Family Messenger, September 27, 2011

Lord God,
Help us to trust in the power of love to bring us close to you.
Help us to choose forgiveness over resentment and anger,
So that your peace, alive in our hearts, may draw others to you.
Amen.


A Message from the Principal
In the Roman Catholic tradition, October 4 is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Among many other things, St. Francis was known for his special connection to animals and is therefore the patron saint of animals and the environment. This year, Incarnation will be celebrating the Blessing of the Animals on Tuesday, October 4 at 2:15 p.m. with a prayer service prepared by Mrs. Lomasto and the third grade class. Animals are welcome provided they are accompanied by an adult. Parents and pets may begin arriving at 2:00 (please, no earlier!) and are invited to assemble in the kindergarten yard. Please be sure animals are properly restrained and that you bring the necessary supplies to clean up after your pets! Animals, regardless of size or species, will not be allowed in the classrooms. If you are unable to bring your pet to school in the afternoon for the blessing, students may bring a photo of their pet(s).

After the blessing, students/families with animals will proceed to the carpool area first, followed by all other students. Please note that the school yard will be open for parking at 2:00. Carpool will be a park and pick-up process. To make sure all students are accounted for, please sign out with your child’s teacher before leaving campus.

We look forward to seeing our animal companions next week!

Sincerely,


Ms. Olivia Carrillo


Important Dates

• September 30 – Teacher in-service – NO SCHOOL
  
• October 4 – Blessing of the Animals
  
• October 5 – International Walk to School Day
  
• October 7 – Progress Reports go home
  

International Walk to School Day
Incarnation has registered for International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 5. Join us on our “walking school busses” departing from two locations that morning. Please see enclosed flyer for details. Thanks to Erik and Joanna Hovland for helping to coordinate this community activity!

Jog-a-thon
The Jog-a-thon is scheduled for Friday, November 18, 2011. Please look for your sponsor packet in today’s home messenger. This is a great way to meet your mandatory donation.

Virtus Training
Tonight at the Incarnation Community Center from 7-9 p.m.

Swim Team News
On Sunday, the Inca Eagles competed at the St. Mel’s Meet and came in 4th place in Division 2.
All of our swimmers are improving and the following students scored individual points for the team and earned medals: Madison C, Max C, Sydney C, Nicolas D, Andrew F, Mark G, Massimo M, Matteo M, Anissa O, Fiona R, Quinn R, Olivia S, Megan S, Alexander U. Congratulations to the following relay teams that placed and scored points for the team:  7-8 Freestyle: Max C, Audrey M, Alexander U, Nicolas D and 11-12 Medley: Ashley C, Lauren S, Mark G and Matteo M. Special thanks to all the families for your help and support!

Scrip
Please look in next week’s home messenger for information regarding Scrip and the online ordering option.

Question of the Week
How do you show your love for Jesus by doing what he asks, even when it is difficult for you?

Family Messenger, September 20, 2011

A Message from the Principal
Thank you to all who attended the annual Back to School Hop Fiesta last Saturday. We enjoyed the afternoon with good company, great food, entertainment, and games. Thank you to all parent volunteers for donating time to volunteer at this event in different capacities. I especially thank Mrs. Alonso and Mrs. Dumansky for organizing the Hop once again, as well as the Horace Mann Elementary School Ballet Folklorico for their performance. If you volunteered at the Hop, please be sure to obtain signatures from Mrs. Alonso or Mrs. Dumansky on your participation hours’ slip and turn in to the office as soon as possible.

Tomorrow evening is our first General PTO Meeting of the year. We hope you can join us at 7:00 p.m. in the school auditorium. Parents in attendance will receive a free dress pass for each child to be redeemed on Thursday OR Friday of this week.


