Monthly Newsletter:

 

 March Newsletter

 
March is coming in like a lamb, let’s hope the old adage is wrong and it stays on the warm side and goes out like a lamb too!  Either way, March traditionally is a very busy month academically and I am sure the time will fly quickly.  It is also a long month with no holidays.  It is important to keep everyone working hard so that they can finish up the year successfully.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help is hosting a Parish Mission this month from the first through the third.  There are activities each day and evening.  The fifth through eighth grades will meet with the team on Wednesday during their Religion Class time.

Our Eighth Grade students will be registering at their Catholic High Schools on Wednesday, the 3rd.  They did very well with their school choices and along with the teachers are to be commended for their hard work.  Many received generous scholarships and placement in accelerated programs.  The hard work of the students, yourselves and the school has put them in these places of honor.  Thank you for letting us be a part of your success!

Progress Reports will go home on Friday, March 5th.  Not all children will be receiving them.  If your child does not get a report and you would like to speak to the teacher please do not hesitate to set up an appointment.

We will have an early dismissal on Friday the 5th for a faculty meeting.  Dismissal is at Noon. 

The HSA will sponsor their second Family Fun Night this Friday, March 5th.  Information has gone home and reservations are due now.  Because of the snow day you may send them in tomorrow as well.

The Family Mass this month is on Sunday, the 7th and is being sponsored by the CYO and sports programs.  Thank you for trying to participate and impressing on your children the importance of blending their spiritual lives with their sporting lives.

The HSA is sponsoring the monthly Bake Sale on the 10th.  Grade 5 is the sponsor.

On Thursday, March 11th the parents of children preparing for First Holy Communion will meet at the church at 7:30.  If you have any questions please direct them to Mr. Hall.

The OLPH Basketball Awards Breakfast is Sunday, March 14th.  Information can be obtained from your coaches. 

Daylight Saving Time begins on March 14th.   Remember to “spring ahead” and set your clocks ahead 1 hour. 

The HSA will sponsor a “Dress Green” Dress Down Day on March 19th in honor of Saints Patrick and Joseph.  It will benefit the Card Party.  Thank you for letting your children participate. 

The Sixth and Eighth Grades were the congregation at the filming of The Sunday Mass last month.  Those Masses will be aired on March 21st and 28th.  The Mass is broadcast on the Fox Network, Channel 5 at 5:30 AM and on WLNY, Channel 10 or 55 at 9:00.

Palm Sunday is March 28th.  Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week.  Liturgically it is the most important time in our church.  Please check the bulletin at OLPH or your own parish for the schedule of services on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

The Eighth Grade will once again present the Living Stations on Wednesday, March 31st at 9:30 in the Church.

Dismissal on Wednesday March 31st for the Easter Recess will be at Noon.  There is NO AFTERSCHOOL that day.  School will resume on Monday, April 12th.

The Third Quarter ends on Wednesday, March 31st.  Report Cards are scheduled to go home on April 15th.  Information on report card distribution and our Honors Assembly will go home in Early April.

Hopefully we will be able to get out at recess time more frequently as spring arrives.  It is important that the children are coming to school dressed to play outside.  This means coats, hats and gloves even if the weather seems warm.  It is also important to remember to have your child’s name in the clothing so that it will find its way back to you.   As the weather warms children come dressed one way and begin loosing layers as the day progresses.  The number of sweaters and sweatshirts is multiplying.  Knowing the cost of these items makes it more important that they are returned to their rightful owners. 

We are looking for donations of DVD movies that your children may not be watching any longer to be used for entertainment on the days that the children are indoors at recess time.  The length of this winter has made our rather extensive collection seem small!  We would ask that the movies only be G rated so that we are not worrying about content.  I thank you, in advance, for you help.

As you might recall, we had a dress down day to benefit the Haitian family of one of our students.  I spoke with Mrs. Lambert this past week and she assured me that they were doing fine.  She was very reluctant to have the donation go directly to her family and asked that I give it to one of the agencies that is providing relief in the country.  While I don’t agree with her I will respect her wishes and make a donation in the children’s name to the Catholic Relief Services, the agency that the Archdioceses asked that we use.

