SPRING 2012 FAITH + ACADEMICS + SERVICE = St. Agnes School

SPRING 2012 FAITH + ACADEMICS + SERVICE = St. Agnes School

Faith, Academics, Service The above motto, if you will, was the theme of Catholic Schools Week 2012. But indeed, it really serves as a mission statement for all Catholic Schools; ours, of course, included, as St. Agnes School. I like it because of its simplicity and directness. It s a motto/mission statement that is easy to remember. What strikes me also is the outward flow to it. Faith in the Risen Jesus is the heart of what we are about as Christians. Academics is the study of all creation (ourselves included!) that enables us to love God all the more. Service to others in need is the expression of faith and love in the Lord. There is a continual outgoing attitude to Christian life that our school of St. Agnes seeks to instill within our children and youth. Enjoy this issue of Spirit and see some examples of how faith, academics and service are being lived within our community of faith! Easter blessings to all! Alleluia! Fr. Bob There are distinctive symbols of this year s Catholic Schools Week banner that hangs in our school hall. The purple cross that is the T of the red letter words: CATHOLIC SCHOOLS and the green flowing banner that carries the logo: FAITH. ACADEMICS. SERVICE. are eye catching for those who visit. This colorful logo provides a visual expression of the core values Catholic education at St. Agnes and all of our Catholic schools. FAITH is celebrated daily as students pray together throughout the day, attend all-school liturgies and liturgical services including Penance Services and Stations of the Cross and study our Catholic traditions all within a community of faith. ACADEMICS are provided in a safe and supportive environment that is rich in spiritual and moral development. Students are encouraged to strive for academic excellence and the growth of the total person as they compete in Scholastic Bowl and Spelling Bee competitions, interact with SMARTboard activities, present power points, and enjoy fun learning experiences like the annual Read-In during Catholic Schools Week. SERVICE is promoted through a class support of a community need and individual sharing of time and talent with others in need. Students support the American Red Cross Heroes Campaign, Elizabeth Ann Seaton, Make a Wish Foundation and other needs brought to the school. Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity to wave the banner of FAITH. ACADEMICS. SERVICE. at St. Agnes School. This banner waves for all of you who support our mission of Catholic education! Thank you! Happy Easter to you and your family! Sr. Joan

Alumni of the Year 2012- Trish Penning Fr Bob and Sr Joan happily bestowed the honor of Alumni of the Year to our very own kindergarten teacher of 35 years, Trish Penning. Trish graduated from St Agnes grade school in 1966. She attended Sacred Heart Academy and graduated in 1970. After earning a B. A. from Millikin University, she came back to St. Agnes to begin her Kindergarten teaching career. Trish can be quoted, I m still in Kindergarten and I love it! Trish is also very active in the St. Agnes Parish. She is a member of the choir, a liturgist, hymn leader, and a communion minister. She also leads the faculty Why Catholic group. Trish has been awarded Teacher of the Year by Channel 20 and Town and Country Bank. She is listed in Who s Who in the World, Among American Women, America s Teachers, in America, in American Education. Trish wrote when asked to describe a fond memory of being at student at St. Agnes, In 4 th grade, Sr. Charles Maurice put on a play. She was an energetic and very creative teacher. I model a lot of my teaching after her. Trish has devoted herself to Catholic education; she feels it is a privilege to pass on her faith to future generations. Catholic Schools Week This year s celebration of Catholic Schools Week was absolutely spectacular! The time and talents of so many teachers, parents, students and volunteers went into creating an action-packed week for the entire student body. Many thanks to the staff at St. Agnes School, the Parents Club, Student Council, Father Bob and Sister Joan, as well as many others who made the week so very special. It was an enjoyable week of fun and spiritual activities, surrounded by the theme of Catholic Schools: Faith, Academics, Service. Special events included Family Movie Night, Student Appreciation Day, special liturgies, Staff Appreciation Day and the traditional Read In, held on the last night of Catholic Schools Week. With sleeping bags and books in tow, students from all grades returned to school after hours to read and socialize with their classmates and friends. Guest readers joined the group to present several short stories and of course, pizza was served! It was a busy, but incredibly rewarding week for students and families, teachers and administrators and everyone connected to St. Agnes School!

