December 1, 2013 DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

From the Principal: A NOTE ABOUT COMMUNICATION Dear Families, In our effort to cut back on paper use As we welcome December, we also begin the season of Advent where we prepare and wait to celebrate the birth of Jesus in Beth- and thus reduce our costs (and your lehem on the first Christmas many, many years ago. It is a busy recycling!), we plan to send our monthly time for all of us as our traditions have come to include shopping, newsletter via email. If you don't gift wrapping, sending holiday cards, decorating and preparing currently receive our communications special foods and treats; all while continuing to work, go to via email, please call, email, or stop by school, and keep up with our other routine tasks and activities. It is the office and provide your email easy get fatigued and irritable during a time that should be filled address to Mrs. Strande. with anticipation and happiness. So, I encourage you to step back, set a few priorities and let some of the non-essential things go. When we adults recall our favorite holiday memories, they usually center on enjoying special time with family and friends, not how clean the house was or how many different Christmas cookies were baked. Our best memories are built around relationships, DRESSING FOR THE both with each other and with Jesus. WEATHER My holiday wish for each member of the St. Michael’s Elementary School family is that we all take the time to consider what is most The weather is changing and temperatures important about Christmas and find time to enjoy and reflect on are dropping. Dressing your child appropri- the good that surrounds us. A child was born on that winter night ately for the weather is important. Remem- so many years ago and love filled the world. May the hope and ber that this should include hats and gloves/ peace that was born with Him that holy night remain forever in our mittens, as well as boots in snowy or wet hearts. weather. Soon, we will also need snow pants and scarves! Weather permitting, stu- Merry Christmas, Ken dents will be sent outdoors for recess, as it is important for the students to go out in the IMPORTANT DECEMBER DATES fresh air and exercise.

December 5 Hear yea, hear yea…come one and all School Mass followed by the Bridge Builders Tree of Lights ceremony to…the St. Michael’s Catholic School 8:45 a.m. Christmas Concert! December 9 School Mass - Immaculate Conceception Be sure to mark Thursday, December 8:45 a.m. 12 at 6:30 p.m. on your calendar. You December 12 St. Michael’s Catholic School Christmas Concert will not want to miss this showcase of 6:30 p.m. local talent as we celebrate the birth of December 19 School Mass our Lord and Savior, Jesus! 8:45 a.m. December 23-January 1 No School - Christmas Vacation St Michael’s SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS OR POSTPONEMENT PROCEDURES School postponement and cancellation alternatives will be as follows: a. Hold school as normal. b. Open school but delay sending buses. c. Delay the start time in all schools by two (2) hours based on school start time

St Michael’s School’s start time is 8:15, so when the opening is delayed two hours, school will start at 10:15 am. When school starts late, there will be no 8-11 Preschool classes. Full day Preschool classes will be held.

Decisions related to the delayed opening or closing of St. Michael’s school will always be consistent with those made for the Grand Forks Public schools.

Once school is in session, it will not be terminated until the regular closing time except in very severe weather situations. However, school buses may leave early. Radio, TV stations and Call One Now will be used to notify parents.

The decision to close or delay school will be made as early as possible. Announcements are made on lo- cal radio stations: KNOX-AM, KKXL-AM, KCNN-AM, K-LITE-FM, KFJM-AM, KQHT-FM, KYCK-FM and TV stations: WDAZ (Ch.8), KVLY(Ch.11), KXJB (Ch.4), Channel 15 (School District Channel). Many of these media outlets also have web sites where the closure listings are posted.

St Michael’s School will be using our Automated Calling system to call parents if school will be delayed or cancelled due to severe weather conditions. This call will be made as early as possible. Parents or guardians may always exercise their right to keep students home or pick them up early during stormy conditions.

If an emergency situation should develop during the time school is in session, children will be cared for in school until the storm has subsided.

If the bus is sent home early, note the following: a. Radio and TV stations and One Call Now will make the announcement of the departure time. b. The lead-time needed for the procedure is approximately one (1) hour. c. If conditions are dangerous, the bus driver must use common sense in discharging students that must walk a considerable distance. Drivers will have parents meet the bus or be on the lookout for their children. If the driver is unable to contact parents and conditions are dan- gerous, they will not let students off the bus but return to school and notify the principal.