Dear Parents,
The unseasonably warm weather has given us opportunity to enjoy the early fall days in short sleeves. October presents us with the month of the Holy Rosary and Respect Life. The Rosary is said in the classrooms and mass themes will revolve around the monthly Respect Life themes. Visitors are always welcome at our student masses--"Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." October is full of student activities as well. Join us to spur on our students and staff as they use their talents for the glory of God.
Eugene Meister, President
Kathee Froehlich & Michael Stence, Principals
Congratulations to students in grades 5-6-7-8 for their calendar sales this year. One of the rewards is that homerooms meeting their room goal will have a half day off. That half day is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24. Grades PReK through 4 will have school until 12:45, as it is an inservice afternoon. The date for the water park has yet to be announced.
Some students carry cell phones or PDAs to school for after school parental communication. It is our policy that cell phones/PDAs remain turned off and in the locker at all times. Confiscated items will be returned only to parents.
Seton is currently looking for energetic, child-loving people who would be interested in being substitute associates for the early childhood programs. Substitutes are paid positions. If you are interested or know someone who would be, please contact the school at 295-3509.
Cold and flu season is fast approaching, and the homework topic usually comes up during this time. Please consult the parent handbook regarding the Seton homework policy. It can be found on page 2 under "Absence and Tardiness". It states:
"Because most homework requires teacher instruction before it can be used as a learning tool, homework will not be sent home when students are absent. Upon returning to school, a student will be given instructions, a reasonable amount of time to make up missed work, and teacher assistance, if necessary."
We find that students benefit from rest and do better work when they return to school. If they feel well enough, students are always welcome to read in their Free Reading book, study math facts, or review materials that they were working on before their illness. When teachers are asked to provide homework, it puts them in an uncomfortable position.
How much homework should your child expect to have nightly? The average measure is 10 minutes for each grade. For example, a third grader could have 10 minutes x 3 = 30 minutes per evening--sometimes a little more, sometimes less. If there is consistently more time than the suggested amount on work at home, please contact the teacher to check on things.
Your student was up late studying and wants to sleep in. What should you do? Keep in mind that research shows a strong link between attendance and grades--at all levels. It helps to:
Road Trip 2007 is the theme for this year's Bishop Garrigan Homecoming Week. Seton will once again participate in the Homecoming parade to be held on Friday, October 19, at 2:00pm. The parade will begin by O.B. Laing to State Street and onto the Court House. All students PReK4 through grade 8 will participate in the parade. We invite all parents and friends to help us root for the Bears.
Club's choice, Seton's fundraiser, takes place the last two weeks of October. Kick off for the fundraiser will be held at 8:35am on Friday, October 19, and conclude on Monday, November 5. There will be information coming home with students that day so that you know what is going on.
Thank-you for remembering the past two years to be on time or making arrangements for pick-up. We do not have freezer storage space for individual orders. The seller is responsible for the products, whether they are picked up or not. The school is unable to assume the cost. The last two years there were no products left!
You do not need to collect money until you deliver the products. Please turn all the money in at once in the original envelope.
We will continue to use the money for supplementary reading materials and playground equipment. Thank-you for doing your best to sell for Seton. Whether we get to have Airwave Fun Centers the next year always depends on our sales from the year before.
Since 1998 Congress has declared the last full week in October "Red Ribbon Week". This week is dedicated to encouraging students to commit to a healthy, drug-free and non-violent lifestyle. Activities for the students during the week help to create an awareness of the problems associated with the use of violence, tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Students will be reminded throughout the week of how important it is to be, and to stay, drug free. The activities for Seton's Red Ribbon Week will be October 22 - 26.
The 7th and 8th grade students involved in the leadership team for the Red Ribbon Week are: Lana Larson, Dustin Miller, Mallory Bormann, Charlie Thilges, Mitch Rahm, Haley Froehlich, Daniel Gelhaus, and Samantha Kollasch. Their coach is counselor, Mr. John Byrkeland.
Each month from October through March this newsletter will include excepts from the Annual Progress Report (APR). This is a report of academic progress required by the State Department of Education. Anyone who wishes to study the report in its entirety may call or make an appointment with an administrator at either Seton or Bishop Garrigan.
This month's report gives an overview of who we are and what we do. It includes such things as enrollment, faculty/student ratio, special programs, and spending.
The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to Seton in November in conjunction with parent-teacher conferences. Remember this is a good way to support the school's libraries as we receive benefits from this program. Books are always a good gift for your child.
Mrs. Barb Kramer, Librarian
Please continue to save various items as we are able to turn them into cash for everything from religious items and posters to science and PE equipment. Items to save are Big G coupons, Campbells, and Pizza Ranch wagons off the sides of pizza boxes.
Thank-you for naming Seton as your school of choice when purchasing items with your Target charge card. We just received a check from Target.
Our first Big G collection of the year will be held the week of October 8. When we fill the box, then all classes receive a free jeans day. We always work hard for that privilege.