Heartbeat
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S
DESK... This month begins the re-registration process for next school year. We hope that all of you will continue to choose Sacred Heart Academy for your child(ren). I believe that our staff does an exemplary job of providing a top quality Catholic education. Of course, we are not perfect, but I do know that we are always open to suggestions for improvement. We do take your input seriously, and evaluate it as professional educators as to its merits. Oftentimes I find parents searching for that always-elusive "perfect school." Let me tell you: It does not exist! However, there are some benchmarks qualities that you, as a parent should look at when evaluating schools. Most good schools display these qualities*: 1. A safe and orderly environment. Discipline and academic success go hand-in-hand. 2. A clear academic mission. There is a coherent course of study. 3. Attention to character. They teach and model the difference between right and wrong. 4. Fine teachers. The teachers love children and effectively impart knowledge. 5. Strong leadership. The leader puts character and learning first. 6. High expectations. High standards get greater academic achievement from children. 7. Homework. Little homework indicates a school that doesn't take academics seriously. 8. Evaluation and feedback. Students are held accountable for meeting standards. 9. Parent involvement. Good teachers view parents as allies and partners in education. 10. A sense of community. A good school is a welcoming place full of pride and a sense of common purpose. (*The Educated Child by William J. Bennett, pp. 99&endash;100) I truly believe that Sacred Heart Academy measures up as a good school when judged on the above criteria. I hope that Sacred Heart Academy will continue to be your school of choice for your child(ren).
Please remember to adhere to the following guidelines regarding student absences: 1. As stated in the SHA Parent/Student handbook: "For an anticipated absence, (vacation, etc.) a special request from the parents or guardian must be made to the Principal in writing. This request should be made well in advance of the absence permitting the child sufficient time to obtain assignments from all of his or her teachers." 2. Every effort should be made to have dental and doctor appointments after 3:00 p.m. on school days. When there are not alternatives and appointments must be scheduled during school hours, parents must pick up their children at the school office. Also, please notify the office ahead of time so the teacher and office staff know that the child will be leaving. 3. If your child will not be at school, you must notify the school office by 9:00 a.m. The school answering machine is on 24 hours a day, so you may always call before hours and leave a message. 4. When your child arrives after the 8:15 a.m. bell or leaves school early, you MUST come into the office to sign them in or out. |
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THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER Stacy Turner, PTG President Just a reminder that the Big Event is fast approaching, and as such, there is still lots of work to be done. As this is our only FUNdraiser, it is important that everyone pitch in. From class projects to decorating, everyone's help is appreciated. Thanks to all the parents who helped with the Fat Tuesday celebration. We could not do it without the help of wonderful parents, like you! Remember during this Lenten season, and throughout the year, to keep our children, families, and educators in your prayers. |
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THE PTG WANTS YOU! Van Thaxton The PTG and its Nominating Committee, are inviting, no, encouraging, any and all parents who are interested in holding executive board or general board positions to step up to the plate today. Executive board positions include Secretary, Treasurer and Vice-President; general board positions include Hot Lunch Coordinator, Room Parent Coordinator, Big Event Chair, and many others. For a complete list of available board positions, please refer to the front of your SHA Directory. The Nominating Committee's deadline for executive board is Friday, March 8, 2002. Please complete the attached nomination form and turn it in to the office by March 8. For other board positions, please let us know of your interest as soon as possible. As next year's PTG President, I sincerely want to encourage as many parents as possible to get involved next year, especially those who have not held board positions in the past. Please feel free to call me at 222-5604 if you have any questions or would like to discuss a possible board position. I look forward to serving as president next year with an awesome executive and general board.
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 Joan Irvine This month we have two Birthday Book Club members: Allison, Grade 2, I'm A Dog! Raquel, Grade 3, Joey Pigza Loses Control Thank you for these great additions to our library! Remember to check with Ms.Zapata if you need some helpful suggestions for choosing a book to donate. Think about becoming a Birthday Book Club member today!
