Terra Nova Results

Swiss Farms App Info

Thoughts from Sister Jeannine As we are privileged to be celebrating with Sister Rose on her 60th anniversary as an IHM sister, my thoughts turn to the idea of faithfulness. Talking with Sister or anyone who has been faithful to a commitment, it is not a matter of envisioning 60 years or 6 years or maybe even 6 months. It is a matter of attending to the present task to the best of our ability and then asking the Lord’s guidance and strength to do it again the next day and the next day! So whether our commitment is a formal promise evolving from family life; from a role undertaken to serve the church or civic community; from an expectation to work with honesty and justice in our work place and profession; or from the Baptismal promise to live the Christian life - it is only achieved day by day! Years ago the musical “Godspel” set to popular music the hymn: “Day by Day” in which we ask: “Oh dear Lord, three things I pray: To see thee more clearly, Love thee more dearly; Follow thee more nearly, day by day!! Congratulations, Sister Rose and all who can celebrate days and months and years of living a promise day by day! On this feast of the Guardian angels we give them praise for whispering that day by day message into our ear!

In this week’s letter you will find information about:

Home and School Info

Student Lunch Request

Christmas Eve Pageant Volunteer needed

World Meeting of Families

Citadel Heart of Learning nominations for

Chester County teacher recognition

My Student’s Progress

BetterBall Registration

Middle States Document

In this week’s folder you will find:

Inclement weather procedures form

Walkathon envelope with directions and sponsor

data on back

After School Champions Fitness Program –

grades 3rd

– 5th

Girl Scout Registration – K- 5th

West Chester Rec Activity Guide

SS. Simon and Jude School The Community You Feel. The Lessons You Love

Week of 10-2--14 School Newsletter Issue #5

SS. Simon and Jude Mission Statement

Through the Immaculate Heart of Mary we at Saints Simon and Jude School, commit ourselves to learning,

proclaiming and living the Good News of Jesus Christ. We strive to educate and develop all for Catholic

leadership in the church and community, enabling one another to serve with

Compassion, Courage and Competence.

From the Home & School Do you want a chance to win $200? Then make sure you purchase a raffle ticket to support SSJ! (And there are even a few “special” Fridays when you can win $300!) Don’t miss your chance; send in your money ASAP!! Tomorrow is the first drawing!! If you haven’t already registered your Giant shopping card, please do and designate SSJ as the school you want to receive a percentage. If you have already registered in the past, you do not have to re-register. Do you have a Target credit card? If yes, you can also support our school by designating SSJ as the school to receive contributions for your purchases. Download the Shoparoo app to your smart phone. Just by taking a picture of your receipts, you can earn money for SSJ. This year it is not just grocery stores that can earn money; it is any store! Keep clipping box tops and support K-4 contest 9/15-10/24. There are many volunteer opportunities throughout the year at SSJ, and we always need help. There will be many emails, facebook updates, and newsletter notes about different events in which you can help. Or contact Kathi Clapham, our volunteer coordinator, at Kathibella@aol.com for more information.

HOME AND SCHOOL SAVE THE DATES

Date/Time Event Wednesday October 15th 7PM Friday October 17th

1:15 PM

The first general H & S meeting will be in the Meehan center. Our speaker will discuss various parenting and school transition topics to help get the year off to a good start. There is child care available. Don’t forget: if you attend every meeting, your name will be entered in a drawing to win $500 towards next year’s tuition. New families are welcome to join us even though your 9/17 meeting counts! Note: Logo wear will be available for examination and order forms distributed at the Home and School meeting. We are planning to have a DJ, Clyde Evans, and lots of fun and prizes for the kids. All parents, siblings, grandparents etc. are welcome and encouraged to attend! The Love, Vaughn foundation has offered to sponsor the walkathon and provide T-shirts for every student and teacher. Please make sure your teachers know student sizes for T-shirt orders by this Friday, October 3rd. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or would like to help volunteer for the walkathon please contact Sarah Mears at Sarahmgould@yahoo.com. Walk-a-thon collection envelopes are being sent home this week!

Friday, October 17th 7 PM Meehan Center

Prepare to laugh the night away at "The SSJ Comedy Club" on Friday, October 17th at 7pm in The Meehan Center. Pack a cooler of your favorite beverages; dinner will be provided by Aquilante's, and entertainment by four of the area's best comedians, brought to you by Mike Dougherty Productions. Please send your payment to reserve your seat for this fun night out with friends, old and new, by October 10th, as space is limited. If you have additional questions regarding the event, please email Regina Donohue at rdonohue74@gmail.com.

Friday, October 24th

Get your costumes and candy ready! Monster Mash is scheduled for Friday October 24th. More information to follow soon.

New Requests and Opportunities 1. LUNCH – On Wednesday 10/1 we had about 7 children without any lunch and at least 2-3 who buy milk who had no

money and that was just one day this week. This has been happening quite often this year. We will never let a child go hungry but we do need to ask that you and your child/ren please check the lunch menu and know whether he/she needs to bring lunch if it is not ordered. Also I suggest that you complete the menu with your child/ren. Today a child had alternate lunch ordered – turkey and cheese. He said he does not eat either one – so we made him a peanut butter sandwich. Now that we are into October these routines if set in place for the year will help us all.

2. Speaking of lunch – we now have a water vending machine in the cafeteria. Its use at lunch is for middle school (grade 6-8) students. It vends 20 oz. bottles and the cost is $1.25. It is there only as a convenience for the students.

