Thursday, January 31, 2008

Family Messenger

Over the weekend many of our 8th graders took the High School Placement Test. Please keep them in your prayers as they proceed with the high school admissions process. Our 2nd graders, along with students from Incarnation Church’s Religious Education Program, participated in a retreat with their parents as they prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation. Please keep these children in your prayers as well.

This week is a time to celebrate! We join with other Catholic Schools across the nation in celebrating Catholic education. The theme “Catholic Schools Light the Way” focuses on the leadership that Catholic schools provide.

Please see the schedule of activities below. Encourage friends and neighbors who may be considering a Catholic education for their children to visit us on Sunday at our Open House.

Mon. 1/28 - Class Poster Contest: How does your class “Light the Way?”
Tues. 1/29 - Movie and Pajama Day
Wed. 1/30 -
• Student Council/Faculty Volleyball Game (12:45)
• Crazy Day
Thurs. 1/31 – Chalk Contest: “Light the Way” (students may wear P.E. uniform to school)
Fri. 2/1 – Grandparents/Special Friends Day
• 10:30 a.m. Mass
• Noon dismissal (ASP will be open)
Sun. 2/3 -
• Mass - 9:00 a.m.
• Open House and Art Exhibit – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Have a blessed Catholic Schools Week!

Olivia Carrillo
Principal

General PTO Meeting Tonight
Please join us tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Childcare will be provided. Parents in attendance will receive a Free Dress Pass for their children to be used on Monday, February 4.

Kindergarten Parent Writing to Read Orientation
All kindergarten parents are asked to meet in the computer lab tonight at 6:00 p.m. for information about the Writing to Read Program.

Grandparents/Special Friends Day
Grandparents/Special Friends Day Mass is on Friday, 2/1 at 10:30 a.m. Following the Mass, grandparents and special friends can visit their grandchildren’s classrooms. There will be noon dismissal on this day, and ASP will be provided. Students who ordered lunch will pick up their lunches after Mass.

Catholic Education Foundation Tuition Assistance
The deadline to submit applications for CEF Tuition Assistance is Thursday, 2/28.
Late applications cannot be accepted.

Christmas DVDs
Christmas Program DVD orders are in! Please pick up your copy from Mrs. Reiner in the Health Room.

Good Touch Bad Touch
Remember to turn in your Good-Touch Bad-Touch permission forms by this Friday, 2/1. Students not participating in the presentation will be sent to the library during that time.

Looking Ahead
• 1/28 - 2/1 – Catholic Schools Week
• 1/29 – General PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m. in auditorium
• 2/1
o Deadline to submit Good-Touch Bad-Touch permission forms
o Grandparents Day: 10:30 a.m. Mass; 12:00 p.m. dismissal/ASP available
• 2/3
o Catholic Schools Week Mass (9:00 a.m.)
o Open House and Art Exhibit (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

• 2/6 – Ash Wednesday All School Mass 10:30 a.m.
• 2/8 – Kindergarten’s 100th day of school celebration

Mark your calendars!
NO SCHOOL Monday, March 10
Faculty In-Service Day
NO ASP

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Lord God,
Give us your eyes that we may see others as you see them
and love them as you do. We ask this through Jesus Christ.
Amen.


Next week we begin celebrating Catholic Schools Week. The theme for 2008 is Catholic Schools Light the Way. “The theme focuses on the leadership that Catholic Schools provide to our nation, producing graduates who light the way to a brighter future for all humankind.
The theme also highlights the spiritual foundation of Catholic schools, for we are on ‘The Way,’ a biblical term used to describe those who follow Jesus as disciples. The slogan, ‘Catholic Schools Light the Way,’ reminds us that we are called to ‘light the way’ to the kingdom for others even as we walk ‘the way’ of discipleship and grow in faith ourselves” (NCEA).

The Student Council has planned a number of activities for the students. The schedule for next week is as follows:
Monday, 1/28– Chalk Contest: “Light the Way” (10:15 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, 1/29 – Movie and Pajama Day
Grades K-5: recess at 9:45; movie - 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Grades 6-8: recess at 10:30; movie - 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 1/30 – Student Council/Faculty Volleyball Game (12:45 p.m.) and Crazy Day
Thursday, 1/31 – Class Poster Contest: How does your class “Light the Way?”
Friday, 2/1 – Grandparents Day: 10:30 a.m. Mass; 12:00 p.m. dismissal

Please join us as we conclude the week’s celebration on Sunday, 2/3 with a special Mass at 9:00 a.m. Following the Mass we will host our Open House from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you there.

