August, 2007

August 2007 

Dear Parents, Guardians, Friends, 

It is hard to believe that school is already in session again; the summers seem to get shorter and shorter.  However, I am excited about the new school year.   

There are some personnel assignment changes this year.  Mr. Alcantara will be teaching seventh and eighth grade math, while Mrs. Miller will teach eighth grade language arts.  We have a new teacher I am very excited about.  Ms. Ginny Fones is an alum of OLPH and is joining our staff this year as a sixth grade homeroom teacher and a fifth/sixth grade classroom teacher.  She will be teaching fifth and sixth grade science and teaming with Mr. Galik to teach sixth grade math.  Mrs. Polahar will be teaching fifth and sixth grade language arts.   

In an effort to continue to improve OLPH, there are some other changes being implemented.  The biggest change is the afternoon dismissal.  Since I have been here, we (teachers and parents alike) have been concerned about student safety in the parking lots.  Last year we changed the drop off procedure, and it worked.  This year we are changing our dismissal plan; please bear with us as we work out all the bugs.  The new plan should be safer and more efficient for your children.  

Another change this year is how your students’ grade will be reported.  The students will be receiving a numerical instead of a letter grade on their report cards. This will give you a more accurate picture of what your child has mastered or accomplished.   

There are some minor changes in dress code—mainly shoes.  This issue was a huge hassle the last couple of years, and monitoring it became so subjective.  Therefore, the staff decided to make it as simple and clear as possible.  If the student chooses to wear tennis shoes, the shoes should be ALL white.  I must admit they are harder to find, but I have seen several brands at many locations that meet this criteria.   

Also, there are minor changes in our Discipline Policy.  Please read about this in your handbook.   

August is going to be quite a busy month. 

• Already starting are two sports:  football and volleyball.  The games will be posted in the fanfare. 
• The Booster Club meeting will be August 13.  Please join us; we need as many parents to help us as possible.  This organization is the main support for our sports programs. 
• August 15 is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and it is a Holy Day of Obligation.  There will be an all school mass.  Please join us, if you can.  Also, on this day Archbishop Kurtz will be installed in his new position in Louisville, KY.  Any student who attends this will not be counted absent from school.  However, we will need some proof of attendance. 
• Home and School sponsored Ram Run is Aug. 18.  The party is the prior Friday evening.  Please try to join and support this fantastic fundraiser.     Thank you, Home and School, for everything you do for our children and faculty.
• The first Home and School meeting is August 28.  We will also have our Open House that evening.  Please plan to come. 
• Mr. Jim Williams will be back to work with our children and address our parents at the end of August.  If you missed him last year, you must hear him this time.  If you heard him, you need to hear more.  We will be doing the parent meeting with St. Jude’s parents.  There will be more information coming on this as soon as everything is finalized. 

I am looking forward to a wonderful school year.  If we (parents and teachers) work together for the good of the children with the guidance of the Lord, how can we fail?  I am so very thankful for being a part of this wonderful OLPH family.  Thank you for all of your support.

Sincerely,

Jeri McInturff