eGazette - December 3, 2008

Principal's Piece

Mickey Mouse... A Threat?... Really?

In typical "mom-talk", my friend and I were recently discussing our family television habits. I self-righteously pronounced, "We blocked MTV, VH1, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon from our TV!" Humbling me, my friend said, "Wait a minute... you let them listen to XM radio, don't you? What about that hip-hop music?" Ok, so admittedly, I'm not as "media-free" as I think I am, but that's for another article. On further discussion, I explained that our blocking those channels was primarily to avoid the commercialism that they bring. What parents haven't cringed when "Hannah Montana" breaks and their child is bombarded with ads luring them to the latest clothing, cereal, toys or video games? How many times does a McDonald's ad pop up with the latest Disney movie toy imbedded in a kid's meal? What's a parent to do? What's a Christian parent to do? This precious season of Advent charges us to think carefully about our actions, our interests, even how we're utilizing media.

In his homily last Sunday, Father Gordon gave reference to the challenges we parents face at this time of the year. We are in a tug-of-war with the media and other influences to capture our child's vulnerabilities. Further complicating this year is our fragile economy, a situation difficult to explain to our children. Bringing it close to home, an important connection for children, Father Gordon summarized the challenges faced by many in our very own community - families who've lost their jobs or their homes, families we may know. This is a year where, more than ever, we need to center our families. We need to express thanksgiving for our children, for our health, for the food to eat and for all the gifts that we may take for granted.

Connecting our spirituality, I recall this message from the Gospel of Luke: "To whom much is given, much is expected." It isn't enough that we are thankful for the blessings in our lives. We are called to reach out to those who are suffering; those without food, families and health. There are so many, even right here in our own parish who will go without this holiday season. Several opportunities to make a difference in the lives of those in need will be brought to your attention in the next few weeks. Our staff and many classes are recognizing the difficult times by forgoing "Secret Santa" projects or gift exchanges in exchange for participating in our Parish "Love Tree" or Catholic Charities "Holiday Assistance Program". Does this mean we shouldn't celebrate and enjoy the holiday? Of course not, but this year, we are challenged to think beyond ourselves. In a sense, we are challenged to recognize the suffering around us, suffering not unlike the experience of Jesus, for whom we anxiously await during this season of Advent.

"Now is the Time" to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

In Peace,

Nancy Jordan
Principal

Breakfast with St. Nick is THIS Sunday!
8:00 a.m. to Noon, in the parish hall.

Please join us for a morning of fun for the whole family. Family Club and many parent volunteers have busy throughout the month planning for this fun-filled event, so don't miss out on the fun! Parishioner, Chef Tony Klein, and kindergarten parent, Sean Warner (along with many parent volunteers) will be flipping pancakes and serving up eggs and sausage.... Rumor has it, Sean Warner makes a mean cup of coffee! The hall will be filled with games, craft tables, raffle prizes, silent auction, bake sale, music and Santa! Speaking of auction items, the class pottery is already available for viewing in the school library...

Sees Candy! Stock up on quick, delicious and inexpensive gifts and stocking stuffers! Judy Franzino and Trish Tortolani will be selling $5 boxes of everyone's favorites after Masses this coming Saturday and Sunday. Proceeds go to the Family Club to further the activities which enhance and support the school we all love.

Holiday Catalog Update...
Orders will be here on Wednesday, December 10th.

Art Room Update...
If you have a chance, please stop by the beautiful new art room, upstairs across from the Computer Lab. A big thank you to Marisa Bartalotti, Suzanne Gibbs, Claudia Kalten, Paula Vlaming, Mena Lew, Elise Negueloua, Mary Jane Cristobl and Peta Shindle for getting this room ready for the ART classes that begin today! With a to-do list that included: finding donations, cleaning, sewing curtains, scraping wallpaper, and painting, these girls are now rock stars! If anyone has an interest in helping with this new program, or has a donation, please contact Suzanne Gibbs.

We forgot to mention in the last Gazette....
Many thanks to the Family Club Teacher Appreciation team members who provided a "muy delicioso" lunch for our wonderful teachers and staff in November. "Muchos Gracias" to Gina Laird, Angie Troppy, and Maria Ortiz!

Family Club Meeting-Friday, December 12th, 8:30 a.m...
While we're all ready for little time off, January and more activities are just around the corner, so some advance planning will go a long way! Our agenda will be a bit more relaxed but it will be nice to share a cup of coffee, a few holiday treats and take a breather before the holiday rush. We look forward to getting together with those of you who have asked us to have a few Friday meetings!
We've switched it up a bit, just for you!

Renay Williamson, Judy Franzino and Trish Tortolani


Breakfast_with_St._Nick_Flyer.pdf

Thursday, 12/4 - Reconciliation, 7pm in the Church

Friday, 12/5 - First Trimester Report Cards sent home

Sunday, 12/7 - Breakfast with St. Nick

Wednesday, 12/10 - 7th & 8th Grade Honor Roll Presentation after Mass, Student Reconciliation after Mass, 12:30 dismissal

Thursday, 12/18 - School Advent Program, 6:30pm in the Church

Friday, 12/19 - Free Dress Day, 12:30 Dismissal, No Extended Care

Christmas Break begins at 12:30pm on Friday, 12/19. We are back in school on Monday, 1/5.

