The mention of homework often brings a mixed reaction from both students and parents. While some readily accept its value as an important part of the total educational program, others may think of it as simply busywork. The many demands on the time of both adults and children make it vital that homework be understood by all as a meaningful activity.

Teachers assign homework for a variety of reasons. The work may be intended to review and reinforce a concept presented in class, or it may be a way for the teacher to check on the studentâs understanding and determine the need for further explanation. Sometimes the purpose of the homework is to challenge the studentâs interest and encourage individual exploration of a topic. Independent learning builds positive self-image as young people discover that they can solve problems. Some assignments emphasize the relationship of class activity to the real world. All assignments offer you, the parent, a glimpse into our classroom activities.

Letâs be clear that homework is your childâs work, not yours. The responsibility is his others. You can offer a quiet place to study. You can negotiate with your child to select an appropriate time to eliminate TV and other distractions. You can offer encouragement and praise. Let your attitude be that homework completion is an obligation, not a choice, and donât be drawn into any argument about it.
Homeworkâs contribution to teaching young people to organize time and materials sometimes goes unrecognized. But success in keeping track of assignments and completing them on time provides personal satisfaction and a sense of achievement. Students who manage this are likely to grow into responsible adults.
If you have questions about the difficulty or length of assignments, please talk with your childâs teacher. Working together, we can determine how we can best fulfill your childâs educational needs.

By Susie Merrill

The Principalâs Advisory Commission had its first meeting on Monday evening, October 4th. Members of the commission voted for officers for the 1999-2000 year. They are as follows:

• President ö Susie Merrill
• Vice President ö Pat OâToole
• Secretary ö Bernadette Ognibene

During the last Commission meeting, it was suggested and voted to publish Mr. Hammâs budget in the Heartbeat. In addition, the PTG will publish its budget as well. The Commission and the PTG feel it is important that SHA parents know where their dollars are being spent.

MEET YOUR TEACHERS
By Van Thaxton

MRS. ANNA DIMARTINO Kindergarten teacher Mrs. DiMartino is a native of San Diego and a graduate of Blessed Sacrament and OLP.  She attended UC Santa Cruz and San Diego State University where she earned her graduate degree. She has been teaching for ten years, the last two of which have been at SHA. Mrs. DiMartino was first drawn to teaching because of the funny things children say and do. She says she enjoys watching their faces light up when they grasp a new concept. Before joining the faculty at SHA, Mrs. DiMartino taught and directed a preschool program in Del Mar, California. What she likes most about SHA is the feeling of being in a strong family community. She adds, ãPeople here love to have fun!ä  Mrs. DiMartino is married to Andrew de Torres, a quiet but incredibly witty man. With great excitement, they are expecting their first child, Lily Grace, to arrive sometime around January 20, 2000! In the meantime, they are practicing their parental skills on a doggie named ãAuggie.ä When she is not in the classroom, Anna and her husband enjoy camping, especially near streams and waterfalls. She also loves gardening, ceramics and going to the beach ö things they will have to put aside temporarily, come January. Her favorite color is green and her favorite movie is Cinema Paradiso. But I bet you canât guess her favorite food if you guessed a long, long while·go on, take a guess·guess again·OK, itâs squid salad.  Right now, Mrs. DiMartino enjoys any sport that is slow and not competitive. She says, äI like slow walks, slow hikes, and slow bike rides.ä If she could go anywhere in the world, it would be to Italy, from where both of her parents came. In addition, Anna loves children, lemons, and looking at the full moon. She says that ice cream always makes her feel better. When asked if there was anything else we should know about her, she said, ãI havenât always had such a big stomach!ä

