Palmer Catholic Academy

Thursday Update

August 23, 2007                                                                                 Volume 1 Issue 1

Unified in Faith, Respect and Service

“Care about others as much as you

care about yourselves.”

~Philippians 2:4~

C-Project:  God’s Greatest Commandment.  Love God above all things.                 

 

 
 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 


Book of the Month:  The book of the month for August is Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne.  The theme of this book is “don’t judge a book by its cover”.  All people (God’s children) have worth and are important to know; therefore, we should encourage our students to reach out to all fellow classmates.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Palmer is going green:  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Respect is our motto for this year.  We will be moving to an electronic delivery of our general family mailings.  Please make sure the front office has your e-mail address so we can add you to our mailing list.

 

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! 

 

Confirmation:  The bishop has approved the Confirmation date for our 8th grade students as Wednesday, April 16th at 7:00 pm.

 

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.

 

HSA: 

Ø  There are two important fundraising meetings scheduled for next week in the Cultural Center:  Tues, 8/28, 7:00 pm – 5K Run/Walk, and Wed, 8/29, 9:00 am – Angel Ball.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend.  If you haven’t joined the HSA yet, please send in your dues ($20 payable to PCA/HSA) to the front office.  (Please note: the membership dues were listed incorrectly in the student handbook.  The dues will be $20 not $15 due to increase cost of printing, etc.)   Membership provides a student directory and discount card.

Ø  Volunteer Log: Welcome back to all our wonderful volunteers!  This year, each family is responsible for recording their volunteer hours in the black volunteer log located in the front office.  Teachers will no longer hand out volunteer receipts.  Once you have reached your 25 hour commitment (must include a minimum of 4 fundraising hours, 2 lunch duties and 2 recess duties), a fulfilled form will be placed in the log and you will no longer need to track your hours.  Please note that your lunch and recess duties have been pre-assigned.  Check your orientation package for your dates.  If you cannot fulfill a day, it is your responsibility to find a substitute.  Monthly calendars and a list of substitutes will be posted on the PCA website.  If you are interested in doing extra lunch and recess duties to get your service hours, please contact the front office.  Thank you!

 

Handbook changes:   Please make the following changes in the Parent/Student Handbook that was given to you at Orientation;  Lunch and Recess locations for 5th, 7th and 8th grades are as follows:

                                    5th grade – downstairs lunchroom

                                    7th grade – upstairs lunchroom

                                    8th grade – downstairs lunchroom

 

Challenge Girls Club: 

  • 5th -8th grade girls are invited to a kick- off pool party on Sunday, August 26th from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at 425 West Mill Chase Ct.  Bring a towel and a friend.  RSVP with Wendy Saunders @ 273-5826 or Brigid Barker @ 543-9096.
  • A parent information meeting will be held on Thursday, August 30th from 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm in the Browning Center. 

 

Prayer Service:  Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church is having a prayer service “in celebration of children” on Tuesday, September 11, from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm.  Come join Father McCullough for healing, prayer, witness talks, candle lighting, music and more.

 

Bishop Kenny News:  Bishop Kenny welcomes back all of the Palmer Blue Angels to a new school year – hope you had a great summer!  Bishop Kenny has their first home football game of the season next week.  We hope that you all come out to cheer the Crusaders to victory on Friday, August 31 at 7:30 pm.

 

St. Joseph Academy:  St. Joseph Academy welcomes back all returning and new Palmer students.   Please stay tuned for upcoming events in the Thursday updates.

 

Protect Our Environment:  Choosing to drive a more fuel-efficient vehicle is one of the biggest ways an individual can help reduce global warming.  It cuts down on emissions, and it saves money as well.  Also, keep your car well-maintained and combine errands into one trip.

 

Upcoming:

Aug.    24th:                Children’s Mass

Sep.     3rd:                  Labor Day – No school for teachers and students

Sep.     14th:                 School Improvement – Early staggered release begins at 1:00 pm

                                    (Angels After Hours 1:00-4:0o pm)