Special Masses Catholic Schools Week was the ideal opportunity to celebrate and honor some very important people in our school lives. During the All- School Liturgy on Thursday, February 2 nd, the student council helped honor all deceased children, especially three students who died while attending St. Agnes. These students, Amber Brand, Ali Fisher and Evan Hoffman, were remembered in the students prayers. Representative students carried a candle to represent each of the St. Agnes students who have died and another for all deceased children. Each student received a candle, blessed by Father Bob, during the mass. Reconciliation Forty nine second graders and their families celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation in our Parish church on January 25, 2012. It was a prayerful and peaceful evening as School families and PSR families came together to celebrate this sacrament with their second grade children. Each child was given their own candle to light from the Paschal candle to symbolize the light of God that shines in their hearts. Also during Catholic Schools Week, a special prayer service was held to pray for peace in the world. All of those who serve our community and our nation were invited to join St. Agnes students to pray for peace and celebrate National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools. Student Council members carried and displayed banners throughout the church to honor service personnel. Judges, police officers, fire fighters and representatives of several service branches, including the US Navy and US Air Force, joined students for the event. Several wore service uniforms which really got the attention and admiration of many of our students! Why Catholic? Why Catholic? journey through the Catechism is an adult faith formation experience. For those who gathered regularly it has come to mean a small faith community that comes together to explore the Catholic faith. But it is so much more than that. It is a chance to share faith with a small group. It is a chance to bond with others. Slowly, over the four years of the program, parish groups have come to know each other better, and most importantly of all, to know God better. Why Catholic? helps nourish faith and enhance our sense of Catholic identity. It encourages us to live the reasons why we are Catholic and leads us to a faith that is lived more authentically, connecting us more deeply to God and others. This year s program was centered on Christian prayer. The groups prayed with scripture. Why Catholic? groups experienced the various types of prayer including vocal, mediation, and contemplative prayer. They focused on the Lord s Prayer as the prayer that Jesus taught. Why Catholic? encourages the groups to share their faith and put faith into action. Just as Jesus did.

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, SOLD! St. Agnes 7 th Annual Auction St Agnes held its Annual Auction in March and once again the generosity was overwhelming. The 2012 Auction grossed $114,00. Many thanks to those who purchased tickets, bid on items, donated items, bought raffle tickets, advertised in the bid book and volunteered their time and many talents. Items ranged from sports memorabilia, trips, 55 color tv, to over 200 bottles of wine. This was the seventh annual Auction. Proceeds from this year s event will be used to help with the funding of the Annual Fund projects this school year. This year s Fund a Project was Social Studies and Reference Materials. A special thanks to The Holy Name Society and all the generous auction goers who helped fund this project. Funds raised at the previous six Auctions have provided funds for a new Pre- School, new Science Lab, new Computer SMART Lab, the SMART Connect package that provides SMARTBoards in every classroom and last year, the PeaceBuilder s Playground and 118 new desks and chairs for the junior high classes. Thanks to all who played a role in this year s Auction. The many generous corporate sponsors, attendees, bidders and buyers, advertisers, generous donors of auction items, the Holy Name Society, room parents, Dominican Sisters, our wonder Auction Chairs and their hard working Auction committee proved that St. Agnes Aces Are Wild! TGIF (THIRD GRADERS IN FAITH) TGIF. For some, it might call to mind a popular family restaurant. For the disco-era crowd, it might remind them of a popular song from the late 70 s. For most, it simply means, Thank God it s Friday. But for St. Agnes 3 rd graders, TGIF took on an entirely new meaning --- Third Graders in Faith. On Friday, January 27 th, St. Agnes 3 rd grade students joined their peers from Blessed Sacrament, Cathedral, Christ the King, Little Flower, St. Aloysius, St. Joseph and St. Patrick in a day of activities and prayer. SHG Ambassadors assisted with the various groups of third graders. Students made prayer rocks and stained glass crosses, engaged in Language and Math activities, shared and listened to stories and enjoyed a taco lunch. It was a wonderful way to launch Catholic Schools Week and the ideal opportunity for students from throughout the city to forge new friendships and faith.

Mardi Gras Angry Birds Live!, Penguin Fish Fling, face painting, and frogs being catapulted into a wading pool, it must be Mardi Gras for the Missions. Originally started by retired St. Agnes teacher, Mrs. Lyn Drainer, now coordinated by the Parents Club, it is a fun service project for the children. It is a two- fold service project, first that the money raised is for the missions. Second, the jr high students engage in service helping out their little brothers or sisters while having fun playing the many games and activities including the prize raffle. Student Spotlight Elise Cummins is the first St. Benedict Award recipient for St Agnes School. She was presented with the award after a recent All-School Liturgy by Fr. Steve Janoski, the Benedictine campus minister. The school staff and administration was asked to select an honor student that reflected excellence in academics and consistent application in their effort and preparation as a student. Congratulations, Elise on your recent award. The St. Agnes staff is very proud of you. Hannah Roberts represented St Agnes School in the Sangamon County Non- Public Spelling Bee on March 3 rd and took first place. Hannah went on to the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee, where she placed seventh overall. She really prepared herself to be part of the bee. We are very grateful and proud that she represented St. Agnes School. Catie Costa will be honored for her Heroes essay at the American Red Cross Heroes Breakfast to be held on April 20 th. Students are asked to write about a hero in their life. Catie wrote about her younger brother Charlie. Student essays are part of the American Red Cross event that honors heroes within our Springfield Community youth, public safety, seniors, workplace, civic, military, education, community and healthcare heroes. We are very proud of Catie.

