Hi-lites week of February 25, 2010
Don't miss the teacher blogs, too!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

News flash!  The world is smaller. Last week, Mrs. Lulu Daly spoke to our 5^th-8^th graders about our neighbors in Haiti.  She   showed photos of the work she and Dr. Daly had been involved in following the devastating earthquake.  The students were mesmerized.

Today, parent, Marianne Wheelock, shared her story as a LCCC parishioner, who visited our sister parish in Chimbote, Peru.  Her presentation centered on the need for improved nutrition and what we can do to help our neighboring parishioners.  Look for an opportunity for all HCS families to help during Lent.

Tomorrow, HCS students in Grades 6-8 have chosen to participate in an Hunger Banquet in support of OXFAM.  Students will randomly be selected to enjoy one of three meals: pizza, tomato soup, or rice.  The group sizes will reflect the percentage of people in developed, developing, or under-developed countries.  The idea isn't to be a "winner" and have the pizza meal, but rather to gain an awareness of the disproportionate distribution of the world's resources.  Hopefully, it will provide some excellent discussion at your dinner table.

Saturday morning, (early morning), my youngest daughter, Mary, leaves with fellow students from the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University, to volunteer at a school

located in the Dominican Republic.  The students are joining dozens of classmates, who have decided to participate in an "alternative spring break."  I credit our wonderful middle school religion teacher, Mrs. Martha Skold, with inspiring Mary's active participation.

Lent is the season for a new perspective.

Jane Schmidt
Principal

Speaking of Mrs. Skold. 

Congratulations to the whole Skold family, especially big sister, Mae, on the arrival of baby Isak Richard (after his Grandfather) Skold.  Isak arrived last Thursday at 8 lb. 7 oz., 22 inches long and is as cute as a bug.  What a wonderful blessing.

Welcome to Ms. Courtney Marek, former HCS alum, who is substitute teaching during Mrs. Skold's maternity-leave.  Former teachers, like me, are excited to have Ms. Marek back as a colleague.  I hope you will have a chance to introduce yourselves to her at the upcoming conferences.

Lunchtime Parent Volunteers

We really need you.  The future of our wonderful HIVE could be in jeopardy.  If you are scheduled to help, please be here at 10:45 a.m.  If you cannot be here, please try everything to find a substitute.

A Note from our Pastor, Fr. Paul Feela

Dear Mrs. Schmidt,

I just wanted to thank you and all the school for helping me celebrate my birthday a couple weeks ago.  I didn't have a chance to write before now because I was on "retreat" last week.  J

The cards from everyone were great. I read through all of them and got all sorts of different ones - some even had small pictures of children, but every one of them were beautiful.  There were some very interesting cards as well:

• Many told me to eat lots of cake. Am I that skinny?
• There were a couple of skateboard cards.
• One wrote my birthday greeting to a rap.
• One alphabetized all of the words of the greeting.
• I got a whole class of little baby cards in little baby envelopes.
• There was also a big, huge signed birthday banner.
• A number of the greetings rhymed.
• Many kids said I rocked (I thought Saint Peter was the only "rock"?!

Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful surprise.  We have such a great school with Highland Catholic and it is all of you who make it so wonderful.  Please let all of the children know.

Thanks for everything,

Fr. Paul (old priest) J

Security Note: 

Beginning in March, our lobby entrance will be locked at 4:45 p.m.  Parents using Extra Innings are instructed to use the E.I. entrance after 4:45 p.m. each day.  Also, please check for forgotten homework supplies right after school. Or better yet, try your hardest not to forget anything.

Continued Prayers

Many parents have asked about little Drew Giuliani's battle with cancer.  You can read about this tough, little four-year old fighter at www.drewgiuliani.blogspot.com

Spread the Word

Have a spare minute or two?  Please consider entering an endorsement for Highland Catholic School at the following site: http://www.merechantcircle.com/business/Highland.Catholic.School.651.690.2477

We could use everyone's help in telling folks about our great school.  Thanks.

