Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:2 September 14, 2018 Dear Parents, September is such a transition month with endings and beginnings. While the Texas heat tries to hang on, we know that hints of fall are all around us. Moderating weather brings a host of outdoor activities including a lot of festivals, such as the upcoming Immaculate Conception Parish Festival on Sunday, Sept. 23 right here on our campus grounds. It s so wonderful to celebrate the present and the past through the lenses of faith and culture. Just this past week in Cooke County from where I hail, there was a throwback to the past during the 33 rd annual Antique Farm Machinery and Equipment Show. There s such amazement at how such things as festivals and shows come about when they are hosted completely by volunteers. One is enamored as a completely empty green meadow slowly transforms as one tractor, one thresher, one corn sheller, one hand-mechanized hay baler at a time just shows up and takes its place. Picnic tables show up and a kitchen opens. After two days of peaceful activity, everything begins to disappear just as it has appeared. There s certainly a thoughtfulness that goes into such events. Some of these festivals are brought about by unending planning and intense coordination while others just seem to happen. Regardless, Mary s Amazing Virtue for September seems to fit here. In order for a mission to be accomplished, especially when it comes to people giving freely of their time for a great cause, there certainly is a thoughtful obedience that occurs. These are not the times when one lords over another, as the good book always says. It s a time when everyone pitches in and is moved by the need of the moment. When everyone has had their fun and the crowds have dispersed, generally the laborers are few when it comes to cleanup. Again, while people have assignments, everyone is really thoughtfully obedient when it comes to putting everything back into place. It was a beautiful thing to see last week. Two antique tractors ended up on the side of the road when they ran out of gas on their way back to their destination. (BTW one doesn t just look at a gauge to see the fuel level in a 1938 Case Tractor!) The next person down the road gently pulled over, had them hop in, and brought them to their gas can which they had at the show grounds in case this very thing happened. Then, it was on to pulling out the pitch fork and the rake to make sure all of the corn cobs were gathered after the corn shelling event so that someone else wouldn t have to clean the area. Thoughtful obedience, in many ways, means just pitching in: The person who loves is happy to serve, eager to obey the needs and desires (legitimate ones, of course) of the beloved. Obedience allows a person to transcend the narrow confines of egotism and respond to the good of those he loves with alacrity, enthusiasm, and cheerfulness. https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/obedience.html Thoughtful obedience many times means nothing more than being other-focused, caring, and being a good steward of our time, our resources, and our friendships. May we continue to reflect on this powerful virtue which will take us to a place more peaceful than we ve ever been before. In Him, Elaine Schad, ICCS Principal
Dean s Dispatch Teaching Children Patience September 2018 The patient man shows much good sense, but the quick-tempered man displays folly at its height. [PROV 14:29] An ill-tempered man stirs up strife, but a patient man allays discord. [PROV 15:18] A patient man is better than a warrior, and he who rules his temper, than he who takes a city. [PROV 16:32] We live in a world of instant gratification. We can t change that; however, we need to teach our children the virtue of patience. Children are not born with patience, it is a learned skill. Teaching and practicing patience builds appreciation and work ethic. Patient people are more focused, more successful in life and relationships. Just how can we teach our children this most important virtue? As with any other learned behavior, modeling is the most effective teaching tool. We need to model patience for our children. This is not an easy task in our busy lives. It is difficult to wait calmly while the children pick up their toys, get ready for school or to go out on a family errand. Raising our voices, rolling our eyes, tapping our foot etc. add to the frustration. We need to step back and CALMLY encourage them using patience and humor. We need to teach coping skills while waiting in a long line at the store or drive through at a fast food establishment. Start a game What s my favorite, I see with my little eye, or say a prayer together in the car for a specific person in their lives. While cooking dinner, or doing a home project and the children want something right now, purposely make them wait 2 or 3 minutes to teach them patience. Explain calmly that you are busy and will tend to them shortly. Young children have no sense of time, so if possible set a time for 3 minutes! Unless there is running blood or their hair is on fire, they can wait a bit! All experts agree, we need to practice patience. Instead of children consistently using electronics that give immediate gratification, encourage them to play some old fashioned board games. It takes patience to wait your turn whether it s Chutes and Ladders or Monopoly! Reading a chapter a night of a favorite book to any age child develops patience waiting for the next episode or conclusion. Activities that take a period of time to complete such as pottery, gardening, construction etc. help develop this virtue. We need to acknowledge the frustration of waiting and verbalize this to our children. Talk about it calmly, listen to their thoughts and ideas. It can be frustrating, BUT it is OK to wait. Let us work on this as parents and teachers to help our young people learn the most important virtue of patience. God bless all our ICCS families! Paul Cuttica, Dean of Students
