MEMORANDUM

TO:       Parents of Queen of Peace Catholic Academy

FROM:  Sister Nancy Elder, IHM

DATE:   November 20, 2009

RE:       Weekly Update

These have been beautiful days!  Some of the classes have taken advantage of the pleasant weather and gone to the courtyard to do some reading.  The PreK, however, never mind what the temperature is; they go to the track every morning and walk.  I joined them this week and was told that if I walked around three times then Miss Nguyen would let me go play.  What an incentive!  I thought about all the “ifs” and “thens” in our lives:  if we study, then we get good grades…if we work hard, then we get a salary…if we help around the house, then we can read a book…if we eat and exercise properly, then we will be healthy…if we keep the Commandments, then God will bless us with eternal life…if we give of our gifts, then gifts in abundance will be ours…….

Our lives are filled with responsibility, challenge and reward.  As human beings, we like that and feel motivated by it.  We are aware that these responsibilities and responses can be outward or inward.  They can affect our very being or our daily comings and goings.  They urge us on to be the best we can be, to be true to our God within and our family without.  They prompt us to know and to speak our many gifts and blessings – and to share them with others.

As Thanksgiving approaches, take some time to reflect on all the blessings of your life which have come either freely or because of “ifs” and “thens”.  Take some time to reflect on the daily blessings which may easily go unnoticed.  Take some time to reflect on what has been freely given, what gives you joy, what surprises you.  And, yes, take some time to give praise and thanks to God and to those people who represent God to you.

From all of us at the Academy, we wish you the happiest of Thanksgiving Days.  May the Spirit assist you in recognizing all your God-gifts and inspiring you in ways far greater than you could ever imagine.

We Believe 

Reminders and Other Things

• Do check out the Uniform code in the Parent Handbook to ensure that your child(ren) are in compliance.  The chillier weather calls for a sweater or a jacket or long sleeves.  These need to be according to code!
• Be sure to register for Generations of Faith to be held in early December.  Registration forms may be found on our web site, at the Church Office or in the Church Gathering Space.  This is a great way to begin Advent with a focus of Jesus in your life.
• We have early dismissal on Tuesday, November 24th; no school from November 25 – 27.
• Don’t forget to consider your responses to the Queen of Peace Catholic Community commitment card – time, talent and treasure!  Complete your card and return it to the Church Office or drop it in the basket at Mass.  All parents who are registered at Queen of Peace are expected to complete a card.
• The Diocesan required Touching Safety classes for Kindergarten – Grade 8 are scheduled to be taught the week of November 30th.  You may take a look at the Lesson Plans for these classes by going to the Academy website, click on the Diocese of St. Augustine, click Safe Environment Programs, then Touching Safety and choose your child’s grade level.  Should you wish to Opt Out for your child, make a copy of the form on the site, complete it and send it to your child’s teacher.
• When the space shuttle Atlantis took off this week, it carried a poster with the signatures of all of us at the Academy!  Thank you Dian Dudeck for making this happen!  We all feel very special.
• November 29th is the First Sunday of Advent.  We will meet each Monday during the Advent season to pray and reflect on this special season in the Church year.  As you know, the school has joined in a project of collecting socks for Catholic Charities.  What a great way to honor this time of year and to recall with action those who need our help!

From Nurse Bunde:

FluMist 2nd Dose Information: 

The 2nd Flu Shot Clinic has been scheduled for November 30 beginning at 10:30 AM.  All necessary forms should be returned to the Nurse’s Office ASAP.

In regard to the H1N1 Vaccination:  The Health Dept. and area pediatricians have the vaccine to give.  To find out whether your child is eligible to receive the vaccine, please contact the Health Dept.  There are two forms of the vaccine: “live attenuated”- in nasal spray form and “inactivated”-in shot form.  Please note that you may not be allowed to receive the live attenuated H1N1 Vaccine if you were given the FluMist Vaccine until 30 days have passed.  Also note that if a 2nd dose of the FluMist is to be given, you will have to wait another 30 days to receive the H1N1 nasal mist.  If you plan to get the H1N1 vaccine in shot form, there is no waiting period that I’m aware of.  Please refer to the Alachua County Health Dept or CDC website for the most accurate, up-to-date information.  Due to the current vaccination time line, we will not offer the H1N1 FluMist Clinic at QPCA.  

* Although telephone calls are welcome, please make sure that all correspondence regarding health related issues be in writing also.  This allows for more accurate record keeping.

The Hearing and Vision Screening will be done on December 2nd & 3rd.

 

See you in Church!