May, 2014

Principal's Corner

May 2014

Dear Parents/Guardians,

May is here, and this is my last Principal's Corner.   I can't tell you enough how much I have enjoyed my tenure here.  It has been such a pleasure to be a part of this wonderful community and to make such wonderful friends and acquaintances. As I look back at the past nine years, I am very proud and happy about so many accomplishments we made, and of course, disappointed that not everything I wished for has come to fruition.  It truly takes a village, and this village consists of the students, parents, faculty, superintendent, and our wonderful priests.  I am indebted to all.  We are in the midst of a Principal Search, and as soon as it is finished and a decision made, we will let you know.

In January, I applied for a grant to help us acquire an iPad tablet mobile lab.  At the end of February, we received a $10,000 award from the Osborne Foundation.  We then ordered our tablets, docking station, and the other components needed for the lab.  We have received everything, and Mrs. Hale has been getting it all programmed and ready to go.  Meanwhile, our teachers have been getting some professional development through workshops, webinars, and peer instruction on how to maximize this technology for student use.  We are very excited about this, and hopefully, this is the first small step to upgrading our technology integration in the classrooms.   (See picture attached.)

As you know, we are losing our fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Sandi Forrester.  She has decided to retire so she can enjoy her grandchildren (who live out of state) more.  We wish her the very best.  I am excited to say that we have hired a teacher to take Mrs. Forrester's vacancy.  Many of you already know this teacher, and I think you all will be as thrilled as I am.  Mrs. Megan Monahan is returning and will be Mrs. O'Brien's cohort in the fourth grade. 

This month, as usual, is going to be an extremely busy and eventful month.  As always, the information will be published in the Friday Fanfare, on Parents' Web, and on our website.  Right now we have a book fair going on, and it will continue through this week.  Other events to note are:

·         Grandparents' Day--Friday, May 2^nd beginning with 8:15 mass.  Note:  Students will be dismissed from school at 11:30.  No lunch will be served, and there will not be aftercare.
·         First Holy Communion --Saturday, May 3rd, 10:00.  Congratulations to all the children receiving this wonderful sacrament for the first time.
·         Creative Arts Guild (CAG) will have their meeting on May 5th.  This is a wonderful organization which helps to support our arts program.  They need new members; please consider joining them.
·         $1.00 out of uniform--Wednesday, May 7th.
·         Volunteer Brunch--Wednesday, May 7th  after mass.
·         Home and School Meeting--Wednesday, May 7th, 6:00.  This will be the last one for the year. 
·         Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) awards--May 9th, after 8:15 mass.  This is also our last Virtue Mass for the school year.
·         Pre-K Celebration Luncheon--Tuesday, May 13th.
·         Kindergarten Celebration--Tuesday, May 13th, 6:00
·         Eighth Grade Class Night--Wednesday, May 14th, 6:00 in the PLC.
·         Eighth Grade Celebration Mass--Thursday, May 15th,  6:00.
·         Seventh Grade Growing in Grace Mass--Wednesday, May 21st, 8:15.  
·         Field Day--Thursday, May 22nd, all day.

·         Last day of school for students--Friday, May 23rd.  The students will be dismissed at 11:30 and there will be no lunch or aftercare.

Again, as I say good-bye, I want to thank all of you for your support.  As Macy Gray sang in her song, "I say good-bye and I choke, I walk away and I stumble..."  Please remember me in your prayers.

God bless,

Jeri McInturff

April, 2014

Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart. (1 Sm 16/7)

 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

 

It is April already.  This means only two months are left in this school year.  Even though March's weather was not the best, the month was full of activities and successful happenings.  Our eighth grade trip was great, and even though we had snow on the ground and very cold weather, we were able to stay with our itinerary and enjoy Washington.  We are so thankful for that. 

Also in March, we received some exciting news.  We applied for a grant to help us acquire a mobile iPad lab, and we were awarded $10,000 towards the purchase of it.  With those funds and funds from other sources, we were able to purchase the tablets, power sync cart, monitoring computer, and insurance.  We purchased teacher iPads earlier (see attached picture), and today we received notification that some of the recently ordered items are being shipped.  The teachers are attending workshops and webinars to be able to use this lab to the fullest and further engage our students in their learning and successes.  We are very excited for this new phase of technology to be added to our great school and incorporated into our curriculum. 