Have a blessed week!

Olivia Carrillo
Principal

Welcome, Ms. Hong!
Incarnation School is pleased to welcome Ms. Hwala Hong as our new junior high math teacher. Ms. Hong is a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s College and has a Single Subject Credential in Mathematics. She has experience teaching Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Algebra 2 Honors, and Geometry at the middle and high school levels. She will be teaching the class formerly taught by Mr. Schwab.

Re-Registration for Current Students
Registration for current Inca students will begin in early March. Priority for admission to kindergarten will be given to siblings of current students. Kindergarten sibling registration will also take place in March. Look for more information to come.

Grandparents Day
Please plan on inviting grandparents to accompany us at our special Grandparents’ Day Mass on Friday, 2/1 at 10:30 a.m. Following the Mass, grandparents can visit their grandchildren’s classrooms. There will be noon dismissal on this day, and ASP will be provided. Students who ordered lunch on this day will pick up their lunches after Mass

Kids Fitness Challenge
To download the participant waiver and for more information, please visit www.kidsfitnesschallenge.com.

Looking Ahead
• Wednesday, 1/23 – 2nd grade field trip to L.A. Zoo
• Friday, 1/25 – Progress Reports go home
• Saturday, 1/26 – Reconciliation Retreat 9:30 a.m.
Kids Fitness Challenge (Rose Bowl)
• Sunday, 1/27 – School Sponsored Mass (Kinder and 8th Grade)
• Tuesday, 1/29 – General PTO meeting 7 p.m. in auditorium
• 1/28 - 2/1 – Catholic Schools Week: Catholic Schools Light the Way
• Friday, 2/1 – Grandparents’ Day: 10:30 a.m. Mass; 12:00 p.m. dismissal; ASP available
• Sunday, 2/3 – Catholic Schools Week Mass (9:00 a.m.) and
Open House (10:00 – 12:00)

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

It’s hard to believe that we are now well in to the middle of January! This is a good time to reflect on the resolutions we have made for the new year. Last week, I asked the students to make their own resolutions. Now is a great time to discuss with your child some goals they have set to improve in academics or change some behaviors. What do they hope for in the year 2008?

If you know of someone interested in applying to Incarnation, please make sure to let them know that applications for new families are now available in the school office, or you can pick up an application for them. Thank you for helping to recruit new members to our Inca family!

Have a blessed week!

Olivia Carrillo
Principal


Academic Decathlon Team
Incarnation’s ACADECA team competed in the Quiz Bowl at Cathedral High School on Saturday. It was good practice for the upcoming Decathlon in March. Congratulations to Matthew F who placed 1st in science!

Faculty/Staff Birthdays
We inadvertently left faculty/staff birthdays off of the January calendar. We would like to wish a very happy birthday to Mrs. Angie Gonzalez, 1st grade aide (Jan. 8); Ms. Leslie Castillo, 3rd grade aide (Jan. 17); Ms. Sofiya Ashegh, ASP (Jan. 20); and Mrs. Jennifer Valencia, 5th grade teacher (Jan. 27).

Catholic Education Foundation Tuition Assistance
CEF applications for tuition assistance for the 2008-2009 school year are now available in the office. One application per child is required. All applications submitted to CEF must meet financial eligibility based on the 2008/09 CEF Income Guidelines. Principals must still verify family income w/ tax returns, W-2s etc. Principals verify and sign the 2nd page of student’s application. The previously published deadline was incorrect. The deadline to submit applications to Incarnation School for verification is Friday, February 28, 2008.

Library News
The Scholastic Book Fair in September earned over $3000.00 for the library. Our book sales earned us $2260.00 in voucher money to buy books from the Scholastic catalog and another $1000.00 in cash to buy books from other publishers. In addition to buying new titles, the library will be gradually replacing our paperback books with hardcover books with library bindings that can withstand the abuse of many users.

