Terra Nova Results

Swiss Farms App Info

Thoughts from Sister Jeannine As we look forward to the feast of Pentecost on Sunday and Memorial Day on Monday, it is a wonderful time to reflect on examples of loving service from the past which shape our lives today. Pentecost, the end of the Easter Season, has sometimes been called the “birthday of the Church.” The Spirit descended upon those gathered, and they began the work of spreading and living the Good News of Jesus Christ. From that first moment, our mission and our challenge as members of Jesus’ church was spelled out so we could live it in the 21st century. And, of course, Memorial Day which gives honor to those who served our country that we might know freedom, remains a continual call for all of us to serve and demand the highest ideals of democracy. But entwined between church and country, at this time of graduations and end of school year, we naturally look back and reflect on those examples from this year who gave loving service. This loving service, as seen in family members and coworkers, teachers and mentors, neighbors and friends and even children, inspires and shapes us continually. Scripture tells us we are surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses.” This weekend may we gratefully remember and give thanks for them all.

ANNOUNCEMENT There will be two faculty/staff changes for the 15-16 school year. Sister Eileen Tiernan who was here to be close to her family and help care for her aging mother, will assume her former full-time position of Director of Religious Education. We will be fortunate enough to still have Sister residing here but she will minister at Saint Patrick in Malvern. She has been the willing hands to step into so many needs and she will be missed but we wish her well as she gets back to what she loves. Mrs. Karen Hood will also be moving on from SSJ. At the end of August last year, Mrs. Hood was willing to step in and prepare for a new school year, in a new situation with very little lead time. Many have expressed thanks for her caring ways. Her kindness too will be missed, and we wish her happiness and a calmer, longer prep for the new school year.

SS. Simon and Jude School The Community You Feel. The Lessons You Love

Week of 5-21-15 School Newsletter Issue #35

SS. Simon and Jude Mission Statement

Through the Immaculate Heart of Mary we at Saints Simon and Jude School, commit ourselves to learning,

proclaiming and living the Good News of Jesus Christ. We strive to educate and develop all for Catholic

leadership in the church and community, enabling one another to serve with

Compassion, Courage and Competence.

In this week’s letter you will find information about:

H&S News

Adjusted date for tuition assist letters

Spirit Day

Grade 5 Bake Sale

Yearbooks – Distribution will be June 4th

Volunteer Appreciation

Target ThanksABillion Campaign

Friends Association summer service offerings

Extra Blue Rocks tickets only for students that completed the challenge.

In this week’s folder:

New Gym Shirt Order Form – Current Gr 5, 6, 7 - ONLY

Fordham Summer Reading Skills Programs

Rock School Girl Scout Opportunity

From the Home & School There was no raffle last week, but there are two more scheduled for this school year. Stay tuned for the upcoming winners! Interested in volunteering more at SSJ? We are currently looking for the following positions for the Home & School board: president, vice president, and treasurer. And we need the following chairs: Santa’s secret shop (chairs would head a committee) and Breakfast with Santa. Ask your friends to help you and co-chair together!! Save the date From scout leaders to Home& School chairs and helpers, we are so appreciative of all the people who helped out at SSJ and gave time and effort!! If you have volunteered at SSJ this year, you are invited to the volunteer prayer service in Cavanaugh Hall with light snacks in East Hall to follow next Friday May 29th at 1:15 pm. Hope to see you there!!!

New Requests and Opportunities 1. Adjusted date: For those who have applied for tuition assistance either through BLOCS EITC and/or SSJ CEF we

met and are ready to go but the portal opened for some funds but not all. We apologize but the letter indicating the amount of your assistance will most likely not reach you until about the first week of June.

2. Spirit Day is tomorrow. The children will move through 9 outdoor stations rotating every 10 minutes beginning

at 8:45 until 10:15. After a break all will gather in the gym for the annual faculty/8th grade volleyball game at 10:30. The game will end about 11:30 and dismissal will be at 11:45 as we begin our Memorial Day weekend. Students should wear their gym uniforms and bring a water bottle and sun screen might be a good idea too.

