Little Flower School

Where Faith and Education Grow Together.

Wednesday Letter

 

Important Updates:

 

Name the Fish Contest – As you may have noticed, we have two new clown fish in the saltwater aquarium in the lobby.  The fish were donated by a member of the Southern Maryland Marine Aquarium Society and were grown locally. These fish have not been removed from their natural environment, which is very exciting.  Each class has the opportunity to submit two pairs of names for our new clown fish.  One pair of names will be chosen from among the entries.  We look forward to naming our new friends!  In addition, there are over 100 shelled critters in the tank.  Look closely and you will see hermit crabs with blue feet and golden crowned Astraea snails.  Mr. Howell continues to enjoy working with grade 4 and grade 6 on this on-going learning experience. 

Important Update on Relay Races – If your child is participating in the Relay Races on April 25^th from      1 – 5 p.m. you will have received in today’s folder a copy of the Release/Permission form, a breakout list of runners by event and a 2009 Catholic School Relays Event Schedule.  Please read the enclosed information carefully for timelines and deadlines.  The enclosed permission form must be signed and returned by Tuesday, April 21^st. Questions about the Relays can be directed to Ms. Angel at LFS7@adwschool.org. 

LFS Selling NEW Uniform Separates for $5 A Piece - LFS has a supply of new uniform separates from County Sports since they have gone out of business.  We are selling these new pieces for $5 each.  In addition, we have a supply of gently used separates in the health room for $1 each. 

May 1^st Deadline for Yearbook Dedications and Ads – Be a part of LFS history!  Please see the enclosed flyer regarding dedications and/or submission of yearbook ads.  The deadline to receive your dedications and/or ads is May 1^st.  Considering Easter Break is upon us, May 1^st is right around the corner. 

Yearbook Orders Now Accepted – 2008-2009 Yearbooks will be sold for $20.  Advanced orders are required and are now being accepted.  Submit your order for a yearbook by May 14^th to guarantee your copy.  Please see the enclosed flyer.

COMBS SCHOLARSHIP - Combs Scholarship applications are now available from the Finance Office.  Please contact Mrs. Taylor to request an application form be sent home to you.  The deadline for submitting applications for Combs Scholarships is May 8, 2009. 

Volunteer & Fundraising Progress Reports- Volunteer & Fundraising Progress Reports have been generated after compiling all volunteer information submitted and are enclosed in this Wednesday folder.  All Fundraisers have been completed.  Please remit the balance due to the Finance Office as soon as possible.  Volunteer hours will be tabulated again through May 8^th and letters will be sent home informing you of your remaining balance.   Please complete your volunteer requirement or send in a payment for the remaining volunteer minutes.  All accounts must be finalized by May 30^th.  Note:  Rate assessed is $.16 per minute.

2^nd Annual Scrapbooking Crop Expo Raises More Than $1400 - The Scrapbooking Crop Expo this past weekend, coordinated by Misty Knott, raised $1,427.25 for Little Flower School.  Thanks to Mrs. Knott for her time and commitment to this event in its second year.  In addition, LFS and Mrs. Knott would like to recognize the following volunteers who assisted with the Expo:  Scottie Brannon, Deidre and Madison Wallace, Cely Marszalek, Melody and Jonathan Talcott, Sandy and Kylee Knott and Alyssa Davison. 

Father/Son Night Presentation on April 23^rd for 6^th and 7^th Grade Boys  - Dr. Annulis, a Catholic parent,  family practitioner out of Great Mills and member of our school community has graciously agreed to speak with the 6^th and 7^th grade boys on the topic of puberty and adolescence.  The talk will take place on April 23^rd at 5:30 p.m. and will last approximately one hour.  Students must be accompanied by a significant adult male including a parent, uncle, etc.  A reminder flyer will be sent home after break.  Please look for that flyer from your boys on Monday after break. 

Question and Answer Session for 8^th Grade Students (and Parents) Attending Ryken – Former LFS graduate and current student at St. Mary’s Ryken, Jamie Szewczyk, will be at LFS on April 20^th from 6 – 7 p.m. to answer any questions you might have about life at St. Mary’s Ryken. Mrs. Szewczyk and Jamie will share their knowledge and experience and give you tips on making a smooth transition from middle school to high school.  This is a great opportunity for parents and students new to Ryken for the 2009-2010 school year to ask those “need to know” questions in a comfortable setting.

