Holy Spirit Communicator

A Message from Ms. Lenoch, Principal

Greetings,

I'm wondering if we've seen the last of warm sunny days for a while. Our seventh graders left for Eagle Bluff Wednesday morning with the threat of rain. I'm sure, if it rained, they were somewhat disappointed but, having said that, I can tell you they left here with much excitement and great big smiles. I was able to travel to Eagle Bluff on Thursday morning and, not only did I watch some of the group challenges, I actually was able to participate in one of them. Everyone seemed to be having a great time and I look forward to hearing more stories when they return. My prayer is that everyone had a wonderful experience and they all come back here knowing a bit more about themselves and each other.

We are looking forward to V.I.P. day next week. Thank you to all who have sent in the names of your student's V.I.P. Please know we have attached the form again this week if you need it. We're hoping to have the names no later than Monday, Oct. 17th. V.I.P.s will meet in the Commons prior to going to the classrooms. Our Student Council members and eighth grade students will provide guidance and support to our visitors so they meet up with their V.I.S. (very important student) prior to heading over to church for Mass. Sign-out sheets will be located in each of the classrooms if students leave with their V.I.P. after the individual classroom activity. Do not hesitate to call if you have any questions/concerns.

I think the "newness" of the year is waning...students are settling in and I've noticed an increase in some behaviors that have needed attention. Most of the disagreements I've addressed have taken place on the playground and usually are the result of misperceptions on how a certain "play" went down. Licensed staff will be discussing our school-wide Respect and Protect behavior policy Friday afternoon. After MEA weekend we will have an all school assembly to go over expectations for both inside and outside the school. It's always a challenge to find the balance between aggressive behavior and normal child behavior especially during recess play. Please know we are working very hard to address any issues that are brought to our attention.

I'm wondering if any of you have some playground balls/jump ropes around the house that are in good condition but are no longer used. We could use some here at Holy Spirit for our students when they go out to recess...the ones we have are used quite a bit and are really beginning to show signs of wear and tear. Please, please know I am not asking you to purchase anything new...just looking for some "gently used" playground balls and jump ropes.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

God Bless,

Ms. Lenoch

Standardized Tests

This week, our 8th grade students took the EXPLORE test. After MEA Weekend, students in grades 2-8 will take the Stanford Test. These standardized tests are an important part of our academic work. While the tests do provide individual student results, we utilize the building and system results to assist with identifying curriculum strengths and potential gaps, look at trend data and analyze specific content areas. Studies show that students who are rested and well-nourished tend to perform better in testing situations. We ask that you help ensure your child(ren) get plenty of rest and eat a hearty breakfast each day of the testing week. While we do not want children to come to school if they are ill, we do ask that you attempt to avoid scheduling appointments during testing week.

Safe Environment Training for Volunteers

Recently we have had a number of questions regarding the Safe Environment training for our volunteers. The schools have been told that any volunteer who has completed all four components of Safe and Sacred online training is compliant until July 1, 2012. If you are a new volunteer, volunteer in a parish or were not current on the Safe and Sacred online training, you need to complete the Virtus training. This training is the new Safe Environment training adopted by the Diocese of Winona. The Rochester Catholic Parishes are requiring all volunteers to complete this training before they can serve in a volunteer capacity within the church. The Virtus training involves a face to face training comprised of viewing a video and reflection and discussion about the information presented. When you register for a Virtus session (www.dow.org), you select all the groups you volunteer for within the Diocese. At the end of the training, you receive a certificate of completion, a volunteer Code of Conduct, a Diocesan Code of Conduct and an application for a Criminal Background Check. These forms need to be turned in to the school office so we can process your volunteer status. What is complicating this roll-out a little bit is that church volunteers are being asked to participate in the training ahead of the school requirement. The training will be required of school volunteers by next fall, so I would encourage you to consider completing it through the parishes now, rather than waiting until the last minute.

Ground Breaking at Lourdes

Everyone is invited to attend the ground breaking ceremony to be held at the site of the new Lourdes High School at Noon on Tuesday, October 18th. Please watch for signs and volunteers who will be directing traffic and coordinating parking.

Preschool Parent Information Night

Although it seems like we just started the 2011-12 school year, plans are underway for the 2012-13 year. We will hold our annual Preschool Parent Information Night at St. Francis, St. Pius and Holy Spirit on Tuesday, November 29th at 6:30 p.m. If you, or someone you know, have children who will be three or four by September 1, 2012, they would be eligible for one of our preschool programs. The Rochester Catholic Preschools are licensed through the state of Minnesota, and provide wonderful Catholic environments for a rich early learning experience. Please share this date with friends and neighbors.

SMART Points

The Hy-Vee promotion is back! Hy-Vee, Proctor & Gamble and Sara Lee have partnered together to award a SMARTboard to 200 lucky schools and a iPad tablet for one student in each of the winning schools. It's easy to participate. Every $20 of Proctor and Gamble products purchased at Hy-Vee, in a single transaction, earns the shopper 100 SMART points to donate to a school of their choice. This year you can earn even more points for our school! Get an additional 100 SMART points when you purchase two or more Sara Lee Fresh Bakery products in the same transaction as your qualifying Proctor & Gamble purchase. Printed on the receipt will be a promotional code to be entered on www.hyveesmartpoints.com. Once the code is entered, select the school for which you would like to make the donation. Shoppers can earn SMART points October 1-December 30, 2011. See the posters displayed in the school and at Hy-Vee for more information.

Communicator Attachments

Please click here to view attachments for this week's Communicator.

Included Documents:

- VIP Day

- Spirt Run Donations

- HSA October Minutes

- LHS Spirit Shop Order Form

- Love & Logic Parent Info

- Love & Logic Signup

- SEMYO Just for Kids Concert

- Dance Try Out Poster

- Basketball Signup Change

- Rocket Wrestling Club

Calendar of Events

Oct. 18: 6:30 - 7:30 in the Commons -- Kindergarten Information Night

Oct. 19: 1:00 PM gathering in the Commons -- VIP Day

1:30 PM Mass -- Mrs. Block's Fourth Grade Class

Oct. 20 - 21: MEA Weekend -- NO SCHOOL

Oct. 24 - 28: Stanford Tests in Grades 2 - 8

Nov. 1: All Souls Day; Mass 9:15 AM -- Mrs. Pyfferoen Third Grade Class

Nov. 4: End of First Quarter

Nov. 11: Teacher Work Day (Students do not Attend)

Nov. 15 and 17: Fall Conferences

Nov. 23 - 25: Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 29: Pre-School Parent Information Night