General Information and Reminders!
March 2023
A blessed Lent to all. Three months left of school and there is still so much to accomplish. Several of
the lower school teachers have reported to me that they see their students starting to come to a
higher level of work and that there is an integration of everything they have worked on from the start
of the school year. Mastery is attained by practice - there is no other way. But as everyone knows
who has worked hard to learn something, whether it be physical or mental, there comes a point
where everything “clicks” and what was laborious now comes with ease and you can go on to the
next level.
Virtue of the Month: Generosity
This virtue was chosen to emphasize Christ’s love and generosity to us in the offering of his life on the
cross. It also helps the children to focus on one of the works of Lent, almsgiving.
Recitations:
the lower school teachers have reported to me that they see their students starting to come to a
higher level of work and that there is an integration of everything they have worked on from the start
of the school year. Mastery is attained by practice - there is no other way. But as everyone knows
who has worked hard to learn something, whether it be physical or mental, there comes a point
where everything “clicks” and what was laborious now comes with ease and you can go on to the
next level.
Virtue of the Month: Generosity
This virtue was chosen to emphasize Christ’s love and generosity to us in the offering of his life on the
cross. It also helps the children to focus on one of the works of Lent, almsgiving.
Recitations:
- Do not neglect to do good and share what you have -For such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
- We should give as we receive -Quickly and without hesitation.
- For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son - That whoever believes in Him m,ight not perish, but might have eternal life.
Reading At HomeEvery year we emphasize the necessity of reading aloud to your child. Not only does it build a reading culture within your family, but it helps develop many skills necessary for the child to become an independent, life-long reader and lover of books. Parents are often at a loss though as to what they ought to read and many of the books promoted today for young readers are banal, poorly written, loud, badly illustrated and sometimes immoral. The following books are highly recommended to help with the selection of good books: Honey For A Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt The Read Aloud Revival by Sarah MacKenzie Books Children Love by Elizabeth Wilson The Classical Reader by Leslie Rayner and Christopher Perrin Although all are good, I particularly recommend the first two because the first part of each book lays out the why and how of reading to children. Homework is very limited in the lower school. In part because its effectiveness is highly debatable and also to give the child an opportunity to read and be read to. 
As the weather turns a little chilly (yes, even in Southern California) we ask that parents remember to
send their children to school with school sweaters and to follow the dress code regarding winter attire. Please label all clothing. |
LENTLent at the Lower School is off to a good start and the children are marking the days on their Lenten
calendars and engaging in class works that involve almsgiving and acts of sacrifice. I have been edified by some of the offerings my little ones have decided to make. Despite the heavy rain on Friday the children were able to do the Stations of the Cross in the basement together with the third graders holding the pictures of each station and the fourth graders reading aloud the meditations and prayers. 
Pizza Day:
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Colonial DayThe Lower School will also be preparing this month for Colonial Day which will take place at the upper campus on March 17th. Each grade will present a skit, song or poem about the founding or early years of our nation in the morning. Parents are invited to attend this part of the day’s festivities. There are costumes for the kindergarten and first grade classes and the second, third and fourth grade teachers will be sending home information soon about costumes for those grades. The children have been assigned to different teams of mixed grade levels according to states or regions. Each team has an identifying color and the children will wear a t-shirt in that color under their costume so that they can remove the costume and participate in the afternoon activities in the afternoon with their team. Attached is the roster of teams.
All School Mass
This Friday, March 3rd, there will be mass at the upper school barring any rain issues. The bus is scheduled to transport the students, but if there are any problems, I will let you know by Thursday morning so we can ask for carpool volunteers. 
We welcome treats for Birthday Celebrations. We just ask that the food be manageable- cookies, cupcakes, a small snack, etc. no cakes that need cutting. Parents need only bring something for the class, not the whole school.
Please send your child to school with a water bottle or thermos of water during these hot days. We do have large water bottles on hand for refills when necessary.
Lately, we have noticed that there has been less attention paid to grooming. Some of the boys need
haircuts and the girls often have hair that is in their eyes and face, tangled and unkempt looking. Please make sure their hair is cut and combed so that they are able to keep their hair out of their eyes and that they look clean and neat. Remember, external order produces internal order. |
Reminders ATTENTION
*****Very Important**** Do NOT send your child to school with medicines/inhalers to be administered by the child. Contact the teacher and give her the medication, along with specific dosage instructions. Any medications and inhalers need to be in the teacher's possession for obvious safety reasons- NO exceptions! Children love to share and sometimes do not understand why they cannot share these as well as their toys. ILLNESSThere have been a number of absentees this past month due to illness. Please DO NOT send your child to school if he or she has had a fever, rash, vomiting in the last 24 hours. There have been several cases of conjunctivitis (pink eye) so be attentive to any pink tinge or mucus in the eyes. PARKING LOT SAFETY!
Parents must exit the vehicle and come collect their child or carpool to take back to the car. No exceptions! Davis is a very busy street and unsupervised children are in danger of being struck by a car. Please be mindful! 
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REGULAR SCHOOL SCHEDULE
8:40 First bell, line up, announcements, recitation
8:45 -10:10 morning classes
10:10 - 10:40 snack and recess break
10:40 - 11:45 class
11:45 -12:30 lunch and playtime
12:30 - 2:00 afternoon classes
2:05 first bell and clean up
2:10 second bell - line up for dismissal
2:15 dismissal and pick-up
