May 2009 Newsletter

ST. MARTHA’S SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
MAY 2009

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Martha’s School is committed to provide students with solid Catholic moral
values, high academic standards, and a strong sense of community.

Dear Parents,
The Blessed Virgin Mary occupies a special place in the Church, second only to that of Christ. Singularly blessed, Mary speaks significantly to our lives and needs in Her total love. The Church recognizes Her as the loving Mother and as its model and exemplar in faith and charity. During the month of May, which is dedicated especially to Mary, let us honor Her by reciting the Rosary together as a family. Remember that “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together.” (Fr. Patrick Peyton)

PARISH FIESTA - May 1-3 - Please remember that as stated in the Parent Contract, you are to work at the Parish Fiesta a minimum of 10 hours, 15 maximum. In the April Newsletter, you were informed that the sign-ups would take place Thursday, April 23rd, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 10. I would like to remind you that when you come to work, you must sign in and sign out for your shift in the “Volunteers’ Room” in order to get credit for your Hours. Also, please be reminded that only the person/s that is/are in the sign-up sheets will be allowed to work the Hours. No exceptions! We surely need your full cooperation in order to be more effective giving you credit for the Hours you worked. Please help make this year’s St. Martha’s Fiesta a big success. (We still need more eggshells for the confetti egg booth.)

PTO BOARD POSITIONS OPENINGS - Do you have good ideas that will help improve St. Martha’s School? Are you looking for ways to take a more active role in the education of your child/ren? You are then the person we are looking for. The positions that need to be filled are President, Vice-President, and Hours Coordinator. Please read the enclosed flyer carefully, mark it, and send it back to the school as soon as possible. (The elections will take place at the May PTO Meeting, May 14th.)

PTO MEETING - Thursday, May 14th at 7:00 p.m. - This will be our last meeting. Please try to attend as we will have the Board elections for the offices of President, Vice-President, and Hours Coordinator. If you are interested in running for any of these positions, please come forward and volunteer. We need you! The Cheerleaders and Grades 3, 6, and 7 will perform for you at the meeting.
PARENT AGREEMENT/CONTRACT FOR 2009-2010 - The Parent Agreement/Contract and the student fees are due Friday, May 8th. If you are not planning to send your child/ren to St. Martha’s School next year, please notify the school office so we can give your child’s/children’s place to a new student. Thank you!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS - As we are rapidly approaching the end of the school year, I would like to invite you to take some time to check the deadlines on the following:
SERVICE HOURS – Unworked Hours must be paid, $15.00 an Hour, by Friday, May 8th. (We still need help with lunch/playground supervision and with morning and afternoon traffic.)
SCRIP – Purchase June’s $300.00 or pay flat fee by Friday, June 1st.
EIGHTH GRADE PARENTS – The deadline for everything is Friday, May 8th.
NO CHECKS ACCEPTED – After May 8th, 2009, all payments must be made in cash, money order, or cashier’s check.

May our Blessed Mother bless you and your families.
Sr. Azucena

ST. MARTHA'S SCHOOL NEWSLETTER APRIL 2009

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Martha’s School strives to provide students with solid Catholic moral values, high academic standards, and a strong sense of community.

Dear Parents

“Jesus stood at the tomb of Lazarus, a friend, dead, buried three days, and He demanded, ‘Take the stone away!’ But Martha, sister of the dead, turned in alarm to her friend: ‘No, you can’t do that. He can’t come out. He’s been in there too long. He stinks!’

Many are the names of the dead in us; many are the risings that need to take place. Jesus stands at the tomb and calls them out, ignoring the loud protest of our inner voice that cries: ‘You can’t call that back to life!’ This Easter, let us welcome the inner Lazarus, let the stone unseal the stinking. Let the Risen Voice resurrect our deadness and give it an entrance into light.” (Joyce Rupp)

LENTEN RECONCILIATION SERVICES - Let us get ready for Easter by reconciling ourselves with God and with one another through the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). I would like to invite you to attend, as a family, one of the following Reconciliation Services: St. Martha, Fri., Apr. 3 at 7:30 p.m.; St. John Vianney, Tues., Apr. 7 at 7:30 p.m.; and St. Joseph, La Puente, Wed., Apr. 8 at 7:00 p.m. (Please take advantage of our cluster parishes Penance Services.)

FIESTA NEWS - The Parish Fiesta is fast approaching, May 1st – May 3rd, and eggshells are desperately needed for the Confetti Egg booth. Please start saving your eggshells and send them to the school office with your children. Be reminded that as per the Parent Contract you signed, parents are required to work Fiesta a minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 15 hours. You are required to sign up to work on the booths prior to the Fiesta. Thus, the sign-ups have been scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Room 10. The PTO Board Members will assist you with the sign ups which will be conducted on a first come first serve basis. Let us join efforts to help this year’s Fiesta run smoothly and to make it a big success.

EASTER VACATION - Easter vacation begins on Holy Thursday, April 9th, at 12:00 noon. Day Care will not be provided on Holy Thursday. Classes will resume Wednesday, April 22nd. Please make an effort to participate as a family in the Services of Holy Week.

