Important News
Hi-lites week of October 8, 2009
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Highland Catholic School remains diligent in our efforts to control the spread of influenza-like illness at school. Students are doing a fabulous job of hand washing, sanitizing, coughing into sleeves and most importantly staying home when sick. Teachers and custodial staff are wiping down frequently touched surfaces, too.
Despite these efforts, we are expecting to see our numbers of students home with influenza-like illnesses to increase. Our local Catholic high schools reported large numbers of absentees last week and that means many younger siblings have been exposed on the home front.
Highland Catholic School appreciates your efforts to be specific when reporting an absence. We especially want to know if your child has a fever, sore throat, or cough, as we are following the Minnesota Dept. of Health directives for managing information and prevention measures with the pandemic. I am grateful for the work of Jeanne White, our Wellness Coordinator.
Stay healthy,
Jane Schmidt
October-at-a Glance
Friday, Oct. 9th Out-of-Uniform to support our Twins!
Monday, Oct.12th Olympic medalist, Karyne Dietz, speaks to students in K-5
8:30 a.m. in cafeteria. Please join us if you are able.
Monday, Oct. 12th Conference Slips due to homeroom teacher. Thank you.
Monday, Oct. 12th Family Contest Deadline for Box Tops, Milk Caps & Soup UPCs
Tuesday, Oct 13th New HCS Parent Dessert Party 7:00 p.m. in library. Babysitting available. Please R.S.V.P. to school office, 690-2477, or j.schmidt@highlandcatholic.org
Wednesday, Oct. 14th All School Mass at Noon at LCCC led by second grade
Thursday, Oct. 15th No School
Friday, Oct. 16th No School
Tuesday, Oct. 20th Wreath Sale ends - please send in your order form!
Wednesday, Oct. 21st Conferences 3-7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22nd Noon Dismissal - NO DISMISSAL BUS
Conferences Noon - 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23rd No School
Tuesday, Oct. 27th Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic 7-10 a.m.
Volunteer Opportunity...PLEASE READ.
I am looking for Volunteers to help with the wreath sale next year. We would love to have three families step forward to take one of the three pieces: data base work, (perfect for you computer folks), marketing and sales, (you know who you are) and Delivery Day Director (event planners would excel here). It is a well-oiled machine and the folks organizing it this year are happy to provide hands-on-training. Please consider helping. The event has such a wonderful history. Our seniors especially enjoy the excitement on the delivery date. If you have any questions about what this entails, please give me a call, 651.690.2477. Besides generating funds, this activity generates true Christmas spirit.
Appreciated!
Thanks to parent volunteers, Martha Swendsen, Molly Keeley, Lisa Lillie-Brenzel and
Kari Tierney for help with Parish Marathon Mailing. Highland Catholic School annually appeals to parishioners for support in our Marathon efforts. Folks are always so generous!
Bus Safety Matters
Bus Safety Students who ride the bus to school received Bus Safety training on October 8th, when they arrived at school. All students will review bus safety next week as part of a mandated state program. Please find a moment at home to highlight bus safety.
Stay seated. Sit back in the seat.
Keep hands, head and other objects inside the bus.
Visit quietly.
Know the location of the rear exit on the bus.
Follow the bus driver's instructions.
Wait safely for the bus. No horse-play at the corner.
Know the Danger Zone around the bus.
Never attempt to retrieve something you may have dropped near the bus.
Lovely Liturgies
This week the third graders celebrated a lovely Family Mass with Fr. Paul Feela in the LCCC chapel. Students did an excellent job of leading the prayers, sharing the First Reading and Psalm, presenting the Gifts and leading the singing. Thanks always to Miss Romportl for her musical support. It was nice to have so many parents and grandparents join us.
Next Wednesday, Oct. 14th, we are celebrating an All School Mass. Our second graders will be leading that celebration. I know they will do a great job. Please note: third graders will not attend this Mass, as they are on a fieldtrip on Wednesday. We will hold them in our prayers.
HCS Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic
Once again, we are hosting our annual Flu Shot Clinic for the seasonal flu right here at HCS. The clinic is Tuesday, Oct. 27th from 7 a.m.-10 a.m. in our cafeteria. The clinic will serve ages 3 and up. The cost is $25/shot or $32/flu mist and most insurance cards are honored. Please call the school office to schedule at 651.690.2477. We are able to provide vaccine to 100 people per hour, so we will be scheduling 25 people every fifteen minutes to minimize a long waiting time.
Do you Want Broccoli with that Salad?
Our new a la carte lunch, "The Hive," is in full swing! Students, teachers and Principal are enjoying the fresh salads, healthy sandwiches and yummy fruit. The service is top-notch and the punch card system is working very well. Molly Bachman and her hard-working crew really have put together an excellent way to offer a little bit more. I know the students appreciate it and I am never making my lunch at home again....ever! Remember: punch cards are $15 and items range in price from one punch (50 cents) to three punches ($1.50). We are all buzzing about the Hive!
It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas......
Attached to this Hi-lites, you will find an order form for Christmas wreathes and other greenery. This annual fundraiser supports the work of the HCS Home and School. Our active Home and School uses the funds to provide hospitality throughout the year, End-of-the-Year Picnic, Graduation Reception, Catholic high school scholarships, Christmas bonuses for faculty/staff, Parent Seminars, and so many of the things that make our school a strong community. Please support their efforts. Wreathes will be delivered to your homes on Saturday, November 21st, with a Norman Rockwell-ish feel. Last year, we even provided a dusting of beautiful white snow. Please buy a wreath...or even two!