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Miss Joan Agresta
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The
Principal's Newsletter|
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Miss Joan Agresta
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Dear Families of St. Anselm School,
Our speech therapist Jenny Young gave birth to a little girl, Abigail Kristen, on May 4th at 5:01 a.m. Baby Abigail weighed in at 6 lbs, 13 oz. and everyone is fine! Thank you so much for your prayers for this happy family! While Mrs. Young is at home caring for her child we welcome Mrs. Pat Proctor as her sub for the remainder of the school year.
I would like to thank so many of you for your prayers for my mother. She had been hospitalized recently and has had an extremely difficult adjustment to some medication. She has required round-the-clock care and monitoring, and so I have been in and out of school. She seems to be improving, and we have secured someone to care for her during the day and night for a while. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience my periodic absences may have caused.
We are at that point in the year where we are filled with activities and notices. We are "fine-tuning" some of the end of the year plans and will be sharing them in this newsletter and the remaining ones of the school year.
We will be extending the deadline for registration for golf and the selling of sponsorships for the outing. Please, please, please get the forms in as soon as you possibly can! I am asking each family to personally try to secure a sponsorship for the outing . . . we need your participation and support!
If you are playing golf: send in the forms now! We have some special treats for all golfers and we need to place our orders, so do not hesitate!
If you are not playing golf but want to be there, sign up for the dinner only. The food is great, the people (YOU!) are stupendous, and the fun will be perfect!
If you are playing or if you are not, please commit to selling at least one golf sponsorship! This is the bulk of our fundraising effort. We are asking you to seriously give it your all in securing sponsorships! There is so much we can do here at St. Anselm School for technology and other subject areas, but we rely totally on your involvement! Please do what you can!
If you like to have fun, then buy some raffle tickets! You have each received two of them; if you want more, let us know. We will continue selling them . . . on the weekends, at events, and at the golf outing itself. Winners need not be present! And the seller of the winning ticket receives $25.
Mark the date: Sunday, June 10th. We begin serving lunch at 11:30 and the shotgun scramble start is at 1 p.m. Dinner will be served starting at 6 p.m.
Next Golf Outing Committee meeting: Tuesday, May 15th at 6 p.m.! It will be short and to the point . . . and right before the SAC meeting. Golf meeting will be in the faculty room.
Today you are receiving the results of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and, for some grades, the Cognitive Abilities Tests. While the forms you receive have an explanation on them, it helps to add a bit of clarification.
The scores are reported to you as percentiles. A percentile is not the same as a percent. A percentile of 70 means that your son or daughter did better than 70 percent of the students who took the test (as opposed to getting a 70% on the test). Our goal is to have each class and every student at the 75 percentile or above.
We were also informed by Riverside Publishers that these scores are based on a new norming sample. These norms are much stiffer than the 2000 norms, so in some areas you may notice that your child may have a slightly lower percentile mark than he or she had last year or previously. Educationally, we prefer the more challenging norm referencing, but we will have to adjust to it this year.
Here is our ranking (National School Norms):
Kindergarten
Reading 86 percentile
Math 70 percentile
Grade 1
Reading 97
Math 92
Grade 2
Reading 94
Math 90
Grade 3
Reading 94
Math 78
Grade 4
Reading 88
Math 84
Grade 5
Reading 84
Math 73
Grade 6
Reading 97
Math 85
Grade 7
Reading 90
Language 95
Math 73
Social St. 90
Science 96
Grade 8
Reading 91
Language 98
Math 85
Social St. 89
Science 96
While our school norms are good, we know there is much more we can do with individual students and within some of these broad categories.
It is also important to note that when we compare ourselves to other schools we need to remember that not all schools take the same tests. For the most accurate comparison we need to be taking the same tests with the same norms.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.
Are you ready for some baseball? The students who participated successfully in the Captains Reading program and their families are ready for a fun this Monday, May 14th. If it is baseball, it must be spring!
We will be keeping this reminder in for the next few newsletters, since we know it can be difficult to keep everything straight!
Thursday, June 7 This will be a dress down day for all (Please . . . no open-toed shoes are permitted!).
We will be providing a pizza lunch for all the students; please pack a drink.
1:15 The Talent Show: in the past we have done this on the last day, but we are moving it up. Come and join us!
Friday, June 8 This is a dress up day! (Sorry, still no open toes permitted!)
Mass for all at 8:30 a.m. Come and join us!
After Mass the students will have time for a break, snack, etc.
10:00 Honors Assembly in Church.
Students may be dismissed after the Honors Assembly.
We are firming up our plans for a super Field Day on Thursday, May 31st. A nice group of parents has volunteered to assist with the games and activities. If we need more, we will put out a special call by next week . . . so if you still want to help but forgot to send in your form, just let us know or contact Mrs. Delligatti or Mrs. Castiglione.
We will have our picnic lunch on that day from 11:00 to noon. You are invited to join us for the picnic. There will be hot dogs and other goodies! Field Day activities begin again at noon, so by that time we will clean up everything from lunch and move on with the fun!
Don't miss it!
