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.