gravissimum educationis. gravissimum - … principals...vatican ii document, gravissimum...
TRANSCRIPT
From Mr. Stone’s Desk
Greetings Immaculate Conception School Community,
When the past continues to show us the way, applying
to our present and future lives, such examples and
messages are worth ongoing reflection. There are, I
realize, lots of folks who are more knowledgeable
about Vatican II matters than myself. Still, from time
to time I have tried to learn more about one particular
Vatican II document, Gravissimum Educationis.
Highlighting the importance of Catholic education and
the role which parents and teachers play Pope Paul VI
promulgated Gravissimum on October 28th, 1965.
The following represents excerpts from Pope Paul VI’s
proclamation, information which I pray and trust you
will reflect upon, subsequently refreshing and renewing
your understanding and choice for sending your child
to Immaculate Conception School.
* * * *
Parents: “Since parents have given children their life,
they are bound by the most serious obligation to
educate their offspring and therefore must be
recognized as the primary and principal educators.”
“Parents are the ones who must create a family
atmosphere animated by love and respect for God and
man, in which the well-rounded personal and social
education of children is fostered. Hence the family is
the first school of the social virtues that every society
needs. It is particularly in the Christian family,
enriched by the grace and office of the sacrament of
matrimony, that children should be taught from their
early years to have a knowledge of God according to
the faith received at Baptism, to worship Him, and to
love their neighbor.” “Let parents, then, recognize the
inestimable importance a truly Christian family has for
the life and progress of God’s own people.”
Church: “The church esteems highly and seeks to
penetrate and ennoble with her own spirit also other
aids which belong to the general heritage of man and
which are of great influence in forming souls and
molding men, such as the media of communication,
various groups for mental and physical development,
youth associations, and, in particular, schools.” “The
church is bound as a mother to give these children of
hers an education which their whole life can be
imbued with the spirit of Christ and at the same time
do all she can to promote for all peoples the complete
perfection of the human person, the good of earthly
society and the building of a world that is more
human.” “Among all educational instruments the
school has a special importance. It is designed not
only to develop with special care the intellectual
faculties but also to form the ability to judge rightly,
to hand on the cultural legacy of previous generations,
to foster a sense of values, to prepare for…life.”
School/Teachers: “Beautiful indeed and of great
importance is the vocation of all those who aid parents
in fulfilling their duties and who, as representatives of
the human community, undertake the task of
education in schools. This vocation demands special
qualities of mind and heart, very careful preparation,
and continuing readiness to renew and to adapt.”
“Since, therefore, the Catholic school can be such an
aid to the fulfillment of the mission of the People of
God and to the fostering of the dialogue between the
Church and mankind, to the benefit of both, it retains
even in our present circumstances the utmost
importance.” “But let teachers recognize that the
Catholic school depends upon them almost entirely for
the accomplishment of its goals and programs.”
* * * *
Together – Parents, Church, and School/Teachers –
we are charged with a most sacred obligation to do
what we can to further the faith and education of our
children. Challenges may exist and differences of
opinion may arise from time to time. Also, certainly
financial concerns merit serious, proactive planning,
consideration, and effort. However, it is imperative
that we do what is necessary to keep Gravissimum’s
message and our mission at the forefront of our
efforts, to keep the children at the center of all we do.
Parents – Church – School/Teachers…Immaculate
Conception School looks forward to working with our
families to the benefit of the youngsters we serve.
Thank you all for helping to build the kingdom.
Serviam, David
Est. 2001 Principal’s Message - November 2017 - #1 Visit Us on the Web At: www.icsannandale.org
11/09 – LifeTouch Picture Re-Takes Day
11/10 – End of 1st Quarter -and- The Little Mermaid
School Play Opens – See Play Flyer Below
11/16-17: Parent-Teacher Conferences - Early Release
11/16-22: Scholastic Book Fair
11/17 – 6th-8th Grade Dance – See Flyer Below
11/18 – Msgr. Benwell Installation Mass – 5:30p.m.
Prayer for Immaculate Conception School:
Dear Lord, bless our Catholic school. Help us to
continue to be a humble source of wisdom, always
yearning to learn more about your tremendous love for
us. May all who enter Immaculate Conception School
be filled with the gift of your Holy Spirit, coming to
know you in a more meaningful way. Guide us as a
community that respects and welcomes everyone. May
Catholic education continue to grow so that your good
news can be taught to children throughout the world.
Amen.
Volunteerism – Integral to our ICS Community
Check out ‘Sign-Up Genius’ on our website for
available volunteer opportunities, including these…
1. Morning Care Duty - 7:15a.m.-7:50a.m. ‘ish – Gym
We especially need Thursday and Friday mornings!
