Principal’s Notes

Parents, please read the entire message.
There are a number of important items. Thanks, M. Palmer

The students and faculty have jumped back into the routine following Christmas break. The New Year brings a new semester and a new quarter. Now is the perfect time to evaluate your child(ren)’s academic status. Students who have received failing grades in two subjects may be in danger of retention. Please contact the subject teachers for ways to improve. I will be meeting with the students individually to help create an academic plan.

I will also be checking attendance figures for the first semester. Illness is an unforeseen occurrence and students who are sick need to stay home to recover. However, prompt and regular attendance is important for academic success. Check the handbook for the school policy.

All financial accounts need to be current. Please check the handbook to refresh your memory of your financial obligations. Messages from the finance office will be forthcoming if you are delinquent. If something changes in your financial status, please call Vicki in the finance office. Thanks to all who are faithful in meeting their financial obligations.

Our School Reach phone system is now School Messenger. You should see no difference. Most of the changes are on my end. I will be sending a test message tonight and one tomorrow night. If you don’t receive these messages, contact LouAnne via fast Direct or phone. We will also be switching phone systems soon to accommodate the parish office move. Extension numbers will change, but the school and parish numbers will not.

Once again, I’d like to thank all of you who sent Christmas gifts to the office staff and me. We certainly appreciate your generosity.

Kudos To
Our 8th grade boys and girls hoopsters for their dedication and efforts.

The parents and coaches of our 8th grade basketball teams for the many sacrifices you have made to allow the students to enjoy sports.

Early Registration
We are implementing a new EARLY PK-8 registration for next year. The form will be included in the Friday Folder. You have until March 1st to take advantage of special incentives. If you use early registration and pay the $100 fee, you will lock in the current tuition and fundraising rate that is in effect for this school year. The registration fee is lower and is subtracted from your tuition. We will also be looking at offering recruitment incentives. If you recruit a new family, make sure they mention your name. The school board will be examining tuition and fees for next year at the next board meeting in February.

Snow Days
It is school policy that SSPP will close when Unit 10 closes for weather. Our Latchkey will not be open if the school is closed for snow and ice. Our policy is slightly different for extreme cold. We will not close until the expected forecast exceeds minus 25 degrees wind chill. I know that unscheduled snow days can be an inconvenience and sometimes the forecast is inaccurate. Please listen to the School Messenger message for any differences. I will also announce on Channels 5 and Fox2.

We will again incorporate the virtual snow day process. The virtual snow day assignments will be posted as soon after closure as possible. Kindergarten and grade 1 will have Blizzard Bags sent home. Remember that only two consecutive days will be virtual learning days; the third consecutive day becomes a snow day that has to be made up. Students have until the Monday after the closure to turn in assignments.

Catholic School Week
Our annual celebration of Catholic schools will be January 31- February 5th. A schedule of events will be posted next week. We do have a special event this year on Wednesday. Parents are invited to all of the events.

A New Year Wish
May the New Year bring us:
Enough happiness to keep us sweet, Enough trials to keep us strong,
Enough hope to keep us lively, Enough sorrow to keep us dependent upon God,
Enough failure to keep us humble, Enough success to keep us eager,
Enough friends to give us comfort, Enough wealth to meet our needs,
Enough enthusiasm to keep us looking forward, Enough faith to overcome despair,
Enough determination to use every day and every situation somehow for good.