| The Communicator |
May 2013
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It is hard to believe that this is our final Communicator for the 2012-2013 school year! My message is a simple thank you for allowing me to serve as your President for the past two school years! Two years ago I offered my assistance to Father John Kunz to help by serving on the president search committee and next thing I knew I had a position again at the school I dearly love! Loyola was at a critical point in June of 2011 and with the grace of God, careful planning, visionary leadership, and coordinated teamwork we are now positioning ourselves for continued growth and success. Loyola Catholic School has a bright future as more and more parents and community members understand what we have to offer. We are no longer the best kept secret in Mankato. We are a vibrant and successful Catholic school system living by the pillars of faith, academic excellence, service and leadership. Please join me and the Trustees at the following May events:
- MACS Nite May 4...Over the Hill and Proud of it at GCC
- State of the School Meeting May 8, 6:45pm. Meet & Greet for Father Schneider and Sam Cotton in the GCC Cafeteria. We will share information given at the Parish presentations, a summary of the past two years, our strategic planning, and extend our welcome to Father Schneider and Sam Cotton. Refreshments will be served.
- Final Brown Bag Lunch May 9, noon in GCC Media Center
- Baccalaureate Mass May 22, 7:00pm in Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger Chapel, GCC
- Graduation May 29, 7:00pm, GCC gymnasium. Bishop Quinn will join us.
Shelley Schultz
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Spirit Shop News & Survey
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A huge THANK YOU to Keri Solheid for all of her dedication and hard work in running our Spirit Shop for many years. Keri has put in more hours than we can count making sure all of our families have clothing to show their Crusader spirit! She has chosen to "retire" from this role, but will still be helping out. Julie Roush and Elaine Buhs are taking over the Spirit Shop. The first thing they would like to do is gather feedback from our families then we can continue to provide you with the best products and service! Below is a link to Survey Monkey. This survey will take a minute to complete as it has 5 questions. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Julie 382-9664 or Elaine 720-2313. Thank you.
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High School News
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High School Finals:
May 29 during periods 1, 2, 3, 4 with school dismissed at noon and May 30 during periods 5,6,7,8 with school dismissed at noon (no bus service at noon). If the student has a Study Hall period 1, 4, 5, or 8 and they choose to be at school they must be in their study hall room or Commons, but not in the hallway. Please make sure your students are prepared for these final exams.
High School Awards Ceremony: May 17 at 10:10-10:55am GCC
High School Pops Concert: Sunday, May 19 at 7:00pm in the Good Counsel Campus Gym. This will be the final Loyola Music Concert of the 2012-2013 school year and will feature both the High School Concert Band and the High School Concert Choir! Please join us for a night of Disney! There will be a dress rehearsal for all choir members on Saturday, May 18, at 10:00am. Report time for band students is Sunday at 6:30pm in the band room at GCC. We will do warm ups and tuning in the room before heading out to the gym.
Laws of Life: Congratulations to Elaine Adams, Madelin Heidl, Kenady Benning, Nicholas Cullen, Ava Rose Nelson, Shane Price, Cori Haala, Sonya Benzmiller, Kelly Holmin, Sarah Peller, Austin Ellingworth, Brett Taylor, and Jacob Peller as 2013 Laws of Life winners. Of the 31 participants who received scholarships, 14 students are from Loyola Catholic School. The Laws of Life Essay Contest is sponsored by the Family of Lowell and Nadine Andreas. The Mankato/North Mankato Area Dollars for Scholars Chapter coordinates this annual essay contest.
Grace Hermer, junior at Loyola High School has been selected to perform in the Minnesota Music Educators All-State Choir. Grace was chosen from a field of over 800 vocalists throughout the state of Minnesota. She will participate this summer in the Minnesota All-State Music Camp which will be held at St. John's University in Collegeville, MN and will then perform with the All-State Choir in a concert at Orchestra Hall during the Minnesota Music Educators Convention. Congratulations, Grace!
Fifteen Loyola Choral students competed on Saturday April 27, at Minnesota State University@Mankato in the MSHSL Solo and Ensemble Contest. Congratulations to the following! Good Work!
Superior Scores of 35 - 40: Noah Lacina, Jordan Moore, Ryan VanBlarcom, Megan Rogers, Grace Hermer, Allie Menke & Makenna Elert, Reilly Knutson, Malik Baxter, Sonya Benzmiller, Shelby Coulter
Excellent Scores of 28-34: Alia Coughlan, Mary Ninneman, Jake Peller, Kelly Holmin & Mary Ninneman
BEST IN SITE!: Grace Hermer
Ester Archer competed in the MN State Science and Engineering Fair April 7 - 9 after earning a purple ribbon at the regional fair. Ester received $100.00 and a one-year membership to MN Science Museum for having the best display presented at the state fair. Ester also received a Silver Grand award for ranking among the top 15% of all research projects. Ester's project was entitled "Ancient Ink: Modifying Historical Recipes To Make Colorful Oak Gall Inks."
