From the desk of Sister Stella
School Information
PWC President
Parish News
Traffic Duty Assignments
Weekly Readings/Reflections
Playground Volunteer
Hot Lunch Volunteers
SPA School Nurse Office
Stucent Activities

“Every human being is intended to have a character of his/her own; to be what no other is, and to do what no other can do”.  William Ellery Channing (1780-1842)

From the desk of Sister Stella Maria, Principal:

The faculty, staff and I would like to offer a salute to the brave men who took care of our ship-wreck in the very early hours of Festival Saturday. A million thanks to:

            Nathan Dixon

             Rich Hiney

            John Griffin

            Jim O’Callahan

            Louie Strauss

You surely saved the day.

Staying organized is a complicated problem for children and adults in our society. We would like to suggest a book entitled –The Organized Student - teaching children the skill for success in school and beyond. The Author Donna Goldberg – a Fireside Book published by Simon and Schuster. You may order it on line.

Give your child the tools to get organized for school success

 

She rushed out the door, late for the bus again. Five minutes later, you saw her  math homework sitting on her bed. Helping your child get organized is one of the most important ways to help her do better   in school.  After all, if she doesn’t have her homework, she can’t turn it in for a grade!  Here are some tips that will get your child organized this year:
     Start with a daily checkup, Each day, have your child clean out her book bag. All the way to the bottom (yikes!). Then help her make a list of what she has to do that day. She’ll feel good as she checks off each item on her list. And you’ll be happy when you don’t  find math homework on the bed in the morning.
    Help your child set up a study - space. Kids who aren't naturally organized need all the help they can get. Studying in the same place every day is one way to help them focus. You don’t have to buy a desk—the kitchen table can be a good study spot. But collect pens, pencils, paper, erasers and other study supplies in a box. That way, they’ll be ready when she needs them.
    Start using a homework folder. Buy a two-pocket folder and have her keep it in her book  bag. All the homework goes in the folder at the end of the day. When she fin­ishes it at home, it goes back in the folder so it gets to school.

Source: Janet S. Fox, Get Organized Without Losing It, ISBN:

1-575-42193-3 (Free Spirit Publishing, 1-800-735-7323, www.lreespirit.com).

                                                                    October 2007 Elementary – Parents make the difference

“In the search for what helps children grow up to be healthy, happy and successful, we have yet to discover anything that compares to having good parents who love, guide and respect their children!’

—Laurence Steinberg author, The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting

 

School Socialization    DR. PATRICIA M. MCCORMACK, IH M

Children typically care more about being accepted and approved by peers than they do about academ­ic achievement. Some seem to naturally possess the skills for social acceptance. Others act in ways that defeat that very desire.

Successful socialization requires the social and emo­tional capacity to respond in an effective way. Socializa­tion skills enable a child to understand the norms, atti­tudes, values, and behaviors that are socially appropriate for an occasion. This newsletter suggests HOME WAYS that prepare children to develop socialization skills.

Create occasions that increase a child’s affective (emotional) abilities.

•       Empathy—identifying with the pain of another

•      Compassion—doing something to relieve the suffering of another

•      Sacrifice—denying self for the sake of another

•       Appreciation—recognizing with gratitude the efforts of another

•      Sharing—giving self, talents, and possessions to an­other to use, own, or borrow

•        Sympathy—showing reverence for the grief of another

•        Sorrow—expressing remorse with the intention to change

Strengthen the capacity for self-control. Taking  turns, inviting others to go first and delaying gratification. For example, “Yes, you may have (something)... as a lunch treat, after you finish your homework, after you first offer one to each of our guests...”

Teach how to name, claim, and tame emotions and behavior.

•    Label the feeling as specifically as possible. For ex­ample, anger is a generic word; resentment is more specific. Love is broad while trust; acceptance, and inclusion are more finely tuned expressions of love. A list of emotional vocabulary is found on Dr. Michele Borba’s website at www.moralintelligence.com.

•    Verbally or mentally express a feeling and acknowl­edge the intensity of the feeling. For example, “I am so embarrassed by my mistake that I want to hide where o one can find me.”

 •   Know the difference between feelings and actions. Frustration, for instance, explains but does not excuse a temper tantrum.

    •    Manage feelings by controlling impulses, reducing stress, and using self-talk.

Practice the skill of respectful assertiveness. Use “I Statements” to express needs, feelings, wants and desires. “When ... [state the behavior] I feel . . . [state the feeling because... [state the consequence].” For example, “When dirty dishes are left on the table l feel taken for granted because I am left to clean up the mess that others make.”

Be inclusive of classmates. Abide by the school/class policy regarding birthday parties, Christmas gifts, Val­entine cards, etc. lf no policy exists, think: “How would I feel if my child were excluded from social activities?” Sensitize your child to safeguard the feelings of others.

Cultivate the disposition of gospel love. Distinguish between love and like. We may not like everyone we meet but gospel love calls us to demonstrate respect, courtesy, helpfulness, inclusion, forgiveness, second chances, fairness, and justice to all people. Guide your child in the ways of discipleship and help him/her to apply Christian principles of socialization at home and at school.

Bully-proof your child. Bullies are unhappy people with low self-esteem. They act out of anger or frustration or to win respect. Bullies target victims who seem, weaker, shy, or who excel in grades or other achievements. A bully-proofed student is respectfully assertive; focuses on how to avoid violence; stays calm and confident; pre-plans how to talk to the bully; uses humor to relax a tense situ­ation without making fun of the bully; and seeks help from a parent, teacher, principal, or counselor.

