The Trumpet

February 25, 2008 St. Michael School North Andover, MA

School Notes ¯

Lenten Service Projects- During the Lenten Season, our school will be accepting donations of clothing for St. Vincent DePaul. In addition, The Lenten Rice Bowls were sent home before vacation. We ask that your family pray the Lenten prayer each night. Lent is a time for praying, fasting and giving alms. Your children will learn about Lent in their classrooms, they’ll attend Penance service and the Stations of the Cross. We encourage families to make every effort to attend weekend masses.

Delayed Openings- When a delayed opening is called by North Andover, our school follows that decision. If we are delayed 2 hours, we will officially start school at 11a.m. Extended Day Care opens at 7a.m. on delayed openings. AM sessions of nursery, pre-k and kindergarten are cancelled on delayed openings.

Deficiency Reports- Teachers of grades 6-8 students will be mailing home Deficiency Reports to parents of students who are receiving a 70% or lower for Term III. The reports will be mailed on Feb. 29^th.

Play Practice- Students in grades 3-5 have play practice on Wednesday until 4:30p.m. Students in grades 6-8 have play practice on Thursday until 5:00p.m. Students not picked up at that time will be sent to Ext. Day Care and parents will be billed.

Masses During Lent- The students in grades 1-8 will attend 9:15 Friday mass more frequently during the season of Lent. The schedule is as follows: Grades 5-8 Feb. 29. Grades 1-4 March 14. All grades will attend mass on March 7. Grades 5-8 will attend mass this Friday, Feb. 29^th.

Book Fair- Don’t forget to drop by the Book Fair to pick out a good book or to pick up your child’s summer reading assignment.

Grade 8 News- We have been delighted to hear of the many acceptance letters our 8^th graders received from the Catholic Schools. Many of our students are waiting until March, when the letters come back from the independent schools (Brooks, Pingree, etc.). We ask that you keep all of our 8^th graders in your prayers. 8^th graders who are considering attending NAHS in the fall, are invited to an informational meeting and tour this Thursday at 8a.m. at the high school.

Grade 2 News- The students in grade 2 will attend First Penance on Sunday, March 2^nd at 1:30p.m. in the church.

Ski Club News- There are 2 more skiing days left: today, Feb. 25^th and next week, March 3^rd.

Protecting God’s Children Workshops- Here are the upcoming PGC workshops in our area: St. Ann Parish in Littleton: St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence: March 8^th at 10a.m. or May 3^rd at 10a.m. (call 978-683-9416 to register).

St. Michael School K-4 Basketball Program Update.  Our six-week Kindergarten Basketball program finished up on February 9th and it was a huge success! The regular season for Grades 1- 4 ends on March 8^th with a normal gym schedule which will include final games, skills competitions, and medal ceremonies. On March 15^th our 4^th graders will once again be hosting the St. Michael School 4^th Grade Basketball Tournament which will officially mark the end of our 2007-2008 K-4 Basketball Season.  We’re still hopeful that we’ll be able to reschedule the Player’s Clinic at Merrimack College which was snowed out on December 16^th. More details to come on that. Finally, thanks again to all of our coaches who volunteer tirelessly for our young basketball players! If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Brian Norris at 978-682-6848 or norrisfamily6@comcast.net. 

Valentine Candy Bar Fundraiser - We are pleased to report that the Valentine Candy Bar fundraiser in support of Caroline Hamilton was a great success. The combination of church and school sales resulted in profits exceeding $3600. We were thrilled with the tremendous response and hope that your Valentines were just as thrilled with their chocolate treat. The Hamilton Family extends their sincerest gratitude for your ongoing support and prayers.

Art Notes ¯

Middle School Art Club - The Art Club meeting has been rescheduled to this Tuesday, February 26 directly after school until 4:30 in the fine arts room. 

Spring Arts Festival - The Spring Arts Festival is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21. Artists from Nursery to 8th grade are encouraged to enter. Our first meeting of the Art Show Committee will be held this Friday morning, Feb. 29 at 9 a.m. in the art room. All parents are invited to join, even if they are not available for meetings. There are many ways you can help out. Please send me a note if you are interested in participating.

Volunteer Schedule - The latest art class volunteer schedule is now posted on the school website. Look under Teacher Pages for the latest list of dates and times.

PTO Notes ¯

The Book Fair is here! Students and families are welcome to attend this year's Book Fair on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Students will be attending with their classes as follows: Tuesday - 3A, 3B, 4A & 4B; Wednesday - McCarthy/Dore Kindergarten classes, 2A, 2B, 5A & 5B; Thursday - 1A & 1B.  Please note that middle school students will be attending throughout the 3 days.  Please join us in supporting our school!