Student Council says a special THANK YOU to everyone who helped make our Enchanted Prom a success! Sixty-six princesses and their princes strolled through a magical Grand March in a beautiful forest at the Fitzgerald Theater. Students and chaperones then enjoyed a delicious dinner and an enchanted evening of dancing at the Mankato Golf Club. We couldn't have done it without the help of so many students, parents, and teachers who shared their time, trees, and talents! Thank you again!
Attention Seniors and Senior Families:  We had a brief meeting with seniors after Mass on Wednesday, May 1, to discuss Graduation speakers and upcoming events; and hand out information about Baccalaureate, Graduation, and end of the school year details. Please mark your calendars for the following events: Baccalaureate Practice, group & individual pictures- Wednesday, May 22 at 11:30am in the Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger Chapel (LHS), wearing dress clothes, Caps & Gowns. Schola Foundation, Alumni Association, and Booster Club Luncheon for seniors- immediately following Baccalaureate practice (details TBA). Baccalaureate Mass- Wednesday, May 22 at 7:00pm (seniors arrive by 6:30pm) Graduation Practice- Wednesday, May 29 at noon in the LHS gym. Graduation- Wednesday, May 29 at 7:00pm in the LCS gym, GCC (seniors arrive by 6:15pm) Yearbooks: Loyola High School Yearbooks will arrive mid-May! The yearbook staff has worked many hours to complete this historical memory book. If you have not ordered a yearbook, and would like to, please send a check for $60, payable to LCS, with your student's name and grade in an envelope to the LHS office, marked: High School Yearbook. National Honor Society: The Loyola High School Chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 19 members during an Induction Mass on Wednesday, April 24, in the Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger Chapel. Current senior members hosted a reception following the Mass and induction ceremony. Congratulations to the newest members: Farah Almeer, Hannah Atkinson, Aunikah Bastian, Alia Coughlan, Lance Gaspar, Kelly Headington, Grace Hermer, Kathryn Homan, Reilly Knutson, Christopher Liu, Annie Nawrocki, Ellen Orcutt, Elizabeth Piepho, Rachel Schaub, Shane Sellner, Lindsay Solheid, Jordyn Strachan, Benjamin Torgerson, and Lea Wiezorek. |
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A Message from Principal Schumacher
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Dear Parent and Students,
Thank you for a school year filled with outstanding accomplishments by our students. It was truly a blessing to see the success of students in athletics, Speech, History Day, Laws of Life, Diocesan Essay winners, choir, band, and the dedication of students in school clubs. I am also thankful for our students who represent Loyola in other activities that are not part of the school. Thank you for sending your child to Loyola and God bless you.
Kindness Week:
The Fitz Builders Club sponsored a Kindness Week April 15-22. Each day focused on being kind to a different group: school personnel, prayer partners, our world, our community, and ourselves. Students filled out strips of paper whenever they performed an act of kindness. The strips were turned into links and the links were all connected and put up around the school as one continuous chain of almost one thousand kind acts. Kylie Komaridis, mother of Sophia Griffiths, a Builders Club member, coordinated the effort with Judy Doyle, the Builders Club advisor. It was a wonderful, positive experience.
Builders Club is sponsoring a used sneaker drive. Donate your used sneakers and we will send them to a  company called Greensneakers which will send them to people living in developing countries. We are paid by the pound for these, so every shoe helps to bring money into our school. We will be collecting sneakers until May 24. Please drop them off at the Fitz Campus. Last call for Frito-Lay brand chip bags. These are donated to Terracycle and we are paid by the bag. All money collected will go to our desk fund.
Grade 6 will culminate their study of Minnesota History with their annual trek to St. Paul on Wednesday, May 8, with stops at the Capitol, James J. Hill House, the Cathedral of St. Paul, and Fort Snelling.
Fitzgerald Band and Choir Concert will be on Wednesday, May 15, at 7:30pm in the Fitzgerald Theater, featuring Grade 5 Band, Grade 6 Band, Grade 7-8 Band, Grade 7-8 Men's Choir, and Grade 7-8 Women's Choir. Report time for band and choir students is 7:00pm in the band/choir rooms at Fitzgerald. Please be on time for warm-ups and tuning.
