Many Thanks

We neglected to thank a special group of school dads who helped perk up the playground on the Saturday before school began.  Many needed repairs to the stone wall on the perimeter of the parking lot were completed, as well as fence repair, landscape trimming and clean-up, mulch redistribution, basketball net repair, and general maintenance.  Thank you to the following:  Rob Flores, Lee Moore, Bill Powell, John Batten, Jerry Bauers, Randy Bryson, Shawn Cussen, Kevin Dunagan, Anthony Meyer, John O’Malley, Mike Raimo (special thanks for the use of your Bobcat!), Pat Reller, Lindsay Shannon, Pete Whitehead, Geoff Wilson, and Bill Wirtz.  Thanks to moms Becky Flores and Ann Powell for your assistance that Saturday, too.  With parish and school grounds taking up a good amount of space between Holmes and Rockhill, there’s always work to be done.  Plans for at least two workdays each year are in the works—be looking for more details in the future, especially if this sort of work appeals to you!

           

We would also like to thank school parent Paul Migliazzo and his company Posterworx, Inc. for the donation of four metal signs, which have been installed on our playground fence, posting rules of the St. Peter’s Playground.  We appreciate this contribution!

 

The art room has received a very generous donation of hardbound art books from Jana Triplett, Travis’ (grade 2) mother, in memory of her grandmother, Florence Widner.  Florence loved to paint, and our student artists will long be making use of the books donated in her memory. 

 

Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge

We are pleased to announce that St. Peter’s 2007 graduate Alyson McNaghten, now a freshman at St. Teresa’s Academy, has made it to the semifinals in the “Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge.”  Under the supervision of St. Peter’s science teacher Bob Jacobsen, Alyson participated in the SPS Science Fair.  As well as winning several awards at the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair, Alyson’s project was selected from among 400 students in 44 states to be in the semifinalist category.  This September 40 students will be selected to attend the finals in Washington, D.C.  We not only congratulate Alyson (and Mr. Jacobsen), but we also wish her “Good Luck” in this latest endeavor. 

 

School Supplies:  Pencil Bags

We understand there may have been some confusion due to wording on the school supply list.  St. Peter’s School requires all students in grades 1-8 to carry a St. Peter’s Pencil Bag.  SPS pencil bags are not only large, they are sturdy enough to be used for many years here at school. These royal blue pencil bags may be purchased from Mrs. Kovac or Mrs. Euston for $7.50.  We apologize for any misunderstanding our list may have caused and we appreciate your cooperation.

 

Increase in Milk Price

All St. Peter’s students are welcome to purchase milk through our lunch program each day.  We do want to let you know that the milk costs have increased slightly—the charge for milk will now be 13 cents. 

 

Lost & Found

Please put your children’s names on lunches, backpacks, sweatshirts, jackets, and even school uniform clothing—the Lost & Found (shelves located just outside the Garden Room, or cafeteria) has lots of “no name” items that remain unclaimed.  Sister Kathleen Marie has, for many years, graciously taken it upon herself to return lost items to students via their homeroom teachers.  If your child has lost an item, please ask him/her to check the Lost & Found. 

 

Bonfire ‘07

Brand this date on your calendar!  Mosey on over to beautiful Lone Summit Ranch on Saturday, October 20, for western fun at Bonfire ’07.  This fall fundraiser for F.I.R.E. (Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education) will raise funds to provide children with special needs the opportunity for an inclusive education in their home parish schools.  For more information about the impact of F.I.R.E. at St. Peter’s School, contact Becky Flores at 822.2874 or Natalie O’Shaughnessy at 444.5756, or check out our website at www.fire-program.org.

 

Asbestos Report

St. Peter’s School is in compliance with all asbestos requirements.  The asbestos report is on file in Tom Nickel’s office for review.

Enrichment

Last week’s packet contained a listing of many great enrichment opportunities for your children, classes that are offered right here at St. Peter’s.  Those offerings may also be viewed on our website at www.stpetersparishkcmo.org.  Please check for starting dates if your child is interested in enrolling, as many classes begin next week.  Students in grades 7 & 8 may be interested in registering for Newspaper—details follow.

Newspaper—Ms. Mary Schulte

Learn the basics of reporting, writing, photography, and design, as we put together two issues of the school newspaper, the St. Peter’s Patriot, led by St. Peter’s parent and Kansas City Star photo editor Mary Schulte.  Sessions meet from 7-7:45 a.m. on alternating Thursdays, with lunchtime meetings every other week for a total of 12 sessions, beginning at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13.  The fee is $75.  You may register by sending payment in an envelope marked “Newspaper c/o Angie Meyer.”  Please write your child’s name in the memo section of your check. 

