Thursday Notes

8 May 08

1. It was a great night! The Derby was a winner in all categories. There were over 325 people at Piehl Downs on Saturday night, and the food, entertainment, and auction were all wonderful. Thanks to the leadership of co-chairpersons, Banna Duncan and Susan Teeple, with Parents’ Auxiliary President Amy Juba, and all of the committee chairs and helpers. See the Parents’ Auxiliary Notes for all of the details.

2. We now have “ waiting lists” for some grade levels for next year! These classes—Primer (3 day), Pre-kindergarten (3-day), Pre-kindergarten (5-day), 1st grade, and 2nd grade—are at capacity for 2008-2009. The enrollment for next year has surpassed 300! If you know of someone that may be interested in St. Andrew’s, tell them not to wait and have them contact my office at the earliest possible date.

3. The slate of officers for the 2008-2009 Parents’ Auxiliary leadership is attached to today’s Notes. Michele Agostini has been nominated to become the new president. Please cast your vote and return the ballot to the PA box in the School Office.

4. The student supply list is now ready for the 2008-2009 school year---and you can preorder now. You will find an order sheet accompanying today’s notes. The good news is that you will find that the cost has been drastically cut---up to $40 per grade level for next year. Place your order now. All orders must be submitted by Friday, May 23rd. Supplies will be available on the Meet the Teacher Day (August 23). Such a deal!

5. BOOK FAIR IS NEXT WEEK. The annual book fair will open on Monday and will be open all week long (8:00-3:30). A variety of books will be available to include summer reading books for 3rd through 8th grade, books for Sunday Wood School in Belize, and books just for personal enjoyment. It is a great time to stock up for summer reading.

6. BOOKS for SUNDAY WOOD SCHOOL in Belize. St. Andrew’s is assisting this school in southern Belize to begin its first library. Pictures of the school are on our webpage and posted in the School’s hallway. The Sunday Wood School’s library now consists of only two bookshelves of torn and outdated books.

   Sort through your child’s bookshelves and select gently worn books that can be given to this School. Containers are located in the hallways of the School.

7. The eighth grade students will have finals beginning next week. Please check the webpage for exact dates and subjects.

8. Second graders will have just one day to be an acolyte in chapel over these next few weeks. Check the names and dates carefully so your child will not miss his/her service time.

9. Heifer Day

   Could you or your family live on two dollars a day?

   Your answer is probably NO! However, nearly half of our world’s population—nearly 3 billion people—live exactly with those conditions

   Join us on Friday, May 16th, as we learn about world hunger and some possible solutions by being a part of Heifer Day. Our 7th and 8th grade students will pass on knowledge they experienced as part of their Heifer Camp experience in April. Lower school students will learn about animals and foods that Heifer International uses to help solve the hunger crisis in our world. There will be a petting zoo, cheese making, games and art activities that are all designed with education in mind.

   Come and join us from 8:30 until about noon AND help us take an opportunity to help other children by donating $2.00 to our Heifer Hog Project. These proceeds will be sent out directly to Heifer International

10. Is your family ready for 2008-2009? St. Andrew’s will be going totally electronic for the new year. A St. Andrew’s family will be able to easily access a classroom’s bulletin board to find all the latest information, a teacher’s homework page, your child’s classroom grades and attendance, and even student progress notes. Beginning in August, all THURSDAY NOTES will be electronic---and even the Parent-Student Handbook. Update your home technology now before the beginning of next year!

11. Calendar check:
    Book Fair (Monday-Friday)
    Heifer Day (Friday, May 16th) Wear St. Andrew’s T-shirt and jeans or shorts.
    5th grade Hoop-de-doo (Friday night)

12. It is important that all St. Andrew’s families be aware and diligent about the detection and treatment for head lice. We did another check this week and--- even though families had followed treatment guidelines---found some student still had evidence of head lice. We will be doing another broad check next week for students on all grade levels.

    Head lice are an uncomfortable and often embarrassing situation for a child and family. It is a very common problem. Direct communication between the School and the home is essential. I have been informed that some families have recently experienced this problem, but have kept it very confidential. It is imperative that my office be informed of any outbreak of this nature so that other children are not unknowingly affected and so that the School may take appropriate action. It is also very important that the children and the home be treated appropriately. The lack of communication has caused this problem to persist and broaden.

