Family Messenger, May 5, 2009

Dear Lord,
Bless our teachers as they seek to teach, enrich, and guide your precious children.
We pray that you will watch over them always—these special people
who hold your children and our future in their hands.
Amen.

A Message from the Principal
This week, schools across the nation are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. When we express our gratitude for our teachers, we take the time to reflect on the positive ways they have impacted our students’ lives and our school community. I am 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 thankful! At Incarnation, we have a special week planned for our teachers and support staff to show them our gratitude for the work they do for our students and our school. We wish all of our staff a wonderful week!

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates
• 5/4 - 5/8 – Teacher Appreciation Week
• 5/5 – Diego Rivera “Cinco de Mayo” Commemorative Reception
• 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. ~ Inca. Auditorium ~ Please join us!
• 5/6 – Noon Dismissal – WASC day; No lunch served; ASP open
• 5/7 – 4th Grade Field Trip
Spelling Bee (grades 5-8) – 10:45 a.m.
• 5/8 – Progress Reports go home
• 5/9 – First Communion
• 5/10 – Happy Mother’s Day!

Note from the Business Office
The FACTS Tuition Program Re-enrollment letters for the 2009-2010 school year were mailed out May 1, 2009. Please review the letter carefully as it includes your new monthly tuition payment, number of payments and date of first payment. If you would like to change the number of payments from 10 months (begins August 2009 and ends May 2010) to 11 months (begins July 2009 and ends May 2010) make your changes directly on the form. All forms must be signed, dated and returned by May 15. If you have any questions please call Mrs. Fenton.

Congratulations, Mr. Tiu!
On Wednesday, April 8 Mr. Jonathan Tiu and Mrs. Patricia Tiu welcomed their new baby boy, Luca Raphael Tiu. Congratulations, Mr. Tiu, Mrs. Tiu, and big sister Graciela!

First Communion
This weekend, our second graders and our Religious Education students will receive their First Communion. Please keep these children in our prayers as they prepare to receive this special sacrament.

BOX TOPS
Our school received a check for $200.70 from the Box Tops for Education program. Thank you to all of you for your support of the Box Tops program and to Ann Marie Smith for volunteering to organize this.

WASC Surveys
The faculty has been working diligently on the self-study required for our accreditation next year. We are enclosing another survey to be completed by May 12. It is not necessary to include your name, your child’s name, or grade level. The information gathered will be used in the section about the school/community profile as requested by the WASC draft review team. Thank you for your cooperation!

Scrip Tip
This week is staff/teacher appreciation week. Don’t forget to show them your love. I have plenty of options that would put a big smile on their face. Mother’s Day is upon us this weekend. Don’t forget we have lots of options to choose from. If you feel like you’re close to reaching the $200 in profits, make sure to stop by the scrip table so that I can tell you how close you are. We close out the books at the end of this month and we’d love to refund you.
Finally, in preparations for next year’s AMAZING scrip sales, I’d like to request you send back your plastic envelopes at the end of May so that we can reuse them for the 2009-2010 school year.

Library News from Mrs. Hihn
Our spring book fair kicks off on Sunday, May 17th after the morning masses. Please stop by and help your child look for summer reading material. Your children will have the opportunity to visit the book fair Monday -Wednesday, May 18th-20th between 8:00-12:30 and after school between 2:30-3:30. On Thursday, May 21st we will be open from 8:00-12:00 and also in the evening, after the Spring Show. We will be packing up the fair after that. Any help will be appreciated.

Please note that the library will be closing for the year on May 29, 2009. All books need to be returned by that date. Also, May 29th will be the last day to take AR tests for the year.

This year I am starting a new program called “Oh, the places you can go with a book.” As your child finishes a book this summer, have them write the title, author and why they liked the book on a postcard and send it to the school. Also, if your summer vacations take you out of the area, I would love a poster I can display in the library to inspire the imaginations of our wonderful children.

Finally, the library supplements our book budget with donations. Gently used books are gratefully accepted. Thank you to all who have volunteered to help in the library. You are making a difference.

SLE Superstars of the Week
Congratulations to this week’s winners of the SLE Superstar drawing!
Katie K – kindergarten; Tim T – 3rd grade; James A – 6th grade

General PTO Meeting
Please plan on joining us at our last General PTO Meeting of the year on Tuesday, May 12. PTO Board elections will take place at this meeting.

VIRTUS Training
There will be another Virtus training session at Incarnation on May 30 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Please plan on attending if you have not been trained. Please remember that this is a requirement for all parents for 2009-2010!
****Attention 8th Grade Parents: Virtus certification is needed to volunteer for upcoming graduation activities involving the graduates!****

2009-2010 School Opening Date
The first day of school for the 09-10 school year will be Monday, August 31.