PARENT CONTRACTS FOR 2009-2010 - Please read the enclosed contracts carefully, sign, and return them to school by Friday, May 8, 2009, with the fees. (The slight increase in tuition is due to the drop in enrollment. Please encourage family and friends to send their children to St. Martha’s School.)

IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Service Hours - Time is going by very fast and be reminded that you will be billed $15.00 for each unworked Hour. We still need help with morning and afternoon traffic, and with lunch /playground supervision from 11:50 to 12:40. (Service Hours must be completed by May 8, 2009.)
Scrip/Flat Fees, Day Care, etc. Are you current?

Best wishes for a very Happy and Grace-filled Easter!
Sr. Azucena

ST. MARTHA’S SCHOOL NEWSLETTER MARCH 2009

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Martha’s School strives to provide students with solid Catholic moral values, high academic standards, and a strong sense of community.

Dear Parents

With Ash Wednesday we begin the season of Lent and our own journey into the desert. We will spend 40 days preparing for the death and resurrection of our Lord. Calling to mind our own sins, we do penance through prayer, fasting, and alms giving. This is the time when the challenge of our faith reaches its apex. The readings of our Lenten liturgies remind us of the evils among us, and our failure to follow God’s word. They also remind us of God’s forgiveness and his unconditional love. This is an essential period of humility for it is only in facing our sins and in accepting God’s forgiveness that we can renew our baptismal promise. As painful as it is to confront our sins, there is no time when we are closer to God than during Lent. Sharing in the Lord’s suffering prepares us for the oasis that awaits in the desert – the redemptive opportunity to choose love and charity over sin. It prepares us to receive the Savior who leads us to Easter life.

SPRING FUNDRAISER – March 3rd – 16th - Even though this school fundraiser is not mandatory, I would like to ask every parent to make an effort to participate. We surely appreciate all the help and support we can get. (Flyers and order forms will be sent home Tuesday, March 3rd.)

P.T.O. MEETING – Thursday, March 12th, at 7:00 p.m. - Please make an effort to attend our March P.T.O. Meeting on Thursday, March 12th. It is important that you know what is going on at school and we also need to get as much input from you as possible. The meeting will start promptly at 7:00 p.m. This will be a very short meeting as we will proceed with the OPEN HOUSE right after the meeting. Please be punctual!

OPEN HOUSE – Thursday, March 12th - You are cordially invited to come and see the great talent your child/ren have. Both, our teachers and our students are working very hard to prepare for this very special event. Show your interest and appreciation to them by coming to the Open House.

KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – Friday, March 20th - This year too we will have a special “night out” for our children. Let us make this night a memorable one for them. (Please read flyer enclosed.)

HEALTH FAIR – Friday, March 27th - The school will be having the Annual Health Fair Friday, March 27th, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Different workshops will be offered and students will be able to sign up for the ones that they are most interested in. (More information will be sent home at a later date.)

END OF THIRD QUARTER - Friday, March 27th - Report Cards will be sent home with the children Monday, March 30th. You can make an appointment with the teacher/s should you wish to discuss your child/ren progress with her. (Please be reminded that all your accounts must be current in order for your child to receive his/her report card.)

My deepest appreciation, parents, for all your contributions with time and treasure to the dinner we served the Homeless Friday, February 13th. My gratitude also to our students for their monetary donations for the food, as well as for the decorations, place mats, and cards they made to welcome our guests, the homeless. A big thank you to our waiters and waitresses, the eighth graders, who did such an outstanding job serving the food to our most special guests. Faculty, Staff, and everyone that helped make this evening a memorable and most special experience for all, thank you and may God bless you.

Love and prayers,
Sr. Azucena

ST. MARTHA'S SCHOOL NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2009

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Martha’s School strives to provide students with solid Catholic moral
values, high academic standards, and a strong sense of community.

“Peter, will you be my valentine?” “Jesus, you know everything. You know I want to be your valentine.”
Which is to say:
Will you let me give you my unconditional love?
Will you accept my peace for your tired and worn self?
Will you receive my mercy and forgiveness?
Will you be generous enough to take my love to others when they need you?
Will you be bread for the hungry, love to my needy, hope to my desolate?
Will you love yourself well and believe in the gifts I’ve given to you?
“Will you be my valentine? Will you be my friend?”
And so, I respond humbly, gratefully: “You know everything. You know I want to be your valentine.”
(Joyce Rupp)

TUITION ASSISTANCE GRANT
I am pleased to inform you that once again this year the Catholic Education Foundation is offering tuition assistance to students who attend St. Martha’s School. Enclosed please find the Family Income Guidelines for Tuition Assistance and the Tuition Assistance Application Form, which must be filled out and returned to school no later than Monday, February 17th. Please send the Completed 2008 Income Tax Returns (1040’s) or the W-2 Form (2008) plus Completed Income Tax Returns (2007) along with the application form, as your information must be verified. Applications will not be processed after Monday, February 17th, since we have to meet the Foundation’s deadlines. Please act immediately if you qualify and are interested.


