ST. BARBARA SCHOOL

THURSDAY TIDBIT

We Are Called to Serve
October 30, 2008

CORRECTION!
THE SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL BE ATTENDING THE 8:00 MASS THIS FRIDAY MORNING ON HALLOWEEN.

STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SHOULD BE IN THEIR CLASSROOMS BY 7:50 TO WALK TO CHURCH WITH THEIR TEACHERS.

PRINCIPAL NOTES: Report cards were given out today.

I look forward to seeing our 8th graders and their parents tonight at the Confirmation meeting at 7:00 in the Windemere Room. Please note the new start time.

We will have our yearly Halloween parade around the block on October 31st at 10:55. As in the past, we are encouraging all students to dress in costume on this day. If you are not in costume, please wear something showing the Halloween spirit. This will be a half day of school. Parents are most welcome to dress up and join us in the parade and/or the "Trunk or Treat!"

The Uniform Closet will be open for business during Parent Teacher Conferences on Monday, November 3rd. Everyone should have received their scheduled appointment time by now. If there are any problems with your scheduled time, please call the school office and leave a message for the teacher.

CADET BAND BEGINS: Cadet Band rehearsals begin this coming Tuesday, November 4th, from 2:50 – 3:30. This includes all beginners and 2nd year players. See you there! Mr. Enns

OUT-OF-UNIFORM: Please see the enclosed flyer for specifics on the out-of-uniform day sponsored by the Student Council scheduled for Tuesday, November 4th.

ALTAR SERVER TRAINING: On Monday afternoon, Deacon Kevin Reynolds presented to the 5th - 8th grade students information on the important ministry of becoming and serving our parish community at the Altar. For those students in grades 5 - 8 that are interested in learning about and being taught how to serve in our church liturgies, there are 4 training sessions scheduled on upcoming Saturday mornings. The training will be held from 8:45 until 10am in the church on Saturdays, November 8, 15, 22, and December 6th. A permission slip was distributed to all the students. Time commitment as an Altar Server is generally 3-4 mass assignments over 8 weeks, depending on availability and Holy Days. New Servers could begin serving at the Altar in December. []

HALLOWEEN CANDY RECALLED: There is a new warning put out by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency...Sherwood brand Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate coins are being recalled due to the fact that they contain Melamine, the ingredient in milk product that has caused many infant deaths in China . These candies are sold at Costco, as well as many bulk and dollar stores. Please make sure to check your children's Halloween candy and DO NOT LET THEM EAT THE PIRATE COINS (you know the ones wrapped in the shiny gold foil) and please let other parents know about this! (You can verify this on snopes: http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/coins.asp)

FSA MEETING REMINDER: This is a reminder that the November FSA meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 11th at 7:00 pm in the Teacher's Lounge.

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 mapquest directions from your house to school or read the odometer in your car, one way, either to or from school. If you live less than 1½ miles but must drive your child due to 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 affect St. Barbara students would be families who have to cross the railroad tracks in order to get 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 2005-2006, 2006-2007, and/or 2007-2008 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 2004-05 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 1/2 miles from school or you have received an approved safety hazard since the 2005-2006 school year, you do not need to do anything at this time. Watch the tidbit for future information on when you need to come to school to file your claim

NEW DEALER TRAINING: New dealer training is scheduled for Thursday, November 6th, 2008 from 7pm till 9pm in the gym. Please come and learn, refresh yourself or teach other people how to deal blackjack, poker or hold'em poker. If you are a new dealer for Fall Casino Nights, it is recommended that you join us, especially if you have any questions about dealing any of the games you will be working that weekend. []

BAKED GOODS NEEDED FOR CASINO NIGHT: We need goodies to serve our casino patrons. If you can contribute baked goods to Casino Nights it would be much appreciated. Baked items can be dropped off Friday during the day or brought to casino nights either night. Please drop me a line if you can help us out. []

CALLING ALL DECORATORS!!! The gym needs to be transformed into our Casino during the day on Friday, November 7th. If you are available to help us decorate, please come to the gym anytime after drop-off. We have all of the supplies. We just need the extra hands to help us transform the gym into the wonderful Casino it can be. Remember, if you build the Casino, they will come...Hope to see you there.

PIES FOR SISTER MARGARETEach year Sr. Margaret organizes Thanksgiving dinner for families that would otherwise go without. If you are interested in donating pies to Sr. Margaret, please see enclosed order form. The order form, along with your payment, can be sent to the school office or dropped in the Market Day mailbox outside the Rectory. Remember, these pies are NOT to be included in your normal Market Day order - just use the enclosed form. Orders are due by November 19th. Thank you for your consideration.

MAGAZINE SALE REMINDER: Orders are due Friday, November 7th. Checks should be made payable to St. Barbara School.

JUNIOR HIGH TRIVIAA GREAT BIG THANK YOU!!!!! to all my helpers at Jr High trivia this past Friday. We had 21 teams compete from St. Barbara, St. Louise, St. Francis, St. Mary's & St. Cletus. The kids were smart, funny and very respectful. You all (kids and parents) made me proud to say I am from St. Barbara. We look forward to doing it again next year. *** First through fourth graders be on the look out for Mighty Kids Trivia coming January, 2009. More information to follow.

ADULT TRIVIA: WOW! Was this fun for the participants, the volunteers and myself (the host)! We had 14 teams compete. And can you believe it came down to the last jeopardy question. The team that was in last place actually took 2nd place because they wagered smart. It was big fun and I hope you can make it when we do it in the spring. Thanks to everyone that helped and played. Our kids will reap the rewards of your generosity. The next Adult Trivia will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Start studying!

THANK YOU: Please see the enclosed flyer from St. Barbara Girl Scouts who completed their service project as part of earning their Marian Award Religious Medal. “We want to thank everyone in the school & parish for your donations during our Baby Shower collection. We were overwhelmed with your generosity this past month. We will be delivering your donations to Woman Care Services in Berwyn this week.”