OCTOBER 15, 2013
FEAST OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA
"Christ has no body now, but
yours.
No hands, no feet on earth, but yours.
Yours are the eyes through
No hands, no feet on earth, but yours.
Yours are the eyes through
which Christ looks compassion into the
world.
Yours are the feet with
Yours are the feet with
which Christ walks to do good.
Yours are the hands
Yours are the hands
with which Christ blesses the
world."
St. Teresa of Avila
We had a SUPER busy week here at Corpus Christi Catholic School last week with Hard As Nails on Thursday night, World Wide Eucharistic Holy Hour on Friday and of course our St. Francis of Assisi Pet Blessing for all our MANY animals that were brought for a blessing! A HUGE thank you to the Vostatek family for working so hard to bring us Hard As Nails! This week is a little more calm but equally as fun! Here are few happening to be aware of and great news to share!
Canonization Date Announced For Blessed Popes John Paul II and John XXIII
Pope Francis on Monday morning, September 30, held the Public Ordinary Consistory for the forthcoming Canonization of Blessed Pope John XXIII and Blessed Pope John Paul II. During the course of the Consistory in the Vatican's Consistory Hall, the Pope decreed that his two predecessors will be raised to Sainthood on April 27, 2014, the day on which the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy.
The Process of Becoming a Saint - Father William Saunders
“When a person dies who has "fame of sanctity" or "fame of martyrdom," the Bishop of the Diocese usually initiates the investigation. One element is whether any special favor or miracle has been granted through this candidate saint's intercession. The Church will also investigate the candidate's writings to see if they possess "purity of doctrine," essentially, nothing heretical or against the faith. All of this information is gathered…and is submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints…If the candidate was a martyr, the Congregation determines whether he died for the faith and truly offered his life in a sacrifice of love for Christ and the Church…Once a candidate is declared to have lived life with heroic virtue, he may be declared Venerable.
The next step is beatification. A martyr may be beatified and declared "Blessed" by virtue of martyrdom itself. Otherwise, the candidate must be credited with a miracle. In verifying the miracle, the Church looks at whether God truly performed a miracle and whether the miracle was in response to the intercession of the candidate saint...After beatification, another miracle is needed for canonization and the formal declaration of sainthood.
In all, we must not lose sight that this thorough process exists because of how important the saints are as examples for us, the faithful who strive to live in the Kingdom of God now and see its fulfillment in Heaven. Vatican II declared, ‘God shows to men, in a vivid way, His presence and His face in the lives of those companions of ours in the human condition who are more perfectly transformed in the image of Christ. He speaks to us in them and offers us a sign of this kingdom to which we are powerfully attracted, so great a cloud of witnesses is there given and such a witness to the truth of the Gospel. It is not merely by the title of example that we cherish the memory of those in heaven; we seek rather that by this devotion to the exercise of fraternal charity the union of the whole Church in the Spirit may be strengthened’ ("Lumen Gentium," No. 50).”
For more details on the process for Canonization, visit, http://www.ewtn.com/johnpaul2/cause/process.asp
Vote CCCS for BEST IN THE SPRINGS again this year!
Last year Corpus Christi Catholic School received the Bronze award for BEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in Colorado Springs! It is an honor we want to repeat! Please go to the family section of the following link Best of the Springs and vote CCCS for:
- Best Elementary
- Best Middle School
- Best Preschool
- Best Elementary Teacher
- Best Middle School Teacher
- Best Early Childhood Educator
- Best Preschool Teacher
- Best After-School Program
D11 Good Food Project
As I'm sure you are aware of, Corpus Christi Catholic School is contracted with Colorado Springs District 11 Food Service to supply our hot lunch program for our school! They have created a piece for Corpus Christi Cahtolic School to share with our students, parents, and teachers about their philosophies. I especially LOVE the scriptural reference. As you will read, the philosophies align with our Catholic virtues as food prepared through the program is made to be calorie low, protein rich and full of yummy fruits and vegetables, thus giving each child's "temple of God" (their bodies) the benefit of healthy and nutritious lunches! Check out the link in the digital locker of www.teacherease.com for the flyer!
