LOS ANGELES CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS MOVE TO 200-DAY SCHOOL YEAR

Enclosed in today’s Family Envelope is a letter from Dr. Kevin Baxter, Superintendent of Los Angeles Elementary Catholic Schools.  Dr. Baxter explains that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is extending the academic calendar from the traditional 180 days to 200 instructional days for the benefit of our students.  All elementary schools in the Archdiocese have to implement this change for the 2012-2013 school year.  For the coming school year, we have the options to; add the 20 days, add 10 days next year, 10 more the following year, or make no changes.  I am having meetings with Fr. John, our faculty, staff, deanery, School Board, and the School Board Finance Committee.  We are eager for the opportunity to give our students an additional advantage over public school, but it does require extra planning due to the increased cost involved.  Please pray that we make the best decision for St. Dorothy School.  As soon as I have made a final decision on our calendar dates, I will let you know.

GOLF TOURNAMENT DATE CHANGE – MAY 9

Our Annual Golf Tournament has been moved to Monday, May 9^th.  Please save the date!

FAMILY BINGO IS COMING TO ST. DOROTHY THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY 28^th!

Please save the date and plan on bringing your entire family for a fun-filled evening.  An Ice Cream Party will be awarded to the class with the most participation at this event. We will be serving a delicious dinner at 6:00 p.m. before the games.  Pre-order forms are in your envelope.  The games begin at 7:00 p.m. and we hope to see you there!  Non-uniform Dress Passes will be given to all students who attend the Bingo event.

OPEN HOUSE IS THIS SUNDAY

We will have Open House Sunday, January 30^th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m..  All parishioners and school families are invited.  Please invite other families and friends to the Open House.  There will be a continental breakfast in the Parish Hall and Student Council will be serving and showing guests around our campus. 

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR AND “DONUTS WITH DAD” EVENT

Our Book Fair is coming on January 30 through February 2.  Our popular “Donuts with Dad” Event will be on Monday, January 31^st from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.  Bring your dad or a special adult to the Book Fair and get free donuts!

PTO HOOPS MANIA STARTING SOON – YOUR OPTION WAS DUE JANUARY 21

If you did not return your opt out form you will receive HOOPS Mania tickets in your family envelope on February 9^th.  The ticket stubs and money are due by March 11^th in order to be activated.

DENNIS UNIFORM 10% DISCOUNT IN JANUARY

Shop at Dennis Uniform in January and receive 10% off your order in-store, on line or by phone.

TUITION ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Tuition Award Program assists students with tuition for enrollment in a Catholic school.  The award partially offsets the cost of tuition with grants paid directly to the school.  Applications are available in the office and must be returned by March 1^st with verifying information attached.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK IS JANUARY 30 THROUGH FEBRUARY 4

February 1 - Parent Appreciation Day

February 2 – Teacher and Staff Appreciation Day

February 3 - Student Appreciation Day

February 4 – Religious and Volunteer Appreciation Day

VOLUNTEER FOR TEACHER/STAFF APPRECIATION DAY

We are looking for a couple of parents to watch each classroom during an extended lunch on Wednesday, February 2nd from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. so that the teachers and staff may enjoy a special lunch.  Please call the office if you can help.

STUDENT APPRECIATION DAY IS FEBRUARY 3 – LETTERS OR CARDS ONLY!

Thursday, Feb 3 is Students Appreciation Day.  Parents should send LETTERS OR CARDS ONLY to the office for your child, letting him or her know how much you love and appreciate them. Please do not send flowers, candy, or gifts as they will not be passed out during school.  Please remember to send a note.  The children are disappointed when they do not receive a note from their parents.  The teachers try to write a note to these students; however it is not the same as receiving a special note from mom or dad. Gifts may be given out at home after school.

PARENT VOLUNTEER AND RELIGIOUS APPRECIATION DAY – FEBRUARY 4

At the 8:30 a.m. Liturgy we will honor our parish religious, Fr. John, Fr. Lawrence, Fr. Leszek, Deacon Bill and Deacon Steve.  We will also honor parent volunteers who do over and above the required hours of service and ask that you join us at the Liturgy.  We will have refreshments right after the Liturgy in the faculty lounge.  If you are a volunteer who will attend the liturgy, please fill out the form at the end of the letter.

BIRTHDAY BANNERS

Don’t forget to order your child’s birthday banner at least 2 weeks in advance of their birthday.  The cost is $10.

THE COMPUTER LAB IS OPEN FOR HOMEWORK

The computer lab is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for students who need to type up homework, do research, or take an accelerated reader test.  The students need to have a note from their parents allowing them to stay on campus for an extra hour.  Day Care students will check in to day care and then go to the computer lab.

THE BRUINS SNACK SHACK IS OPEN AND LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS!

We now have a Bruins Snack Shack that is open during all home games for purchases of drinks and snacks.  Volunteers are needed to man the booth during the games.  Please check the Bruins Scoreboard page for the schedule of home games and contact Stephanie Carrano if you can help.

SCHOOL BOARD MARKETING COMMITTEE

We are introducing a monthly St. Dorothy Bruin Newsletter to be distributed to the parish and school families.  This newsletter will tell about all the upcoming events at our school.  Our goal is to make this as professional as possible.  Thus, we are looking for parent volunteers with a background in graphic arts and families in the printing business that can help us keep the cost down.  If you can help in either area, contact Terry Kent at tkent91741@aol.com or cell phone number (626) 755-3098.

6^th, 7^th, AND 8^th GRADE PARENTS – IMMUNIZATION UPDATES NEEDED NOW!

Assembly Bill 354, now chaptered into California law, requires students to be immunized against pertussis (whooping cough).  For the 2011-2012 school year, ALL students entering grades 7 through 12 will need to show proof of a Tdap booster before starting school.  This requirement begins July 1, 2011 and can be met by receiving one dose of Tdap vaccine on/after the student’s 10^th birthday.

If your child is 10 years or older and has not received the Tdap pertussis booster shot, contact your doctor.  Please provide the school with the most recent copy of your child’s immunization record.   We must receive proof of immunization by July 8, 2011.  Students who have not met this requirement by then will be excluded from school per state law.  Eighth grade students should meet this requirement prior to graduation so that the records can be forwarded on to the high schools.  Please contact Christine Lynch at school, ext 203 for any questions.

PRAYERS

We especially ask that you continue to pray for Steve Measer.  We pray that Steve continues to get better and overcomes all his medical obstacles.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Steve La Shier who passed away last week.  He is the father of Cosette in grade 5.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Bill Ratcheson who passed away on Sunday.  He is the uncle of our art teacher, Glenda Sullivan.

DID YOU KNOW -Listen to Your Children

This summer, when your children are out of school, on different schedules, are meeting new people and going to new places, make sure that you talk to them often about their experiences and the people they’ve met. Listen carefully to your children. If possible, observe and get to know the other children and adults who are part of your children’s summertime fun. Above all, communicate your safety concerns to your children. Make sure they know that they can come to you with any concerns they may have about the people they interact with. And, if you hear of or observe behaviors that may be inappropriate, make sure to communicate your feelings to people who are in a position to intervene. Communication is key to creating and maintaining a safe environment all year round.  For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

SCRIP NEWS

$25 and $100 Target cards are now available through Great Lakes.  The profit is 2%.

Build –a-Bear has increased from 8% to 10 % until February 4^th.

A Great Lakes Scrip percentage update is available for viewing in the office.  Please check it weekly. 

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

PARENT VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY MASS AND BRUNCH

__ yes, I will attend the mass on Friday, February 4^th.

                                Name: ______________________