Family Messenger December 16, 2008

God of Wisdom,
You guide creation with power and love
And you provided Mary and Joseph to care for Jesus.
Make us ready to welcome him and follow him every day.
We ask this through Christ


A Message from the Principal
It is difficult to believe that this is the last Home Messenger of 2008! On behalf of the faculty and staff of Incarnation School, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a faith and family-filled Christmas season. I pray that you have a safe vacation and look forward to seeing you all in 2009!

May you be blessed with the peace and calmness of the season.

Sincerely,

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates
• 12/18 – Christmas Show 7:00 p.m.
• 12/19 – Noon Dismissal; NO ASP
• 1/5/2009 – Classes resume
• 1/6/2009 – All School Mass 8:30 a.m.

St. Columbkille Gift Collection
Please help make a child’s Christmas special by donating a new, wrapped gift to a student at St. Columbkille. Tomorrow is the last day to bring in gifts and we really need your help! Our goal is to collect 257 presents for all students in grades K-8. If you prefer, you many send in a cash donation in an envelope marked with your child’s name and grade, and we will be happy to do the shopping for you. The 7th grade class will lead us in the blessing of the gifts on Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. Thank you for your support of this service project.

Christmas Program
Our annual Christmas Program will be next Thursday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Classrooms will open at 6:30 p.m. for student drop-off. Following the show, you are invited to the auditorium for refreshments provided by the PTO Board.

Sunday Mass
Incarnation’s Liturgy Committee would like to make it a tradition for families to carry the banners in the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass processions during special seasons like Advent and Lent. A sign up sheet has been left in the church. Please sign up if you are interested.

Epiphany Parties
Parties in celebration of the Epiphany will be held on Tuesday, January 6 at 2:15 p.m. Room parents are advised to keep the parties simple (1 drink and treat per child).

Scrip Tip from Jennifer Bunt
Remember to purchase scrip for all your last minute shopping needs and shopping for the after Christmas sales. We're happy to suggest something for that hard to buy person.

Maybe you'll need some scrip to pick up a quick meal at this busy time. We have many on hand options to help you through.

Don't forget to take advantage of these extra percentages that will expire at the end of this week:
Barnes & Noble 10%, CPK 5%, Gap 11%, Kmart 10%, Shell 2.5%.

Finally, we have Honey Baked Ham, Whole Foods, and Vons to prepare your special Christmas meal.

The scrip table will sell after mass this Sunday, but then we won't be back until the beginning of the year.

Thank you for all your continued support. I plan to have a report for the next General PTO meeting. We're doing really well!

Karate News
Congratulations to Shawn T on earning the rank of Green Belt and to Abegail R, Christina F, Celeste A, Sean H, Andy H, Maria C, and Patrick G on earning the rank of Yellow Belt!

See's Candies for the Holidays
We still have a number of delicious See's Candies assorted Stocking Stuffer boxes for purchase
($5 per box). Please contact Lisa Dumansky at 818-497-4479 to take advantage of this "last chance" See's Candies offer. Thank you to all who have supported this annual Fund Raiser to benefit Inca's Sports Program.

Family Messenger December 9, 2008

Loving Father,
Through the prayers of Mary
May we follow you with a pure heart.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

A Message from the Principal
Yesterday, with the help of Ms. Rickert and the fourth grade class, we celebrated the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. People all over the world go to church on this holy day of obligation to worship God for giving us Mary, who was pure, holy, and, and worthy of becoming the mother of Jesus Christ. Mary said “yes” to God, and we were given the gift of Jesus Christ. As we wait for the coming of Jesus this Advent, we open ourselves to new growth in the areas where we may still be lacking. Let us use this time of waiting to reflect on how we can best prepare.

Have a blessed week!

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates
• 12/10 – Fall Sports Banquet 6:00 p.m.
• 12/14 – 2nd Grade School-Sponsored Mass 9:00 a.m.
• 12/16 – Confessions Grades 3-5
• 12/18 – Christmas Show 7:00 p.m.
• 12/19 – Noon Dismissal; NO ASP
• 1/5/2009 – Classes resume

WASC Surveys
Last week you received a WASC survey for parents. Please take the time to provide thorough responses to the questions provided and return them no later than Friday, December 12. Your input is much appreciated!

St. Columbkille Gift Collection
Please help make a child’s Christmas special by donating a new, wrapped gift to a student at St. Columbkille. Gifts will be collected through December 17 and will be delivered on December 18. Please see your child’s teacher for details. Our goal is to collect 257 presents.

Christmas Program
Our annual Christmas Program will be next Thursday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Join us for an evening of entertainment provided by your children. Listen to traditional Christmas music blended with Christmas songs from around the world. The attire for all grades is “dressy Christmas” in traditional colors: red, green, white, and black. We look forward to sharing the evening with you.

Science Fair
Inca’s Science Fair will be held in March. With the help of our science teacher, Ms. Salazar, students in grades K-4 will work on class projects for the fair with the option of submitting a project individually. Students in grades 5-8 will be required to submit individual projects. A letter will be sent home soon before Christmas vacation with more details about the Science Fair. Over the break, students can begin formulating ideas about what they would like to submit. Ms. Salazar and the Science Fair committee are looking for adults interested in judging the contest. Upon returning from vacation, the Science Fair committee and judges will meet to discuss details. Please email Ms. Salazar if you are interested in judging (incascience@gmail.com).

Scrip Tip from Jennifer Bunt
Today you will be receiving a reporting of your profit contributions. If you have questions, I'm happy to go through it with you. As this is my first year doing this program, I also welcome any suggestions you may have to improve it.

Little elves are busy at work processing your orders as quickly as possible. If you have a "Special Order", send it in right away. We are processing them every few days. Place your "Special Order" scrip on or before December 15th in order to receive it before we break for the holidays.If you want a large amount of any one particular scrip, please be aware that it may have to be ordered. Come in early so that we are sure to get what you need.

Don't forget to take advantage of these extra percentage offers that expire December 12th: Lowe's 5%, Bath and Body Works 18%, Macys 12%, and LL Bean 19%.

Remember to do all of your Christmas gift shopping at the Scrip Desk. We are conveniently located just outside the school office. Short lines, free parking, smiling faces.

November Students of the Month
For the month of November, we emphasized the importance of citizenship. Based on this trait, the following students have been selected as Students of the Month:

Kindergarten: Ethan P and Madison C
First Grade: Mariam E and Reed M
Second Grade: Joshua F and Andrew B
Third Grade: Sean H and Lauren S
Fourth Grade: Marcus C and Alyssa S
Fifth Grade: Andre O and Hannah S
Sixth Grade: Michael M and Emily S
Seventh Grade: Jennifer C and Richard H
Eighth Grade: Juliana D, Lia M, and Joseph V

Congratulations to these students! The focus for the month of December is compassion.


Barnes and Noble Book Fair
On Saturday, students from Incarnation School performed at the Barnes and Noble at the Americana under the direction of Ms. Janis Massey. The Chan family played beautiful Christmas music on the violin, and Mr. and Mrs. Hihn read poetry. It was a nice event organized by our librarian, Mrs. Hihn. Our total sales were approximately $4700; Incarnation will receive 20% profit. Thank you to all who supported this effort!

See's Candies for the Holidays
Are you anxious to finish your Holiday shopping but don't want to fight the crowds at the malls? Do you need last-minute gifts for your mail carrier, your babysitter, your gardener? We still have delicious See's Candies available for purchase – 1 lb. boxes ($15 per box) and assorted Stocking Stuffer boxes ($5 per box). Please contact Lisa Dumansky at 818-497-4479 if you want to purchase See's Candies. Proceeds from this annual Fund Raiser benefit Inca's Sports/P.E. Program

Family Messenger December 4, 2008

God our Father,
We watch for the day when your Son returns,
when he will wipe away all tears,
when evil and death will be no more,
and when the universe will be filled with your presence.
May he come quickly! We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

A Message from the Principal
As Christmas approaches, it is once again time for our annual collection of the gifts for the students at St. Columbkille. With the way dates fall this year, we only have approximately two weeks to collect, and we need your help! Gifts will be delivered December 18. Our goal is to collect 257 gifts to donate to these students.

St. Columbkille has sent us the breakdown of the number of boys and girls in each class. Of course, this breakdown is not the same as ours, so please check with your child’s teacher for details about purchasing a boy’s gift or a girl’s gift. Please wrap a new, unused gift and bring to your child’s homeroom. We have the names of all St. Columbkille students; therefore we will be able to personalize the gifts we collect as they come in. For many of these children, the gift that you donate may be the only gift they receive this Christmas. We want to be sure that no child is left out, so please be generous. Thank you for your support!

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates
• 12/4 – Awards Assembly 10:30 a.m.
• 12/5 – Pictures with Santa
• 12/6 – Barnes and Noble Book Fair @ the Americana
• 12/8 – All School Mass
• 12/10 – Fall Sports Banquet

Celebrating Advent
On Sunday, we began the season of Advent. Advent is a time of quiet, joyful preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth and also a time to remember that we wait for Christ to come again at the end of time. It is a season to enjoy the hope that Christ’s Resurrection points to. This is a time of anticipation and new beginnings! At home, you can create a mood of anticipation with your family by displaying the empty manger from a Christmas nativity scene; you can also set an advent wreath at home and light it each week as we approach Christmas. May this season of Advent fill your family with joy!

A Message from Father Paul
CHRISTMAS 2008

Dear Friends:

I hope this Advent Season finds you all happy and in the best of health! I have never sent out a Christmas letter before but I thought it would be the easiest way to let you all know what’s going on in my life these days.