Mark Your Calendar for Our Annual Dinner/Auction - FIESTA STYLE!
Dinner Auction Date – Saturday, Nov 9th starting at 6 pm
Coming home this week are our Dinner Auction T- Shirts. These shirts by students can be worn on any day (Monday, October 14 through Friday November 8th ) days student would be wearing the Lt Blue polo. We will continue Mass Wear on days we attend Mas. In addition, the Middle School students can wear the Dinner Auction T-shirt on Tuesday instead of their PE shirt.
Do you have something to donate to the auction? Please let Caroline Nelson now what you have you would like to donate so we can get the item ready for the auction at carolinenelson28@gmail.com . Questions – please let Al Chromy know! :)
Raffle Ticket Sales Have Begun!
On Monday, an envelope with raffle tickets enclosed came home with your YOUNGEST child! Prizes are $3000 for first place and $2000 and tickets will sell for $10 each! Each family will be asked to sell all the tickets that are included in the envelope and PLEASE ask for more if you are needing them! This is a GREAT way to support our school!
6th Grade to National Space Foundation
Our 6th graders enjoyed a FREE field trip to the NSF on Thursday, October 10th! They had a great time experiencing "Science on a Sphere", learned about the new weather satellite going up soon and building their own rain gauges! Ask our 6th graders about their "space journey" and all that they learned! They have a LOT to share!
Times Teachers Are Available to Meet
A few parents have asked when the best time is to meet with teachers. This year, we have organized our duty times so that elementary teachers have afternoon duty and middle school teachers have morning duty. Morning duty is from 7:15-7:40 and afternoon duty is from 2:40-3:15. As we are sure you understand, we ask that parents schedule meetings/conferences so teachers can make sure they have what they need to answer your questions, they can speak privately about individual students and they can focus their attention on answering your questions accurately.
Elementary teachers are therefore available from 7:15-7:35 AM to meet and Middle School teachers are available from 2:45-3:15 PM. They are also available during each of their planning periods. Some teachers are also willing to meet before 7:15 AM or after 3:15 PM but are contractually not required to do so. Please let them know if you need to meet to discuss the needs of your child! :)
St. Mary's Middle School Dance
6th-8th graders are invited to attend St. Mary's annual Halloween Middle School Dance on October 26th from 7-9 PM. Please go to Teacher Ease and access the digital locker to find the flyer from St. Mary's for more information.
GOOD NEWS on Removal of Microwaves
The transition to no microwaves in the cafeteria is reportedly going VERY well! Students are now able to sit down and enjoy their lunches rather than fretting about waiting for the microwaves or burning themselves! We have had some VERY gracious parents who have offered to purchase microwaves for our school but we have made the decision not to replace them due to the following. By not having microwaves students can:
Sometimes it is hard for students to report to teachers and parents when there is something going on in their lives that they know is not ok and they don't know what to do about- harassment bullying, abuse, suicide, etc. Corpus Christi Catholic School is now partnering with a wonderful organization formed here in Colorado Springs called Safe 2 Tell. Safe 2 Tell - http://safe2tell.org/ is an organization designed to allow youth to anonymously report events that they may not be willing or able to report to adults in their lives. These reports are then sent to the school where we can get students the help they may need. Please access the website above or call 877-542-7233 for more information.
NEW Volleyballs
Library Open for Accelerated Reader Testing on Wednesdays After School
In order for 3rd-8th Grade students to have more opportunity to complete AR
testing, Mrs. Marcia Gieck is hosting an AR Testing time in the the library from 3:00-3:45 PM each Wednesday starting October 16. The
library will not be open for book check out or in- it will be open for AR testing only. This opportunity is available for 3rd-8th
grade CCCS students. As we want students to do their best during this time, younger siblings are not allowed to to be in the library or left unattended outside the library.
As students complete testing, or no later than 3:45 PM, this AR testing time will end and any remaining students will be taken to
After Care or delivered to their waiting parent. Parents are encouraged to wait outside the library for their students to complete testing. Charges for after care will be incurred at the normal rate. A huge thank you to Mrs. Gieck for making this happen! We are excited to give our students every opportunity for success!