Another bit of exciting March news is that we have been working on updating our website.  It is almost finished, and when it is completed, we will let you know. 

We are in the last quarter of the school year.  You should have received an expectation letter from each of your student's teachers.  Remember that homework and grades are posted on ParentsWeb.  If you have any questions or concerns about your student/s, do not hesitate to contact your teachers.

As I write this letter, our students are taking their IOWA Basics Skills Tests.  These tests are given to inform us of many things.  First of all, it tells us (and you) what the students know and don't know.  They also tell us how well we are doing as teachers, and we use this data to help us plan for the future.  However, they are not the end all assessment.  We know that some students do not test well; or, some students may not feel well when taking a particular test.  Or, there can be other variables to interfere with the assessments/results.  Although this is great data and we use it, this is only a piece of many pieces of information we use to assess our students and inform us of our instruction.  We generally get the IOWA results back in May, and we will send them home with the students' report cards.  

 

One of the most powerful events we put on at OLPH is the Living Stations of the Cross.  This is presented by our eighth grade students, and every year I am deeply touched by it.  This year the presentation is on April 11.  It will be at 2:00 for the student body and 5:30 for the parish.  I highly recommend you attend one or both of the presentations.  It will be a great lead in to Easter week and break. 

Other April events are:

·         April 3 -- Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night

·         April 4 -- First Friday and the Virtue (Generosity) Mass

·         April 5-- Volunteer work day for parents (and students).  Nature Place and our grounds are really in need of sprucing up.  We can use many hands. 

·         April 9 --  $1 Out of Uniform

·          April 11 -- Jason Evert presentation for 7^th and 8^th grade students at Notre Dame High School

·         April 14-18 --  School Closed for Easter Break.  See the Fanfare, Websites, and Church bulletin for the church schedule for Holy Week.

·         April 21--  School closed for Bishop's Day

·         April 22 -- Students return to school

·         April 22 -- Life-Touch pictures:  Out of uniform and spring sports pictures

·         April 28 -- Beginning of  the week long Book Fair

·         May 2 -- Grandparents Day:  More information will be coming out on this, but please mark your calendar.

 As I close this letter, I want to pass along a wonderful compliment we received last week.  We have a student teacher, Sister Agnes,  from Aquinas College working under Mrs. Burns and Mrs. Workman.  Sister Agnes'  professor from the College, Sister Michael Andrew, was here evaluating her last week.  This is the second student teacher we have had from Aquinas, and Sister Michael Andrew has been the evaluator for both.  She told me that she visits many Catholic schools, and all have Catholic Identity, but that OLPH is Catholic to the core and she experiences this in the classrooms and even  feels this and our welcoming spirit just walking through the halls.  She also remarked to us that she thinks that we are the best kept secret in Tennessee.  Wow!  You can imagine how great I felt. 

I hope you have a wonderful April, and a refreshing and safe Easter break.  As the end of the school year approaches, I am reminded more every day on how blessed I am to be part of this community.  Thank you for all you do.

God bless,

Jeri

March, 2014

"Then from the cloud came a voice that said, 'This is my chosen Son; listen to him.'"  Luke 9:35

 Principal's Corner
March 2014

Dear Parents/Guardians,

It is March already; there is only three months (including March) to the end of this school year.  The year is flying by. 

As you know, this Wednesday (March 5) is Ash Wednesday.  There will be an all school mass for this day in addition to Friday which is First Friday and our virtue mass.  Following Wednesday's mass, Father will be blessing our outdoor Stations of the Cross.  If we ever get nice weather again, please feel free to pray these stations.  We still have to add signage, but the stations themselves are all up and ready; they are located across from Nature's Place on the outside wall of the gym.  Thank you, Mrs. Meinert, for all the work and planning you put into them, and thank you to the creators of the plaques. 

The following are some of the events coming up this month:

·         We will be administering the NCEA (National Catholic Education Association) religion assessment to all 5^th and 8^th grade students.  This will take place on March 12 & 13.

·         We will take our 8^th graders to Washington, D.C on March 17^th.  I certainly hope the weather is better by then.  Please pray for us. 

