadow” was a great success on a snowy night.  Over 300 people attended the auction and the PTC raised over $38,000 and donations are still coming in.  The Ground Hog is happy!  Remember $30,000 goes straight to the school for operating costs!

            As I’ve stated before it takes an army to put on an auction and it certainly couldn’t happen without the dedication of the parent volunteers.  The beautiful and well thought out auction booklet was designed by Laura Ayala.  The silent auction items were carefully packaged by Cindy McRoberts, assisted by Pat Francisco.  Allison Huerta did a wonderful job of publishing the event and a special thanks to Paul & Annette Anderson for the radio spots.  Of course it wouldn’t be an auction without the constant support and can do spirit of Barbara Bates.  Jen Parker, the PTC President ran errands when needed and Beth Huston the PTC Treasurer assisted by Camille Goettsche kept track of the funds - which are a daunting task. The beer was deliciously supplied by Bruce Olenick and crew.  The wine graciously donated by Mark Villano and Bob Walker.  The sodas and water was provided by Galen Melon and Pepsi.  Of course I can’t forget Richard Howlett who is always there to help and just a phone call away when needed.

            The student projects, which are our biggest sellers wouldn’t be possible without the support of our fabulous teachers and staff, who also graciously pitched in the night of the auction whenever and where ever needed.  Mrs. Corgiat, who is truly a gift to us all, washed, dried and transported all the wine and beer glasses.

            More thank you’s!  The Liddil family provided the giant trailer in which we transported all the long tables and large auction items.  The Martinez family and Jodie Simmons made numerous trips up and down the stairs moving the 144 silent auction and 42 live auction items from my office to Courtesy Ford. Polly Hennessy coordinated the silent auction area, which looked great and flowed nicely.  Laura McKnight, even though her son is no longer a student at HSCS designed the decorations.  Drew McRoberts who provided the sound system and Diana Shipley who transported all the parts and made sure it was set up.  Curtis Silva and John Fitzpatrick who made sure the stage was set up and taken down.  Thank you to the numerous volunteers who worked from 5pm – 7:30 pm setting up the silent auction and everyone who showed up Saturday from 10:00am - 1:00pm to set up the live auction area. 

            An extra big thank you to the brave volunteers who came Sunday morning and in spite of the snowstorm and Super Bowl Sunday to help clean-up.  Especially, Dan & Shawnda Burch for hitching and unhitching trailers and loading tables on their anniversary. Darris & Dawn Lacey who borrowed a trailer just to help since theirs is still stuck in New York.  Curtis Silva, who really went above and beyond including shoveling snow, Barbara Bates who is always there to help no matter what.  And mostly John and Connor Fitzpatrick for helping with anything I asked and putting up with the crazy auction lady.  Dawn Fitzpatrick

 

GOPHERS FOR SALE

                Yes, you can own your child’s personalized gopher that was made for the school dinner auction.  If you didn’t get these adorable little critters at the auction, please check with Miss Polly in the office.    They’re available for a $1.00 donation or more!

 

FEED THE 5,000

                During this season of giving, the season of Lent, Holy Spirit is once again collecting canned foods and non-perishable items as a part of the non-denominational community efforts of “Feed the 5000.”  The campaign will run from now until Palm Sunday.   Beginning Monday, our school will be gathering items to be given to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  St. Vincent’s has a real need for non perishables i.e., canned meats, tuna, peanut butter, jelly, powdered milk and personal care items.  Please make sure any items donated are within code dates, nothing old or expired.  Just think, if every student in our school brought in only one item, we would have close to 200 items to donate!  So, that is our goal, 200 items.  Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could exceed that goal!  Boxes for donations will be in our school halls.  We have so much, and when we are asked to share…☺

 

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Feb. 18 – No School or Childcare – President’s Day

Feb. 20 – School Board Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.

Feb. 22 – End of 2nd Trimester

Feb. 28 – Record Day – Early Release @ 1:00 p.m.

Feb. 29 – No School – Parent Teacher Conferences

 

REMEMBER THE THREE TO DO’S FOR LENT:

Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving

 

 

LENTEN FAMILY ACTIVITY

                Lenten Story Eggs – You will need seven plastic eggs.  Each week during Lent you will put something in one of the eggs to tell the story of Jesus.  This week fill the first egg with dirt to remember the miracle of creation.  (Watch for further instructions in upcoming newsletters on how to fill the rest of the eggs so that you will be able to share the story of Jesus and his miracles at the end of Lent.)