TO:       Parents of Queen of Peace Catholic Academy

FROM:  Sister Nancy Elder, IHM

DATE:   January 22, 2010

RE:       Weekly Update

This week, my heart and thoughts have been filled with the possible and the impossible, the ordinary and extraordinary.  Walking from classroom to classroom, it is easy to observe the ordinary and extraordinary; reviewing student test results pose the possible and the impossible.  Talking with the students, with parents, with faculty, the stories of the possible and the impossible, the ordinary and extraordinary are heard over and over.  Just this morning at our monthly Assembly, the voices of the children filled Walsh Hall as they sang, “Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty?” and the strong response, “Amen.  We do believe!”.  The smiles and movement pushing the sung word forward generated all who were present.  No adult could stand still; no adult could be silent.

And then, there is the wonder of a Band class with a Band Director who is unable to speak because of surgery on his vocal chords.  How does one teach others to play an instrument without verbal clues?  How does one energize twenty-plus students to make harmonious sounds, to breathe at the appropriate times and to push the buttons correctly?  How does one tell a student how to improve the sound?  Surely, good teaching, expectations and discipline share a huge role here.  But, one would venture that, without doubt, the possible must give way for the impossible occur.  Oh, yes, the visual clues are definitely helpful.  However, do picture Middle School students who are being challenged to intense concentration and consistent eye contact.  The impossible has risen to the top!

Over and over again, God walks into our lives and offers us the impossible and the extraordinary as a way of life.  It is possible for us to experience this so frequently that we no longer recognize the hand of God.  Here at Queen of Peace, we know God’s presence and God’s intervention.  We know it would not be possible for Walsh Hall to rock with the sound of our children’s voices without God’s help.  We know that it would not be possible for our bands to move forward and to perform as they do with a “silent” Band Director without God’s help.  We are so blessed in so many ways through the gifts of so many, young and older, faculty and parents, parishioners and friends.

Let’s all be a little more aware this week of the impossible and extraordinary in our lives – and make an effort to share those experiences with other.

We Believe

 

Reminders and Other Things

• All re-registration forms and fees are due today, Friday, January 22nd.  All necessary forms may be found on the website.  The Faith Form for all Queen of Peace parishioners will be signed at the same time.  (We will take care of that here.)  Anyone who has a sibling who will attend the Academy next year, should notify Darlene Coogan.
• Catholic Schools Week begins on Sunday, January 31st.  All students who are members of Queen of Peace are expected to attend the 10:00 AM Liturgy at Queen of Peace dressed in the formal uniform.  The schedule for the remainder of the week will come home in the near future.
• Mike Loffredo and Hortensia Lamadrid thank all of you for your prayers.  Mike has returned to school – in silence.  (Band classes are very interesting!)  Hortensia is recuperating at home.
• Class pictures will be taken on Tuesday, January 26th.  Students should be in formal uniform that day.
• Additional volunteers are needed for the lunchroom, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays.  Please contact Barbara Henault to join this wonderful group of volunteers!
• The Lost and Found boxes in the Gym grow by the day.  Do check it out if your child is missing shorts, a sweater, shoes………
• Please join in prayer for the repose of the soul of Noreen Kahn, mother of Darren and grandmother of Christian.  Pray as well for the Kahn family during this difficult time.

Fees and Tuition – 2010 - 2011

            Registration       $225 per student

            Book Fees        $425 per student

            Tuition               $3,900 – Catholics

                                    $5,700 – all others

From Sister Bea

Queen of Peace Parish is beginning a new program produced by Renew International called “Why Catholic.”  This program is conducted in small groups of about eight people.  The program will be held for six weeks during Lent and again in the Fall.  The sessions will be based on the Scriptures and the teachings of the Catholic Faith.  The theme for this year is, “The Profession of Faith: What we Believe.”  Sign up for this program will be the weekend of January 23 and 24.  Please watch the bulletin for more information.

K-5th Grade Soccer Registration

It is time to start thinking about spring soccer, as basketball is coming to an end in mid-Feb., spring soccer will start up in March. Soccer registration is beginning now for QPA students in grades K-5th grade. QPA will participate in the YMCA soccer league this season. The registration deadline is March 1st and late registrations will not be accepted after March 1st. Because of this new policy it is very important that you turn your registration forms in now. After March 1st it will be too late.

Registration forms can be found at the YMCA website www.ncfymca.org under sports, or at the QPA website. The program needs and information regarding the spring soccer season are below.

Sports Program Needs and Information:

#1 We have no coaches yet so we NEED coaches:  three (3) K/1 coaches, three (3) 2/3 coaches, and two (2) 4/5 coaches.  A coaches meeting will be held in March and details regarding date and time are TBD,

If you are interested in being a coach, or have questions, please email Sally Wasik, sjwasik@cox.net.  Coaches who work with the children need to have been fingerprinted (Diocese of St. Augustine, Administrators’ Manual 300.34),

and are required to attend the Protecting God's Children class. Both the fingerprinting and the class need to occur before the season starts. Go to www.virtus.org to find a class near you and register if you have not done so already.

Coaches receive a 50% discount off the registration fee for their child.

#2 We are always looking for team sponsors. Team Sponsorship is $300 and the money goes directly to QPA's K -5th sports program. If you are interested in sponsoring a school team email Sally Wasik, sjwasik@cox.net for the form.  If you sponsor a team you will receive your name or your company name on the back of the uniform shirts, and a sponsor plaque with team picture, and a spot for one child on the team at no cost.

 

ATTENTION 5TH-8TH GRADE PARENTS! 

QPA TRACK AND FIELD PRACTICES WILL START FEB. 8. 

Practices will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (optional day) from 4:30-5:30.  Meets will begin Feb. 23rd.

A registration form will be available soon.  For more info, contact: Francee Laywell 331-1760 fancyfrancee@yahoo.com

Athletic Events

Jan. 25-Jan 29, 2010

 

St. Francis Catholic HS

            Monday: Jan 25:  Hosting Men’s Soccer District Tournament

            Tuesday: Jan 26: Hosting Men’s Soccer District Tournament

            Wednesday: Jan. 27: JV Men’s Basketball           5:00 PM

            Thursday: Jan 28: Men’s Varsity Basketball (Senior Night)  6:45 PM

            Friday: Jan 29: Men’s Soccer District Championship

Athletic Schedule can be found at www.sfchs.org under Athletic Calendar.

 

See you in Church!