As some of you know, I have had several significant health issues over the past couple years and currently am dealing with advanced stages of osteoporosis and hardening of the carotid arteries. I visited Bishop Jerry Wilkerson recently, the bishop of the San Fernando Region, and he urged me to take time away from the parish to work on improving my overall health. Though this is a very difficult decision to make, I know it’s what I need to do for the sake of the parish as well as my own. I’ll be leaving early January and am hoping to be back in six months feeling much better than I do presently. Though I’ll have frequent doctor appointments in the Glendale area, my plan at this time is to spend much of the coming months with family members in Northern California.

On November 21st I began a two year regimen of daily injections of “Forteo” which has successfully restored bone loss in those who have used it. Right now the doctor tells me I am at risk of a spontaneous broken hip simply by stepping off the curb in the wrong way as well as compression fractures in my back. As far as the arteries go, I still don’t know what treatment will be determined.

Father Tim, Father Tom, Msgr. Frilot and Father Pat are overwhelmingly supportive of the need for me to take this time away. I know I can count on your prayerful support as well.

I’ll still be picking up mail at Incarnation when I’m in town.

Let’s continue to pray for each other!

May all of the peace and joy of this Holy Season be yours in abundance!

Love,
Father Paul

WASC Surveys
As part of our school improvement process, parents, staff, and students will be asked to complete surveys. The data gathered from these surveys will be reported in our self-study. Enclosed is a survey for parents. Please take the time to provide thorough responses to the questions provided. We would appreciate having the surveys returned to the office no later than Friday, December 12.

Scrip Tip from Jennifer Bunt
Good news, GAP is extending their 2% extra bonus until December 19th. You'll get 11% on your purchases. These are also good at Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Piperlime (their on-line shoe store). Amazon (special order) is now offering an additional 2% bonus until December 19th. You'll get 6% on your purchases. If you are savvy and like the double dip action, purchase your scrip, sign on to eScrip, click the on-line mall button, and go to Amazon. They'll give you 2.4%, bringing your grand total to 8.4%. Wait...there's more. Amazon offers free shipping on many orders over $25 AND they don't charge tax.

Ms. Carrillo has asked the children to donate gifts to St. Columbkille for Christmas. Why not save yourself some time, earn some contributions to your scrip account, and buy a gift card to KMart.
They're contributing 10% through December 19th.

Psst..I also have wish lists from the teachers of places they enjoy. Great Christmas gift idea.
Free parking. No crowds. With these kind of deals, we can laugh in the face of the recession!

Barnes and Noble Book Fair
Barnes and Noble at the Americana has invited us to come and participate in a Book Fair at their store. The book fair is this Saturday, December 6 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Any purchases made that day—a book, novelty, coffee, or cheesecake—when the Inca voucher is presented will earn 10% for the school. We have elected to accept our 10% profit in cash: 80% will go to the air conditioning fund and 20% will go to the library fund. Please come support your school. Bring your voucher and do some Christmas shopping at Barnes and Noble!

Business Office
Beginning this month all invoices will be sent through the Home Messenger. This will save the school a $0.42 stamp as well as make sure that all families receive their invoices. To ensure privacy, invoices will be sealed in an envelope. Please place your payment in the same envelope and return in the Home Messenger. If you are paying more than one invoice it is ok to pay with one check. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me. Thanks!
--Mrs. Fenton

Library Labeling Party
You are invited to come to the library on Thursday morning, December 4, for a labeling party! The time is 7:45-10:30 a.m. Coffee and cake will be served. I have over 200 new books for the library that need labels, so we can put the books on the shelves for the kids. Bring a coffee cup. Stay for an hour or the whole time. Small children are welcome, as the library will be closed to students until 10:45. Please remember that you must be Virtus trained, and participation hours will be given. Hope to see you there!
--Mrs. Hihn

Coaches Needed – Participation Hours Opportunity
Receive 40 hours automatically…become a coach! We are looking for A and B level basketball coaches for our spring sports season. If you are interested in coaching (boys or girls), Virtus training, fingerprinting, and CYO certification is required. We need you right away in order to have Incarnation teams represented in the CYO! Contact Jimmy Mueckay, PTO Commissioner of Athletics, if you are interested in coaching.

Family Messenger November 25, 2008

Generous and loving God,
Our hearts overflow with gratitude
as we celebrate your unending goodness to us.
May we always remember who has given us
everything we can see or touch or hold, including our lives!
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

A Message from the Principal
Last Friday, Incarnation School had its 24th annual Jog-A-Thon. It was an afternoon full of energy and enthusiasm as well as a great community-building event. We were blessed with beautiful weather as the sixth grade class led us in the first lap. Kyle Bennett, sixth grade, won the logo design contest for the t-shirts, therefore his class won the privilege of kicking-off the event. Congratulations, Kyle!

I would like to thank Mrs. Ann Marie Guinane, Mr. Robert Mahan, and all of the parent volunteers who helped make our Jog-A-Thon a success. With the help of our students, parents, and sponsors, we are another step closer to keeping the school cool! Fundraising totals will be published soon.

On Friday morning, a few students from Incarnation accompanied eighth grade parent volunteers in delivering your donated food items to St. Columbkille. Our students and parents were greeted with smiling faces, and they were much appreciative of our support. Our own Coach Briceno was also there –St. Columbkille is his parish and he teaches P.E. there! Thank you for your generous donations and for your flexibility with the change in deadline for the collections.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I have much to give thanks for, but I am especially grateful for all of the children that you send to us each day. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, and I wish you a safe and blessed weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ms. Olivia Carrillo


Important Dates
• 11/26 – Noon Dismissal; Parent-Teacher Conferences; No hot lunch served
• 11/27 – 11/28 – Thanksgiving Vacation
• 11/30 – First Sunday of Advent
• 12/4 – Awards Assembly 10:30 a.m.
• 12/5 – Pictures with Santa
• 12/6 – Barnes and Noble Book Fair @ the Americana


Scrip Tip from Jennifer Bunt
Only 16 more scrip shopping days before school lets out. Be sure to place your orders early.
If you are needing a large amount of one particular scrip, please know that we may not have it all in stock and that it will need to be ordered. During the Christmas season, we will order more frequently as needed.

The following retailers are also increasing their profits for you:
Lowe's 5% from 11-29-08 to 12-12-08, normally 4% (a great place to get your Christmas tree)
Borders 11% from 11-29-08 to 12-12-08, normally 9%
California Pizza Kitchen 5% from 11-29-08 to 12-26-08 normally 4%

On December 6th, Mrs. Hihn is having a "Fun" raiser at Barnes & Noble at the Americana. Scrip can be used for your purchases. From 11-22-08 to 12-19-08, Barnes & Noble is giving 10% profits on the scrip purchase. What an incredible opportunity to double dip. I know that I will be there with my kids, meeting friends for lunch, and purchasing books for our Christmas list. Join the fun!!


Library Labeling Party
You are invited to come to the library on Thursday morning, December 4, for a labeling party! The time is 7:45-10:30 a.m. Coffee and cake will be served. I have over 200 new books for the library that need labels, so we can put the books on the shelves for the kids. Bring a coffee cup. Stay for an hour or the whole time. Small children are welcome, as the library will be closed to students until 10:45. Please remember that you must be Virtus trained, and participation hours will be given. Hope to see you there!
--Mrs. Hihn

Coaches Needed – Participation Hours Opportunity
Receive 40 hours automatically…become a coach! We are looking for A and B level basketball coaches for our spring sports season. If you are interested in coaching (boys or girls), Virtus training, fingerprinting, and CYO certification is required. We need you right away in order to have Incarnation teams represented in the CYO! Contact Jimmy Mueckay, PTO Commissioner of Athletics, if you are interested in coaching. (moykai@charter.net)

Family Messenger November 12, 2008

God, our loving Father,
Your churches are where we gather
to stand in your presence and serve you.
Make us always worthy for this holy and awesome task.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ the Lord.
Amen.

A Message from the Principal
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, we remember to give thanks for our abundant blessings. We also remember those in need and our call to help others. Our eighth graders will be sponsoring the annual collection of food for St. Columbkille parish. A flyer is enclosed in this week’s envelope outlining the items that each grade will collect. This is wonderful opportunity for our students to practice one of Incarnation’s schoolwide learning expectations: serving the community according to God’s call as evidenced by local and global outreach. It is important that our students, no matter what the age or grade level, take advantage of any chance to serve. Thank you for helping your child in this critical area of development.

As you know, all adults working in schools or parishes when minors are present are required to take a VIRTUS class. Incarnation is once again offering this training on Sunday, November 16 from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. If you have not already attended a live training session, please plan on attending this Sunday. The class will be held in the Central Ave. property basement. Please call the school office at 818-241-2269 to register. Remember to submit a copy of your certificate to submit to the office as proof of attendance.

Have a wonderful week!

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates
• 11/13 – Great Southern California Shakeout 10:00 a.m.
• 11/16 – Virtus training – Incarnation 12:00 p.m.
• 11/17 – First grade field trip
• 11/19 – Third grade field trip; See’s candy sale ends
• 11/21 – Jog-A-Thon (12:00 p.m.); Report cards go home
• 11/24 – 11/26 – Noon Dismissal; Parent-Teacher Conferences
• 11/27 – 11/28 – Thanksgiving Vacation
• 11/30 – First Sunday of Advent


Upcoming VIRTUS Training Sessions
Sunday, November 16 @ 12:00 p.m. – Incarnation

Visit www.virtus.org for other locations in the San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Pedro, and Our Lady of the Angels regions. Please be sure to turn in a copy of your Virtus certificate to the school office.

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held from November 24-26. Please call the school office to sign up with your child’s homeroom teacher. If you need to meet with any other teacher, please contact them directly via email to arrange for an appointment. At conference time, you will receive your child’s ITBS score report and will be able to discuss the first trimester report card. Conferences are limited to 15 minutes to enable the teachers to meet with each child’s parent(s). If, after the conference, you find that you need more time to discuss your child’s progress, please schedule another appointment with that teacher. Please make every effort to arrive on time. Teachers’ schedules are quite full; therefore they may not be able to accommodate late-comers. For parents who work, please note that the Federal Law requires employers must give you time off from work to handle school-related matters.