3. It was published that there was to be Grade 5 bake sale on 5/20 with proceeds to go to the Musumeci family to

help defray medical costs and other family needs at this time. However it was necessary to postpone it until next Wednesday 5/27. See flyer. Please note there have been various opportunities offered to support the family. If you can support this event initiated by grade 5 parents, wonderful but if not the prayer is the most important.

4. Yearbooks will be distributed on June 4

th. If you did not purchase a yearbook, there are some available to be

purchased on a first come, first serve basis. Send in $20 to the office.

5. Saying thank you is so important. Please allow us to do that for you on Friday 5/29 at 1:15 with a prayer

service in the gym followed by a reception in the East Hall. It will end right at dismissal which is convenient for the car ride home.

6. Target ran a campaign through Facebook. For each one who thanked a teacher, the school would receive $25.

You may have known about it and participated, but I just heard and it seems that they have given out all the $$$. However, you can still say thanks on their site if you wish. You will be redirected to Facebook.

7. The Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children offer various activities for children and families

to do service during the summer. Contact: Robin Meixner 113 West Chestnut Street, West Chester, PA 19348 610.431.3598, ext. 204

8. The Blue Rocks tickets were distributed for all who completed the Rocky’s Reading challenge. If any of those

students that completed the Rocky’s Reading challenge need an extra ticket or two, please contact sdamore@simonandjude.org.

Repeated Requests and Opportunities 1. Registration forms for Vacation Bible Camp are now on line under the link for "Faith Formation" on parish

website. Early registration discount ($40 per camper, $75 for 2 or more) if handed in by Wednesday May 27th. From May 28th to June 10th – it will be an extra $10.00 per camper. Dates: June 22nd thru June 26th from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Next Volunteer Planning Meeting is Wednesday night, May 27th at 7:00 pm in school.

2. Please limit the times you bring your son/daughter back to school to get forgotten items. Allow them the joy of being responsible and/or accepting the consequences. I am not talking about the “once in a blue moon” event but we have some “frequent flyers.” Also please note that Mrs. McGuffin does not have the authority or available time to walk someone to open a locked classroom.

3. We have posted an ad to employ an advancement director for the school. The posting is reprinted at the end of

this letter. On June 13th and 14th after each Mass someone will be available to present plans to move the school forward with a designated advancement director and eventual formation of school board.

4. Catholic Charities Night at the Phillies will be held this year on Friday, June 26th. Game is at 7:05 pm. Proceeds

go directly to supporting the great work of the Catholic Charities Appeal. If 500 tickets are sold, Mick Hanes from Our Lady of Confidence Day School will throw out the first pitch of the game and children from Catholic Community Choir will sing the National Anthem! To purchase tickets, visit phillies.com/catholiccharitiesnight.

5. The library will be holding its annual used book sale from 5/26-5/29 during the students' regular library class. For those classes that usually come on Monday (which is a holiday), they will shop on another day that week. Most books range in price from $.50 - $1.00. All school library books need to be returned before June 1st.

6. On Saturday June 6 the annual IHM 5K Nun Run will be held. Cost $25 for an individual, $40 family of 4 or less

and $50 family of 5 or more. However, no race day registrations are accepted. To register go to www.ihmnunrun.org. For more info contact Sister Mary Jo at 610-889-1553 or ihmnunrun@gmail.com.

7. Job positing for Advancement Director – see end of newsletter

8. June Office Hours The week of June 15 Monday to Friday 9:00-4:00 The week of June 22 Monday to Friday 9:00 – 3:00 The week of June 29 Monday to Thursday 9:00-12:00

July Office Hours The week of July 6 Tuesday to Thursday 9:00 – 12:00 The week of July 13 CLOSED The week of July 20 Tuesday to Thursday 9:00 – 12:00 The week of July 27 CLOSED

Expressions of Gratitude and Congratulations

1. Congratulations to Ellen McGuffin (CARES) on the birth of her first grand-daughter Katelyn Elizabeth.

2. Congratulations to major box top clippers this time! Rooms 6 and 15 are quite close with 848 and 815 respectively and they will enjoy one last class dress down and Room K1 with 625 will have an extra gym dress down day.

