On behalf of the St. Cecilia School staff, we wish to thank everyone

 Principal Notes
11-15-12
From the Principals:
On behalf of the St. Cecilia School staff, we wish to thank everyone for
the wonderful food items that were delivered to the school for meals
during Parent-Teacher Conference week. Your thoughtfulness and ongoing support is very much appreciated.
We were surprised with a wonderful assembly this morning hosted by
our students and staff during Catholic School Principal Appreciation
Day. The two of us were crowned ”Kings for the Day,” and received a
King’s crown, scepter, and a treasure chest full of thank you notes from
students and staff. We enjoyed reading every note. Every day is special
at St. Cecilia School and we have both enjoyed working with our
students and staff as well as developing a close personal friendship with
each other. We are thankful for your support and continued
encouragement. (Check out other pictures posted to our school website
and Facebook!)
Our Catholic School Board will meet on Tuesday, November 20 at 6:00
p.m. for a board work session, followed by the regular monthly meeting
at 7 p.m. One of the topics on the agenda will be preliminary discussion
by the board about the search process and timeline for the recruitment
of a new principal at St. Cecilia School for 2013-14.
Because of the short Thanksgiving week, we will not send 'Principal
Notes' next week. Best wishes to you and your family for a relaxing and
enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.
With warm regards,
Dr. Tom Budnik and Mr. John Kinley
Co-Principals
NONPUBLIC PARENT REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST FORM
Notice to Nonpublic Parents: Iowa Code Section 285.1 requires public
school districts to provide transportation services to resident nonpublic
students that are entitled as per that section. How the transportation
service will be provided is to be determined by the public school district.
When funds are appropriated by the Iowa General Assembly and if your
public school district has selected “Parent Reimbursement” as their
transportation service type of choice and you meet the transportation
entitlement policy provisions of the public school district in which you
live and the nonpublic school being attended has been accredited by the
Iowa Department of Education, you are entitled to parent
reimbursement as per Iowa Code Sections 285.1, subparagraph 3 and
285.3.
(Iowa Code, Section 285.3) If your public school district selects the
“Parent Reimbursement” option, it is your responsibility as the
nonpublic parent or guardian to notify your resident public school
district that you have children attending an accredited nonpublic school
and its location. In addition, these forms should be returned to your
public school district no later than December 1st (for first
semester reimbursement) and May 1st (for second semester
reimbursement), each year. Failure to submit this request by the
above deadline each semester will result in the denial of the
reimbursement request for the claim period.
Per information submitted on PowerSchool, we show students living in
Ballard, Gilbert and Nevada districts, attending St. Cecilia
School. Therefore, please print off the correct form for your district,
complete and submit it to the address listed at the bottom of your
form. Please do not return the form to St. Cecilia School. If you have
any questions, please contact the school office at #515-232-5290. Thank
you.
http://stcames.org/wp-content/uploads/Ballard-bus-reimbursement-form.pdf
http://stcames.org/wp-content/uploads/Gilbert-bus-reimbursement-form.pdf
http://stcames.org/wp-content/uploads/Nevada-bus-reimbursement-form.pdf
Ring the Bells for the Salvation Army: Have you been trying to
think of a way to “give back” as the holidays approach? Would you be
willing to give thirty minutes or an hour of your time to help
others? Why not Ring the Bells for the Salvation Army? Last year, St.
Cecilia families spread the joy of the holidays by “Ringing the Bells”. By
the end of the day, the kettle was overflowing! This year we, again, hope
to fill an entire day with bell ringing. We are registered to ring at the
Lincoln Center Hy-Vee inside the west doors on Saturday, December 8
from 8 AM to 8 PM. Please use the Sign Up Genius link below to sign
your family up. We encourage you to use this as a fun, family event to
teach our children about the true meaning of the season. At least one
adult over the age of 16 must be present. If you have any questions,
please contact Rita Hamers @ ritahamers@yahoo.com or 450-5501. If
you are unable to ring on this day or would like more information on the
2012 Bell Ringing Campaign, go to www.ringbells.org and search under
the local Boone-Ames location.
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/5080F49ADA62F4-ringing
SCRIP NEWS: We will NOT be ordering the week of Thanksgiving
(Nov 19th). Our next order date is November 26th. There are only 4
more Mondays to order Scrip before Christmas. The good news
is that ShopwithScrip.com will be running a "bigger-than-ever
bonus rebates" on Thanksgiving Day so once those Black Friday
ads are released, you can go online and order ScripNow! for your
purchases. There will be special bonuses on select ScripNow brands
only (not physical cards). To take advantage of these increased rebates,
you must be set up with PrestoPay. There is still time to get PrestoPay
set up. If you have questions, please contact either Bev Williams (5207949) or Shannon Schroeder (450-1752) know
atscrip@stceciliaschoolames.org.
