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HC Families,
We have entered Amazing August -- a time to grab the last joys of summer and look forward to the new school year! We have been busy this summer preparing for the return of our students and we cannot wait to welcome them back on August 19th. We hope to see you all at our Back to School Night on August 15th (you should have received information via USPS). We are ready to fulfill our vision of creating "a family environment celebrating scholarship, service and Christian values." Get ready, get set ... it will be go time very soon!
Blessings to you,
Patti Culbreth, Principal
Pre-K and K "Play Date" - Thursday, August 8th
Calling all pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students! Join us for a fun and interactive morning with your teachers as we help you acclimate to your new classroom. Invitations have been sent by email. Please RSVP to Amy Lawson by August 7th if you plan to join us.
VIRTUS training
For those parents who were not able to attend Sunday's VIRTUS training here at school, there is one more scheduled before school starts. It will be held at Holy Cross Church on Saturday, August 17 at 1 pm. Register for the class by going to www.virtus.org
School Supply and Summer Reading Lists
All school supply and summer reading lists are on our website under the "Academics" tab.
Click on the link below to view and download our 2013-2014 Holy Cross Calendar:
Our Accelerated Reader list has been updated to include all new titles. Click here to view/download/print the list:
 CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
Holy Cross School needs you! We have immediate need for volunteers to serve as cashiers in the lunch room and as meal servers in the lunch line. We also need an individual to coordinate these efforts as the team leader. This opportunity is great fun -- giving you a chance to see all our students and making connections! If you are interested in helping us serve meals or serve as a cashier, please email Patti Culbreth at culbreth_p@hcrs-va.org. Become a Leader for the PTO!
We are now accepting candidates to serve as PTO President (or Co-Presidents). After several years of strong leadership and hard work, Jan and Jay Mata are passing the torch to a new volunteer. The Matas have compiled a detailed binder to work from and they are available to help get you started in this role.
To submit your nomination, please email Patti Culbreth by August 16th.
 Used UniformsAs of August 1st, all used uniform pieces will be $3 per garment. We will have a used uniform table in the Gael Galleria during Back-to-School Night on August 15th.
We will also continue to have a supply on-hand behind the desk in the front office throughout the school year.
A big Gael Thank You to Daphne Taylor for her years of leading the used uniform efforts. This is no small undertaking! Daphne has done a great job and we all thank her for her years of service.
We wish to extend a big Gael welcome to Allyson Pollard, who is now serving as our used uniform coordinator. If you're interested in assisting Allyson with uniform sales, please contact her at allypollard@gmail.com
Donate Your Used Uniforms!
Don't throw away those uniforms your child has outgrown - donate them to used uniforms! We will gladly accept any gently used pieces and we're especially looking for Holy Cross sweaters and sweatshirts. Please bring in anything you wish to donate to the front desk. Thanks so much for your support!  Our Belize Connection - Community Service Reaching Beyond Our Border Thanks to Allyson Pollard and her father for coordinating with St. John's Episcopal Church to supply some of our gently used uniform pieces to a school in Belize called Holy Cross! St. John's traveled to Belize recently on a mission trip and they were very thankful to accept our donation to share with the children of Holy Cross School.  Great Job AP Calculus!!!! The AP AB and BC classes of 2012-2013 both had median scores of 4.5 out of 5 on the 2013 exam! Congratulations and good luck!
PLAYGROUND NEEDS
As you are looking around your garage, yard, and basement as summer ends, please consider donating the following items for our playground:
playhouses that are in good shape
balls sand toys
We are also looking for a donation of sand for the sandbox. Please email wingfield_j@hcrs-va.org if you would be interested in donating a truckload of sand for the playground. Thank you!
From Mrs. Main in the library:
Summer reading/HELP NEEDED
· Summer is winding down, and that means elementary students should be close to meeting their summer reading goal! Summer reading logs are due on Wednesday August 28!
· PK-2nd grade- Read 21 books. Color in a continent on the map for each 3 books read.
· Grades 3-5- Read 350 pages. Color in a continent for each 50 pages read.
· "Around the world/International day" reading celebration- Friday, Sept. 6th!
· HELP NEEDED- volunteers for that day, and /or food/drink donations! Contact Mrs. Main if you can help. main_h@hcrs-va.org or 847-5436 x110, 237-2420
Library Volunteers needed
We will be looking for volunteers in the elementary library this year to help with book check in, re-shelving, assisting with A.R. quizzes and other miscellaneous duties. If you would like to put in an hour a week, an hour a month, or any amount of time, contact Mrs. Main! We offer free training! Hours are flexible!! main_h@hcrs-va.org The library is a fun place to be!!
Save Canning Jars!
Dear Parents, Grandparents, and Friends,
Could you please save your half-pint and pint canning jars for our annual peach jam and peach butter-making? If you have jar lids and rings, could you please save those, too? All items can be brought to Back-to-School Night, Thursday, August 15. All preserves will benefit the school at our annual Breakfast with Santa Bazaar in December.
Thank you, Mrs. Schemmel
Creative Communication Poetry Winners Spring 2013
Creative Communication is a company who is devoted to the promotion of writing, teaching and appreciation of student writing. The intent of our student writing contests is to motivate creative writers. The top entries are published in an anthology that will record the creative insights of today's student writers. There is no requirement for a student to purchase an anthology, however, if a student wishes to purchase one, it is made available at an affordable price. Top ten winners of the contest receive a free copy of the anthology. In addition, any teacher with five or more students who give permission for publication will receive a free anthology that features their student writers.
8th: Mary Key Emma Sanchez Alex Malkiewicz 9th: Maddy Brewer Lanie David Jennifer Hansen John Maddox Noah Mata Grace Nelson James Schubert Elizabeth Taylor 10th: Colin Baker Gabie Braxton Daniel Casker Jackson Noyes Hannah Todd Brady Updike 11th: Tom Bruzek Lexi Quinn 12th: Brian Loftus Meghann Hansen | 