3. Sweet sounds of congrats to Mr. Banks, Mrs. Tyler and the children who performed as vocalists and instrumentalists

in our Spring concert on Monday. All enjoyed the variety and applauded the progress.

Another quote from the Middle States Team Report

Last week – Finance Standard This week - Standard for Facilities

The Visiting Team observed that:

SS. Simon & Jude School has implemented security procedures that include visitor and teacher ID badges, walkie‐talkie communication during outdoor recess and evacuation policies and procedures.

Construction and renovation has already occurred on relocating the office, new HVAC, fire and PA system, security cameras and painting.

The faculty and staff are to be commended for keeping a well‐maintained and clean facility for the students. The Visiting Team determined that the school exceeds the expectations of this Standard in the following ways:

For being proactive and completing the renovations, security updates and moving the main office to a more convenient location.

By recognizing the need to have a long range plan to be in compliance with ADA modifications.

Prayer requests: Please keep the following intentions in your prayers: 1. For Vinny Musumeci and his family 2. For Mrs. Ruppert’s husband who is slowly recuperating 3. For Sister Betty’s brother-in-law who remains hospitalized 4. For Sebastian (Gr. 2) and Gabriel (Gr. K) Molavoque’s aunt who is ill 5. For Mrs. Rose McCormack, long time lunch aide, who is finally doing a bit better 6. For Mrs. Dryfoos’ mom who is ill 7. For Izzy (Gr. 1) and Gena (Gr. 4) Volpe’s grandfather who is continuing treatments 8. For Jamie Panetta, uncle to Ava (Gr 4) and Robert (Gr 8) who is battling cancer

Glimpse at the Days Ahead

Fri. 5/22 Spirit Day 11:45 Dismissal

Enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend.

Mon. 5/25 Holiday

Tues 5/26 All week used book sale during regular library times

Student Council speeches with voting to follow

Wed. 5/27 Grade 5 Bake Sale to support Vinny and his family

Fri. 5/29 1:15 - Volunteer Prayer in gym and reception in East west Hall

7:00-10:00 Grade 7-8 Cluster Dance at SSJ

Mon 6/1 1:15 DARE graduation

7:00 H&S Board Meeting

God and Father of us all, in Jesus, your Son and our Savior, you have made us your sons and daughters in the family of the Church. May your grace and love help our families in every part of the world be united to one another in fidelity to the Gospel. May the example of the Holy Family, with the aid of your Holy Spirit, guide all families, especially those most troubled, to be homes of communion and prayer and to always seek your truth and live in your love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!

************************************************************************************************** ADVANCEMENT DIRECTOR

Saints Simon and Jude School in West Chester, PA seeks an Advancement Director. Under the employ of the Pastor, the

Advancement Director, reports to the Principal and is responsible for the overall planning, management, coordination,

and evaluation of enrollment management, development, communications and constituent/public relations initiatives of

the school.

QUALIFICATIONS

Practicing Catholic with an appreciation and passion for Catholic elementary education Experience in enrollment

management, development, sales, marketing, communication, and/or volunteer management. Demonstrated

leadership and effectiveness in developing and accomplishing organizational goals Ability to build a team to

include a Board and to recruit and manage volunteers Superior communication skills, ability to conceptualize and execute strategic plans, the ability to interact confidently and effectively with school staff, students, donors,

trustees, school administration, the media and alumni Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and the Internet and readiness to implement software to create needed data base. Experience in a parochial

or not-for-profit environment preferred. Bachelor’s degree in related field strongly preferred. Qualified candidates may send cover letter, resume and salary history to: advancement@simonandjude.org