Sincerely,

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates
• September 19 – ITBS testing begins
• September 21 – General PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m.
• September 22 – Back to School Night grades 6-8
• September 30 – Teacher in-service – NO SCHOOL

Back to School Night
Back to School Night for parents of students in grades 6 through 8 is this Thursday, September 22nd beginning at 6:00 p.m. in your child’s homeroom.
Child care will be available. We encourage at least one parent from each family to attend. Please note that these evenings are intended to help you become familiar with your child’s teacher(s) and classroom expectations, not to discuss individual student progress. If a parent-teacher conference is needed, please make an appointment with your child’s teacher.

ITBS Testing
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) is being administered to students in grades 1 -8 this week. Students in grades 3, 5, and 7 will also take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). Testing will take place all week, and most testing is scheduled in the morning hours. Please do not schedule any appointments for the week of the 19th so your child is present to take the full battery of tests.

SCRIP Notes
Please plan on attending the PTO meeting tomorrow. Information regarding ordering online will be discussed.

Flu Shot Clinic
There will be a flu shot clinic on Sunday, September 25 from 8:30 to 1:30 in the school auditorium. Sign up sheets are in the vestibule and at the parish office. The clinic is from Flintridge Pharmacy. If you have any questions, please call the pharmacy directly at 818-790-1802. Shots are $25.


Virtus Training
Upcoming sessions at the Incarnation Community Center:
• Monday Sept 26th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Tuesday Sept 27th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
The sessions listed above satisfy requirements for new and renewal certification. Please call the parish office at 818-242-2579 to register, and be sure to bring a copy of your certificate to the school office.

Lector Training for High School Students and Adults
Attendance at 6 sessions is required for certification. Meetings are held in the church.
• Friday, 9/30 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, 10/1 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• Friday, 10/14 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, 10/15 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• Friday, 10/28 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, 10/29 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
To register please call the Parish Center (818) 242-2579 or e-mail Pius Oller at piusoller@gmail.com

Academic Decathlon
Students in grades 6 - 8 interested in joining the Academic Decathlon should attend a general interest/info meeting this Friday, September 23 during lunch. We are grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Chan for agreeing to coach the team once again this year!

Participation Hours Opportunity
Beginning tomorrow, yo-yos will be sold during recess (10:00 – 10:30) and lunch (12:00 – 12:30) as a follow up to the NED Show (Never give up, Encourage others, Do your best). If you are available for sales during these times and are Virtus trained, please contact Gwen Rodela in the school office at 818-241-2269 ext. 111 or grodela@incaschool.org.

Book Fair
Thank you to everyone who shopped at the book fair this year! Even though the book fair is no longer in the auditorium, favorite books that may have been missed are still available at the Scholastic online book fair until Monday, September 26, 2011. Now you can shop in the comfort of your own home! Visit the website at scholastic.com/schoolbookfairs. Relatives, family and friends can also order books for your children online.
Just be sure to let them know the name of your child’s homeroom teacher. Any books ordered for Incarnation students will be delivered to the school in a single shipment after September 27, 2011. Thanks for your continuing support of the book fair. With profits earned, we are able to buy books for every classroom and the library too!

Catholic Education Foundation
Applications for CEF Tuition Assistance are now available in the Business Office for current 8th Graders attending the following local Catholic High Schools next fall: Bellarmine Jefferson, Bishop Alemany, and Cathedral. For a complete list or if you have any questions please contact Mrs. Fenton at (818) 241-2269 or lfenton@incaschool.org. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE TO MS. CARRILLO BY OCTOBER 24, 2011.

From the Business Office
September statements were e-mailed today. Please contact Mrs. Fenton if you have any questions. Also, please note it is not necessary to attach a copy of your invoice with your payment. Please write the invoice number on your check to apply payment to the invoice.

Family Messenger, September 13, 2011

Holy God,
You sent your son, Jesus into the world
to be the light of the world.
May this Christ light burn brightly
in all we do and say, so that your love
may be known on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen.

A Message from the Principal
As you know, the first floor classrooms were equipped with air conditioning units before the beginning of the school year. The second floor phase is in process and is more complex than the first floor phase, requiring mechanical and electrical engineering. Plans were submitted to the City of Glendale and have been approved! We are now preparing to send the plans to the Archdiocese Construction Department for approval.

