ST. BARBARA SCHOOL
THURSDAY TIDBIT

Surprise Someone With a Random Act of Kindness November 2, 2006

PRINCIPAL NOTES: Report cards will be going home tomorrow.

We are still in need of someone to prepare the garden for the winter. If interested, please call the school office.

I hope to see you at Casino Nights this weekend. It’s always an enjoyable weekend with lots of action and excitement!

CASINO NIGHTS ’06 !!!!!!! A reminder…set up for Casino Nights will start tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. in the Parish Center. We could always use a little extra help.

CAR RAFFLE Last Chance....We still have some raffle tickets to sell for the 1994 Mustang that will be raffled off this Saturday at Casino Nights. This is a great car. Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100. For more information contact the school office.

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 2003-2004, 2004-2005, and/or 2005-2006 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 2002-03 school year or before, you must reapply again this year. If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Carone at the school office. See the enclosed letter for more details.
If you live more than 1 ½ miles from school or you already have an approved safety hazard for this school year, you do not need to do anything at this time. Watch the tidbit for future information.

BAND NEWS: This coming week, Cadet Band’s after school rehearsals begin on Tuesday, November 7th from 2:50 -3:30. All Cadet Band and 2nd year Concert Band members are asked to attend. Older band members are welcome also to come and assist our new band members.

HOT LUNCH FOR DECEMBER: December menus are included in today’s tidbit. Credits for September 30th -October 30th have been sent home along with December order forms. Please note all forms are due back in the office by November 16th. Remember if you feel you may qualify for free or reduced lunch, applications can be filled out at any time during the year and are available in the school office.

FANNIE MAY CANDY SALE: An incorrect due date is given for the candy orders. All orders are due by Monday, November 20th. The profit from this sale will go to the yearbook to offset future price increases. If you have any questions, please contact Dawn at 485-6645.

MARKET DAY NEWS: Our push for PIES is still underway! We are having a contest to see which grade gets the most pies counted toward their class. The winning class gets a PIZZA PIE party for their efforts! So far we have a four way tie for 1st place between kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 8th grades!. DEADLINE TO ORDER PIES IS NOVEMBER 8TH AT NOON!!!

Separately, don't forget to place your Market Day orders by Wednesday, November 8th. Pick up is Saturday, November 11th.

PIES FOR SR. MARGARET: The winner of the Sister Margaret Pie fundraiser was Mary Ann Slama. For donating 3 or more pies, she will receive a $25.00 Jewel Gift Card from Family School Association. Thank you very much to all who donated pies to Sister Margaret. We were able to donate a total of 131 pies for her holiday meals! If you wish to still donate a pie (or more), we are accepting donations up to Monday, November 6th. Additional forms are available in the school office.

PIZZA DAY: November’s pizza day will be held on November 13th. ALL forms are due by November 7th. Please remember to mark your calendars if you ordered for your student. Extras are not ordered. Thanks. If you have any questions, please call Nancy at 387-7334.

BOX TOP NEWS: Be sure to look at both sides of the Box Tops flier in today’s tidbit. The front shows the results of “The Apple Party Race” along with details on our next classroom contest. The back of the flier has a new collection sheet on it.

FSA COOKBOOKS: Do you have any favorite recipes that you'd like to share with others? If so, send them in so they can be included in the FSA Cookbook. Submission forms are available in the school office or you may type or write your recipes and send them in. The more recipes we receive, the better the book will be! Also, don't forget to pre-order your cookbooks (no payment is due at this time). They will be available early May. If you have any questions, please call Dawn at 485-6645 or Debbie at 387-7367.

CALLING ALL BAKERS: Have you missed that sweet smell of fresh baked goods in your kitchen? Want to get warmed up for the holiday...Bingo needs you. The month of November we are offering sweets at bingo. If you would like to donate please call or email Cathy Kaz at (708)485-5746. Thanks for your talents and goodies!