                       

  Dr Pat McCormack is an international consultant and public speaker on issues of whole-person formation. Contact her at the IHM Office of Formative Support for Parents and Teachers,DrPatMcCormack@aol.com.                                          

© 2007 Todays Catholic Teacher. Permission is granted to reproduce for distribution to parents.

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ARCHDIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES

DEPARTMENT OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Elementary School

Nondiscrimination Policy

2007-2008

This Parish Elementary School in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, mindful of its mission o be a witness to the love of Christ for all, admits students regardless of race, color, or national and/or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at this school.

This school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national and/or ethnic origin in the administration of educational policies and practices.

Likewise this Catholic School does not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of sex, age, handicap, veteran status, race, color, or national and/or ethnic origin.

This Catholic Elementary School will publish the above policy in the faculty and parent/student handbooks, public relations/recruitment brochures, and when appropriate, in other publications, e.g. parish bulletins, school newspaper, etc.  The chool will also publish the grievance procedures in the faculty and parent/student handbooks. Faculty and Staff should have copies of these statements.

___________________________________________________________

 

KINDERGARTEN SIBLING APPLICATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE EITHER IN THE FRONT OFFICE OR SEE ATTACHMENT WITH YOU EMAIL EPISTLE.

 

 

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PWC President

Dear SPA Parents:

            Thank you to all who attended the Festival Thank You Mass last Sunday.  It was a nice event honoring our dedicated Festival Chairs as well as all of the Pirate Cove workers. 

            Thank you to our Festival Treasurers, Katrina, Mark, Marchell and Trisha for the many hours of work not only on Festival weekend.  Please help them to reconcile the Festival Account by submitting your receipts a.s.a.p.  Also… Please call Kathy O’Malley-auction chair to make arrangements to pay and/or pick up your items by Monday October 29th-this was extended due to the short school week.  Please cooperate with this as we need to close the Festival books in a timely manner.

            Hats off to Christi Catalano and her Hot Lunch Committee for a job well done-there have been many positive comments regarding Hot Lunch-Yeah!

            Wednesday-October 24th is the 6th Grade Potluck-our first Potluck of the year.  Enjoy and have a wonderful evening.

            Remember-no school this Thursday and Friday- there are Parent/Teacher Conferences.  There will be coach’s’ program and day care available for these two days.

            Have a great Week- 

            Thought for the Week:  We love because he first loved us.  1John 4:19

Tina Cathcart

PWC President

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Parish News

                                                                 Labor of Love

When you read this you will have already parked your car in the back lot also the playground for the school. Flash back a minute to the week before. The parking lot/schoolyard was replaced by booths of all kinds. There were  books, tickets for food and rides, games of all kinds and most of all hundreds of people attending and having great fun. There was some damage from the Saturday storm, but working hands quickly restored everything.

As you know I’m talking about the annual fall festival at St. Paul the Apostle. Yet again this was a wonderful celebration, fun for everyone; meetings of old school friends, excellent foods and drink. It also provided great community as parents and children mingled with others to play and share meals.

As you know this event didn’t just happen. Earlier this spring all those having major roles in this, too many to name, started the planning and preparation for this October event. Booths, supplies, food, drink, music, auctions, silent and open, representatives for each school group and much more were all thoroughly planned. Because of this wonderful commitment and willingness to be so involved we at St. Paul’s reap a magnificent benefit.

So this is a nice occasion for me to thank all of those who were totally involved. For all those who spent countless hours in the preparation and doing for the festival. This generosity of time, energy, creativity and work does not go unnoticed. It is truly a labor of love, for the students, children, for each other. It is a hallmark of what St. Paul the Apostle is and continues to be. It is a welcoming community where we worship, work, play and pray.

I had no difficulty thinking of what to write for this bulletin article. How could one forget this wonderful event shared by so many?

A sincere thanks to all!  Fr. Paul Lannan, C.S.P.

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Traffic Duty Assignments

Mmonth of October Traffic Duty Assignment 7th Grade Parents

PARENT TRAFFIC RESPONSIBILITIES. 
Note:  Please arrive by 7:20 am or 2:30 pm to complete your assignment.  Should you have questions about your duty do not hesitate to contact your room parents or Liane Schirmer. 

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Weekly Readings/Reflections

Sunday, October 28

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Sunday 39

Reading 1
Sir 35:12-14, 16-18

The LORD is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak,
yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.
The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,
nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.
The one who serves God willingly is heard;
his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;
it does not rest till it reaches its goal,
nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,
judges justly and affirms the right,
and the Lord will not delay.

Gospel
Lk 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --
greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

 

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Playgound Volunteer

2nd GRADE: 11:45-12:15
December

5th GRADE: 12:10-12:40
December

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Hot Lunch Volunteers

Hot Lunch Volunteer Schedule
October, 2007

PARENT HOT LUNCH RESPONSIBILITIES. 

Note:  Please arrive by 11:20AM and your shift ends at 12:50PM. Should you have questions about your duty do not hesitate to contact your room parents or Christi Catalano. 

1ST Gradde        11:20 – 12:50
Mondays                               Wednesday                         Thursdays

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FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE:

 

Dear Parents,

 

Please remember to keep checking your children for lice.  Please note that your child must check in for clearance at the health office even if they were cleared by a "special" salon.  St. Paul the Apostle School has a NO NIT POLICY.

 

Please note that bronchitis and strep throat are lurking about!

Please review the student handbook on the policies and procedures regarding the health office.

 

As always, thank you for your continued cooperation in the above matters.

 

Nurse Anderson

 

 

 

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An Oasis is Coming!!

 

 

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