·         There is no school for the students on the 14^th; the teachers of all three Catholic schools will be having an in-service that day. 

·         The end of the 3^rd nine weeks is the 13^th, and report cards will be sent home on the 19^th.

·         The 19^th will be $1.00 out of uniform day.

·         March 31^st will be the start of the IOWA tests for all students in grades 1-8.

I have addressed student drop offs and pick-ups many times, but it seems I must again.  I have gotten a couple of calls from parents telling me about some very frightening experiences while dropping their children off for school.  We have a 5 mile per hr. maximum speed limit in our parking lot which needs to be followed.   If a car door is open and/or a child is outside the car, no one should be passing that car until the child is in a safe place.  No child (no matter what age or grade) should be walking in the parking lot without adult supervision.  If a child gets here before 7:45, he/she needs to go to the cafeteria.  Our ramp door is open in the morning for easy admittance.  Our front door does not open until 7:45.   

For afternoon pick-up, all students are to go to the car line unless the parent is present to pick them up at another location.  If a parent is not present when the classes are dismissed, the student is NOT to wait for the parent; he/she is to go to the gym or car line with the class.  If a parent picks up the child at the ramp, we ask that they not be standing and blocking the ramp access for other students and teachers.  If a teacher asks you for identification, please do not get upset?we are responsible for the safety of the children, and not all teachers recognize all parents.  This is why we issued car tags. 

Finally, thank you to all of you who helped make ChattiGras such a success.  I have heard from many who thought that this was the best of the three, and I agree.  We had several staff members from the three schools who worked especially hard on this event, but we could not have had such a success without all the parent help, contributions, and participation. So, thank you.  The final figures will be given as soon as we can.  There are still some outstanding money and paperwork which needs to be taken care of. 

 Have a wonderful March and beginning of Lent.

 God bless,

 Jeri McInturff

February, 2014

Principal's Corner

February 2014

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Wow!!  What a January we had.  I sure hope that the groundhog does the right thing this weekend; I am really tired of this weather. 

We had a wonderful Catholic Schools Week even with the snow days off.  Thank you to Home and School for the ice cream for the students.  Thank you to Notre Dame for the t-shirts and cookies for the 5^th-8^th graders.  Thank you to all for the participation in the donations to the Community Kitchen and LeBonheur Children's Hospital; we will give you the amounts collected as soon as we get it.  Congratulations to Emily Roach for winning the Spelling Bee.  Congratulations to the Teachers for winning the basketball game, and congratulations to the 8^th grade for being such good and fun sports. 

On February 7^th & 8^th we will be hosting Family Honor.  This is a great interactive program for parents and 8^th grade students focusing on important issues that teenagers are faced with.  Call Mrs. Patti Morrison or Mrs. Mary Pat Haywood for more information, if you need it. 

ChattiGras is February 15^th at the Convention Center.  I encourage all to attend.  It is a wonderful time and all the proceeds go to the three Catholic Schools and student scholarships.  Call Mrs. Cissy West for more information, if you need it.  I hope to see you all there.

School will be closed on the 17^th in honor of Presidents' Day, and the 19^th is $1.00 out of uniform day.  Notre Dame will be testing the 8^th graders on the 22^nd.  And last, but not least, basketball games are scheduled all through February.

Hopefully, we will not have any more weather that warrants us to call off school.  However, if we do, we will try our best to make the right decisions at the right time. 

Have a wonderful February,

Jeri McInturff

 

January, 2014

God's face is that of a merciful father who is always patient. A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.  Pope Francis

          

January 2014

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and winter break.  What a way to start the new year with this weather!  This is a perfect time to remind you that if we have school closings for inclement weather or any other reason, we will send out a Parent Alert.    Although, we generally close when Hamilton County does, it is not a guarantee.  However, all three Catholic schools do agree on our closings unless there is a school specific reason. We will try to get it on the TV stations, but sometimes it doesn't work out that way.  If we do call you in a Parent Alert, please give it time to relay the recorded message.  I will also try to do a text message with it; however, I can only put in 140 characters in a text message.  So, there may be a time I cannot send it in a text. 

