August 1, 2008

Dear Parents,

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”  Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year!  We look forward to spending time with all of your children whom we feel are also “our children!”  Thank you for bringing them to Butler Catholic for their growth in learning—academically, spiritually, socially, emotionally and physically.  It will be a FANTASTIC YEAR!!

To get us started, we are having a “New School Year Kick Off” on Wednesday, August 20, at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium.  All families from Pre-School to Eighth Grade are invited and URGED to attend.  After a brief overview, you will receive the First Day Packet—including homeroom assignments—and then go to your children’s classrooms to meet their teacher for the preview of the year’s coming attractions!  A bell will ring and you can move to another session with a total of three classroom sessions.  During the evening, you may purchase gym uniforms and/or assignment books—both are required in Grades 1-8--and the writing tablets for Grades 1-3.

If you haven’t sold your Steelers raffle tickets (or if you want more), please do so.  The weather was not cooperative on our “Big Sale Day” so we need everyone to help out.  We have to shift the intent of this year’s sale to the upstairs computer lab.  The air conditioning unit is inadequate for proper temperature control and this is causing the server to shutdown. The computers fail to work and children and teachers become very frustrated.  Of course, a larger unit requires more electrical work and the estimates we’ve received range from $22,000—$35,000.  Four thousand tickets sold means $40,000!!!  Let’s sell them all!!!

Be sure to mark September 16 on your calendars as a special event.  Bishop David Zubik will be here to offer Mass at 8:30 AM in the Auditorium.  All are welcome to attend our Opening School Liturgy.

As you can tell by the Faculty/Staff Roster, we have revamped our Pre-School and After Care Program.  Mrs. Janice Zavacky chose to move on.  We thank her again for her many years of service that she gave to the children of Butler Catholic.  We wish her well and God’s blessing.

A new team is being formed for fall co-ed soccer for Grades 3-8.  Mrs. Chris Cleary is coordinating this program.  If you are interested in it, please call her at 724-282-2245.

All sports physicals will take place on Sunday, September 14 at 6:00 PM.  Any students interested in participating in volleyball, fall and/or spring soccer, and basketball MUST have a current physical BEFORE they begin practice.  Physicals done before August 15, 2007 do not fulfill the required time frame for fall sports.  More information will follow.

Our “Annual Clean Up The School Grounds” will take place on Saturday, August 23, from 8:30 AM until Noon.  Many hands make light work for weeding, pruning, sweeping the steps, etc. etc., etc.  Greg and his crew just cannot get to that part of maintenance.  Service hours can be earned!

As we move into the final days of preparation for school and the last “little trips” of vacation, may we take time to experience the variety of creation our Provident God has lavished upon us.  Each day may you feel the warmth of His loving arms holding you.   May you hear His soft whisper of how much He loves you and treasures you.  May you be blessed abundantly!

Looking forward to seeing you on August 20th!  God bless!

Gratefully,

Sister John Ann