You Should Have Seen It

The halls of Holy Cross School were filled with boxes, beds, dressers, bikes, car seats, and more. No one was moving and we weren’t just making a mess. Our students adopted families from the St. Benedects Center in Kansas City, Kansas for Christmas. Yesterday morning an army of parents decended upon the school and broght cars, vans and trucks. With the students’ help they loaded everything up and delivered the presents to the Center. What a response! Holy Cross families really came together to help these families have a merry Christmas. We donated not only gifts for the famlies, but much needed grocereies and toiletry items as well. I am so proud to call Holy Cross home. Thanks so all who make this effort a success!

Our Children Teach Us

Tuesday morning I attended Mass with the children.  The first grades lead us.  They did the readings (the introduction, the reading from the Old Testament, and the intercessions), the lead us in singing, and prepared the altar at Offertory.  They also gave a very beautiful reflection on our Guardian Angels and how we can look to them to help us through each day.  What stuck me the most was their innocent yet genuine sincerity and reverence through the entire Mass.  There is just nothing quite like a school mass in which children minister to us.  It reminded me how I should approach the Mass and Eucharist each and every time.  The experience reminded me that I, too, am a child of God.  I am grateful to them for their example.

 

Mary Jo

Principal PowWow

The topic for Monday’s Principal PowWow was “Cyber Safety.”  I would like to thank Mikki Lawrence for sharing her knowledge and insights Monday evening.  She spoke about many of the technological advances that our children today have grown up with.  Things like the Internet (with social networking pages and instant messaging) and cell phones are simply givens in their lives.  These technologies have a great deal of positive things to offer us and our children.  However, there are some dangers that our children can be exposed to when they use these technologies.  Mikki talked about the decisions our children face in this area outside of school and I spoke about the potential impact within the classroom.  We also shared information about how to keep children safe and monitor their behavior and decision making when they are using these technologies.  It is an ever changing field and we must be ever changing to keep up with it.

The feedback that evening from those in attendance was very positive.  We may offer this topic again, later in the year.  Let me know if you think that would be helpful

 

Thanks,

Mary Jo

The Teachers and Staff

We set aside about 45 minutes to an hour after school each Wednesday for our staff meetings.  Sometimes we meet as an entire staff;  sometimes we break into small groups that we call Levels ( K-2nd, 3rd -5th, 6th-8th, and Specials).  Today was a Level Meeting Day.  I stopped by each of the four meetings to visit with the teachers and listen to their discussions.  As I sit and reflect on this experience, I realize that there were some consistent threads that were woven through all of their discussions.  Most importantly I heard all of the teachers expressing their care and concern for the children at Holy Cross.  This may have come through as they spoke of a specific learning issue or as they spoke of how we might address a more global situation.  What is foremost in their minds is what is best for our students and our school.  It is such an honor and privilege to work with this dedicated group of educators.  They are a true blessing to Holy Cross School.

 

Mary Jo

Welcome to our School

I would like to take a moment to welcome all the new families and students who have joined our Holy Cross community this school year.  Last Friday night the PTO Ambassadors hosted a Welcome Party for new families and their ambassador families.  It was a great evening of getting to know each other and having a lot of fun.  If you are new to our school your ambassdors are there to help you feel at home and answer your questions (no question is too small).  Also, feel free to contact the office if we can be of assistance.

I hope to see you all at Back to School Night, tomorrow at 7:00PM starting in the gym.

Mary Jo

The First Day of School

Our first day of school was great!  I was thrilled to greet all of the students and children as they came to school today.  I walked through the hallways and popped in to each classroom to say hello to all the children.  I saw the 6th graders playing a “get acquainted” game, story time with the kindergartens, and even a Spelling Pretest in 4th grade.

It is so wonderful to have the children back to school.  I know this is going to be a great year.

Mary Jo

Thanks to the Fathers Club

If you drove by the school on Saturday you probably saw a great deal of activity.  The Fathers Club was here trimming and cutting the trees and bushes.  They also assembled our second piece of new playground equipment.  The cement will be poured and the mulch spread this week.  The students will be playing on it very soon.  Thanks to everyone who pitched and made the school look great!

Painting Party

Last night my husband and I came up to school to attend a party.  Mrs. Carney, one of our sixth grade teachers, was the host of the party, but it wasn’t a regular party.   She gathered a group of parents, alumni, parishioners, and friends to come in and paint the school.  In just a few short hours, Pflumm Hall, the hallway outside of Pflumm Hall, the adjacent stairway, and the 7th grade hallway were all painted.  At one point in the evening I had to stop and watch all these people working together to beautify our school and make it ready for the children to return in August.  It was hard work and fun at the same time. 

I would like to thank her and all those who pitched in.  The school looks GREAT!

Mary Jo

Three weeks until Sign-Up Day

I simply can not believe how quickly the summer has flown past.  It always seems to work this way.  The “to-do” list is much longer than the time allows.  However, we have accomplished some great things so far this summer.  The Library’s new look is almost complete.  We have new carpet and the walls have been painted.  New furniture (thanks to a generous parishioner) will be ordered very soon.  We also have three of the four new SMART Boards installed in the junior high classrooms. I am so excited for you all to see them. 

By now you should have received your summer mailing packed with lots of great information about Sign-Up Day and other up coming events.  If it has not arrived at your house; give us a call 913-381-7408.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you very soon!

 

Mary Jo