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We now find ourselves in probably the most exciting time of the year, especially for children. This special season brings with it many messages; the most important of which is that the Savior is born! As part of the story of the birth of Christ is the part about the three wise men bearing gifts to honor the Christ Child. We continue this practice of giving, as we too celebrate the birth of Christ. Too many times we find our mindset focused on getting, rather than giving. This is true throughout the year, not only at Christmas.

We need to refocus on what life is really all about. Life is about creating the highest quality giving, not the highest quality getting. Life is for giving, and forgiving!

Sometimes we lose sight of The Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If we are truly people who are kind and considerate, caring and sharing, compassionate and loving, then we are giving to ourselves the grandest experience for which we were created! To give to others is to give to our selves. What we do for others, we do for ourselves, and what we fail to do for others; we fail to do for ourselves.

Love yourself so you will be capable of loving others. Make spirituality real for yourself in order to make it real enough to share with others. The greatest gift we can give to ourselves during this Christmas season is the gift of awareness of Who We Are and Who We Want To Be. Talk to God; let Him show you Who You Are. Let Him show you what a great friend He can be. He is always with you. You are always a part of God because you are never apart from God.

God is my best friend, and I want Him to be your best friend. This is my wish for each of you for the new millennium, that each of us develop a strong personal relationship with God. If we do this, we can strengthen our relationships with each other as we see God in everyone we meet. Remember: It's not a question of to whom does God talk, but who listens?
God bless every one of you in the richest possible way. Each one of you is peace, joy, and light! Don't hold it....SHARE IT!
 

By Bob Hamm

This is the title of Dr. William Bennett's newest book. Dr. Bennett was Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities and Secretary of Education under President Reagan, and Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under President Bush.

I want to provide you with some valuable excerpts from this book, which I highly recommend as REQUIRED READING FOR ALL PARENTS OF SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN!

In the book Dr. Bennett presents what his research has shown to be the best curriculum for American schools. "The Core Knowledge Sequence is the best content guide for the elementary grades that we have seen." Dr. Bennett also offers his "Ten Signs of a Good School" which I feel are right on target, and provide for us attainable goals for our school.

1. A Safe and Orderly Atmosphere. Discipline and academic success go hand-in-hand.  Where there is chaos or fear, little learning occurs. Good schools are havens of sound conduct and mutual respect. The building is clean. The rules are clear and enforced.
2. A Clear Academic Mission. Good schools spell out the knowledge and skills that children must acquire. They have a coherent course of study focused on English, math, science, history, geography, and the arts. Most of the day is devoted to these core subjects.
3. Attention to Character. Good schools treat children as moral beings. They teach about right and wrong. Teachers help train children in habits that lead to better lives. Beware of schools that are "value neutral" zones.
4. Fine Teachers. Teachers are the heart of any educational enterprise. Good schools are full of adults of sound character who like children, know the material, and effectively impart knowledge and skills. Good schools reward greatness in teaching and refuse to tolerate mediocrity.
5. Strong Leadership. It is rare to find a good school without a strong principal. The vision he or she holds has much to do with how well pupils will learn. He or she puts academics first.  He or she protects the school day for teaching and learning.
6. High Expectations. Attitudes toward learning often become self-fulfilling prophecies.  Schools that maintain high standards get greater academic achievement from children. Schools that offer dumbed-down lessons, trivial books, and slipshod standards get little in return.
7. Homework. Achievement rises when teachers give homework and children conscientiously do it. Little homework indicates a school that doesn't take academics seriously.
8. Evaluation and Feedback. Good schools hold all their students accountable for meeting standards. They monitor how children are performing. They provide feedback to teachers, and pupils. Teachers give honest grades. They recognize and reward success.  They intervene in the event of failure.
9. Parent Involvement. Good schools are surrounded by moms and dads who monitor and assist with academics, stay in touch with teachers, and raise children who are well-behaved and ready to learn. Good teachers view parents as allies and invite them to join the education enterprise.
10. A Sense of Community. A good school is a welcoming place where youngsters know that adults care deeply about them. All its participants - grownups and children alike - share enthusiasm, pride, and a sense of common purpose. There is much seriousness about learning, and also much joy."

WOW!!!......That really covers it all, doesn't it??..............
I do think that this book is necessary reading for all parents.

