May 2010

Friday, May 28 ~ Noon Dismissal – Faculty Meeting

Students to bring a flower to Mass, Tuesday, May 25, for St. Rita.

St. Rita Feast followed by all school dedication of the “meadow” and statue.

Borders is launching a “Double Dog Dare” Summer Reading Challenge !

All students 12 years and under have to do is read any 10 books, fill out a Borders form listing those books,and they can choose a free book from 10 choices. Some of the free books they can choose from are Ramona the Brave, Hoot, The Ruins of Gorlan, Miss Daisy is Crazy, Johnny Tremain, The Witch of Blackbird Pond and others. You may come and see Mrs. Alvarado in the library for a form or go directly to the Borders website and download a form there. The best part? You can complete the challenge AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT ! It ends on August 30^th. This is a fun way to encourage your kids to read over the summer and in addition they can receive a new book! Happy Reading! Mrs. Alvarado

Virtus

Parents~ The Spring Virtus training, part 6, was taught to your children on Wednesday of this past week and all went smoothly. Our school superintendent, Dr. Kevin Baxter, has also requested that all parents be aware of the Virtus trainings and steps to continuously keep your children safe in our ever-evolving society. Please look for a Virtus flyer in this week's family envelope, as there are basic rules and cyber-safe tips for children of all ages to know. The Virtus trainings, part 7 and 8 (fall and spring) will resume next school year and we look forward to educating your children on how to stay safe!

Blessings, Mrs. Griffin and Ms. Cambonga

Memorial Day Bake Sale

In honor of our military personnel and veterans, the 3^rd grade will be hosting a Memorial Day bake sale on WEDNESDAY, MAY 26. Please show your support for our country’s veterans by supporting this special, patriotic bake sale. Goodies will be sold on the East & West campuses at the morning and lunch recesses. The treats will be sold for $1.00, yet all monetary donations are greatly appreciated! All proceeds will go to the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center/Hospital in Loma Linda, CA.

“Remember, Reflect, Honor… All Gave Some…Some Gave All”

Graduation Day Schedule

School Day - Noon Dismissal (grade 7 and 8 will not be in class)

8:30 a.m. Awards Breakfast

10:30 Mass with all school attending

Noon Dismissal

6:30 p.m. Evening Awards and Diplomas

Great Speech and Debate Tournament.

Original Oratory: Erin McFaul -- First Place

Humorous Interp: Fiona Eustace: 3rd place

Reece Aguilar: 1st place

Duo Interp: Michael Amerio and Brendan Love: 3rd place

Ryan Patrick and Conor Williams: 2nd place

Joaquin Barlow and Reece Aguilar: 1st place

Public Forum Debate: Michael Cevallos and Christopher Perez: 2nd Place

Storytelling: Joaquin Barlow: 3rd Place

Alex Zuniga: 2nd Place

Kidz Klub wants to thank everyone one who bought donuts at their sale on Friday.

It was a success! They raised a total of $131.50!!!! That is A LOT of donuts! Thanks also to the parents who donated the donuts the sale.

Thanks again!

Summer School

If you are planning to register for summer school please send in your registration forms this week or email Ms. Cambonga to reserve space.

** Low enrollment may result in the cancellation of the summer program this year. cambonga@st-ritaschool.org

2010-2011 school year

• School begins on Tuesday, September 7 – full day in uniforms
• The school days will be from 7:55 a.m.-3:00 p.m. M, T, W and F.
• Every Thursday, school will dismiss at 1:45 for faculty meetings but we are providing many after school activities during that time period – drama, speech and debate, choir, band, student council, academic decathlon and L.E.A.P.S.
• School Mass will continue on Tuesdays. Please arrive at 7:45 in dress uniforms.

What is WASC?

All private and public schools undergo an accreditation by Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Catholic Schools undergo an additional evaluation by WCEA, Western Catholic Educational Association. Since 1979 St. Rita School has earned the “six year term of accreditation”, the highest achievement awarded. Visit our web site to read the entire article. www.st-ritaschool.org

PLEASE NOTE: THURSDAY, MAY 27^TH

PTO GENERAL MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 6:00 P.M. We will start early as we have a lot of important information regarding the upcoming school year. At least one parent is required to attend. Budget~State of the School~ CHOICE LUNCH PROGRAM~ ENO the interactive whiteboard system~Babysitting provided – reserve by calling the school office

7^th and 8^th Grade Social at Assumption -this Friday 6-9 p.m. Permission slip and I.D. required

REMINDER: NOON DISMISSAL This Friday, MAY 21^st and next Friday, May 28^th

Does your company donate laptops when they upgrade? Are you buying a new one for yourself? We will gladly accept older (not ancient) laptops for classroom use.

Sunday, May 23 FEAST OF ST RITA~ 10 AM School Mass for the Parish

Followed by “Welcome New Families” in O’Malley Hall.

This is our last all school Mass this year. I hear so many compliments regarding our students at these Masses and I hope to see everyone there!

Our beautiful statue of Saint Rita has arrived! This Saturday, May 22^nd after the 8:00 a.m. Mass, Monsignor Richard will bless our new statue and playfield on the east campus. Please join us for this very momentous event on the FEAST of ST. RITA. Monsignor Richard is hoping to see lots of the students for this special event.

*God’s blessings to the Names Family Trust, donors of the funds for our new play field."

