Saint Rita School Weekly Newsletter

Celebrating Faith, Excellence and Stewardship for 90 years

Website: www.st-ritaschool.org (626) 355-6114 Fax: (626) 355-0713

March 19, 2012

Send articles for the newsletter to Mrs. Landis at landis@st-ritaschool.org

*Monday, March 19 Dear Parents, 1:00 Assembly in OMalley Hall Damien Band and St. Lucy Please consider a position on the PTO Board for next year. It is much more Confessions in the church 4:15-5:15 than a fundraising group. The PTO Board builds strong working L .E.A.P.S. Knitting class relationships between our parents and teachers in support of our students. *Tuesday, March 20, The members are my advisors on school issues and an important link 7:45 arrival time Mass Dress between the school and the parish. The richness of our program is a result of First Day of spring your time, talent and financial support. Most importantly, our students learn Confessions in the church 3:15-4:15 the value of your involvement and something very important about L.E.A.P.S. Karate leadership in the process. This next year is the year for leaders to step *Wednesday, March 21, th forward as we partner with Monsignor Krekelberg and the Vision 6 Grade Field Trip to Pacific Asia Committee, the Facilities Committee and the Stewardship Committee. Museum L.E.A.P.S. Baton and Cheer Thank you Jeff Allen, Martin Boskovich, David Chambers, Bill Hardy, *Thursday, March 22, 1:45 Dismissal Staff meeting Jennifer McFaul, Colleen McKernan and Melissa Stutenroth for L.E.A.P.S. Sewing and Accessories accepting positions on the newly formed Parish Vision Committee; the for American Girl Dolls. first of three committees charged with identifying and implementing the Chess and Dance Class renovations and growth of St. Rita Parish and School. *Friday, March 23, Sport Jersey Dress with a 6 pack of The Vision Committee will study the Pastoral Master Plan and develop a 10water or soda year vision for the parish that includes St. Rita School, Ministries, Facilities rd 3 grade GCC Planetarium and Services. They will survey all stakeholders and submit a report to Report Card Day Monsignor Richard. Their report will then go to the Facilities Committee to Meatless meal Bean and Cheese identify the scope of renovations that will sustain over the next fifty years. Burrito The Stewardship Committee will develop the time, talent and resources. *Saturday, March 24 St. Joseph Track Meet *Sunday, March 25, PTO Fundraiser HOOP IT UP *Monday, March 26 St. Rita's Hoop It Up Sunday March 25th, 3:30 PM to Confessions in the church 4:15-5:15 L.E.A.P.S. Knitting class 6:30 PM East Side of St. Rita's School *Tuesday, March 27, We have extended the deadline for pledges for 7:45 arrival time Mass Dress Confessions in the church 3:15-4:15 Wednesday, March 21st L.E.A.P.S. Karate Raffle tickets can be turned in anytime before the raffle at the event. *Wednesday, March 28, Also if you need fundraising hours there are a few spots for the L.E.A.P.S. Baton and Cheer Second shift spots from 5-7:30 sign up online on Volunteer Spot. *Thursday, March 29, We need everyones help to meet our fundraising goal this year! 1:45 Dismissal Staff meeting You can give your support by doing all or one of the following L.E.A.P.S. Sewing and Accessories **Pledge **Buy **Drink **Eat **Shoot a hoop! for American Girl Dolls. Chess and Dance Class *Friday, March 30, Noon Dismissal HOT LUNCH Grilled Cheese Sandwiches served at *Friday, March 23, Bring in a SNACK TIME DUE TO NOON with a 6 pack of water or soda DISMISSAL! Wear your favorite Team

Sport Jersey

The second graders participated in their First Reconciliation on Tuesday, March 6th. Though we \were a bit nervous, we felt so relieved to receive our absolution and penance! We are now in full swing as we prepare for our First Holy Communion which will take place on Saturday, May 5th. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue in our sacramental preparation journey!

