FAITHFUL SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
In This Issue
SpiritWear Day
Carpool Safety
Twitter
5th Gr Grandparents Day
Conference Sign-Ups
HSA Hospitality
Student Council Results
Marathon
CYC
Helping Hands
Notes From Nurses
8th Grade Eagle Bluff
No School
FSCS Window Decals
Kindergarten Parents
2009 Holiday Classic
Basketball Registration
Congratulations!
Mad Science
FSCS 
STAR REPORT
FSCS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
10/07/09 - VOL.7 ISSUE 5
SpiritWear Day Friday, October 9th
 
Friday, October 9th will be a SpiritWear Day to benefit Feed My Starving Children. Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God's starving children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals formulated specially for starving children, and Feed My Starving Children ships the meals to more than 60 countries around the world. If you want to be out of uniform, bring at least $1.00 to put in for our collection. Jeans or sweatpants (excluding the FSCS flannel pajama pants) that are in good condition may be worn along with any shirt that sports the FSCS name, logo or the STAR nickname. All monies go directly to the classroom teachers.
Carpool Safety / Courtesy 
 
In order to maintain a safe and efficient carpool, we remind parents that if your student needs help getting out of the car or needs to be walked in to school, that you please park in the parking lot and not in the drop-off lane.  Also, please ensure you pull up as far as you can in the line to prevent backups in carpool. Finally, please be patient while waiting in line. Do not weave around cars etc.  Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep all students safe.
Emergency Notices Via Twitter 
 
Faithful Shepherd is now on Twitter!  An account has been set up for the purpose of sending emergency notices to parents (i.e. evacuations, school closings due to weather, etc.).  This account will only be used for emergency notices. 
 
In order to receive these notices, users must sign up for a Twitter account.  This account is free and can allow you to receive notices via text message on your cell phone.  For more information about Twitter or to sign up for an account, please go to www.twitter.com. You will first need to set up an account and then search for FSCSALERTS.  Once you find us, you will need to "follow" us.  You will then have the option to receive our alerts via mobile text.  Your carrier's text message rates will apply. 
 
In addition to sending out a Twitter alert, we will still attempt to email and post to our website in the event of an emergency.
5th Grade Grandparents Day Mass,
October 14th
 
5th Grade will celebrate Grandparents Day with a special Mass on October 14th.  Mass will be for 5th graders and their grandparents/special guests only.  The morning activities will include Mass, reception, school tour and a classroom activity. 
October Conference Sign-Ups
 
October 22nd & 23rd are set aside for Conferences. All families with two or more children can sign up this week. K-5 should sign up for their individual teacher and specialist that they would like to see.  Middle school parents should sign up according to the one hour block when they can come. Families with one child may sign up starting next Wednesday the 14th.
HSA Hospitality
 
HSA Hospitality is hosting a Mixed-Salads Bar for the "Parent-Teacher Conference Meal" on Thurs., Oct. 22 from 4-5 pm. Please donate your favorite delicious salad, bread or dessert, or help with serving & clean-up. Go to the online sign-up or contact Wanda Heck at 612-845-0520 or wandaheck@comcast.net.  
Student Council Election Results 
 
Last week, the speeches were heard and the election was held in hopes of finding new student council members for the 2009-10 school year.  While replacing last year's group of outstanding leaders looked to be a formidable task, the torch has been passed and the results are in.  The officers elected include Ricardo J. (President), Ryan D. (Vice President), Shannon D. (Secretary), and George H. (Treasurer).  Homebase representatives include Anna Z., Joey M., Justin B., Gretchen S., Ryan D., Nina L., Geoff S., and Maddie R.  Congrats to all the candidates who threw their hats into the ring and made this election both fun and competitive.  Well done!
FSCS Marathon is Sunday, Oct. 4


 
Marathon Thank You!
 
What a wonderful Marathon Sunday we had at Faithful Shepherd Catholic School!  A huge thank you to all of our participants for walking, rolling, and strolling as a community.  Thanks to the Knights of Columbus who kept the route safe and provided water for our participants.  The ice cream treats enjoyed at the end of the route were a hit as well!  Also, thank you for the donations of food that will benefit the St. John Neumann food shelf.  Way to go students! 
 
Just a reminder:  We still have one more collection day coming up:  Friday, October 9th.  At that time, we will find out whether or not Mr. Dalum will be shaving his head.  We sure hope so and so does he!
 
Next we need to acknowledge a few people who made this year's Marathon possible as well as a huge success. First are Kaleen and Matt Mikulski, our behind-the-scenes computer wizards.  They managed everything from t-shirt and water bottle delivery to money calculating to percentage factoring; they have been unbelievably patient and organized.  Unfortunately we are going to be losing them after this year!  So a tantamount thanks to their countless hours and efforts!  Also, thank you to Mary Anderson, Cindy Dufek, Jillian Biancamano, Paul Hendrickson, Cathy Kalkman, Michele Kleason and Kristin Schimek who helped them in the weeks leading up to the Marathon by collecting and counting money and delivering student incentives.  Mia Hendrickson, our Chair this year, did a wonderful job organizing all other areas of the event.   Finally, thanks to all of those people who helped anonymously.  This day would not happen without you!
 