Scholastic has offered us the opportunity to have a second book fair in the spring. We are looking for someone who would like to be our spring book fair chairperson. Scholastic makes it very easy to run the book fair, with a wonderful online toolkit and great service. Book fair experience is not necessary. Even a novice can run a great fair with Scholastic's help! If this is something you could do for your school, please contact Mrs. Hihn at incalibrary@gmail.com or (818) 241-2269, x117.

Coffee with the Principal Notes – 1/9/08
1. Music Teacher update – Prior to Christmas vacation I was close to hiring a teacher to begin in January. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the candidate was unable to accept the position. While the search begins again, teachers have been asked to use their music time for instructional purposes as they see fit. Teachers able to teach music will do so with their own classes.
2. Raffle tickets – Much conversation took place about the cost of the raffle tickets. As mentioned in last week’s HM, the PTO Board would be looking into a reduced ticket price.
3. Classroom birthday parties – Parents expressed their concerns about having multiple birthdays celebrated on the same day. Multiple birthdays equals multiple sweets! One suggestion was for the classroom teacher to create a birthday calendar or to coordinate with parents to combine birthday celebrations to reduce the amount of sugary snacks the students receive.
4. Epiphany parties – Feedback on the Epiphany parties was positive. Parties were simple and everyone enjoyed themselves!
5. Christmas program – Parents said that they loved the Christmas show. It was student- centered, and the teachers did an excellent job in preparing their classes.

Annual Respect for Life Mass
On Saturday, January 19th at 6:00 p.m. the annual Respect for Life Mass will take place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. With the Auxiliary Bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and faithful, the community will proclaim respect for life in a joyful and moving liturgy. Before the close of Mass, there is a special ceremony during which members of the assembly bring forward candles – one candle for each life lost to abortion that day in the County of Los Angeles. For parents, this annual celebration is also an important teaching moment – a chance to share with your children our commitment to life. A discounted parking rate of $5 per car will be in effect for the event.

Kids Fitness Challenge
On Saturday, January 26th an estimated 10,000 kids, parents, seniors, and teachers will participate in the Kids Fitness Challenge, one of the largest non-competitive 5K events in state history. Held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, this event marks the only time in Rose Bowl history that a community event will start and finish on the field inside the bowl.

This landmark event will rally Californians to eat healthy and be active to reduce childhood obesity and will feature “Cloverfield” star Mike Vogel, Olympic Gold Medalist Quincy Watts, Former NFL and USC player Curtis Conway, Olympic Trainer and National Fitness Hall of Fame Inductee John Abdo, USC Marching Band, Congress member Hilda Solis, State Senator Alex Padilla, and A VERY SPECIAL SURPRISE!

All schools with at least 100 participants are eligible to receive a cash grant from the Fitness Challenge Foundation. The Top schools may also win a Chick’s Sporting Goods Shopping Spree or sports equipment! Schools may also win fitness equipment and other prizes.
To download the participant waiver and for more information, please visit www.kidsfitnesschallenge.com.

Looking Ahead
• 1/14 – 1/18 – ACRE testing grades 5 and 8
• Wednesday, 1/16 – 4th grade field trip to San Fernando Mission
• Monday, 1/21 – No School / NO ASP: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Friday, 1/25 – Progress Reports go home
• Saturday, 1/26 – Kids Fitness Challenge (Rose Bowl)

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Welcome back and Happy New Year! It was great to see the students’ faces (and new haircuts!), and after a nice 2-week break I hope all of our students and teachers are well-rested and energized for a new year full of learning! I look forward to all the exciting things that await us in 2008.

God Bless,
Olivia Carrillo
Principal

Welcome, Sr. Doris Kim
I am happy to welcome Sr. Doris Kim to our staff as our new kindergarten assistant. Sr. Doris has worked with children of all ages from preschool through high school and has worked in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Diocese of Orange, and the Diocese of San Bernardino. We are happy to have her at Incarnation School!

Uniform Policy
In your envelope, please find a copy of the uniform policy with a few updates and clarifications. This document is part of your Parent/Student Handbook.

