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SS. Simon and Jude School
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Week of 3-26-15
School Newsletter
Issue #27
SS. Simon and Jude Mission Statement
Through the Immaculate Heart of Mary we at Saints Simon and Jude School, commit ourselves to learning,
proclaiming and living the Good News of Jesus Christ. We strive to educate and develop all for Catholic
leadership in the church and community, enabling one another to serve with
Compassion, Courage and Competence.
Thoughts from Sister Jeannine
As the poet Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote: "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." And our
school community is certainly aware of all that is wrought by prayer as we step forward in faith praying with and for
Vinny Musumeci and his family. We have decided that mid-morning each day (time still to be firmed) we will announce
our usual pre-prayer announcement: “Stop wherever you are and whatever you are doing and prepare to address our
loving God” in intercession for Vinny. Some days it will be a spoken prayer and other days, time for silent individual
prayer. But as I told the children as I went class to class, each day there are about 425+ people in the school – counting
the students, faculty, staff, volunteers and visitors. Wow! What a powerhouse of prayer beams to “bombard” the Lord.
However, in each room on Monday, children attested that they and their family already prayed together. So in addition
to the SSJ daily moment – imagine the many moments in each home. Also, I have requested prayers from every school
in the archdiocese – that’s quite a few more powerful prayer beams too! I know the Musumeci’s are so grateful and
what a grace for each of us to share in this part of a faith journey.
In this week’s letter you will find information about:
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SSJ Visit Day – March 27
CRS Rice Bowl Due
Living Stations
Spring Uniforms
No Folder next week
In this week's folder you will find:
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Flyer - SSJ Parish Living Stations of the Cross.
Grandparent’s day flyer
Rocky’s Reading Challenge Form (Blue Rocks)
Family Bingo - New date - April 24, 2015
Science Explorers Summer Camps Info
Pedal for Pink Sponsors
Kitchen Wizards Summer Camp Info
WC Rattlers present Joe Conklin
Important 8th grade only information
From the Home & School
Congratulations to the Beck family (Jack: homeroom 16) who won $200 at last week’s raffle. If you are still interested in
a raffle ticket, contact Kathi Clapham at kathibella@aol.com. Winners are drawn every Friday until the end of May!
Tonight is LADIES Bag Bingo Night. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and bingo starts at 7:00 p.m. Don’t forget that this event is
BYOB. There will be light snacks served, but feel free to bring more for you and your friends!
Save the Dates:
SSJ Grandparents day is Monday April 13th. (See enclosed flyer.)
UPDATE ON SSJ FAMILY BINGO NIGHT: Family Bingo has been rescheduled for April 24, 2015! Details to follow.
New Requests and Opportunities
1. Tomorrow, Friday, March 27th, is the last (re-scheduled) formal “Visit SSJ Day” beginning at 8:00 until 10:00. If you
know a neighbor, family member or co-worker who may be considering SSJ, please alert them.
2. The children are asked to please bring in the CRS Rice Bowl with their Lenten donations by Wednesday, 4/1.
3. If you have not had the opportunity to attend the Living Stations here at SSJ consider coming on Good Friday
evening at 8:00 PM.
4. Spring Uniforms may be worn starting on April 1, 2015. For the girls this includes golf shirts and skorts and for the
boys this includes golf shirts and shorts. Although with this crazy weather, it may be too cold.
5. There will be NO folder next Wednesday April 1st – honest not an April’s Fool’s Day joke. A letter with any brief
needed information may be posted.
Repeated Requests and Opportunities
1.
From the Nurse’s office: If you have received a third and final notice for missing medical requirements per PA
State Law, please hand them in as soon as possible to the school nurse. The deadline of May 1st is fast
approaching. Failure to hand in this required information results in your child not being able to come to school
starting on Friday, May 1, 2015 until the information is received. If you have any questions, please contact us at
610-692-8464. Thank you. Pam Dutill, RN and Inez Burg, Rn, CSN.
2.
Application for BLOCS tuition assistance will be available on the BLOCS website and on SS Simon and Jude’s
website on February 1st. It should then be submitted no later than March 31. *PLEASE NOTE THEY EXTENDED
THE DEADLINE FRIOM MARCH 15. Please see the site for all needed information. (EVEN IF YOU RECEIVED
ASSISTANCE THIS YEAR, YOU MUST SUBMIT A FORM FOR 15-16.
3.
Special Chick-Fil-A lunch on April 10th to benefit Pedal for Pink. The flyer went home last week. If you need one,
please contact the main office, sdamore@simonandjude.org.