Scrip Tip from Jennifer Bunt
Attention Gap and Bath and Body Works shoppers!!! From November 8 -December 5, Gap is increasing their contribution by 2%, bringing your profit earned total to 11%. Bath and Body Works is being even more generous and increasing their contribution by 5%, bringing your profit earned total to 18%. Run, don't walk, to take advantage of this limited time offer. Beginning November 15-December 12, Macys wants to get into the action and will increase their contribution by 2%, bringing your profits earned total to 12%. Not to be trumped, Sears (Special Order Scrip) wants to increase their contribution by 6% bringing your profits earned total to 10%. Sears Scrip also is accepted at OSH and The Great Indoors. For you internet shoppers, Zappos AND Overstock.com are now available for Special Order Scrip.
Both come in $25 increments with 8% profits.

Finally, there are only 10 more school days before Thanksgiving Break. Be sure to pick up Scrip for your Thanksgiving needs and Christmas Shopping over the Thanksgiving Break. Your wallet can't afford not to!

Thank You
Last week, the third grade class dressed up as saints and led the All School Mass in honor of All Saints Day. They looked fabulous and did a wonderful in job in presenting symbols related to their saints. Thank you, third graders! We also thank the sixth grade class for sponsoring last Sunday’s 9:00 Mass.

Visitor Sign-In
All school visitors must first stop in the school office. No matter how short the visit, everyone on school property must sign-in and indicate the location of the visit. It is important for us to know who is on school property at all times. This is for the safety of the children and for your safety in case of an emergency. All classroom visits must be confirmed with the teacher ahead of time. Thank you for your cooperation.

New Sound System
Incarnation School and Parish have installed a new sound system in the school’s auditorium. The sound can project clearly into the auditorium without feedback. It can also project into the kindergarten yard and the lunch area as needed.

Mrs. Regan-Smith Visits
Last week, Mrs. Regan-Smith, the former principal of Incarnation School came to visit. Mrs. Regan-Smith is now the principal at All Souls School in Alhambra. She brought along some of the All Souls staff to see how our library and Accelerated Reader program are run for implementation at their school.

Incarnation Varsity Football
The football team won both of their playoff games last weekend against Sacred Heart Los Angeles and against Beatitudes. The Eagles are now one of the top 16 teams in the CYO and will play again next Saturday. Congratulations and good luck!

Family Messenger October 30, 2008

Saving God,
How many blessings you have given us!
May we put all our trust in you and never be afraid.
We ask this through our deliverer, Jesus Christ the Lord.
Amen.

A Message from the Principal
It is almost that time again! Many of you may remember that in 2003-2004, Incarnation School was accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges/Western Catholic Education Association (WASC/WCEA). Six years have almost gone by, and in 2009-2010, Incarnation will once again be visited by the WASC/WCEA Committee. The accreditation process helps verify the validity of the school’s program and certifies that the school is a trustworthy institution. The process also assists us in establishing priority areas for school improvement as a result of the continuous accreditation cycle.

To prepare for this very important visit, the Department of Catholic Schools is providing us with training so that we can complete an effective self-study. The process for school improvement involves taking an in-depth look at our student/community profile, our school wide learning expectations, our mission and philosophy, curriculum and instruction, and our resource management and development, to name a few. After analyzing our data, we will create a school improvement action plan including critical areas for growth. All of this data-gathering and analysis begins now!

In order for us to be successful, this process must be collaborative with input from the faculty and staff, students, and parents. Over the next several months, you will receive surveys via the home messenger. We ask that you help us by completing and returning those surveys as you receive them. Thank you for your cooperation as we look closely at our total school program.

Blessings,

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates
• October 29 – Bake Sale
• October 31 – Halloween Parade and Parties (12:45)
• November 4 – All School Mass 8:30 a.m.

Scrip Tip from Jennifer Bunt
Good news for all you Chevron users. Now, your Scrip purchase will earn 2% instead of 1.5% for all Chevron cards including the on-hand $50 cards. November is a big month for Teacher/Staff birthdays. At the Scrip desk, I have a list of what Scrip they like to use. Stop by and purchase a Scrip card. You'll get them something you know they will use, you won't have to go to the mall, AND you'll earn profits towards your $200 goal. WIN-WIN for all!!!

See’s Candy Fundraiser
The See’s Candy fundraiser begins today, October 28 and ends Wednesday, November 19. This is an optional fundraiser that will help benefit our sports program.

Upcoming VIRTUS Training Sessions
• Monday, November 3 @ 8:30 a.m. - St. Bernadine of Sienna Church (Woodland Hills) call (818) 340-1440
• Sunday, November 16 @ 12:00 p.m. – Incarnation
Visit www.virtus.org for other locations in the San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Pedro, and Our Lady of the Angels regions. Please be sure to turn in a copy of your Virtus certificate to the school office.

Inca Girls’ Varsity Volleyball
The Incarnation Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Team made it to the CYO playoffs! They played in Manhattan Beach and lost a close game against American Martyrs School. Congratulations to the team on a great season!

Incarnation Early Childhood Center
While we are still waiting to hear from the state licensing department, work is under way for our new preschool! Facilities are being upgraded and equipment has been purchased. We are currently accepting donations of gently-used toys for the preschool. Please bring your donations to the school office. Thank you for your generosity.

Halloween
Please join us for our annual Halloween Parade which will be held on Friday, October 31 at 12:45 p.m. with parties to follow. The Student Council will set up the haunted house in the auditorium for those students who would like to walk through. Students may come to school dressed in costume (see costume guidelines enclosed). Any student who is inappropriately dressed (as determined by school personnel) will be sent to the office to call home. It is recommended that students bring their uniforms to school on that day in case they are required to change out of their costume.

Looking for a fun and safe alternative on Halloween Night? Want to avoid jostling crowds and dangerous streets? Bring the little ones to the School Auditorium for a night of Trick or Treating and Halloween Activities.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Incarnation School Auditorium
6:30 – 8:15 pm

Kids can Trick or Treat in the “Haunted Auditorium” decorated by the School Student Council and 8th Graders. There will be fun activities and yummy Halloween goodies. Everyone is encouraged to come in costume.

Academic Decathlon
Over 40 students in grades 5-8 demonstrated dedication and hard work by participating in weekly lunch logic sessions with Mrs. Rodriguez, Academic Decathlon Head Coach. Thank you to all who participated. The following students will represent Incarnation at the Junior High Academic Decathlon on March 14, 2009. Congratulations to the decathletes!

Bruno A
Jessica A
Michael A
Dani C
Jack F
Andrew F
Matthew G
Nicholas G
Nikko G
Richard H
Carra L
Max L
Celine M
Vivian N
Chris S
Julianna S
John T
Maura T
Irene U
Joseph V

Family Messenger October 22, 2008

Saving God,
Give us confidence in you
so that we can face any situation without fear.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.


A Message from the Principal
Have you ever given thought to this question: Is my child a “hurried” child? Do I allow my child the gift of time and freedom to actually “be a child”? Think back to your own childhood and the sense of wonder you felt at the sight of a bright star in the sky, your fascination with a furry caterpillar, or your view from the highest branch of a tree in your backyard. Simple pleasures and opportunities to “just be” are among the greatest joys of childhood. Now ask yourself: Do I allow my child these same opportunities?

Internationally recognized author David Elkind, in The Hurried Child eloquently calls our attention to the dangers of exposing our children to overwhelming pressures. He demonstrates that in expecting or imposing “too much—too soon,” we force our children to grow up too fast. Over-scheduling, over-organizing, and over-exposing our children to media have all had unintended negative effects on children.

How can parents help ensure that their children do not become “hurried children”? Here are three simple tips: 1) Observe your child’s behavior. Is your child cranky, or does he/she appear overwhelmed? Is your child’s school work slipping? 2) Listen to your child. What does your child have to say about the “extra” activities he/she is engaged in? This does not mean that children should only do the things they want to do. As a parent, you want to listen for signs of satisfaction and joy or, conversely, frustration from your child. 3) Take a critical look at your child’s schedule and simplify if necessary. Maybe your child could choose just one extra activity instead of several.

We all want what is best for our children. Give your child the gift of “being a child.”

Blessings,

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates
• October 23 – High School Night 6:00 p.m. (grades 7 and 8)
• October 24 – Halloween Dance (grades 6-8)
• October 29 – Bake Sale
• October 31 – Halloween Parade and Parties (12:45)

Scrip Tip from Jennifer Bunt
Have your kids already lost their school ties? Did you purchase that new fleece or sweater for the cooler mornings we're having? I have plenty of Dennis Uniform $20 Scrip certificates on hand earning you 5% in profits. Stop by the new official Scrip Desk just outside the school office or send in your order with your child. You'll have your Scrip that same day.

In an effort to save paper, order forms are no longer sent home in the Home Messenger unless the forms get updated. If you need a form, please come to the Scrip Desk or go to our web site at www.incaglendale.org/school.

Upcoming VIRTUS Training Sessions
• Saturday, October 25: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Incarnation (Central Ave. property). Please call 818-241-2269 to register.

Visit www.virtus.org for other locations in the San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Pedro, and Our Lady of the Angels regions. Please be sure to turn in a copy of your Virtus certificate to the school office.

Fingerprinting
Parish and school volunteers who need to have fingerprinting must make an appointment at one of the Archdiocesan locations (list available in the school office). Appointments fill up quickly, so please make an appointment as soon as possible. We are no longer giving out Livescan forms. They will be available at the location where you are fingerprinted.

