Heartbeat Weekly Online Newsletter
February 23, 2010
In This Issue
School Advisory Council Nominations
Teacher Appreciation Day
Sports News
Movement Lab
Impromptu Lunch Orders
Faith Formation
Lenten News
Saint of the Week
Heart Beat Weekly Deadline for Submissions
Non-Discrimination Information
Scrip Order Forms
Lunch Order Forms
Mark Your Calendars!
Early Dismissal
February 24:     2pm
March 3:           2pm
March 10:         2pm
March 17:         12:30pm
March 24:          2pm
March 31:          2pm
April 1:              12:30pm

Thursday Mass
Wear Full Uniform
February     25
March         4
March         11
March         18
March         25

WASC Visit
February 24-26
 
3rd Grade to Filoli Gardens
Friday March 5
 
Report Cards Go Home
Friday March 12

Science Fair
Tuesday March 23
5:30pm-7:30pm
Geary Hall
 
Chorale Festival
Thursday March 25

Track Try Outs @ West Valley College
March 26 @ 3:30pm
 
8th Grade Stations of the Cross
Friday March 26
 
Palm Sunday
Sunday March 28
 
Holy Thursday
April 1
12:30pm Minimum Day!

Good Friday - No School
April 2
 
Easter Break
April 2-9

3rd Grade to Campbell Museum
Friday April 23

Progress Reports Go Home
Friday April 23

Track Meet @ St. Francis
April 25

6th Grade Science Camp
April 26-April 30
 
School & Sports Calendar 
 
Principal's Corner Tom 2
 
Dear Sacred Heart Families,
 
In "The Imitation of Christ," Thomas à Kempis (a 15th century monk) suggests a short daily morning prayer that I think is a great one for Lent: 'Lord, grant me to make an unflawed beginning today, for I have done nothing yet.' Although it's a given that we will fail at something each day, we nevertheless should not give up but continually strive to renew ourselves each morning.  
 
AUCTION DINNER
Hats off to Mrs. Helen Owen and all the volunteer parents who ensured the great success of last Saturday's Auction Dinner. All that planning and work was clearly evident and much appreciated by everyone. All of us on staff who attended had a really great time chatting with many of you, comparing notes on the best items on which to bid, and dancing. Somehow, my wife and I were even able to "win" a few nice packages! Thanks again for your support of Sacred Heart.
 
RE-REGISTRATION TIME IS NOW!
We are now in our re-registration process for the next school year. We do expect that some of our classes may fill up, and so we do need to know how many spots we have available to incoming families. The re-registration and deposit is due at the end of this week, February 26th. We are blessed by your children and are grateful for your commitment to our school. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Re-Registration Letter

Re-Registration Form

 
FAMILY REFERRAL OPPORTUNITY: "HALF-OFF" YOUR REGISTRATION!  
We are offering half-off the registration fee for any current Sacred Heart family who refers a registering family at Sacred Heart School. If you have a friend or family member who would like their child to attend SHS, we are in the process of accepting applications and scheduling testing now.
 
MARKETING AND RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR ON BOARD
One of the major recommendations of SAC, and other people involved in Catholic education in the Diocese, is to strengthen our marketing and recruitment efforts. I'm pleased to announce that Ms. Nicole Lechler has recently been hired to take on the role of Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator for the school. Ms. Lechler has experience working both at the Diocese Office of Education, and at Notre Dame High School, on planning, development, and marketing. She understands our education system, and we're very excited to have her on board. We will welcome her on a part-time basis beginning March 1st.
 
YARD DUTY
Please do not forget your Yard Duty responsibility. We've made efforts this year to reduce the yearly responsibility for the convenience of parents. If for some reason you can't make it, please try to find a replacement.
 
WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES (WASC)
Tomorrow we welcome our accreditation visiting committee: Mr. William Langley (Chair), Mrs. Carolyn Bautista, Mrs. Kim Shields, Mrs. Carolyn Doyle, Mrs. Maureen Velasquez, and Mrs. Michelle Nealon. Over the next three days, the team will be using the Library for their work and will be reviewing all of our programs, test scores, and finances. They will be visiting the classrooms, teachers, Fr. Gary, and the SAC. There is a lot of work on their plates and our thanks go to our Hospitality Committee for their enthusiasm in ensuring that the visiting team is made to feel a great Sacred Heart welcome. The accreditation and the process of school improvement are important to student learning and achievement, and to the continued vitality of our programs and school. Our Self Study document is available to any parent to peruse and read. Please inquire at the school office.
 
