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   FALCON FLYER

HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

1502 S. 48th St., Omaha, NE 68106     402.551.3773  www.holycrossomaha.com


October 27, 2009

 

Dear Parents,

On Monday, October 5th, the teachers and I attended the annual Archdiocesan Fall Conference for educators in West Point, Nebraska.  At the conference we got to celebrate Mass with Archbishop Lucas and listen to presentations by him and Kenneth Doran, National Religion Consultant for Sadlier Publishing Company on Catholic Identity.  Archbishop Lucas thanked those in attendance for their service to the Archdiocese of Omaha and told the teachers that their role is “life-giving”.   I had never thought of the teacher’s role as “life-giving” before.  The teachers do give students life by providing them with the knowledge they need to pursue higher forms of education.  They nurture the students’ strengths and help them overcome their weaknesses.  They provide students with opportunities to share their faith and to live their faith.  They encourage students to problem solve, think critically, and share their talents.  When you think about it, the responsibilities that teachers have are overwhelming, and a teacher’s role truly is “life-giving” to every child that God puts in their care.   We are certainly blessed, here at Holy Cross, to have such wonderful teachers “giving life” to our students. 

 

If you haven’t heard already, the magazine sale was a huge success.  Thank you to all those families who participated.  The students earned an evening at Papio Fun Park and a presentation by a magician.  I especially want to thank Amy Snover and the Home and School Association for all of their hard work in sponsoring this event.  It is truly amazing all of the things that the Home and School Association does for our school.  I would encourage you to attend one of their meetings and to get involved.  They need your support. 

 

Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for this Thursday, October 29th.   This is an excellent opportunity for you to find out how your child is adjusting to the new year and to get to know your child’s teacher(s).  We look forward to seeing you on Thursday.

 

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, I want to thank you for everything that you do for Holy Cross School and Parish.  Each and every one of you is a blessing to this community, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to work for you.  I wish you all a beautiful Thanksgiving.

 

Sincerely,

Terri Anderson

Principal

SCHOOL NEWS

 

Grandparents/Special Guest Mass

 

On Friday, November 6th, we will celebrate Grandparents/Special Guest Day.  The day will begin with Mass at 8:45 am.  **PLEASE NOTE THE MASS TIME HAS CHANGED.  Grandparents/Special Guests will meet their student in front of church and then proceed to celebrate Mass together.  The student and his/her Grandparent or Special Guest may sit anywhere at Mass.  After Mass, Grandparents/Special Guests are invited over to school to have cookies with the students in their homerooms.  The event will conclude at 10:00 am.

 

GAME ON Magazine Sales Fundraiser for 2009

 

WOW!  What a year!  A huge thank you to all students, parents and faculty of Holy Cross.  I know moving our fundraiser date up was a surprise to some; however, everyone came through with flying colors.  Our theme this year was GAME ON and Holy Cross came out in full force.  Our overall goal for 2009 was 950 subscriptions, and Holy Cross answered the challenge with a total of 1021 subscriptions and more subscriptions are still coming in.  By reaching our goal the students will not only get to participate in a fun filled night at Papio Fun Park again, but they will also get to experience their own private show put on by nationally known magician Sean Watson.  Rooms 5A and 7A will get “rock star” seating for the performance because they sold the most subscriptions.

 

Now the best part about the entire experience is Holy Cross made over $8,000 for 2 weeks of talking with family and friends and simply renewing magazine subscriptions for them.  Now that's what I call pretty simple.

 

Our top sellers in each class for 2009 were:

Pre K - Ania Voycheske-Croker

Pre K - Isabella Wright

Pre K - Michael Dugan

KA - Hannah Harbold

1A - Jacob Pitzl

1B - Kutty George

2A - Parker Stafford

3B - Carter Lanning

4A - William Krenzer

4B - Sydni George

5A - Mason Snover

5B - Andrew Houston

6A - Trenton Anzalone

6B - Trevor Anzalone

7A - Rachel Callahan

7B - Adam Kamp

8A - Andrew Krawczyk

8B - Kate Liveringhouse

 

Our Junior High participants that got a chance to get their GAME ON in front of the school and shoot baskets for money were:

Sixth Grade - Trenton and Trevor Anzalone

Seventh Grade - Kyle Robinson and Colin Krist

Eighth Grade - Kate Liveringhouse and Andrew Krawczyk

Our top shooter was Kyle Robinson; however, each student won money from QSP.

 

And the TOP 3 Winners for the 2009 Magazine Sales GAME ON competition were:

#1 - Adam Kamp with 48 subscriptions/renewals - Adam won 4 Tickets to the UNL/Iowa State Game on October 24th and 4 Awesome Seats to a UNO Hockey Game on Friday, Oct. 30th.