Please do not report to the Glendale Police Department or other location for Livescan printing. All printing must be done through the Archdiocese for appropriate billing. Remember, fingerprinting is only required for volunteers who will be working with children without a teacher or staff member’s presence.

Box Tops
As of October 15, we have collected $57.50 in Box Tops! Please keep clipping them and sending them in!

Inca Girls’ Varsity Volleyball
Our girls finished the fall volleyball season on a winning note (six wins, three losses) with a possibility of making it to the playoffs! They won their final game of the season against St. Bernard last Friday. Congratulations, Eagles! We are proud of you. Thank you to the varsity volleyball coach, Mr. Greg Dumansky, for taking the time to work with the team.

Family Messenger October 14, 2008

Lord of Life,
Each life is precious in your eyes.
May we treasure the lives of all people and work to
protect the powerless from harm.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

A Message from the Principal
Thank you to the parents who attended Coffee with the Principal last week. It was nice to see new and familiar faces. At our discussion session, I distributed an article entitled Bullying and Anger Management found in the October issue of Today’s Catholic Teacher magazine. In the article, Dr. Patricia McCormack talks about promoting autonomy in children and empowering them to handle bullying issues. I invite you to read the article enclosed and discuss it with your children. Talk about what bullying behaviors are and what they can do to stop bullying.

On Sunday evening, Incarnation School launched its pilot call using the School Reach system. The system called all home phone numbers on file. The system allows us to see if the call was answered by a live person, an answering machine, or if the call failed. Please be sure to keep your phone records current and notify the school office of any changes. Home telephone numbers will be used for general announcements and information. In the event of an emergency, home and cell numbers will be dialed.

Have a blessed week!

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates.
• October 16 – Picture Day grades K-8 – wear full dress uniform
• October 17 – Progress Reports go home
Junior high mock election
• October 19 – 7th Grade School Sponsored Mass 9:00 a.m.
• October 21 – All School Mass 8:30 a.m.
• October 23 – High School Night 6:00 p.m. (grades 7 and 8)
• October 24 – Halloween Dance (grades 6-8)


Scrip Tip from Jennifer Bunt
Did you know, many families are selling on hand and special order SCRIP to their friends, co-workers and other family members earning profits towards their $200.00? YOU could do the same and reach your goal much quicker! Gift cards are great holiday gifts.

Upcoming VIRTUS Training Sessions
Saturday, October 25 @ 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Incarnation (Central Ave. property) Visit www.virtus.org for other locations in the San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Pedro, and Our Lady of the Angels regions. Please be sure to turn in a copy of your Virtus certificate to the school office.

Asbestos Inspection
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) regulation requires a three-year re-inspection of the condition of asbestos containing materials in all school buildings. The Asbestos Hazard Inspection, ordered under the authority of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, was completed on October 6, 2008. Incarnation School students and employees are currently not exposed to any levels of free and harmful asbestos.

Halloween
As Halloween approaches and costume shopping begins, please keep the following guidelines in mind:
• Costumes should be in good taste and appropriate for a Catholic school.
• Costumes must be modestly fitting.
• Weapons/sharp objects are not permitted.
• Masks are not permitted; the student’s face should be visible at all times.
• No excessive blood or gore.
• Students must be able to sit comfortably in their desks and move about campus while wearing their costumes.
The costume parade will begin at 12:45 with parties immediately following the parade. Room parents will be responsible for planning simple Halloween parties. One cupcake/treat and drink per child is sufficient.

Swim Team News
The INCA Swim Team increased their total score by almost 30 points in St. Mel’s Swim Meet on Sunday! Congratulations to our swimmers who are improving their times at every meet! The following swimmers received medals: Ryan B, Gabriella C, Mateo D, Sophia F, Marc F, Sebastian M, Matteo M, Lia M, Lauren S. Congratulations to the Freestyle relay team of Lia M, Jessica A, Jennifer Q, and Marc F that came in 8th place overall and won 20 points for the Team! GO INCA!

Family Messenger October 7, 2008

Loving Father,
May your name be blessed by every voice,
may your love rule all hearts,
and may you become our most precious food and drink.
Please forgive us, and put a pure, good heart in us,
and teach us to forgive as you do.
We ask this through Jesus, who taught us to pray.
Amen.


A Message from the Principal
Our ITBS testing sessions have ended, and we now have just one more day for make-ups. We look forward to the results of the testing to plan instruction for the remainder of the year. Walking through the hallways last week, I saw closed doors and testing signs. It was not the usual feel of Inca classrooms. It is nice to walk through now and see the doors open with the students back in their regular routines and engaged in the learning process!

I would like to thank the fifth grade class, Ms. Ohanessian, and Fr. Tim for the wonderful prayer service for the blessing of the animals last week. Pictures posted here .

Coffee with the Principal begins tomorrow, Wednesday, October 8. Please join me for some light refreshments at 7:45 a.m. Coffee with the Principal is an opportunity to meet with parents in a small setting to discuss the progression of the school year. We will meet in the ASP room located in the Jr. High Building. Hope to see you there!

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates.
• October 13 – No School/No ASP: Faculty/Staff Retreat Day
• October 16 – Picture Day grades K-8
• October 17 – Progress Reports go home
Junior high mock election


Sports News
The Incarnation Boys’ Varsity Football Team won their game yesterday 40-6 against Holy Trinity. Congratulations!

Scrip Tip from Jennifer Bunt
Did you hear the news....Home Goods is opening this Sunday in La Canada. It is affiliated with the Marshalls/TJ Maxx Company. Don't forget to purchase your "On Hand Scrip" before you go shopping. It's like you'll be saving an additional 7% (contribution towards your profits).

Our Scrip provider company sent me some coupons for $5 off a $20 purchase at Bath and Body Works. Already you earn 13% (contribution towards your profits) on the purchase of the $25 scrip card. With this coupon, you are saving an additional 25%!!! I'll include the coupon with your purchase of the scrip card. Quantities are limited, so place your order right away.

Finally, we were also sent some 20% off coupons for Gymboree. You earn 13% (contribution towards your profits) on your "Special Scrip Order" purchase of $25. Make sure to plan ahead as this is a "Special Scrip Order". Quantities of coupons are limited.

New Business Office
The Business Office has moved to what was formerly known as the Copy Room. Scrip sales will take place directly in front of the Business Office.

Upcoming VIRTUS Training Sessions
• Saturday, October 25 @ 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Incarnation (Central Ave. property)
Visit www.virtus.org for other locations in the San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Pedro, and Our Lady of the Angels regions. Please be sure to turn in a copy of your Virtus certificate to the school office.

September Students of the Month
For the month of September, we emphasized the importance of responsibility.
Based on this trait, the following students have been selected as Students of the Month:
Kindergarten: Grace P and Andrew F
First Grade: Kristen A and Gian-Franco F
Second Grade: Matthew C and Sierra S
Third Grade: Maria D and Jake G
Fourth Grade: Michael B and Ashley C
Fifth Grade: Mark A and Brittany L
Sixth Grade: Matthew G and Sophia F
Seventh Grade: Nina Y
Eighth Grade: Mitch B and Marc F

Congratulations to these students! The focus for the month of October is cooperation.

Box Tops for Education
Keep bringing in your Box Tops! Turn your everyday grocery purchases into cash for Incarnation School! You can clip 10¢ Box Tops coupons from hundreds of products such as Cheerios®, Betty Crocker®, Juicy Juice®, Ziploc®, Kleenex®, Hefty® and more. This is great earning potential for the school without the extra expense for you!

Family Messenger September 30, 2008

Lord God,
when we are with our families, or when we do our daily tasks,
help us to keep following your Son and sharing his Light.
We ask this through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

A Message from the Principal

Our Back to School Hop event was a great success! We were blessed with wonderful weather, and it was great to see everyone together to kick off the beginning of the school year. Thank you to all who attended the hop and book fair. I would like to thank Mrs. Rosy Alonso and Mrs. Georgette Mueckay for helping organize the hop and Mrs. Ruby Marcos for coordinating the Book Fair.

Yesterday, students in grades 1-8 began taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). Testing will continue all week. Please take extra precautions to ensure that your child is present for these tests. Score reports should be available at parent-teacher conferences in November.

This Friday is our annual Blessing of the Animals. The blessing will begin at 1:00 p.m. and will take place in the auditorium. Parents should bring animals directly to the auditorium just before the blessing. To minimize distractions during instruction, live animals (regardless of size) will not be allowed in the classrooms. Any student who brings an animal to class in the morning will be sent to the office to call their parents to come pick up the animal. After the blessing, students with animals are asked to exit through the hallway by the 1st and 2nd grade classrooms and leave the campus through the side gate (see diagram enclosed). All other students will exit through the kindergarten yard and will proceed to carpool. Please make sure that you bring plastic bags to clean up after your pets!

Have a great week!

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates:
• September 29 – October 3 – ITBS Testing and Book Fair
• October 3 – Blessing of the Animals 1:00 p.m.
• October 13 – No School/No ASP: Faculty/Staff Retreat Day
• October 16 – Picture Day grades K-8
• October 17 – Progress Reports go home

Classroom News
With the presidential election approaching, Mrs. Rodriguez, our junior high social studies teacher, is getting all students in grades 6-8 involved! Junior high students will be required to watch the presidential/VP debates, will conduct research on how a U.S. president gets elected, and will report their findings. Students will be asked to compare the candidates in the following aspects: foreign policy, economy, environment, and education. The mock election will take place on October 17.

Scrip Tip from Jennifer Bunt
GREAT ECONOMIC NEWS!! (I bet you didn't think you'd hear that these days.) You'll receive your $200 reimbursement as soon as you hit $200 in profits. No waiting until May. Please remember that eScrip is 60 days behind in reporting and Ralphs is 90 days behind in reporting. Congratulations to the families that are really using the program. I'm estimating that some of you will reach this goal by the end of 2008. Those of you who haven't been buying scrip, this should be further incentive. I know we can all use the $200 in our pockets.