IN THE CLASSROOMS
 
Last week, Mrs. Ramage and the 5th graders went on a field trip back in time to the revolutionary war days. In attendance were Mr. B. Franklin, Mr. T. Jefferson, Mr. J. Adams, and many others. The learning was tremendous.
 
At the same time, the 7th graders made and baked Pretzels for Lent. Pretzels are traditional Lenten bread. Try making some with your children at home (Mrs. Schelegle has the recipe!)
 
Have a nice week.
 
God bless,
Tom Pulchny 
 
 
 
School Advisory Council Nominations

Advisory Council Discernment Process Begins Today.

It is that time of year again where we begin looking forward to the coming School Year. As we shared with you last year, the School Advisory Council (SAC) serves as a key advisory body to the Principal and Pastor, supporting the parents and families whose children are enrolled in our school. We begin this process with the Nominations Phase, which continues through the remainder of the Lenten season. During this time period, school parents are encouraged to nominate fellow parents (including themselves) to be considered for one of the open seats on the Advisory Council.

Please visit the SAC Governance page to learn more about the discernment process and ways that you can become involved. We hope that everyone will prayerfully consider a calling to serve on this body whose works of Christian Service provide support to the Principal and Pastor. Pick up a nomination slip in the School Office today and drop your suggestions into the nominations box.

SAC Governance Page


Teacher Appreciation Day

MARK YOUR CALENDARS---March 4---for the next Teacher Appreciation Day!!
 
Students bring in a treat for your teacher, aid, and specialty teacher on March 4.
 
We will provide a "take-home dinner for 4" for each of your teachers and staff for appreciation in all that they do for us. We want them to go home after a busy day and relax for the evening with full tummies.
 
Sponsored by the Room Parent Committee 2010


Mean BasketballSports News 
 
I heard about some fantastic efforts in away games last week!  The 7th girls had a game of their life for a win at Lucy and the 8th girls battled for 1 1/2 hrs to finish 2nd by 3 pts, also at Lucy!  A big shout out to the 6th grade girls who experienced the joy of victory against St.Clare. Congrats also to both 5th boys wins at home. A big way to go for the 5th grade girls who had the best game of the season, by beating St. Lucy by one point.
 
This week:
2/23     6G go to Mary 1 at 3:45, 5-2B are at Clare at 4:45
2/24     5-1B play Mary 2 at 3:45, 5-2B play Mary 1 at 4:45, 6B play SFC 1 at 5:45 & 7B
            play Andrew 1 at 6:45--8G go to Andrew at 5:00
            8B begin the Justin Tournament
2/25     8G are at Holy Spirit at 6:45, 7G are at Mary at 4:45 & 6B are at Mary at 3:45
            5G begin the Lucy Tournament.
 
 
LAST WEEK OF B-BALL:
3/2       8G plays Clare at 3:45 & 8B also play Clare at 5:00---7B travel 
            to Holy Spirit 1 at 7:15
3/3       5-2B play SFC 2 at 3:45, 5-1B play SFC 1 at 4:45 & 7B finish  
            up against Canyon at 5:45
3/4       5G go against Clare at 3:45 & 7G take on SFC at 4:45
3/5       6G play Lucy at 3:45 & 6B ends our 2010 season against Lucy at 
            4:45
 
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!
 
SPRING SPORTS SIGN UPS---begin now and ALL FEES ($60 per child) are due in by March 5th!
 
TRACK TRYOUTS--ONLY ON MARCH 26TH--PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR.  They will be at West Valley track 3:30-5:30 p.m.  I have sent an info paper home this week with your child.   The track meet will be held on Sunday April 25th at St. Francis High.
 
SANDY FOEHR MUSTANG CLASSIC--we cleared $3200---many thanks to all who helped and supported our efforts!
 
ALUMNI NEWS:
Colin Johnson/Lancers, Greg Kenter/Bells and Cail McClenahen/Monarchs  
all made JV baseball teams.  I  was wonderfully surprised the other day when David Hernandez (85 Dalton) came by to show his 4yr old daughter where he went to grammar school---wow, what a blast from the past!
 
Have an awesome week, Sandy.
 

 
 
Movement Lab
by Debbie Salom
 

Parents please review the upcoming movement lab schedule. If there are any concerns or questions please contact me at debbi_salom@yahoo.com.
 