Our school is participating in the Catholic Charities "Holiday Assistance Program" which will run from December 3 through December 12. All contributions of non-perishable food items would be greatly appreciated. There are receptacles by the school office, which will be picked up by Catholic Charities on December 15.

Thank you

In the rush of the holidays, don't forget to save those box tops and Campbell's Soup labels. The challenge of collecting 1000 box tops per grade remains our goal. Help us meet this challenge. We will be tallying the box tops for the month of November and announcing which grade collected the most.

A friendly reminder, please be mindful of the expiration dates on the box tops. Any box tops turned in without or beyond the listed expiration date cannot be submitted. UPC codes in the soup labels must also be intact.

Thank you for all your help and support with the Box Top program.

Parent volunteer Melanie Oberting would like to pull a few future thespians together from the Extended Care program to work on "Teen-Age Plays for All Occasions," a collection of royalty-free one-act plays from a book she found, printed in 1957! The plays are timeless; each one is geared toward amateur production (schools and clubs). Melanie would like our productions performed not only in front of our student bodies and/or parents, but presented at Caring Friends' luncheons and other church or women's group functions. There's a terrific play for Memorial Day entitled "Portrait of an American" and also plays for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day!

If you have a student who is interested in acting (the parts are very simple and I am a first-time director!), please leave me a message on my cell, 287-6449. This first play, "Christmas Recaptured," has 4 male parts and 4 female but I could also use help rounding up props, etc. I might have a senior from Justin-Siena work with us afterschool while my son, Sam, in 7th, plays basketball. This girl is from Germany and worked on Justin-Siena's plays. We're not going to get real fancy but we will have fun. Practices will be outside in the sunshine, usually from 3:30-4:30; we'll see.

Students attending the theatre program will be charged Extended Care fees. This is not intended to be a babysitting service and it will not be on a strict schedule; it will be an evolving process. I am a mom, too, and sometimes have conflicts with family or other commitments. Memorization is involved and some parts are lengthy. Each play is 30 minutes in length. Please call me or stop me to ask questions; I'm usually the one running with the 2 big and little dogs.

Melanie Oberting, 287-6449

Thank you to all who participated in the Napa Downtown Christmas Parade on Saturday, November 29. Over 50 students, family members and friends walked through town to ring in the Christmas Season. We all had a wonderful time and look forward to participating again next year.

A BIG "thank you" to all of those parents who donated to the art room box: Karen Gatton, Samara Calforda, Claudia Kalten, Kristine Keefer, Peta Shindle, Judy Franzino, and many more who donated anonomously. Your generosity is appreciated.

I also cannot thank the following people enough - - these are the folks who transformed the art room into a beautiful space: Elise Negueloua, Claudia Kalten, Peta Shindle, Paula Vlaming, Judy Franzino, Suzanne Gibbs, Mary Jane Cristobal, Mena Lew, and Mr. "G" and his team of 8th grade boys. The art room looks fantastic! Thank you for your time and creativity!

Justin-Siena High School
Entrance Exam Dates Set for December
"The Future Calls Your Name"

When: Saturday, December 6, 2008 or Saturday, December 13, 2008

What: Justin-Siena High School Entrance Exam for the Class of 2013

Where: Justin-Siena High School, 4026 Maher St., Napa

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Why: Necessary exam to become eligible to apply for admission to Justin-Siena High School.

How: To reserve a space call David Holquin, Director of Admissions at 707-255-0950, extension 641 or send an email to holquind@justin-siena.com.

Justin-Siena High School's entrance exam dates have been set for Saturday, December 6, 2008 or Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. on campus at 4026 Maher Street in Napa. The first step of applying for admission to Justin-Siena High School is to take this exam. To reserve a space call David Holquin, Director of Admissions at 707-255-0950, extension 641 or send an email to holquind@justin-siena.com. Parents are invited to enjoy coffee and conversation with faculty during the exam.

Justin-Siena High School is a coeducational college preparatory high school serving young men and women in grades 9 through 12 from Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties. The school celebrated its 40th anniversary in the 2006 - 2007 academic year. Justin-Siena High School focuses on providing a Catholic, Lasallian education for the 21st century that prepares students to serve and to lead in an ever-changing world.

The school's attractive, 37-acre campus is located adjacent to Highway 29 in northwest Napa. Justin-Siena distinguishes itself having a solid student life fostering leadership, creativity, and service. High scholastic standards in a Catholic learning environment go hand-in-hand with moral values, a commitment to the arts and an education that transforms and prepares students for college and well into life. Justin-Siena accepts students of any religion, race, color, national or ethnic origin that possess the ability to succeed within its rigorous academic curriculum. A strong Financial Assistance Program is in place, offering over a half of a million dollars in aid annually.