MORE ON PARKING AND TRAFFIC&emdash;AN EDITORIAL, BORDERING ON NAGGING Van Thaxton Oh how weary I get having to repeat the same thing over and over and oh how bored you must be having to read it. Yet, still there are those who insist on parking where parking is not permitted. Parking in the middle of Saratoga Avenue is never okay even for those who just stop with the motor running as well as those who boldly turn off the key, set the alarm and simply walk away. If you arrive at school and your student is not waiting at the curb, circle the block until he or she appears or find a legal parking space and walk in. Don't make me say it again. On other traffic matters, those who use the alley for drop off and pick up may have noticed orange traffic cones along the chain link fence. These traffic cones are designed to help forge traffic through the alley with minimal disturbance to our neighbors. Please do not move the cones and follow the proper traffic flow in the alley.
DIRECTORY CORRECTIONS o Tom Yourg's telephone number in Kindergarten should be 222-3734. o The school's new e-mail address (as of March 1) is shaob@cox.net. Please make these corrections in your directories.
SPAGHETTI DINNER Linda Small I would like to thank all of you who purchased tickets and supported the Peninsula Lions/Sacred Heart Academy Spaghetti Dinner on February 2nd. It was a fun night and good to see some of the families there. The silent auction went well and overall the night was a successful one. Sacred Heart will receive a total of $3,000 that will go into the tuition assistance program. The Dover Family Trust will match the $1500 given to us from the Peninsula Lions Club. Congratulations to the SHA winners of the spaghetti sauce contest. Janice Teixeira for 2nd place, Marla Moore for 3rd and our own Mrs. Nemer for 4th. A big thank you to Stacy Turner and Janice Teixeira for all their help.
HOT LUNCH Diana Bartlett Thank you to all of the parents who have been so helpful with the hot lunch program in the past month. Everyone seems to be getting the swing of how things work in the shed and the problems are fewer and fewer each passing week. Remember to show up for your shift on time and find a replacement if you cannot make it all together. Also, remember to fill in your forms completely with nice dark bubbles and completed information. Let's all keep working to make our school lunch program as successful as possible.
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CLASS PROFILE&emdash;MR. SAAVEDRA'S FOURTH GRADE CLASS Van Thaxton This month's profile focuses on Mr. Saavedra's 4th grade class. This past Friday the class was asked to answer the following question, "If you could give your parents one piece of advice on how to raise you, what would that be?" Here is their sage advice: "I would tell them... Be fair and listen to the whole story. Give me candy every day. Be loving, kind, wonderful parents that are always there for me. Give me more kisses. Don't tell me to do two things at a time. I'm lonely because my dad and my friends are not there when I get home. Forgive me and teach me a lot of things and love me. Give me candy until I burst. Spend more time with me. Have more patience with me. Tell me to work on my homework more. Make me a Christian person. Raise me the way you want to and just love me as much as you can. Don't stay on the phone for so long so you can check my homework. Love me even more than before. Give me more fun. Keep me up at night until I get what you're trying to teach me and make me study until I'm done. Help me study before helping my brother and sister. Don't spoil me. Make me study for science more. Give me candy. Don't yell. Have my mom stop working. Teach me, care for me and help me do math and don't get mad at me. Just be normal parents. Play with me, but now, you're great! Discipline me harder. Buy my favorite food and keep me home when I am sick and love me a lot. Never spoil me because when I grow up no one would like me. 8TH GRADE PROFILES Van Thaxton This month, features three extraordinary 8th graders; one who is destined for an exciting career in fashion, one who is headed for the NFL and one who has shown himself to be a serious and competitive sailor. Ashley First up is Ashley, an only child, born at Mercy Hospital in San Diego. Ashley has been at Sacred Heart Academy for 8 years. Next year she plans to attend University of San Diego High School or Point Loma High School. Ashley says that when she leaves, she will miss all her friends who do not end up at the same high school and the 7th grade friends she will leave behind. After school, Ashley's dream is to someday have an exciting career in fashion. Move over, Kate Spade. Ashley said she loved the 8th grade retreat last month, especially the time around the bonfire. On the downside though, she suffered a bump on the head by a wooden board that was taller than she. No permanent damage though. And all's well that ends well. Ashley likes hanging out with friends. "Even doing nothing at all, we still have fun," she says. Her favorite subject is computers and her favorite sport is volleyball. She likes Chinese food, Twix candy bars and Dr. Pepper. Her favorite movie is The Fast and Furious and favorite read is To Kill a Mocking Bird. Other "favorites" are Collin Farell (who?) and Vin Diesel (this name keeps coming up---&emdash;must look into&emdash;ed.). The best advice Ashley has ever received is "Don't sweat the small stuff." Someone ought to write a book about that. Good luck, Ashley. I expect to have a handbag with your name on it one day!
