SS. Simon and Jude School Swiss Farms App Info The Community You Feel. The Lessons You Love Terra Nova Results Week of 12-04-14 School Newsletter Issue #13 SS. Simon and Jude Mission Statement Through the Immaculate Heart of Mary we at Saints Simon and Jude School, commit ourselves to learning, proclaiming and living the Good News of Jesus Christ. We strive to educate and develop all for Catholic leadership in the church and community, enabling one another to serve with Compassion, Courage and Competence. Tis the season for giving and many here do it so generously all the time! However with the MANY opportunities for giving surrounding us, please know we do not expect any family to take part in all the good causes such as Giving Tree, the DuPont stuffed animal drive, the sock collection later in December and January, and supporting CHOP with Grade 5 bake sale, supporting H&S with Santa Shop, and Breakfast with Santa, and at the same time gifting those on Santa s list. It is a good lesson for the children (and reminder to us) that sometimes we can give material things and other times we give our time and prayer for others, and these are just as needed if not more so. ****************************************************************************************************** Thoughts from Sister Jeannine Thanks to the Student Council, every student reflected on two phrases from their favorite Advent hymn: Stay Awake! Be Ready! Posted on candles outside their rooms they wrote ways in which they can do this and thus use these Advent days well. Because (as the rest of the hymn tells us): You do not know the hour when the Lord is coming. The Lord is coming soon. Of course the children know that the Lord came in history thousands of years ago, but each Advent we remind ourselves that the Lord comes to us daily in Scripture and in the love of others; He comes in the Eucharist; and He will come at the time of our death and at the time when the kingdom is fulfilled. As you and I rush around getting ready and hardly able to stay awake at the end of the day, I pray we will reflect each day on the readiness and awakeness of heart we need so we do not miss the Lord as He comes as gently and quietly as He did in Bethlehem. In this week s letter you will find information about: In this week s folder you will find information about: National Night of Prayer on Dec. 8 Book Fair Save the Date Reminder for the Citadel Heart of Learning Teacher nomination Phone Chain Test 12/5/14 Bishop Shanahan Ice Hockey Fundraiser Save the Date and look ahead to Talent Show Teddy Bear/Stuffed Animal Collection Letter regarding Safe Environment Lesson Pretzel Order Form for January/February Christmas Pageant info (8 th grade only) Father Patrick Peyton Flyer Grade 5 Bake Sale Info
From the Home & School Congratulations to the Cleary family (Michael: Homeroom 1) who won the last raffle. It s not too late to buy a ticket!! Raffle drawings are every Friday until the end of May. Santa s Secret Shop being held on Thursday and Friday December 4th and 5th. Breakfast with Santa is Saturday December 6th. New Requests and Opportunities 1. 25th ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OF PRAYER FOR LIFE Uniting the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with the Feast of St. Juan Diego. This event will take place Monday, December 8, 2014-8:00PM to 12 Midnight at SSJ Parish. Join us in this special night of prayer before the most Blessed Sacrament as we pray for an end to the indignities to human life. You may come at any time. Suggested Group Adoration Times: 8:00 PM Youth and Families Beginning with Pro-life Stations 9:00 PM Senior Citizens 10:00 PM Knights of Columbus 11:00 PM All Adults Closing Benediction 12:00Midnight the hour of unity across USA 2. From December 9 th to the 12 th, teachers will be presenting a safe environment lesson at all grade levels. This ongoing education is presented to the students in the parish and regional elementary schools of the Archdiocese as well as in the Parish Religious Education Programs (PREP or CCD) two times during the instructional year. This is a mandated obligation from the Archdiocese with the two annual lessons provided for our teachers. The lessons are available for you to review by visiting www.catholicschools-phl.org and clicking on Safe Environment. PLEASE SEE THE LETTER IN THE FOLDER TO BE RETURNED IF YOU DO NOT WISH YOUR CHILD TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LESSON. 3. Our annual participation in the Teddy Bear/Stuffed Animal drive for Children in DuPont Hospital, sponsored by the Schorn family, will run from now until December 22 nd. The basket for the donations is outside the nurse s office. 4. On Friday, December 5, at exactly 10:00 a.m., we will be conducting a test of the MSP/School Reach phone chain. If you do not get notified with a recording or voice mail by 10:15 a.m., please notify the office. Please note that the caller-id number that will appear is (610) 696-5249 - the main office. 5. Save the dates: January 25 th -29 th for our annual Book Fair. This year s theme is Under the Sea. Stay tuned for more information. 6. Save another date and look forward to the annual talent show during Catholic Schools Week. Sign-ups to participate will be on Dec 15-16. Flyer next week will contain all information needed. 7. Support the Bishop Shanahan Ice Hockey team by dining at the PJ Whelan s on December 15 th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 15% of the check will be donated back to the team.