3. For many years one of the parishioners has organized and directed a little Christmas Eve pageant that takes place at 3:45pm before the 4:00pm children’s mass. She is “retiring” from this ministry. If anyone would like to take over this tradition, please contact Marty Harris mharris@simonandjude.org.

4. In preparation for the World Meeting of Families to be held September 22-27, 2015 in Philadelphia, please visit the website www.worldmeeting2015.org. Also, if you are interested in attending an informational meeting, there are various locations: 1) October. 9th at Philip and James at 7pm 2) October 13th St Pius X at 7pm, 3) October 20th St. Peter West Brandywine at 7pm. If you wish to attend, please alert Marty Harris in the church office, as numbers are needed a week in advance.

5. The Citadel Heart of Learning nominations for Chester County teacher recognition opened on October 1. Each year we are honored that some of our teachers are nominated for this award. Please visit their website at www.citadelheartoflearning.com for details and submission button. All entries must be received by Dec. 31.

6. My Student Progress has replaced Option C. On Friday, October 3rd you will be notified via email, with the login information. This is the portal for parents and students to check grades. Please note that this does not replace Moodle.

7. Inclement Weather Procedures Form is in this week’s envelope. Please fill one out for each child and send back to the office as soon as possible. These forms will assist for an easy dismissal if we need to close due to weather or any other emergency..

8. The BETTERBALL basketball league registration has begun. For more information visit betterball.net

Repeated Requests and Opportunities

1. Attention Grades 7 & 8: If you missed the High School Night at SS Peter and Paul on 9/24, there is another one to be held at St. Joseph Downingtown on October 9th (6:30-8:00).

2. In preparation for the winter uniform change on November 1st, used uniforms will be available after the 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. mass during Hospitality Sunday on October 12th. They will also be available for sale at the Home and School meeting on October 15th. There are many jumpers and sweaters. Proceeds benefit the IHM sisters at of Camilla Hall)??? Any questions please contact Sharon Paoli sbpaoli@comcast.net Or Maria Jackson reeree.home@comcast.net

3. If you are able to contribute a jar of peanut butter or jelly for our annual collection, we would be very grateful. Please send into school before October 21.

4. The new and improved walk-a-thon is scheduled for Friday October 17th. We are making a number of fun changes for the kids. Also, for safety reasons, we are changing the main location of the activities to be in the back parking lot of the school. We encourage all parents, grandparents and siblings to attend this event filled with school spirit. If you are interested in helping on the committee, please contact Sarah Mears at sarahmgould@yahoo.com.

Expressions of Gratitude and Congratulations

1. Sean Appaneal and Grace McLaughlin have been nominated for induction into Bishop Shanahan’s Junior

National Honor Society on October 20th. The selection was based on leadership, scholarship, character and

service.

2. Thank you to the 8th grade leaders who volunteered their time to train as new ambassadors this week. The

final stage of the training will take place next week. We are so proud to have you represent our school! They

join a group already trained at the end of 7th grade. These students give of their time, develop their leadership

and oral presentation skills and represent SSJ to many visitors and perspective families.

3. And speaking of leaders, the student council members are doing a fantastic job! They are exercising creativity

while at the same time learning how to work with those they lead and those who lead them. Quite a life skill!

4. And if you go to the website, you will see a link for our Middle States document. The title is Excellence by

Design. (We did not name it – that is the title of the protocol we had to use for the study.) We have had a few

reviewers for the written text and have received highest commendations. Now we will await the team and

hope that they will be able to validate what is written with what they experience! My deepest gratitude and

pride rest the faculty and staff of SSJ this year and last year and all who have helped move the school from

year to year with always a goal to improve and strengthen.

Prayer requests: Please keep the following intentions in your prayers: 1. For the repose of the soul of Dr. Ignatius S. Hneleski , Jr. Corinne Dolan’s grandfather, who passed away on Tuesday. Dr was a wonderful physician and friend to the IHM sisters. 2. Mrs. Janice Meyer, grandmother to Sophia, Ian, Olivia and Isabelle Lebano who continues to recover slowly.

Glimpse at the Days Ahead

Friday 10/3 9:00 Mass honoring Sister Rose on the occasion of her 60th

anniversary as an IHM sister. It begins a

weekend of celebration with and for Sister!

2:00 Homeroom Parent meeting in St. Katherine Drexel Room

Monday 10/6 We will welcome our Middle States team chair, Ms. Sandra Kasenga, for her preliminary visit as we look

to put our final touches on the preparations for our Nov 11-14 re-accreditation visit. Many thanks to all

who have offered their help with various aspects of the visit day

7:30pm Parent Sacrament Meeting in Meehan Center

Wednesday 10/8 7:00pm Security meeting SJN Conference Room

Thursday 10/9 Grade 1 Field Trip to Milky Way Farms

7:00pm World Meeting of Families info meeting at SS Philip and James – registration required

Friday 10/10 Grades 7 & 8 Cluster dance at Saint Agnes

Sunday 10/12 10:30 Mass Special Intercessory prayers for the First Communion Class

God and Father of us all, in Jesus, your Son and our Savior, you have made us your sons and

daughters in the family of the Church. May your grace and love help our families in every part

of the world be united to one another in fidelity to the Gospel. May the example of the Holy

Family, with the aid of your Holy Spirit, guide all families, especially those most troubled,

to be homes of communion and prayer and to always seek your truth and live in your love.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!