Timothy "T.J."
Next we have another native San Diegan, Timothy, better known as T.J. T.J. is the older of two children. His younger sister, Brittany is in the 5th grade at SHA. T.J. has been a student at Sacred Heart Academy since his kindergarten year and has applied to Saint Augustine High School for next year. What he will miss most when he leaves these hallowed walls will be his friends, "Being a student here as long as I have, I have made some really GREAT FRIENDS!" After high school, T.J.'s goal is to attend college at the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!) or North Carolina (Go Tarheels) where he can play football and pursue his dream of becoming an NFL player. (Go T.J.!) Like Ashley, T. J. also enjoyed the 8th grade retreat, "I thought that our retreat was great. We weren't able to do a lot of things that were scheduled, but it was a lot of fun hanging out with everybody. The bonfire was cool but the best part was that we didn't have to worry about any schoolwork. We could just have fun." Speaking of fun, T.J. likes to hang out with his friends, go to the movies and go to the gym. His favorite subject is science and favorite sport is badminton. Just kidding. His favorite sport is football; "I never got to play for SHA because I've been playing Pop Warner football since I was nine years old." He likes Mexican food, PayDay and Baby Ruth candy bars and Sprite. His favorite book is The Hobbit and his favorite movie is Lord of the Rings. His favorite hobby, though more sedate folks might call it a sport, is fishing! "It's the best!" says T.J. Other favorites for T J. include two family vacations, one to Florida and one to Maui. Highlights include a trip to Disney World, fishing in the Keys and snorkeling. The biggest highlight though, was on his birthday when his grandparents surprised him with a trip to the flats where he and his dad caught spotted trout and redfish. They also went deep-sea fishing and caught a 50-pound Mahi Mahi. The best advice T.J. ever received was from his father who told him to always be himself and try hard to be the best at everything he does. See you in the sports pages, T. J.!
Andrew
Next up is another San Diego native and water aficionado, Andrew, a true SHA Shark. Andrew has been at our school since his kindergarten year. Next year he plans to attend University of San Diego High School or Point Loma High School. After that, he hopes to stay close to the water and attend UCSB or USC and matriculate in the sciences. When asked about a future career, he indicated that he wanted to be a dental oceanographer. No, wait, that's a dentist or an oceanographer. What he will remember most about SHA are all of his good friends, his great teachers and all of his fond memories. Andrew enjoyed the 8th grade retreat saying, "It was excellent. We had such a good time. The best part was hiking around with friends in the outdoors. During the retreat we all came together as friends and had a blast." Andrew, a natural born yachtsman sails competitively for the Southwestern Yacht Club. He also likes to surf and play football. His favorite subject is science and his favorite sports are sailing, football and soccer. He likes grilled Ahi "Pog" and Hot Tamales candies. His favorite movie is Wind (perhaps a sailing documentary?) and his favorite book is Close to the Wind by Pete Goss (a sailing tome?). Ever the waterman, Andrew also loves boogie boarding and body surfing. The best advice Andrew ever received was "If at first you don't succeed, you must try again." We look forward to hearing about your competing for the America's Cup one day. Keep up the good work!