January is basketball season.  The schedule of the games will be posted on our website and in the Fanfare weekly. Our first home game is January 9^th.   However, we have an East Tennessee Diocesan Play Day on January 11^th in Knoxville.  There will be no admissions charged if you wish to attend.  This day has been coordinated with the Notre Dame and Knoxville Catholic basketball game that same date.  So, you may want to save this date as a family outing for basketball.  Next year, Chattanooga will be hosting it. 

January is also the month we celebrate Catholic Schools Week.  This week long celebration will begin with 10:00 mass on Sunday, January 26^th.  There will be a lot of activities throughout this week as we celebrate the theme of "Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service".  There will be a lot of information coming out about this in future correspondences. 

Wednesday, January 15^th, is $1.00 out of uniform day, and it is also the day we will be sending home report cards for the last quarter.  We have another Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night on the 16^th.  This month's competition for the Hungry Howie's Pizza Party will be for box tops. 

ChattiGras is quickly approaching (February 15^th).  If you have not yet bought your tickets, you can purchase them from Cissy or online (www.biddingforgod.com/chattigras).  The online auction begins January 27^th.  Plan on attending this annual event as it is fun for all and benefits the three schools and our students. 

Have a wonderful rest of January.

God bless,

Jeri McInturff

December, 2013

"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus." Luke 1:31

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Wow, December already!  I am sure it is my imagination (or my age), but this year seems to be flying by much faster than previous ones.   And, because Thanksgiving was late this year, we rolled right into Advent, and December will be over before we know it.  So, please take time from your busy schedules to enjoy the Advent season while preparing for the coming of Jesus. 

Just as your personal time is going to be busy, the next three weeks of school will be also. 

·         We begin with first reconciliation for the second graders.  It will take place on Thursday evening (December 5^th)  at 6:00.  This will also be the date and time for our Parish reconciliation. 

·         December 6^th is our Virtue mass, and of course, this is First Friday.

·         Saturday, December 7^th is going to be busy as we have plans for all grades.  Breakfast with Santa will be here that morning, and reservations can be made at http://vols.pt/Lw8JDJ. (More information is in the Fanfare and on our website).  Also on Saturday is the Middle School Dance held at the Knights' (Council 610) hall at 313 Sylvan.  (Again, more information is in the Fanfare.)

·         December 12^th is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  We will have an all school mass on that day. On Friday, December 13^th , we will have only the middle school mass.

·         December 15^th is the deadline to turn in the Angel Tree Gifts.  Thank you for your generosity.

·         December 18^th is the $1 out of uniform day.

·         December 19^th is our annual Christmas program which begins at 6:00 P.M.

·         December 20^th is our last day before the holidays.  Dismissal will be at 11:30.

The third grade is doing a Service Learning Project and collecting pennies for the Philippines.  They are researching and learning all about the country as well as about typhoons.  The donations will be collected until December 17^th, and it will be turned over to the Catholic Relief Services for the victims. 

Good News!  We are becoming more technological savvy and are now offering online lunch payments.  This is only an option; you may continue to make your payments as you always have.  But, if you are interested, here is how it works, and you can do it immediately.  The payments are made through your ParentsWeb account.  You have the ability to make the payments via a credit card or an eCheck. You do not need to apply or qualify for the service in advance.  RenWeb charges convenience fees for Pay Now, and these fees are applied to each transaction   Charges for eChecks are $0.85 per payment, and credit card payments are 3.75% of transaction amount.  Master Card, Discover, and American Express are accepted.  Visa does not allow any school to charge parents credit card convenience fees. 

Chatti Gras is February 15^th, and tickets are now on sale.  This is a great time for all and a big fundraiser for the three Chattanooga Catholic Schools.  Before January, the price of a ticket is $60, but after the first of the year they go up to $75.  I know you all want to join in the fun and attend; so, save some money and buy your tickets early.  I hope to see all of you there. 

Your sons may have come home yesterday talking about wrestling opportunities at Notre Dame.  The Notre Dame coach came and talked to all boys from 1^st-8^th grade, and he gave out information.  If you are interested, but need more information, do not hesitate to call Notre Dame; the coach's name is Nathan Wehunt. 

