Blueletter – February 13th, 2009

St. Catherine de Ricci
Dear Families:

WASC Update:

We have “enjoyed” a flurry of activity among the faculty. At Mr. J’ suggestion, we have collected “data” which shows what we all know – that St. Augustine Academy is a good school. The faculty have taken over; meeting, writing, discussing, pulling out files and examining all the data.

We have learned many wonderful things, especially how much we have accomplished over the last three years in our efforts to meet the needs of all of our students – both those who are accelerated and those with special needs. We have also had some great input from parents and students. Finally, we have found that we still have more to do on the Action Plan we developed during our last WASC Visit.

This process of identifying all we have done, and what we need to keep doing has been exhilarating and humbling. What an amazing team we have in our faculty, in our most wonderful students, and in our supportive families. We pledge to continue to serve the hearts, minds and souls entrusted to us as we assist our parents in fostering the Theological, Intellectual and Moral virtues of their children.

A Campaign for Life:

This campaign is making the rounds through e-mail. Consider it this St. Valentine’s Day. It is very easy to send a message to the new president that the majority of Americans DO NOT support his abortion policies. Here’s the idea:

Get a red envelope (now is the time to get one from a valentine card.); on the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message:
“This envelope represents one child who died by abortion. It is empty because that life was denied the chance to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.”
On Thursday, the President said this at the National Prayer Breakfast:
“There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being.”

This would be very appropriate to add to the message. Wouldn’t it be powerful if we could send 50 MILLION red envelopes, one for every child who died in our country before having a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.

FUN and INTERESTING SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
- 4th and 5th Graders gave oral presentations this week on famous Americans – complete with costume!
- Several new bulletin board displays are up in the classroom building hallway – stop in and see!
- Carrizo Plain National Monument and the Magna Carta are on the field trip docket.
- Twelfth Night Scenes will be presented over the next few days in 8th Grade English.
- Another themed banquet is being planned by 11th and 12th English classes.
- National “e” Day was celebrated with e foods in the upper level Math Classes (Feb. 7th, i.e., 2-7)
“e”, in Math, is the symbol for the Natural Logarithmic Base, which = 2.718281828459045235360713526…

- Studying Pi in MV’s class with the help of obvious learning aids..since they are always learning from me the importance of really taking in knowledge, chewing on it and digesting it to make it part of yourself. We used manipulatives, something like this:

BASKETBALL – COACH’s CORNER:

The Crusaders crossed an historical threshold in their quest to end up on top of the league. This last Sunday they dominated their arch-rival, the Cavs, winning by over 20 points!
The Saints continue to show remarkable team spirit, scoring 35 points against the Nads. JS led in points for an injured J G. KH led in steals and ES held up the offense with 6 points.
Middle School Girls – Thursday, 2-19-09 @ Santa Rosa 3:30 PM
Middle School Boys – Wednesday, 2-18-09 HOME v. College Heights 3:30 PM

Ora Pro Nobis:
For RTs, friend of the S’s, who is gravely ill. For JM, who is dying of cancer
For the soul of DHa, uncle of graduates, S and C.
And for the H Family. For an end to abortion and FOCA. For
the continued grace of generous benefactors. We also commend Miss
B’s sister, S, to our prayers. We pray for all those who serve
our country to protect our freedom. We also thank God for all priests and
religious. We pray for one another.

A quote in honor of Lincoln’s birthday:
“The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.”
Abraham Lincoln, “Gettysburg Address”