Upcoming VIRTUS Training Sessions
• Saturday, October 4 @ 9:00 a.m. – Holy Family (Glendale)
• Saturday, October 25 @ 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Incarnation
(Central Ave. property)
Visit www.virtus.org for other locations in the San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Pedro, and Our Lady of the Angels regions. Please be sure to turn in a copy of your Virtus certificate to the school office.

Box Tops for Education
Turn your everyday grocery purchases into cash for Incarnation School! You can clip 10¢ Box Tops coupons from hundreds of products such as Cheerios®, Betty Crocker®, Juicy Juice®, Ziploc®, Kleenex®, Hefty® and more! Start clipping now and send them in to the school office. Visit www.boxtops4education.com for more ways to earn. Thank you to all who have already submitted box tops. Our collection is growing every day!

Spring Concert DVDs
Inca’s 2008 Spring Concert DVDs are available for $20 in the school office. Please make checks payable to Incarnation School.

Inca Swim Team News – From Swim Team Reps Laura M and Juliet M
Congratulations to the Incarnation Swim Team! On Sunday, they competed in the St. John Eudes Annual Swim Meet. All of the swimmers improved their times and are looking faster and faster at every meet. Thank you to all the parents who timed and helped our team be successful. Pictures of the swimmers can be found on the Inca website. The following swimmers won medals at yesterday’s meet: Adrian A, Christopher B, Michael B, Gabriela C, Marc F, Emmelene G, Valentin M, Olivia S, Lauren S.
The team’s next meet is on October 14. Any students interested should pick up the swim form in the office ASAP. Entry deadline is Tuesday, September 30.

Family Messenger September 23, 2008

God our Father,
We praise you for sending your Son to live among us
and teach us. Help us to know and proclaim
that he is truly the Messiah who heals and saves us.
Amen.

Notes from the Principal

Thank you to all who attended our first General PTO Meeting last week. Your attendance at these meetings helps facilitate communication between the PTO Board members and all Inca families.

This Thursday, September 25 is Back to School Night for parents of students in grades 6-8. This is an opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and to familiarize yourself with the classroom policies, procedures, and expectations. Back to School Night begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. in your child’s homeroom. Child care will be available.

Next week, students in grades 1-8 will begin the standardized testing process. The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is a norm-referenced test that provides detailed information about student mastery of content skills. By administering the test in the fall, teachers can use the diagnostic information to make instructional decisions related to their classes and individual students. Additionally, students in grades 3, 5, and 7 will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) which measures students’ verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning abilities. With this test, teachers can obtain information about the way in which individual students learn and can add specific teaching strategies to their repertoire to meet the needs of their students.

How can parents help their children prepare for these tests? Make sure that they get plenty of rest and a have a healthy breakfast every morning. Students often feel tense or anxious when taking these tests. Decrease that uneasiness by letting them know that the purpose of these tests is to help teachers plan instruction.

In order to receive a complete score report, your child must be present for all sections of the test. Please do not schedule any appointments during testing so that your child has the opportunity to complete all sections of the test. All testing will take place before lunch.

Have a great week!

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates
• September 25 – Back to School Night (Grades 6-8)
• September 27 – Back to School Hop/Book Fair – 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• September 29 – October 3 – ITBS Testing
• October 13 – No School/No ASP: Faculty/Staff Retreat Day

Ralphs Community Contribution
Thank you to all who have registered their Ralphs cards and have designated Incarnation School as their organization of choice. We will be receiving a check in the amount of $1,788.72 for the fourth quarter (between 6/1/08 – 8/31/08)!

Upcoming VIRTUS Training Sessions
• Saturday, September 27 @ 12:30 p.m. – Our Lady of Grace (Encino); call to register (818) 342-4505
• Saturday, September 27 @ 2:00 p.m. – Holy Family (South Pasadena)
• Saturday, October 4 @9:00 a.m. – Holy Family (Glendale); call to register (323) 275-7932
Visit www.virtus.org for other locations in the San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Pedro, and Our Lady of the Angels regions.

Back to School Hop
This Saturday from 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. is our annual Back to School Hop. Join us for an evening of fun, games, and food as we celebrate the return to school with other Inca families! We give special thanks to Mrs. Rosy Alonso and Mrs. Georgette Mueckay for organizing this event.

Spring Concert DVDs
Inca’s 2008 Spring Concert DVDs are available for $20 in the school office. Please make checks payable to Incarnation School.

Swim Team News
Congratulations to Ryan B, Christopher B, Michael B, Mateo D, Marc F, Elizabeth H, Sebastian M, Matteo M, Lia M, and Sierra S for earning medals at the swim meet on September 14! Congratulations to Amanda P, Javier A, Gabrielle P and Ryan B for participating in Mixed Freestyle Relay. They came in third in their heat and ninth overall.
The Incarnation Swim Team has 34 swimmers and out of 15 schools competing, Incarnation is in 11th place. Thank you to all swim parents who volunteered on such a hot day!

Scrip Tip
Thank you participating Ralphs families!!! We will soon be receiving a check for $1,788.72, and that's with only 153 households registered. Can you imagine what our profits would be if all INCA families, their friends, neighbors, and family members were registered? This is an easy fund raiser and one that everyone can easily do. The pennies do add up....too $1,788.72!! We also received a check from Target in the amount of $136.70 Whoo, hooo!!!

Morning Drop Off
All students dropped off before 7:30 a.m. must be signed in to morning care in the ASP room. If you prefer not to have your children in morning care, please drop them off at 7:30 a.m. or later.
Any students seen waiting outside before 7:30 a.m. will be asked to check themselves in and parents will be charged accordingly. The black gate facing the church parking lot will remain closed and locked during morning carpool which begins at 7:30 a.m. For your child’s safety, drop off is not permitted in the church parking lot, and all students must be dropped off through the morning carpool.

Family Messenger September 16, 2008

God of all wisdom,
Help us to see you as you are:
Greater than anything we could expect or imagine.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Notes from the Principal

Our first General PTO Meeting is scheduled for tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium.
Child care will be provided, and parents in attendance will receive a free dress pass for their children to use on Friday, September 19. We hope to see you all there!

I am sure that by now your child has shared with you some vital information about their class. We are grateful for your attention to the letters your child’s teachers send home. This Thursday, September 18 is Back to School Night for parents of students in grades K – 5. This is an opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and to familiarize yourself with the classroom policies, procedures, and expectations.

Back to School Night begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. in your child’s classroom. Classroom presentations will be given in two sessions (6:00 – 6:20 and 6:30 – 6:50). Back to School Night for parents of students in grades 6 – 8 will be held next Thursday, September 25 at 6:00 p.m. We look forward to beginning the home-school partnership with you, the primary educator.

May you have a blessed week!

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates
• September 16 – General PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m. in auditorium
• September 18 - Back to School Night (Grades K-5)
• September 25 – Back to School Night (Grades 6-8)
• September 27 – Back to School Hop/Book Fair



Raphael!
Raphael Ddamba, a seminarian from Uganda, will be with Incarnation Church through June. Raphael introduced himself to the students last week and joined the eighth graders on their retreat yesterday. We are happy to have him and look forward to his involvement with the school

Hello Week
The Student Council planned several activities for “Hello Week” last week. Students enjoyed the activities including sports day, the bake sale, and the scavenger hunt. Thank you, Student Council, for a great start to the school year!

Parent-Student Handbook
Please remember to turn in your Parent/Student Policies Agreement Form to the school office (p. 50 in Parent-Student Handbook). We must have this form on file for all families.

SCRIP Tip
Be sure to sign up your new Ralphs Rewards Card at www.Ralphs.com. Click on Community Contribution on the left hand side. In the Participant box, click on “Sign Up." Enter NPO #83164 (Incarnation School), your card number, and the additional information requested. While you're at it, sign up your family members’, friends’, and neighbors’ cards. When you sign others up, email INCASCRIP@gmail.com with your name and the other names that you've signed up so that you can get credit for their profits!

Catechetical Sunday
This Sunday, all catechists will be blessed and commissioned during the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Please join us as we encourage and support all our catechists as they begin their ministry with our children.

Coach Needed – Service Hour Opportunity
Incarnation School’s Girls’ B Volleyball team is still in need of a coach. The season will begin soon, so if you are interested, please contact Jimmy Mueckay at moykai@charter.net.
VIRTUS training, fingerprinting, Guidelines form, and CYO certification is required.

Spring Concert DVDs
Inca’s 2008 Spring Concert DVDs are available for $20 in the school office. Please make checks payable to Incarnation School

School Lunches
Students not ordering hot lunch from M&F Kitchenette must bring their own lunch to school. Parents are discouraged from regularly dropping off lunches for their child(ren). If it is necessary to do so because of a forgotten lunch, please do not bring lunches from fast-food restaurants. (from Parent-Student Handbook, p. 8)

Homework Club
Homework Club begins this week. If your child is enrolled in monthly ASP, Homework Club is available at no additional charge. The cost for non-ASP students is $5 per session.
• Sessions run from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Grades K-2: Tuesdays with Mr. Tiu and Thursdays with Mrs. Theiring
Grades 3-5: Tuesdays and Thursdays with Ms. Rickert
Grades 6-8: Monday through Thursday with Mrs. Rodriguez

Family Messenger September 9, 2008

God of all people,
Help us to bear Christ, the Prince of Peace, into all the places we will go in life.
Against all odds, may we be peacemakers and healers.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Notes from the Principal
It was wonderful to see so many of you on the first day of school! We are now officially into full school mode, and based on what I have seen during my classroom visits, the students have been quite busy! I would like to thank the entire faculty and staff who worked so hard in preparing for the beginning of the school year.