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Van Thaxton As you know, two years ago the school voted to do away with the numerous small fundraisers in favor of a flat fundraising fee and one major fundraising event. That one major event is the annual Big Event, a fantastic dinner, dance and auction. It is our only fund-raiser. The money raised from this event represents a significant portion of the overall PTG budget. All but a small percentage of the PTG funds, go toward the general operating costs of the Academy to offset tuition and without which, tuition would necessarily be increased. Therefore, it is required that every family contributes to and participates in the Big Event. What does this mean? First, each family is responsible for purchasing two tickets to the Big Event (one ticket for single parent households). If for some reason you are not able to attend the event, you may purchase an equal amount in drawdown tickets ($100 for two parent families and $50 for single parent families). Additional optional ways parents can help with the Big Event include the following: o Donate goods or services toward the auction o Participate as a commercial sponsor through your company o Volunteer to help with set up, clean up, decorations, etc. We sincerely hope that all parents will attend this spectacular event. The bottom line is that it is really fun and it helps our kids. If you have any questions regarding parental responsibilities, please contact Mr. Hamm.
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NEXT HEARTBEAT The deadline for the next Heartbeat is Friday, March 15, 2002. Please e-mail your article to vthaxton@aol.com.
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LIBRARY LINES Ms. Zapata Book Fair&emdash;A Great Success The book fair was an overwhelming success due to the efforts of our 30 volunteers, parents, students, and friends who supported it. Our fair made a profit of $1300 for the library and $600 worth of books was put in the classrooms. Another $262 worth of books was bought for the classrooms through the classroom wish list program. Thank you everyone for your support. Reading Our Favorites The primary grades are now enjoying being read the 5 books nominated for the California Young Reader's Medal (CYRM) for 2002. The intermediate grades are listening to books nominated in the new category of Picture Books for Older Readers. Many students, grades 4 to 8, have chosen to read the 3 novels nominated in the intermediate or middle school categories. All students will get to vote for their favorites in March. The middle school students will write reviews of these books or other "free choice" books. Some of the best reviews will be posted in the library to encourage other students to read. Thank You Janice Teixeira and her daughter Monique, grade 8, took advantage of the scholastic warehouse sale to buy many of the above mentioned books so we would have enough books to share for all those who wanted to read the nominees. Thank you, Monique and Janice.
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KUDOS Sierra, Congratulations to you & your Surf GU-9 teammates on winning State Cup! You are a great soccer player! We are so proud of you! Love, Mom & Dad KUDOS
If you wish to send KUDOS, please complete this form; submit it along with your check made payable to SHA PTG in the amount of $10 per message. IT MUST BE TURNED IN BY THE HEARTBEAT DEADLINE DATE ABOVE. Name:________________________________________________________ Phone:______________________________ Message: (100 characters max / $10 per message) |
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PTG NOMINATING FORM Please indicate the names of persons, including yourself, who may be interested in holding a PTG Board position for the 2002-2003 school year and return this form to the SHA office as soon as possible (by Friday March 8, 2002 for Secretary, Treasurer and VP positions).
NAME POSITION NOMINATION
_______________________________ ______________________________
_______________________________ ______________________________
_______________________________ ______________________________
Signed____________________________________________
If you have any questions regarding Board positions, please call me.
Thanks, Van Thaxton 222-5604
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Noon Dismissal - Free Dress Stand Up For Kids Lenten collection
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Peninsula Lions Spaghetti Dinner....Masonic Hall....4pm-8pm |
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8am Mass-5th gr. Principal's Advisory Comm. 7pm |
8am Mass-4th gr. 5th grade to Spreckles Theatre 8 |
8am Mass-6th gr. Stand Up FOr Kids hygiene/food collection day 2nd grade to SD Zoo 8th grade to SD County Courthouse Spring Pictures |
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8am Mass - 6th grade Stand Up For Kids hygiene/food collection day
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HOLY THURSDAY Noon Dismissal End 3rd 9 week grading period |
GOOD FRIDAY No School |
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Sacred Heart Academy
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