September 3, 2008

SAT Testing begins next week for grades 2 – 8. Students will continue to have their special subjects. These “tests” are for assessment purposes rather than for grades. These assessments help our teachers to know where the students are in relation to the skills they should have mastered. This gives the teachers valuable information in preparing their lessons to meet the needs of the students. There are some things you can do to assist your children this week:

1. Be sure your children get enough sleep.

2. Be sure they eat breakfast.

3. Be sure they get to school on time. The testing will begin by 8:30 and no one will be admitted once a test has begun.

4. Do not put pressure on your children. Let them know that while they should do their best, these tests are only to see what they have already learned. They will not know all the answers.

5. Keep your children home if they are sick. They cannot do their best if they do not feel well. There is some time allotted for make-ups.

Calling all plumbers: Skip Lamar, who is helping with maintenance, is looking for people with equipment to help snake the drain on the playground. He has a snake, but it is not long enough to do the job. If you can help, you can send an e-mail Skip at the school at: secretary@lourdesschool.org.

Extended Day Program: Faculty meetings are necessary to provide a quality education for the students at Our Lady of Lourdes School. This time is used for discussing curriculum and other matters that are important for the school to run smoothly. Miss Smith, our kindergarten teacher, is also our EDP coordinator. In order for her to attend the meetings on Friday afternoons (from 1:00 – 3:00) I need some reliable volunteers for that time. If you can help, please e-mail: secretary@lourdesschool.org .

I have received a number of questions about the morning policy. To repeat, “the safety of the students is our first concern.” Even though the teachers arrive at 7:30, they have things to do to prepare for class and are not in their classrooms until they pick the students up at 7:55 each morning. For this reason, we have contracted for someone to be in the gym from 7:00 until 7:55 when the students are picked up. The fee for this service pays for the morning person, it is not a fine nor are we looking for more money. If I could find reliable parent volunteers to cover this time (7:00-8:00 every morning there is school), I would have no problem eliminating the fee. Either one person for the five days or any combination to cover the time would be acceptable. Please understand that if we were to go this route, then I would be counting on those volunteers to be here when scheduled. You can e-mail me at principal@callingallfriends.com if you are able to commit to this program.

Federal Breakfast and Lunch Program: On Thursday, August 28^th I attended a meeting sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Division. I think that this lunch program would benefit all the students of Our Lady of Lourdes School, not just those who qualify for free or reduced lunch. I would like to organize a committee to further research the program and implement it. I understand that we did participate at one time, so I know it is possible. If interested, e-mail me: principal@callingallfriends.com .