August 8, 2003

Dear Parents,

"It's that most wonderful time of the year"-so says the famous Christmas song. But that particular line speaks of this time of the year for me. It is with much excitement and anticipation that I look forward to the beginning of school and being with the children. Welcome back!!!

There are quite a few areas that I need to make known to you, so I will use a "listing format."

1. School begins on Thursday, August 21. It will be a half-day. Beginning on that day, there will be no lunches served on half-day sessions. Dismissal is at Noon.
2. There is a change in the time frame for school. All children will report to their homerooms at 8:00 a.m. The tardy bell will be at 8:05 a.m. Classes will begin at 8:15. Homeroom attendance, cafeteria count, and morning prayer will take place in those ten minutes. Children are to be in their homerooms when that 8:05 bell rings. If not, they are late.
3. Since many children are on the bus at an early hour and/or many "skip breakfast," we will have a "whole school 15-minute coffee break" at 10:15 a.m. Children are encouraged to bring a snack to eat at this time. Try to make it a healthy, nutritional snack-crackers, fruit, cheese, pretzels, etc.
4. There will be two lunch sessions. Kindergarten through fourth grade will eat at 11:15 a.m., and students in grades five through eight will eat at 12:00 p.m.
5. Children will be attending Mass on a weekly basis in the Chapel. All five pastors and their parochial vicars will be "taking turns" offering Mass. The routine will be:

   Tuesdays -- Grades 5 & 6
   Wednesdays -- Grades 7 & 8
   Thursdays -- Grades 3 & 4
   Fridays -- Grades 1 & 2

   Mass will be at 1:15 p.m. Whole school Masses will take place on the First Friday of each month in the gym. Parents are invited to attend these Eucharistic Celebrations. Our first school Mass will be on Friday, September 5, in the gym. The weekly Masses will begin the following week. More information on procedures and entry will come home a little later.

6. Along with this letter is a copy of the dress code. I do expect all students to abide by it. There have been a few minor adjustments made to the code. Remember, our dress code is NOT a fashion statement. If students choose not to adhere to it, they also choose the consequences of their choice.
7. August 15 is "the day." Homeroom lists will be posted on the windows near the Kindergarten entrance. In the Auditorium, there will be a uniform resale, some vendors, and school supplies and snacks will be available for you to purchase between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
8. A reminder: 5 TUITION PAYMENTS are to be made by August 15. Those payments are as outlined on the tuition sheet that you received in March/April. It is VITAL that every family be faithful to the payment schedule. Our budget is tight-so we really need everyone's cooperation in making payments.
9. Mark your calendar for the first PTG Meeting - Wednesday, August 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. It's "Meet The Teachers Night" and I will present my vision for Butler Catholic School.
10. So that you can plan ahead, school pictures will be taken on Thursday, August 28.

I am usually in my office - the former Conference Room - beginning at 9:00 a.m. Please feel free to stop in or call. You can call in the evening at the Convent if you need to - 724-285-4276 - or stop in to visit.

Let's make this the BEST year Butler Catholic has ever had. And it can happen by all of us working together to make it happen.

May these next weeks be restful, relaxing, and filled with the special gifts of God's love.

Know that you are in my daily prayers.

May our Provident God bless you abundantly with the warmth of His love.

Gratefully,

Sister John Ann