Kansas Assessment Results

The State of Kansas has certified the results from the 2009 Kansas Assessments and I am proud to announce:

- 95.4% of our Holy Cross students (grades 3-8) proficient and above in Reading (AYP Requirement for 2009 was 79.7%)

- 92.9% of our Holy Cross students (grades 3-8) proficient and above in Math (AYP Requirement for 2009 was 77.8%)

Holy Cross received 17 Standard of Excellence Awards (of 20 possible).

- Reading: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & building –wide (grades 3-8 tested)

- Math: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 & building-wide (grades 3-8 tested)

- Science: 4, 7 & building-wide (grades 4 & 7 tested)

- Writing: 8 (grades 5 & 8 were tested)

Congratulations to our students, teachers and staff for their hard work!

Update: After School Care

A note from our After School Care coordinators about ASC on Thursday and Friday this week:

Dear Parents,

Due to low enrollment, there will be no After School Care on Friday, February 12th.

Registration for 1/2 day on Thursday, Feb. 11th is now closed.

Kristen Marquis, ASC coordinator
Penny Miller, EEC director

Monday Misc.

We had a terrific breakfast and Open House at Holy Cross on Sunday. Thanks for coming!

And thanks to all those who put together the bake sale and to all who purchased the bake goods! $200+ was raised for our Guardian Angel Fund.

I was so busy greeting school families and visiting families that I completely forgot to have any photos taken. If you happened to take any, e-mail some to me and I’ll share them – mgates@holycrosscatholicschool.com

I know what was top of mind for many students early this morning – a potential snow day. Sorry, kids. No such luck this time. But, it looks like we’re in for a very cold week, so make sure that everyone is bundled up well as they head into school.

Various reminders:

• Optional spring conferences will be held on Thursday afternoon and evening. If you’d like to set one up, call the school office at (913) 381-7408.
• Class Valentine parties will be held on Thursday morning (10:30 – 11:30), and school will dismiss at noon. There will be no school on Friday or Monday (Presidents’ Day).
• Your 2010-11 registration forms and fee are due by Feb. 16 to qualify for the Early Bird rate.  (Feb. 16 = next Tuesday)  Open enrollment begins on March 1.
• Trivia Night is Saturday night in Pflumm Hall. Call the school office at (913) 381-7408 for more information.
• Don’t forget that you can sign up to receive an e-mail when there’s a new post to this blog. In the right column, look for E-mail Subscription. It’s an easy way to keep up with happenings at the school.

Wrapping Up With An Open House

My favorite day during the entire year!  I love coming to school in my fluffies.

We finish off Catholic Schools Week here at Holy Cross with DEAR Day – Drop Everything and Read. Students (AND STAFF!) can dress in comfy sweats or pajamas.

Catholic Schools Week has been wonderful. We began with a day of Eucharistic Adoration in the school chapel. It was beautiful to see the children praying in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Yesterday’s Mission Carnival, planned and executed by the eighth-grade students, was a day of games and raffles. Eighth-grade teachers Mrs. Helm and Mrs. Patterson tell me that the children raised more than $1,500, which will be donated to charities chosen by the class.

Make sure to join us Sunday to recognize Catholic Schools Week at Holy Cross masses (have your student(s) wear their uniform to mass). We will have school children and parents ministering at the 9:00 and 11:00 masses as lectors and music ministers.

The Knights of Columbus will be serving breakfast in Pflumm Hall at the school after the 7:30, 9:00, and 11:00 masses. Stop by for the Holy Cross Open House. We will be giving tours of the school between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come to the breakfast and Open House. Make sure to stop by and take a look at our Holy Cross Early Education Center, as well.

Bring a friend to see our school!

Mission Carnival Pix

A few pictures of the fun at Mission Carnival today…
(Click on the thumbnails to see a larger image)

F3 = Potluck & Free Throws

This week’s Family Fun Friday plans include a pot luck dinner and a free throw contest.  Dinner will be served in Pflumm Hall at 6 p.m. Then, the Knights of Columbus will hold a free throw contest in the gym, starting at 7:00.

The contest is for boys and girls, ages 10-14 (as of Jan. 1, 2010).

Awards will be given each age group of boys and girls. And, winners will advance to the district competition on Sunday.

No need to RSVP. Just bring a dish to share at the pot luck.

Kindergarten Cowboys

Had to share a picture of our Kindergarten cowboys enjoying today’s Catholic Schools Week theme day – Wild West Day…

Students To Raise Funds With Mission Carnival

Our Holy Cross eighth-graders will hold the annual Mission Carnival service project on Thursday. This year’s theme – “Walk Like An Egyptian”. All proceeds from the fundraiser go to charity.

It’s a complete out-of-uniform day, and students are encouraged to wear blue and gold to show their school spirit. Because the carnival events will be held in Pflumm Hall and the gym, we won’t have lunchroom space for eating tomorrow. Be sure to send a sack lunch with your student(s)!

Preschool, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades will enjoy the carnival in the morning (9:30 to 11 a.m.). Preschool, K/7, 1st, 2nd and 6th grades will be at the event in the afternoon (12:30 to 2:00 p.m.)

Tickets are not sold during the carnival, so make sure if your student still needs to get tickets, they buy them before school outside Pflumm Hall. Tickets are 25 cents or 5 for $1.

Thanks for not only letting your children participate in this fun day, but donating the snacks and prizes for the carnival! Thousands of dollars are raised for charity at the carnival each year.

Holy Cross Open House on Sunday

We’ll cap off our Catholic Schools Week with an Open House at Holy Cross Catholic School this Sunday, February 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This is a perfect opportunity to bring in friends and family to see all the wonderful things that happen here at Holy Cross. This is not an event just for new families interested in the school, but it is open to anyone who wants to walk the halls of Holy Cross.

The Knights of Columbus will be serving breakfast in Pflumm Hall after each morning Mass at church that day,  so bring your family and friends to share a meal and see what Holy Cross is all about.

The Holy Cross Early Education Center is also doing their Open House at this time so if you know of anyone with preschool age children be sure to send them to the EEC.

Hope to see you there.

Mismatch Day / Lost & Found

I warned you that things get a little crazy at Holy Cross on Mismatch Day during Catholic Schools Week. These students seem to be enjoying the theme.  Tomorrow we’re trying a new one – Wild West Day. Come back to check out more pix then.

On another note, the Lost & Found bins are overflowing. It may be time to take a little inventory at home. The bins were recently sorted and many items were returned to their owners. But, many items remain. Please take time to write your
child’s name on items, including lunchboxes, pants, polos, skirts, skorts, jumpers and coats. Feel free to come by and take a look if your child is missing anything!