The Trumpet

March 3, 2008                                     St. Michael School                               North Andover, MA

School Notes ¯

Half Day on Tuesday- Tuesday, March 4th, is a half day of school. Dismissal for ALL grades (including AM sessions of nursery, pre-k and kindergarten) will be at 12:15p.m. Bus service and Extended Day Care are available.

 

Science Guy- Mr. Anderson will be in school on Thursday this week for work with grades 3-5.

 

Penance- The students in grades 3-5 will attend Penance service today. The students in grades 6-8 will attend Penance service on Thursday.

 

First Friday- The students in grade 7B invite you to attend First Friday Mass this week, March 7th, at 9:15a.m. All students should wear formal attire (except those who have gym).

 

Stations of the Cross- Grade 4 invites everyone to join our school community as we pray the Stations of the Cross on March 11th at 2p.m. in the church.

 

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.

 

Play Practice- Students in grades 3-5 have play practice on Wednesday until 5:00p.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.

 

Grade 8 News- The second portion of the Graduation Fee is due March 14th.

 

Ski Club News- Today is the last day of Ski Club for the season. Many thanks to the adults who made this six week program such a success. We wish to specifically thank Mrs. Gorman and Mrs. Gratiano for their weekly assistance.

 

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 8th at 10a.m. or May 3rd at 10a.m. (call 978-683-9416 to register).

 

Grade 8 Scholarship Opportunity-  The Bro. E. Brien, F.M.S. Scholarship Fund is offering for the 2008-09 academic year a one year only $1,000 scholarship to an elementary school student in Greater Lawrence. All applicants must be accepted as a freshman at Central Catholic, have an average scholarship performance of 80 percentile and show evidence of financial need. Miss Reidy has application packets available in the office for those who meet the criteria.

Art Notes ¯

The Spring Arts Festival is coming, Wednesday May 21!  Artists from grades N to 8 are invited to join in the fun. Registration forms with contest info will be sent out within the next few weeks. All parents and guardians are welcome to join the Art Show Committee. This is a great opportunity to get involved if your schedule does not permit you to help out in art class. We are looking for people to coordinate registration, refreshments, awards, mounting and hanging, brainstorming etc, etc.  Many tasks can be completed at home in a short period of time. We will have only a few meetings. If you are interested, please send a note to Mrs. McArdle indicating whether of not you have an area of interest you'd like to focus on and also your availability for meetings (which, of course, are not mandatory but a great way to meet other committee members).

 

Nurse Notes ¯

It was a very sick February (60-70 students/day in the health office), and unfortunately many flu and flu-like symptoms are continuing despite the week off and extra disinfecting going on throughout the school. For those of you who were able to keep your children home when they were ill, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I totally understand how hard it is to manage family life/jobs when children get sick, however it really helps others when those still feeling lousy stay home to rest for another day. Please remember that students should not return to school the day after they have been sent home with a fever. Students should be fever free, without fever-reducing medication, for 24 hours before returning to school. Any child requiring an antibiotic for bacterial infections, should have a full 24 hours of medication before returning to school. They should also be feeling better! Your cooperation in this matter is really appreciated. Thank you in advance for your support! Stay healthy, Mrs. Sullivan, RN

 

Asthma and Allergy Support Group Meeting - Please join us THIS WEDNESDAY, March 5, at the Atkinson School at 7:00 p.m. for an open forum on Allergies and Asthma with Andover pediatrician, Dr. Kenneth Chan, and school nurses, Mary Hadjian, Gail Munro, & Linda Sullivan.

 

PTO Notes ¯

Scrip Program - Our March Scrip order will be due this Friday, March 7th and the orders will be in on Thursday, March 20th… just in time for Easter! The Scrip Store is also stocked with lots of great gift cards… please stop by Mrs. Donahue’s desk and see what we have to offer!

 

Movie Matinee for Grades 1, 2 and 3 this week - We will be presenting the movie Ratatouille in the school gym at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4  after early dismissal. Pizza will be available and popcorn will be served. The cost is $2.00. The sign-up form went home last week. Children may bring a beach towel or blanket to sit on. Hope you can join the fun!  Pick up time is 2:00 p.m.

  

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

 

Spring Event - We are still preparing for our Spring Event/Auction to be held on April 12th. If you have items or ideas to help make our auction a success, please contact Tricia Hekmatpour at (978) 265-8981 or Beth Ferullo (978) 689-1809. Thanks!

 

Book Fair - Many, many thanks to Mary Kelly and Marie Panos, plus the many other volunteers who made this year's book fair such a joyful success! The children, parents and school staff were thrilled with the beautiful book selection.

 

Thank you - A big thank you to all of the families who supported the Book Fair this year to make it a huge success! We'd also like to thank all of the following volunteers who generously gave of their time:  Eileen Bernal, Dawn Petrozza, Leah Sullivan, Kerri Boutin, Pam Gratiano, Diane Smith, Mimi Testa, Kimberley Jaworski, Diane Macy, Maria LoPiano, Annie Iannarone, Stacey Cameron, Michelle Simpson, Angela Mandalinci, Carla Friedrich, Kathleen Shick, Dawn Sapienza, Karen Serafino, Eresia Kamieneski, Michel Norris, Monica Jaskelevicus, Beth Ferullo and Tricia Hekmatpour. And a special thanks to Donna Donahue for her help throughout the book fair! --Mary Kelly and Marie Panos

 

Thank you - Many thanks to Stephanie Messina Sewade and Maureen Marshall for a fun-filled night of dancing at the Ladies' Choice Dance. What a special evening for everyone! Thank you to the snack committee for the wonderful desserts and a special thank you to the many other volunteers who helped serve refreshments and clean up after the dance.  

   

A Night at the Disco - Come dance to your favorite 70's and 80's tunes and enjoy a live auction, games, raffles and prizes on April 12th at Salvatore's in Lawrence. Visit the auction site now at www.sms-auction.cmarket.com  

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, March 9th - All Girl Scouts are invited to celebrate Girl Scout Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. mass this Sunday, March 9th.  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 14th. Details coming soon!  Please note: There is NO meeting this Tuesday, March 4th because of the movie matinee! See you soon!

 

Kindergarten Daisy Troop #6415 - Our next meeting is this Friday, March 7th from 3:15 to 4:30 in the school gym. We will earn the light blue “Honest and Fair” petal.  Please remember to bring a snack and wear your Daisy smock!  See you there!

 

Hot lunch for the week of February 25 - February 29

Monday: Pancakes, sausage, applesauce

Tuesday: Half Day - No Lunch

Wednesday: Rotini/sauce, Italian bread, pudding

Thursday: Corn dog, pasta salad, pears

Friday: Pizza, carrot sticks, cake

 

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.