Next Wednesday, September 21st is our first General PTO Meeting of the year at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Child care will be provided, and free dress passes for students will be distributed at the end of the meeting. The PTO Board and I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Ms. Olivia Carrillo

Important Dates

• September 13 – 17 – Book Fair
  
• September 13 – All School Mass 8:30 a.m.; dress uniform required
  
• September 15– Back to School Night, grades preschool through 5
  
• September 17 – Back to School Hop/Book Fair
  
• September 19 – ITBS testing begins
  
• September 21 – General PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m.
  
• September 22 – Back to School Night grades 6-8
  
• September 30 – Teacher in-service – no school
  

Back to School Hop and Book Fair
Mark your calendars for our annual Back to School Hop to be held this Saturday. Join Incarnation families as we celebrate the beginning of an exciting school year. The book fair will also be open that day. Hope to see you there!

Spanish Classes
Spanish class begins this week. If you have enrolled in the program, students in grades K, 1, and 2 will meet on Tuesdays and grades 3, 4, and 5 will meet on Thursdays. All classes will be held in the first grade classroom and will be from 3:00 – 3:45.

Back to School Night
This Thursday, September 15th is Back to School Night for parents of students in grades 1 through 5. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. in your child’s homeroom class. Two sessions will be offered: Session 1 begins at 6:30 and Session 2 begins at 7:05. (Please note that that 5th grade Session 1 will be held in the 6th grade classroom.) The book fair will be open this evening.

Back to School Night for parents of students in grades 6 through 8 is Thursday, September 22nd beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Child care will be available both evenings. We encourage at least one parent from each family to attend. Please note that these evenings are intended to help you become familiar with your child’s teacher(s) and classroom expectations, not to discuss individual student progress. If a parent-teacher conference is needed, please make an appointment with your child’s teacher.

ITBS Testing
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) will be administered beginning Monday, September 19th to students in grades 1 -8. Students in grades 3, 5, and 7 will also take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). Testing will take place all week, and most testing is scheduled in the morning hours. Please do not schedule any appointments for the week of the 19th so your child is present to take the full battery of tests.

Catechetical Sunday
The Church will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on September 18, 2011, and will focus on the theme “Do This in Memory of Me.” Incarnation School teachers and Religious Education catechists will be called forth during the 9:00 a.m. Mass to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.

Swim Team News

The INCA Eagle Swimmers are off to a great start. On Sunday, the team competed in the first meet of the season at the San Fernando Regional Pool, scoring 201 points, the highest points ever scored by the team! Congratulations to the following swimmers who earned medals and points for the team: Sydney C, Max C, Krista C, Mark G, Emmelene G, Valentin M, Massimo M, Matteo M, Annisa O, Quinn R, Olivia S, Alexander U and Krista V. We would like to formally welcome new swim team members: Krista C, Andrew & Brian F, Mark G, Charlie L, Mariscal, Kathryn M and Olive O. Lastly, congratulations to our swim team coach Brandi who just had a beautiful baby boy, Noah! Thank you to all swim parents who volunteered on such a hot day!

After-School GLEE CLUB
There will be a new after school singing / GLEE Club for Grades 3 - 8 on Thursdays from 3:15pm - 4:45pm.  The club is open to any child who is part of the Incarnation Parish Community.  You don’t have to attend Incarnation School to participate. A FREE Preview class will be held on September 29th in the school auditorium and is open to ANYONE whether interested in signing up for the class or not!  The Fall class starts on Thursdays starting October 6th and will culminate with a final showcase performance on December 18th. The INCA GLEE Club will provide children with an opportunity to sing as a group, learn some stage skills and build confidence. Please look for the sign-up sheets at the church in the vestibules, the parish office or at the school or contact Susan at 818-237-0607.

