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)