TEACHER FEATURE
By Van Thaxton
This month‚s Teacher Feature showcases three unique members of our faculty. First up is·
 

MR. RICHARD GROSCH Computer Science Teacher Mr. Grosch is a native of Waterbury, Connecticut. He and his family moved to California during his youth where he attended high school in San Marino and college at California Western University. He received his graduate degree from the United States International University, where he was the former Alumni Director.  Mr. Grosch has been teaching students, on and off, since 1968, and the last nine years have been spent at SHA. During the years, Mr. Grosch was Vice Principal of Santee elementary school, following a stint heading up the program for the educationally handicapped there for three years. When asked, „Why teaching? Mr. Grosch responded by saying that "he loves children and having fun. „I enjoy the intrinsic rewards teaching has to offer." He adds, "In my estimation, SHA is a jewel in Ocean Beach. Both of my children graduated from here. The core knowledge curriculum and the support I get from the administration, parents and children are wonderful. SHA is a real family."Mr. Grosch said that he especially enjoys teaching computer science because he believes that computer skills are as important as any other skill you can learn in school. Mr. Grosch and his wife of 31 years, Donna, are raising two already successful young adults. Their daughter, Genoa 23 years old, was a scholarship athlete at the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Mass. She was named CIF player of the year twice while attending USDHS. Their son, Stephen, a 17-year old USDHS senior was the first student at SHA to win the California State Science Fair in microbiology. He is currently on the school soccer team and is ASB vice president. Additionally, they are raising Reily, a brain-dead beagle and two family members of the feline persuasion: Shadow and Hobes.  Mr. Grosch‚ favorite color is blue and his favorite food is "anything Mexican." His sport of choice is softball and he loves all animals. Mr. Grosch's favorite movie of all time is 2001, A Space Odesey.  Mr. Grosch not only has an impressive career in education, but he also has a fascinating history (and current involvement) in matters of politics and community development. In short, Mr. Grosch has served on the Ocean Beach Planning Board for three terms and headed its land use committee. He was the first chairman of the OB Tree Festival Committee and was instrumental in saving the Strand Theater from adult entertainment and the community from double density building. He was the Vice President of the Ocean Beach Town Council and was the aide to City Councilman and Deputy Mayor, Mike Gotch. He is presently the Chairman of the Ocean Beach Community Redevelopment Corporation, which aims to revitalize Ocean Beach without having it lose its unique character and beach community flavor. This group has built a battered women‚s shelter and is responsible for the tree plantings along Voltaire Street. Not surprisingly, the OB Town Council awarded him the Ocean Beach Citizen of the Year in 1984. When he is not teaching our kids about „bites, and mother boards and leading our community into the next millennium, you can find him anywhere in or near the water. He enjoys sailing, surfing, water skiing, and diving. He and Donna even built their own 40‚ cruising sailboat and have enjoyed sailing the West Coast for several years. If that was not enough, Mr. Grosch recently took up the extreme sport of snowboarding and says he loves it. „ "I have coached for most of my adult life, both professionally and on a volunteer basis." Mr. Grosch has been involved in girls and woman's softball for years. He has coached football, basketball and baseball. On Friday nights, you can find him at Robb Field playing with a slow pitch team that has been getting together for longer than he cares to admit. One of the players was a former student teacher of his from 1969 (That student teacher is now the Assistant Superentendent of Chula Vista School District). "The team consists of the old relics of Ocean Beach from the sixties. We're all just a little slower and have a lot less hair."

MR. CHRIS BRISCO Coach Our next teacher feature leads us to the bright, smiling face of Christopher Blair Brisco, more affectionately known as „Coach.‰ Coach hails from Carson, California, just north of here, where he attended Gardenia High School and Glendale College. After graduating high school, Coach attended Point Loma Nazarene University. He has been teaching for about 5 years now, 4 ½ of those years at SHA. Coach Chris‚ love of kids and athletics is evidenced by his steady involvement in a wide variety of youth sports. He has been a recreational leader at the Cabrillo Recreation Center for 8 years. He also owns and directs his own business of youth sports camps in such sports as basketball, football and soccer. His business, Brisco Enterprises, has been teaching kids about sports and sportsmanship for 9 years now and is a big hit with kids of all ages. In addition, Coach is a registered NBA sports agent for several basketball players. What Coach likes best about SHA are the kids and the faculty. „I feel work should never be a stressful place to go and Sacred Heart is not a stressful place to work.‰ Coach Chris is not married, but adds that he is not opposed to it but that he is just very picky. „I‚m not perfect, but I am picky.‰ He does enjoy the dating life, though and says that he is a people person. When Coach is not working with kids and pros, he enjoys watching sports, going out with friends and on dates, laughing and joking. Coach said, „I love to smile, laugh and joke‰ and fortunately for all of us, we benefit from his good nature. His favorite foods are chicken and fish (very healthy) and his favorite colors are black and red (sound like an Aztec fan?). His favorite movie is The Nutty Professor and his favorite animal is the monkey (which might explain why he has no pets). While Coach loves all sports, his favorites are football, basketball and track and his favorite football team is the St. Louis Rams (Super Bowl Champs). His favorite musician is the amazing and wonderful, Stevie Wonder. When asked if there was anything else we should know about him, Coach responded simply by saying, „I am a straight-forward and honest person and I have no respect for those who are not. I cannot stand a liar.‰ Sacred Heart Academy is really fortunate to have this gentleman on staff, and that‚s the truth.