#2 - Mason Snover with 42 subscriptions/renewals - Mason won an iPod Touch with a $15 iTunes card

#3 - Rachel Callahan with 37 subscriptions/renewals - Rachel won a $100 gift certificate and a $20 game card to The Amazing Pizza Machine

 

Again, congratulations and thank you to all the students and faculty of Holy Cross.  You will be receiving a survey in the month of November about how the sale went this year and ideas for what we can do next year to make it even better.  Don't forget Holy Cross gets credit for subscriptions and renewals through June 30, 2010 so please encourage family and friends to log onto QSP.com and keep on renewing their magazine subscriptions. 

 

Until next year -  Your Magazine Sales Chair,

Amy Kennedy-Snover

 

Talent Show

 

Please join us tonight for the Holy Cross Parish Talent Show.  It will be held from 6:00-8:00pm in the gymnasium.  The kids are very excited about performing and it should be a wonderful night!

 

8th Grade Confirmation Retreat

 

On Saturday, November 14th all 8th graders will have a mandatory Confirmation Retreat.

Permission slips are due back to Mrs. Taylor by November 2nd.  Please arrive at school by 9 am with a sack lunch.  Busses will return at 3 pm.  Donuts and drinks will be provided.  For more information, please contact Kim Rookstool at the rectory office at 553-7500.

 

Invention Convention

 

You are invited to the Holy Cross Gym on the evening of November 12th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for our Invention Convention.  The 6th grade students will be presenting their Science Assessment, “Tool Time” for family and friends.  For this assessment, students were asked to use scientific inquiry to invent and build a tool that will help solve a problem in real life.  So, please come and visit and see what a wonderful group of inventors

we have.

 

Go Big Red Dress Down Day!

 

Friday, November 13th, is a dress down day for all students.  Wear your Husker apparel or anything red!

 

Picture Retakes

 

Picture retakes will be on Wednesday, November 4th.  If you plan to retake your pictures, you must return your old pictures on November 4th.

 

Home & School Meeting Update

 

Due to the low number of attendees at our monthly meetings, we have decided to go to a bi-monthly schedule.  Therefore, we will not be having a November meeting.  Our meetings for the rest of the year will be December 1st, the potluck, February 2, and April 6, the Spring Program.

 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Amy McClellan 690-4238.

 

Holy Cross Book Fair

 

The Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the Community Room on Thursday, October 29th during Parent/Teacher Conferences.  Parents, and students accompanied by their parents, are encouraged to attend.

 

Student Congress

 

I would like to introduce the 2009-2010 Student Congress members.  8th Graders: Mickey Bassett, Kelsey Kerzman, Maddy Lenz, Genevieve Jesse, Calla Kessler, Janie Kilgore, and Ben Scheibeler. 7th Graders: Adam Kamp, Hannah Bohacek, and Rachel Callahan. 6th Graders: Annie Kessler, Mary Engelbert, Vivian Parr, Maddie Kirchofer, Miah Pluta, and Megan Murnan.

 

Our can food drive runs Nov. 2nd-13th.  The top two classes who bring in the most food items win a dress down day.    Mrs. Edinger

 

Hy-Vee Receipts

 

It is that time again.  Begin saving your receipts including GAS.  Hy-Vee will donate $1.00 for every $200.00 spent.  Boxes are located in both buildings and in the HOPE room for the receipts.

 

Holy Cross Recognition Plaque

 

The recognition plaque is a means for families to honor special people.  Plaques measure 2” X5” ($25.00) allowing three lines with 25 letters per line (spaces count) or 4” X 5” ($40.00) with 6 lines.  The plaques are brass with a glossy black finish and gold lettering.  They are placed in the main hall of Holy Cross School on a large oak frame for all to see.

 

Order forms can be found in the school office or online at:  www.homeandschoolatholycross.com.  Your support goes directly back to the school.  If you have any questions please contact Mary Lou Parr at 556-8183.

 

Academic Booster Club: 

Call for Volunteers

 

Do you have a skill or talent to share?  I am looking for volunteers to teach classes

for the Academic Booster Club.  Interested?  Know someone else who might be interested?  I would love to talk to you about the excellent opportunity to share your gifts with the Holy Cross kids!  Please contact me, Jacque Rauth, by email at rauthreisinger@hotmail.com  or by phone at 553-0226.

 

All Volunteers

 

Please remember, if you volunteer at Holy Cross School, or volunteer with children in the name of Holy Cross, including coaching, you are required by the Omaha Archdiocese to be currently certified in Safe Environment Training and should have your identification card with you at all times.  Please check your card’s expiration date.

 

We can offer recertification classes here at Holy Cross.  If you have never taken the original training and currently volunteer in the above capacity, please access:  www.archomaha.com for training dates.  If these classes are full, continue to check this website for new classes.  If there are no classes available please contact Theresa at 553-7500 or 208-5249.