MRS. KATHY VALENTI  5th grade teacher Mrs. Valenti was born in Maryland. Her father was in the military and, consequently, the family was constantly ãon the moveä until she was about 10 when they settled in Orange County, California. Anyone who knows Kathy, knows that family is everything to her. Kathy and her husband Frank have two adorable children, both students at SHA ö Francesco (grade 2) and Gabrielle (kindergarten). In addition, she has two brothers, one sister and nine nieces and nephews.  Her parents, who are retired and travel often, currently reside in San Bernardino, near enough for periodic visits. Mrs. Valenti attended St. Pius V, St. Paulâs High and Loyola Marymount University.  In addition, she attended Richmond College in London and Chapman College.  Mrs. Valenti has been teaching for eleven years, nine of which have been at SHA. What she likes most about SHA are the children and the staff. She said, ãMy first year at SHA was like heaven, now it feels like home.ä When asked why she decided on teaching, she said, ãIt was my destiny. I always taught something at some time in my life and always loved it.  Mrs. Valentiâs teaching and other work experiences are extensive and she brings to our school a rich combination of educational and artistic skills. Some of her prior experience includes: one year teaching at St. Martins in La Mesa (grades 6, 7 and 8), 9 years at SHA (grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8), and one year in Seeley School in El Centro (8th grade science and math). In addition, she has worked as a struggling actress, as a manager of a catering company, and as an aerobic instructor. She has also worked as a Childrenâsâ Theatre director, a special education teacher for adults and children and in an alternative classroom at Helix High. If that were not enough, Kathy was at one time employed at Knottâs Berry Farm, Disneyland, and Movieland Wax Museum. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Valenti enjoys hiking, camping and going to the zoo. She loves visiting with family and doing ãanything with my kids.ä Her favorite color is green and her favorite food is salmon. Itâs a Wonderful Life is her favorite movie and baseball is her favorite sport. Now guess what her favorite animal is·go on·guess·guess again·A hawk. Watch out 5th graders, she is watching you ãlike a hawk!ä

Red Apple cookie dough will go on sale for two weeks, beginning November 3, 1999.  This is a wonderful fundraiser for our school and your kids can earn great prizes for items sold.  In addition, you, your friends and family will want to try all of the cookie dough flavors: oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip, sugar cookie and coconut macaroon, just to name a few.  The cookie dough is prepared and packed fresh and will be delivered just in time for Christmas, on December 7, 1999.  It makes great Christmas gifts too! Be on the lookout for order forms.

Dear Sacred Heart Families
Red Apple Gift-Wrap was a huge success. This year we raised over $6,500. This is all due to the strong support and dedication of the students and families of SHA. We extend our deepest, heart-felt appreciation to all of you. We would like to give special recognition to our top sellers:

• Samuel Turner ö Kindergarten
• Timmy Di Masi- 2nd grade
• Nicholas Small ö3rd grade
• Taylor Greulich ö 3rd grade
• Ryan Sousa ö 4th grade
• Antoni Czerniewski ö 4th grade

Sincerely,
Queta Czerniewski and the PTG Board
 

By Sue Bourdon

Following is the list of books donated by students this month:
 

Thank you all and Happy Birthday!

Thank you to all of the parent volunteers who staffed and served hot lunches during September and October. Your efforts are greatly appreciated! Weâve made some changes in the hot lunch program:
 

• The Hot Lunch Order form has been revised to include a ãparent reminderä slip. Here is how it works: after completing the order form, simply cut or tear off the bottom portion of the form and circle the dates youâve ordered hot lunches. This is your copy to keep. Post it in a convenient location. The top portion of the order for and payment must still be turned in to the school by the deadline noted on the form.
• Because weâve now provided you with a handy reminder of the dates youâve ordered lunch (see above), the completed forms will no longer be filed in the school office. If you are still uncertain if you ordered hot lunch, to be safe, pack a lunch for your child that day. At best, he or she will be guaranteed to have a lunch. Please post your order forms and mark them on your calendar.
• Editorâs note: the hot lunch schedule (what is served on what days) in the office.

Hot lunch service is manned and ãwomannedä by parent volunteers.  While most parents are able to fulfil their obligations, we recognize that emergencies do arise.  That is why we are putting together a list of ãemergency hot lunch volunteersä to fill in at the last moment. If you are able to serve as a possible emergency volunteer, please notify Teena King (Grade K) as soon as possible.  Thanks.

A HUGE thank you to Teresa Dennehy and Kathy Garrett for all their hard work in planning and preparing the October Senior Lunch. Eighty or so seniors enjoyed a lunch of Bratwurst, sweet and sour cabbage with bacon and apples, parsley new potatoes and German chocolate cake for dessert. And, of course, what would an Oktoberfest dinner be without beer? The meal was expertly prepared and enjoyed by all. Also a big thank you to the other PTG moms who helped prepare, serve and clean up: Julie Davidson, Lori Kretz, Susie Merrill, Linda Small, and Van Thaxton.  If you want to join the fun, we still need three people to help with serving and clean up from about 11:30am to 1:30pm.  If you are interested, please call Susie Merrill.
 