Mrs. Micelli has asked me to remind you of keeping current with tuition and other payments including lunch fees and music lessons.

The Candy Bar sale has ended.  Thank you for your help with this fundraiser.  If you have not returned your monies yet, please do so quickly.  N.U.T. Cards will not be distributed until the candy is paid for. 

The day for the children to use their N.U.T. Card is Friday, March 5th.  Any child who has paid for a box of chocolate will be given a card prior to that day.  If your child sold more than one box the days to dress down will be sent to you.  Thank you for helping your school in this fundraiser. 

The HSA is working hard on the Card Party to be held Thursday, April 29th.  If you have not sent in your reservation yet please do so.  Also, volunteers to help on the various committees are always welcomed.  It is a great night and I for one am looking forward to it!

     

Letters went home for the yearbook.  Don’t be left out by not reserving your copy soon.  Every child has at least 2 pictures in the book.  If you would like to see a copy of last year’s book just stop by the office.  It is a full color, professional publication, put together by our teachers.  There is still time to take out ads as well. 

Re-registration is ongoing.  If you have not sent in your forms and raffle ticket money please do so as soon as possible so that we can continue to make plans for next year.

If you know of anyone who is interested in Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, please let them know that they can contact the Main Office for information on the application process.  Happy parents and children are our best advertisements.  Open Houses are scheduled the First and Third Wednesday of each month from 9:30-10:30.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help will once again host the practice sessions for the Honor Band.  Practices will be on March 4th, 11th, and 16th.  My thanks goes out to the HSA for providing a concession stand on those days.

Please be reminded that your help with lunch duty is essential and required for a safe recess time.  Parents that opted to pay the onetime fee should have already paid it.  Those that said they would volunteer cannot change their mind midyear.  Your name was placed on the schedule in August and the children are counting on you for supervision.  Those parents who now find themselves unable to be here are required to pay the $25.00 fee for each missed day.  While we can sympathize with changes in your schedule please understand that the children are the ones who suffer, and this is what we are trying to avoid. 

Spring - a time for new beginnings.  It is a great time for all of us to look at the things we are doing that we might not be satisfied with and make changes.  Could I spend a little more time studying so that I can make honors?  Could I get up and out a few minutes earlier so that I can be ready to work when classes begin and maybe even have a perfect on time record for the fourth quarter?  Could I follow school rules more closely and set a better example for my classmates or my children?  Could I volunteer some of my time at school?  The list is endless.
 

Please be reminded due to the second snow day being used last week school will be in session on May 14th and 28th.  At this time, Friday, April 30th, the day after the Card Party, is still a day off. 

An article in the continuing series from Today’s Catholic Teacher is included for your information. 

As I mentioned earlier we will not return from our Easter Recess until the 12th of April, which is when your next newsletter will go home.  With that in mind I would like to comment on the upcoming Easter Season.  With the crucifixion of our Lord on Good Friday and His rising on Easter Sunday our salvation has been guaranteed.  By his death and resurrection, Jesus made each of us a new creature in righteousness, holiness and truth.  We are completing the circle of life that began with the birth of our Savior at Christmas.  My prayer for us all is that this feast of Easter will renew our courage and helps us to face the challenges of life, both private and public.

On behalf of Fr. DeJulio and the faculty and staff I would like to extend our best wishes for a Blessed Easter.  The Easter Gospel story will be retold as it has been for over 2,000 years.  Jesus, who was crucified, is risen from the dead!  The risen Christ’s triumph over death, and the return to life confirms that God is in our midst, that He is love, and He has made us capable of loving as he does.  If we love each other, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.

Let us be glad and rejoice!  The Lord is risen! Alleluia!

Here’s hoping for a mild end to the winter and a warm spring!

-Mrs. Cotronei