 

Inclement Weather

 

With the cold weather and snow upon us, we want to remind you about the expectations for winter apparel at recess time.  For all students, winter coats, gloves, and hats are important.  If your child is not dressed appropriately he/she will not be able to go outside for recess.  In the event of inclement weather, please listen to radio station 1110 KFAB for school closing information.

Holy Cross Website

 

Just a reminder that you can find a plethora of Holy Cross information at our website:  www.holycrossomaha.com, including the lunch menu and school calendar.  You may also contact the school office at 551-3773, if you have questions.

 

Honey Sunday

 

Honey Sunday 2009 will be held on November 1 and we would like to involve Holy Cross students once again.  Our participation is appreciated in this annual tradition, and the involvement of Holy Cross students greatly helps the Ollie Webb Center with this fundraiser.  5th grade teams can sign up with Ms. Vesely; 6th through 8th grade teams see Mrs. Taylor.  Please get your team and a driver together and sign up as soon as possible.  Thanks! 

 

Paper!  Paper!  Paper!

 

If you work for a company that has any used, good white or cream colored 8 ½ X 11 paper, we could sure use it.  Our recycled supply of paper is almost gone and we would love to have the old paper your company may be throwing away.  We need to have at least one side on the paper blank.  Thank you!

 

Holy Cross Stage

 

Children/Students are not allowed on the stage in the gym during practices or at any other time during the day.  Thank you for your cooperation with this matter.

 

Kiln For Sale

 

Because of fire code regulations, we can no longer operate the kiln at Holy Cross School.  It has rarely been used and is in great condition.  If you are interested, please contact the principal, Terri Anderson, at 551-3773.

 

CLASSROOM NEWS

 

Preschool

 

The preschool children are working very hard on learning letter formation.  I am amazed at how quickly they seem to pick up the information.  I am very proud of how hard the preschoolers work.

The children learned several Halloween songs and dances and they LOVE dancing and singing.  The children have been working on Halloween creations, so stop by the preschool room to see the amazing art work.  The Halloween parties will be on October 27th and 28th, please see your October Newsletter for further information. 

Mrs. Bonnemier

 

Kindergarten

 

The kindergartners have had a wonderful month full of lots of activities.  We have learned the first 26 phonograms and are learning how to find the sounds in words.  We also learned the prayers for praying a decade of the rosary.  The kindergartners have learned how to write the numbers to 10 and the number words!  We love to read.  We had a great, and chilly, field trip to Gifford farm and can't wait for the Halloween party!

Mrs. Sobczyk

 

First Grade

 

The first graders had a great but cold trip to Gifford Farm in October!  We have started spelling and take tests every day. So far we are doing quite well!  We have also been practicing our two letter phonograms and using them in spelling and reading. In Religion we studied the rosary since October is the month of the rosary.  We also learned about families and missionaries in other countries.  We can't wait for the Halloween parade and parties!

Mrs. Engelbert and Mrs. Bassett

 

Second Grade

 

The Second Grade Stars have had another busy month!  We have completed our Science units on Plants and Animals and written stories about our adventures in the Omaha community for Social Studies.  Timed tests have begun, as have our Spelling lists and homework.  In Religion we have been learning about the 10 Commandments.  We are excited for November, as we begin our final studies to prepare for our First Reconciliation on December 6.  And we look forward to meeting our 2nd Grade Religious Education friends, when we get together on the evening of November 18th.

Mrs. Adams

 

Third Grade

 

Third graders are hard at work.  In science students have been working on How Plants Live and Grow. We will begin How Animals Grow and Change.

In religion we have been memorizing Psalms and discussing the meaning.  The students have memorized the 9 times tables. We have been taking a daily timed test and they are doing great. The students love learning new math definitions in the daily Simple Solutions math book (quadrilateral, congruent, similar). It’s hard to believe we have started second quarter. Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

Mrs. Crown

 

Fourth Grade

 

The 4th graders have been busy working on their October book reports.  Each month they will present book reports to the class on a book of their choice.  They are also working hard on their Saints projects.  Each 4th grader has chosen a saint to research and write reports on.  On November 4, they will dress up as their saint and present their reports in the gym.  Does anyone know the patron saint of television?

 

During Fire Prevention Week, firemen Tim Klein and David Kirchofer spoke to the 4th graders about fire safety.  It was a great presentation and the class learned a lot!  Thank you Mr. Klein and Mr. Kirchofer!  The 4th grade class would also like to thank all of you who helped support our bake sale.  It was a huge success!

Mrs. Coolon and Mrs. Kaschmitter

 

Fifth Grade

 

The fifth graders have studied about safety concerning their Circle of Grace.  Ask them about it!!  They also have an opportunity to help the mentally handicapped by signing up for Honey Sunday on November 1st.   The children have also learned the basics of five world religions in religion class.  Science finds them starting a project where they have to be an animal in a report.  Math has been challenging with double digit division.

