St. Catherine of Siena Parish

THE FALCON

The first week of March has brought some welcome changes. The sun suddenly started appearing a lot more during the day and it seems like we have longer daylight in general. Daylight Saving Time will take effect again in another weekend (whether you like it or not). We had an awesome Trivia Night (more on that below), though technically still a February event. On Tuesday we had a very successful Kindergarten Information Night, with a healthy mix of current and prospective new families interested for next Fall. ISTEP (Round 1) is mostly complete. Both students and teachers appeared much better prepared for this 2nd administration of the spring exam. That's a lot of stuff happening in one week's time. So far the month has been a fun one, but there is a lot left to do and accomplish before spring break.

THE LATEST

• Please continue to note some coming opportunities to complete service hours:

-Spring Musical, 4/15 and 16. The help will be needed in March as we prepare sets and costumes. More information to come, but go ahead and let me know if you enjoy painting and other artistic endeavors.

-Sacred Heart Fish Fry, 3/19: 4-7 PM. Sign-up sheets will be available after Masses this weekend. Those who work on behalf of the parish (including Sacred Heart events) definitely can count that time.

-Playground improvements. At some point we will be conducting some large scale improvements to the playground, once the weather thaws. We'll let everyone know.

-Race for Education, 5/28. We need help the day of, but we also have a lot of behind the scenes prep work that will occur between March and the day of the event. Some of it can even potentially be done at home. A "pre-race" letter was sent home to all families yesterday. It just explained the general philosophy of the Race for Education. Here is a copy in case you missed it.

• BK/Papa Vino's/Chili coupon book update:

There is both good news and bad news. We have met 98% of the total goal for the school; however only 70% of families have returned their money. We've raised 72% of the total parish wide goal, mostly selling out all remaining books, so we will get to 100%. No class has reached the 100% mark on time for Monday's deadline (the closest is 6th , with 86%), so no prizes will be awarded at the classroom or school level this year. I realize that the incentives were not necessarily so exciting as to get the turnout we hoped for. (We're hoping to a more exciting set of prizes for Race for Education this year. Those will probably be revealed with the kickoff packets next week.) Meanwhile, we do know the top three selling families, who may contact me about claiming their prizes:

1) Kasznia ($327 returned to date)

2) Silva ($234 returned)

3) Scales ($126 returned, just edging out the 4th place family)

A special thanks to all who returned their money on time and the many families who go out of their way to sell above and beyond their goal. That is why we continue to do so well even with a smaller enrollment than when this fundraising event first began. We still have about 30 books if you know any takers.

• We are nearly ready to begin sending home returning student registration packets for next year. There is not real hurry to this. The deadline to register will be May 1 (just like financial aid) if you wish to pay the $100 per child fee. You will be welcome to enroll after May 1, but for $150 at that time. By moving the early registration deadline back to May 1, we are hoping that will allow families more leeway when it comes to finishing out their 2009-10 FACTS payments and possibly receiving any tax refunds.

• REMINDER. Financial aid applications for 2010-2011 are now available at www.factstuitionaid.com. If you do not have good internet access, we can provide access to a confidential computer here at school, even before or after school hours. Here is what we will be expecting of families who request (and would eventually receive) aid for next year:

1. You must be an active, registered, and participating member of the parish or a non-parish family in good standing (parish families always receive first priority; we do our best to support all).

2. You must be paid up to date with this year's tuition (or have a catch-up plan in place with the business office). You will need to be paid in full by June 30 to receive final approval.

3. You must be willing to apply for free/reduced lunch in the fall (it used to be encouraged; it will now be required).

4. Families with 3 or more children total spread among any of the Catholic schools in our diocese must apply and verify your tax data by May 1 in order to receive consideration by the Large Family Fund (download to see official rules). If you do not apply to LFF, you will not receive additional consideration from the parish.

• Christmas DVD orders  in process. We may have them in a week's time or so.