Please be sure to mark your calendars for our first General PTO Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 16 at 7:00 p.m. The PTO Board has created an informative agenda, so please plan on sending at least one representative from your family. Child care will be provided.

This week, all requirements for volunteers will be strictly enforced. Volunteers must submit a copy of their VIRTUS certificates to the school office and must sign the “Guidelines for Interacting with Youth” form located in the Parent/Student Handbook (buff-colored sheet). All yard duty volunteers must submit a copy of their LiveScan fingerprint form to the office as proof of having met this additional requirement. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping keep our children safe.

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates
• September 12 – Deadline to turn in Parent/Student Handbook agreement forms
• September 16 – General PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m. in auditorium
• September 27 – Back to School Hop

Box Tops for Education
Turn your everyday grocery purchases into cash for Incarnation School! You can clip 10¢ Box Tops coupons from hundreds of products such as Cheerios®, Betty Crocker®, Juicy Juice®, Ziploc®, Kleenex®, Hefty® and more! Start clipping now and send them in to the school office. Visit www.boxtops4education.com for more ways to earn.

Scrip Tip
Attached to this week’s Home Messenger is the new SCRIP envelope filled with information about the SCRIP program. If you have any questions about SCRIP, please contact Jennifer Bunt at incascrip@gmail.com.

Directory Information
Thank you to the many families who have already completed and returned the “2008-2009 Directory Information Form” sent in last week’s Home Messenger envelope. REMINDER: All forms must be returned to the school office by this Friday, September 12, so an updated School Directory may be prepared for distribution to all school families. Please contact the office staff if you need another copy of the form.

Carpool Reminders
Please do not park in the church parking lot or the school playground to drop off and pick up your child. All students must be dropped off and picked up in the carpool lane (exceptions: walking, taking the bus, or convenient pickup). We appreciate your patience with the a.m. and p.m. carpools. It takes a bit of time, but the lines will flow smoothly as teachers become familiar with new faces. As always, please be courteous and remain in your vehicle at all times while in the carpool lane to avoid delays. Thank you for your cooperation.

If you have business in the school office or wish to purchase SCRIP please drop off your child(ren), park in the church parking lot and enter through the Glenoaks entrance.

Coach Needed – Service Hours Opportunity
Incarnation School’s Girls’ B Volleyball team is still in need of a coach. The season will begin soon, so if you are interested, please contact Jimmy Mueckay at moykai@charter.net. VIRTUS training, fingerprinting, Guidelines form, and CYO certification is required.

Farewell, Mr. Martinez and Ms. Lucy!
Mr. Martinez, our junior high math assistant, has accepted a teaching position at Renaissance High School. We are proud of him and wish him all the best in his new position. Ms. Lucy, our second grade teaching assistant, has left to pursue other interests. We wish her all the best and keep her in our prayers. We will miss them both!

Eighth Grade Retreat
The eighth grade class of 2009 will be going on a retreat next Monday, September 15. Please keep them in your prayers.

Spring Concert DVDs
Inca’s 2008 Spring Concert DVDs are available for $20 in the school office. Please make checks payable to Incarnation School.

Swim Team
If you are interested in being part of the swim team, practices are held at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale on Fridays from 2:15 – 4:15 p.m.

Family Messenger September 2, 2008

Ever-living God,
Bless us with your tender mercy, allow your Dawn to break upon us,
give us your Light, and guide our feet in your way of peace, so that
all we do this year will be according to your holy will.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.



On behalf of the faculty and staff of Incarnation School, we welcome you to the 2008-2009 academic year! We look forward to working with you and hope that our students and their parents share our excitement and enthusiasm as we begin a new school year.

Enclosed in this first Home Messenger is the revised Parent/Student Handbook. This handbook has been assembled to provide you with information to assist you to better familiarize yourself with Archdiocesan policies, our educational program, and the school’s daily operational procedures. All students and their parents should be familiar with the contents of the handbook. The end of the handbook has several forms for you to review and return to school, if applicable. We require all families to sign and return the Policies Agreement Form no later than Friday, September 12.

Incarnation School and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are committed to providing a safe environment for our children. With that in mind, we require all of our volunteers to receive VIRTUS training. VIRTUS Adult Awareness Sessions include training about warning signs that indicate an adult is engaged in an inappropriate or abusive relationship with a child. All parish and school volunteers, teachers, clergy, religious, staff, and paid personnel who work in any capacity with or around children must participate in the VIRTUS program. To find a VIRTUS session in your area, visit www.virtus.org.

In addition to attending a live VIRTUS session, all volunteers are required to sign the Guidelines for Interacting with Youth and Minors form located in the back of the Parent/Student Handbook. Additional copies can be obtained from the school office.

Parents working in any supervisory position (yard duty, field trip chaperones, drivers, etc.) must receive fingerprinting clearance prior to assuming this type of role. Please visit the school office for more information about LiveScan fingerprinting.

We thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep our students safe, and we look forward to your active participation in your child(ren)’s education!

Sincerely,

Ms. Olivia Carrillo
Principal

Important Dates
• September 3 – Noon Dismissal (all grades)
• September 4
o First full day (grades 1-8)
o Kindergarten will dismiss at noon all week (9/2 – 9/5)
• September 5 – Deadline to submit Emergency Cards; Students without complete Emergency Cards on file will not be permitted to return to school.
• September 27 – Back to School Hop

After School Program
ASP begins this week. After school care for kindergarten for the first week is available beginning at noon. Please note that all school rules and policies remain in effect for ASP.

Hot Lunch Program
Order forms for hot lunch beginning on Monday, 9/8 through Friday, 9/19 are enclosed. Please turn in orders with payment no later than Friday, 9/5. Hot lunch must be ordered in advance; same-day purchase is not permitted.

Coaches Needed!
We are in need of volunteer coaches for our fall B-level sports teams (grades 5&6). If you are interested in coaching girls’ volleyball or boys’ football, please contact Jimmy Mueckay (moykai@charter.net). All coaches must receive CYO certification. There will be a mandatory coaches’ meeting on Wednesday, September 10 at 3:30 p.m. at the school. This is a great opportunity to earn participation hours!

Scrip
Look for our new and exciting scrip program information packet that will be sent home very soon. On-hand orders will be processed daily and more options will be offered!

Family Messenger August 13, 2008

Dear Parents:

I hope that you have had a pleasant summer and that you are enjoying the remaining days of vacation. I would like to extend a warm welcome to our returning families and a special welcome to the newest families of Incarnation Parish School. Enclosed is some important information that will help you as you prepare for the beginning of the academic year.

Important Dates:
August 18 - New Parent Social/Orientation 6 p.m. in Parish Center Patio.
August 24 - Kindergarten Picnic at Nibley Park 1:00 - 3:00 (more information to follow) .
September 2 - First Day of School (1/2 day: 7:50 - noon) we will have a short welcome and blessing for all students, parents, and staff. Parents are invited to the auditorium for coffee after students proceed to classrooms.
September 3 - Noon Dismissal (all grades). September 4 o First full day (grades 1-8) o Kindergarten dismisses at noon all week (9/2 - 9/5),

September Calendar

Back to School Hop
Save the date! Incarnation's Back to School Hop - College Road Trip - will be on September 27 from 3:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Enjoy music, games, prizes, and an In-N-Out dinner! More information will be coming soon.

Emergency Cards
Two (2) emergency cards are enclosed and both must be completed and returned during the first week of school. Please make sure that the information provided is accurate and complete. Students will not be allowed to return to class the second week of school until both emergency cards have been submitted. We strongly suggest that you list at least four names under the Emergency Care Information. Persons listed in this section will be the only ones authorized to pick up your child(ren) in an emergency or during the school day.

Before School Care and After School Program
Before School Care is offered beginning at 7:00 a.m. for $1.00 per day. Students attending morning care must be signed in by a parent/guardian daily. Parents who do not sign their child(ren) in may lose the opportunity to use this service. Students may not be on campus before 7:00 a.m.
The After School Program (ASP) begins on September 2. The Hours and Fee Schedule and the Registration Form for 2008-2009 are enclosed. Please remember that parents/guardians must sign their child(ren) out of ASP every day.

After School Care Registration Form

ASP Fees and Rules

Hot Lunch Program
M&F Kitchenette will provide hot lunch for purchase beginning September 8. Order forms will be sent home the first week of school. Please be sure your child brings his/her own lunch the week of September 2nd.

Supply Lists
Supply lists are available on the school website (www.incaglendale.org/inca/school).

Carpool
All students (except those who walk to school) must be dropped off through the carpool. Enter from Dryden and exit on Central. Please remain in your car, be patient, and mind the carpool volunteers. The volunteers will assist your child(ren) in exiting the vehicle. Please be sure your children have their belongings with them (not in the trunk) for ease of exit. For everyone's safety, please observe the 5 mph speed limit and do not use cell phones while in the carpool lane. Remind students that they may not walk behind or between cars. Do not use the church parking lot to drop off your children. Please note that all campus gates will be closed and locked at 8: 10 a.m. every day.
**Note to kindergarten and first grade parents: You are receiving a laminated sign to use at morning carpool. These signs are to alert carpool volunteers that there are young children that need help exiting the car.

2008-2009 Faculty and Staff
I am pleased to welcome our new and,retuming faculty and staff to the 2008-2009 school year. This year, we have a full-time science teacher for grades K-8 who will teach lessons and lab experiments in the Science Lab.

Current Faculty and Staff

Permission to Walk
Students who walk home after school must have a letter signed by the parent on file in the school office. Students without this note will not be allowed to walk and will be checked into ASP. The form is available in the school office and will also be in the Parent/Student Handbook. A new form must be completed at the beginning of each school year.

Family Participation Booklet
Each family is required to give 40 hours of their time to the school. In order to receive the proper credits, please retain the blue booklet enclosed. When you have completed service hours, fill out a ticket, have it signed by the person in charge of the service for which you are volunteering, and return it to the school office. Retain the stub for your records.