Thank you Mr. Gil Lazo (and his dog) who drove to Guadalajara to order our statue and then returned again this month to bring her home.

Our new Librarian, JeriAnn Alvarado has done a fantastic job this year cleaning, organizing and updating our libraries! By September, all books will be on a computer bar code system and color-coded grade levels will be on the spine. She is also moving the west campus books to the east campus so that we may use the west campus library as an alternate computer lab. Thank you, JeriAnn, you really know how to take on a project and get it done! If you want to help JeriAnn move books, call the school office.

I am grateful for the professional group of men and women I work with daily beginning with the teachers to those who are moderators for the “extras” - sports teams, academic decathlon, drama, speech and debate, music, band, yearbook, student council, art, L.E.A.P.S. etc.

Love and pride of our students drives our team!

"The road to success is not crowded. Because while most are looking for ways to take, the truly successful people are finding ways to give.”

Thank you Altar Servers for another year of Christian service for our parish. Knott’s Trip June 1st

Our Catholic Identity

Honoring Mary in the Month of May

The Church recognizes the unique role that Mary had in the life of Jesus and that she now has in the Church. She carries the titles Mother of God and Mother of the Church, among others. The month of May is specially dedicated to the devotion of Mary.

Mary's Holiness

All of the popes of the 20th century proclaimed something wonderful about Mary. Pope Paul VI declared her the Mother of the Church. Just as mothers give birth, nourish, and educate their children, so does Mary guide our spiritual birth and development. She unceasingly prays to Jesus on our behalf and provides us with an example of how to live a holy life.

Mary's holiness was the result not only of a special gift from God but also of her continuous and generous cooperation with the action of the Holy Spirit. We contemplate Mary admiringly, Pope Paul VI said, because she was “firm in her faith, ready in her obedience, simple in humility, exulting in praising the Lord, ardent in charity, strong and constant in the fulfillment of her mission.” (“Signum Magnum: Letter on the Blessed Virgin Mary,” May 13, 1967)

Congratulations 2^nd Grade First Communicants

May Crowning, Thursday, May 13th 8:15 am

Please join us for this beautiful celebration.

8th grade graduation pictures will be taken that day also

Boys in suits, Girls in Dresses appropriate for the occasion.

2nd graders please wear your First Communion outfits

All Students Please bring flowers for Mary, Thursday

Spring Pictures will be taken Thursday, May 13th Free dress may be worn by all students having their Spring Pictures taken.

PTO Board Meeting this Wednesday in O’Malley Hall 7:00 p.m.

Thank you, Chiquita Bonita ~Tavo ~ for your generous donation to

Our School Technology Department ~Family dinner nights~ $900.00

Father Daughter Dance this Friday evening May 15^th

St. Anthony Drive last week!

2nd graders won the "special treat" for bringing in the most in canned goods.

Congratulations Ryan Hagen

the Rotary Club Teacher of the Year 2010

Please email photos of the track meet and recent school events to feld@st-ritaschool.org.

We are submitting articles to the local newspapers.

I am deeply grateful for the support I have received this past year from the professionals who sit on our newly formed Consultative Board. In just a year, the board has begun to fill the gap in community outreach and development for our school. Our PTO Board does a fantastic job of fundraising and providing support for the school. The Consultative Board reaches outside of the school and parish to a broader horizon of support opportunities.

Some of the specific responsibilities of the School Consultative Board are to assist the principal in:

*Establishing and annually updating a long-range strategic plan in collaboration with the Faculty, PTO, and Pastor.

*Developing and formulating educational and financial policies that will achieve stated goals and objectives of the strategic plan.

*Communicating St. Rita School Board policies and decisions to the school community.

*Developing and implementing resource development and public relations programs for St. Rita School.

*Evaluating the effectiveness of implementation of strategic planning goals and policies.

Matching Donations

Does your employer offer matching donations? Every time you donate to one of our fundraisers your company will match the amount in donation to our school. A few of the companies that we currently receive match donations from are Edison, Southern California Gas and the Capitol Group. To search for potential donors go to : www.ashanet.org/Dbase/inv-give-matching.html

Fingerprinting will be offered here at St. Rita Parish on May 25^th.

All parent volunteers must undergo fingerprinting as well as Virtus Training.

The reservations fill very quickly call the school office 355-6114

New training content is available at http://www.virtus.org

Reminder: Charges will be added to the May Tuition

for unfulfilled PTO Hours and incomplete scrip purchases

Check out the Sierra Madre Weekly

There is a fantastic photo and article on our school visit to Washington D.C.

Thank you Chris Bertrand and Tom Brady (Consultative Board members)

for getting our name and accomplishments out to the community.

THURSDAY, MAY 6TH ~ ST. RITA INTERNATIONAL FOOD DAY 12:10 West Campus

K-Mexico, 1- Germany, 2- Italy, 3- Native Americans, 4- China, 5- U.S., 6- Middle East, 7- Africa, 8- Greece

Dishes still needed for “The Faculty Appreciation Lunch”

This Friday, May 7th Please contact

Candace Ingram at (626) 359-0199 or email mczj@yahoo.com.

or Maureen Usle 355-2159 mvusle@aol.com Thank you!

Saint Rita First Communion Saturday, May 8th 10am Mass

Reminder for all First Communicants wear your outfits to Mass on Sunday~

Monsignor Richard likes to introduce all of you at Mass.