 

Women’s Bible Study Opportunity

            “An invitation for every woman who’s ever felt she isn’t Godly enough, isn’t loving enough, isn’t doing enough.  Like Mary, you long to sit at the Lord’s feet…but the demands of a busy world just won’t leave you alone.  Like Martha, you love Jesus and want to serve Him, yet you struggle with weariness, resentment, and feelings of inadequacy.”  With her fresh approach to the familiar Bible story, Joanna Weaver shows how all of us—Mary and Marthas alike—can draw closer to our Lord:  deepening our devotion, strengthening our service, and doing both with less stress and greater joy.  Women’s Bible Study will begin again on Monday, September 10, in the Legacy Center.  The study will be from the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver.  The group will meet from 8:00-10:30 a.m.  If you are interested in this study, please contact Mary Anne Hammond at 913.642.5121 or Lynne Madeo at 816.523.2049.  If you are unable to make the Monday morning study, it will also be offered on Tuesday evenings—please contact Sadie Johnson at sadie.johnson@sbcglobal.net or 816.361.4553 to sign up. 

 

New Committee Forming

A group of SPS moms who share an interest in health, nutrition, and other areas that impact our children’s health every day are in the process of forming a new Health & Wellness Advisory Group.  The group’s primary goal is to evaluate all the different ways St. Peter’s can become an even healthier school community, which is a critical topic at school districts throughout the country.  The SPS Walking School Bus program is such a positive, healthy endeavor for our children, and we are hoping to introduce additional ways to create an even healthier school environment, which would benefit all our school children now and for the rest of their lives.  Helping children establish healthy lifestyles is one of the greatest gifts you can give them!  If you’d like to join this group, we would love to have you.  If you don’t want to be an official member of the committee, we will welcome your constructive input at any time. Our next meeting will be after morning drop-off on Thursday, September 13, at the Oak Street Coffee Shop (63rd & Oak).  For questions or comments, contact Co Bauman, Certified Health/Nutrition Coach at 816.569.4420 or choosehealth2@mac.com or Elaine Swope at 816.523.0678 or jswope1@kc.rr.com.

 

Missouri Catholic Conference Annual Assembly

The bishops of Missouri formed the Missouri Catholic Conference 40 years ago to allow Catholics to apply their faith values to our national and state government.  On September 29, the 2007 MCC Annual Assembly will be held at the State Capitol building in Jefferson City.  This completely free event (including lunch) begins at 9:30 a.m. and closes with the Celebration of the Mass at 3:30 p.m.  Please see the parish office for details or register on-line at www.mocatholic.org.  We hope to have the entire flyer, which includes workshop information, posted on the parish website by tomorrow (Friday, September 7).

 

Tulips on Troost—Volunteer Opportunities

With the help of hundreds of community volunteers, the  Southtown Foundation “Tulips on Troost” organization succeeded in planting over 70,000 tulips along Troost Avenue last season.  City-wide planning dates on October 27, November 3, and November 10, offer volunteer opportunities to anyone interested in helping transform the Troost Corridor.  Please contact volunteer committee co-chair Alicia Douglas (816.501.4306/Alicia.douglas@rockhurst.edu) or Abby Weydert (816.721.0915/abigaleplatts@hotmail.com) for information.

 

Reminders

Please don’t forget to consult the school calendar for important upcoming events!

Food Pantry Drive                               Sept. 10-14 (Flier included in packet)

8th Grade Parent Meeting                    Monday, Sept. 10 @ 6:30 p.m. in the Garden Room

Late Start                                             Tuesday, Sept. 11 @ 10:00 a.m.

Jeans Day/Flower Sale Pick Up                      Friday, Sept. 14*

            *This Jeans Day benefits “Sock It To Poverty” for the Redemptorist Center—students should bring new socks and/or             underwear for those in need, rather than the typical 50 cents or $1.  Any cash donations will go directly to the St.             Peter’s Food Pantry. 

STUDENT SCHOOL FAMILIES—All students should bring a sack lunch on Friday, September 21, as there will be no hot lunch served that day, so the Fiesta Committee can set up for the Parish Fiesta.

Mass on Sept. 13:  Planned by 7Wendling; Sept. 20:  7Marrin