Teacher / 8 th Grade Volleyball Game Spike it spike it spike it! was the chant from the St. Agnes student section. The St. Agnes gymnasium was awash in a sea of maroon and white pom pons. The occasion? The Teacher vs. 8 th Grade volleyball game! Student teams comprised of eighth grade girls, eighth grade boys and 7 th grade girls each took turns at facing the taller, but considerable more mature teacher squad. Attribute it to their height, their digging, setting and spiking skills, the teachers were unstoppable. The teachers prevailed in each of the three matches held that day. Everyone participating had a great time, as did the spectators. While a rematch may not be in the cards for the 8 th grade teams, the 7 th graders are already putting out notice --- wait till next year. Family Project If someone asked you Who has inspired you to love God? Who is your model of faith? Who supports you as a Catholic? do you know who that person might be? In preparation for Catholic Schools Week, St. Agnes students were asked to consider these questions with their family members and choose a person or persons who have made a difference in their faith. Each student was provided a card in the shape of a circle and asked to create a tribute to their special person. Photos and extra information about this important person or persons was encouraged! The response was overwhelming! What a joy it was to see so many different people --- teachers, parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and others --- influencing and supporting the faith of our children. Hundreds of the circles, when strung together, formed the beads of three rosaries and several decade rosaries that lined the first-floor halls of St. Agnes School. Students, teachers, relatives and visitors to the school truly enjoyed reading all the special remembrances prepared by our students and their families. Lunch with Parents The parking lots were packed and hallways were lined. Tables were filled and smiles were everywhere. Our St. Agnes spirit was so real you could smell it --- or perhaps it was just the taco bar, sack lunches or Subway sandwiches everyone enjoyed on Lunch with Parents Day. Parents of all St. Agnes students were invited to attend classes on Monday, January 30 th to experience a typical school day. Parents and students enjoyed their lunches together in the cafeteria at the end of morning classes. After lunch, families could visit classrooms and check in on teachers, classmates and all the latest projects! Many parents simply took a break from their busy routines --- either at work or at home --- to meet their students for lunch. Thank goodness there were three separate lunch shifts! Each one was completely filled with hundreds of students and their special loved ones. With so many family members to host, it was an especially busy day for the cafeteria and maintenance staff. Many thanks to these frequently overlooked, but incredibly important members of our St. Agnes family. It was a special treat for the children to share a meal with dad, mom or in many cases, both --- and a super-special treat for parents to spend a little extra time with their children.

251 N. Amos Ave. Springfield, IL 62702 ph 217.793.1370 stagnescatholicschool.org Address Service Requested Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Springfield, IL Permit No. 555 Friends & Alumni Base Builder Help us reach friends, neighbors, alumni, grandparents or businesses that might be interested in Spirit from St. Agnes School. Fill out the form below and return it in the enclosed envelope. We ll rush the current and future issues to our new friends. Name Address Apt. City State Zip q New Add. Pizza Parties and Popcorn/Soda Parties Pizza and soda for lunch? That beats the ole brown bag lunch hands down almost any day. Well, that is what was enjoyed by both Mrs. Manning s 3 rd grade and Mrs. Mirkovic s 2 nd grade; they tied being the first classrooms to reach 100% participation. (As a side note the winning classrooms also enjoyed bananas, cuties and baby carrots with ranch dressing.) A HUGE Thank you to all the school families that participated in this year s Annual Fund Pizza Party contest. The Pizza Party Annual Fund contest ran from January 17 th until February 21 st. The following classrooms had Popcorn and Soda parties to celebrate 100% participation; Mrs. Cummins Kindergarten, Mrs. McGee s 1 st grade, Mrs. Patterson s 2 nd grade, Mrs. Knisley s 3 rd grade, Ms. Rueter s 5 th grade and Mrs. Vogt s 5 th grade. Thank you to all the school families for their gifts of prayer and gifts of financial participation. Welcome to St. Agnes Hello, St. Agnes Parish, this is Kathy, how can I help you? are the words you hear when you call the rectory office. The welcoming and friendly voice is Kathy Vizral, the new parish secretary. She recently began her job as parish secretary after Terri Zurawski retired after 21 years on the job. Kathy is no stranger to St. Agnes; she has a long family history with St. Agnes School and church. Many may remember Kathy s grandmother, Mary Pohl, who was the long standing school secretary. Kathy and her husband, Michael along with their two children are parishioners and both of their children attend St. Agnes School. Prior to becoming the parish secretary, Kathy was a teacher s aide at the grade school. She attended St. Joseph grade school and graduated from Ursuline Academy. Kathy is also involved in the Daisy troop, Boy Scouts and is an active member of Parents Club. We welcome Kathy to our parish community of faith that is St.Agnes.