New Homework Club Schedule
Grades K, 1, and 2: Tuesdays with Mr. Tiu
Grades 3 and 4: Mondays and Wednesdays with Ms. Ceballos
Grades 5-8: Mondays (just added), Tuesdays, and Thursdays with Mrs. Valencia

Raffle Ticket Update
Thank you for your input regarding the raffle ticket sales for the Auction Dinner. We received many great suggestions, and the PTO Board will be taking these into account as the topic is discussed at the PTO Board meeting this week. Look for updates coming soon!

Feast of the Epiphany
Today the student body celebrated the Feats of the Epiphany with an all-school Mass and class parties. Thank you to Mr. Tiu and the 2nd grade for preparing the Mass and to our room parents for organizing the parties.

Catholic Education Foundation Tuition Assistance
CEF applications for tuition assistance for the 2008-2009 school year are now available in the office. This year all Catholic schools may submit as many applications that qualify!
All applications submitted to CEF MUST meet financial eligibility based on the 2008/09 CEF Income Guidelines. Principals must still verify family income w/ tax returns, W-2s etc. Principals verify and sign the 2nd page of student’s application.
The deadline to submit applications to CEF is Friday, March 14, 2008.

Annual Respect for Life Mass
On Saturday, January 19 at 6:00 p.m. the annual Respect for Life Mass will take place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. With the Auxiliary Bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and faithful, the community will proclaim respect for life in a joyful and moving liturgy. Before the close of Mass, there is a special ceremony during which members of the assembly bring forward candles – one candle for each life lost to abortion that day in the County of Los Angeles. For parents, this annual celebration is also an important teaching moment – a chance to share with your children our commitment to life. A discounted parking rate of $5 per car will be in effect for the event.

Looking Ahead
• Wednesday, 1/9 – Coffee with the Principal 7:45 a.m.
• 1/14 – 1/18 – ACRE testing grades 5 and 8
• Monday, 1/21 – No School: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday


INCARNATION SCHOOL
SCHOOL UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

The school uniforms must be worn on all school days unless otherwise specified. A student who comes to school out of uniform must bring a note of explanation from his / her parent or guardian.

Please mark your child’s name clearly on all items of clothing which may be removed during school hours, including boys’ shirts and girls’ jumpers. Lost and unlabeled items will eventually be given away. Students may wear only plain white T-shirts under the uniform shirt or blouse.

Parents will be notified of all uniform/general appearance violations via an out of uniform notice. Detention will be assigned after 3 uniform violations. Students may be sent to the office or sent home until appropriately dressed.


Uniform items are available from:
DENNIS UNIFORM COMPANY
250 S. Flower Street
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 843-8306 (800) 473-8130
(818) 843-8412 Fax

Girls’ Uniform
• White short-sleeved blouse – required for Mass
• White, navy blue or baby blue polo shirt
• White turtleneck or long sleeved white shirt may be worn under the blouse in cold weather (no thermal underwear).
• Navy blue plaid (Dunbar) jumper (grades K-5) or skirt or navy blue twill uniform pants
(grades 6-8) – either required for Mass
• Navy twill walking shorts are optional for all grades (can only be worn in September, October, November and April, May, June)
• Shorts/Pants with pockets in legs are not allowed.
• Skirt length must be no shorter than 2” above the kneecap. Skirts may not be rolled at the waist.
• A navy blue cardigan, pullover sweater or uniform sweatshirt is permitted.
• Plain navy blue jackets only
• Jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts with logos or printing other than that of Incarnation School are not permitted.
• On wet or very cold days, an extra jacket or coat may be worn. This is in addition to the school sweatshirt, jacket or sweater.
• White or blue knee socks or cuffed anklets (socks must be visible 1” above the ankle).
• White or blue tights may be worn in cold weather. Leg warmers, sweats, leggings, or stretch pants are not permitted.

