Prayers for Ryan Hall

 The following is taken from an email sent out by Mr. Frimml:

'In case you aren't aware, Ryan Hall, the father of Ashlynn Brown in second grade and Tate Hall in Three Year Old preschool is going through some medical issues.  Ryan has been having frequent headaches. Two weeks ago, he was taken to the emergency room.  These headaches have been progressing over the past year.  They have been more frequent and more painful.  He had an MRI and it showed that he has a chiaria malformation which has caused a syrnix.  This means that his skull is too small for his brain.  This is causing brain and spinal fluid to build up in a sack.  He will have to have major brain and spinal surgery.  Because of this surgery, he will not be able to work for an extended period of time.  There will be a large medical expense.  The surgery is April 4th. '

This surgery went well and he is said to be recovering nicely.  Two of our St. Pat's families are organizing  a benefit to raise funds to offset the expenses Ryan and Katie will incur during this trying period. 
 If you would like to help in any way, please call:

Kathleen & David Hoagland 319-551-2727

Sara & Jeremy Venenga 319-462-2001 or 480-9293

Please plan to attend and keep Ryan and Katie in your prayers.

The Hall Family Benefit

Saturday, June 22nd

3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

at the LCC

 

Congratulations

 A  special congratulations goes to our kindergarten teacher, Michele Mikkelsen and her husband, David.  Late Wednesday, February 27, they had an  11 lb. 4 oz. baby boy, who was 23 1/2 " long.  His name is Hayden Clark and he is welcomed home by his big sisters Alaina and Cara.

 Mrs. Mikkelsen's  kindergarten class will be taken care of by Mrs. Dawn Marek.

A baby is a flower sent from heaven to blossom here.

Spring Gala Coming March 9th

  Things are all abuzz with the PTO as plans are coming together for the 12th annual St.Pat's Spring Gala. Once again, we have planned an evening of good food, entertainment, auction and raffle.  One dinner ticket of $25 covers the evening.  Please have your tickets bought by March 1st. There will not be tickets sold at the door.

 The doors open at 5:00 for  a 'Totally Rad '80's party.'  All are encouraged to dress in their best 80's garb and join in the fun and maybe win a prize.  The pork chop dinner is served at 5:45  followed by an entertaining game of interactive Name That Tune. 

 The raffle committee of has put together a new  raffle package this year.  There are four items to be raffled off.   Tickets are just $10 for: Raffle #1 - Flatscreen TV; OR Raffle #2 - iPad; OR Raffle #3 - Chicago Getaway.  For a $25 ticket you can enter Raffle #4 - $1000 cash.  There is one ticket per prize and you can enter as many times as you like.

  Another change this year is the absence of the silent auction.  All items sold will be on the live auction, which will start after the entertainment, about 7:30.  You will see some of the old favorites such as fair tickets,  the class projects and a special quilt designed by the students, as well as some new items, including a motor scooter and a canoe trip.  Check our Facebook page for a glimpse at some of the auction items.

The Spring Gala is the school's biggest event, sponsored  by the PTO.  The proceeds of this fundraiser help the school keep  the tuition at an affordable rate.  We invite everyone to join in the fun.

It's time for Euchre!

   If you love the game of Euchre, make plans to join us Friday, March 8th at Fawn Creek Country Club for the St. Pat's Euchre Tournament.  There will be lots of fun, food, and a chance to preview the live auction items ready for the Spring Gala on Saturday, March 9th.
  
    The cost to participate in the tournament is $15 for singles and $25 for couples. Please have your registration in by this Friday, March 1st.  Prizes will be awarded for high scores at the end of the night.

 

Chocolate Sales

     February 4th marked the start of the annual sale of  the World's Finest Chocolate.  This year the candy bars have  the St.Pat's logo as well as having ST. Patrick School printed right on the wrapper.  Each variety box has 60 bars  with caramel, almond, dark almond, milk chocolate and W.F. crisp.  They all sell for $1 each and the wrapper also has a Pizza Hut coupon good for a free order of breadsticks.
  As always, the students were asked to sell only to people they know and were advised on how to stay safe.  Parents are encouraged to take a box to their work places.  The sales end on Monday, February  25, and at that time all the money is expected to be turned in.
    St.Pat's receives 50% of all chocolate sales.  The PTO thanks you for making this a fun, successful and profitable fundraiser.

Catholic Schools Week - Raising the standards

 Although the weather caused cancellations and delays, Catholic schools week was one filled with F-A-I-T-H.  Each letter represented the theme of the day.

 On Monday, Friends of our community day, the students were scheduled to go  out  into  the communtity for various activities.  The fifth graders were ready to deliver their famous snack mix to area businesses, the 3rd and 4th grade prepared a reading for the storytime kids at the public library and the kindergarten, first and second graders were scheduled to go to the nursing homes to visit and do a craft.  After the cancellation of school Monday due to the ice storm, these activities were rescheduled for Monday, February 4th.

Tuesday the halls were filled with all kinds of characters as the students came to school for Awesome Student Day dressed as their favorite story of movie character.  They were treated to an afternoon of watching the movie "Brave" while munching on popcorn.

 The plans for Wednesday, Important People Day, was to have a luncheon for the volunteers who help at the school in various ways.  This luncheon was rescheduled for the Wednesday, February 6th.

Thursday was chosen to be Teacher Appreciation Day.  St. Patrick's school has an excellent group of talented and dedicated  teachers.   Thanks to Ryan Hall, Sara and Jeremy Venenga,  Kori Root and Bryan Casey for monitoring the students during the lunch and recess time so the teachers could enjoy a lunch at McOtto's.  The special dress for the day was miss matched or pajamas.
  Thanks also to the room mothers who arranged for the teacher gifts.

The week ended with a V.I.P day to honor those who Help us Grow.  Although the day started late due to the frigid cold the halls were filled with the loving warmth of grandparents and other very important people who help us learn our faith.  Everyone attended the special word service at 10:30 and then enjoyed  lunch together and attended the book fair.  At 12:30, Mr. Frimml gave talk on  how proud we are of our students and to thank the V.I.P's for their part in helping our students grow.

Ending the year in style

 *Sorry, this post obviously didn't get published on time. 

Annual 2nd Grade Christmas Play

The second grade put on  a fantastic performance at the annual 2nd grade Christmas play, this year entitled "Behind the Pageant".  They  had four performances during the day on Tuesday, December 18th.
   "Behind the Pageant" is a cute story of a variety of cast members waiting backstage during the supposed dress rehearsal of the Christmas Pageant.  They start a conversation about how some of them don't really know the story of how Jesus was born, even though they participate in the pageant every year.   Those that do know the real story help the others act out the event, highlighting the Angel Gabriel talking to Zechariah in the temple, Mary saying yes to God's will, and Joseph and Mary finding no room at the Inn.  The story ends with the cast member who played the "Star" thanking the flustered director for letting her play such an important part.  For the finale, the entire cast sang "Away in the Manger".
  Even though the actors were allowed to read their scripts, many of them had their lines memorized.  It was a very good story and a "Star" performance by all.

Christmas Concert on January 3rd.

  All dressed in their holiday best, the students of St. Patrick's school began their Christmas concert a little differently.  As they started up the outer aisles of the church, the students  began singing "Gather Us In", making the sound of their voices fill the church.  They sang all three verses and timed their entry so that they would sing as they methodically lined up on the steps to the altar.  I know it took a lot of practice and was well executed.
  Each class, starting with preschool, then took their turn to stand and sing some of  favorite Christmas songs.  The finale was the fifth grade performing "Carol of the Bells" on the handbells.
 Everyone was then invited down to the basement for cookies and punch provided by the PTO.