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May 10, 2024
Dear Parents,
A huge thank you to all who helped make pizzas this past weekend! We had a wonderful turn-out and soo many beautiful hands made for light work. We made just under 3,000 pizzas! Hats off to Miss Jan, Michelle, Don and Michelle B., Mrs. Dotzler, Kelsey N. and Mrs. Schueller, for organizing, ordering, running, figuring, entering orders, etc. It was a great day of fellowship and camaraderie!
Day of Adoration
Come pray with us on Monday, May 13, from 8:30AM - 3:00PM, for a Day of Adoration in church. Spend 5 minutes or 5 hours in the silence and presence of the Lord. Fr. Neil will have Benediction at 2:45 PM. Please join us if you are able.
Retreat
We are so thrilled to offer a retreat for our 2 - 8 grade students on Wednesday, May 22 at Camp Vista. Mr. McGalloway is leading the pack in helping us strengthen our faith and we need your help with the events and games. It's going to be a great day so join us if you can. If you are available to help, please email, text, or call the school office let us know. Grade 2 - 5 will be there from 8:30am - 12:30pm and Grades 6 - 8 will be there from 11:30am - 3:00pm. You are invited to join us for Mass at 11:30am. Please pray for the kids as they reflect, learn, pray, and continue to build a lifetime relationship with the Lord. We all know how difficult life can be and how crucial it is to have a strong faith foundation to carry us and surround us in the challenging times life can throw our way.
Please read the following information/updates with testing and Circle of Grace.
Wisconsin Forward Exam
This year, our students participated in the Wisconsin Forward Exam, which was rolled out by the state of Wisconsin, during the 2015-16 school year. The Exam is designed to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards. These standards outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be college and career ready. The Forward Exam is administered online each spring. Grades 3 through 8 were tested in English Language Arts and Math, and Grades 4 AND 8 were additionally tested in Science and Social Studies. The Forward Exam is a high quality, researched-based, affordable online assessment that meets Wisconsin's expectations. It is a customized assessment with innovative item types that includes test questions reviewed and approved by Wisconsin educators. As part of the Wisconsin Choice Program, we are required to participate in the testing, which replaces the requirement to participate in the IOWA Basic exam. All public schools and schools participating in the Wisconsin Choice program, and with more than 30 students, are required to participate in the Wisconsin Forward exam.
Safe Environment Curriculum for K-8 Students
We have completed or are in the process of completing Circle of Grace Instruction in your child's classroom. The link Circle of Grace Parent Information is specifically for parents regarding more sensitive topics that you should know about so you can have the appropriate conversation with your child(ren) about technology guidelines and unsafe behaviors and situations.
Out of concern for all God’s people and in response to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, we have a curriculum for the safe environment education of children and young people supported and mandated by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Diocese/eparchies are to maintain “safe environment” programs which the diocesan/eparchial bishop deems to be in accord with Catholic moral principles. They are to be conducted cooperatively with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for minors, parents, ministers, educators, and others about ways to sustain and foster a safe environment for minors. Dioceses/eparchies are to make clear to clergy and members of the community the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons with regard to their conduct with minors. Article 12 - Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
What is a Circle of Grace?
The Catholic Church teaches that God has created each of us as unique and special. Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are created “male and female in God’s image” and that God saw this as “very good.” In that goodness, we are meant to respect ourselves and everyone else as persons created and loved by God.
Adults assist children and young people to recognize God’s love by helping them to understand that each of us lives and moves in a Circle of Grace. You can imagine your own Circle of Grace by putting your arms above your head then circle down in front of your body including side to side. This circle, front to back, holds who you are in your body and through your senses. It holds your very essence in mind, heart, soul, and sexuality.
Why is it important to help our children understand the Circle of Grace?
God intends our relationships in life to be experiences of divine love. Respectful, nurturing, loving relationships increase our understanding of our own value and help us to love others. It is never too early to help children and young people understand how very special they are and how relationships in life are called to be sacred. Understanding this can help them to protect the special person they are and to be respectful of others.
Adults, especially parents, as they strive to provide a safe and protective environment, hold the responsibility to help children and young people understand and respect their own dignity and that of others. A truly safe and protective environment is one where children and young people recognize when they are safe or unsafe and know how to bring their concerns, fears, and uncertainties to the trusted adults in their lives.
How is the Circle of Grace curriculum different from other protection programs?
According to research, one in four girls and one in seven boys will be sexually abused by age eighteen. Many protection programs focus on “stranger danger”; however, up to ninety percent (90%) of the time the perpetrator of abuse is known to the child or young person such as a relative or family friend. Circle of Grace goes beyond just protection by helping children and young people understand the sacredness of who they are and how to seek help through their relationships with trusted adults. It has a strong parent component throughout the curriculum.
--Enjoy the weekend and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of our wonderful moms out there!
Joan Schlaefer
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