St. Agatha Catholic School, Miami, Florida Mrs. Glass & Mrs. Hernandez's (A.P) Principal's Note
	"Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God." Sirach 3:18

Our Mission: To help mold and educate responsible catholic citizens for a diverse and dynamic society.

As we all prepare to celebrate this national holiday it would be appropriate for all to give thanks for all of His blessings.  We at St. Agatha are particularly blessed with a wonderful faculty, staff and great families.Take this holiday to give your wonderful children a BIG squeeze.  Tell them that you LOVE THEM.  Tell them that they are very IMPORTANT TO YOU. Give them LOTS OF KISSES (even the boys). These will be the moments that you remember most fondly in your life. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

EARLY DISMISSAL (1PM) ON WEDNESDAY - NOVEMBER 26, 2008

NO AFTERCARE WILL BE AVAILABLE - please make arrangements for prompt pick-up so that we can all start our vacations PROMPTLY

CLASSES RESUME ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2008 - STAY SAFE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

This year EACH family is expected to complete 20 parent participation hours.  Additionally, families new to the school must complete ONE RETREAT here at St. Agatha (parent hours will be given for this retreat).

Approved Activities at this time are:

• *Serving as an official chaperone for the middle school community service hours (see Mrs. Veciana)

•   Serving as a Home and School Officer

•   Working at Home and School Events

•   Serving as a member of SAC

• *Serving as a homeroom parent  

* (must complete fingerprinting process - described below, and the 3 hour Virtus training program)

If you would like to participate directly with our children, in our school activities, you will need to complete the 3 hour Virtus training, please go to www.virtus.org and register for another upcoming session.

 

PARENT PARTICIPATION hours will be assigned for attendance at the following:

December 7 - 8:30am - 6:00pm - "San Pablo Camino a Damasco," (in Spanish)Day of reflection with Bishop Estevez - in the Parish Hall, $12.00 fee (lunch will be provided), sign-up in the rectory, space limited - 10 Participation Hours

December 11 - 7:30pm - Home and School Meeting- Balado Meeting Room - 2 participation hours

December 13 -12:00pm-5:00pm - St. Paul Day of Reflection (in English)- in Parish Hall - 5 Participation Hours

Update: On October 2, 2008 we had our preliminary visit from the Chairperson of our visitation team, Sr. Joan Dawson, OSF. We did very well. The objective of this preliminary is to review the entire School Improvement document, and validate that the school is ready for the formal visit.

The goals that were established, that we will work on for the next 7 years:

• THE STUDENTS WILL IMPROVE READING COMPREHENSION

• THE STUDENTS WILL IMPROVE MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM SOLVING AND DATA ANALYSIS

• THE STUDENTS WILL IMPROVE INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

The formal visit will occur on November 3,4,5. We invite ALL parents and students to join us in welcoming the accreditation team at 7:30pm in the Church. some of our students will be involved in a short dramatization, the liturgical dancers will perform, and we will have a brief slide show presentation of our kids. ALL STUDENTS THAT ATTEND WILL RECEIVE A NO HOMEWORK PASS FOR THAT NIGHT.  We are hoping for a BIG turnout.

On Wednesday, we will be having a 12:00pm dismissal in order to end the visitation process and all faculty members and staff to unite for a luncheon. NO AFTERSCHOOL CARE WILL BE OFFERED ON NOVEMBER 5TH. PLEASE REMEMBER TO PICK-UP YOUR CHILDREN ON TIME 12:00PM

 

Please note if parents would like to submit a policy concern to be discussed at the next SAC meeting, please complete action Request form available at the school office. They will be discussed at the next Advisory Council meeting. For any other questions, please feel free to call the school office so as not to have to await a   formal response.

The purpose of the School Advisory Council is to:

• promote the practice and development of the Catholic faith

• act as advisory board to the administration

• respond to policy proposals and recommendations initiated by the administration

• assist in developing the annual budget

• determine sources of funding

• approve proposed expenditures

• reflect major concerns of parents

• report valid concerns/procedures/proposals of the council to parents

• assist in implementing diocesan policies and procedures

• recruiting students

• implementing public relations programs

On behalf of Father Garcia and myself I would like to thank all the members of the School Advisory Council for all their hard work this year.  We are pleased to welcome a new member to the School Advisory Council, Mrs. Fabiola Cruz!

We are very happy to present the members of the School Advisory Council:

Amarillys Perez - Chair

Ignacio Tonarely - Vice Chair

Fabiola Cruz

Jose Acosta

Jorge Alonso

Frank Diaz

 Father Garcia and Mrs. Glass

Our Home and School Officers for the 2008-2009 academic year:

President     Felix Caceres, Martin Rodriguez   

Vice President    Betty Hidalgo, Lily Vega,

Secretary    Veyra Castellano, Chary Fernandez

Treasurer   Mirella Correa, Eduardo Nunez

 

Here is what's happening...

MASS ATTENDANCE - Remember every child is expected to bring in a mass attendance coupon (if they attend St. Agatha) or a SIGNED bulletin by the presiding priest at the catholic church that they attended. If attending St. Agatha Catholic Church, students are to go personally to the usher's room to collect the mass card.

DATES TO REMEMBER    November 26 - 1 PM Early Dismissal - NO AFTERCARE TODAY November 27, 28, December 1 - Extended Thanks giving Holiday December 2 -  Classes Resume

 

"YOU MUST BELIEVE TO ACHIEVE!"   Mrs. Glass  and Mrs. Hernandez