Heart Beat Weekly Online Newsletter

My family's Christmas traditions always included watching Alastair Sim in "A Christmas Carol" on our old black and white Fleetwood TV on Christmas Eve. We opened our presents before midnight mass and my parents used the time we were watching Scrooge to stock our tree! The final words of Dickens' great story have stuck with me ever since:

It was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, "God Bless Us, Every One".

SCHOOLSPEAK

Thank you for your support and patience with our transition to School Speak. Student logins were sent out this afternoon to parent e-mail addresses. Please have your student log in to School Speak to make sure they have access. The student logins will give them the access they need, without the ability to "e-sign."

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM TOMORROW!

We're looking forward to seeing you tomorrow evening. We hope the program will put you in the right mood and spirit.

6:45 PM- Students should arrive in the church by this time (Pre-Kindergarten will be meeting in the school) and sit in their designated areas. Parents and friends can sit in the middle pews.

7 PM- the program begins.

GIFTS OF THE HEART

Our annual Gifts of the Heart campaign is off and running! This year, we are "Preparing students for a technology-rich world." The brochure for the campaign, in your envelope last week, outlines our goals and how you can help. A PDF OF THE BROCHURE IS ALSO INCLUDED HERE.

Gifts of the Heart Brochure

Thank you very much for your generosity.

STUDENT COUNCIL'S FUN CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISERS

This week, Student Council is raising money in support of Kids with Cancer.

Wednesday: Christmas pajama day. ($1 to participate)

Thursday: Christmas cookies day. (Cookies on sale at recess and lunch)

Friday 12/18: Christmas Sock day ($1 to participate)

IN THE CLASSROOMS...

6^TH- The students will "Walk through the Civilizations" on Thursday in our gym! They will experience the three major civilizations of the Ancient world, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, act out characters from the time periods, and perform skits about the civilization they are in.

7^th- The class traipsed to San Francisco last week to see a stage production of "A Christmas Carol." By all reports, the play was WONDERFUL and the actors really did an amazing job bringing this holiday classic to life. Students and parents are still buzzing about what a wonderful time they had on our big day to the big city. The students admired the festive Union Square holiday decorations and got into the holiday spirit with the brilliant performance inside a beautiful theater.

8^th- Last week, the students participated in a "Mock" hit and run trial. Judge Sharon Chatman of the County Court conducted the trial. The class received the case prior to arriving at the courthouse. Roles (judge, bailiff, court reporter, and prosecution or defense attorney teams, jury members) were assigned and prepared. When the proceedings began, kids heard opening to closing statements that included placing witnesses on the stand and providing a line of questioning. Judge Chatman spent time talking to the kids about how one becomes involved in a law career and shared some of her criminal cases, including how technology, specifically Facebook, MySpace, and email, has affected court cases.

6th - 8th grade- Students spent their lunch recess yesterday (and today) working on a service project making dog biscuits and cat toys for the pet-owner recipients of meals-on-wheels. Drivers delivering meals to these people will also be gifting them a treat for their cat or dog!

Our students and teachers are doing great things!

CODE RED

Today we had a Code Red Drill run by the Sheriff's Office. Code Red is a procedure schools use to lock down a campus in the event of an emergency. The Deputy's assisting us were very impressed with the conduct of the students and the preparation by the teachers. We plan to have another drill, unannounced, in the Spring.

GRANT WRITER

We are looking for a volunteer grant writer to help support our school's goals. If you have experience as a grant writer, especially in the areas of science, math and technology education, and are interested in earning volunteer hours for the school, we like to talk to you. Please email t.pulchny@sacredheartsaratoga.org

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

From all of us at Sacred Heart, we wish you all a happy Christmas full of peace, joy, and love.

God bless

Tom Pulchny

Christmas Break Reminders
The School Office

On December 18, 2009 Extended Care will not be available and that day will be a 12:30pm dismissal. Christmas Break will run December 21-January 1. The school office will be closed for Christmas break. School will resume on Monday January 4, 2010.

From our families to yours have a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.

Messages from the Bookkeeper
by Diane Grosso

All daycare bills were due December 15, 2009. As a reminder Bi-Annual Tuition will be due January 10, 2010. Look for the invoices in your Tuesday Envelope on January 5, 2010.

Finacial Aid For 2010-11
PSAS Forms

If your family is interested in applying for Diocesan Financial Aid, please stop by the office to pick up an application.