A Patron Saint for Finding Patience: St. Monica A Prayer to Saint Monica Dear Saint Monica, you were once the mournful mother of a prodigal son. Your faithfulness to prayer brought you and your son so close to God that you are now with him in eternity. By your intercession and God s grace, your son St. Augustine became a great and venerable Saint of the Church. Please take my request to God with the same fervor and persistence with which you prayed for your own son. (Mention your intentions here) With your needs, worries and anxieties, you threw yourself on the mercy and providence of God. Through sorrow and pain, you constantly devoted yourself to God. Pray for me that I might join you in such a deep faith in God s goodness and mercy. Above all, dear Saint Monica, pray for me that I may, like your son, turn from my sin and become a great saint for the glory of God. Amen. Hola!! Cecy Miranda (Former ICCS Director of Hispanic Services from her home in Georgia) Padres de familia, Todos queremos que nuestros hijos tengan éxito en la escuela, celebramos cada logro como si fueran nuestros! Pero, que hacemos, o que estamos dispuestos a hacer para que esto suceda? Sin duda alguna, es indispensable que colaboremos y estemos en contacto con los maestros de nuestros hijos durante todo el año escolar. Pronto tendrás la oportunidad de reunirte con los profesores en las juntas de padres y maestros, no olvides hacer la cita y llegar puntual. Has una lista con todas las preguntas que tengas, y recuerda que, si necesitas ayuda con el idioma, en la oficina te pueden auxiliar, solicítalo con anticipación. Ten presente que en cualquier momento puedes pedir una reunión con el maestro de tus pequeños, o puedes requerir que te llame. Cuando recibas el informe de cómo va tu pequeño o el reporte de calificaciones de tus hijos, y veas que tu niño necesita ayuda, pregúntale al maestro que solución propone. Pregúntale a tus hijos que les dejaron de tarea en cuanto lleguen a casa, procura que la hagan a la misma hora todos los días para crear el habito, revisa la tarea de tus niños diariamente y, cuando sea tiempo de exámenes, ayúdalos a estudiar. Una vez al mes recibirás el sobre café, además de las formas para pedir lunch, te mandan información importante de las actividades y eventos en las que puedes participar, asegúrate de leerla toda. Y nunca olvides que lo más significativo que puedes hacer para que tu niño tenga éxito en el Colegio es inculcarle el amor a la lectura. Alguna vez has visitado las Bibliotecas Públicas? Intenta ir con tus hijos tan seguido como puedas, ya sea a hacer la tarea, a estudiar o buscar algún libro que les interese. Dios los bendiga hoy y siempre, Cecy Miranda
ICCS Theme of the Year: "Do not be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality, or joy," Pope Francis VIRTUE OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER: Thoughtful Obedience Need Safe Environment? New Program is called VIRTUS Please contact Terry Scaggs to sign up at 940-565-1770, ext. 219 or send an email to safeenvironment@iccdenton.org A VEGAS KNIGHT! SAVE THE DATE OUR ANNUAL AUCTION IS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019, IN THE ICCS GYM!! THE AUCTION FAMILY PACKET WILL BE COMING HOME SOON! Immaculate Conception Catholic School has raised $18,108.71 through the Boxtops Program since you began helping us!!! We are truly grateful!! The money is used to purchase critical supplies for your parish school. To learn more, log on to: www.boxtops4education.com KEEP THOSE BOXTOPS COMING BOXTOPS BONANZA!!
PLEASE JOIN US EACH THURSDAY AT 8:15 A.M. FOR OUR SCHOOL MASS!!! ****HELP US HELP OUR COMMUNITY FOOD BANKS**** As part of our school-wide service, every FOURTH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH is a time when the children are asked to bring nonperishable food and toiletry items so we can help the community food banks and soup kitchens which are always in need. If you can, please send an item with your child Thursday, Sept 27. Note: This month, items will be donated to Loreto House. See items below. Thanks for caring.*** **PLEASE BRING A DONATION FOR THE LORETO HOUSE COLLECTION BOXES BY THE SCHOOL OFFICE** Lunch napkins for kitchen holder Toilet paper Glue sticks Sonogram room gloves Folded paper towels for pregnancy testing area Diapers: Size NB Size Three Size Four Size Five Size Six Baby Wipes Huggies 24 wipes packages for parenting bags Infant Hooded towels Jersey infant hats/caps for pregnancy bags Infant booties for pregnancy bags Infant bibs- for blue bags Infant colorful feeding spoons for parenting bags Newborn and 0-3 months colorful onesies for our gift bags (need lots) blue bags Boy quilts for gift store Smoothly edged fleece blankets for gift store Simple diaper bags for gift store Boy Clothing for Newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 9 months- new outfits, 2-piece, 3-piece or more - for gift store Women s pant expanders for pregnancy bags.
NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY IS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 TH! ***letter enclosed*** 2018 NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY is THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20! Donate between 6 a.m. and 12 Midnight to Immaculate Conception Catholic School via https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/ ***TODAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 19 TH, WE ARE LOOKING FOR EARLY DONORS WHO WILL DONATE IN ADVANCE OF NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY TO SHOW THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR OUR LADY S SCHOOL!!! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ONE OF THOSE DONORS OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE*** Our goal this year is to continue to upgrade our technology to use in classroom instruction and other technology improvements as well as for financial assistance. THIS PAST YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE LAPTOPS FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR USE BY OUR SIXTH GRADERS!!! THIS IS AN EXTENSION OF OUR PROGRAM WHICH INCLUDES LAPTOPS FOR SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADERS! GET UP AND GIVE!
THE ICCS SPIRIT SHOP IS OPEN ON SCHOOL DAYS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 7:45 TO 8:15 A.M. --See the hot lunch, pizza, and chicken strip forms in this month s Brown Envelope. -- IMPORTANT: BE SURE TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO ALL DEADLINES AS WE CAN ACCEPT NO LATE FORMS. IF PAYING WITH CASH, PLEASE PAY EXACT AMOUNTS. THE OFFICE DOES NOT MAKE CHANGE! ****WE CONTINUE TO BE IN NEED OF EMPTY PRINTER CARTRIDGES SO WE CAN RECYCLE THEM FOR NEEDED OFFICE AND CLASSROOM SUPPLIES. PLEASE BRING THEM BY THE SCHOOL OR LEAVE THEM AT EITHER PARISH OFFICE. THANK YOU!!!**** Upcoming Dates: 2018 NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY is SEPTEMBER 20! Donate between 6 a.m. and 12 Midnight to Immaculate Conception Catholic School via www.northtexasgivingday.org. Donations $25 and above will be multiplied in bonus funds and prizes. --Sept. 17: --Sept. 19: --Sept. 20: --Sept. 20: --Sept. 23: --Sept 24: --Sept. 27: --Sept. 28: --Oct. 1: ICCS Lady Knights at home versus St. Mary s of Gainesville Student Council Elections 9:40 a.m. in the Gym. North Texas Giving Day!! ICCS Lady Knights host Prestonwood Christian Immaculate Conception Parish Picnic PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN!!! ICCS Lady Knights host Red River ICCS Gym Mass at 8:15 a.m.monthly FOOD DRIVE Teacher Inservice.NO SCHOOL ICCS Lady Knights away versus Sivells Bend --Friday, Oct. 5: St. Francis Pet Blessing 2:30 p.m. in front of the gym. Bring your pets to get blessed. More information to come --Oct. 8 ICCS Lady Knights host Walnut Bend ICCS Gym --Oct. 12: End of First Quarter --Oct. 12: Glamourcraft Class Photos and Sports Groups (Mass uniforms and sweaters required) --Oct. 12: Living Rosary. --Oct. 12: Brown Envelope Goes Home --Oct. 18: Great American Shakeout Drill.10:18 a.m. https://www.shakeout.org/centralus/ --Oct. 19 and 20: Parent Teacher Conferences.NOON DISMISSAL Extended until 6 p.m. --Oct. 21: Holyween Carnival (more information to come)
IMPORTANT REMINDERS: If you are still not receiving the school s weekly email, be sure to call the office and give us an updated email. Office 940-381-1155 x 0 -or- iccsoffice@gmail.com Please call or email the school office by 9:00 a.m. if your child is going to be absent or arriving late to school. 940-381-1155 x 0 or- iccsoffice@gmail.com Be sure to check the online calendar for all of the latest events on our school website: www.catholicschooldenton.org Sign up today to receive real-time information via text messaging about what is happening at ICCS including weather-related school closures, emergencies and other pertinent information. Simply text the keyword ICCS to the number 888777. This allows you to join the group. You will then receive and instructional message. Note depending on your carrier and plan, charges may apply. Please contact Kristy Hawley at iccsoffice@gmail.com with any questions. BLESSINGS FROM OUR LADY S SCHOOL!