October 2008 - News from the Principal

Dear Parents,

It's mid-quarter already and Progress Reports will be distributed in the October 3rd weekend packet for 1st through 6th graders.  When necessary, there will be a conduct and effort report along with the grades.  Parent/teacher conferences are Thursday and Friday October 16th and 17th.  Look to sign up for times in next weeks' packet.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops requires all Dioceses to implement a Safe Environment Program at their schools and parishes.  Part of the plan is for all volunteers and staff members to complete background checks, confidential questionnaires, and review the policy on sexual abuse. Please make every effort to ensure these forms are returned.  Parents are allowed to volunteer in our school when all of these requirements are met.

Evacuation drills and lockdowns are also part of the Safe Environment Program.  We will practice evacuations to Charles Hall and to the Dunn County Municipal Building's basement.  A lockdown will also be practiced this month so discussing it with your child(ren) might be a good idea.  Returning students are familiar with lockdowns and evacuations since we have practiced them over the past few years.  We have excellent surveillance cameras but we still need to be vigilant in keeping our students safe.

Scrip is available through our school packet, but you need the waiver and permission form returned to do so.  Please support this wonderful and easy opportunity to support our school.

We will again be implementing our Character Education Program in the classrooms, with teamwork being our focus for October.

Thursday I was fortunate enough to spend some time with the 6th Graders at Beaver Creek.  Mrs. Keeler, not surprisingly, has them well prepared and working hard at this fantastic educational and fun event.  The Leader-Telegram snapped a few pictures of her students doing a creek study.  Thanks to Mrs. Keeler for her hard work and dedication to provide this this great opportunity and to all of the parents who pitched in.

Making apple pies with the Kindergarten students was another highlight of the week.  They had fun adding apples, sugar and cinnamon before poking designs in the top crust with toothpicks.  What a great way to celebrate studying apples.

Tuesday, September 15, several staff members and parents attended the Faith Enrichment Day at Saint Bede's in Eau Claire.  Inspirational, thoughtful, smart and funny are words I would use to describe our presenter, Tom Thibodeau.  A message I left with that evening is when he compared people to apple cider.  (I know, that sounds strange)  You have to shake it up to get the "good stuff."  His message:  don't let your good stuff settle on the bottom!  May you have a blessed month!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Keila Drout