Confession Schedule: Monday, March 12th, 19th, 26th, 4:15-5:15 Tuesday, March 20th, 27th, 3:15-4:15 Saturday, March 17th, 24th, 31st, 4:00-5:00 Tuesday, April 3rd, Communal Penance Service at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Pasadena at 7:00 p.m.

The Kindergarten class recently performed their play, The Butterfly Friends", for an appreciative audience of family and friends. We are learning about great American heroes, including Dr. Martin Luther King, George Washington, Paul Revere, William Dawes, Harriet Tubman and Abraham Lincoln. We have been learning about the American Revolution and the Civil War. I am very proud of this wonderful group of kiddos! We have become super spellers and marvelous math kiddos as well as remarkable readers!!! We are getting ready to celebrate our 100th day of school with projects, stories and 100 treats! We are becoming "Jesus Kids" as we learn about the Jesus Story and about God's love. Many thanks to our Room Moms, Lori Bernard and Debbie Hardy for their enthusiasm, hard work and dedication to making each Kindergarten event truly special. God Bless, Mrs. Davies

St. Rita Used Book Sale

Do you have any unwanted books on your bookshelves? Please bring them to our library. All books that we cannot use in our library we will be selling at our upcoming Used Book Sale. Kickoff will be Sunday, April 22nd after the 10:00am Mass along with coffee and donuts sponsored by our Student Council members. The Book Sale will continue that week at our school ~ outside the office ~ in the breezeway. All books $1.00 each, any additional donations also accepted. This is another great way to clean out your bookshelves and support our school. Used book donations will be accepted for the next month. Please bring your donations to the school library while we prepare for our sale and purge some of our old books to make room for some new ones. Any questions, feel free to contact Mrs. Alvarado alvarado@st-ritaschool.org or 355-6114

PLEASE TURN IN YOUR HCA BOXES WITH YOUR LENTEN DONTATIONS BY FRIDAY MARCH 23, 2012. SO WE CAN SEND IT WITH FATHER KEN TO TAKE TO HAITI! ***CORRECTION*** *Monday, March 26 6:00 PM - D.C. Departure Info Meeting for 8th grade participants 7:00 PM - D.C. Trip 2013 Meeting for 7th grade parents
Fingerprinting in the San Gabriel Region Wednesday, March 28th
ST. JOHN VIANNEY 1345 Turnbull Canyon Rd. 12:00pm - 3:40pm & 5:20pm - 7:20pm Hacienda Heights For appointment call (626) 330-2269

The third graders have been extremely busy bees learning new concepts, partaking in art and subject projects, mastering the SLEs, enjoying buddy activities, mastering their multiplication tables, creating project book reports and so much more! It is breath-taking to witness each and every student blossom into a mature 3rd grader who craves independence and responsibility, both socially and academically. In January, the class read Charlotte's Web and loved every single minute of it!!! They didn't want the book to end and raved about each chapter, which only made me smile bigger and brighter on a daily basis! To further our understanding of the book's themes, the kids created Adjective friend webs, a chapter booklet and beautiful triorama book reports. Come take a peek at each child's creativity. In January, Charlotte's Web was also interwoven into our class studying MLK, Jr. and his fight for civil rights, personal freedoms and the acceptance of others. The children and I worked diligently throughout January to remember to live as Jesus taught us to live and to treat everyone equally. We are currently working on our family quilt squares- "Our Family Quilt of Love", our Native American tribe projects and "patiently" waiting the February 28 date to start our annual chicken incubation experiment. During the Lenten season, the kiddos will also be creating a Lenten booklet and participating in our annual buddy activity at the Mater Dolorosa Retreat House for the Stations of the Cross. The children are so alive and excited about learning, which makes teaching them a dream come true. Come check out our classroom, our chick eggs or wait until Open House to view all of our Ahhhh-making work (and chickies, fingers crossed)! We have also been blessed with the Hodge family this past week and it has been wonderful having Chloe in our class. Blessings~ Ms. Cambonga & the Third Graders