TO THE 2012 ST. PATRICK SCHOOL 8TH GRADE CLASS

 A big thank you for the donation made to the St. Patrick Athletic Association.  The 2012 St. Patrick School 8th Grade Class made a contribution to fund the purchase of new uniforms for the St. Patrick Fighting Irish sports teams.  The funds have been put to great use and the 7th and 8th Grade Girl's Volleyball team are now wearing new uniforms thanks to the 8th Grade Class of 2012.   Remaining funds will be used to help fund basketball uniforms!  THANK YOU!

Attention ALL High School Youth and Parents!!!!!

Our first youth ministry meeting will be September 30^th from 6-8pm in the youth room (enter from the back of the school)! There are many changes being made as well as lots of important information going to be discussed at this meeting. Parents: please attend with your youth! We will be discussing the Mission Trip (deposits will be taken), Wild Game Dinner, Schedule of Events and much more! If you have questions please contact Cheryl at 616-644-0781 or stpatym@wmis.net

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."
 

Principal Update – September 21, 2012

During our Accreditation process and within our School Improvement Team, we identify challenges within our school and develop action plans to address and improve them.  One particular challenge, creating a consistent, school-wide behavioral management plan, is a major area of focus for the current school year. We researched a variety of different models used in schools to help find the right fit for the students at Saint Pat’s. Based on our staff’s past experiences and vision for the future, we have chosen to adopt The Responsible Thinking Process.

The Responsible Thinking Process is about teaching our students how to get along with one another through mutual respect and to provide individuals the tools for handling conflicts. The overarching emphasis is to teach accountability and self-discipline. Both aid in strengthening and freeing a person rather than making the person struggle against himself/herself – or against other people. We want students to identify and discuss their actions instead of our teachers having to tell them what they may have done or what rule they may have broken.

Our teachers have implemented the process into each of their classrooms to start the school year. Students have made agreed upon classroom rules that each teacher helped facilitate. If a particular student is having any difficulty, the teacher will ask the students a series of questions that help the individual identify and admit what the behavior problem is. If the problem persists, the students will be asked to develop a plan that includes identifying what rules they are breaking, and will create a plan of action that allows them to be a productive member of the classroom community. Both teacher and student must agree that the plan is appropriate and works within the rules of the classroom.

Attached to this letter is a simple summary of the procedures that teachers are using with students that should help to understand the process. I have personally used these procedures as a teacher in the past and have found it to be extremely helpful to students, teachers and even parents at home. Please review the attached information, I am more than happy to discuss this in detail if there are any additional questions. More information can be found at http://www.responsiblethinking.com. I also have copies of the book “Discipline for Home and School” for anyone who would like to use this at home.

Before and After School Care

St. Patrick School

Before/After Care Program

(Beginning October 1 – Schedule/Payment Due Thursday 9/27)

• Available for students DK – 8^th grade who attend St. Patrick School. Preschoolers can utilize the program in the AM only, on their scheduled school days.

• Hours are 7:00AM – 8:00AM and 3:00PM – 6:00PM School days only.

• Advance scheduling done weekly. Schedule and Payment are due by 3:00PM the Thursday before.  Can schedule by emailing Child Care Director or sending a note with times to school office.

• FLEX SCHEDULE is available. Contact must be made with Child Care Director or school office to arrange times.

• Price:

ADVANCE SCHEDULE

$5.00/hour

$8.00/hour – 2 or more kids

Flex Schedule prices will be charged if payment is not received the Thursday before the week of needed care.

FLEX SCHEDULE

$6.00/hour/per child –

Payment due on site (Cash or Check)

Contact Sally Goffer, Child Care Director, with any questions.

E-Mail: sps.goffer@gmail.com

Home: 616-863-4952

Cell: 616-719-8971

ATTENTION - ST PATRICK SPORTS SUPPORTERS!

If you have an interest in being involved in the St.Patrick Sport programs - your help is needed.  We have regular home games - volleyball in the fall and then basketball in the winter.  There is a need for volunteers to help at these events we host - concessions, gate, scoring.  We are looking for 2-3 hour blocks of time to help with these fun ecent.  If you have an interest and would like to be part of this St Patrick Athletic hosting activity, please give contact Scott Spanbauer at scott@bpsalesstaffing.com or 328-5477 or Carol Blundy at carol.blundy@yahoo.com or 897-8812. 

Principal Update - September 12th

            The beginning of this school year has brought immense excitement to our parish and school community. Many new families have invested in their children by providing them the opportunity to a Catholic education here at Saint Patrick School.  For the third year, we have experienced growth as members of the community have joined our school family.

            Our staff is dedicated to providing a quality Catholic education by meeting the needs of every child that enters our school. God has made every child very unique, and we welcome the diversity among our student body with open arms. All children have the ability to grow socially, spiritually and academically. It is our primary job as educators to foster and nurture the growth of each child, regardless of their ability when entering our school. With new students come new challenges, challenges that we welcome as we fulfill our mission to Know God, to Love God, and to Serve All.

            The beginning of this school year has been dedicated to providing more support to our teachers, which we feel will ultimately benefit every child in each classroom. I am happy to announce that we have added two new staff members, in addition to doing a bit of shuffling so that we are able to provide additional support for our students. Beginning Monday, September 12, the following additions/changes will be in affect:

·         We have hired a part-time teacher, Lynette Gasper, to teach math for grades 2, 4 and 6. In addition, she will teach Science and Social Studies in the 3/4^th grade classroom. Mrs. Gasper has been a substitute teacher in our school, she is the mother to Lydia Gasper (2^nd Grade) and she also works in the Parish part time to assist Father Mark and Michelle Ogren. We are thrilled to have her as a part of our staff and I’m more than confident she will make a seamless transition with the students. If you have any question for Mrs. Gasper or would like to meet her, call the school or email her at sps.gasper@gmail.com

·         Ms. Schoenborn will now have an hour each school day to work as our in-house student support teacher. She will collaborate with our teachers to provide academic support for students needing assistance across all grade levels. I’m thrilled that we can meet the needs of students while maximizing Ms. Schoenborn’s expertise.

·         Our preschool now has 13 students enrolled. Darcy Snarski has been hired as a para-pro to assist Mrs. Krebill in the classroom. She has already been in the classroom this week getting to know the kids. Mrs. Snarski has three children in our school and is also the chair of our parent teacher organization (PTO).

In Christ,

Scott Czarnopys

scottczarnopys@gmail.com

Parent Information Night - Catholic Secondary Schools

West Catholic High School

Invites current Middle School parents

 to join us at

The Donnelly Center, Aquinas College

Monday, September 24^th at 7 p.m.

For an Informational Panel discussion

HSPT, Admission process, Academics, Auxiliary Support Services, and Financial Aid

Questions: Call Todd Peters 233-5920