REGISTRATION FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 2009-2010
Thursday, January 29th, is the last day to re-register your child/ren for next September. As of February 1st, we will start accepting applications for new students. If we do not hear from you by January 31st, we will assume that your child’s/ren’s place can be given to a new student. (Please let family, friends, and neighbors know that we are now taking applications.)


FEED THE HUNGRY and SHELTER THE HOMELESS
Jesus continues to challenge us to carry out the Works of Mercy today. For those of you who do not know, I am happy to inform you that some Catholic and Protestant Churches in the area work with the East San Gabriel Valley Coalition for the Homeless during these winter months to provide food and sleeping space for the homeless. We will be able to make a powerful witness to the Gospel here at St. Martha’s by feeding and giving shelter to the Homeless, February 2nd–15th, from 6:00 p.m. –7:00 a.m. Each Parish Ministry has been invited to take one night to cook and serve dinner to the homeless, and to prepare a sack breakfast and lunch that they will take with them the next morning. The School offered to take Friday, February 13th. This will be our School Family Christian service night, and thus, we would like everyone to take an active role in such a noble cause. The children will be invited to participate by donating one dollar for the food, making place mats, decorating the hall, providing entertaining, serving dinner, etc. Parents will also be asked to help by donating different items and/or helping with the set up, cook, serve dinner, clean up, etc. This can be applied towards your Service Hours. More information will be sent home. (The Coalition is funded by the County and provides cots, blankets, insurance, buses and paid staff that is present at all times.)

My deepest appreciation to each and everyone of you for all your hard work and continuous support of our school functions. Please join us for Family Night at Shakey’s tomorrow, January 29th.



Love and prayers
Sr. Azucena

SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

St. Martha's School is committed to the development of the whole person. The faculty and staff strive to achieve this by cultivating truth, identity, respect, service, and the love of God and others. Students are nourished by a strong sacramental and liturgical life in the faith-filled environment where Jesus is the center and model for Christian living.

St. Martha's School acknowledges and respects that parents are the primary educators of their children. The school acts as an extension of the home and enhances the values and behaviors that are first initiated in the home. We form a unique partnership with the parents. With them, we share an important goal: to provide for our students an education devoted to academic excellence and committed to Catholic values and ideals.

We believe that the specific function of the school is to educate the students to accept/realize that each person is created by God with special gifts and talents - regardless of race, creed, or ethnicity - is capable of choosing right or wrong, and is destined for a final goal, eternal happiness.

To meet the immense task of educating the whole person, we view education not only in terms of developing proficiency in academics and skills, but also in terms of enabling our students to become mature, responsible members of society in a constantly changing world.

SCHOOL-WIDE LEARNING EXPECTATIONS (SLE's)

A student at St. Martha's School is a holistic person.

A. SPIRITUAL - A Committed and Faithful Catholic Who:

1. Has a basic knowledge of the beliefs, practices, and teachings of the Catholic Church.
2. Values a personal relationship with Jesus and applies Gospel values to everyday life.
3. Models good behavior and has the ability to make moral choices.
4. Has respect for God's creation and for life in all its forms.
5. Actively worships with the faith community.

B. ACADEMIC - An Enthusiastic Life-Long Learner Who:

1. Has a solid foundation in the basic skills of all academic disciplines.
2. Applies critical thinking and problem solving skills to everyday life.
3. Has developed organizational skills and responsibly carries tasks to completion.
4. Is computer literate and uses technology for learning, research, and enjoyment.

C. SOCIAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL - An Integrated Individual Who:

1. Demonstrates self-control and takes responsibility for his/her actions.
2. Respects authority and obeys laws and rules with a conscience-based sense of right and wrong.
3. Is able to work cooperatively with others demonstrating tolerance and respect.
4. Is aware of global issues and responds according to his/her possibilities.
5. Knows and applies strategies for peaceful conflict resolutions.
6. Has a sense of self-worth and adjusts well to new situations, experiences, and people.
7. Has an appreciation for the fine arts.

FACULTY and STAFF

School Year 2008-2009

Principal: Sr. Azucena del Rio, R.A.D.
Vice Principal: Sr. Josephine Gorgojo, R.A.D.

Grade 1: Mrs. Cynthia Deguchi
Grade 1 Aide: Ms. Ofelia Rodriguez
Grade 2: Ms. Vanessa Prudencio
Grade 2 Aide: Sr. Caridad Reguera, R.A.D.
Grade 3: Sr. Catalina Pelaez, R. A.D.
Grade 4: Ms. Aneli Quintanilla
Grade 5: Mrs. Maria Iniguez
Grade 6: Ms. Merlyn Baptista
Grade 7: Sr. Josephine Gorgojo, R.A.D.
Grade 8: Mrs. Monica Leon

Computers: Mrs. Angie Herrera

Physical Ed. & Athletic Director: Mr. Jess Burnett

Librarian: Mrs. Yolanda Mondragon

Traffic: Mr. Fidel Lemus

Day Care Director: Ms. Ofelia Rodriguez
Day Care Assistant: Mrs. Carmen Umana

Secretary: Mrs. Debbie Vasquez
Office Assistant: Mrs. Candy Chavez