Simple Fundraising
Ralph’s Rewards - Ralph’s contributes a portion of purchases to Incarnation School if you register your Rewards card. Register your new Rewards card between now and September 1 by visiting www.ralphs.com; click on "Community Contribution." Please note that Ralph’s Rewards is a new program; you must sign up at a Ralph’s store to be eligible.

Catholic Loyalty - Each family is receiving a Catholic Loyalty card. Catholic Loyalty members present their card as they would any store rewards card. Catholic Loyalty receives a rebate from each purchase and share the rebate with the consumer and the church/school. Please visit www.catholicloyalty.com to activate your card. While there are currently a small number of local merchants participating in this program, we hope to see more merchants added soon.

Enjoy the month of August and we look forward to seeing you all very soon!

God Bless,

Olivia Carrillo Principal

Question of the Week What does God's voice sound like when you pray and listen to Jesus?

Family Messenger June 10, 2008

Lord God,
We will follow you in the quiet of our hearts and in our love for one another.
You have promised to be with us always. We count on your words and bless you forever
for your beautiful promises. May we carry the love we’ve experienced this year
out into the world this summer and always.
Amen.



Dear Parents,

How time flies! It is hard to believe that I am writing the last home messenger newsletter of the school year. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for your support during my first year at Incarnation School.

This year has indeed been a learning experience! I have enjoyed getting to know your children, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with our staff. I do believe the school is blessed with wonderful people!
I wish you all a safe and peaceful summer and I look forward to seeing you all next year.

God Bless,



Ms. Olivia Carrillo
Principal

Farewell To Teachers
This is the time of year that we bid farewell to some of our staff members. With much gratitude, we say goodbye to:

Ms. Norma Ceballos (grade 3)
Ms. Jennifer Jong (grade 4 aide)
Mrs. Jennifer Valencia (grade 5)
Ms. Sabrina Gauss (grade 6)
Mr. Francisco Iglesias (P.E.)
Mr. Wilber Martinez (math assistant)

We wish them all the best in their future endeavors and pray that God
continues to bless them!

Final Awards Assembly
Please join us for our last awards assembly on Friday, June 13 at 10:00 a.m.

NO ASP on June 13
There will be no ASP on the last day of school. Please pick up your children promptly at noon!
The school office will close at 12:30 on Friday.

Final Balances
Please make sure that all financial balances for this school year are cleared by June 13, 2008.




IMPORTANT VIRTUS Announcement!
All parents who interact with children during school hours in any way must be VIRTUS trained. This includes field trip chaperones, recess/lunch supervision, bake sale, classroom, and home messenger volunteers, and just about any other way you fulfill your service hours! For your convenience, a VIRTUS class will be offered in the school auditorium on Saturday, June 21st from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Save your certificate! We will require a copy of your certificate as verification of attendance for our records prior to volunteering in the school.

If you are unable to attend this session, please visit www.virtus.org. Click the Registration tab to view a list of upcoming sessions in your area.

Summer Office Hours
June 16 – June 25 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 26 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Friday, June 27 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
**Closed for lunch – 12:00 – 12:30 p.m.

The office will be closed for the month of July and will reopen on Monday, August 4.

Update on Electrical Upgrade
The process of designing the electrical infrastructure upgrade has begun! Last week a crew came to conduct site investigations. The time needed to complete the design phase is approximately 12 weeks (including site investigations, meetings with GWP, completion of design). Once the design is complete, the project will be sent out for bidding.

2008-2009 Faculty/Staff List
Open positions will be filled during the summer months.

Kindergarten Teacher: TBD
Kindergarten Assistant: Sr. Doris Kim
Grade 6 Teacher: TBD
Grade 6 Assistant: Ms. Lynda DeAnda
Grade 1 Teacher/Vice Principal: Mrs. Diana Girskis
Grade 1 Assistant: Mrs. Angela Gonzalez
Grade 7 Teacher: Mr. Robert Sanchez
Grade 7 Assistant: TBD
Grade 2 Teacher: Mr. Jonathan Tiu
Grade 2 Assistant: Mrs. Lucy Gonzalez
Grade 8 Teacher: Mrs. Imelda Rodriguez
Grade 8 Assistant: TBD
Grade 3 Teacher: TBD
Grade 3 Assistant: Ms. Stephanie Berganza
Math (6-8): Ms. Hwala Hong
Science: TBD
Grade 4 Teacher: Ms. Jennifer Rickert
Grade 4 Assistant: TBD
Computer: Mrs. Susan Theiring
Art: Mrs. Edilia Cuevas
Grade 5 Teacher: TBD
Grade 5 Assistant: Ms. Leslie Castillo
Physical Education: TBD
Music: Mrs. Clare Delto
Secretary: Mrs. Gwen Rodela
Library: Mrs. Nerisha Hihn
Business Office: Mrs. Leti Fenton
Health Coordinator: Mrs. Gabrielle Reiner
ASP: Ms. Louiza Petrosyan, Ms. Sofiya Ashgh, and Mr. Haik Vardanyan


Looking Ahead…
Thursday, June 12 – Kindergarten Graduation 9:00 a.m.
Noon Dismissal; ASP until 6:00 p.m.
Friday, June 13 – Last Day of School
All School Mass 8:30 a.m.
Awards Assembly
Noon Dismissal; No ASP


School reopens Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Family Messenger June 3, 2008

Lord God,
Send us your Spirit to help us understand what you want for us
so that we may do what you ask. We ask this through your Son,
who follows you perfectly.
Amen.

June 3, 2008

Congratulations
Congratulations to the graduates of the Class of 2008 who celebrated their Baccalaureate Mass today and will graduate on Sunday, June 8. We are proud of you and wish you every blessing in high school!
Celine Alajajian – Providence High School
Thalia Alvarez – Providence High School
Michelle Bacon – Maranatha High School
Shay Baluyot – La Salle High School
Thomas Bauw – Notre Dame High School
Kyle Bernardo – John Burroughs High School
Greg Brillantes – Cresenta Valley High School
Emma Camp – Mayfield Senior School
Cynthia Campos-Costanzo - Mayfield Senior School
Matthew Casciani – St. Francis High School
Caitlin Colangelo – Immaculate Heart High School
Alexa Cua-Leon – Immaculate Heart High School
Catherine Davis – Cresenta Valley High School
Strom Dellinger – Westmark High School
Jacqueline Fernandez – Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
Joseph Francia – Loyola High School
Matthew Friedman – Loyola High School
Briana Galvez – Immaculate Heart High School
Katherine Guerrero - Immaculate Heart High School
Lily Henry - Mayfield Senior School
Austin Lee - Notre Dame High School
Caitlin Lim - Immaculate Heart High School
Ricki Lubell - Immaculate Heart High School
Mauricio Medina - Notre Dame High School
Amanda Paggao – La Salle High School
Janelle Picazo - Immaculate Heart High School
Kevin Ramponi – Clark Magnet High School
Norman Razon - St. Francis High School
Claire Rodriguez – Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
Matthew Salas - Loyola High School
Austin Sanchez - Notre Dame High School
Mark Sultan - St. Francis High School
Caroline Treinen - Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
Gabriela Ybiernas - Notre Dame High School
Tania Zakaria - Notre Dame High School

2008-2009 Student Council
Congratulations to the newly elected student council members:

President – Nikko Gutierrez
Vice President – Andrew Friedman
Secretary – Cherlin Ongkeko
Treasurer – Max Lubell
Religious Affairs – Amanda Perez
Girls’ Sports – Irene Uy
Boys’ Sports – Nicholas Gonzalez
Publicity – Matthew Gonzalez
Health and Nutrition – Ian Barretto-Romero
Ecology and Safety – Mitch Bennett
Spirit – Jasmine Romero

Play Day
Next Monday, June 9 is Play Day sponsored by the new Student Council. Students may wear P.E. uniforms to school that day.

Final Balances
Please make sure that all financial balances are cleared prior to June 13, 2008.

After School Program (ASP)
Invoices will be mailed on June 1, 2008 for both May and June 2008 to families who attend ASP on a regular basis. Both payments are due June 13, 2008. Please note: June ASP will be half of the regular ASP monthly rate.

Families who occasionally use ASP will be billed on June 1, 2008 for the month of May, with payment due by June 13, 2008. June invoices will be mailed on June 13 with a due date of June 20, 2008. Please contact Mrs. Fenton if you have any questions.

Thank You
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Mrs. Beth Campbell for overseeing the Parent Service Hour program for several years. This is her last year running the program and it would not have been possible without her help. Thank you also to Mrs. Pat Camp for her dedication in coaching our Decathlon Team. This is their last year running these programs and it would not have been possible without their help. Thank you, Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Camp!


Looking Ahead…
Wednesday, June 4 – 8th Grade Field Trip to Disneyland
Thursday, June 5 – 7th and 8th grade brunch
2nd grade bake sale
Friday, June 6 – Move-Up Day (grades K-7)
8th Grade Dinner Dance
Sunday, June 8 – 8th Grade Graduation 2:00 p.m.
Monday, June 9 - Play Day
Thursday, June 12 – Kindergarten Graduation 9:00 a.m.
Noon Dismissal; ASP until 6:00 p.m.
Friday, June 13 – Last Day of School
Awards Assembly
Noon Dismissal; No ASP

Family Messenger May 22, 2008

God our Father, We know that you love humility and give special grace to the humble. Through the humble birth of your Son, you brought peace and healing to all the world. Help us to be humble and to tell your story. We ask this through Christ our Lord Amen.