    A home should be treated with care to include medicated shampoo or lotion treatment; washing all bed linens in hot water; clean all clothing; all cloth toys should be dry cleaned or placed in airtight bags for two weeks; clean all carpet and furniture; and clean all hair-care items.

    Follow- up treatment is essential. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) suggests:

    After treatment, check hair and comb with a nit comb every 2-3 days to remove nits and lice. Continue to check for 2-3 weeks until you are sure all lice and nits are gone.

    If using OTC pediculicides, retreat in 7-10 days. If using the prescription drug malathion, retreat in 7-10 days ONLY if crawling bugs are found.

    For more information, please contact my office or check out the www.cdc.gov. Another great website suggested by a physician is www.nuvoforheadlice.com/method and begin reading on page 4 (methods).

13. St. Andrew’s will celebrate Karen Robards and Marcella Herrington and their dedicated service to the children of St. Andrew’s on Wednesday, May 21st, from 4:00-5:30. Please join us as we recognize these two outstanding educators.

14. LOST AND FOUND . The School has an assortment of coats, bags, sweatshirts, etc. You can claim your child’s misplaced items now. The items are located in the hallway behind the cafeteria.

15. PARENTS' AUXILIARY---by President Amy Juba

    Wow!! What an amazing Spring Benefit Gala and Auction we had this year. Well over 300 attendees enjoyed Evening at the Derby Saturday Night. Everyone looked fantastic in their derby hats! Preliminary financial figures indicate we will net over $100,000 on the Spring Benefit and Auction! Way to go Banna Duncan, Susan Teeple and all of your committee members. And, a very special thanks goes to Lisa Kellner for all of her help and always giving 150% to the Parents’ Auxiliary and to the School! The number of parent volunteers are too numerous to list because this truly was an effort of many, many hands and one heart for our awesome School. Please give the following a HUGE THANK YOU for their work: Auction Chair, Michelle Bryson; Food and Decorations Chairs, Shelly McGee, Julie Puckett, and Dyann Folkner; Entertainment Chair, Karen Price; Invitations Chairs, Shelton Triplett and Stephanie Bybee; Online Auction Coordinator, Sharon Bradley; Physical Arrangements Chair, Liz Hughes; Teacher/Classroom Auction Chairs, Stacey Harwell and Chancy West; Raffle Chair, Caroline Smith; Underwriting Chairs, Michele Agostini and Shannan O’Brien; Treasurer, Madeline Coury and Secretary, Jen Valdez.

    Mother’s Day Store is open for business thanks to the efforts of chairpersons Nicole Moore and La Vonne Scharbauer. Thanks to the volunteers who manned the store and helped the kids shop for the special women in their lives. Not only is this a fundraiser for the Parents’ Auxiliary, but it is a fun and valuable learning experience for the children as well as they budget their money and make choices in gift giving.

    The ballot for the slate of 2008-2009 Parents’ Auxiliary officers is in your Thursday Notes packet today. Many, many thanks to the wonderful women who have agreed to lead our organization next year. Please check FOR for all of the following leaders and turn into the School Office by next Thursday, May 15th. The slate is Michele Agostini (President), Stacey Harwell (President-Elect), and Sherri Gilbert (Secretary). Denise Chesnut (Treasurer) and Amy Juba (Past-President) were elected in 2007.

16. Acolytes for May 13-15 are:
    Only Tuesday, May 13: Sophia Agostini, Henry Atkins, Macy Barnhill.
    Only Wednesday, May 14: Will Boyce, Harrison Granger, Tripp Harwell.
    Only Thursday, May 15: Joe Hoot, Elizabeth Hutson, Jordan Kellogg.

17. Lunchroom volunteers for the week of May 12 – May 16 are:
    Monday: Sandy Heck, Sherri Gilbert, Jane Anne Stewart
    Tuesday: Diane Clarke, Barry Gaut
    Wednesday: Matt Bartel, Julie Granger
    Thursday: Christy Rowley, Emily Ziehmer
    Friday: Sandy Heck, Julie Puckett, LaVonne Scharbauer