Please Mark your Calendar

Please join us for our next All School Mass, as we celebrate St. Patrick's Day together, March 17^th, at Noon.  This week, parents and guardians joined their seventh graders for a lovely grade-level Mass in the LCCC Chapel.  Students in all grades will be visiting the Adoration Chapel and praying the Stations of the Cross with their homeroom teachers.  Our friend, seminarian Peter Adukugu, stopped in to visit the sixth graders this week.  We were teasing him about being a star in the archdiocesan materials on the Annual Catholic Appeal.  What a nice man.

To kick-off Catholic Schools Week, the 8^th graders traveled to Feed my Starving Children in Eagan and packed meals for 16,000 children in Haiti. More than ten parent volunteers joined Fr. Paul in chaperoning the students on this field trip.  We had fun wearing hairnets and racing to pack meals, but more importantly, it was a great opportunity to remember what being Catholic/catholic is all about before a week of celebrating going to our wonderful Catholic school.

The British are Coming!  The British are Coming!

Monday, March 1^st, students in Grades 5-8, will be treated to an authors' visit, by best sellers, Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams.  These two are on a national book tour, promoting their third book, "Freefall" in the "Tunnel" series.  There are 40 foreign editions of "Tunnels." which was a No. 1 best seller in France, Portugal, Romania, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic.  The book was optioned for a film (hope they don't wreck it), and there is a manga version in Japan.  In the United States, "Tunnels" and "Deeper" were New York Times best sellers that were highly praised by critics. (From Sunday's Pioneer Press)

Parents are welcome to join us in the school cafeteria at 1:00 p.m.  The two authors are old college chums and it will be fascinating to hear how they write as one person.  Thanks to our friends at the Red Balloon Bookstore for providing this experience for our students.

School Patrols Rock!

I would like to thank our sixth grade school patrols and their moderator, Mr. Rob Petersen, for the outstanding job they have done throughout this cold, icy winter of keeping all students safe!  We appreciate your willingness to help despite the nasty weather.  I don't know what we would do without you!

Here are two letters written by HCS fifth-graders to Mrs. Lulu Daly, following her presentation.

Dear Mrs. Daly,

Thank you so much for going to Haiti and making the people of Haiti feel better.  Your presentation was eye opening for me and others.

I knew things were bad for the Haitians, but, I didn't know how bad things really are.  Thank you for going down to Haiti. I'm sure they're thankful for your trip down there.  I bet you made them feel stronger and better.

The presentation you gave was so eye opening.  I am not just saying that.  I hope one day I'll be able to go down there and help the Haitians.

Sincerely,
Abby Becker

Dear Mrs. Daly,

I was excited to see your presentation.  My parents were glad to know that you were presenting it!  They love your work, and so do I!  the gratitude is endless.  You've made such a big difference!  I'd like to help a needy country someday as well!

The devastation with the earthquake in Haiti is so sad.  The disaster cost too many damages and more importantly lives.  But your help saved many.  The amputations and the casts you put on them really gave hope to Haiti.  I think it can represent the fact that they're fixed and alive!  A lot of the tragic times were taken away!

Our school is praying for Haiti, and already some prayers have been answered.   You worked hard together - you, Dr. Daly, and everyone else!

You made a difference.

Sincerely and gratefully yours,
Maeve Gimpl

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, March 1^st                  Authors Visit 1 p.m.

Tuesday, March 2^nd                 Home and School Committee Meeting 7 p.m.

Friday, March 5^th                    No Busses

Saturday, March 6^th                 Destination Imagination Competition     Go HCS!

Wednesday, March 10^th          School in Session/Conferences beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 11^th              School dismisses at Noon

                                                Students will eat lunch at school before dismissal                  

Friday, March 12^th                  No School

Tuesday, March 23^rd                   Parent Seminar 7 p.m.  See attached flyer.

Seventh Graders are doing a little fundraising in an effort to support their upcoming trip to Concordia Language Camp.  Beginning next Tuesday and Thursday, salsa and chips will be available at both lunches for $2.  In addition, students in second lunch may purchase ice cream sandwiches on Fridays beginning March 5^th for a dollar.  Sorry, you may not use your Hive card for these sales.

Our Vision: Highland Catholic School strives to be a premier Catholic School known for academic excellence within a Christ-centered community.