Our Talent Show is scheduled for Thursday, June 7th at 1:15 p.m. in Kelly Hall. Come see our talented students perform! In this packet you will find the sign up form so make sure your sons and daughters complete it and hand it in if they wish to share their talents with us!
Next Friday, May 18th, after our morning Mass at 8:30, we will honor the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of May and Queen of our hearts. Our second graders will lead us in this simple and beautiful demonstration of love and honor. We encourage all of you to find a way to honor Our Lady in your own homes (and gardens) during this month. Join us!
The eighth grade class sets the tone for the whole school in many ways. We have been so very blessed to have such a fabulous eighth grade class this year. They have been responsible and playful, hardworking and kind. Each and every time they were asked to "step up to the plate" in terms of doing the right thing, they did. We are simply very proud of them.
Our seventh grade class promises to be a wonderful group of leaders as well. On Friday, June 1st, our eighth grade class, in a simple ceremony at the end of Mass, will hand over the leadership role to their seventh grade classmates. You are cordially invited to be with us for this celebration.
Our sixth graders have spent much of the last semester learning the tools to avoid drug abuse and the pressures to experiement. Now they are ready for their "graduation" from the D.A.R.E. program. Our D.A.R.E. Graduation will take place on Friday, June 1st,1:30-2:30 p.m. in Kelly Hall.
Tailgate Treasures, our parish flea market extravaganza will be on June 2nd in the school parking lot.
This event is sponsored by the Saint Anselm parent club and proceeds from space sales benefit the school. Call Thomas Massey at 285-8547, or 216-622-7613 during the day with questions, suggestions and to reserve a spot. Call soon to grab a good space, then round up a friend and fill your cars, trucks and wagons with all of the choice items from your attic, garage, house and basement. Have fun, make some spare cash and help the school all at the same time.
For the month of May, the class that brings in the most Box Tops will receive a snow cone party! In order to be eligible, the box tops turned in must have your child's room number . . . so place them in an envelope and make sure the envelopes are marked! Ready, set, go!
(I am a huge fan of these Masses!) The Last LifeTeen Mass will be held on May 20th at 6 p.m. We strongly encourage and invite all of our eighth graders and their families to attend. The YOSA team will have a special ceremony to welcome all of our current eighth graders into the LifeTeen experience at St. Anselm Parish after Mass from 7-8:15 p.m. As high school approaches, this is one way to keep our young people engaged and alive in their faith! Plan to be there if you can!
This year we will once again host the Scholastic half-priced book fair. This is not a fund-raiser for us; it is simply an opportunity to offer you Scholastic books at half-price. So, if you are looking for some summer reading for the children or a special gift, plan to visit the sale on May 15-17 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Many thanks to all of you who helped to make this such a wonderful morning! Mrs. Randlett and Mrs. Mailey worked together with the children for the delightful decorative (and useful!) jars as a keepsake. And a happy mother's day to all!
Our next Market Day pick up is Wednesday, May 23rd. Remember that order forms are due the week before that date!
The next SAC meeting will be on Tuesday, May 15th at 7 p.m. If you are interested in being a part of this committee, please send in a note to me indicating your interest and qualifications. This committee serves as an important advisory group for the school.
Be sure to see the attached flyer on Vacation Bible School. The adventures begin Monday, June 18, and parents are invited to join in on the closing picnic on that Friday. A perfect way to end the month of June! The registration form is attached to the information flyer.
We are in need of a few supplies for our craft projects at vacation Bible school this summer. We need 2-liter soda bottles, old CD's, and CD cases. If you are willing to donate any of these items please bring them to school or the parish office. Send them to the attention of Leanne Edmonds. If you have any questions, call Leanne at 440-429-2563.
Last week I reported that our children raised $194 for the Jump Rope For Your Heart event for the American Heart Association! I was off a few dollars….the amount raised was $2,004.35!
Other important dates to remember for the Early Childhood Program:
v May 18th is the end of the year program date for all of our Early Childhood Programs. Come and enjoy the special year end program in Kelly Hall at 10:30 and a cookie and punch reception to follow;
v May 21st is the end of the year picnic and it will be at the West Geauga Commons.
Our final weekend for baseball! Put on that sunscreen and cheer them on!
6th Grade Boys Baseball (Coach Hall)
Saturday, May 12 @ St. Mary Chardon @ 9 vs. St. Mary Chardon
5th Grade Girls Softball (Coach Rust)
Saturday, May 12 @ St. Anselm @ 11:00 vs. St. Francis of Assisi
St Joseph Christian Life Center will be having a Peace Camp this July 23-27 for K-11 year-olds. The cost for the week is $80 per student, which includes breakfast, lunch and snack, and all activities. It is from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. for the week. Peace Camp teaches children nonviolent ways to play, communicate, etc. High school and college students will be a part of the training team. For all details and applications, please go to the web site enterthecenter.org, then go to programs, then youth, then peace camp.
Each week we recommend to you families and individuals who rely on our prayerful support. At any time during the school year please feel free to send in your request for prayer.
