PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MR. RIDDER’S REMINDERS

Sept 2                 6^th, 7^th & 8^th Grade School Pictures
Sept 5                 No School – Labor Day
Sept 8                 2:00 Dismissal – Teacher In-Service
Sept 9                 Uganda T-Shirt Dress Down Day
Sept 12               Rosary and Chess Club Starts 3:30pm
Sept 19-23          3^rd, 5^th, & 7^th Grade Terra Nova Testing
                            8^th Grade EXPLORE Test
Sept 19               Home and School Meeting 7:00pm Staff Lounge
Sept 22               2:00 Dismissal – Teacher In-Service
Sept 23               8^th Grade vs. Staff Kickball
                            Progress Reports Sent Home
Sept 28               September Birthday Dress Down Day
Sept 30               No School – Archdiocese In-Service

SISTER SCHOOL/UGANDA DRESS DOWN DAY –The designated dress down days will be on the Friday following the 2^nd Thursday of each month. Students may wear their t-shirt with jeans or shorts that are appropriate to the dress down day policy.  If a student comes to school on those designated days and they are dressed down without the sister school t-shirt then they will be asked to switch into a uniform shirt. The first Sister School Dress Down Day will be Friday, September 9, 2011.

OPEN SPOTS IN THE SCHOOL - Even though our enrollment numbers are climbing (730 last year and 777 this year) we still have openings in most of our grades. Unfortunately for those students, most of that is due to the economic challenges that many families are facing. Therefore, at this time we have a few openings in1^st grade. We also have openings in grades 3^rd thru 8^th grade. Since our students and staff are so welcoming and adaptable it is never too late or too early to register your child (ren). Please come and check us out in person or on our web page at stpatselkhorn.org and you will be impressed with our caring and talented staff, our friendly students, and our supportive parents. We can be reached l at ridderd@stpatselkhorn.org. Also, if you refer a family to our school in a grade that has an opening then you will receive a $100 discount for every child who enrolls as a result of your referral.

LUNCHROOM CHECKOUT HELP NEEDED - Would you be willing to volunteer to assist Mr. O’Hara one or two days a week at the end of lunch line point of sale?  Due to continuing increased enrollment and lunch participation, another check-out point would help to increase the lunch line speed. Another advantage is your child/ren will have more time to eat their nutritious school lunch. The check-out point would be next to Mr. O’Hara, and available for any overflow to maintain line speed. The volunteer would not have to use a computer but check off on a class roster which children can see and point out their name.  Any and all assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Mr. O’Hara at dohara2004@q.com.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR LUNCHROOM DUTY - Each month we need to fill 100 volunteer positions in the lunchroom to help serve and clean up after the students. Whether your child buys their lunch at school or is a cold lunch kiddo - they utilize the lunchroom. Parents (or grandparents) are needed from 10:45 - 12:50 each school day. We need help every day of the week, but specifically we could use additional volunteers on Mondays and Fridays. Please call or email Kris Morrissey if you would like more information or are willing to help: krismorrissey@cox.net or 402-630-8964.

CALLING COPY MOMS/DADS/GRANDPARENTS/AUNTS/UNCLES - The St. Patrick’s School Copy Mom Team is searching for volunteers for Monday mornings and afternoons, every other Tuesday morning and afternoon starting as soon as possible and/or Thursday afternoons.  If you are interested in this fun and helpful volunteer opportunity please contact Deb Strumberger at dstrumberger@cox.net.

YAHOO PARENTS GROUP - The parents at St. Patrick’s school desired a forum through which they could communicate with other parents on various topics not related to school. A message board was utilized by a Yahoo group that is moderated by a St. Patrick school parent. The moderator’s responsibility is to read ALL emails submitted by members and decide whether or not the subject matter is appropriate for the Yahoo site. This parent is also responsible for assuring that any/all members of this website are, indeed, parents of children at St. Patrick’s school.

Examples of appropriate material for the website are:
1. I have a school uniform skirt size 6 for sale.
2. My company has just opened 3 new positions–anyone interested?
3. I need help with car pooling and we live in the blank subdivision. Can anyone help us out?
4. REMINDER–tonight is our fund-raiser!
Examples of material that would be inappropriate:
1. I don’t agree with the school policy of "???" anyone with me?
2. Does anyone know why Mrs. "??" class does ???
3. I heard that Mrs. "??" was yelling at a student–did anyone else hear about it?

These submissions will be rejected and NOT sent onto the site. This is not a forum for changing the school or complaining. Any problems, questions, or concerns need to be directed to the teacher or Mr. Ridder. The Yahoo parents group is not affiliated with the school in any way. It provides parents a means of keeping in touch and helping each other out.  If you are interested in joining this group, click on this address to be approve/accepted into the site.  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stpatsparents/join  ONLY emails from the school database will be allowed in.

