Remember to check out those Teacher Blogs, too.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

HCS is now offering a new tool to help families support students with homework completion.  Teachers and specialists of students in Grades 4-8 will now be entering homework assignments as part of PowerSchool.  Hopefully, this piece of PowerSchool will help parents, whose students need a bit of support in executive functioning.  I am quite excited about opening this portal.

There are a few things to note:

• Students are still required to use their Assignment Notebooks.  This has been and remains the responsibility of each student to maintain.  The Assignment Notebook is a tool that teaches organization, planning and ownership of learning.
• Teachers will "make a strong effort" to list assignments each day.  Our goal is to bat 1.000. But life happens.  A teacher may be absent, have technology difficulties or have to deal with a real-life situation in real-time.  Parents and guardians must understand that there will be times when an assignment is not listed.  The student's assignment notebook is always the "go-to-source."  It would not be a valid excuse for a child to arrive with incomplete  homework and the comment, "I didn't see the assignment on PowerSchool."

I would like to thank our Technology Coordinator, Mrs. Katie Atlas, for her hard work behind the scenes in support of our school technology.  I don't know what we would do without her.

This is an exciting new piece in our efforts to help students be successful.  I would welcome any comments or observations as your family uses this new tool.

Jane Schmidt

Principal

On a personal note:  I just have to share that I am now one-year cancer free! Thanks for all of your prayers and support over the past year.  You are a great blessing to me.  Thanks.

Geography Bee Action!

The ten finalists for the HCS Geography Bee are: Tommy Pollei, Leah Leonidas, Grace Jurkovich, Brandon Steer, Megan Culligan, Nina Belinski, Catherine O'Leary, Brian Veenstra, Ben Weber  and former school champ, Ellen Larson.  The final competition will be December 18^th, at 1:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.  You are welcome to come and join the fun!

Performances of Note

On November 21st, Cate O'Leary passed with high distinction the Level One Music Theory Examination.  This comprehensive music program created and administered by the Minnesota Music Teacher's Association is highly respected nationally among music teacher organizations and is also endorsed by many Minnesota colleges and universities.

Your family might enjoy seeing schoolmates, Katherine Swendsen, Kira Johansen, and Helen Dobblemann in this year's production of the Nutcracker at O'Shaughnessy Auditorium.  Public show times are the 18^th (7 p.m.), 19^th (2 and 7:30 p.m.) and 20^th (2 and 8 p.m.) Contact the O'Shaughnessy for ticket info.

Creativity Abounds!

Highland Catholic School is a member of Metro ECSU, which allows our students to participate in wonderful enrichment activities throughout the school year.  Today, Mrs. Carol Broadnax accompanied the following students to the Creativity Festival: Henry Johnson,  Audrey Mullarky, Emily Kinne, Lizzie Odegard, Elena Moeller, Phoenix Tschida, Milo McCabe, Georgia Nelson, Rachel Countryman, Emily Jandrich, Bridget Carruth, Charlie Brenzel. Maggie Cunniff, Sam Abdo, Cristina Ebner-Pradas and August Johanson. The students will spend the day in various classes and sessions highlighting all sorts of creative expression.  Thanks to our HCS Home and School Committee for funding our school membership as part of the Wish List Program.

Game of Marbles?

During the month of November, the kinders learned many things about the Pilgrims and Native American Indians.  To our delight, Mrs. Bonnie Daly treated us to her extensive collection of colonial times memorabilia.  The students were shown an assortment of knotted ropes that sailors would have used on the Mayflower.  Students had fun writing with lead and quills, playing with Pieces of Eight and clay marbles.  They practiced sewing with lacing cards and some even tried on a young girl's bonnet.  Mrs. Daly's visit was a hands on experience which nicely concluded our unit in Social Studies.  Many thanks to her for sharing her knowledge and fun of learning with us!

Uniform Alert

Girls are reminded that skirts must fall two inches above the middle of your knee.  Please take out the ruler and check this at home.  I would hate to embarrass anyone by using a seam-ripper and lowering your hem......hint, hint.

Looking for the perfect Christmas Tree?

I would highly recommend a trip to the Powers Family Tree Farm.  Wagon Landing Tree Farm outside New Richmond is the perfect destination.  The Powers sent four wonderful children through HCS.  You can find directions at www.wagonlandingtrees.com

Directory Update

The Oakes Family's new address is 1733 Lansford Lane, Mendota Heights, MN  55118. Blessings on your new home!

Prayer Request

Please keep Willie Pearson's family in your prayers at the death of his paternal grandmother.  Also, remember Tommy Weiss' family at the loss of his paternal grandmother.  May these lovely matriarchs rest in peace.

Upcoming Dates:

Dec. 8^th            All School Mass at Noon - Gift Giving Project

Dec. 9^th            Advent Reconciliation Service, Grades 5-8, Parents invited, 10:00 a.m.

Dec. 11^th          Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal

Dec. 15^th          Christmas Program 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.    I can hardly wait!

Dec. 17^th          Choir performs at Lee Square

Dec. 18^th          Last day of school!  Christmas vacation begins at 2:50 p.m.

Please note:  I will be serving on an Accreditation Team at Good Shepherd Dec. 8^th-10^th

Alert to All Lunch Volunteers:  Please watch for a very important e-mail.  Thanks for all of your help!

Share the Christmas Spirit!
Highland Catholic School's
annual Gift Giving
for the Children of St. Phillip's Parish
of North Minneapolis

When:  Tuesday, December 8^th at the Noon All School Mass

Gifts will be collected in the Gathering Space before Mass

What:   Please donate a wrapped gift for children age: infant to teen

                     (Parents, you are also invited to donate an adult gift, too.)

Presents should be wrapped and have a large tag, securely taped, on the outside of the package indicating the item and appropriate age/gender of recipient.

St. Phillips' is a wonderful parish in the heart of North Minneapolis.  Fr. Greg Tolaas, now in Heaven, organized an incredible outreach program in that community.  Highland Catholic School has always been proud of our efforts, through your generosity, of continuing Fr. Greg's work.

I know these are hard times, but this is one act of charity that can involve your whole family and truly makes a difference in a child's life.

It would be amazing to see every HCS student arrive to school on Tuesday with a Christmas present to share with another child.

Note:  I would encourage our older students to shop for a teen-type gift.  T-shirts for boys or hair accessories for girls would make lovely gifts.

Thank you.   Thank you.   Thank you.