MS. MARY ZAPATA Librarian Ms. Zapata was born and raised in San Diego, and like many others, found no good reason to leave. She has attended nearly every major institution of higher learning in San Diego. She received her California credential and BA in history from San Diego State University and a diploma in religion from University of San Diego. She also received supplementary authorizations in science and social science from University of California at San Diego.  For two years she served as the National Field Trials Director with the Foss Science System. Ms. Zapata was also honored to be asked to be a contributing teacher writer for the Education Department of the San Diego Union‚s geography and math series. She agreed, thinking that geography would be a snap. Little did she know that it would actually be a football series. Her assignment was the Denver Broncos. „I knew nothing about them but with research and calls to my brother and brother-in-law, I managed to get the assignment turned in.‰ Ms. Zapata remembers deciding on a career in teaching, „I wanted to be a teacher before I was in the 6th grade.‰ Without a specific reference to time, Ms. Zapata said that she started teaching in a classroom before she could vote. „I have been teaching long enough to be teaching the children of former students.‰ Ms. Zapata taught 3rd, 4th and 6th grades at Sacred Heart Academy before becoming our Librarian. Ms. Zapata also taught Catholic education beginning at age 16.  Ms. Zapata says that what she loves most about SHA is the family-like, religious atmosphere. Ms. Zapata lives in San Diego with her father and two nephews, whom she has raised and considers her own. Ruben is in graduate school at San Diego State University and Vincent has followed in his aunt‚s footsteps and is a teacher. He is also completing his administration degree. In addition, they share residence with four dogs!: two Chihuahuas, a Maltese, and her own dog, a Scottie named Bonnie Belle Starr. Bonnie is a „Catholic‰ dog as she has her own holy medal that she received at the Blessing of the Animals at the Old Mission. Ms. Zapata also comes from a very large family consisting of 39 nieces and nephews, so far. When she is not in the library, Ms. Zapata enjoys live theater, symphonic music, singing, choirs (perhaps she should talk to David Beckett), and concerts. She and her sister have a pair of treasured tickets to the upcoming Bette Middler performance in San Diego. Of course, Ms. Zapata loves to read. She claims to have 2-3 books going at any one time. She just finished Back to School Murders and is currently reading an historical mystery, Instance of the Fingerpost. She is also trying to finish Middlemarch, a book she started this summer. In addition, Ms. Zapata helps out at the Rectory and works on special projects at the Del Mar Fair, the most recent of which was a Smithsonian exhibition. Ms. Zapata has some unique favorites too. Her favorite color is aqua and among her favorite foods are hotdogs and sauerkraut. Her very favorite food, though is ice cream. She enjoys swimming and her favorite movie is The Fifth Element. Guess what her favorite animal is·you guessed it·Bonnie Belle Starr in particular and Scottish Terriers in general.