Family Messenger, September 6, 2011

Lord, our God,
Help us to be people of prayer,
turning first to God when we
have decisions to make.
May God’s work be done through us.
We ask this through Jesus’ name.
Amen.

A Message from the Principal
As we begin our second week of school, this is a great time to for you to help your child succeed this school year. As your child’s first and most important teacher, you pay an important role in supporting your child’s learning at school. The beginning of a school year is a great time to review rules together. Discuss school and classroom rules, and use this opportunity to talk about home rules too!

I am eager to be involved in your child’s learning this year!

Sincerely,

Ms. Olivia Carrillo


Important Dates

• September 13 – 17 – Book Fair
  
• September 13 – All School Mass 8:30 a.m.; dress uniform required
  
• September 15– Back to School Night grades preschool through 5; child care provided
  
• September 17 – Back to School Hop/Book Fair
  

Welcome Preschool and Kindergarten!
This week our preschoolers and kindergarteners begin classes. We are happy to welcome their smiling faces to our school. Kindergarten will dismiss at noon all this week and preschoolers will dismiss at noon for the next two weeks. Reminder for kindergarten parents – students can be picked up at the black gate adjacent to the church parking lot.

From the Business Office
Late Notices will be e-mailed today. Please contact Mrs. Fenton if you have any questions.

Decathlon Coach Needed
The Academic Junior High Decathlon is scheduled for March 10, 2012. We do not have a head coach for this event, and we must have one if we are to send a team to represent Incarnation. If you are interested in being the head coach for the team, please contact Ms. Carrillo ASAP. The head coach will fulfill the participation hour’s requirement for the year.

Directory Information
We are currently preparing an updated School Directory for distribution in the next few weeks.  If you haven't already done so, please complete the pink "2011-2012 Directory Information" form (one per family) and return it to the School Office by this Friday, September 9.  Additional forms are available in the School Office.  Thank you!

Back to School Hop and Book Fair
Mark your calendars for our annual Back to School Hop to be held Saturday, September 17. Join Incarnation families as we celebrate the beginning of an exciting school year. The book fair will also be open that day. Hope to see you there!

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 to the school office. Visit HYPERLINK "http://www.boxtops4education.com"www.boxtops4education.com for more ways to earn. 


P.E. Uniforms
We have made the mesh P.E. shorts available for ALL students. If your items are backordered, students may wear their regular uniform shorts or blue/black athletic shorts while you are waiting for your order to arrive.

Free Dress Day
Please help support Inca athletics! We will be having a free dress day this Friday, September 9 with a $1 donation. Free dress must follow the handbook guidelines. Anyone inappropriately dressed will be sent home and will lose the privilege of free dress the next time. If Friday is your child’s mass day, free dress may be worn if it is mass appropriate.

SCRIP News
Thank you for your support during the summer. We sold more than ever before! This month we welcome four new vendors: Overstock.com (8%), Tony Roma’s Restaurant (12%), Bass Pro Shops (9%), and Burlington Coat Factory (8%). These are all Special Order SCRIP. In addition, the following vendors have promotions during the month of September: LLBean additional 2%—9/3/11 to 9/30/11 and Best Buy additional 1% bonus—9/3/11 to 9/16/11.

Question of the Week
What is one thing you would do for someone whom you loved?

Family Messenger,August 30, 2011

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.

A Message from the Principal
On behalf of the faculty and staff at Incarnation School, welcome to the 2011-2012 academic year! We look forward to working with you and hope that our students and their parents share our enthusiasm as we begin the school year ahead.

A few things have changed around campus. The school lot has been re-striped; the computer lab reconfiguration is complete with a Smart Board, 35 Mac minis, and a new Writing STARZ kindergarten program; the ASP room will double as the music room for grades K-8 so that students can have uninterrupted time for that class; and air conditioning has been installed in all first-floor classrooms! The units are cooling so well that some are saying it’s too cold! The scope of the second floor project is a bit more complex, but it is in process and drawings are with the City of Glendale Plan Check Department for review. It is estimated to be about a week for the city to complete their review and return to the engineers with comments. Once those drawings are approved by the city, they will be forwarded to the Archdiocese Construction Department for approval. Thank you for your continued support of our fundraisers to make all of this possible.