Ladies’ Choice Dance - The 2008 St. Michael School Ladies Choice Dance will be held on Friday, February 29^th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the school gym. Girls from Nursery through 8th grade are invited to ask their father, grandfather, uncle, or adopted dad to this dance. Please join us for a fun-filled night of music, dancing and prizes! Pizza, snacks, desserts and beverages will be served. Tickets for the event will be $8 per person, maximum of $24 per family. The tickets will be available to purchase from Mrs. Donahue at the front desk or via backpack to Maureen Marshall c/o Ryan Marshall Grade 3A. Please make all checks payable to St. Michael School PTO. 

A Night at the Disco, Dance and Auction - April 12^th at Salvatore's in Lawrence. Dust off your disco clothes and put on your dancin' shoes for a night at the disco, plus participate in a live auction that evening. Visit our auction site at www.sms-auction.cmarket.com

PTO meeting - Our next meeting is Wednesday, March 5, in the Main Street Atrium at 9:15 a.m. Join us for coffee and pastries.  Your children are always welcome!

Parish Notes ¯

Wednesday’s Walk with the Lord - Come join our Parish Mission on Wednesday evenings during Lent at 7:00 p.m. in the church.  Babysitting is available in the Pastoral Center through Youth Ministry. Call the Pastoral Center to reserve your spot.

Friday’s Footsteps with Jesus - Join us for Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. on Fridays during Lent in the church. Each week a different ministry will lead the stations. Come experience God's great love for us as we walk with Jesus in the passion.

Scouts Notes ¯

Girl Scout Sunday - All Girl Scouts are invited to celebrate Girl Scout Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, March 9^th.  Arrive early to greet parishioners! Take up the gifts at the offertory! Wear your smock, sash, vest, uniform to show off your Girl Scout Spirit on this special day! For more information contact Maureen Yadgood (978) 683-6283 or Anne Marie Guggenberger (978) 682-4697.  See you there!

Second Grade Brownie Troop #298 -  Our next meeting is Friday, March 14^th. Details coming soon!  Please note: There is NO meeting on Tuesday, March 4^th because of the movie matinee! See you soon!

Kindergarten Daisy Troop #6415 -  Our next meeting is this Friday, February29^th from 3:15 to 4:30 in the parish hall. Please remember to bring a snack and wear your Daisy smock!  See you there!

Community Notes ¯

Ed Pedi Photography - is hosting their 15th Annual Spring Bunny Portrait Event for two days, March 1st and 2nd. Dress your children in their Easter Finery and have them photographed in the Pedi's customized spring background with their cuddly bunnies. Children will be photographed in a variety of poses holding, feeding and interacting with the bunnies. The session fee for this special event is half price. All sessions are by appointment. For more information or to schedule a session for your child call and speak with Ed or Linda at: 978-686-6535.    

North Andover Booster Club Little League - It’s not too late! On-line registration is still open for the 2008 baseball season at www.nayouthbaseball.org.  Players between the ages of 5 and 16 as of April 30, 2008 are eligible. Our new web site offers fast, convenient, and secure registration for both new and returning players. 

Little League Spring 2008 Player Evaluations - Little League (ages 9-12, including 8s who want to evaluate for play in the "A" kid-pitch division) will be held Saturday March 1st at DB's Baseball School on Rt. 125 in North Andover . Juniors (age 13, including all 12s who want to play on the 90-foot diamond) will be held on Sunday March 16th at the Brooks School Gymnasium, Great Pond Road, North Andover. Seniors (ages 14-16, including any 8th grade 13s who want to play in this division) will be held on Saturday March 29th at the North Andover High School football field (outdoors). Please check www.nayouthbaseball.org for updates and additional information, including specific times.

Hot lunch for the week of February 25 - February 29

Monday: Hot chicken patty/roll, coleslaw, cookies

Tuesday: Pasta/sauce, garlic bread, Jell-O

Wednesday: Egg McMuffin, ham, applesauce

Thursday: Taco, chili, pineapples

Friday: Pizza, pasta salad, brownies

Trumpet Submissions - Email Theresa Peterson at theresapeterson@comcast.net by Saturday evenings or send home your submissions with Jack Peterson c/o 4B by Friday afternoons.

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Ladies Choice Dance, Friday, February 29, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Student Name________________________________________________________________________________

Grade________________________Teacher__________________________________Room # _______________

# of Tickets_______________________________ Total $ Amount______________________________________

Make checks payable to St. Michael School PTO. Please return to Maureen Marshall c/o Ryan Marshall Grade 3A, or see
Donna Donahue.