Friday Newsletter 10-23-2020

 

THE WEEK AHEAD: (Halloween Spirit Week – see below for daily themes)

Mon –  

Tues – Pork Steak Fundraising Mtg – 6:00 pm (cafeteria)

Wed – All School Mass (5/6 Ministry)

Thu – School Mass (5/6 Ministry)

       Cheer – Open gym – 6-7 pm

Fri –   Litany of the Saints/Procession to the Cemetery – 11:40

       Dress Down Day

HALLOWEEN SPIRIT WEEK - Oct. 26-30:

Monday – Wear your favorite sports team dress down day

Tuesday – Twin Day (dress like a friend(s)) dress down day

Wednesday – Crazy sock day (dress in school code attire, but with your crazy socks)

Thursday – Hat Day (dress in school code attire, but add a hat

Friday – Orange/Black dress down day

Monday, Tuesday, & Friday – students may dress down but must meet all length/sleeve requirements and honor the intent of the dress down days. Wednesday & Thursday students will be attending Mass so these will be normal dress code days, with the add-ons.

 BOXES OF JOY – FINAL COLLECTION DATE IS THIS MONDAY, OCT. 26^TH. Please include pmt. of $9 to Cross Catholic. Thanks to all who have supported our efforts. So far we have 51 boxes turned in, with a goal of 75 boxes filled. The 7^th & 8^th graders filled boxes today, and these numbers are not in this total. We are so close!VOLLEYBALL NEWS: The Lady Cougars ended up their regular season last weekend. They did lose both games, but put forth great effort! We are so proud of our girls for all the great sportsmanship & skill they put into playing this season. Great job Lady Cougars!

DONATIONS FOR CEMETERY LIGHTS: Thanks to ALL who have donated! We were able to pay for over 1000 lights with your donations, and also to again have some seed money for future needs. Make sure to drive by the cemetery at night on Halloween weekend to see this beautiful sight!

NEXT FRIDAY – CHANGE OF MENU – we will serve carrot sticks in place of green beans.

PORK STEAK FUNDRAISER: If you have not already volunteered, and would like to do so, please send in the sign-up sheet sent home last week or call the office or Barb Adrian by this upcoming Tuesday, Oct. 27^th. Finalized work lists will be sent home next Friday, Oct. 30^th.

PLANS FOR HALLOWEEN: On Friday, October 30^th, the school children will be placing the lights on the cemetery and reciting the Litany of the Saints in procession at 11:40. Parents and community are invited to join us, but social distancing will be required. Classroom parties will be with students/teachers only. Classroom parents coordinate to send in treats and for games, if needed. Weather permitting, we still plan on doing the traditional “Halloween Walk”, while asking our community businesses to greet our students outside their businesses. We will be beginning the walk at 1:30 pm. That day is a planned Orange/Black dress down day. Before the walk, we will let students get into costume. Especially this year, make sure costumes are easy to get on/off. We also ask that no scary or gory costumes be worn, so that little ones are not scared.

 HALLOWEEN TRUNK OR TREAT: Parents are welcome to participate in a “Trunk or Treat” the afternoon of the parties, parking in the lot in front of the upper school building by the church. All treats MUST be store-purchased and prepackaged, and masks MUST be worn by all parents/attendees, maintaining social distancing. Students may not “reach in” to select a treat; all treats are to be dropped into their sack by the parent. Please make sure to send a sack/bucket for your child, along with their costume. Inclement weather will cancel this part of the event. If you are interested in participating, please contact Danen Horseman as soon as possible to reserve your spot @ 821-2890.

MARY’S HOME CHRISTMAS PARADE: Friday, November 27^th – “The Roar of 2020!”. Allen & Joan Doerhoff have graciously volunteered the use of a trailer and to pull a float for Our Lady of the Snows School. Much parent help will be needed to decorate. Also – ideas to fit the theme are needed, so please jot down your ideas and send them in, call the school office or contact Joan. Students riding will be responsible for their own costumes once the float theme is set. Next week, we will send out a sign-up sheet to see who is interested.

 THANKS SO MUCH for the $100 donated by the Mary’s Home 4-H to OLOS Parish. So thoughtful! 

