Winter 2007-08 School Photos

Thank you to all you gave so generously of their time, talent, donations and attendance at last Friday’s Bunco Party. Through all of your outstanding efforts that event was a great success and wonderful time.

St. Patrick's Day Festivities at St. Patricia

CONFIRMATION

We thank Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller for conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation on our 100 students last Sunday. His warmth and caring persona reached out and touched all who were present at the liturgy.

We were touched by how he incorporated the students Confirmation journals into his homily. The confirmandi parents appreciated the time he gave to each and every family as they came forward to receive the sacrament.

All left with a good feeling about what church can offer us as Catholics and what we can offer others in our lives. Along with the children, all of us were challenged to rethink what we do and why we need to both pray and reach out to others.

DOCTOR SEUSS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Look who came to visit Pre-School and Kindergarten! It 's the Cat in the Hat! He came to take part in our celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday. All had a delightful day, especially when Mr. Smith read Green Eggs and Ham.

The Preschoolers ate green eggs and ham

They ate them, Ryan and Sam I Am

They ate them here. They ate them there.

They ate them cooked. They ate them rare

They ate them east. They ate them west

They said they liked the green eggs best.

Actually, Ms. Fischer’s preschoolers came to visit the Grade 6, Room 10 students and they celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Monday.

After they ate the yummy “green eggs” (sugar cookies with green frosting centers) and “red bacon” (twizzlers), the 6th graders read Dr. Seuss books to their buddies.

A happy time was had by all, including the Cat in the Hat.

National Champs do it Again

3^rd Time is a Charm!!!

The Bobcats Cheerleaders keep their National Champs title at the Xtreme Spirit Midwest National Cheer Championship in Wisconsin Dells last weekend. Their unstoppable desire to defend their title, their exemplary teamwork and impeccable spirit paid off for a 3^rd time. Tears of joy were upon their faces when the announcer read the final results. All of the coaches, parents, family and friends in attendance were beaming with pride. This year proved once again that you can achieve your goal when you have a winning attitude and great support. Congratulations girls - We are very proud of YOU!

Special thanks to our director Cindy Gallagher for her leadership in keeping the girls focused and motivated, and to our head coach Samantha Szpytek for her mastermind routines, her outstanding talents, persistence and patience.

If you want to become a member of our award-winning Championship team and join the fun, look for our registration flyer coming soon in the brown envelope or contact Cindy Gallagher at 935-8224 for more information.

BUNCO

SINGING VALENTINES

Student Council teams of costumed performers visited classroom and offices and halls singing delivering singing Valentines on February 14^th. This is a fun and unique day. Members of the Student Council write the lyrics and perform a greeting to students and staff. Students, parents and staff purchase the telegrams for someone special.

DARE GRADUATION

Congratulations to Mrs. Oszakiewski’s 5^th grade class on the completion of the DARE Program. Sergeant Gary Kollner did a wonderful job working with the students. Parents, Sergeant Kollner, Police Chief Alan Vodicka, and parents attended the graduation ceremony.

Special congratulations to the following students who were winners in the DARE essay contest.

1^st place Jake Karlieck

2^nd place Inez Gonzalez

3^rd place Catherine Nowaczek

GR. 3 CELEBRATES CHINESE NEW YEAR WITH A TWIST

Mrs. Christianson’s third graders participated in working on a craft for Chinese New Year for a charitable organization called The Red Thread. They are in need of blankets for children in Honduras. The students made blankets out of fleece and wrote a special message to each child. These blankets will be hand delivered to a child in Honduras by a missionary from the Red Thread Organization.

KINDERGARTEN BREAKFAST WITH MOM

Kindergarten Moms enjoyed a fun-filled morning at the Breakfast For Moms. The morning festivities started with a beautiful liturgy said by Fr. Darrio. And then, we proceeded back to school for a delicious celebration. After our treats, the children surprised their mothers with a short performance. Moms were asked to participate in dances such as Sticky Sticky Bubblegum, the Hokey Pokey, and the Chicken Dance. Our event ended with happy hugs and many smiles.

QUEEN OF PEACE

Each year Queen of Peace freshmen are asked to write a paper on a teacher that influence that academic life. Of all the essays written only a few are selected.

This year our 2007 Alum Amanda Haynes wrote about Mrs. Kosan. The essays were read aloud at Queen of Peace on November 15^th. We congratulate Amanda for her writing skills and Mrs. Kosan for another job well done.

ST. NICHOLAS DAY

Today the Junior Honor Society commemorated the feast of St. Nicholas. “St. Nick” in full attire along with representatives from the JHS visited each classroom to explain the tradition of St. Nicholas Day and provide each student with a symbolic candy cane.

STARRY CHILD FOUNDATION CARDS

The 6h grade classes are offering “Starry Child Foundation” Christmas cards again this year. The cards include artwork by several St. Patricia students.

The Starry Child Foundation started as part of the fourth grade class study of the free enterprise system in 2004. This year, the 6th graders are doing the work as a volunteer venture after school. Under the direction of Mrs. Johnson, 6^th grade Social Studies teacher, and the help of several 6th grade parents, the foundation is offering 5 beautiful cards in a lovely gift bag for $5.00. All of the money, after expenses, goes to the foundation to help St. Patricia students who may have a special need at this time. We will also be offering “classic” 2006 Starry Child cards at a discounted price of $4.00 for a package of 5 cards. The cards will be sold at Santa’s Workshop, Market day and before and after the 4 o’clock mass on Saturday. Please help us to make this venture a success again this year. Thank you.

CHANNEL 7 FOOD DRIVE

As you all know WLS TV personality Tracy Butler is a supporter of our school. She made a personal appearance at a Dominick’s in Downers Grove on Tuesday December 4th. A number of our students and parents along with Mrs. Casper donated food and were on the 5 o’clock News remote braoadcast. Mrs. Casper coordinates this annual trip to support Tracy Butler and the Channel 7’s Food Drive.