From the Principal’s Desk

          Many thanks to Gary and Liz Schwary and all of the Dinner Dance Committee members. They are working so hard to ensure our Nov. 5 Roaring 20’s Dinner Dance is a huge success. This is such a wonderful evening for all of us and it is your contributions in so many ways that make it so much fun and a great success. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Red Ribbon Week is a campaign that originated in 1985 to commemorate Federal Agent Ernrique Camarena who was murdered by drug traffickers. The red ribbon has since become the symbol of a commitment to a drug free, healthy life style. Our Red Ribbon Week celebration reminds us that God did not make us to abuse our lives, but to be free to be the someone He intended us to be.

The faculty and staff are looking forward to our retreat day on Nov. 1. It is a day set apart for us to reflect on our ministry, to pray for our students and their families, and to share with one another ideas and inspirations that we hope will enhance out school community. We are grateful to CARA Ministry leaders and HNM parishioners, Lani Galvan, Terry Armstrong, Mary Charles, and Phyliss Phelps, who will be with us for the day.

Did you know that Halloween has early Christian roots? In the past, great feasts were all preceded by vigil celebrations of the Holy Days. The most popular of these vigils remaining today are Christmas Eve, the Easter Vigil, and Halloween. Halloween is the vigil of the feast of All Saints or All Hallows Eve.

The feast of All Saints is a Holy Day honoring all the Saints in heaven. It is the church’s way of honoring saints who were not assigned a special feast day on the church calendar. It is a good time to tell children stories of the heroes and heroines of the church.

Nov. 2 is a day set aside by the church to remember those who have died. The Christian community is asked to pray for the dead. Children should be included in family remembrances of those who have died. Family stories about grandparents and ancestors help children form roots.

Please pray for our all our special intentions; for the sick of our parish and in our families; for all those who have gone before us; for those most in need of our prayers; for peace in our homes, our hearts,, and our world.

  God’s blessings,

Candice Kuzmickas 

FOCUS ON LEARNING

 End homework battles early.

 ·   Choose a quiet yet “public” place in the house for homework: A desk in his or her bedroom might work for an older, self-motivated student, but most kids do better at the dinning room table-this fosters more accountability and makes it easier to make sure they are working.

·   Give the child responsibility: Children in grades 2 and up need to understand that homework is their job, and not mom or dad’s. Kids should start their homework time by reading you what they have from their agenda book. After this initial check in, children should get to work silently with little discussion. Parents respond to the child’s questions in a way that guides the child to the solution without giving away the answer. Parents are available but not sitting with the child. 

 ·   Keep homework time focused: Families with successful students often don’t allow video games on school nights, turn the TV off if anone in the house is doing homework, and keep cell phones away from the teens until homework is complete. In academically orientated families, homework is each night’s propriety, and other activities are made to fit around homework, not vice versa.