Principal Post

March 20, 2024

Dear Parents,

I hope everyone had a great Spring Break! We are back at it and working hard this week!

Open Positions

We are now taking application for the DHS/Small Beginnings Director Position. Ideal candidates are a practicing Catholic, have a bachelor’s or associate degree, supervisory experience, experience with DHS programs and meet the DHS qualifications based on the DHS point system rubric. If you would like more information regarding the DHS qualification rubric, please contact Julie Delaney.

If you are interested in this position, please send a cover letter and resume to Julie Delaney at Julie.Delaney@st-paul.pvt.k12.ia.us.

Tomorrow, March 21 - Rock Your Socks

Every year on March 21, people all around the world come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored, mismatched socks. March 21 is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome. Socks were chosen because the karyotype of Ds chromosomes actually looks like mismatched socks! 

·     Together we can create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome in our schools, community, and around the world.

Best Day Ever Fundraiser (Name change from Day of Awesomeness!)

In the past 24 hours, many families answered our call to action, sending

donation requests to friends & family around the world! Thank you for your

support!

You have a chance again tomorrow to earn your Golden Ticket!

If you would like to donate directly to the fundraiser and have the full amount go to the door safety project, email Shannon Elliott at saintpaulhomeandschool@gmail.com

Total amount of donations collected on the first day: $7,660.19

Top 5 Teachers by total donations collected:

• Lucas $902.50
• Frazer $620.00
• Yager $585.00
• Scogland $535.00
• Golden $530.00

We still need your help raising funds for assisting in funding for replacing all

interior doors, in addition to the exterior door to the west playground, all for

the safety and security of our students.

https://ps.pop4kids.org/StPaul52803

If you did not have a chance to register, please click on the link above to set up

your child’s personal donation page and invite friends and family by email or

text message to join in our efforts. If you wish, you can also donate once you

have registered your student. This entire process can be completed in 10

minutes or less!

When you enter 10 or more email addresses or cell phone numbers of your

friends and family via your personal donation page, your child will earn Golden

Ticket Prizes tomorrow! Please make sure you complete this process by

midnight tonight to qualify for prizes.

The funds raised through this program will benefit all our students, and we are

excited for our Best Day Ever!

Early Outs, Days Off and Fun Events

March 2 –  End of 3^rd Quarter, 2 hour early dismissal, busses will run

March 24 – March 30 – Holy Week

March 30 – No School – Good Friday

April 1 – No School – Easter Monday

CHANGE – No School April 8 – Teacher Inservice Day.

CHANGE – Current Kindergarteners only – No school Friday, May 3 due to Kindergarten Assessments for the 2024-2025 school year.

Not New but Still Important

Classroom Request Form

Requests for a particular teacher or separation from a particular student should be few. It is important to give clear, detailed reasons for this isolated request. 

Requests granted for a particular homeroom will be limited to a maximum of 3 boys and 3 girls. The principal, guidance counselor, assistant principal and current classroom teachers will meet to decide which requests will be granted based on the most pressing student needs (academic and behavioral). Classroom Request forms must be turned into the school office by March 22, 2024, to be considered. Forms are available in the school office. Emails, personal conversations, and phone messages will not serve as a formal request and will not be considered. Late forms will not be accepted. 

School Advisory Board Members

The School Advisory Board is looking for members to begin their 3-year term starting the 2024-2025 school year. The Advisory Board meets monthly. The purpose of the Board is to advise administration in areas that help us to meet our mission and provide the best Catholic education for our St. Paul students. If you are interested in being a member of the Board, please contact Amy Murphy at amy2murphy702@gmail.com.

Water Bottles

Since Christmas we have seen in increase in the type of water bottle that doesn’t fully close and have a straw.  When these water bottles are knocked over or fall, they create water spills. With students using iPads at their desks, this causes a problem, along with the messes they create and the need for clean-up. The water bottles with straws only have also been leaking as students carry them down the hallway, which creates a safety problem for slips and falls. Going forward, all water bottles must fully close and have a pop-up spout. Thank you for your cooperation.

Plain Water Only in Water Bottles

Only plain water is allowed at school in water bottles. Please do not put flavor or energy powders in your child’s water.

Soup Supper, March 20 – School Sponsored

I hope you have had the chance to join the parish on one or more Wednesdays for the Lent Soup Suppers. They are a great chance to build community and enjoy a delicious dinner. On March 20, school families are asked to bring a crock of soup, Mac ‘n Cheese, dessert or help set up. If you are interested in helping, please go to the SignUp Genius - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BAFAC28A6FA7-47480022-2024?fbclid=IwAR0LhHp8j-zTh0RS1wZ74sJ5AvR_WDxH9al6x3Pea39H9g2_J1LOD81ESSs#/

Covid Quarantine Changes

The Scott County Health Department has sent out updated guidelines for those with Covid. The new guidelines treat Covid like all other upper respiratory illnesses. The guidance is as follows:

The recommendation for those with respiratory symptoms is to be excluded until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducing medication AND respiratory symptoms are mild and improving. 

Students no longer need to quarantine for 5 days or return to school wearing a mask when following the guidelines above.