As we enter the end of the first half of the school year, the middle school students may be having exams in some of their classes.  Ask your student/s about them; check their planners; and check ParentsWeb to help keep them focused and prepared. 

Finally, I wish you all a wonderful December and a very Merry Christmas.  May your year of 2014 be full of God's blessings.

Sincerely,

Jeri McInturff

November, 2013

One of them, realizing he had been healed, returned glorifying God in a loud voice.  Luke 17:15

Principal's Corner

November 2013

Dear Parents/Guardians,

For the month of November, our virtue is Gratitude which is appropriate because of the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Too often we take everything for granted and do not acknowledge, much less give thanks, for all of our blessings.  Let me start off with giving thanks to you for your trust in and support of OLPH.  We have had a great year so far, and we could not have done it without our parents/guardians who are the primary teachers of our students; it truly takes a village.

The first quarter is over, and it was quite a busy and eventful period.  We are now into the second quarter which I suspect will go as fast, if not faster, that the first.  November started out today with our celebration of All Saints Day.  Our first through fourth grade students, who dressed as saints, put smiles on all of our faces.  Today's all school mass got our day started in a wonderful spirit.  I want to repeat what I have stated many times?if you have never joined us for an all school mass on Friday mornings, you need to try to attend one.  I promise you will enjoy it and feel good all day long.

Soccer is the sport of the month.  So far, our middle school (7^th & 8^th grade) team has done a remarkable job.  Our younger (5^th & 6^th grade) team has a lot of new players and is improving with each game.  Come out and help us cheer on both teams. 

The eighth grade is holding a Yard Sale on campus November 9^th.  They are taking donations for this on the 8^th; you may take your items to the stage in the gym.   Receipts can be given for your donations for tax purposes.

If you recall, we had a Home and School meeting scheduled for October with a guest speaker on internet safety.  We had to postpone that meeting because the speaker works for the government (FBI) and was not able to address us during the furlough.  The meeting has now been rescheduled; it will be held on the 13^th of this month.  There will be babysitting, and the class which has the highest percentage of parents attending the meeting will receive a Hungry Howie pizza party.  This should be a very informative and interesting meeting; so, please plan to join us. 

Every year, OLPH helps Catholic Charities with their Thanksgiving Food Drive.  Every grade level is asked to donate a food item for this drive.  The lists are posted on the doors of the classrooms as well as in the office.  We are sending out information on this in our Friday Fanfares, and it is posted on our website.  Please help us help a family enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

Mrs. Curtiss always makes a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch for us and invites parents to attend.  This year it is being held on November 21^st.  It will cost $5 for visiting adults and $3 for visiting children.  It does not cost extra for our students.  This is important:  Reservations MUST be in by November 18^th.  This is a huge undertaking for the cafeteria staff, and they must have numbers in advance to be adequately prepared.  In the past we have had hurt feelings because people would show up and they could not eat due to no reservations; or, reservations were called in after the deadline, and we would have to refuse them.  Therefore, if you know you wish to join your student for lunch on November 21^st, PLEASE call in your reservation now.  We will NOT take reservations after the 18^th. 

November 15^th is an in-service for the teachers of all three Chattanooga Catholic Schools.  Therefore, there will be no school for the students. 

Our last day for classes before the Thanksgiving break is November 26^th.  School will resume Monday December 2^nd. 

ChattiGras is February 15^th, and tickets are now on sale.  We encourage all of you to join us in this event for a wonderful time and cause.  ChattiGras benefits the three schools: OLPH, St. Jude, and Notre Dame.  You will be receiving a lot of information on this through several communications.  Any questions or information you have regarding ChattiGras can be addressed to Mrs. West at cwest@catholicweb.com.

The faculty and staff of OLPH wish all of you a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving Holiday. 

God bless,

Jeri McInturff

October, 2013

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee...

 

Principal's Corner

October 2013

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Happy Fall!  The weather has been absolutely gorgeous, and hopefully it will continue through the month of October for all of our special events.  We had an incredible day last Saturday for our "Choo Choo Football Game".  Thank you to all who came out and supported it.  Our volleyball and Cross Country seasons are finished as of this week, and our football team has only a couple more games.  Congratulations go to all our teams and our cheerleaders for a job well done.  Also, a large thank-you to all of our coaches for their hard work and time; we could not have the wonderful program we have without our coaches.  Already,  our soccer team has begun practicing, and it won't be too long before the basketball teams begin.   Time is really flying. 