Save the date on your calendar: Saturday, February 20th, 2010, 6:00pm at Villa Ragusa in downtown Campbell. You can participate by (1) pledging sponsorship,(2) place your message in the event program, (3) donating to the Auction, (4) volunteering the night of the event, (5) attending this wonderful event, (6) donating specialty wine bottles, and (7) purchasing tickets for the Donation Drawings .

This week's hooks:

Purchase Donation Drawing tickets for $50 each:

"Splash for Cash"- $5000 Cash Drawing

"Diving for Diamonds":

Sparkling Diamond Pendant - 1.2 carat diamond set in 14k white gold with 14k white gold chain - Retails for $10,000

Opportunity:

"Specialty Wine Pour Table" - What's your favorite bottle of wine (valued at $80 or more)? Donate a bottle to the Specialty Wine Pour Table. Donations can be dropped off at the Parish Office or call Helen at 408-781-2321 for pick up.

Proceeds will benefit Sacred Heart Parish and School. Drawing will be held at the event. Winner need not be present.

Under the Sea

The annual Sacred Heart Fundraiser/Dinner Auction is just around the corner and we are now starting our recruiting for the many areas that need volunteers.

Your help with this event will make for a smooth and enjoyable evening. Please fill out the volunteer signup sheet in the office and place it in the box, or watch for our signup tables starting in January. Contact us if you have any questions. Please click on the form below:

Volunteer Form

Help make a splash for our Under the Sea Fundraiser this year!!!

Your Volunteer Coordinators,

Trudi Dionne-Reid and Shelly Pearce

tdreid@comcast.net or pearcefamily4@gmail.com .

Parent Teen Seminars

Parents... help is on its way!

Today's culture and generation have changed tremendously from just a decade ago. Learn the skills you need to stay connected to your teen and successfully guide him or her into adulthood. Join us for ParenTeen, an interactive, real-life, educational seminar featuring Chap Clark, PhD on January 31 at 3:00 PM. Dr. Clark is one of the pre-eminent researchers and speakers on the topic of raising successful, healthy and happy teens in these challenging times. For you who have young children come and discover what you can do now to get prepared for those wonderful teenager years.

SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS:
-Learn how to listen so your kids will talk and learn how to talk so your kids will listen
-Help your teen overcome negative influences
-Keep your authority intact while building a positive and healthy relationship with your teenager
-Instill the traits and characteristics of a grace-based home
-Effectively guide, discipline and lead your changing teen
-Discover the unique differences of early, mid and late adolescents, and what they need from you at each stage
-Learn how to deal with back-talking, defiance, moodiness and withdrawal
-Identify the barriers to a meaningful relational connection with your teenager
-Learn how we, as parents and a society, have exponentially decreased our practical and proactive support of young people

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This seminar is for parents with children of all ages. It's also an invaluable resource for other adults who love and serve the young including grandparents.

ABOUT CHAP CLARK, Ph.D.
Chap Clark, Ph.D. is Vice Provost and professor of Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. A well-known practitioner, adolescent and family scholar, author, gifted trainer-teacher and energetic speaker, Dr. Clark has served in many diverse settings including church, education, entertainment, business, military and other government. He is a highly acclaimed resource for consulting on adolescence and adolescent development and has authored 17 books. His diverse ministry, leadership background and training, authentic style, and use of humor have won him the ability to speak to all ages, groups, organizations, and backgrounds.

ENROLL TODAY!
Get the answers you need to help your teen become a strong, responsible adult. Child care will be available for ages 3 months thru 5th grade. RSVP to 408-867-3456 by January 21. Call 408-867-3041 or visit www.saratogafederated.org

Christmas Eve Children's Liturgy-4pm Mass

by Ruth Ann Juliano

There will be 2 rehearsals, December 19 at 9:30am to 12pm (costumes will be assigned at this date) and on December 22nd from 10am to 12pm. We would like the children to be able to be at both rehearsals. Contact

Dawn Juliano 408-247-1898 or drjuliano@sbcglobal.net with questions.

Christmas Eve 4pm Mass Family Choir 2009

by Lucia Hong

Come join the Christmas Eve 4pm Family Choir -
All voices Grade 3 and older are welcome.

Rehearsals will be Sunday December 20, 1:30pm to 3pm.

Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact
either Lucia Hong, parish music director at ilucia1330@sbcglobal.net 408- 867-3634 x260
or Karen Juliano at kstitches@yahoo.com or 408-866-8208.