As a community united in prayer, please remember the following intentions:
v For Mr. Foiani who underwent heart surgery this week;
v For Betty Fyfe, the grandmother of eighth grader Steven Fyfe, who is ill;
v For Kathryn DePoy, the Grandmother of Mrs. Mincer;
v For the Father of Mr. Lees and the Grandfather of Jordyn in grade 4
v For the 28 year old Niece of Mrs. Barbara Jacovetty who is dealing with a recurrence of cancer;
v For the Mother of Mrs. Sebastiano;
v For the Grandfather of Alexandrea Spies in grade 2;
v For the Grandfather of Ivana (gr. 6) and Andreja (gr. 4) Didovic;
v For Pat Lauria, the 37-year-old cousin of Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. DiNardo, and Mrs. Kimble;
v For the Mother of Mr. Mitchell and the Grandmother of Matthew Mitchell in grade 4 who has cancer;
v For the Korman family;
v For the Fowler family;
v For the Father of Mrs. Kathryn Gentile, our first grade teacher;
v For Anastasia Fiala's two grandmothers and her grandfather;
v for the family of Mrs. Helber;
v for the Medve family, and especially for Mr. Medve;
v for the Mother-in-law of our Pre-K teacher Mrs. Kohut;
v for Mr. Ryan Householder, our "adopted" son of St. Anselm;
v for the Grandfather of our school nurse, Mrs. Sandra Onorato;
v for my mom, Mrs. Bettie Agresta;
v for all those mothers who are with child, that they may have a safe delivery;
v for those who have family members who are ill or dying.
We continue to remember in our prayers those who protect and serve us in the armed forces: If you have any relatives who are in the armed services, please let us know so that we may pray for them in a special way.
Saturday 5/12
Ø Ordination of Deacon Joseph Previte at 10 a.m. at St. John Cathedral
Monday 5/14
Ø St. Anselm School Night at Captains Baseball as part of the Captains' Reading Program!
Ø Grade 8 and Kindergarten Prayer Partner sharing day
Tuesday 5/15
Ø Happy Birthday to Mrs. Kovach and to Mrs. Duchez!
Ø Grades 3 and 4 go to the Cleveland Orchestra, 9 a.m.-noon
Ø Kindergarten class goes to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine for the day
Ø Scholastic Half-Price Book Fair begins in the media center
Ø SAC meeting at 7 p.m.
Wednesday 5/16
Ø PROCTOR LUNCHEON: get ready for a late lunch and a big thank you!
Ø Scholastic Half-Price Book Fair continues
Thursday 5/17
Ø Grade 1 celebrates Grandparents Day! Park in the front of school, come in the front doors, sign in and proceed to Kelly Hall.
Ø Last day of class for our three-year-olds
Friday 5/18
Ø Happy Birthday to Mrs. Tressler
Ø Mass at 8:30 planned by Grade 2
Ø MAY CROWNING after Mass
Ø Grade 8 retreat day at Notre Dame Educational Center
Ø Final day of classes for the Early Childhood Education Program: special schedule and a day filled with fun!
Ø D.A.R.E. program for grade 6
Sunday 5/20
Ø St. Anselm Parish Reception for newly ordained Father Joseph Previte after the 11:30 Mass
Last week I shared with you some of my memories of May Crownings. I received a lovely email from
one of our parents sharing her insights and memories. I asked her if I could share them with you: I went to
St. Felicitas 1st thru 8th grade. Without a doubt, my favorite time of year was May and our May crowning
festivities. We practiced the songs for weeks. When weather permitted, we were allowed to practice outside
in the shrine. A fine shrine we had! In a beautiful wooded area behind the school. The stations of the cross
encircled a life size Mary with a kneeler in front of her. In front of each station was also a kneeler.
Each station was behind glass, and the scene was depicted in detailed, carved, painted wood figures. I have to
admit, I was more fascinated by the bug and spider life behind the glass than the scenes, but the scenes of a
suffering Jesus are etched in my mind as well. I'll never forget the time a classmate painted the
toenails on the statue of Mary a bright red, and of course paid the price with the paddle. Memories I will
never forget. My favorite memory are the beautiful songs we rehearsed for the ceremony. Bring flowers of
the fairest, Bring flowers of the rarest, From garden and woodland and hillside and dale, Our full hearts are
swelling, Our glad voices telling, the praise of the loveliest rose of the vale....O Mary we crown thee with
blossoms today! Queen of the angels, Queen of the May, O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of
the angels, Queen of the May.I send my child to Catholic school in hopes that he will carry with him the
warm memories I have of times like May crowning. I am still best friends with a girl I grew up with who lived
across the street from me, and also went to St. Felicitas. We still sing those May crowning songs and love
them now as we did then. My sister and I shared a room, and we always set up a May altar on a TV tray in
our room. My mother gave us a pretty cloth to cover the TV tray with. We had a little statue of Mary which
we wrapped a rosary around (My grandmother had a plethora of rosaries made of crystal beads we thought
were real gems). We would have a vase or two and fill it with flowers, and we would pray at our homemade
altar. These are happy memories I will never forget. I'm 48 yrs. old and the memories are still with me. A
happy time.
May your week be filled with happy, blessed times. God be with you and your family.
Lovingly in Christ,
Joan Agresta
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E-Mail us at: st_anselm@lgca.org
Date Last Modified: 10/5/06