We are impressed with the writing and reading skills demonstrated by the fifth graders!  They are working hard trying to meet their weekly reading goals.  They used Microsoft Excel to graph the minutes they spent reading in September.  We will do this each month.  We will be finishing our Greek mythology unit soon and will begin a new novel.  The fifth graders have also been spending a lot of time writing.  What clever, creative children!!  We hope you enjoy reading your child’s writing.  Here are a couple of poems for you to enjoy:

Mrs. Neville and Ms. Vesely

 

 

Pandora’s Box

Pretty and yellow, Sin Box

Found in the trash with the top glued shut

All the sins lay inside

Sad and mad

We get hurt and die

By Bridget Wiggins

 

Caramel Apple Pops

Yummy, squishy bubbles

Bendy apple, blood red ice rink

Glassy green fingerprint, golden strawberry

Sour cherry, arrow popping

Cinnamon gum, golden brown caramel

Wrinkly deliciousness, bumpy happiness

Saliva lips, slick yumminess

By Mark Timmins

 Sixth Grade

 

The sixth grade will be attending a field trip to the Rose Theatre for the Holocaust presentation.  In Social Studies the students will learn about the Stone Age and Ancient Egypt.  The students will continue to improve their keyboarding skills in computer class.  Each week, the sixth grade will complete a timed test to improve their math skills.  In Religion the students will present their saint reports and continue studying the Old Testament learning about the patriarchs.  The sixth grade will continue reading The Sign of the Beaver.

Mrs. Justice and Mrs. Henkel

 

Seventh Grade

 

Hello from the 7th grade.  It was nice to see some of you at Math Night, we hope you had a great time.  Father Salanitro and Father Al have visited our classrooms, we really enjoy having them come in and teach us.  We have settled in to our routine now and can't believe how fast the time is going. Please remember to sign any tests brought home in the THT and return them to school the next day with the THT folder.  Please remember that 2nd quarter has started and it is a chance for students to raise their semester average.  The semester grade is an average of the first and second quarters.

Mr. Fisher and Mrs. Edinger

 

Eighth Grade

 

As we draw near to the end of first quarter, many of the Catholic high schools have sent representatives to visit with the 8th graders.  They were given information to take home to parents and also dates for the respective schools' open houses in November.  Please ask them for this.  The date for the scholarship/placement exams is Saturday, January 9th, 2010. 

 

Students have improved and learned new computer skills as they worked on a joint project in History and Computer classes called "Colonial Punishments" and independent reading of a mystery book culminated in Mystery Book Boxes for Mrs. Taylor's and Mrs. Edinger's Lit classes.  Very creative!  In honor of October, the "spooky" month, we have also been reading several works of Edgar Allen Poe and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" as we study great American short story writers.  In Science class we're learning to identify the three different types of rocks and doing various activities on the rock cycle.

 

We are also looking forward to our Confirmation retreat on Saturday, November 14th.  More information and permission slips concerning this were sent home on Tuesday, Oct. 20th.  We look forward to discussing your child's progress with you at conferences!

Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Cunningham

 

 

 PARISH NEWS

 

“Garlic Gala” - formerly

Hospitality Spaghetti Dinner

 

The Holy Cross Hospitality Spaghetti Dinner will be held Sunday, November 15th, from noon to 6:00pm and it’s FREE!  This is a great family event for the whole parish and includes everyone within our parish boundaries, Catholic or not.  It is a great opportunity to invite your neighbors and the folks down the street to treat them to dinner and share with them our wonderful Holy Cross spirit of friendship.

 

HOPE News

 

Check it out!!  HOPE is announcing a "Coupon Book Sell-Off!" Promotion.  HOPE is looking to really boost sales for the month of November and one of the easiest ways this can happen is to take orders for the Hy-Vee and Bag n Save coupon books that we sell.  The coupon books cost $5 each and Holy Cross makes a profit of $3 for each one that is sold!  AND the very first coupon is $5 off your grocery order of $50 or more so you even get your money back!  Of course we all buy extra groceries for Thanksgiving parties so now is the perfect time - and they are BIG money makers for Holy Cross!  Watch for your order form in your child's THT!  Let's try to raise $1,000.00 with this promotion!  We can do it!

 

Order your HOPE online 24/7 at  www.ShopWithScrip.com  - Our organization code is LF9FA1LL2931.  Your HOPE can be picked

up in the rectory during office hours or after all weekend masses - also at school on Fridays from noon - 3:45pm.

 

If you'd like to place a standing order (so you don't have to remember to buy!) please email what you'd like every month srmaryhope@yahoo.com.

 

 

REMINDER

 

Newsletter items for the Falcon Flyer are due by the 15th of the month.  Please e-mail Mrs. Anderson at:  tlanderson@schools.archomaha.org.