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St.
Mary’s School February Newsletter
By Kathy Ayette
I would like to begin by issuing a formal apology to computers
everywhere. It seems that after I vented my frustration last month, I
had stepped on some cyber-toes. Since then my colleagues and I have
suffered the weirdest assortment of computer glitches. My principal
cautioned me to watch what I write about computers. I have learned my
lesson...no more badmouthing computers. (They can’t read minds yet.
Right?)
Our school joined in the national celebration of Catholic Schools Week,
beginning the weekend of Jan. 28/29 through Feb. 3. The week was opened
with students participating in the Sunday Masses as readers and gift
bearers. This was the second year that the “Cherub Choir” sang at the
10:30 Mass. The cherubs by the way are kindergarteners, first, second,
third, and fourth graders. The entrance processions for the Masses this
weekend were rather elaborate. I didn’t find out until five minutes
before Mass, that most of my cherubs were in the entrance procession. I
found myself directing the first hymn with a choir composed of three
kindergartners and one first grader. I told the others to sing loudly
as they processed in. Luckily for the rest of the Mass, I had the rest
of my choir!
On Monday Fr. White opened the school week with a special prayer, and
Mayor Willman came to proclaim Catholic Schools Week in Greenville. The
special activities for the day were bubble wrap stomping, (You really
haven’t lived until you have experienced a whole school of children
stomping on bubbling wrap.), favorite color day and the family lunch.
Families whose surnames began with K through Z joined the students for
lunch. Tuesday was hat day. On Wednesday at 10:00 church bells rang out
across the archdiocese proclaiming Catholic Schools Week. Our students
joined in with the church bells by ringing hand bells and playing other
rhythm instruments. It was also “Get Up and Dance Day”, Pajama Day, and
the family lunch for the A through L families. On Thursday the
kindergarten through fourth grades went to Victoria Theater and saw a
performance of Rainbow Fish. In the afternoon the students participated
in a schoolwide academic scavenger hunt. The week was closed with Mass
in the morning. It was Special Person Day and the students were joined
by the special people whom they had invited. After Mass the students
and their guests enjoyed doughnuts and beverages. Later in the morning
the students joined their buddies for Buddy Bingo. After lunch the
students ended the week by watching Finding Dory.
The preschool through fourth graders celebrated Valentine’s Day with
class parties. I know my class enjoyed themselves and I sent home
seventeen very sugared up children at day’s end. I think I also won the
contest, at least in my classroom, for best valentine. My valentines
were just printed out on the computer and contained a simple
message...”No homework tonight!”
The third through eighth graders participated in the first Religion Bee
at St. Mary’s. The winning students were first place, Jacob Dirckson,
second place, Luke F. Rammel and third place, Wyatt Rammel.
February 28 is Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, which is the day before Ash
Wednesday. In medieval France it was the custom to use up all the
butter and fat the day before Lent, hence the name Fat Tuesday. At St.
Mary’s we celebrate Fat Tuesday. The children are treated to King Cake,
which is basically an iced yeast cake with a lot of purple, green, and
yellow sugar on top. All of the children have Mardi Gras beads to wear
during the day and some of the classes also make Mardi Gras masks. My
class makes masks for Mardi Gras. The main components of which are
glitter, feathers, and glitter, and just to be on the safe side more
glitter. After all the fun, we end the day by “burying the Alleluia”,
which is an ancient Christian custom. Each class has an Alleluia banner
made by the students. We sing as we process through the school,
carrying the banners. We proceed to the church basement. The banners
are “buried” in the basement as a symbol of our setting aside our
joyfulness to concentrate on the serious business of repentance in
Lent. However, before the banners are buried, the children make as much
noise as possible for one whole (agonizing) minute. Then the banners
are placed in the box and all depart in silence. You would be amazed at
how well the children keep silent. The Reverse Raffle is that evening
at 7:00. The grand prize is $3000 with an additional six winning
tickets worth $250 each. If you are someone whose tickets is never
drawn first, then this is the raffle for you. The last ticket drawn
wins the grand prize. Tickets are $25 each.
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