Message from the Kranz' Family

Just wanted to be sure that everyone saw this note from Jayne and Paul Kranz:


Dear St. Joseph Families, Teachers, Friends and Classmates;

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the tremendous outpouring of love and support extended to Emily and our entire family this past year. Watching her participate in the Christmas program with her peers and all the other beautiful children, was beyond words.

It is hard to fathom that last year she was in the ICU fighting for her life. The power of love and prayers are evident in Emily’s miraculous recovery. She is simply amazing! We are so proud of Emily and her remarkable patience and determination to get well. It is truly an honor to be her parents!

It is both a privilege and blessing to be part of community that cares so deeply for our daughter. We continue to be overwhelmed by everyone’s support and generosity. All of you have been instrumental in her healing process.

We would like to "give back" a little of the love that was bestowed on Emily and our family last Christmas. We are planning to delivery non-perishable food and holiday treats to the families whose children are in the ICU @ Loyola this Christmas. We would be extremely grateful for any contributions. Suggestions: breads, cookies, fruit, candy, money, gift certificates from Manna, magazines, small games for children of all ages. Families literally live in the waiting rooms @ the ICU, while their children fight for their lives. Please help us make their waiting more bearable this Christmas. If you can help, please deliver donations to Sister Dorothy by 12:00 p.m. on 12/24. If she is not @ home you may leave the items on her front porch!

We wish everyone a blessed holiday season and a happy healthy New Year! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything.

Sincerely,

The Kranz Family

Note to 8th Grade Girls: Poinsettia's for Tonight's Christmas Performance

Note from Mrs. Schmitt:

Today the 8th grade girls received a silk poinsettia to wear at tonight's Christmas performance. The girls may wear the flower anywhere ...in their hair, on their wrist, pinned to their outfit, on their belt, etc. Feel free to trim down the stems. The flowers can be glued to a headband or barrette also.

CSD99 - English Honors Testing Update

Because of the bad weather on the last writing prompt date and the fact that some of the private schools received late notification of the dates, District 99 is offering two more opportunities for students to come in and write an essay for placement in the English Honors program.

The additional dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday, January 6 at North High School, Room 210: 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 12 at South High School, Room C364: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Confirmation Date Has Been Set!

Confirmation will be held on:

Saturday March 13, 2010 @ 10:00 a.m.

Please mark it on your calendars.

$5.00 Grab-bag - Gift Ideas

In case your child is looking for ideas, here are some suggestions for the grab-bag gift:

--Caribou, Starbucks, Great American Bagel or Every Day's a Sundae Gift Cards
--Ornament
--Candy
--Christmas items such as pens or pencils (items you can probably find at Factory Card Outlet or Hallmark)

Ideally the gifts should be non-gender specific. Hope this helps!

$5.00 Grab-Bag Needed - Friday December 18

All 8th Grader's are being asked to bring a wrapped, $5.00 grab-bag to school on Friday December 18, 2009.

In addition to some light snacks, the room moms are planning an exciting game for them to play during their Christmas Party. (At least we think it's exciting.) ;)

Hard to believe that Christmas break is already upon us!

Re-Post: Volunteers Needed on Monday December 21

There are only four (4) 8th Graders that signed up for this project. Chick really needs eighteen (18) in order to make this a special day for her Senior Citizens. If your child is interested in participating, please e-mail Mary Durkin (info below) as soon as possible.

Thank you for your help!


Volunteers Needed - Service Hours Opportunity December 21 10-11 a.m.
Chick Briner, SJ parishioner, who also works for Gloria Dei's Senior Citizen Day Care, is looking for 8th grade volunteers to work on a craft project. This is an annual event for the SJS 8th graders and this year it will be held on Monday December 21, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Each 8th grader is paired up with a Senior Citizen and together they make a craft project that the Senior then gets to keep. Chick says the Senior Citizens really enjoy this time and it truly brightens up their day. She is asking for eighteen (18) volunteers. If your child is interested in volunteering and receiving service hours, please RSVP to Mary Durkin at dkn61@comcast.net as soon as possible. Participation will be determined on a first come, first served basis in the order in which the RSVP’s are received.

Planning Ahead - Graduation Pictures February 12, 2010

Graduation pictures will be taken at SJS on Friday February 12, 2010 during the school day. The students traditionally have their pictures taken in a Cap and Gown, as well as in their dress clothes. Typically the boys wear a suit and the girls wear dresses.

More information will follow as the day comes closer.

REMINDER - Confirmation Forms Due Wednesday December 16, 2009

The following forms are due on Wednesday December 16, 2009:

1) Information Form For Permanent Church Records; and
2) First Semester Service Hours (2 pages)

Both forms can be found in the St. Joseph Parish Confirmation Program red folder that was distributed during the 8th Grade Confirmation Meeting held on September 30.

Please make a note of this.

DGS & DGN English I Honors Program

All 8th graders were given a notice this week from District 99 about upcoming test dates for those students interested in enrolling in English I Honors at DGS or DGN. In case you missed it, here is the body of the message:

District 99 requires all students interested in English I Honors placement to complete a writing prompt. The process should take approximately 50 minutes. The students may choose to attend one of the following sessions:

Thursday December 3 @ South High - Room C364 - 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Saturday December 5 @ North High - Room 276 - 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Wednesday December 9 @ South High - Room C364 - 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Students do not need to pre-register; they should jut report to the assigned room on the day they choose. We ask that students bring loose-leaf paper and a writing utensil.

Volunteers Needed - Service Hours Opportunity December 21 10-11 a.m.

Chick Briner, SJ parishioner, who also works for Gloria Dei's Senior Citizen Day Care, is looking for 8th grade volunteers to work on a craft project.

This is an annual event for the SJS 8th graders and this year it will be held on Monday December 21, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Each 8th grader is paired up with a Senior Citizen and together they make a craft project that the Senior then gets to keep. Chick says the Senior Citizens really enjoy this time and it truly brightens up their day. He is asking for eighteen (18) volunteers.

If your child is interested in volunteering and receiving service hours, please RSVP to Mary Durkin at dkn61@comcast.net as soon as possible. Participation will be determined on a first come, first served basis in the order in which the RSVP’s are received.

Thank you!

Thank you's are in order for the following individuals on behalf of the 8th grade class:

MARIBETH RUF and KELLY ROTH for the Spirit Wear Sale. A special thank you to all the volunteers who helped fill the orders and deliver them to the classrooms for distribution.

ELLEN FLEMING and CAROLE MALONE for the Pumpkin Sale (especially for their efforts during a very rainy pick up day!) Thank you to Wannemakers for their delivery and for seeing that we had the best pumpkins available the day of pick-up.

TERESE LAMOUREAUX for organizing the Feed My Starving Children service project. Also a special thank you to all of the chaperones who doubled as chauffeurs the day of the event.

And although still a work in progress, DON and LYNETTE WADE for their work on the Coat Drive.