Hot Dog Orders Hot Dog With Arms

The new hot dog order form begins Wednesday Janaury 6, 2010! Please send in your order form and a check made out to Sacred Heart School for the amount of your order. Don't forget to write in your check memo line "Hot Dog Lunch".

New Hot Dog Order Form!

Pizza Order Forms Pizza Image

The new pizza order form begins Friday January 8, 2010! Please send in your order form and a check made out to Sacred Heart School for the amount of your order. Don't forget to write in your check memo line "Pizza Lunch".

New Pizza Lunch Order Form

Ice Cream Orders

Please send in a new ice cream form as many children are out of credits. If you have any questions please contact Kathy Arena at 408-499-6679.

Click on the link below for the Ice Cream Form and send back to the school office with payment.

Ice Cream Order Form

Impromptu Lunch Orders
Orders for January are now open!

The on line ordering for Impromptu's January menu is now open and closes Sunday 01/03/10 at 6 p.m.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns at impromptulg@aol.com or 408-605-1777

Happy holidays to all!!

Thanks!

Impromptu Catering Website

Faith Formation

Christmas

When I was a little boy my mom would say, "We get to go to Christ's Mass that is where we get the word "Christmas." As a boy I would go up to the manger scene and think wow this tiny baby has all these people coming to Mass for him.

This little baby has to be really special. We know the story of the "drummer boy" giving Jesus the gift of playing his drum, the kings giving gold, frankincense and myrrh, and we must ask of ourselves, "What can I give this new born king?" "How can I make room for him in my heart?" "What in my heart needs to be cleared out to make more room for him?" for there was no room at the inn. I hope we have room for him in our hearts. My hope is that we can give this new born Messiah, Christ the King, more of our hearts in this coming year.

Patrick DeLorenzo
Pastoral Associate Faith Formation

Sports News

All the schedules and uniforms are out---HOORAY!!!!

5th girls B-Ball Tournament at Lucy Feb 26-28

Alumni News:

Alexandre Miranda is playing varsity soccer for the Bells.

I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a peace filled New Year.

Many thanks for all you do for me and our sports program!

Have an AWESOME holiday, Sandy.

Saint of the Week: Blessed Anthony Grassi
Friday December 18

Anthony's father died when his son was only 10 years old, but the young lad inherited his father's devotion to Our Lady of Loreto. As a schoolboy he frequented the local church of the Oratorian Fathers, joining the religious order when he was 17. Already a fine student, he soon gained a reputation in his religious community as a "walking dictionary" who quickly grasped Scripture and theology. For some time he was tormented by scruples, but they reportedly left him at the very hour he celebrated his first Mass. From that day, serenity penetrated his very being.

In 1621, at age 29, Anthony was struck by lightning while praying in the church of the Holy House at Loreto. He was carried paralyzed from the church, expecting to die. When he recovered in a few days he realized that he had been cured of acute indigestion. His scorched clothes were donated to the Loreto church as an offering of thanks for his new gift of life. More important, Anthony now felt that his life belonged entirely to God. Each year thereafter he made a pilgrimage to Loreto to express his thanks.

He also began hearing confessions, and came to be regarded as an outstanding confessor. Simple and direct, he listened carefully to penitents, said a few words and gave a penance and absolution, frequently drawing on his gift of reading consciences. In 1635 he was elected superior of the Fermo Oratory. He was so well regarded that he was reelected every three years until his death. He was a quiet person and a gentle superior who did not know how to be severe. At the same time he kept the Oratorian constitutions literally, encouraging the community to do likewise.

He refused social or civic commitments and instead would go out day or night to visit the sick or dying or anyone else needing his services. As he grew older, he had a God-given awareness of the future, a gift which he frequently used to warn or to console.
But age brought its challenges as well. He suffered the humility of having to give up his physical faculties one by one. First was his preaching, necessitated after he lost his teeth. Then he could no longer hear confessions. Finally, after a fall, he was confined to his room. The archbishop himself came each day to give him holy Communion. One of Anthony's final acts was to reconcile two fiercely quarreling brothers.

Heart Beat Weekly Deadline for Submissions

The procedure for placing articles, information, flyers or announcements in our weekly Tuesday bulletin is as follows: All "blurbs" and fliers are due by email to the school office by Friday of each week at 12pm.

Please send your emails to c.parra@sacredheartsaratoga.org

Any items received on a Monday will be placed in the next week's bulletin. Please be prompt with sending in your bulletin items.

Non-Discrimination Information

Sacred Heart School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and/or ethnic origin, age, sex or disability in administration of educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.