The virtue for the month of October is Sincerity.  This virtue will be introduced and celebrated at mass on Friday, October 4^th.  Also, on this day, we will be celebrating the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi with the blessing of the animals on our football field.  Originally, we set the time for this blessing at 2:20; however, Father Jim has a conflict, and it will now take place at 1:00.  Students will be going back to classes after the program. 

There is a Home and School Meeting at 6:00 on October 9^th.  There will be a guest speaker on internet safety that should be very informative and interesting. Please join us.  The class with the highest percentage of parents in attendance will get a Hungry Howie's Pizza Party. 

The Diocesan in-service for our teachers is October 11^th in Knoxville; therefore, there will be no school for the students.

The end of the first nine weeks is Oct. 10^th.    It is hard to believe that ¼ of the school year is already complete.  We will be giving out report cards to you at our parent Teacher-Conferences on Wednesday, the 16^th.  Your teachers should be contacting you about making appointments for these conferences which will start at 3:00 and go through the evening.  We encourage the students to join you for these conversations.  Because of the conferences being on Wednesday evening, there will be a half day of school on Friday, October 18^th.   

The Living Rosary, led by the eighth grade, will take place in the gym after mass on that Friday, October 18^th.  This is always a very nice prayer gathering, and you are invited. 

Saturday the 19^th is a very important event for our school?The Ram Run.  This is the largest fund raiser sponsored by Home and School, and it coincides with the Oktoberfest held at the Market.  OLPH will have a bratwurst booth both Saturday and Sunday at the Oktoberfest.  We traditionally have great food and long lines; the proceeds from the booth go to our Annual Fund.  We need your help and/or participation at either or both of these events.

Fall Break is the week of October 21^st, and I know we will all be ready for it.  When we return on the 28th, October will be about finished.  The Home and School will be holding their "Trunk or Treat" on the 26^th, and our elementary students will be having their parties on the 31^st. 

October 31^st will also be the last day to wear shorts (and blue skorts for the elementary girls).  If you have any questions about the uniform, the information is in the handbook and on the website. 

Remember that scheduled events can possibly change.  The Friday Fanfare always has the most recent and up to date information.  Also, if there are any changes or additions to our calendar we post it on the website as well as Parents' Web.  Sometimes we have last minute cancellations of sports or other events, and we may send out a "Parent Alert" .  If you get any phone calls from the school, we always try to leave messages.  Please listen to the message before calling us back.   

One last thing, and I hesitate to mention this again. But, on morning drop offs, students should not be walking across the driveways or parking lots unattended.  It is getting darker in the mornings again, and it is easy for a student dressed in a dark uniform not to be seen.  Please help us keep your children safe.  Either drop them off at the ramp by the gym doors or walk them to the ramp or doors.    I know that many of us are in a hurry in the mornings, but the safety of your children is worth the extra couple of minutes.    

Thank you for all of your support, and have a wonderful October.

God bless,

Jeri McInturff 

September, 2013

How beautiful it would be if each of you, every evening, could say: Today at school, at home, at work, guided by God, I showed a sign of love towards one of my friends, my parents, an older person! How beautiful!
At Confirmation Mass in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis

Principal's Corner

September 2013

Dear Parents/Guardians,

 

Here we are already in September.  Our first weeks of school have gone very well.  A very big "Thank You" to all who have helped with the various events of August?New Family Dinner, Home and School Meeting, Scrip Sales, and Campus Cleanup.  All of your help, dedication, and support are greatly appreciated. 

 

September's calendar is another full and busy one.  The eighth grade will be very busy this month as they will be celebrating the first Virtue Mass, their F.O.C.U.S. mass, and their retreat at Camp Lookout.  This is just the beginning of a very busy year for them.

 

On September 13^th, school will dismiss at 11:30 (there will be no lunch served nor after care) to provide time for travel to Sevierville for the Eucharistic Congress celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the Diocese of Knoxville.  Friday night is devoted to the youth with a youth mass, a chat with the Bishop and Cardinal Rigali, and a youth concert.   Plus they will have breakout sessions on Saturday.  The adult sessions begin Saturday morning with prayer and breakout sessions throughout the day.  It ends with mass that evening.  I, personally, am looking forward to the keynote address by Cardinal Dolan.   