STEM News: The next STEM Club meeting will be a presentation by
SCUM (Society of Chemistry Undergraduate Majors) on the ISU
campus. It was originally scheduled for Friday, November 30th but
SCUM had a conflict with that date. We are in the process of
rescheduling this meeting, hopefully for sometime the week after
Thanksgiving. Please look for updates!
GALA: If you haven't already done so, please return to the school the
envelopes for the Gala Friends & Family mailing. Your children have
drawn pictures to be sent to friends & family along with a letter from the
Gala committee, asking for support of our 2013 fundraising goals. If you
have any questions about this project, please contact the Gala co-chairs
at stceciliagala@stceciliaschoolames.org.
Saint Cecilia School Sings: For the second year, Saint Cecilia School
will be singing Christmas carols in downtown Ames during the Snow
Magic celebration on Sunday, November 18th. We will meet in the
Knapp-Tedesco parking lot at 12:45pm and walk downtown
together. Following caroling (about 2:30), we will have cookies and hot
chocolate. The whole family is welcome to join us. Song sheets will be
provided. Please wear a Saint Cecilia shirt or sweatshirt. RSVP to Diana
Thatcher (thatchmd@yahoo.com or 292-9511) or Kathy Ramirez
(karamirez@mchsi.com or 232-1248) so we have an idea of how many
carolers are coming. This is the same weekend as the festival of Saint
Cecilia so please plan your weekend accordingly. Caroling fits right in to
the celebration of the arts!
5th Grade Breakfast: Please join us for a 5th grade fundraiser parish
breakfast on Sunday, December 2, following the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Masses. Your free-will donation will help fund the 5th grade class trip to
the Omaha Zoo. There will also be beautiful poinsettias for sale just in
time for Christmas. Thank you for your support!
http://stcames.org/wp-content/uploads/5th-parish-breakfast-12-02-12.pdf
Upcoming Events:
Friday, November 16: NO SCHOOL
Sat/Sun., November 17-18: St. Cecilia Feast Day Celebration of the Arts
http://stcames.org/wp-content/uploads/ST-CECILIA-FESTIVAL-FLYER1.pdf
Tuesday, November 20: 6 p.m. Catholic School Board Work Session & 7
p.m. Catholic School Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 21: 9 a.m. All School Mass and 1:30 p.m. Early
Dismissal
Thurs/Fri., November 22-23: Thanksgiving Holiday-NO SCHOOL
Passport to Kindergarten (Note Change of Date):
ATTENTION! All Future Kindergarteners!
Saint Cecilia School will be hosting a "Passport to Kindergarten" party
on Thursday, November 29 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. (new date) in
the school for all 4- and 5-year-olds and their parents. This open house
will be a chance for all students (Kindergarten age in 2013-14) and their
parents to see the school and meet the teachers. For more information,
call the school office at 232-5290.
Christmas Concert: Our Christmas Concert has been planned for
Tuesday, December 11th, starting at 7 p.m. at the Ames City
Auditorium. More info will be sent by Mrs. Grogg and Mr. Dobell at a
later date.
Community Events:
BLAST Workshop 12/27-12/28:
http://stcames.org/wp-content/uploads/Blast-Flyer-1.pdf
Santa to hitch ride on fire truck at North Grand Mall
Santa will temporarily trade in his sleigh for a fire truck, courtesy of
the Ames Fire Department, for his holiday arrival at North Grand
Mall on Saturday, Nov. 17 at noon.
Children are invited to gather at the Grand Avenue main entrance,
near Jimmy John’s to welcome the jolly symbol of the holidays.
Fire fighters, who will deliver Santa to the front of the mall’s main
entrance on Grand Avenue, will also showcase the fire truck and
answer children’s questions.
Santa will kick off the season with a meet and greet in the North
Grand room next to Cookies, etc. where children will receive a free
cookie and beverage. The refreshments are sponsored by Cookies,
etc. and North Grand Mall.
As part of the festivities, all children are invited to decorate and
color an ornament to hang on the shopping center’s “Art the Tree”
during the holiday season. The activity session will take place from
noon to 1 p.m. in the North Grand room.
After the event, Santa will be in residence at his official winter
wonderland home in center court where excited youngsters will
share their Christmas wishes. All children visiting Santa throughout
the holidays will receive an activity book and crayons. While
visiting Santa is free, of course, state-of-the-art digital photography
packages will be available so that the precious moments are saved
forever on film. Parents can view photos immediately. Several
different photography packages will be available in order to fill the
needs of all family and friends.
Santa will be in residence at North Grand Mall until Monday, Dec.
24.
Sincerely,
Dr. Budnik & Mr. Kinley