If you haven't yet sent in your student goal money of $105, there is still time and don't forget to check with your company on Company Match possibilities.
 
Looking forward to next year's Marathon!
CYC - Catholic Youth Camp
 
Now that fall is here, there's no better time to start planning for summer.  CYC- Catholic Youth Camp is a great opportunity for children to have a fun, faithful filled summer week at camp, exploring the great outdoors while surrounded in a loving christian environment.   If you've never heard of CYC checkout their website - www.cycamp.org.  If you have any questions about CYC you can contact the CYC Director, Natalie natalie@cycamp.org or if you're looking for more of a parent perceptive on camp don't hesitate to contact Sue Schelonka - sueschelonka@yahoo.com.

CYC is offering some great early bird registration discounts, so be sure to check those out.
Helping Hands Chairperson Needed
 
Helping Hands is a program run by FSCS parents who provide help to other Faithful Shepherd families in times of need. They may help with meals, babysitting, errands, carpooling, etc..  This commitment is flexible - based on the needs of families and a wonderful way to get involved and to touch people's lives in a direct way. In the many years of this program, we have never had to beg for help! We have a wonderful group of volunteers who step up to help those in our community! You don't have to be available during the day and there are NO MEETINGS! If you are interested in coordinating this wonderful effort, please contact Ronda Rottjakob at (651) 687-0801 or rottjak@comcast.net
Notes From The Nurses
 
Our nurses now have their own page, under construction, on the school website.  When fully operational it will have a variety of health information, forms and guidelines. Check it out!
 
We are continuing to monitor for Influenza-like Illness (ILI). So far we are not seeing any pattern of ILI and our absence rates have been low. Thank you for your continued efforts to keep all our students well by stressing hand washing and 'covering' coughs; and by keeping your ill students home.  Please remember, when calling in an absence, to note your child's symptoms, and whether or not s/he had a fever (at/over 100.0) and a cough or sore throat. We need this information to comply with MDH reporting guidelines.
8th Grade Eagle Bluff Chaperones Needed
 
We are still in need of chaperones for the 8th grade Eagle Bluff trip on Oct 28-30th.  If you are interested in attending, please e-mail Ms. May-Olson at dmayolson@fscsmn.org
No School October 15th & 16th

There will be no school on October 15th and 16th due to MEA.  Classes will resume on Monday, October 19th.

Faithful Shepherd Window Decals

Show your school pride by displaying a Faithful Shepherd Window Decal in your vehicle.  We are pleased to announce that FS Window Decals are available for $2.50 each.  The decal is 3" x 11½ and clings to the window for easy positioning.  Order forms are available on our website.

Attention Kindergarten Parents

Kindergarten parents are responsible for supervising lunch and recess during October.  Please log onto Faithful Shepherd's website under the "To Do's" to select a date that works for you.  Thank you!

2009 Holiday Classic Boutique

It's time to think about a 6-year FSCS tradition. The Holiday Classic Boutique is just around the corner and volunteers are needed to help plan and coordinate. This event will need 5 core planners and several more to assist the day before and during the event. This year's Holiday Classic Boutique is November 21, 2009. Please sign up on the FSCS website under the Home and School Association tab. Or you may email Jeanette Wells at always.smile0107@gmail.com. I look forward to working with a great team to make this event memorable and successful!

 Thank you!
 
Jeanette Wells, 2009 Holiday Classic Boutique Chair
FSCS Basketball Registration

Starts Wednesday, October 7
6th-8th Grade Boys & Girls
Go to the FSCS Activities Homepage for more information
Congratulations Cross Country Runners!

Congratulations to all our Cross Country runners last Saturday!
 
Our 5/6 Grade Girls are City Champs!
Our 7/8 Boys are 'Unofficial' 2nd Place Finishers!
Individual Recognition:
Alyssa H.  (5/6 Girls 4th place)
Mark B. (5/6 Boys 8th place)
Will C. (7/8 Boys 5th place)
Charlie P. (7/8 Boys 6th place)
Sam J. (7/8 Boys 7th place) 
 
FSCS should be proud of how well we were represented by all our runners!
Mad Science is Back!!!

Register your 1st-6th Grader NOW for our Fall Course!

1-2 Grade
6 Session class - $65
Meets in the Art Room every Tuesday starting on Oct. 13th

3-6 Grade
8 Session class - $80 

Meets in the Science Lab every Tuesday starting on Oct. 13th
*Go the Activities Homepage to register*
**Space is limited to 20 per class!**
***Questions? Contact Mr. Redman***

The FSCS Newsletter is distributed each Wednesday during the school year. Article submissions are due by 8am the Monday prior to publication. For questions or information, please contact Kelly Larson at klarson@fscsmn.org.