 

Pictures of students in uniform and Fall sports will be taken on Monday, September 16^th.  On September 18^th, we will have our $1.00 out of uniform day, and on the 19^th is our first

Chick-Fil-a Spirit Night. 

 

Our parent groups are still looking for persons to be involved.  The Creative Arts Guild (CAG) is meeting on Monday the 23^rd.  This group helps to finance many of the needs of the visual and musical arts programs and they also help with financing students to attend plays, concerts, museums, etc.  They would love for you to join them at Longhorn Restaurant at 6:00. 

 

Our Fall sports are off to a good start.  The schedule of games and meets are in the Fanfare weekly; we would love to have everyone in attendance to cheer on our students.   

 

As always, I very much appreciate all you support.  Have a great September. 

 

God bless,

 

Jeri McInturff

August 2013

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.  1John 3:1

Principal's Corner

Dear Parents/Guardians,

It is that time of the year already!  I hope that you and your children enjoyed the time off. 

Welcome back to those of you who are returning, and welcome to those of you who are new to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  Also, I am asking you to help me welcome our new staff members:  Mrs. Barbara Haimelin is my new administrative assistant; Mrs. Maggie Burns is our new seventh grade language arts teacher (Mrs. Ann O'Brien will be teaching fourth grade while Miss Laura Goodhard is now in second); and Miss Raquel Crumley is our new art teacher. 

August is going to be a very busy month (actually, all of our months turn out to be quite busy), and it begins with Monday, August 5^th.  If you are a new family to our school, please join us for a get acquainted dinner on August 5^th at 6:00 P.M.  This is sponsored by our Home and School, and its purpose is to help you become acquainted with some of the other families and staff members as well as get some information to help you become more comfortable.  I look forward to seeing all of you that evening. 

Tuesday, August 6^th, is registration day.  Reminder:  You will need several checks?we are not on credit cards yet; I am sorry about the inconvenience. Registration will be held in the gym from 7:30-noon. 

The first day of school for the students is August 8^th, and for everyone, except Pre-K and Kindergarten, it is a full day.  Friday the 9^th is our first all-school mass for the new school year.  Our traditional "Red Mass" (Mass of the Holy Spirit)  will be the following Friday, August 16^th, and all students may wear a red shirt with their uniform bottoms or jumpers.  Our first official $1 out of uniform day is August 21^st.  To welcome the middle school students (6^th-8^th grades) back, the parents have organized a dance for them at the Knights of Columbus Hall on the 10^th.  More information will be given out during registration. 

If you are a returning family or a new family, we highly encourage you to join an organization to help us become a better school.  The Creative Arts Guild helps us to maintain our wonderful art and music programs.  They also provide funding for our students to attend various arts performances and exhibits.  This organization maintains St. Cecelia's Closet of used uniforms to help raise funds while providing a great service to our families.  Their first meeting is August 12^th, and they would love to have you join them.  More information about the meeting will come out in the Fanfare.

Home and School is an integral part of OLPH.  They provide so many things for our students, teachers, and families.  When you pay your dues, you become a member, but they can use more manpower.  Being a Homeroom Parent is one of the many ways you can be an active part of the group.  There is a meeting for Homeroom Parents on the 19^th.  There are two times set so that working parents as well as stay at home parents can meet.  The times are at 2:00 and 5:30.  On August 21^st we will have our first official school-wide Home and School Meeting.  This will also be our school's Open House.  More information will be coming home on this; we hope to see you all there.

You probably have noticed  the new addition to our campus.  Thanks to Home and School, we now have a new outdoor space for our middle school children.  Thanks to Mrs. Meinert, we are creating our Stations of the Cross meditation area.  Thanks to all the teachers, students, and volunteers, our Nature's Place is in full bloom.  We love all of these and other areas of our campus, but maintenance is needed to help keep everything accessible and looking good.  We are going to have a workday on Saturday morning, August 17^th.  We need as many people as we can get.  Mrs. Cissy West will be sending out information on this--please plan to be here that morning to help us. 