CHESS CLUB NEWS -The first meeting of Chess Club will beMonday, Sept 12,right after school in the Parish Center. NEW THIS YEAR: All Chess Club members need to set up a registration online for each student in the club. In order to keep all of you better informed, we've put together a group website exclusively for Chess Club families,http://groupspaces.com/StPatsChess.  This site will allow us to send emails, post events, tournaments, photos and news, and to keep you informed. Member information on the site is not public and only those who join the site and are approved may log in and view the information. If your student plans to attend Chess Club meetings occasionally, and to enter some tournaments, please still register them as you will then have access to the tournament schedules and news.  We are still missing some registrations -- please get your child(ren) registered this week! If you have any questions regarding Chess Club, please email David & Jill Adams at stpatschess@gmail.com.

ROSARY CLUB VOLUNTEER MEETING - We will be having an informal meeting Tuesday September 6^th from 3:00-4:00 in Boland Hall. This meeting will be for anyone interested in volunteering to help with Rosary Club. If you would like to help, please plan on joining us. You may also contact Denise Ervin at(402)393-2273ordervin8@msn.com we look forward to another great year.

DESTINATION IMAGINATION – NEW TO ST. PATRICK’S SCHOOL - We invite you to join Destination Imagination, an after school program for students emphasizing Creativity, Teamwork and Problem Solving! Every year, 100,000 students across the U.S. and in more than 30 countries complete the challenges and present their solutions at Tournaments.  Students are able to select from one of 7 challenges to complete: Technical, Scientific, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Structural, and The World is My Canvas, or Rising Stars (1st-2nd only).  For example, one team will make costumes, build sets, and write a play showcasing their musical or artistic talents.  Other students may build a structure using Balsa wood earning points for the weight it can hold.  Teams will be formed in September and work together until their first tournament in March. The program is truly amazing!  We would love to have a large group of students represent our school.  All interested Parents and Students in grades 1-8 are invited to an Informational Meeting on Tuesday September 27 at 3:45pm at St Patrick’s School.  Kate Hough has been a Team Manager for 12 years and would love for you to please contact her with any questions!  Her phone number is 402-861-9922 or emails her at mailto:bkhough@cox.net.  You can also check out the website at idodi.org.

MCS (MUSIC IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS) MEETING – Parents and prospective band students (grades 5-8) band information and registration nights are quickly approaching.  The locations for registrations are held at various Catholic Schools and are held from 7:00-8:30pm in August and September.  All 5-8 grade teachers have the informational flyers with the dates and locations and will be sending them out to the students.  Please check with your child’s teacher if you have not received it via e-mail.

SCRIP NEWS - We need you!!  Here is how you can help with St. Patrick’s Scrip fundraising program for the 2011-2012 school year.  Send your completed order form and payment to the school in your child’s backpack. Orders received by 8:00am on Tuesday mornings will be returned by the following Tuesday.

• Purchase Scrip gift cards after all Masses in the back of church by the elevators – volunteers will be selling at the podium – Starts up again on Sunday, August 21^st
• Do you need Scrip gift cards for same day shopping or are picking up a last minute gift? Stop in the school office Monday through Friday to see what cards are in stock and available for immediate purchase.
• Scrip is implementing returnable envelopes in an attempt to limit paper waste. Please help us in “going green” by returning these envelopes to school with your child. You can send it in with your next order for Scrip!
• Sign up to order online at ShopWithScrip.com – use enrollment codeD6693A9234L6

CARNIVAL THANKS - A BIG thank you to all volunteers who helped out with the St. Patrick's Parish Carnival on Sunday. Your hard work is much appreciated!! A special thank you to Jacquie Schumacher for chairing the event and Tammy Olson for coordinating all the volunteers and the D'Agosto's for organizing all the food. Thank you toall the parish and school organizations/clubs who contributed their time to help run the carnival as well. Also, thanks to everyone who attended with their families. The weather started out a little questionable but the power of prayer parted the nasty clouds and fun was had by all, even the little dachshunds. Finally, congratulations to our raffle winners:
Chapman family-Giant Barney
Carstensen family-Giant Dragon
Mackie family--Family Fun Basket
Weekly family--Boys Basket/3rd Parking Spot Out
Diers family--Girls Basket

GIRL SCOUTS – Girl Scout Troops are now forming for the 2011-2012 school year. Take the Girl Scout Journey!!! Make new friends, try new things, and explore the world! Contact Cindy Blumenkemper at blumenkemper@cox.netor402.315.9668.

