February, 2008 Newsletter

 

 

Dear Cardinal Shehan School Family,

 

            We begin February as Catholic Schools Week concludes, which, as you know, is an opportunity to celebrate and underscore the tremendous value of a Catholic education.  Very special activities occurred each day during the entire week, recognizing students and teachers.  The schedule of events was sent home.  On Wednesday, we “showed off” our school to prospective new students and families during our Open House.  We had a record number of families attend.  Many cited CSS’s reputation for academic excellence and our extra-curricular activities as the main reasons for their interest.  Thank you to all friends and families who shared the Good News of Cardinal Shehan School with new families!

 

            In February, we celebrate Black History Month because it is a national recognition of the contributions of Black Americans and we champion this acknowledgment.  But, we want you to know that we celebrate black history throughout the year in all we do at Cardinal Shehan School.  During this month, we have many activities planned at every grade level for our students and school-wide we join together for a Black History Month Celebration. Additionally, teachers in each wing have prepared activities so please be looking for details and ask your children about special events! 

 

2008-2009 Tuition and Re-Registration: You will be receiving a letter about tuition and registration rates for next year on February 4, 2008 when re-registration begins.  Information about Cardinal Shehan School’s tuition assistance will also be sent home in February.  Please be advised that only families who are registered may apply for tuition assistance.  For information regarding the Children’s Scholarship Fund, call 410-243-2510 and Kids are VIPs, call 410-332-4171.  If you are a parishioner of St. Thomas More or St. Matthew’s, please contact those parish offices directly.  Please remember that we will begin new registration on March 1.  If you have not re-registered, your student’s place will not be held, fyi.   

 

On Wednesday, February 6, we will celebrate the beginning of the Lenten Season with our Ash Wednesday Liturgy at 8:30 a.m. at St. Matthew.  Lent is the 40 day season of fasting and prayer in preparation for the death, on Good Friday, and resurrection, on Easter, of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.  This is the highest holy day of our liturgical year. 

 

            The Candy Sale Kick-Off Assembly is scheduled for Monday, February 4 and candy will be sent home on February 6 and 7.  The candy fundraiser concludes on March 6 and all money must be turned in by March 6.  By the week of February 11, 2008, you will be receiving our accounting of your fundraising for the Pizza and Dessert fundraiser and the Holiday Raffle, so that you’ll know how much you have left to fulfill your annual $200.00 obligation. 

 

Our celebrated choir, under the direction of Ms. Kenyatta Hardison, has once again been invited to sing at Mercy Medical Center.  The choir sings in the lobby of the Center, so there is always room for an audience!  We are scheduled to sing on February 19 at noon.  If you are able, please join us!

 

 

The Ninth Annual Faye Wilkes Perry Concert is scheduled for Friday, February 15, 2008, 7 p.m. at Goucher College’s Kraushaar Auditorium!  This event, featuring our celebrated choir (including Tiny Tots!) as well as our dance ensembles and Kindergarten (a VERY special performance), is an evening of pure joy and entertainment.  This event supports endowment at Cardinal Shehan, which provides tuition assistance for our families.  All proceeds from the concert go directly to our scholarship endowment fund, giving back to families.  Tickets are still only $10.00.

 

We’ve been informed that Loyola College has scheduled a National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Sunday, February 10 at 10:00 a.m. in their Student Center.  This is open to Kindergarten through 8th Grade girls.  Admission is free.  Register at

WomenInSportsDay@loyola.edu or call Joann at 410-617-5013.

 

Our Home School Association has two vacancies to fill on the Executive Committee:

 

President: The President presides over and sets Executive Committee

            meetings and General Meetings of the entire parent body. The

            President sets agendas and oversees the operations of the

            Executive Committee.

 

Secretary: The Secretary takes the minutes of all meetings, Executive and

                   General.  The Secretary is responsible to ensure that the

                   Executive Committee regularly communicates with the parent

                   body. 

 

PLEASE CONSIDER RUNNING FOR THESE OFFICES.  WE ESPECIALLY WOULD LIKE FOR A DAD TO BECOME INVOLVED.

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR NAME TO THE OFFICE BY THE END OF FEBRUARY.

 

 

School Consultant’s Corner

CONSULTANT’S CORNER

 

            Some Last Ideas to Help the Targeted Child – Part VII

 

            Below are the last in this series of suggestions to help the targeted child who is being bullied.  It is my hope that these ideas have been helpful to some families and a spring board for conversations in other families.  Again, role playing is so helpful to children.  So, last but not least, try…

 

9.                  Use Humor

(No specific age)

Humor is a great stress reducer and diffuser but in many ways it cannot be taught.  Rather, if a child has a natural sense of understanding humor it can be encouraged even in situations that are challenging.  It often surprises and throws off the child who is doing the teasing and if other children laugh, it breaks the isolation that the child being teased feels.

1.      Discuss examples:

If the tease is:                      “You are such a slow runner.”

The response could be:       “Only when I am being a turtle.”

 

2.   If the tease is:                     “You are always so slow to finish your work.”

      The response could be:       “It’s because I come from a family of snails.”

 

One boy was being teased about having a big nose.  He started to wiggle

it in a funny way which made everyone laugh.

 

 

10.              Safe Place

To increase the effectiveness of many of these strategies, discuss with your child where he/she can go after the strategy has been used.  For example, if a child uses an “I” message or ignores a taunt they need to move to a different place such as joining some other group, walking away, joining or watching a game or going to the library.  One of the best ways is for a child to join another group of children who have agreed in advance to be a “Circle of Friends.”  Sometimes this is not possible but often it is and it helps.

 

            Please feel free to call me at 410-433-2775 ext. 104 should you have any questions or concerns.  If you have any ideas for future Consultant Corners I would love to hear those as well.  I am at Cardinal Shehan on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Next Month:  Asking for help

                                                                                        MaryAnn Niclas

School Consultant    

     

 

 

Please take note of the upcoming February dates:

 

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage –with great patience and careful instruction.    2 Timothy 4:2                                                      

                                                                                                With the Peace of Christ,

                                                                                                Paula Redman