Social Media and Internet PARENT UNIVERSITY to be held at SMHS
St. Mary’s High School is sponsoring a parent’s education on Wednesday, October 23rd at 6 PM presentation by the Colorado Springs Police Department. It will center on the dangers associated with internet and social media communication as well as how to identify and address the issues associated with cyber bullying.
This presentation which begins at 6pm will feature an approximately 45 minute presentation followed by a Q & A session. Interested parents are asked to RSVP to agerber@smhscs.org
Our 6th graders enjoyed a FREE field trip to the NSF on Thursday, October 10th! They had a great time experiencing "Science on a Sphere", learned about the new weather satellite going up soon and building their own rain gauges! Ask our 6th graders about their "space journey" and all that they learned! They have a LOT to share!
Times Teachers Are Available to Meet
A few parents have asked when the best time is to meet with teachers. This year, we have organized our duty times so that elementary teachers have afternoon duty and middle school teachers have morning duty. Morning duty is from 7:15-7:40 and afternoon duty is from 2:40-3:15. As we are sure you understand, we ask that parents schedule meetings/conferences so teachers can make sure they have what they need to answer your questions, they can speak privately about individual students and they can focus their attention on answering your questions accurately.
Elementary teachers are therefore available from 7:15-7:35 AM to meet and Middle School teachers are available from 2:45-3:15 PM. They are also available during each of their planning periods. Some teachers are also willing to meet before 7:15 AM or after 3:15 PM but are contractually not required to do so. Please let them know if you need to meet to discuss the needs of your child! :)
St. Mary's Middle School Dance
6th-8th graders are invited to attend St. Mary's annual Halloween Middle School Dance on October 26th from 7-9 PM. Please go to Teacher Ease and access the digital locker to find the flyer from St. Mary's for more information.
GOOD NEWS on Removal of Microwaves
The transition to no microwaves in the cafeteria is reportedly going VERY well! Students are now able to sit down and enjoy their lunches rather than fretting about waiting for the microwaves or burning themselves! We have had some VERY gracious parents who have offered to purchase microwaves for our school but we have made the decision not to replace them due to the following. By not having microwaves students can:
- Begin eating immediately rather than waiting to heat their lunches.
- Keep themselves safe as many students have burned themselves by opening their Ramen or pasta bowls when the contents were boiling.
- Keep spills on themselves from happening when they attempt to open the "red lid" and it the hot contents spills all over them.
- Teachers, staff and volunteers can address real needs in the cafeteria rather than focus on policing the microwaves and opening containers for students. This is alleviating a lot of behavioral concerns that often come up at lunch.
- Have your child make their own healthy lunch - it is a great life skill to create healthy, well-balanced meals. Often when kids are involved, they eat what is sent!
- Go online and check out the great websites available for Lunchbox ideas! Have your child make a menu and purchase what you will need to make their yummy lunch! A few great websites we have found are- Bon Appetit and Disney Lunch Box Ideas
- Buy a Thermos and send food from home that is heated before they leave for school! Many parents do this for their students and it works really well! :)
Sometimes it is hard for students to report to teachers and parents when there is something going on in their lives that they know is not ok and they don't know what to do about- harassment bullying, abuse, suicide, etc. Corpus Christi Catholic School is now partnering with a wonderful organization formed here in Colorado Springs called Safe 2 Tell. Safe 2 Tell - http://safe2tell.org/ is an organization designed to allow youth to anonymously report events that they may not be willing or able to report to adults in their lives. These reports are then sent to the school where we can get students the help they may need. Please access the website above or call 877-542-7233 for more information.
NEW Volleyballs
When the Dunbaugh family was in California this past summer visiting family, they went to the Mikasa World Series of Beach Volleyball competition in Long Beach. As they were there, they happened to stop by the Mikasa booth and entered a drawing. Mikasa emailed them a couple of weeks later and notified them that Rebecca had won!