8. Message from Citadel Heart of Learning: We have less than ONE MONTH left to accept nominations for the Citadel Heart of Learning Award. Please encourage your students and their parents, and your staff, to nominate a teacher in your school. The program is not only a terrific way to recognize Chester County teachers, but also a way for schools to WIN MONEY through the Schools with Heart contest which awards up to $1,500 to the top three schools that have submitted the most number of nominations. As a reminder, a total of 15 finalists will receive $500 to use in their classrooms. From these 15 finalists, three winners will receive the Citadel Heart of Learning Award and an additional $1,500! Please visit the website at www.citadelheartoflearning.com for details. We look forward to receiving nominations for your teachers today! 9. Just a gentle reminder to all parents please do not walk to the classrooms to drop off or pick up your children. Please come to the main office. 10. Chester County Intermediate Unit is holding a Summer Camp and Activities Fair on Thur. January 15 from 5:30-7:30PM at the IU center on Boot Road. The goal is to give parents an early start on summer plans. Repeated Requests and Opportunities 1. Due to not enough volunteers for Children s Liturgy of the Word, a decision has been made to reduce the frequency of the CLW at the parish masses. The opportunity will be offered at the 9:00 and 10:30 Mass on alternate Sundays. Beginning with December 7 th, CLW will be at the 9:00 am Mass and on December 14 th, CLW will only be at the 10:30 am Mass and will continue with this every other week schedule for the next few months until more people are able to help. If you are interested in helping and have all clearances please call the church office. 2. Registration to attend the World Meeting of Families is now open. Pope Francis will be present Saturday and Sunday on the Parkway. I do not think registration is needed for those days; however, registration and payment is required for the catechetical/theological presentations at the Convention Center on Wednesday through Friday. The schools in the diocese will be closed those three days. 3. If you did not respond to Mrs. Coulter regarding Career Day during Catholic Schools Week and would like to participate, please contact her at heatherco@cciu.org 4. Car rider s dismissal safety: Once your child(ren) are in the car, please do not let them exit the car. If an item was forgotten, please drive around to the front door. Also, when picking up your child whether for an appointment, after school activity or sickness, you must come into the main office. Children will NOT be permitted to come out to the parking lot to your car. 5. Labeling Reminder: Please make sure you label your child(ren) s lunch boxes. Lunches are being dropped off on the bench without any names/grades. Also, with the winter weather upon us, please label all hats/gloves and coats. 6. Scrip News: The final scrip order before the Christmas holiday will be placed at 9:00 AM on Monday, December 15th, to be delivered on Thursday, December 18th. There will be no scrip order placed the weeks of December 22nd or December 29th. The first scrip order in 2015 will be placed at 9:00 AM on Monday, January 5th, to be delivered on Thursday, January 8th. All orders must be purchased using PrestoPay. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Maureen Thomas (mthomas02@comcast.net) or Maureen Conlon (conlonmt@verizon.net).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Expressions of Gratitude and Congratulations 1. An Angel Tree Thank You I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Sister Jeannine, the faculty and staff, the sixth grade students, and all of the wonderful families of SSJ who continue to make the Angel Tree program a success. This year, 297 children were sponsored. Your generosity will bring much joy on Christmas morning. A great big thank you to all of the volunteers who took time from their busy schedules to help on December 3rd and 4th. This program would not be possible without your help. With love and gratitude, Cindy Moribondo 2. The November Mission collection was earmarked for Saint Agnes Day Room. Through the generosity of the children, with your example and help, we are able to send $175 to this worthy cause. The money collected on Wednesdays in December will be sent to Ronald McDonald House to support their Share-A-Night program and help light their Christmas trees. A light is placed for every $15.00 sent. 3. In the midst of Santa Secret Shop today and tomorrow, tremendous thanks to Lisa Bruno and Judy Schnyder for organizing and chairing this huge but also hugely enjoyable event. They must be official North Pole elves by now. Also thanks to Melissa Bargo and Theresa Hagman for all their prep for Breakfast With Santa on Saturday and to all the chefs usually our very talented dads - who make the best pancakes I ever ate!! Santa Secret Shop is open during Breakfast with Santa for those last minute shoppers ready for some good deals. Prayer requests: Please keep the following intentions in your prayers: 1. For John Foster (father to Abby, Gr. 7) who will have heart surgery today (Thursday) 2. For Sister James who had neck surgery and is recuperating in Camilla for a bit. 3. For those who are critically ill: Mrs. Langdon s uncle and Miss Rosci s uncle 4. For Joseph Tercero (the grandfather to Simon Arena, Gr. 7) who is very ill. Glimpse at the Days Ahead Fri. 12/5 Sat. 12/6 Mon/ 12/8 Tues. 12/9 Wed. 12/10 Thurs. 12/11 Fri. 12/12 Sat. 12/13 Continuation of Santa Secret Shop Breakfast With Santa 9:00-11:00 Holy Day: Immaculate Conception Happy Feast Day IHM Sisters 8:00 PM National Night of Prayer Report Card Distribution 9:30 Marketing Committee Meeting 1:05 Singing rehearsal and prep for Mass - 1:30 Confessions Grades 3-8 9:00 School Mass all are invited. Grade 8 Christmas Dance
God and Father of us all, in Jesus, your Son and our Savior, you have made us your sons and daughters in the family of the Church. May your grace and love help our families in every part of the world be united to one another in fidelity to the Gospel. May the example of the Holy Family, with the aid of your Holy Spirit, guide all families, especially those most troubled, to be homes of communion and prayer and to always seek your truth and live in your love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!