March 2
K         Mancuso (W)
K         Pesce
1          Constantine (S)
1          Beymer
2          Harter
3          Boswell
3          Lambert
 
March 9
K         Inserra
K         Sykes (W)
1          Woodard (S)
1          McDaniel
2          Zagazeta
3          Schmalz
3          Bermudez



Impromptu Lunch Orders  DSJ Logo

Online ordering for the month of March is now open. Just log onto our website www.impromptucatering.com  and click the Sacred Heart Saratoga link. Ordering will close on Saturday February 27 at 6 p.m. sharp. Don't forget to check out our latest feature - "dinner to go" please contact us if we can help in any way at impromptulg@aol.com  or 408-605-1777.  Thank you for your continued support.


Faith Formation Ash Wed
 
During the morning assemblies, I have focused on two aspects of Lent - one to make a sacrifice and secondly to do something which would be a benefit either to oneself and/or others. Why do we make sacrifices?

Why do we abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent? In our culture today, we tend to feel we are entitled to things. We heard how Tiger Woods felt he was entitled to his lifestyle, he felt he earned it. We are told "we deserve a break today," "Just Do It," and so on. To make sacrifices is difficult, it takes self-control and discipline. However, in making sacrifices we turn away from ourselves, and we begin to see a bigger world beyond Santa Clara County. If we think we have it bad, there is always someone who has things even worse.

I cannot help but think about the people of Haiti. People lost their children, their parents, their relatives and friends. They are now estimating about 300,000 people will have died from the earthquake.  Why sacrifice? Because in doing so we become more in solidarity with those who do suffer and who have suffered. Why sacrifice? Because it sets us apart and we are united more closely to the Cross.
 
Next week, I will write about doing positive things to change our lives during Lent.

Patrick DeLorenzo
Faith Formation Director


Vacation Bible Camp
June 14-18

VBC Online Registration is Now Open at www.sacredheartsaratoga.org and please check out our flyer below:

VBC Flyer 

Don't forget to register for VBC as registration ends April 3rd!




Lenten News: Giving Something Up For Lent. Lent is For Life

For most older Catholics, the first thought that Lent brings to mind is giving something up. In my childhood, the standard was to give up candy, a discipline that found suitable reward in the baskets of sugary treats we received on Easter. Some of us even added to the Easter surplus by saving candy all through Lent, stockpiling what we would have eaten had we not promised to give it up.

When I was a little kid it was normal to give up chocolate, soda, or anything that constituted as a "sweet treat". I would always give up Snicker bars in hopes of finding the chocolate treat in my Easter Basket. What I didn't realize is that Lent is more then just giving up chocolate for 40 days and 40 nights.

Lent is about conversion, turning our lives more completely over to Christ and his way of life. That always involves giving up sin in some form. The goal is not just to abstain from sin for the duration of Lent but to root sin out of our lives forever. Conversion means leaving behind an old way of living and acting in order to embrace new life in Christ. For catechumens, Lent is a period intended to bring their initial conversion to completion.


 



Saint of the Week: Mary MacKillopMary MacKillop

Mary MacKillop, the nation's first saint. Australian Catholics were jubilant last night at the Vatican's announcement that Mary MacKillop has become the nation's first saint. A consistory of cardinals and Pope Benedict XVI voted late last night, Melbourne time, to declare the founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart among the company of the saints.

A ''deeply pleased'' Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart said St. Mary was a woman of holiness, a great educator, an advocate for the poor and a visionary of Christianity. ''It will be a great encouragement,'' he said. ''The nuns were loved by the people because they shared their battles and their poverty. She and her sisters have always been very close to the people.''

The formal canonization ceremony will take place in Rome on October 17 to allow the expected thousands of Australian pilgrims and church leaders to plan to attend. There will also be celebratory services in all Australian capital cities and most big Catholic churches, according to Australian Catholic Bishops Conference secretary Brian Lucas.

''It reminds us of the possibilities of heroes and heroines who can make a difference,'' he said. ''We often get cynical, and celebrities attract our attention - we don't often see virtue as attractive. That's what is special about Mary MacKillop.'' St. Mary of the Cross, as she may be known from now on, founded her order in Penola, South Australia, in 1866. On her deathbed in 1909, Mary - earlier excommunicated by another Australian bishop - was hailed as a saint by the Sydney Archbishop, Cardinal Moran.




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.

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