Shoes
• Solid (all) black, solid (all) white, or black and white shoes only
• No shoes with wheels, pictures, designs, or lights.
• No high top shoes, army or construction style boots.
• Shoe laces: Only solid (all) black or solid (all) white shoe laces are allowed.
• No sandals or slip-on shoes

Boys’ Uniform
• White short-sleeved buttoned shirt – required for Mass
• White, navy blue or baby blue polo shirt
• A white turtleneck may be worn under the shirt in cool weather (no thermal underwear).
• Navy blue twill / cord pants – required for Mass
• Navy twill walking shorts are optional for all grades (can only be worn in September, October, November and April, May, June).
• Belts must be worn (except in grades K and 1) and shirts must be tucked inside the pants or shorts.
• A navy blue cardigan, pullover sweater or uniform sweatshirt is permitted.
• Plain navy blue jacket only
• Jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts with logos or printing other than that of Incarnation School are not permitted.
• On wet or very cold days, an extra jacket or coat may be worn. This is in addition to the school sweatshirt, jacket or sweater.
• Navy blue or white socks (must be visible 1” above the ankle).
• Pants must fit comfortably at the waist and should not hang on the hips.
• Underwear must not be visible.
• Baggy pants are not allowed.
• Shorts/Pants with pockets in legs are not allowed.

Shoes
• Solid (all) black, solid (all) white, or black and white shoes only.
• No shoes with wheels, pictures, designs, or lights
• No high top shoes, army or construction style boots.
• Shoe laces: Only solid (all) black or solid (all) white shoe laces are allowed.
• No sandals or slip-on shoes.


Physical Education Uniforms (Purchased from Incarnation School)
All students must participate in physical education. A doctor or parent’s note is required if a student is not participating. A note from the teacher is required before going to the office or health room.

Girls and Boys
• Navy blue uniform walking shorts and white or blue Incarnation T-shirt or Jog-A-Thon shirt.
• Mesh shorts are available for students in grades 6 – 8
• Tennis shoes must be worn (no slip-ons).
• The P. E. uniform may be worn all day only on P.E days.
• On Mass days, students must wear their Mass uniform to school and bring P.E. clothes to change into during lunch.
• In cold weather, students may wear sweat pants for P.E.

Mass Day Uniform
• Students are expected to wear full uniform (ties and no shorts) on all Mass days. Ties must be worn on the collar all day.
• If P.E. day and Mass day coincide, students must wear their full Mass uniform and bring their P. E. clothes to change into during lunch.
• No other jacket or sweater may be worn in place of the uniform.

General Appearance
• Uniforms must be clean, in good condition, and appropriately sized. Oversized clothing is not allowed.
• Hair must be neat and should not cover the eyes. Extreme and trendy hairstyles (shaved heads, roosters, Mohawks, tails, excessive spiking, bleached/dyed/highlighted hair) are not permitted.
• Boys’ hair should be above the collar and above the ear.
• Make-up and nail polish are not permitted.
• Girls may wear one small set of earrings; dangling earrings are not allowed.
• Boys may not wear an earring.
• Girls may not wear excessive jewelry (such as several bracelets).
• Oversized clothing is not allowed.

Free Dress Days (Non-Uniform Days)
• Modest, tasteful dress is required.
• No low-rise jeans or jeans with holes.
• Midriffs, miniskirts, and T-shirts, dresses, or tops with bare shoulders are not allowed.
• Nice denim, dress pants, or skirts may be worn.
• No short shorts or cut-offs
• Boys’ shirts must have a collar.
• Socks must be worn and must be visible 1” above the ankle.
• Both boys and girls must wear appropriate shoes. No sandals, high heeled shoes, or construction style boots are allowed.
• No writing whatsoever is allowed on shirts, including logos.
• Shirts / blouses must be long enough to cover the waist (even when hands are raised over the head).
• Oversized clothing not allowed.

A student who comes to school inappropriately dressed will be sent home to be properly groomed and dressed and will lose the privilege of “free dress” the next time.

Dress Code for Eighth Grade Graduation Dinner-Dance
In the interest of preserving the modesty and decorum of the event, and to prevent uncomfortable instances of inappropriate dress, the following guidelines have been adopted:

Boys
• Dress trousers (no jeans)
• Long-sleeved dress shirt
• Dress shoes (no sneakers or athletic shoes)
• Necktie
• Suit coat or sport jacket optional

Girls
• No strapless dresses or spaghetti straps
• No low necklines or bare backs
• Girls must wear a jacket or sweater without logos (not a shawl or stole) if the dress features the above items.
• Please avoid dresses with cut-out portions or clingy fabrics.
• Length of skirt may not be shorter than 2”above the kneecap. No mini-skirts.
• Shoes - remember that it is difficult to dance with abandon when you are teetering on very high heels