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Expressions of Gratitude and Congratulations
1. Previously we noted with pride that Connor Cary (Grade 8) had qualified in swim competition for Junior Olympics.
He swam well and dropped his personal time in various events. Recently in a PA State swim meet Noel Park (Grade
4) swam the 200 freestyle and dropped 8.68 seconds with a 13th place finish. He swam back-to back events and so
turned around to compete in the 50 yard freestyle placing 9th while dropping .96 seconds in the process. We are
“in the swim” for great accomplishments! Congrats to both boys.
2. Another previously mentioned item was that four students (Armand Brignola, Joe Manning, Glenford Ona and Jack
Purcell) had placed among the top scorers in the IHM Math contest. We received word over the weekend that a
mistake was noted in the test, and therefore with a question eliminated, three more of our 7th grade students:
Abby Foster, Ethan Kogut and Meaghan Pierson now also place in the top scorers and are qualified to take the
final test on April 21/22. Congrats and good luck to all.
3. Our 4th and 5th grade Reading Olympics teams participated well on Tuesday evening and loved their experience.
Thanks to all who supported them, especially their moderators and parents. N.B. Miss Rosci also helped coach, but
her name was omitted previously. The middle school team will shine tonight!!
4. Congratulations to seven 5th grade students who recently participated in the Habitat for Humanity “Dream House”
Building Contest. On Saturday, March 21, Olivia Barkasy, Ciara Barry-McCloskey, Kiera Canale, Luke Guierera,
Joseph Magnotta, Grace Schnyder, and Emma Steel participated in the competition held at Villanova University.
They with other Delaware Valley participants were given a list of suggested materials to work with, and were
encouraged to use their creative imaginations, as well as planning and organizational skills to create a floor plan.
After constructing a floor plan, they then had to carefully use the materials to assemble a model of what they
envisioned to be their “dream home.”
Ciara Barry-McCloskey’s model home made it to the second round of judging! And, Emma Steel’s model home,
consisting primarily of recycled household materials, made it into the third round of judging, and ultimately
won first prize! She received a $100 prize and her hard work will also be recognized on the organization’s
website. Congratulations to all of the participants and thanks to Miss Rosci who informed the students and
encouraged their participation. Thanks of course to all the moms and dads too.
5. Many thanks to Mrs. Coulter who invited Mrs. Barb Bogel, parent coach of Disciplining with Love and Logic
philosophy, for an in-formal sharing last evening. It was a wonderful time for the 10-15 people able to attend. We
are so grateful to Barb and to Heather Lebano who introduced us to her.
6. Thanks to Colleen Donohue, Tara Condit and Jen Doran for all the work they have done preparing for our first
Designer Bag Bingo. Win or not – a fun evening is “in the bag.”
7. Congrats to the 77% of the student body who are enjoying a dress down day this week having earned a merit award
with the February calendar.
8. Just released are the Citadel Heart of Learning Teacher Nominations and proudly we acknowledge that 4 of our
teachers here at SSJ teachers were nominated by students, parents and/or fellow educators. Congratulations to
Mrs. Canterino, Mrs. Land, Mrs. Langdon and Miss Skahan!
This week from a substitute teacher
I very much enjoyed working in your school and have appreciated that opportunity. [to sub in the school.] To put
it simply...I love being in your building. The teachers were all kind to me, things are so well run…, the children are
sweet and well-mannered, and [I am] speaking as someone who has worked full time in many buildings.
Prayer requests: Please keep the following intentions in your prayers:
1.
For Vinny Musumeci and his family
2.
For Aoife Mannion’s (grade 4) grandfather who is ill.
3.
For Sebastian (Gr. 2) and Gabriel (Gr. K) Molavoque’s aunt who is ill
4.
For Mrs. Rose McCormack, long time lunch aide, who is ill
5.
For Mrs. Dryfoos’ mom who is ill.
6.
For Izzy (Gr. 1) and Gena (Gr. 4) Volpe’s grandfather who is beginning treatments on Friday.
7.
We were asked to pray for Conall Harvey, a pre-K student at Cardinal Foley School. He has leukemia and is
hospitalized with an infection.
Glimpse at the Days Ahead
Thurs. 3/26
Fri/ 3/27
Sun. 3/29
7:00 PM
8:00 AM
Palm Sunday
Designer Bag Bingo
Re-scheduled Visit Day offered
10:30 AM Grade 2 will take special part in the palm entrance procession.
Happy Birthday Father Gerlach too
Special prayer and Stations of the Cross lead by Grade 6
Wed. 4/1
11:15
Mon 4/6
Tues. 4/7
Holy Week and Easter holiday begins at 2:45 dismissal
No School
Classes resume
God and Father of us all, in Jesus, your Son and our Savior, you have made us your sons and
daughters in the family of the Church. May your grace and love help our families in every part
of the world be united to one another in fidelity to the Gospel. May the example of the Holy
Family, with the aid of your Holy Spirit, guide all families, especially those most troubled, to be
homes of communion and prayer and to always seek your truth and live in your love.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!