Weather alert-contingency plan–1/30/08

As you may have heard, there is a strong possibility that the weather may cause a delay or cancellation on Friday.  As a result here are our contingency plans:  if there is a delay the 7^th grade service projects will be cancelled for the day and we will reschedule; 7^th grade will then have a regular school day; the 8^th grade will still go to UT for the day, although the activities will be shortened.  If school is cancelled on Friday then all school activities are cancelled for the day and will be rescheduled for a later date.  Contact me if you have any questions We enjoyed a great time with Jesse Manibusan yesterday.  We’ll have pictures and short summary on the website in a couple of days. Would you have believed that many of the Academy guys would be willing to go up on stage and dance and act out the songs Jesse was singing?  Ask your son about it—many of them asked me about buying a cd and getting more information on Jesse.  Please direct them to his website, www.jessemanibusan.com

Academy news 1/16/08

:  If you haven’t received your son’s report card yet, you should have it in Monday’s mail.  If it doesn’t show, please let me know and I will give you another copy.  Also included in the mailing with the report card is a permission slip for this Friday’s activities.  8^th graders will spend the day at the UT Student Rec Center participating in activities with their high school Big Brothers.  7^th graders will spend the day either cleaning cabins at Camp Miakonda or painting at the Catholic Club.  We’ll make sure the boys know their destination so they can dress appropriately.  Thanks to those who have volunteered to drive the 7^th grade students—we could still use a few more drivers.   Call me for more information if you think you can drive.  The 8^th grade will travel to and from UT by bus.  Another item in the mailing concerns a summertime service opportunity for 7^th grade students who will be in 8^th grade next year.  Please give it your consideration and call me if you have any questions.   Thanks to all those who helped at the 7^th and 8^th grade “dance/fun night” last Saturday.  We hosted over 1500 7^th and 8^th graders from all around the area and provided a safe, positive, fun environment for them.  We were also able to raise $2000 for the class trip fund along with an additional $205.00 through the brownie sale.  We’ll be having another fundraising meeting soon to look at other opportunities to plan activities. Congratulations to 8^th grade student Tony Calamunci who won the Academy Spelling Contest for the second consecutive year and will represent the Academy in the Lucas County Spelling on March 13.  Recognition also goes to runner-up Sean Wheelock along with Ron Zaleski, Jeb Barnes, Patrick Carroll Tom Schafer, and Connor BoppWho were also finalists. Four students have advanced to the regional Power of the Pen competition to be held March 15 in Findlay.  Moving on are Spencer Crawford, Jeb Barnes, Sean Wheelock, and Dominic Scarlett.   This Saturday, February 2 the Academy will participate in the MathCounts competition at the University of Toledo.  Thanks to Mr. Szynkowski for working with the team.  We’ll have a full report after the competition. This Tuesday we will have a special assembly from 10:00 a.m. -11:15 a.m. in the theater.  Jesse Manibusan, a nationally known Catholic youth minister/entertainer will visit and present his uplifting and entertaining message to the students.  We invite you and you family to join us—we have plenty of room in the theater.  Visit www.jessemanibusan.com for more info on Jesse. Ask your son if he has researched a mission project idea—students who turn in their idea in writing to me by Tuesday earn a “jeans day” pass. As we approach the final weeks of the basketball season we are already looking to organize spring athletic opportunities.  As in the past few years we will have a tennis team and a track team, but this year I am pleased to announce that we will also have a soccer team for any interested students.  We will participate in the CYO spring league.  More information will be forthcoming. It was good to see several Academy students and their father/grandfather/uncle/friend at the Father/Son Mass and Breakfast this morning.  Even though they may not say it, the time you spend with your son means a great deal to them, whether it be here or at home or out and about.  Our time is the greatest gift we can give. Have a good week.