Continuing the Improvements!

On Sunday, January 27th from 11:00 am till noon, we will host a school preview day for families interested in attending St. Ann. Choosing your child's school is one of the most important decisions you will make for them. Come meet the faculty, talk with other parents, tour the school, view our materials, check out the athletic program, and learn more about the parish. We will also be available to discuss tuition costs and available financial aid. PRE scholarships are also available.

During the summer, Steve Sones, Captain of the Bartlett Police Department and a St. Ann parent, performed a walk-through security check of the school. One of his recommendations was to improve our security camera system. We currently have two security cameras. We have designed a system where we install 20 additional cameras throughout the whole school, that will focus on every exit door and hallway.

The cost to purchase and install this system is $7,257 ($3,278 for the cameras and $3,979 for the wiring). We have already raised $5,159 towards the purchase and installation of the camera security system. We are currently short $2,098. If you are able to help us raise the rest of the funds needed for the cameras, we would greatly appreciate your help. Protecting the children and keeping the school safe is a top priority at any school.

We still need to work on the door locks and re-keying all the doors. After the security cameras are installed, that will be next on our list to improve school safety. We do our monthly fire and intruder alert drills. We are as prepared as possible. I want to be more prepared than possible, and a complete camera system will help get us there. This isn't just for school safety. This is also for PRE, E-Care, and St. Ann athletics. Let's protect all the children on our campus.

Bowling is a growing sport at St. Ann. More and more of our students are taking up bowling. Several SBA bowling team members are from St. Ann. With this growing interest, if your child is interested in being a part of a bowling program, please contact me (didier.aur@sascolts.org) or Tracy Angotti (tracy.angotti@sascolts.org). We are interested in starting St. Ann bowling teams, and hosting tournaments. Bowling is a great lifetime sport for our students to learn early on.

We started the Chess Extracurricular Exploration class this past week. It is a big success already, and the students are interested in starting a chess club. If your child is interested in being a part of the chess club, once again, please contact me or Annmarie Ghio (annmarie.ghio@sascolts.org). We could also use some parents, grandparents, and/or alumni who are experienced chess players to help. We know how to play, but our expertise is limited.

This past week, Angela de Jong and I have taken over as the moderators of the student council. Blake Arey, student council president, started each school day by reading the morning prayer and announcements. Luca de Jong, student council vice-president, will do the same this week. The student council is helping to put together Catholic Schools Week activities including selecting the charity that will benefit from their work. They are putting together the games the students will play during the school's pep rally. They will also help to organize the student/faculty volleyball game.

This past Thursday was the first time this school year that we have had all classes from PK3-8th grade attend Mass together. The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders partnered up with PK3 and PK4. We figured this way, the little students could make sure the big students didn't misbehave during Mass. :)  Everybody did a great job of taking care of each other. We are making plans to do it again this week. Having all grades at Mass was great for all groups.

In my last blog, I mentioned that I want to spotlight some of the things my students do outside of school. This week, the student spotlight is on Wilson and Avery Coggins. They placed 1st in doubles, Avery placed 1st in singles, and 1st in all events at the City bowling tournaments in December. They have been bowling since they were 5 years old. Wilson is also a brown belt junior instructor in PaSaRyu style martial arts. He is pictured with his karate belts. Congratulations and keep up to great work!

We are still working on hosting the Alumni Fat

Support St. Ann!

Tuesday Party on Tuesday, March 5th beginning at 6:30 pm. If you are a St. Ann alum and over 21, please make plans to attend. The school cannot survive without alumni being involved in the school. Come on back and see the new and improved St. Ann Catholic School. And, come get reacquainted with some of your friends from years past.

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