9/30/15


Dear St. Katharine of Siena Families,
               Can we really believe that September has come and gone? And so has Pope Francis! On this past  Monday, I visited an 8th grade classroom and asked for one word to describe Pope Francis and this past weekend. I got responses such as "caring,  compassionate , kind, energized, revolutionary" to name a few.  No doubt Pope Francis has left an impact on many people, Catholics and non - Catholic, as well. My signature moment was watching him stop the car at the airport when he first arrived. Then he walked over to the teenage boy in the wheelchair to bless him and hug him. His mom just started bawling....and so did I. You knew then it was going to be a special weekend with Pope Francis.  I hope his mark will be indelible upon our parish, our city and our nation.

               As we get back into a routine again for school I have to remind one final time that in order to volunteer here at school you must have your three clearances. We are going to start "carding at the door" for clearances at the front entrance and if you are here to help us (which we absolutely want) you must have the state mandated clearances. Repeat: No Clearances  =  You Cannot Volunteer. Like it or not , we have to take a hard stand here. You don't have to like getting the clearances,  you just have to get them. It's state law.  In addition, you need to attend the Safe Environment Seminar by the archdiocese.  The next one is  here October 6 at 7 pm in our parish center - it's very convenient.

Here's what you need (for the 6th time this year):
           - Criminal Check Clearance  (done on line in 5 minutes)
           - Child Abuse Clearance       ( ditto)
           - FBI  Fingerprint Clearance (or the waiver, if  you have lived in this state for 10                                consecutive years without incidence you just need to sign the waiver and submit that).
           - Take the  archdiocesan safe environment seminar.
Thanks for agreeing that our students need to be kept safe here at St. Katharine of Siena School.

There is a Scout meeting tonight  in the cafeteria at 6:30 pm for any boy in grades 1 to 5 who is interested. Scouts is a great niche for boys and if you are looking for something for your son that promotes friendship, creativity, and fun - this is a great experience. If you can't make the meeting there is a contact number on the sheet your son brought home to you yesterday.

This Saturday, October 3rd , hurricane or no hurricane, the SKS Waverunners (made up of  SKS Faculty & Staff)  will be paddling with 160 other teams on the river at the annual Philadelphia Dragon Boat Festival. Each of these 160 teams paddles for a charitable cause. Our cause is for Amy Barnes, a friend of SKS and former caretaker for Logan  Schweiter, who is being treated for breast cancer .  Many of you have generously responded already. Amy has mounting medical bills and could use our help. If you would like to help go to: https://www.gofundme.com/n63utrg4.  and please keep Amy in your prayers.  Also a few prayers for the SKS Waverunners, especially the Drummer (who is a certain principal of a local area parochial school right here on the main line!) as they battle the elements including a possible hurricane.

 Attention parents in grades 7 & 8: Due Friday is your child's and your signature contract that you and they understand fully the parameters of the BYOD agreement. Students are expected to turn in the contract by Friday.  I reviewed this with them, especially the fact that if there is a second violation of the agreement, they lose this privilege for the entire school year. This was a school handbook change sent to you this summer.

October has a huge social calendar of events.  Tomorrow afternoon,  the First SKS Parent/Child  Golf Tournament for SKS TAP tees off tomorrow at 3:30 pm at Glen Hardie CC.  Shout out to Drew Hodgens , Chet Walsh and others who helped make this event happen for a wonderful cause

 Please review the school calendar for upcoming events.  One night in particular,  I would like you to especially reserve will be a very important and informative night is our first Home & School Meeting: On Tuesday, October 20 at 7 pm in the cafeteria , we will be honored to have Dr./ Sr.  Pat Mc Cormack IHM  present to us. Sr.Pat will be the sole presenter that evening. I have heard her speak and ever since I did, I wanted to have her here.  She is dynamic, sincere, and will reach your heart, mind, and soul. Sr Pat speaks internationally and was a featured presenter at the World Meeting of Families. WOW!!!  It's only by a stroke of luck (or perhaps divine intervention) that we were able to get her. This is a presentation you want to see. The following day, in smaller groups, she will present to each of our students as well. I am excited to have her here. I hope at the least one parent from each family will attend.

We are getting back into a routine again Post Francis. Make sure your child's priorities are in order:
                         1. Faith & Family always come first.
                         2. Academics - this needs to be their next priority.  Not sports, TV , computer                                       games, dances, other activities, or their social calendar.
                         3.  After the  #1 and #2  you and they can decide what's next.

If we as parents and teachers together communicate this message and have high expectations for them in this regard, the children will follow our lead. If not, there needs to be dialogue and possible consequences. That's good parenting and good teaching, and we need to be a team.


Take care,


Bud