ST. BARBARA SCHOOL
THURSDAY TIDBIT

God’s Words Guide Us

November 3, 2005

PRINCIPAL NOTES:  I regret to inform you that Mrs. Sharon Ramski’s mother, Elsie Holub, passed away.  The wake will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Sunday from 3-9 and the Funeral Mass will be Monday at 10:00 at St. Barbara Church.  All 5th-8th grade students will be attending.
 
The Fundraising Committee will be meeting Tuesday, November 8th at 7:30 p.m. in the Faculty Room.  We will be discussing this year's fundraising options and ideas for fundraising next year.  Feedback from all school families is greatly welcomed and encouraged.  Please join us!

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT:  Enclosed you will find information from the Illinois Board of Education regarding authorization for transportation reimbursement.  Families with children in grades K-8 at St. Barbara who live 1 1/2 miles or more from school, or less than 1 1/2 miles but must transport their children due to a serious safety hazard approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation, are eligible.
The best way to determine if you live at least 1 1/2 miles from school is to read the odometer in your car, one way, either to or from school.
For those wishing to file a claim for a safety hazard, you must complete the “Application for Determination of Serious Safety Hazard” form.  This form will explain the different criteria for qualifying for a safety hazard.  One of the criteria that directly affects St. Barbara students would be families who have to cross the railroad tracks in order to drive their children to school.  You may obtain a form by calling (708) 865-9330.  This form needs to be completed and returned to Cook County Regional Office of Education, 10110 Gladstone, Westchester, IL  60154, Attn:  Safety Hazard.  It must be postmarked no later than February 1st—so time is of the utmost importance.  The determination of a serious safety hazard must be approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation.  Once your request has been approved, it is good for four years.  Parents/guardians who received safety hazard approval for the 2002-2003, 2003-2004, and/or 2004-2005 school years and for whom conditions have not changed (i.e. address, school child attends, hazardous conditions, etc.) do not have to reapply for the safety hazard verification.  If you were approved in the 2001-02 school year or before, you must reapply again this year.  If you have any questions, please call the school office.  See the enclosed letter for more details. 
Anyone requesting transportation reimbursement for distance or an approved safety hazard will have to come to the school office and complete an online form sometime around February or March.  Watch the tidbit for future information.

CASINO NIGHTS ’05 !!!!!!!  Well, the time is here!  Tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. (a reminder for the extra hands that are decorating and/or setting up) the Parish Center will begin to turn into a Casino.  The fun and excitement will begin.  People will be shouting, wheels will be spinning, cards may even be flying come tomorrow night!  If you would still like to help in some way, please just stop in at the Gym tomorrow morning.  We could always use a little extra help.

PICTURE RETAKES:  Picture retakes will be on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8th.  Any student that did not have their picture taken in October will need to have it taken at that time. Your child will need to have their order form (available in the school office) and payment with them when their picture is being taken in order for Lifetouch to print a package. Otherwise, your child’s picture will be taken only for use in the classroom pictures. If you wish to have retakes, your child MUST have their portrait package with them. Only those students having their picture taken will be allowed out-of-uniform in dress clothes on retake day. Any PS-3 students needing pictures or retakes should be in the Windemere Room by 1:00 pm. If you have any questions, please call the school office.

BABY BOTTLES FOR LIFE:  All baby bottles can be returned to school tomorrow, November 4th.  There will also be a collection box in church at all the Masses on November 5th & 6th.  Remember, WomanCare reuses these bottles for future fundraisers so it is important to return all the bottles.  Thank you for helping WomanCare help women choose life.
 
"A single soul is a whole world in the sight of God.  Jesus, Himself, stopped to preach to one woman."           St. John Eudes

BOX TOPS & TYSON LABELS RAFFLE:  For November & December we’re going to have a raffle for one $25 Best Buy or Toys R Us gift certificate.  This is how it works:  In today’s tidbit there is a Box Tops collection sheet (has 2 forms on the page).  On each form fill up all 10 spaces and earn 2 entries for the raffle, or fill up 5 spaces and earn 1 entry for the raffle.  Make sure to put your name, grade and teacher’s name on the collection sheet.  The Box Tops can be taped or glued to the collection sheet.  Also, Tyson labels will be included in this raffle.  Each label earns 1 entry into the raffle.  Just write your name and grade on the back of it.  The winner will be picked on Tuesday, December 20th.  There will be extra collection sheets in each classroom.

MARKET DAY:  Thank you to the 7th graders and their parents who helped with October Market Day!   PIES  PIES  PIES  PIES  PIES  PIES  PIES  PIES  PIES!   Please put in your order forms for Sr. Margaret!  Don't forget to order your own pies for the holidays!  Attention all 8th graders!  We need every single one of you AND your parents for Market Day pick up on November 19th.  November is our busiest month so make sure you eat your Wheaties!  Please meet us in the Windemere Room at 8:30 a.m.
 
HOT LUNCH FOR DECEMBER:  Menus and order forms are being sent home today along with any credits for the month of October.  All orders are due back into the office by November 16th.  Late orders will not be accepted.  If you have any questions, please call the school office.
 
CRAFT SHOW & BAKE SALE:  The Council of Catholic Women of St. Barbara's is sponsoring Pumpkins 'n Holly Craft Show and Bake Sale on Saturday, November 19th in the Parish Center, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.   Admission is free, children are welcome, lunch will be available, and the event is handicap accessible.  Bring a friend and stay for lunch.  Fifty crafters will be there for your holiday shopping.
 
DUNKIN DONUT COFFEE orders are in today’s tidbit and are due Friday, November 11th.