Principal's Update

October 18 , 2007

Fall continues its presence in our lives.  I, like many of you, felt blessed by the autumn sun at this past weekend’s Cross Country meet, which was in direct contrast to our first meet of the year!

Thank you for your efforts this week in getting your children to school on time despite all the traffic back-ups.  Please remember to send your children to school with a warm hooded coat or sweatshirt during these fall days.  We only call Rainy Day Recess when absolutely necessary.  We have also heard from some of our teachers that students have come to school on field trip days without coats.  When children are outside and the weather can change from one hour to the next, it is important to make sure they are prepared for any weather.  Thank you in advance for your assistance with this.

As you are aware, conferences are next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, October 24th-26th.  The purpose of these conferences is to set goals for the rest of the school year.  

In grades first through eighth, we ask students to be present and be an integral part in sharing with you what is going well and what they would like to work on.  Your child’s teacher(s) will add to what they have said and may have some input/ideas of their own.  

One topic that may come up is homework and the importance of turning it in on time.  I have heard from many teachers since the start of the school year about the number of students who are coming to class without their homework completed.  When students are asked why they did not finish their homework, the reasons vary from, “My aunt came over for dinner”, “It was my brother’s birthday” to “I had soccer practice.”  The scarcity of family time makes the incorporation of homework habits into the family routine even more important.

At Sacred Heart School we see homework as a way to help children grow in responsibility, keep parents informed and involved in their children’s learning, and send a message that disciplined home study is important.  We appreciate all your efforts in making sure homework is completed and turned in on time.  If you are finding that your child is having trouble getting their homework done, please make sure you discuss this with your child’s teacher(s) during conferences.

We hope to see you at our All Saints’ Day Mass on Thursday, Nov.  1st which is being led by our Seventh Grade.  The conversation with the administration will immediately follow the mass.