Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dear Parents,

Facilities Update

We finished the irrigation for the playing field this Saturday.  My thanks to the dedicated few who showed up and pounded out this work.  Unfortunately, because it was so few, we will most likely not be ready to install sod this coming Saturday.  We still have trenches to backfill, then some tractor work, then raking.  If anybody can commit to stepping up on Thursday and/or Friday to do the raking, we might still be able to make it happen.

Also, as I mentioned last week, we're still short on the money to do the sod.  If you are moved to make a donation toward sod, please let me know ASAP if you can help, as I need to place the order soon.  If we can narrow the gap, we might be able to pay to have it installed, saving many volunteers a day of back-breaking labor.

Harvest Fest

[Dramatic movie trailer guy's voice]  "Imagine a school where meeting the basic needs is a regular struggle, yet hope persists of better things.  A school where the cost is low compared to comparable schools, yet the school receives no outside financing-not from a church, not from the state, not from the federal government.  Where students are taught to know, love and serve God, flying in the face of increasingly secular society.  You've just imagined Kolbe Academy & Trinity Prep!"

No big deal or anything, but Harvest Fest is 11 days away!!!  Not to emphasize this too much, but Harvest Fest is The Most Important Fundraiser We Do.  I know that we all have busy lives and live in a trying economy, but we really need to support our school.  Talk to your friends who have kids in other schools, even public schools, about the pressures to contribute financially.  How much more do we need you to participate?  Harvest Fest accounts for 20% of our revenue, more or less.  Tuition accounts for only about 55-60% of our expenses.

Harvest Fest will only be successful if you participate.  What can you do?

• Buy tickets:  Tickets for Harvest Fest are available for sale after school every day.  Remember that families may buy two tickets each at $75-the same as in the recent past.  This is less than a night in a crummy motel in Napa.  Besides, for that $150 you will receive fine wine, a sit-down dinner, scrumptious desserts created by our own Mary Rowles and Deana Muth, and dancing to live music.

• Sell tickets:  Encourage friends and family to come.  I know $100 is a lot of money to many of us.  Other people drop that on dinner once per week.  Tickets for similar events for other schools go for $200.  Remember-it's a fundraiser to help a school that [dramatic movie trailer guy again] "receives no outside financing-not from a church, not from the state, not from the federal government."  Also, if you have a group, tables are available-$700 for a table for 8 or $900 for a table for 10.

• Buy Wine Cellar raffle tickets:  For $20 per entry, ticket holders will have a chance at winning around 60 bottles of wine.  Tickets should be available for sale after school this week, too.

Remember, there will be no school on Monday, September 21, as a Harvest Fest Recovery Day.

New Pet Policy

Due to a couple of recent near-incidents and a general liability concern, I am implementing a policy of no pets outside of vehicles on campus without approval.  My general inclination was to be fairly tolerant on this, and I have been, but these recent events have given me cause for concern.  If a pet is coming for show-and-tell or some other purpose, please just seek approval in advance.  Thank you for your help with this and I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Yours in Christ,

The school year has gotten off to a wonderful beginning!  Thank you for your efforts to get your family geared up for the school year.  I am thoroughly enjoying my position as your assistant principal. I thank you for your patience and understanding as I experience the "firsts" of a first school year with you.

Many people have noticed the improved quality of the campus and commented on the continued forward energy that began last year with the merger. This year, let's take every opportunity to invite guests to visit and see what we're about.  We have a perfect chance tomorrow morning. If you haven't already, please invite grandparents to the 7:52 am Mass offered in their honor.  After Mass, parents and grandparents are invited to stay for refreshments and a reception with presentations by the 1^st/2^nd and 3^rd/4^th classrooms.  In addition, Fr. Chad will be staying to offer Confessions for visitors, staff, and students.

Thank you for your efforts to make morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up run smoothly.  Please note that adult supervision on campus does not begin until 7:30 AM, at which time the teachers are on duty in their classrooms.  If you arrive before this, please stay with your student(s) and do not leave until you hear the 7:30 AM bell.  If you notice that some students are on campus, they are the students that arrive with teachers and are under their direct supervision.  During afternoon pick-up, teacher supervisors remain at the pick-up point from release at 2:50 until 3:10 PM.  Students who are not picked up by 3:10 will wait for pick-up in the school office.

Peace & Joy,