HELP A FAMILY IN NEED - Tony Grasso and his wife, Wendi, worship with us here at St. Patrick’s and next door at Bethany Lutheran; Tony is Catholic and Wendi is Lutheran. They have a baby boy named Jaden.  They traveled to Colorado for a weekend getaway, when Wendi went into labor sixteen weeks early.  Jaden was born weighing less than two pounds, and his little heart and other organs were not yet properly developed. As a result, the family of three has been in Colorado for about five weeks waiting for Jaden to be healthy enough to travel back home to Elkhorn.  As you can imagine the medical costs are immense not to mention the costs of being away from home.   Bethany Lutheran is hosting a benefit for the Grasso family on October 15 from 2:00 – 6:00.  It will be a Fall Festival with food and games and hayrack rides and music and a silent auction.  I would love for us to help in any way we can.  If you have or could get silent auction items, if you would like to help sell food, or set up or clean up, or run a game booth please let us know, contact Fr. Rodney at 402-289-4289 x1522 or radams@stpatselkhorn.org if you would like to help or want further information.  Thank you.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING – ALL staff and volunteers must be Safe Environment Trained as required by the Archdiocese of Omaha to be around children in any capacity. This includes but is not limited to volunteering in any way around the school, coaching, sponsoring clubs, etc. The following information will tell you when, where and how you may take the training classes.

Initial Training
The next trainings at St. Pat’s for Safe Environment Initial Certification are in Boland Hall on:
Thursday, Sept. 8^th from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Parish Center
Saturday, Oct. 1^st from 9:00-11:00 am in Boland Hall
To register, contact Jenni Vankat, Safe Environment Coordinator, at jvankat@stpatselkhorn.org or 402-289-4289 x1527.

Recertification Online Training
The Archdiocese offers a Safe Environment Online Recertification program.  This online program was created so individuals may complete the training at their convenience. The training takes approximately 60 minutes to complete.  Below are the steps to access the online recertification and other key points to acquire recertification.

• Go to the Archdiocesan website -  www.archomaha.org
• Select the “Safe Environment” tab.
• Click on "Recertification Online Training" to get started.
• Follow the instructions.  Note:  You will have to create a login and password for yourself.
• When the training is finished, you must print out and fill out:  1) the Online Recertification Registration form, and 2) the Notification, Authorization and Screening form.  Mail the two completed forms to the Safe Environment Records Office along with the fee (see step 6).  The address is noted on the Recertification Registration Form.
• The training fee is $12 for volunteers and $15 for employees.  If you need reimbursement, print out and complete the SE Reimbursement Form found on the Safe Environment page of the parish website (www.stpatselkhorn.org) and turn it in to the Parish Office.  A reimbursement check will be mailed to you.
• You will receive an LMS email report of your recertification session with LMS and an Attempt % in the subject line.  Please forward this email to safeenvironment@stpatselkhorn.org so we can update your certification status.  Thank You!

COME JOIN THE WALKING CLUB - Looking for a fun way for you and your child to be healthy? Join Walking Club! We meet every Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:40am to 8:00am at the soccer field. Our first meeting will be August 30th. Please fill out the permission form and bring it to the first meeting. If you have questions, please contact Christina Diers at acediers@cox.net. See you then!

CLICK HERE FOR WALKING CLUB PERMISSION SLIP

2011 FALL BASKETBALL SESSION - Registration is now open for the 2011 Fall Basketball Session for parish youth grades K-4. The grades will be separated as the following: Kindergarten, 1st/2nd grade boys, 1st/2nd grade girls, 3rd/4th grade boys, 3rd/4th grade girls. The season runs October 22nd - December 10th. For any questions regarding this session please contact Scott Kubicek: carrie.kubicek@cox.net. For questions regarding online registration please contact Katie & Brent L'Heureux at lheureux03@yahoo.com. Cost is $30 for YMCA members, $60 for Non-YMCA members. Registration will end September 17th and late registration fees will apply after the 17th. To register please go to: http://new.stpatselkhorn.org/athletics/athleticsindex.cfm.

