Palmer Catholic Academy

Thursday Update

August 14, 2008                                                                                  Volume 1 Issue 1

Unified in Faith, Respect and Service

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them;

for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

~Matthew 19: 14~

Bible Search: “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” (Matthew 5:12) 

Bible Story:  Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12)

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

            

          2008

      Angel “Masked” Ball

SAVE THE DATE! Saturday,October 25, 2008–Angel Masked Ball

The date has been set and the FUN has begun. The Angel Ball is Palmer’s #1 FUNdraiser and all our families need to join in the FUN. Along with selling your raffle tickets (that was sent out this summer so you could get a jump start on your sales), you must either procure an item for the Auction or sign up to work on one of the committees.   We all look forward to the fellowship and FUN!!  Thanks so much to all of our families who already signed up for this event.  Make sure to send in your sold raffle tickets to be included in our weekly gift card drawings.  Our 1st Angel Ball meeting of the new school year will be next Thursday, August 21st at 8:30 in the Angel Café.

Call Palmer front office with questions.
 

 

 


C-Project:  Hope:  “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”  Heb 10:23

 

Book of the Month:  The book of the month for August is More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby.  The theme of hope is a good way to start the school year.  When we begin something new there is always a fear and nervousness that we will not be able to achieve what is expected of us.  Encourage your students to try, not to fear new ideas; but to embrace in their own special way, how to achieve their goals through hope.

 

Welcome Back!  Welcome back to all of our students and to all of the families who are newly enrolled here at Palmer Catholic Academy.  We are delighted to greet you into the Palmer family.  It is our honor to have all of your children with us and we are looking forward to a great school year.  New families are asked to please keep the office aware of your local address and phone and cell numbers.

 

Mass:  Tomorrow is a mass day, so please drop off your children at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church between 8:00 and 8:15 am.  Once inside the front driveway entrance, all parents are to circle around the back of the church and then drop off students on the north side of the church with the assistance of the volunteer aides who will be stationed there.  Staff will be at the front door of the church to escort the children inside.  Once in the church, teachers will be standing at the pews where the children are to be seated as a class.  Moms and dads are welcome to stay for the mass, but all children ride the bus back to school.  The presence of the Blessed Sacrament and the solemn occasion of mass dictates that silence be observed both before and after the liturgy for all in attendance.  At the close of the mass, parents are to allow the students, particularly the kindergarten class, to proceed to their bus without interruption or delay.  The teachers and aides require their undivided attention to guide them safely through the parking lot and around the buses.  Mandatory uniform is required of every student! 

 

Lunches:  Our hot lunch program will begin on Wednesday, September 3rd.  Students will need to bring bag lunches until then.  Please remember that soda, red, blue or any colored drinks are not allowed.

 

 

Homework Club:  Middle School Homework Club will begin on Tuesday, August 26th and will meet weekly on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

 

Attention Families!!  In 1964 an artist by the name of Robert Rauschenberg collected many photographs from magazines and newspapers, using them to create artwork capturing exciting moments in history.  With his work as a guide, Palmer students will be creating their own artistic time capsules in the weeks ahead.  The Art Room is in need of current event pictures (Olympics, elections, etc.) from newspapers or magazines illustrating the exciting times in which we live.  This is a great opportunity to encourage cross curricular learning (as well as recycling).  Thank you for your willingness to help make this a memorable year!

 

Reminder:  The student Medical/Emergency cards and the Student ID Badge Authorization Forms were due in by the first day of school.  If you haven’t turned these in please do so immediately.  The Lunch and Milk Program Order is due in by August 22nd.  The Parent/Student Handbook signature page is due in to the front office by August 29th. 

 

Uniforms:  Parents, please review the uniform policy in the Parent/Student Handbook with your child(ren).  Uniform checks will begin next week.  Discipline notices will go home with any student that is not in compliance with the uniform policy.

 

Drop off and Dismissal:   We are pleased that drop off in the morning seems to be going without any major obstacles. We ask all drivers to follow our guidelines that will help maintain the safe and smooth arrival and dismissal of every student.

  • Follow all directions of the carpool aides and traffic controllers.
  • Maintain a slow speed, no more than 5 MPH after entering the front parking area.
  • All cars need to have a window dismissal card; if one is needed, please come to the front office.
  • NO CELL PHONE USE permitted in the carpool line.  This is not only a major safety issue which distracts the driver’s attention in the presence of children, but also interferes with the radio transmission of the aides’ headsets and speakers.
  • Parents are to remain in their cars and proceed through the carpool line.
  • Cars must be put in ‘park’ when stopped, to prevent rolling forward into a child or aide.   
  • If there’s a need to pull over for any reason, a designated parking space must be used.  DO NOT stop and open your trunks.  This is extremely dangerous for our staff and students.  You must park and then load.

 

Sports Physicals:  Students that wish to try out for any sport MUST HAVE a current Catholic Grade School Sports Conference Student Athletic Participation Application on file with the front office. These forms must be updated every school year.  Forms are available in the front office and we do have a notary on staff.

 

Medications:  Any student needing to receive medications during school hours must have a Medication Dispensing Form filled out and a physician’s prescription attached.  This applies to both prescribed and over-the-counter medications.  The medicines must only be received in the original container which is clearly labeled with the child’s name and the medication name, dose, route and frequency.  Any medication received without the proper labeling or completed forms will be the responsibility of the parent to administer in school.

 

Health Requirements:  The State of Florida mandates certain immunization requirements for our students and St. John’s County will monitor parent compliance with state law.  Please be aware of the following changes for the 2008-2009 school year.  The State of Florida requires that all students have a current State of Florida HRS Immunization Form (#680) documenting receipt of 5 DPT, 4 Polio, 2 MMR and 3 Hepatitis B vaccines (K-3).  Those children entering, attending or transferring to the 7th grade in Florida schools are required to complete the Hepatitis B vaccination series, a second dose of the measles vaccine (preferably MMR), and a tetanus-diphtheria booster. 

***Effective for K thru 12 in the 2008-2009 school year: 2nd dose of mumps and rubella.  Preferably as two doses of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine (MMRV) in the combined form.  1st through 7th grade must show at least one shot of varicella.***

 

Bishop Kenny News:  Welcome back to all the Palmer Blue Angels!  Bishop Kenny hopes you had a great summer and we wish a fun and successful school year.

 

Upcoming:

 

                Aug.       14th:                        First day of classes

                Aug.       15th:                        Holy Day of Obligation – School Mass at 8:30 am

                Sept.      1st:                           Labor Day – No school for teacher and students

                Sept.      3rd:                          Hot lunch program begins

                Sept.      12th:                        School Improvement – Early staggered release begins at 1:00 pm

                                                                                                (Angels After Hours 1:30 – 4:30 pm)

                Oct.        6th-10th:                 Elementary testing – ITBS (grades 3-8)