Band Concert Attire:
Grades 5-6: Nice clothes, no jeans.
Grades 7-8 Gentlemen: black shoes, BLACK SOCKS, black pants, white button down dress shirt. Colorful ties are optional.
Grade 7-8 Ladies: black dress shoes (either flats or pumps, no platforms please), black skirt or pants (skirts must be knee-length or be worn with leggings), white dress top. A colorful scarf is optional, but encouraged.
Choir Concert Attire:
Choir Men: Black pants, shirts, socks and shoes with a white tie.
Choir Women: Black pants, white shirt, black flat shoes
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A Message from Sister Mary Beth
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Early in April, primary students completed Circle of Grace, a K-12 program focused on personal safety and the God-given dignity of each person. At the primary school level children learn about personal boundaries, and through the use of stories practice recognizing situations that are uncomfortable or unsafe; and learn that they need to tell a trusted adult.
Preschoolers enjoyed their "Moms and Muffins" celebration! (Yes, there was a "Dads and Doughnuts" event earlier in the year as well!) The weather made Mrs. H and Mrs. Z reschedule a few times, but the children and their guests made it a great event. On May 1, from 6-7pm, preschoolers were scheduled to enjoy The Big Truck Rally
, exploring all kinds of big rigs "up close" and even trying out the various horns, whistles and sirens. Who would have thought we'd have to cancel because of a winter storm warning?
Thirteen third graders presented their Science Fair projects to classmates and younger children on April 25, and then entered the Science Fair at MSU on Saturday, April 27. Making us proud are:
Hannah Andersen: purple ribbon/book/gift card
Lauren Dimler and Elise Rykhus: blue ribbon/book
Duram Kelly and Jake Eichers: purple ribbon/medal for 1st in division/gift card
Kirby Folsom: red ribbon/book
Ethan Fuller: purple/medal for 3rd in division/gift card
Fletcher Johnson and Leo Simpson: blue ribbon/book
Arman Latefi and Grant Wangsness: blue ribbon/book
Marie Leonard: red ribbon/book
and Heather Shearman: purple ribbon
Wednesday, April 24, was Administrative Professionals Day, so all that week Shannon entertained many visitors in her office! She smiled through songs, prayers and blessings, raps and chants, poems and cheers, cards, letters and posters as the children expressed their love and thanks.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Day, celebrated on April 26, reminded us that on April 26, 1910, the decision was made to build a provincial house for SSND and an academy for girls on this property. Since it was the feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel, the Hill was dedicated to her. Primary students took walks to the Sisters' house/grounds on the 26th to search for pictures, paintings and statues of Our Lady of Good Counsel.
We've enjoyed visiting with folks who have come into the office to purchase MACS Nite & Lucky 20 raffle tickets. Even more exciting, has been seeing the creativity and variety of the auction items made by LCS PS-3 teachers and their classes. The items have truly unique and personal touches...fingerprints, handprints, footprints, photographs, original writing, original drawings, and more...certain to be treasured for years to come.
We began our spring NWEA MAP tests on April 30. (Kindergarteners have been begging to do them again!) Next week we will begin our spring DIBELS testing. The assessments give us a detailed profile of our students' strengths and challenges, and help us to gear our instruction for greater learning.
Our May calendar is filled with special events and blessings. Be sure to join us when you can.
We continue to meet new families, give tours, and enroll new students. Please continue to encourage your family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors to choose Loyola. Thank you!
Thank you for a wonderful year in the primary school! We are so blessed to spend our days with youngsters--so fresh from Heaven--who look at the world in wonder, at life with joy, at learning as an adventure, and at each of us on staff with trust and delight. Mrs. Cliff used to quote an unknown source saying, "Every child deserves to have someone in their life whose eyes light up when they walk in the room." At Loyola Primary, there are about 240 little ones who put twinkles in our eyes every day!
Sister Mary Beth
[email protected]
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Activities
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Speech
With over 50 students in speech in grades 7-12, the Loyola speech team ended one of their most successful  seasons in recent history. The team came away with a runner-up finish in Section 2A and advanced 8 students to the State Class A Speech tournament held at Blaine H.S. on April 20. The following students represented Loyola at the State tournament:
Annie Nawrocki-Creative Expression
Sonya Benzmiller-Discussion
Adam Schwartz-Discussion
Shane Price-Extemporaneous Speaking
Logan Goettl-Humorous
Shelby Coulter-Humorous
Stephanie Wolf-Serious Poetry
Mary Ninneman-Storytelling
Four of the eight speakers advanced to the final round at the State tournament and placed. Shane Price placed 5th, Mary Ninneman earned runner-up honors(2nd Place) and both Shelby Coulter and Stephanie Wolf became state champions in their respective categories. This was Stephanie's second consecutive state championship in Serious Poetry and her 3rd state medal overall. She received runner-up honors in the same category in 2011. With her championship this year, she has become the most decorated Loyola speaker in over 15 years.