2. Library – Helping to restock books and such.
3. Scholastic Book Fair – Sales, Monitoring, Etc.
Lost and Found – Please check the table. It is
getting quite loaded with clothing, notebooks, etc.
Flyers Galore – Something for Everyone! 😊
Yes, there seem to be a lot of flyers right now. In
looking them over it seems to be that there is just
about ‘something for everyone’ so-to-speak.
The Little Mermaid Please check out
Thanksgiving Feast the related flyers
6th-8th Grade Dance below, according
Spirit Wear Options to your interests.
Meals on Wheels ‘Love Bags’ Thank You.
Teachers and parents, take a look – ICS homepage on
the Scholastic website with all the pertinent info:
http://www.scholastic.com/bf/immaculateconceptionschool54
Mrs. Sonnenschein, who will be returning Nov. 15th,
would also like to encourage folks to sign up on the
Volunteer Opportunities tab on the ICS home page to
choose a day/time to help at the fair. Thank you!
Parent-Teacher Conferences – Nov. 16th-17th
Thursday, Nov. 16th and Friday, Nov. 17th will be
half days of school, with early release taking place
at 12:15p.m. each of these days.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be available post-
faculty lunch time, until 5:00p.m., by appointment.
If you have not received a conference appointment
time and you desire one then please inquire after
your child’s teacher(s). Teachers will seek to
accommodate parents who request a conference,
beyond those families already pre-scheduled.
With the 1st Quarter marking period having recently
ended on Nov. 10th this is an excellent time for
parents and teachers to discuss how we may
continue to partner with one another as we look
toward providing the best possible opportunities for
students to achieve success.
This Photo by
Unknown Author
is licensed under
CC BY-NC-SA
This Photo by
Unknown
Author is
licensed under
CC BY-NC-SA
ICS will begin taking ‘baby steps’ to become more
green, while also being more efficient with respect to
office operations. After the 1st and 3rd Quarter
marking periods ICS will no longer be printing 1st-8th
hard copy Report Cards. All standard information,
including grades, comments, etc. will still be
available for teachers and parents to review online,
via PowerSchool. If you are uncertain how to access
and review this information then please speak with
your child’s teacher. Our upcoming Parent-Teacher
Conferences could be an excellent time to review or
receive a quick PowerSchool usage lesson.
Hard copies of 1st-8th Report Cards will continue to
be printed after the 2nd and 4th Quarters, for this
school year, as we ease into transitioning to a more
green and efficient operation. Thank you.
After care billing will now be done on a monthly
basis. To catch up from the beginning of the school
year, my understanding is that September will be
billed within the next week, October in a few
weeks, and then November after that.
Our parish business office will be requiring all
families to utilize FACTS for after care billing as
well, as they are seeking to transition to a cashless/
checkless system. Mr. Kevin Liszewski remains as
the primary contact person for this and all FACTS
related matters. Thank You Kindly, -Mr. Stone
ICS Report Cards
After 1st and 3rd Quarters – Online
After 2nd and 4th Quarters – Printed
ICS After Care – Billing
Transitioning to Monthly Billing
FACTS to be utilized for billing.
THANKSGIVING FEAST – Wednesday, November 15th
The Thanksgiving Feast, which we enjoy as a school
community, is a highlight at this time of the year. This
year we will celebrate Thanksgiving with our
special feast on Wednesday, November 15th.
The kitchen staff will be donating the proceeds to help those in need.
The staff asks that all meals be ordered in advance.
Please return the form below, with payment, no later than
Friday, November 10th. Thank you in advance for your help
as we work to further the mission of our school and parish.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You may attach cash in the amount of $6.00 per meal, a check made payable
to ICS, or indicate that you would like your child’s lunch ticket punched twice
in payment for the Thanksgiving Feast. Please return this slip, with payment,
to your child’s classroom in an envelope marked “Thanksgiving Feast”.
Please return a separate slip for each child in your family.
All orders must be received no later than Friday, November 10th.
Name _________________________Grade ________ Teacher ____________________
Method of Payment: Cash ________ Check ________ Lunch Ticket ________
2013 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
Re: Meals on Wheels Blizzard Bags, a.k.a. Love Bags
ICS is proud to continue its tradition of service by supporting the Hunterdon County Meals
on Wheels Emergency Meal Program: Love Bags for the Hungry.
Also known as Blizzard Bags, Love Bags for the Hungry provide a shelf-stable meal for
Meals on Wheels patrons and are used when typical meal delivery is interrupted or suspended
due to inclement weather. ICS is asking each student to assist in this effort by donating the
specific food items listed by classroom below. Each Love Bag should be nearly identical in
its contents so please take care to purchase the appropriate food item. All donations will be
assembled into Love Bags by ICS students at the end of November.