Here is a note from the Mikasa Facebook page:
"A big congratulations to Rebecca on winning 12 Mikasa NVL Game Balls and a 'touch sac' duffle bag to carry them in! Thanks Rebecca for stopping by the Mikasa booth at the World Series of Beach Volleyball and entering our drawing. You have been notified via email and we look forward to delivering your prize worth over $900."
After giving a few balls away to her cousins and friends, Rebecca had four left that she wanted to donate to the school to be used by the volleyball teams as Game Balls. Thanks so much Rebecca! You know we can use them! : )
REMINDERS:
- Please remember to send in your Jog-A-Thon pledge forms and money!
- Don't forget to check your child's backpack or take-home folder for your Parent/Teacher Conference Time Confirmation! These will be sent out no later than Wednesday! :)
- Check out your classroom teacher's blogs! They are working hard to keep you in the loop of all that is going in in their classrooms! This is a great way to be in the "know" of what your students are learning in class! These can be accessed via our website or by following your teachers on Google Plus.
- Sign Up to be a FALL FESTIVAL volunteer! We need your help to make this a FUN event!
Monday, October 14 - Columbus Day - School In Session; Keeping Kids Safe UPDATE Class - 8 AM; Everyday Uniform with Dinner Auction Shirt for K-8
Tuesday, October 15 - Everyday Uniform with Dinner Auction Shirt for K-5; 6-8 - PE Uniform with Dinner Auction Shirt; First Quarter Report Cards Come Home
Wednesday, October 16 - NOON DISMISSAL DAY!
- Everyday Uniform with Dinner Auction Shirt for K-8
- 11:00-12:00 - STANDARD RESPONSE PROTOCOL Training for Students and Parents - Parents are invited to attend our SRP School Safety plan training with students from 11-12 in the gym - please join us to discuss the ways we keep our students safe in our school!
- Parent Teacher Conferences from 3-7 PM (No School Mass); 8th Grade Bake Sale During Conferences
- 8th Grade Spirit night at Zio's (near Woodmen Rd) 4:30 pm-8:30 pm; K-8 Wear Everyday Uniforms
Thursday, October 17 - SCHOOL NOT IN SESSION due to P/T Conferences
- 8-3 PM - Parent Teacher Conferences
- be looking for sign up forms coming soon! Please make sure you schedule about 30 minutes before or after your conferences to complete our annual school survey!- 6-7 PM - New Family Orientation (presented in English) - we will review Teacher Ease, Envision, Digits, etc. to answer any questions you may still have! :)
- 7-8 PM - Bilingual New Family Orientation - we will review Teacher Ease, Envision, Digits, etc. to answer any questions you may still have! :)
- 8th Grade Bake Sale During Conferences
Friday, October 18 - NO SCHOOL
Sunday, October 20 - 8th Grade Fundraiser - Pampered Chef/ Thirty-one Party 1:30 pm at the Crafter's Niche, 105 Templeton Gap Road, Colorado Springs, CO
The following is a link for more info on this GREAT community event! The Pampered Chef consultant is Shirley Kell and her website is www.pamperedchef.biz/
Catalogs will be sent home with each 8th grader and they are encourage to collect one or two outside orders since this would increase the amount raised. Many people are starting to Christmas shop and can do so online if they live out-of-state. We will also have several very small catalog/invites at the front desk if any Corpus family would like to have one.
EVENTS COMING SOON:
October 23 - 1st Quarter Awards Assembly for 5-8 Graders - 2:30 PM in the sanctuary after Mass; St. Mary's Social Media Parent University - 6 PM
October 25 - Jeans Day; HSA Sponsored School Fall Festival 6-8 PM
October 26 - St. Mary's Middle School Dance 7-9 PM
October 29 - Mike McCoy, #1 Draft of the Green Bay Packers and Play Like A Champion Ministries HERE for Middle Schoolers at 1:30 PM
October 31 - Wear Halloween Shirts/Colors with Uniform Bottoms; Halloween Parties for Preschool-5th Grade 1:45-2:45 PM
November 1 - ALL SAINTS DAY - All students dress as FAVORITE SAINT!
8 AM - MASS
11:15-11:45 AM - First Friday Adoration
NOON - Noon Dismissal - First Friday PLC
Have a BLESSED Week!