Dear Parents,

We have all heard about the devastating earthquake in China, and we are called to do what we can to offer our support. Ricki Lubell, student council member, visited the American Red Cross to ask how Incarnation School could be of help. The Red Cross indicated that the best aid would be monetary donations. There will be a free dress sale this Friday, May 23, and the proceeds will be donated to the Glendale chapter of the American Red Cross for disaster relief in China. Please support this fundraiser! A flyer is enclosed.

Yesterday Mila Mendoza, grade 1, assumed the role of Principal for the Day! She joined me in conducting classroom observations, supervising students on the playground, and putting together this week’s newsletter. Thank you, Mila!

Question of the Week
When people love each other, how do they treat each other?

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend!

God Bless,
Ms. Olivia Carrillo
Principal

Emergency Preparedness Drill
Thank you to all families who participated in the emergency drill last week. It was a great learning experience for all of us. We will revisit the drill at our faculty meeting this week to discuss how we can improve. The staff at Nestle was present during the entire drill and has provided us with feedback.

Spring Show
The Spring Show is this Thursday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Students should arrive in their classrooms at 6:30 p.m. There will be no supervision before 6:30, so please do not drop your child(ren) off any earlier. The theme of the concert is patriotic so the attire should match. The preferred attire is black/blue pants (skirt for girls); red, white, or blue shirt (or combination); black shoes, or “Sunday best.”

Looking Ahead
…Wednesday, May 21 – Kindergarten Bake Sale
Thursday, May 22 – Spring Show 7:00 p.m.; Students in classrooms at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 23 – Junior High Dance (open to grades 5 – 8)
Monday, May 26 – No School/No ASP – Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 27 – Confessions (grades 6-8)
Wednesday, May 28 – 2nd grade field trip
Thursday, May 29 – Confessions (grades 2-5)Spring Sports/Decathlon Banquet 6:30 p.m.
Monday, June 2 – 8th Grade Retreat
Tuesday, June 3 – 8th Grade Baccalaureate Mass and Brunch
Wednesday, June 4 – 8th Grade Field Trip to Disneyland
Thursday, June 5 – 7th and 8th grade brunch
Friday, June 6 – 8th Grade Dinner Dance
Sunday, June 8 – 8th Grade Graduation 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 12 – Kindergarten Graduation 9:00 a.m.Noon Dismissal; ASP until 6:00 p.m.
Friday, June 13 – Last Day of SchoolNoon Dismissal; No ASP

Family Messenger May 13, 2008

Father of Splendor and Light,
You give so many gifts, many of which we don’t even think about!
Help us to become aware of your generosity so that we may learn to imitate it.
We ask this through your Son.
Amen.

Tonight is our last mandatory General PTO Meeting of the school year. Please make every effort to attend as we will discuss the procedures for the emergency drill scheduled for this Friday. We will also have PTO Board elections to fill our four vacant spaces. Child care will be available, and parents in attendance will receive a Free Dress pass for their child(ren). We hope to see you there!

Have a great week!

Ms. Olivia Carrillo
Principal

Emergency Preparedness Drill
The weather forecast indicates that it might be quite warm this Friday. Please be sure your child is wearing sunblock for extra protection. Please be sure the information on your Emergency Card on file in the school office is current. For the Emergency Preparedness Drill this Friday, students will only be released to people listed on the Emergency Card. If you need to update your information or add people authorized to pick up your child(ren), please call or stop by the school office.

Chess Club Rescheduled
There will be a make-up class on Wednesday, May 14 from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. since there will be NO CLASS on Friday, May 16 due to the disaster drill. Students may wait in ASP between 2:45 and 3:00 (no charge) until chess master arrives.

Spring Concert
A Message From Mrs. Delto
I am very excited that the Spring Concert is next week. The students have been working very hard to put on a great performance for you. The theme of the concert is patriotic so the attire should match. The preferred attire is black/blue pants (skirt for girls); red, white, or blue shirt (or combination); black shoes, or “Sunday best.” Also, 4th and 5th grade students are asked to bring a medium size flashlight to music class this week. Please be sure to label the flashlight with the student’s name. I look forward to seeing all of you next Thursday night at the concert.

Carpool Reminders
For the safety of our students, please use the carpool lanes to drop off your children in the morning. DO NOT park your car and walk across the lot with your child. If you have business in the office, please drop your child off in carpool first and then park your car. Carpool volunteers have been asked to stop parents walking with their children and ask them to return to carpool. Please remember that afternoon pickup is also through carpool. A few families purchased convenient pickup at last year’s auction and therefore have the privilege of picking up their child(ren) at the Glenoaks entrance. Please do not park your car on the street or in the church lot and enter through Glenoaks. This is reserved only for the convenient pickup families and parents who walk to school.

Gina Marie Fenton Memorial Scholarship
A reminder to all 8th Graders that your application for the Gina Marie Fenton Memorial Scholarship is due in the office by Monday, May 19, 2008. The award is open to students attending a Catholic High School in fall, 2008 and requires recommendations from the Junior High teachers. The recipients will be announced at the Incarnation Baccalaureate Mass on June 3.

Attention All Altar Servers
Don’t forget to RSVP for the Altar Server Picnic by Monday, May 19!

Don Bosco Tech Summer Program
Summer school at Don Bosco Tech begins June 30. Boys and girls currently in 6th, 7th, or 8th grades can choose from a variety of courses. For information call 626-940-2011 or visit their website at www.boscotech.edu.

Looking Ahead…
Tuesday, May 13 – Last General PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 15 – 5th grade field trip
Friday, May 16 – Emergency Preparedness Drill 12:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 21 – Kindergarten Bake Sale
Thursday, May 22 – Spring Show 7:00 p.m.; Students in classrooms at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, May 26 – No School/No ASP – Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 27 – Confessions (grades 2-5)
Wednesday, May 28 – 2nd grade field trip
Thursday, May 29 – Confessions (grades 6-8)
Spring Sports/Decathlon Banquet 6:30 p.m.

Family Messenger May 6, 2008

Dear Lord,
Bless our teachers as they seek to teach, enrich and guide your precious children.
Grant them intelligence, wisdom, sensitivity, and kindness, to transform some of these buds into brilliant flower that will bring light, color, and happiness to all who encounter them.
Lord, wrap your loving arms around these teachers who give so much of themselves for your children. Strengthen and soothe them when they have given so much of themselves that they need your extra care. We pray that you will watch over them always—
these special people who hold our children and our future in their hands.
Amen.

Dear Parents,
This week schools across the nation are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. This special week was kicked off with classroom doors decorated with thank you notes from all the students. The week continues with special gifts from the students, the PTO Board, and the school as small tokens of appreciation for all the work they do for our children.

When we express our gratitude for our teachers, we take the time to reflect on the positive ways that have impacted our students’ lives and our school community. I’m sure we can all recall a special teacher that made a difference in our lives. We might not have even realized the influence they had until years later. For these teachers—the listeners, motivators, caregivers, and mentors—we are truly thankful. We are blessed to have teachers at Incarnation dedicated to educating our children, and we wish them a very special week!

God Bless,

Ms. Olivia Carrillo
Principal



Auction Dinner Thank You
The “Night of Elegance” Auction Dinner Dance was a great success thanks to the efforts of Mrs. Georgette Mueckay, the Auction Committee, everyone who donated items, all who sold and purchased raffle tickets, and those who attended the event. Thank you for your support of Incarnation School! We are in the process of recording our numbers and will release that information as soon as it is available.
Some families did not sell or have not paid their $100 in raffle tickets. Although the raffle is over, the mandatory $100 for the raffle is still due. Please contact Mrs. Fenton if you have any questions.

And the Winner Is…
Dani C, grade 6, is the winner of the Disneyland ticket raffle! The winning ticket was drawn yesterday morning at assembly. Congratulations, Dani!

All students who earned the Free Dress from raffle ticket sales will receive a pass to wear Free Dress this Friday, May 9. Passes will be distributed on Thursday.

First Communion
Congratulations to the students who will receive their First Communion this Saturday. First Communion pictures will be taken this Thursday morning at 7:50 a.m. beginning with a group picture. Please be prompt!

Coffee With the Principal
This Wednesday, May 7 will be our last Coffee With the Principal of the school year. We will begin at 7:45 a.m. and end at 8:20 a.m. since there is an All School Mass that morning. If you are able to attend, please meet in the Resource Room.

PTO General Meeting - MANDATORY
Please join us for our final PTO meeting on Tuesday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. We will discuss our plans for the Emergency Preparedness Drill and will have PTO Board elections. Child care will be available.

IMPORTANT Calendar Updates
Please note the following changes to the May calendar:
• Tuesday, May 13 – Kinder field trip
• Grade 3 School Sponsored Mass has been postponed until June because of Mother’s Day
• Thursday, May 15 – 5th grade field trip to courthouse
• Friday, May 16 – EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DRILL

2008-2009 School Opening Date
The first day of school for the 08-09 school year will be Tuesday, September 2.

Emergency Preparedness Drill
Please be sure the information on your Emergency Card on file in the school office is current.
For the Emergency Preparedness Drill on May 16, students will only be released to people listed on the Emergency Card. If you need to update your information or add people authorized to pick up your child(ren), please call or stop by the school office.
*Students not picked up by 3:00 will be sent to ASP.

Looking Ahead…
5/5 – 5/9 – TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!
Wednesday, May 7 – Coffee with the Principal 7:45 – 8:20 a.m.
All School Mass 8:30 a.m.
Junior High Field Trip
Thursday, May 8 – First Communion Pictures 7:50 a.m.
Friday, May 9 – “Fruit Friday” by Student Council
Saturday, May 10 – First Communion 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 11 – Happy Mother’s Day!
Tuesday, May 13 – LAST General PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m. - MANDATORY
Thursday, May 15 – 5th grade field trip
Friday, May 16 – Emergency Preparedness Drill 12:45 – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 22 – Spring Show 7:00 p.m.
Monday, May 26 – No School/No ASP – Memorial Day