Please consult the class websites for more specific information about the examination schedule.

We are back to school after the Christmas Holiday on Monday, January 5th, 2009. Happy New Year!

STPCS student art is on display at Borjo Coffeehouse (4416 Monarch Way, in ODU’s new shopping area) during the Christmas holidays through Jan 3. Stop in to support our young artists and enjoy great coffee and treats. The following students work can be seen on Borjo’s gallery walls:

Meredith- 7 Mola

Calli- 7 Mola

Haley Ann- 7 Mola

Simone- 8 Cubism

Sarah- 8 Cubism

Nicholas- 6 Apples

Derek- 6 Apples

KK- 7 Mola

Darby - 6 Apples

Kasey- 6 Apples

Pilar M.- 8 Cubism

Ward- 8 Cubism

May everyone have a safe and wonderful holiday! Happy New Year! School resumes on January 5th, 2009.

Where: Performing Arts Theater
1st performance: 6:00 pm for parents of K, 2nd, 4th, 6th & 8th grades
2nd performance: 7:00 pm for parents of 1st, 3rd, 5th & 7th grades
(Both performances are the same)

Our Saint Patrick Christmas Program “A Christmas Prayer for Peace” will take place the evening of Monday, December 22nd. The program, under the direction of Christopher Kypros, will be performed twice so that we can accommodate seating for all parents. The first performance will begin at 6:00 pm for parents of Kindergarten, 2nd grade, 4th grade, 6th grade and 8th grade. The second performance will begin at 7:00 pm for 1st grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade and 7th grade. Parents of children in various grade levels can attend the performance of their choice. Remember, both performances are the same.

Parents may enjoy refreshments in the dining hall from either 5:45 - 6:45 or 6:45 - 7:40 as they wait for their children to complete both performances. In addition to parking at the school, guests may park on the street and in the parking area next to Larchmont Elementary.

All students should wear their dress uniforms and report to their respective classrooms by 5:45 pm. At the conclusion of both performances, students should be picked up from their classrooms by their parents by 7:45 pm.

We look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions, please call Missy Clark at 213 - 0856.

As you may know, the Returning Thanks breakfast kicks off our annual fund which helps sustain the school’s operations such as awarding teachers raises, keeping tuition below cost for all children and providing financial aid for families who need it.

This year’s Returning Thanks breakfast was held on Tuesday the 18th of November and I’m very pleased to say that the generosity of our community is both inspirational and heartwarming. The community has already exceeded last year’s totals and the number is climbing.

As the advancement team and I were opening the envelopes and tallying the contributions, we came across a small envelope with a child’s name on the front and her little hand print traced in crayon across the sealed flap on the back. When we opened it, we found a one dollar bill neatly folded inside.

A short while later, by chance (actually grace), we cross paths with the child’s mother and asked how her little four-year-old came up with the idea of contributing to the annual fund. Her mother said that as she was busily preparing to go to the Returning Thanks breakfast that morning, her daughter asked, “What are you doing, Mama?”

She explained that she was going to a fund-raising breakfast where she would support the school by making a financial contribution. “What does financial contribution mean, Mama?” the little girl asked. “It means helping the school run by giving money.”

“I’ve got money, Mama,” the four-year-old responded, and she ran to her piggy bank, opened it up and pulled out a dollar bill. Running back to her mother, she said, “Here Mama, give this for me.”

Her mother undoubtedly smiled and took the time to make a learning experience out the moment, putting the dollar into an envelope and inviting her child to put her name and hand print on it. Her mother gave it to the table captain when the envelopes were collected that morning.

There are some things, you just don’t forget. This would be one of them.

Just as the woman in the Gospel who gave out of her need, sometimes the smallest gift can be the largest. As we build this school together, based upon teaching children servant-leadership, I see the whole community coming together to model such servant-leadership by creating a “culture of giving” where each member supports the school in the manner and amount they are able, not out of obligation but out of gratitude and love.

We are well on our way.

Parents are encouraged to attend this information session about Reality Therapy. Reality Therapy is a technique we use daily here at STPCS to problem-solve and create a needs satisfying environment for our students.

Parents and teachers are encouraged to join together in an effort to identify the progress made by students within the pillars of the Graduate at Graduation document and to make strategic plans to augment the work that is being done at home and in the classroom. This is a non-crisis type interaction between the parent and teacher on behalf of the student. The time for this collaboration is open ended and scheduled between parent and teacher.

The very first Band Concert, under the direction of Band Director Mike Finn, will take place Wednesday, December 17th at 7:00 pm in the Performing Arts Center.