All donations are due by November 21, 2017.
** Please note: Meals on Wheels has requested these very specific items. This is to ensure
that all Meals on Wheels recipients will be able to use and open the items. While we are
thankful for all donations, those that don’t match this description can not be used in the bags.
We appreciate your understanding and adherence to their request. **
Kindergarten & First Grade Students:
(2) - 8 packs of No Sugar Added Apple Juice (Apple and Eve or Juicy Juice)
2nd & 3rd Grade Students:
(4) - 8.5 oz. Pop Top cans of vegetables (DelMonte: Lima, Green Beans, Sweet Peas, Corn)
4th Grade Students:
(2) - 6 pack of Raisins in 1 ounce boxes (DelMonte, ShopRite, SunMaid)
5th & 6th Grade Students:
(1) - 6 pack of 8 oz. Milk in boxes (Whole, 1% or 2% of Horizon, Parmalat, TruMoo or Natrel)
7th & 8th Grade Students:
(1) - 3 pack of BumbleBee Chunk Lite or Solid Albacore Tuna in Water with a Pop Top Can
Please feel free to exceed your donation of any of the food items listed above. All donations
will be used in the Love Bag assembly and extra food items will be donated to our local
Meals on Wheels Chapter to help stock their pantry.
THANK YOU for your generosity and support of our local Meals on Wheels program!!!
Veteran’s Day is Saturday, November 11th – Thank you to all of our veterans and active duty military
personnel for your service. We are fortunate to enjoy the freedoms and safety which you provide.
A Letter from a Kindergartner to Mom and Dad! Here's How to Help!
July 15, 2014
Dear Mom and Dad,
I know that you are excited about me going to
Catholic school…So am I. You both have always told
me that you would help me do my best. So here are
some ideas of how you can help me have a great
Catholic school year, and a great Catholic school
life.
1. I know you work hard, and sometimes you get
tired. Please do not get too tired to take me to
Mass every Sunday. In class, we have learned
that the Mass is a gift from God, and our
attendance at Mass is our gift back to God. It
makes me feel very sad when I do not give this
gift back to God every Sunday.
2. There are certain rules at our school, like when
to arrive and where to park, and when to pick me
up. When I am late, or you do not follow the
traffic rules, or you are late picking me up, it
makes me worried and sometimes even afraid.
3. I know you want me to be the very best student
I can be. Sometimes, even though I try hard, I
may not do as well as you think I should. I love it
when both of you are proud of me for trying my
best. Even if I do not get the top grade.
4. Please let me begin to know how to stand up for
myself. When you go to the teacher to say I was
not chosen for a recess team, or to be this
week’s line leader, I think that you do not think I
am able to handle some of my own problems. I
promise to let you know if something happens
and I really need your help, but I need to learn
to be a problem solver, too.
5. Mom and Dad, I know you are busy and when you
get home from work, there is a lot going on. I
love my school and I love to talk about some of
the special things that happen there each day. I
really love it when you both take the time to
listen. It makes me feel grown-up and very
important.
6. Please do not forget to pray with me every day,
Mom and Dad. I like to talk to God and I like it
when we talk to God together. We have lots of
reasons to tell God, “Thanks!”
7. Please read with me every day. I love to listen
to you, Mom and Dad, and I love to sit close by
you when we read. Can we do this forever?
Please?
8. Mom and Dad, sometimes I am going to forget
things and I know I will get in a little trouble at
school. That’s ok. It will help me to learn to
remember, if I serve the consequences. You do
not have to fix it for me. I will learn and be
better. Besides, my teacher will still like me!
It will be okay to learn about not forgetting.
9. I think that sometimes I will not want to do my
homework. I am just a child. Please remind me
and please do not let me not do it. And, don't
you do it! If you do it, I will not learn. You
always tell me I can do anything, so I know I can
do my homework! Even, when I do not want to
do it.
10. Finally, please know that some days I will be
tired and some days I will be sad, but every day
I need your love. Okay?
Thanks, Mom and Dad, for being great parents and
for giving me the gift of my Catholic school. We
are going to have a great year!
Love,
Your child
Congratulations ICS Parent Jodi Stem
ICS Parent Jodi Stem – Trunk or Treat,
Father/Daughter Dance Chair, etc. – ran in and
completed the recent New York City Marathon.
After running 26.2 miles I’m thinking her high level
of involvement with ICS activities is a breeze!
Woo-hoo and well done Mrs. Stem! 😊
Save the date!
Friday, Dec. 15th – 6:30p.m.
ICS Christmas Program
in the church.
All Are Welcome.