Spring Activities have been rescheduled several times due to weather. Please check the Activities Calendar for updated schedules. Thank you to everyone for being patient with all of the changes to events and practices.
Fall Sports sign up will take place the week of May 13 at both campuses. We encourage all students to sign up for an activity.
Upcoming Events: May 21- Sections begin for Softball May 23- Sections begin for Baseball. Sub Section Track and Field @ NRHEG
Girls Basketball Camp
Youth Summer Basketball Camp for girls entering grades 3-6 June 17- 20, from 9:00-11:00am in the Fitzgerald campus gym. Please fill out the  permission slip and turn it in to the office by May 29. Cost of camp is $25 which includes a camp t-shirt. Contact Jay Douglas at 720-4296 for more information. Please click here for permission slip.
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Technology
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We are happy to announce that we will begin to refresh our laptop fleet next year in two stages. Stage one will be the refresh of the teacher/staff laptops this summer and stage two will be the entire fleet for 2014-2015 school year. Additionally, the current student laptop fleet will be upgraded with solid state drives, significantly improving their performance, for the 2013-2014 school year.
As the school year comes to a close, it is also time to start getting laptops ready for collection during the last two weeks of the school year. Be sure to check on the website and get updates from your child about laptop collection procedures. Note that even with the refresh and upgrades, we will still be using all current student laptops next year, so they must be handed in cleaned up.
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Parish News
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Vacation Bible School offered in our four Mankato Parishes, Summer 2013
Holy Rosary
Theme: "Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong for God"
Dates: June 10-14
Cost: $25 (includes t-shirt)
Ages: 4 yrs-Grade 5
387-6501
SS Peter & Paul
Hosting Totus Tuus
Dates: June 23-28
Cost: $25 per student with a $75 family cap
Grades 1-6, SSPP Jesuit Hall, 9:00-2:30
Grades 7-12, SSPP Upper Room, 7:30 PM-9:40PM
388-2995
St. Joseph the Worker
Theme: "Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong for God"
Dates: June 10-14
Cost: $15 per student
Ages: 4 yrs-Grade 5
625-3450
St. John the Baptist
Theme: "Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong for God"
Dates: June 24-28
Cost: ?
Ages: 4 yrs-11yrs
625-3131
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Fundraisers
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MACS Nite "Over the Hill, On the Hill" May 4, 2013 
On May 4, over 1200 people will gather on "The Hill" to enjoy music, a live auction, a silent auction, bingo, bakery, raffles and great food. In 2013, we are celebrating the 40th year of MACS Nite with the theme "Over the Hill, On the Hill". During the evening, a lucky person will win $20,000 through the Lucky 20 Raffle. The band headlining for us from 10:00pm - 12:00am is called GTX. The Sweet Adelines sing at 6:00pm and Billy and the Bangers perform at 7:00pm. Please note, we will not have ATM machines on site this year. There is an ATM at Casey's at the bottom of the Hill. The MACS Nite bank will be in the high school office and will be able to cash checks (your canceled check is your receipt) and make change, throughout the evening.
Lucky 20
Remember to purchase your Lucky 20 tickets! One lucky person will win $20,000. You may turn your tickets in at any school office from now until Friday afternoon.
Loyola night at the Mankato MoonDogs 
Loyola Catholic School will be the non-profit group the night of June 20, 2013 at the Moon- Dogs vs Willmar game. We will have Dog Pound tickets available for that night. They are $25 for adults, $16 for kids age 3-18, and anyone under 3 is free. With this ticket, you get unlimited buffet dinner, 2 free beers for those 21 and older, and then $1 beer after the first two beers. If you do not wish to be in the Dog Pound, you can purchase general admission tickets for $6 and Loyola will receive a percentage of the tickets sold. You may buy tickets in the Advancement Office. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Amy Klugherz at 388-0617 or email her at [email protected]
Fair Trade Update: Two Fair Trade committee members, seniors Logan Goettl and Sarah Peller, shared  their knowledge and passion for Fair Trade with the CCW group at Holy Rosary Parish on Monday, April 1. Goettl and Peller presented the idea of Fair Trade Cooperatives and how they provide support for an entire community through projects to better the working conditions, health, and education of its members, as well as positively impact the overall environment. They shared how Mankato community members can support local Fair Trade as well as global Fair Trade, discussing specific products and how to become involved in the Fair Trade movement in our community.
