November 14, 2025

Dear Holy Name Families,

It all started three years ago with Pi Day - March 14th. On that day, Mrs. Frye and her 5th and 6th grade math students planned a special day of math activities to teach students about Pi. Working in teams, the 5th and 6th graders planned an age-appropriate activity for nursery though 4th grade. Students played games, created arts and crafts, and engaged in physical challenges to see 3.14 represented, calculated, and applied in various ways.

Pi Day's initial success led to Math Madness last year (a basketball themed version of the same event). This year the event will happen a bit earlier in the year. On Monday, the 5th and 6th grades will lead the Great Math Challenge. For the first hour of the day, students will be learning math concepts with lessons planned by our oldest students. We look forward to a fun way to kick-off next week and seeing this year's version of Math Day.

We look forward to celebrating Fr. Macdonald's Installation Mass and reception this Sunday. We hope to see you at the 11 am Mass celebrated by Most Reverend Cristiano Barbosa, our regional Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese.

Our Food Drive to benefit children at the Chittick School continues through next Friday. Please add these items to your shopping list this weekend if you have not donated already. The Food Drive is an excellent way to teach students about gratitude.

As you plan for next week, don't forget to take a break from cooking on Monday and support our 6th grade night at West (see details below).

Enjoy the weekend.

Best regards,

Mr. Chisholm

Announcements and Reminders

• Holy Name is organizing a Food Drive through November 20th to benefit children at the Chittick School. See more details below.
• Thank you to everyone who helped with our Lawn Sign Campaign. Please return lawn signs to the foyer at the main door.
• An advisory that we will be practicing a fire drill during this up coming week.
• The basketball season starts next week. Families who are participating should review this information.
• Following Fr. Macdonald's Installation Mass, a reception will follow in Parish Hall. Please click here to register for the reception.

Admissions Open House

We are hosting an evening Open House for our Early Childhood Program next Thursday, November 20th. Prospective families are invited to learn more about our nursery, K1, and K2 programs. Please spread the word to friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors.

Current families with children will join Holy Name next year for nursery and K1 are encouraged to submit applications asap. Please be sure applications are submitted by December 31st to ensure space in those grades.

6th Grade Fundraiser at West on Centre - Nov. 17

The sixth-grade class at Holy Name Parish School will spend four days and three nights in May at Eisner Camp (in Great Barrington, MA, approximately 140 miles west of Boston.

Eisner Camp offers a tech-free environment, encouraging students to develop new skills in athletics, the arts, and outdoor adventures. Activities include outdoor living skills, cooperative games, drama, environmental awareness, and orienteering. This camp provides a fun and supportive setting where our sixth graders can explore interests, challenge themselves, and nurture their passions.

To help cover some trip costs, West on Centre is hosting a Neighborhood Night at their restaurant. On Monday, November 17, when you dine-in or order take-out and present this coupon, West on Centre will donate 10% of the bill to the sixth-grade trip.

Please consider dining or ordering from West on Centre on Monday, November 17, and present this coupon to support the sixth-grade class at Holy Name Parish School.

• November 25th: Mass of Thanksgiving, 8:45 am
• November 26th - 28th: Thanksgiving Break
• December 5th: First Trimester Report Cards
• December 18th: Christmas Show - 9 am (Parish Hall)
• December 19th: Half-Day of School

EAGLE AWARDS

Congratulations to the following students who earned Eagles this week:

• Bodie B., K1-4 (Kindness)
• Henry B., K1-4 (Kindness)
• Maggie H., 5-9 (Empathy)
• Alex J., 5-9 (Responsibility)
• Evangeline B., 5-10 (Kindness)
• Matthew A., 6-12 (Empathy)
• Dylan C., 6-12 (Empathy)
• Tommy F., 6-12 (Empathy)
• Charlie W., 6-12 (Empathy)

Honoring Our Veteran Visitor!

This week Mrs. Sanders’s second graders had a special Zoom with her son Brendan, a Marine veteran who is now a graduate student at Georgetown University. Brendan spoke about why he chose to serve, what service means, and his love of country. The students asked thoughtful questions and thanked him for his sacrifice — in closing the entire class said, “Thank you for your service!" Our entire community salutes you! We’re deeply grateful to Brendan and all who have served!

Fourth graders created agamographs—two‑in‑one optical‑illusion art—each paired with a student note about Veterans Day and the military branches. We thank all veterans for their bravery and sacrifice!

Our fifth-grade students dove into a thoughtful unit on Pacific Northwest Native cultures and created family totem poles as an at‑home project. Each totem pole reflects students’ family ancestry and personal stories, using symbols and designs inspired by the region’s artistic traditions.

The food drive is off to a wonderful start! There's still time to help — the drive ends next Thursday. Please consider picking up an extra item for students in the Chittick School Backpack Program when you shop this weekend. Each grade has a suggested donation item, and multiple donations or extra snack items are gratefully accepted. Thank you for your support!

Grade 6: Instant Potatoes

Grade 5: Gravy Packets

Grades 3 & 4: Taco kits or taco seasoning packets

Grades 1 & 2: Jiffy Pie Crust Mixes or other brand

K2: Cookie Mixes

Nursery & K1: Muffin Mixes

Additional Suggested Donations: Kid friendly snacks, Peanut butter, Fluff, jelly, pancake mixes, syrup.

Thankful Turkeys — First Grade Spotlight!

Throughout the building we’re seeing reminders of thankfulness as we head into the Thanksgiving season. First graders especially shone by writing things they’re thankful for on each feather of this gigantic turkey.

Great job, 1-2 — your gratitude decorations brightens the whole school!