By Hilary Grimes I think that everyone knows a little about what happened in World War II. It is a truth that we all live with. A person can not look at a swastika and not know its meaning. From what I have learned, perhaps even the Hitler youth did not know its meaning. Only the Jews - those that were forced from their homes, and pressured to go into hiding knew the meaning. Those who witnessed such horror that people in this place and time can only read about.  When I went with my classmates to see David Faber speak, I knew that it would be a moving experience. He was to talk to us about his life during WWII, and sign copies of his book, Because of Romek. All of my teachers had read his book, and cautioned anyone who wished to buy it that it is a very terrifying story. I now know what they meant.  David was only thirteen when war broke out and he and his family were forced into hiding.  Because their city was no longer safe, they moved to the city where David's uncle and aunt lived. There, they found an empty warehouse and they spent their time there. By pure luck, David's brother, Romek, who was not with the rest of his family, came to the same warehouse, and met up with his parents, brother, and sisters. Because they could not hide in a bare warehouse, Romek found one hollow wall in between two of the buildings for the family to stay. After a time, the Faber family moved to a different hiding place, this one on a top floor of an office building. The Nazis would search the building, but always failed to find the hidden family. This was because, when they heard the Nazis run up the iron stairs in their boots, they would dash, one at a time, into their hiding place, behind a picture frame. But one time, the Nazis came up silently. Without warning, the door flew open, and the Fabers were showered with a stream of bullets. David hurried under a couch nearby, and heard the Nazi soldiers rejoice at how they had caught the Jews. One man even started to jump up and down on the couch that David was hiding under. All of the Faber family, even Romek, who died while being tortured by the Nazis, were slaughtered; except David, and his sister who left Germany before the war. At this point, David had no choice, but to turn himself in to the Nazis. With no family left except for his sister in another country, he had no where to go. After a tearful goodbye to the bodies of his dead sisters and mother, David set out to turn himself in. Romek had taught him to click his heels and say in German that he was 23 years of age when he saw a Nazi soldier.  David was sent to a number of different camps, even Auschwitz, the worst of all. Every time he made a friend, the Nazis would kill his friend.  David was made to do horrible things in the concentration camps because of the Nazis. On one occasion, the Nazis dug trenches and ordered the unfortunate Jews to lie down in the long pits. After drenching the people in gasoline and poisons, they set fire to them, and cremated them alive. David was made to search the scorched bodies for any gold teeth or rings he could find on them. This gold was melted and used as money for the Germans. Once, David found a baby who had not breathed the poisons, and was still living. He and some other people tried their best to save the baby, but the Nazis found out, and David was made to throw it in the fire, a situation that still haunts him today.  At the end of WWII, David, 18, starved, and nearly dead, had survived the war. When he could, he visited his only remaining sister, and lived in Europe for 20 years. After this, he moved to the United States, and became an American citizen. David did not know what an important role his brother had played in the ending of the war until long after its finish.  As David learned at a secret meeting, his brother, Romek was the head of a project called Operation Romek. This secret operation's main goal was to make sure that the Nazis didn't get a shipment of heavy water needed to make an atom bomb. If the Nazis had succeeded in making this bomb, they would have won the war, and we would all be speaking German. But thanks to Romek and all others associated with the anti-Nazi operation, the Allies won the war, and Nazism was stamped out. All people should be grateful for the tireless effort that Romek and his coworkers put into Operation Romek.

By Molly O‚Toole At the Yellow Book Road in La Mesa, on Wednesday, the twenty-seventh of October the middle school students of Sacred Heart Academy got to share in a bit of history. David Faber, a survivor of the Holocaust, spoke to the students, their teachers and their parents. Everyone from the sixth graders to the parents was deeply moved as David poured out his story. As he shook with emotion, tears came to some eyes and some people shuddered. This trip was a once-in-a-life-time experience, one I‚m sure the students will remember for the rest of their lives. Hopefully, they will tell it to their children, and their children‚s children, so the truth will live on. Anyone who was there and anyone who purchased the humbling book, Because of Romek, will surely treasure it forever. Thank you, David Faber, for letting us share in your story, and for helping us to have a better understanding of a time we will never know and hopefully, a war we will never see.

 

By Sue Bourdon

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

Thank you all and Happy Birthday!

The policy for birthday book club donations is only new hardback books that the library needs are accepted. Please use our birthday book club box or get a list of suggestions from the library. Thank you.

By Bob Hamm

Next time you're talking with God, please ask Him for some special attention for these members of our Sacred Heart Academy family:
Brendon Andrade - Fourth grader, son of Kelly and Steve and brother of Leslie in fourth grade and Allyson in second grade. Brendon has leukemia.
Marilyn Stroud - Mother of Erik in third grade and Brett in fifth grade. Marilyn has cancer.
Thelma Hamm - Mother of Bob Hamm, principal. Thelma has cancer.

This month‚s Kudos are reserved exclusively for Steven and Janice Teixeira, the Chairs of the SHA Fall Festival. Everyone knows that the festival was a huge success, exceeding the budget revenues by over $3,000. Everyone knows that the festival and the dinner were well attended and parent participation was at an all time high. What most people do not know is what happens behind-the-scenes to make this event such a success. Here is just a peek at what Steve and Janice did before, during and after the event: Weeks before the festival, Steve and Janice prepared detailed schedules for parent helpers, assuring spots for everyone to work. Steve and friend Bill Thaxton hung the banner across Sunset Cliffs Boulevard weeks ahead.

The day before the festival, Steve and his crew of dads built the entertainment stage and all of the booths used in the festival. After the festival, Steve and his crew took it all down again and manned a major clean up effort. 6 could be found in the parish kitchen cooking chicken, rice and making other preparations before the festival dinner. Steve and Janice were involved in every moment and every aspect of the festival. On behalf of all of us at Sacred Heart Academy, thank you Steve and Janice for everything you have done to make the fall festival such a tremendous success.

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

Articles for the next Heartbeat should be submitted by e-mail attachment to Van Thaxton at:  vthaxton@aol.com  on or before noon on December 6, 1999. You may also save your article on diskette and leave it in the Heartbeat shelf in Mrs. Henkel‚s office.