We Are Saint Ann Strong!

Computer Class in the Library

I will begin this week's blog by asking you for a simple favor. Please pray for St. Ann Catholic School. I'll make this request just a little easier for you by giving you Fr. David Knight's W.I.T. prayer to recite. If you are able, print the prayer so that you may recite it whenever possible. The most important thing we need from you is prayer. You might think I'm crazy in saying that prayer is the most important thing we need, and you might be right. But, I'll take all the prayers over anything else. Don't underestimate the power of prayer. Please pray for us.

W.I.T. Prayer

 Jesus, I give You my body.

 Live this day with me;

live this day in me;

live this day through me.

 Let me think

with Your thoughts,

speak with Your words,

and act as

Your body on earth.

Thank you Father for St. Ann Catholic School.

Please bless the students, faculty, staff, supporters, alumni, and volunteers.

In the name of Jesus, I pray

Amen!

New St. Ann Rug

St. Ann Home & School (H&S) is a fantastic organization. I have never had the pleasure of working with such a supportive H&S as we have at St. Ann. There is only one problem with H&S, it is the same group of people who are doing all the work. If you aren't involved with H&S, and have the ability to help, please join in the fun. We are all too busy to volunteer, and don't have enough time to help, but we all have to help. Please volunteer to be a part of H&S. We could all use your help. Here are some of the ways our H&S supports St. Ann:

• Host staff luncheons
• Host the baccalaureate breakfast
• Host Mornings for Mom
• Host Donuts with Dad
• Host Grandparents' Day
• Provide coffee in the staff workroom
• Organize and run the uniform resale
• Run the Colt Spirit Shop (every day!)
• Organize room parents
• Put on the Junior High dances
• And, raise funds to help the school meet annual budget.

Students Working on Projects

I want to thank the following people for their work in running and supporting H&S. You folks are fantastic: Lori Locke, Jimmy Crews, Kathy Schiavone, Dawn Lewis, Jennifer Podesta, Jessica Orban, Liz Wehmeyer, and Darren DeCosta. 

The Children's Choir begins Thursday, September 6th in the choir room in the church building. The choir meets from 5:45-6:30pm. The choir is open to 2nd graders and up. If you enjoy singing, come out and be a part of the choir. The Children's Choir sings twice a month at 8:30am Mass. If you are interested in participating, please contact Tricia Cooper at tricia.cooper@sascolts.org. "Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God." - Leo Buscaglia

4th Grade Projects

League of Million Word Readers: Students, take the challenge to read one million words this year. Let's see how many students reach the goal of reading one million words. If you have questions regarding the League of Million Word Readers, contact Annmarie Ghio at annmarie.ghio@sascolts.org. 

The first session of Extracurricular Exploration has one week left. The 2nd session begins next Monday. Robotics is switching to Roller Coaster Building. 3-D Printing is switching to Flip Book Animation. By popular demand, Coding and Jazz Band will remain as is, and hopefully keep moving the students forward. I hope we include the Jazz Band in our band concert, and Coding in our STREAM Night. I have not met with Mr. Kissell on his plans on Creative Writing. Should know later this week. I'm still working on the cooking/baking class. 

World Geography Students

My World Geography class start their Land & Water Forms group presentations tomorrow. I'm looking forward to their work. I've been watching them build their presentations, and know there are going to be many awesome ones. As an educator, I really appreciate observing group work, student led projects, and students learning from each other in so many of our classes. The teachers and students are doing great work. 

3rd Graders Working on Assessments

All students from Kindergarten through 8th grade are in the process of taking the easyCBM assessments. The assessments are "designed to give teachers insight into which of their students may need additional instructional support as well as to provide a means by which they can measure the effectiveness of their teaching." The assessments take place three times per year; now, before the Christmas break, and the beginning of May. The assessments will also measure growth during the school year. I plan to review the results with any parents who would like to see their child(ren)'s scores.

St. Ann Strong Screen Saver

For Kindergarten through 8th grade, school starts at 8:00am. Please do your best to have your child(ren) at St. Ann by 7:45am. That way, everyone is ready to start learning at 8:00am. Let's make every minute matter.  Thanks.

Also, we have a few families behind on tuition, and it is just the beginning of September. Please take care of your obligations, and don't fall behind. One of my least favorite things to do is to remind parents about late payments. But, I have no problem doing so. Once you fall behind, it is hard to catch up.

We held our first fire and intruder drills this past week. Everyone did a great job on the fire drill. We still need a little work on the intruder drill. We also need to install new window blinds in some of our classrooms for protection. Even though all our door locks work, I would prefer to update many of those locks for extra safety. If you would like to help with that project, please contact me. 

Support St. Ann Catholic School

We need your support. If you are interested in helping, please click on the St. Ann logo or contact me. My email is didier.aur@sascolts.org.

Let's work together to do the best we can for the children.

God bless you,
Didier Aur, Principal
St. Ann Catholic School