TO: Parents of Queen of Peace Catholic Academy
FROM: Sister Nancy Elder, IHM
DATE: October 9, 2009
RE: Weekly Update
One morning this past week, I sat in Prekindegarten doing a formal observation. The teacher was meeting individually with the students assisting them in becoming proficient in building patterns. Each student listened and worked diligently in performing the task. Some engaged in conversation while working, others gave their full attention to concentration and fulfilling the requests. As I sat facing this instruction group, there was a gentle “pounding” on the back of my chair. Behind me was another small group who had just completed putting a puzzle together. They wanted my attention, my praise, my affirmation for a job well done! They cared not that my purpose in their classroom was to observe the teacher and her interaction with the students. They had a need; they had something to share.
Is this not so like our life with God? Do we not have our own agenda and God has God’s own? For most of us, we set out each day to be the best we can, to walk gently and lovingly with our God. We have a plan in our head and in our heart. We know what we need to do and most times we know how to do it. We can name the people with whom we will interact and sometimes we can even anticipate the results. And then, lo and behold, God steps into our life and everything changes. Just like the four-year-old who pushed on the chair, God nudges and redirects. Our focus goes elsewhere – and many times it is a great “somewhere”. Many times God opens our eyes to see what we ignore, our ears to hear what we ignore and our hearts to love what we ignore. And what a blessing it is! What if I had not seen the completed puzzle? What if I had not observed the students working so well together? What if I had not been given the opportunity to make my day just a little bit brighter?
How important it is for our journey toward God that we be open to all kinds of possibilities! And, how fortunate we are to be surrounded by people who assist us and remind us of all the God occurrences each and every day. Let’s pray for one another that our hearts can be open to receive what God wants to give. Let’s pray for the grace to listen, to feel, to see the wonderful, ordinary things in our day which bring joy and pleasure. Let’s be willing to share those times with one another.
We Believe
Reminders and Other Things
From Nurse Bunde:
Parents are reminded to contact the school nurse (mabunde@qopacademy.org) to report a student illness. Please do not send your children to school sick. If a child has a fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea along with a cough, sneezing, body aches, etc. he/she most likely has a contagious condition. Until the student has been symptom-free (un-medicated) for 24 hours, he/she should not return to school.
If a child's medical file is delinquent, parents will be getting a formal letter very soon to request the information. Failure to comply is not acceptable and may result in the child missing school.
The consent forms for the Flu Mist Vaccine were due by Sept. 24th. Even if the student is not going to receive the vaccine, the forms must be returned indicating that the vaccine is being declined. The form can be downloaded from the Alachua County Health Department's website. It is a 2 page form.
The Hearing and Vision Screening will be done on December 2nd & 3rd.
From Sally Wasik:
QPA TENNIS CLUB - Reminder that tennis club starts on Monday, October 12th after school until 4:15, for 3rd - 8th graders. Contact Sally Wasik 222-1655 for registration information.
QPA BASKETBALL THROUGH THE YMCA - REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 30TH
Registration is going on now for QPA basketball. We play in the YMCA Classic League.
Practice begins the week of November 9, 2009
Games begin the week of November 30, 2009 and there are usually 8 games, 1 each week.
Games will be played at QPA unless there are scheduling conflicts, then they will either be at the NW YMCA or the Boys Club
Game times will be 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30
Game Days will be Wed. for K/1, Thursday for 2/3, and Friday for 4/5. There may be some Sat. games depending on the final schedule.
Fee is $70 for YMCA members and $90 for non-members. Make check payable to the YMCA. There is a $5 discount for siblings.
If you coach a team you will get a 50% discount off the fee.
WE NEED COACHES!!! Right now we only have 1 2/3 grade coach and 1 4/5 grade coach, so we need many more volunteers to coach our basketball teams. If you are interested in coaching a team or even co-coaching a team, please contact Sally Wasik 222-1655/sjwasik@cox.net as soon as possible.
The YMCA coaches will be on Tuesday, November 3rd @ 6 pm at the Northwood YMCA on 34th Street.
We are always looking for team sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring a team the fee $300 payable to QPA. That money goes directly to the QPA K/5 sports program. There is also an opportunity to sponsor the whole league for $2,500. If your business would like to sponsor the whole league your name would be printed on all the uniforms. Unfortunately that money goes directly to the YMCA.
FYI - The YMCA also has a premier league in case your child would like to try out for one of those YMCA teams. You can contact the Northwood YMCA direct for more information; however, the try outs are going to be held on October 24th and October 25th at the Northwood YMCA. It is open to 2/3 and 4/5 graders. 2/3 graders tryout time is 1-2 on both Sat. and Sun. and 4/5 graders tryout time is 2:30-3:30 on both Sat. and Sun. Remember that QPA teams are not participating in the premier league but the classic league.
All registration forms must be turned into the QPA office, not the YMCA, by Friday, October 30th, in order for your child to participate.
See you in Church!