Holy Face Spring Festival Requesting Donations of Yard Sale Items – Thinking of what to do with those items after spring cleaning?  Holy Face Spring Festival Committee is seeking donations of items for their yard sale.  Pick up is available for larger items.  Please NO clothing, stuffed animals or appliances will be accepted.  Drop off your yard sale items at the Fairgrounds on Wednesday, April 29^th, or anytime before then at Little Flower School.  Questions about the yard sale can be directed to Mark Beckman at 301-994-9493. 

Talent Show – Student Council is hosting a Little Flower School Talent Showcase on Friday, May 15, 2009, from 1 – 3 p.m.  All students are welcome to participate!  Participant evaluations will be held on Monday, May 4, 2009, from 3 – 5 p.m.  Permission slips to stay after school will be sent home in a future Wednesday letter.  See the enclosed letter from Student Council President, Conor Walsh, for more specific details about this event.

May Hot Lunch Order Forms Due April 22^nd – It seems far too soon to think about May Lunch, however, we need to have orders back the week we return from Easter Break.  Please return order forms and payment for May lunch by April 22^nd.   The final date that hot lunch will be served is May 29^th.  June will be brown bag month for those final days of school. 

Pastor Appreciation Day is Scheduled for May 3^rd – We have chosen the weekend of May 1^st as Pastor Appreciation Weekend with a focus on Sunday, May 3^rd, as a day to show our appreciation to Father Joe at Holy Face, Monsignor Karl at St. George,  Fr. Mudd at St. Nicholas, Fr. Jack and Fr. Zygmunt at Immaculate Heart of Mary.   We are grateful to have such dedicated and caring pastors supporting Little Flower School.  We are truly grateful to our pastors.  More information will follow in the Wednesday letter following Easter Break.  

LFS Band to Join Other ADW Band Members in Concert at the Holy Face Spring Festival on May 2^nd

Please plan to attend the Holy Face Spring Festival at the Fairgrounds in Leonardtown the first weekend in May.  Come out to support the LFS Band students in concert at 10:00 on Saturday, May 2^nd.  Students performing are asked to arrive that morning by 9:15 a.m. dressed in summer uniform.  We are looking forward to hearing the band perform at the fairgrounds. 

Please Note the Following Changes to the Mass Schedule – Please note on your home calendar that on May 5^th there will now be an All-School Mass.  PreK through Grade 2 will celebrate Mass on May 12^th. 

Child Protection Training Held in the Area - If you would like to attend field trips and volunteer in the classroom or while students are in school, you need to complete a volunteer application, attend a Protecting God’s Children Workshop, sign the Child Protection Policy Acknowledgement Form and be fingerprinted by the Archdiocese of Washington.  Several classes are being held in the area in the near future.  To register to attend, please visit www.virtus.org and set up your user account online.  Questions about the Child Protection requirements can be directed to Laura Skarwecki in the office. 

Thursday, April 23^rd at 6:30 p.m. at St. John Vianney in Prince Frederick

Monday, April 27^th at 6:00 p.m. at Our Lady, Star of the Sea in Solomons

Monday, May 11^th at 6:00 p.m. at Archbishop Neale School in La Plata

 

 

Easter Reflection:  During this sacred Holy Week, we reflect more than ever on our Lenten promises.  Did we make the most of these 40 days?  Let us continue our Lenten journey throughout the year as we remember daily the sacrifice that Jesus made for us during His journey on earth.  May each of your families be blessed this Easter with the joy of the risen Lord.  Enjoy your Easter break!

 

Robotics Challenge Highlights!

Little Flower students from both 5^th and 7^th grade competed in the “Save the Bay Robotics Challenge” on Saturday, April 4, at North Point High School for Science and Technology in Waldorf.  The competition was sponsored by the NAVSEA Warfare Center, N-STAR, US NAVY and the National Defense Education Program, and attracted participants from public and private schools from the tri-county area. The competition was the final event in a 16-week long program that students participated in to learn about the condition of the Chesapeake Bay and how science and technology can help save it from further damage from environmental hazards. The program was under the guidance of mentors from the National Defense Education Program; Mrs. Emmerich, 5^th grade teacher; and Ms. Garner, middle school science teacher. The Little Flower 5^th grade team, Chemical Bomb, won first place in two of the four competitions. The team comprised of Patrick Bouchard, Ally Gardiner, Harry Hewson, Will Holden, Jalyha Kyles, Isaac Waters and Kaylee Wright, earned top honors in the teamwork competition with the high score of 94 points out of a possible 100, and the technical interview with a high score of 100 points out of a possible 100. Congratulations to Chemical Bomb and to ALL the students for participating in this event.