Dear Parents,

Welcome back to an exciting new school year! As we looked out at the tremendous crowd gathered on the 1st day of School, it brought home to us what a fantastic school community we have. Here new and old families had a great opportunity to meet, share some experiences and leave feeling connected to others in our community. This feeling of connectedness is paramount in our school. Our theme for this school year is “SCS Lights the Way”. Perhaps we could look at our first day of school as the first of many “lights” or blessings in this 2007-2008 school year. 

“SCS Lights the Way to Peace” on September 11th as we celebrate our opening school Mass. During this Mass we will explore the value of Peace and the many ways we may choose to live in peace. A very special activity is planned which our students will continue throughout the school year. This is also the first time we welcome our Kindergarten class into our community. We hope you will consider taking the time to join us for this beautiful celebration.

After the dust settles and you have filled out your forms, wrestled with book covers and met your children’s teachers at Back to School Night, please join us for a “Day at the Beach” on Sunday, September 23rd. The PTA has planned a day of fun, food, friendship and family at Spring Lake’s South End beach.

If you take a moment to look at our fall lineup you can see some of the oldies but goodies in our fundraising. September will bring our ever popular gift wrap and candle sales.  Can you ever have enough Yankee Candles?  On November 6th Border’s Night will give us the perfect opportunity to do a bit of early Christmas shopping while benefiting our school.
This year we embark on an exciting new fundraiser to our school: “The Silver Bells House Tour: City Sidewalks by the Sea “.  Please join us on November 30th for this house tour and shopping extravaganza! Artisans from all over the Metropolitan area will be on site in each home to sell their unique gifts. What a wonderful way to start your holidays, do your Christmas shopping and spend time with your friends. This is our first major fundraiser of the year. As this is one of our biggest fundraising efforts, we need passionate support during the event and many volunteers weeks ahead to make the day possible. Our chair people have already begun this huge undertaking and hope to have many people volunteer their time on one of the many committees.

Each year our Spirituality and Social concerns chairpersons work diligently to coordinate their efforts and give us many opportunities for growth throughout the school year. This year the focus will be on the Spiritual Works of Mercy. Our children will hear the teachings in class and be shown concrete ways they can live this value. In the words of St. Francis “It is in giving that we receive”. Did you ever wonder who feels better when we give: the giver or the receiver?

Our Parent Teacher Association is a committed group of people.  Our parents allow us to offer our children opportunities that go beyond an excellent education. We hope you’l find an area in which to volunteer that suits you. There are needs such as lunchroom, playground, copy room, supply closet and media center. There are after school events, evening events and weekend events. Please know that any time you give is a gift to your child and the school community.

We thank you in anticipation of your many gifts.

Mary Kay Leddy and Karen Shinn