All students involved in the high school Fair Trade committee, along with the Loyola Food Service staff, hosted a Fair Trade breakfast on Thursday, April 4, for students and staff at the Good Counsel campus. Students were able to purchase Fair Trade breakfast items such as bread, fruit, juice, coffee and tea. Freshmen were allowed to eat free because of their positive involvement with the Fair Trade fall fundraiser, when they sold the most items of all the high school grades.
Look for the Fair Trade table at MACS Nite. Several items will be for sale including chocolate, coffee, tea, and many handcrafted items. These items make great gifts for graduation, Mother's Day, and weddings!! The Fair Trade committee just purchased 10 new Senda Fair Trade soccer balls for the soccer teams at Loyola. Some of the money raised from the fall fundraiser was used to help purchase them for our school. If interested, one can access more information on Fair Trade Soccer balls at http://www.sendaathletics.com
My School is Cool
Remember to turn in your River Hills Mall receipts to the Loyola Locker between the Food Court 
and JC Penney or turn them in to Barb Chicos. Every receipt helps our school. May 15 is the final day to turn in receipts. School winners will be awarded prizes before the school year ends.
Scrip News
Scrip rebates are a win-win for everyone....our school and our families! The reward is the Scrip rebate for purchases paid with Scrip gift cards. The shared rebate amount varies by retailer but generally ranges from 2 - 16%.
Did you know? May 20 is May-Scriping day at www.shopwithscrip.com. By having an online
Scrip account with the PrestoPay online payment feature, you can take advantage of ScripNow specials available only May 20 from 12: 01 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.
Examples from November Scrip-ing day include:
Bath & Body Works ScripNow, regularly 13%, bonus was 20%
Buffalo Wild Wings ScripNow, 8%, bonus was 13%
Gap/Old Navy ScripNow, 15%, bonus was 24%
ITunes ScripNow, 5%, bonus was 20%
JC Penney ScripNow, 5%, bonus was 8%
Lowe's ScripNow, 4%, bonus was 6%
Shutterfly ScripNow, 9%, bonus was 16%
Did you know? Now through May 24 (or while supplies last) order these special Scrip gift cards online: Barnes & Noble $5, Target $10, Panera Bread $5 and Walmart $10.
We've heard it in the halls...Scrip cards are an easy way to purchase sports equipment and shoes with Community Scrip gift certificates. Community Scrip is available cash 'n carry at the Scrip office, Holy Rosary Parish Office, and Voyager Bank. See the Community Scrip listing of participating businesses on the Scrip page of the Loyola website.
More information can be found on Loyola's website under the Loyola Life /Scrip or contact JoAnn Schlosser, Scrip Coordinator at 507.388.0601 or [email protected]
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This incorporates dates that are announced in above newsletter.
*Black - family information
*Red - staff information
*Purple - volunteers, coaches, parents
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May 3 School is in Session!
May 4 MACS Nite
May 8 State of the School Meeting 6:45pm in GCC Cafeteria
May 9 Brown Bag Lunch with President in GC Campus Media Center, noon-1:00pm
May 10 Kindergarten Spring Program, GCC gym, 1:30pm
May 15 Fall Sports Sign Up
Loyola Advisory Council meeting 5:15pm
Fitzgerald Band & Choir Concert 7:30pm in Fitzgerald Theater
Primary School May Birthday Mass 10:15am
May 17 Kindergarten Day for preschoolers 8:00am-12:15pm
High School Awards 10:10-10:55am GCC
May 18 Dress rehearsal for high school choir members 10:00am
May 19 High School POPS Concert 7:00pm in GC Campus Gym
May 21 Sections begin for Softball
May 22 Second graders' "Bread of Life" Thanksgiving Mass, 10:15am
Baccalaureate 7:00pm in Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger Chapel on GCC
May 23 Sections begin for Baseball. Sub Section Track and Field @ NRHEG
May 29 Grade 3 "Blessing" Mass, 10:15am
Graduation 7:00pm in GCC gym with Bishop Quinn
High School Finals with dismissal at noon (no bus service at noon)
May 30 High School Finals with dismissal at noon (no bus service at noon)
Last Day of School (no bus service at noon)
Grade 4-8 Mass celebrating Grade 8. Reception for Grade 8 follows
Grades 4-8 dismissed at noon (tentative time but around lunch hour)
Primary Grades final day of school, field activities & picnic lunch. Dismissal at noon.
(No bus service, no Clubhouse)
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Please remember to check the website for updates
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Peace and Blessings,
Loyola Catholic School
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