By Patty DiMasi

Please Remember·.
To register your Vons Club Card as soon as possible and indicate that you want your purchases to be credited to Sacred Heart Academy, I.D. #137116010. Forms are available from the school office, or you may register your card by calling 1-800-592-0942.
Keep in mind that your purchases will not be credited to SHA until after you have received confirmation from ESCRIP that your card has been registered. Continue to purchase paper scrip from the school office, the Rectory, or the home centers listed in your directory.

Please be sure to continue to purchase Vonâs paper scrip until registration confirmation has been received.
Thank you for your continued support of Sacred Heart Academy.
 
 

SHA VARSITY FOOTBALL By Michael Manriquez In the opening game of the season, Dominic Sanfilippo scored the first SHArk touchdown. Jessop Hark caught a pass in the second half for a 12-0 win against St. Columba. Our second game was against neighboring St. Charles.  The SHArks looked impressive on both offense and defense as we posted a 20-0 shutout victory. The third game was a hard fought battle against undefeated Blessed Sacrament. Ryan Luz put Sacred Heart up 6-0 at half on a 63 yard run from scrimmage. Unfortunately, the second half belonged to Blessed Sacrament and the SHArks were on the short end of a 14-6 final.

VARSITY AND JUNIOR VARSITY SCHEDULES By Tracy Sheppard Boysâ Athletics Following is the tentative schedule for varsity and JV football games: JV Oct. 30  SHA vs. St. Jude at Uni  12:00 pm Nov  6  SHA vs. St. John at OLG      9:00 am Nov 13  SHA vs. OLG at OLG   10:00 am Varsity Nov 6  SHA vs. All Hallows at OLG  11:00 am Nov 13  SHA vs. Madeleine at Uni    9:00 am Remember that directions to the athletic events may be found in the school directory.

One way you can help SHA is by taking items to be sold to Malloryâs, the Ocean Beach resale shop located on Newport Avenue.  If you so designate, a portion of every item you sell there will go to our school.  If you have any questions, please contact Steve Mallory at the store at 226-0236.

One of the things that makes our school so great is that we have the most dedicated and hard-working parents around:

Dave and Tracy Sheppard are doing a terrific job organizing the boysâ athletics programs.  This is a huge undertaking. Tracy is also the games chairperson for the festival, another big job.  They do all of this with a brand new baby boy and two others as well.  Thank you Dave and Tracy, we really appreciate all you do!

Steven and Janice Teixeira have once again taken on the giant responsibility of chairing the Festival Committee, a major fundraiser for SHA. From the monthly planning meetings in their home to the scheduling of the very last detail, the Teixeiras have done it again.  Thank you Steve and Janice for all you have done and continue to do for SHA throughout the years. You are great!

Ken and Charlene Ables have spent hours upon hours compiling information, inputting data, proofreading, and laying out the SHA school directory so that we can all find each other when we need to.  This is no small task.  This yearâs directory even has some new features such as directions to school games. Ken and Charlene, we appreciate all of the time you spent on this project and for all the time you give SHA throughout the year.  Thank you!

ITâS A WRAP! A giant thank you to Queta Czerniewski for her great success in the gift-wrap fundraiser this year.  Due to a new product line and Quetaâs hard work, SHA hit record sales this year.  THANK YOU QUETA!
 

We have stringent requirements to be in one of the Parish choirs: are you breathing, and do you have a pulse? Of course a love of music is a plus, and we welcome people who like to have fun while enriching our Parish life.
One thing that is NOT required: knowing how to read music.

Interested? Give a call to David Beckett at the Rectory 224-2746.

Weâll be waiting to hear from you

The next issue of the SHA Heartbeat is scheduled for release on Tuesday, November 30, 1999.  Please submit your articles by e-mail attachment to  vthaxton@aol.com. If you do not have e-mail, please save your article on disk and leave the disk, with a hard copy of the article in the Heartbeat shelf in Ferol Henkelsâ office. Your disk will be returned to you before the next Heartbeat deadline.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far.

The last Heartbeat incorrectly acknowledged the Irvine family, instead of the Pekin family for hosting the 1st grade in-home meeting. Thank you David and Carla Pekin for opening your home to this event. The Heartbeat regrets the error.