Whew!  There is a lot of information in this letter.  You will be getting your calendar/handbook at registration, and all of the dates are in there.  Also, the Fanfares are sent out every week as well as posted on our website.  Please take time to read them as the information is always updated as needed.

I look forward to seeing all of you next week.  Thank you for all of  your support; I am truly blessed to be part of this community. 

God bless,

Jeri McInturff

May, 2013

No one has ever seen God.  Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.  I John 4:12

Dear Parents/Guardians,

It is here!! It is the end of the school year already.  Where has all the time gone?  It wasn't too long ago that I was just beginning my tenure and this year's 8^th grade students were in 1^st grade.  Now they are getting ready to leave us and start a new journey.  Congratulations to the class and to you, the parents, who have nurtured and supported them through their elementary and middle school years.   The eighth grade Class Night will be Wednesday, May 15^th.  During this event awards and recognitions will be given.  The Celebration Mass of Graduation will be Thursday evening, May 16^th. 

Other important dates for the month of May are:

·         May 10^th the BVM awards will be given during all school mass.

·         May 10^th is our volunteer appreciation brunch after mass.

·         May 17^th is the date for the end of the year celebrations for our Pre-K and our Kindergarten.

·         May 22^nd is the "Growing in Faith" celebration and retreat for the 7^th grade.

·         May 23^rd is our Field Day.

·         May 24^th is our last day of school, and it is a half day. 

Also during this month our transition meetings are taking place.  These meetings are with your child's next year teachers to give you some information about what to expect. 

As always, there will be some changes next year.  As most of you know, Mrs. Pack and Mrs. Meinert are retiring.  Ms. Laura Goodhard will be going to 2^nd grade and Mrs. Ann O'Brien is going to 7^th grade.  We are now in the process of interviewing for the openings in art and 7^th grade language arts.  Another change next year is going to be in the school uniforms.  Next school year, the blue polos (instead of the white)  will be worn by the  6^th graders as well as the khaki pants (instead of the blue ones)  just as the 7^th and 8^th grade students wear now.  The 5^th-8^th grade girls will have the option to wear a new skort instead of the skirt.  The skort is in the same plaid as our skirts and may only be gotten at Educational Outfitters.  We are phasing out the skirt, and this process will be completed in 4 yrs.  At that time the skort will not be an option, but it will be mandatory.  We are also making changes in the shoes.  Although brown leather loafers and tie shoes are still an option, we are no longer allowing the deck/boat (Sperry) shoes.  They have been too dangerous and sloppy.  We are; however, adding some color options to the tennis shoes.  In addition to the all white tennis shoe, we are allowing all black and all gray.  Our Friday dress code is going to be more in line with the other Diocesan schools.  Our middle school boys will be wearing a white oxford shirt and school approved tie, while the girls will be wearing their skirts/skorts with white oxford shirts and knee socks.   This is just a summary of the changes.  Our uniforms in the CAG closet are still available. Attached is the formally written up dress code that will be in your handbook.  This gives you more details and information. 

We received our TCAP Writing and our IOWA test scores back, and you will be receiving them with the report cards.  As expected, the scores are lower than they had been in the past.  However, our composites are still above the national average.  If you recall, they are newly normed tests and they match the Common Core Standards which we are now implementing.  We will be analyzing the data and making adjustments to our curriculum maps so that we continue to be a school of high academic standards and expectations.    

 Some miscellaneous information:

·         A flyer went home about a soccer camp at UTC headed by their soccer coach J.D. Kyzer.  If you are thinking about sending your child to this camp, please write in OLPH in the "school affiliation" line.  They will be donating some of the registration fees back to us.

·         Tomorrow, May 4^th, the Junior League of Chattanooga is having a free public event at Coolidge Park entitled "Kids in the Kitchen" which is geared to healthy eating and lifestyles.

·         For Field Day this year, Mrs. Mohler is bringing her Gyro-X-treme ride.  There will be a $5.00 charge to ride this as it is a fundraiser for the rising 8^th graders.  This is an option;   it is not required.  More will be coming out before Field Day.      

I wish you all a wonderful and safe summer.

God bless,

Jeri McInturff