The 2011-2012 Parent/Student Handbook is now available online only at www.incaschool.org . This handbook will provide you with information to assist you in familiarizing yourself with Archdiocesan and school policies. There were quite a few updates over the summer, so please take the time to read through it carefully. 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. As part of your enrollment agreement/contract, we require all families to sign and return the Policies Agreement Form no later than Friday, September 9.

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. 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. Incarnation will be offering a VIRTUS class on September 26 from 7 – 9 p.m. and a recertification class on September 29 from 7-8:30 p.m. VIRTUS training is valid for 4 years. 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.

Question of the Week
Jesus tells us that we are each called to follow him. What is hard for you to do to follow Jesus?

Sincerely,

Ms. Olivia Carrillo
Principal


Welcome, New Staff!
We are pleased to welcome Monsignor Steven Zak to the Incarnation church and school community! Monsignor Zak joined Incarnation in July, and we look forward to his involvement with the school. Monsignor Zak will continue the tradition of leading the student body at weekly assemblies beginning September 19.

We are also pleased to welcome Ms. Lauren Muscarella (grade 4), Mrs. Lauren Mott (grade 5), Mrs. Cherie Liu-Barba (grade 7/math), and Mr. Paul Angers (grades 5-8 music) to Incarnation School.

Important Dates

• August 31 – Regular dismissal grades 1-8; preschool parent orientation 6 p.m.
  
• September 2 – Deadline to submit emergency cards - please submit both cards
  
• September 5 – No School – Labor Day
  
• September 6 - First Day of School for preschool and kindergarten (noon dismissal)
  
• September 12 - 17 - Book Fair
  
• September 17 – Back to School Hop
  

After School Program
ASP begins this week. Please note that all school rules remain in effect for ASP.

Hot Lunch Program
Order forms for hot lunch beginning on Tuesday, 9/6 are enclosed. Please turn in orders with payment no later than Friday, 9/2. Hot lunch must be ordered in advance. Your check should be made out to M & F Kitchenette.

Visitors to Campus
All visitors to campus, regardless of the nature or length of the visit, must check in at the front office to obtain a name tag/visitor’s badge which must be worn at all times while on campus. Thank you for your cooperation.

From the Business Office
Great news! Invoices and statements will be e-mailed beginning with the 2011-2012 school year. No more looking for the Home Messenger envelope and discovering it didn't make it home! E-mails will be sent to the e-mail currently on file. Please contact Mrs. Fenton if you would prefer to use a different e-mail address.

Swim Team News
The Incarnation Swim Team is looking for new swimmers!  All swimmers from K-8 can participate. To find out more, please come join us at our organizational meeting to be held on Thursday, September 1 at 7p.m. in the school auditorium. The Swim Team practices on Fridays after school and has 4 meets.  The first meet will be held on September 11. For additional information contact Co-Chairs:  Juliet Mazza Mendoza- jmazza@mendozaassociates.com or Laura Fabian Medina-fourpups@live.com.

Participation Hours Booklet
Your 2011-2012 participation hours booklet is enclosed. Please be sure to turn in your participation hours as they are completed. The committee chairperson should sign verifying hours worked. Return the slips via home messenger or drop them in the office.

Girls B Volleyball Coach Needed
We are in need of a coach for the B Volleyball team (grades 5 and 6). Coaching requirements include Virtus training, fingerprinting, TB test, and CYO certification. Please contact Nick Harris at hockey_player@sbcglobal.net if interested. 40 participation hours given for coaching!!

Academic Decathlon Coach Needed
If you are interested in coaching the Junior High Academic Decathlon team this year, please contact Ms. Carrillo. The event is scheduled for March 10, 2012. 40 participation hours also given!