SPY YOUTH GROUP NEWS –

• Grill Raffle Thanks! –Thanks to all for your support of the SPY Grill Raffle!And the winner is…MARY TURLEY!!Congratulations to Mary and Jeff!We raised $1,030 which covers 90% of the remaining cost for our Nov. trip to the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana to gather with 20,000 teens and Bishops from around the country. Thanks again for your generosity!
• SPY Kick-Off– The first Youth Group event for 6^th-12^thgraders is Sunday, Sept. 11^that Elkhorn’s Common Ground.Pizza, Games, Swimming from 4:00-7:00 pm.Cost is $5 before Wed. Sept. 7^thor $8 afterward.Permission forms on the youth ministry page of the parish website, in the narthex, and on the SPY Board in Boland Hall.15 Chaperones needed!
• SPY Service– Come help work on the COPE Community Garden here at St. Pat’s on Saturday, Sept. 10^thfrom 9-11 am.Meet at the garden, bring work gloves! Contact Jenni by Sept. 8th to get involved. Open to 6^th-12^thgraders.
• Parent Link Newsletter –Parent Link Newsletter was emailed to parents of 6^th-12^thgraders last week (also check your spam folder!). Topic: Moving from narcissism to selflessness. Also find media awareness pieces and a SPY Calendar. If you haven’t received it, please contact Jenni.
• FACEBOOK –SPYSt. Pat’s youth group is on Facebook.Search for Spy St. Patrick and request to be a friend and join the group page St. Patrick’s SPY.Teens and parents invited to see what’s up with the youth group via Facebook.
• Contact Info: Jenni Vankat, 402-289-4289 x 1527 or jvankat@stpatselkhorn.org.

WANT TO JOIN M.O.M.S? NEW GROUPS TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER - Are you a MOM looking for a little soul time every week?  Two new sessions of M.O.M.S. (Ministry of Mothers Sharing) are scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 27^th (morning group) and Thursday September 29^th (evening group).  The morning group will meet once a week for 7 consecutive weeks on TUESDAY MORNINGS from 8:45 to10:45am.  The evening group will meet once a week for 7 consecutive weeks on THURSDAY NIGHTS from 7-9pm.  Registration is $35.00 and includes a personal journal.  Childcare is available for the morning group for a small fee.  Take this opportunity to enhance your spirituality as a mother and to better appreciate motherhood as a ministry.  Please call Tracy Fernandez at (602) 578-6687 (cell) or email her at fernan52970@cox.net to register or with questions.

TASTE OF BRIX – If you have enjoyed St. Patrick’s TASTE in the past, you are going to loveTaste of Brix……a new tasting experience!  Join us on Sunday, September 25th from 6:00 – 9:00pm at Brix, Village Pointe. It’s not just wine anymore!! We will sample 10 wines, 5 spirits, 5 beers, fabulous food, coffee and desserts all sponsored by Brix! Registration includes a complimentary Riedel tasting glass.  Registration forms will be sent home today.  Return forms by September 9^th for a $5.00 savings!  Questions, please call Kristen Panowicz #289-4961 or Michele Zadalis #965-8449.

SAVE THE DATE FOR TRIVIA NIGHT– NOVEMBER 4^th - Start forming your dream team and get ready for St. Pat’s 1^st annual Trivia Night, Friday, November 4^th in the Parish Center.  If you would like to get involved please contact Ann Monday at annmonday@cox.net  Stay tuned for Registration information…

GET READY...THE SPIRIT IS GONNA MOVE YOU! - 2012 SPIRIT is officially kicking off after every mass the weekend of September 10th! As summer draws to a close it is time to gear up for the 2012 SPIRIT dinner auction.  Volunteers will be in the back of the church ready to meet with you and answer any questions you may have.  Here’s a preview of what to expect:

• Receive your save the date and wish list cards
• Sign up for a SPIRIT committee
• Turn in your Bag of Booze and Class Basket donations
• Order your family’s “SPIRIT NOTE”
• Inquire about new sponsorship, underwriting and catalog ad opportunities

THAT MAN IS YOU! - “Men mark your calendars. That Man is You! begins Friday September 9^thin the Parish Center. Modeled on some of the country’s leading men’s programs, That Man Is You! combines Scripture, solid secular research and a little fun to address the pressures and temptations facing men in our modern culture. It seeks to form authentic leaders who will be capable of transforming homes and society. The program will be hosted every Friday. We gather at 6:00am for breakfast, coffee, and some entertaining videos. Then there’s a presentation at 6:15 that combines the best scientific research with the teachings of the Church and wisdom of the saints. It’s followed at 6:45 with breakout groups that provide the opportunity to discuss what’s been presented. Finally, we’re on the road around 7:15 so everyone can get to work. Registration is available on line at www.thatmanisyou.org or by contacting Mike Rasmussen 402-677-2991 or mikejrasmussen@cox.

CREIGHTON GAME TICKETS – We have some free family pack tickets for Creighton Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Creighton volleyball.   If you would like some, please stop by the Welcome Desk.

Principal's Notes Deadline:

Please submit all items/information in final form.

Principal's Notes deadline is Tuesday by 8:00am to the school or email to

ridderd@stpatselkhorn.org or kmoritz@stpatselkhorn.org

Archived Principal's Notes