FREE MEALS FOR ALL STUDENTS EXTENDED– OFFICIAL PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: Effective Monday, September 21, ALL students at Our Lady of the Snows School will be able to receive FREE lunch through DESE Seamless Summer Option and the USDA. The free meals will be available through the end of the school year. If your child does not attend OLOS School, you may request to pick up a free lunch for any child age 1 to 18. If you wish to order meals for children not enrolled in OLOS School, you will need to contact Carla Morris before 8:15 daily at 573-498-3574 to request the meals. Meal pickup will be at 11:30 am at the side parking lot nearest the kitchen (below M. H. bank). If you have any questions, please call the office at 573-498-3574. Thank you.

INFLUENZA VACCINE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR EVERYONE: taken from document dated 9/23/20 the Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence…the CDC states that “for the upcoming influenza season, the influenza vaccine will be paramount to reduce the impact of respiratory illnesses in the population and resulting burdens on the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic.” The co-existence of COVID-19 and influenza may cause high numbers of absenteeism. With these things in mind, we strongly recommend influenza vaccination for all who can medically receive it.

 

STUDENT BILLING: The intent is to eventually transfer billing to email statements only, so if you are not receiving an email copy, along with your printed copy, please contact Rosie in the office so that we can get the correct email on file. This would be for any bills related to the lunch program, extended care program, or preschool program. At the present time, preschool bills are going out every two weeks, lunch bills are only going out if you still owe a balance or for snack-time milks, and extended care bills are going out at the end of the month. If once a month is not convenient for you for extended care, please call Rosie in the office to discuss.

EXTRA ITEMS – CLEARANCE! 1-5 gal “Mango Twist” Laundry Detergent, with pump - $35; Call or send a note to the office if you would like to purchase.

HEALTH SCREENINGS will be the morning of Tuesday, November 3^rd. Miller Co. Health Dept. will only be able to send two nurses to OLOSS that day, and they will do the vision and hearing screenings. We are in need of two volunteers to help with height/weight measurements, and to help move students through the process. Please, if you are able, call Rosie in the office. Volunteers would be required to wear masks, gloves, and have a temperature check upon entrance to the school.

OLOS Self-Study: Every 7th year, Catholic Schools in our diocese go through a review process in which parent/teacher committees are formed to study various aspects of the school. These include mission & philosophy, school climate, leadership, personnel, curriculum, instruction, services, facilities, finance & planning, early childhood program, and before and after school care program. Last year was our school's year for review, but the visiting team of area principals/educators was postponed due to the pandemic until last week, when we hosted them for three days at OLOS School. Following are the major strengths, areas of improvement, and recommendations for our school. Recommendations are given priority and are addressed and reported on yearly until our next self-study, for our annual accreditation by the National Nonpublic School Accrediting Association. Thanks so much to our parish and community for the great support of Our Lady of the Snows School!

Visiting Team Summary

During the on-site visit of Our Lady of the Snows School the major strengths seen are:

• The teachers have a strong sense of commitment to the school and each other.
• Teachers are actively engaged with students throughout the day.
• The principal exhibits strong interpersonal skills and welcomes the community into the school.
• The principal is the driving force to improve the technology.
• Teachers are given live feedback on instruction/lesson planning within Google Drive.
• The main school building is well maintained and cleaned. 
• The new school facility provides opportunities for many school and community events. 

The areas of improvement that need the most attention are:

• Student supervision is limited to one adult in the building before and after school.
• Safety measures for the facility are in need of review.
• The annual plan of action report has not been consistently updated.
• Professional development opportunities are limited.\

The key recommendations of the visiting team include:

• The safe school guidelines need to be followed for student supervision.
• The school will develop procedures and implement safe practices for a more secure facility.
• The plan of action report needs to be updated annually/
• The administration should pursue opportunities for more professional development. 

Visiting Team Closing Paragraph:

The Visiting Team found Our Lady of the Snows School to be hospitable and welcoming. The administration, faculty/staff, students, parents, parishioners, and community members made the stay pleasant and enjoyable. The members are especially appreciative of the guidance and direction that is given by the school leadership. This enabled the on-site Visiting Team assessment to be effective and productive. The Visiting Team recognizes the spirit and enthusiasm of this community. The parish community believes in the school's future and is committed to providing a quality Catholic education in the Mary's Home community. 

 ENJOY THE FALL WEEKEND!