Happy Wednesday!

Let me start off by saying thank you to all who were able to attend their child's conference. It is so important for us all to work together and keep communication open so that we can do our best to support student success at home and at school!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving Break. Counting today, we only have 13 school days until the Christmas Break! December goes so quickly. As we begin the time of Advent (it began last Sunday), let us all remember the purpose of this season. The time between now and Christmas should be focused on preparing for the arrival of Jesus. Beyond the birth, we focus on welcoming Jesus into our lives and preparing for His coming at any time. We look for ways to build His Kingdom by helping those around us. It is easy to get lost in the business of the holidays, but I wish all of you the joy and peace of the season. Here is a wonderful online Advent calendar from NW Catholic: http://adventcountdown.org/northwest-catholic/ Enjoy!

Have a wonderful week!

Katie Dempsey

Principal

kdempsey@hrrsjda.org

P.S. Don't forget to fill out those Fulcrum applications!! They are due FRIDAY!!

• Thurs - All School Mass at 9 am
• Fri - Fulcrum Apps DUE!! See Berenice for assistance with this.

Upcoming:

• Tues, Dec. 8th - Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass at NOON
• Thurs, Dec. 10th - We will be celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at 9 am.
• Thurs, Dec. 17th - All School Christmas Program (6:30 pm in the Auditorium)

FAMILIES NEEDING ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE MUST READ/APPLY:

• Jim Dempsey (Katie's dad), who recently had heart surgery.
• Mary Ruth (VP at St. Philomonena's School), whose husband passed away on Nov. 28th after a short bout with cancer.
• Juan Perez (Piano player for the church and the school over the years and former HR parent), who is battling cancer.

• All of the parents who signed up to bring meals for the staff on Monday and Tuesday, during conferences.
• The Book Fair volunteers!

The business procurement forms are now available in the front office. These forms allow you to solicit a business for a possible donation for the auction. They provide the business with our tax ID number, which allows the business to donate an item or service and then write the donation off on their taxes.

Please remember that every family is responsible for providing a $100 auction item. If you prefer not to solicit a business you may also purchase an item or the $100 auction fee can be paid directly to the front office. With black Friday just around the corner, it would be a great time to get auction items at a discounted rate. Deadline for items is Friday, February 12th. After this date, the auction fee increases to $150.

Five Tips for Using Rewards Wisely

1. Keep expectations and the timeline reasonable. It is better to evaluate your child's weekly progress than to provide rewards for long-term goals such as report card grades. Provide rewards for each step your child takes toward better study habits and discipline, not merely on seeing an A+.

2. Consider incentives other than cash. It's fine to offer a few material reward choices (fancy hair ribbons, comic books, a trip to the dollar store), but rewards can also be special personal incentives (e.g., an outing to a sports event, choosing the nightly dinner menu).

3. Track progress with a chart. A basic chart that records your child's work on a daily basis reminds everyone of the plan.

4. Give positive attention as well as rewards. Your child needs your regular interest in, and supervision of, school activities and homework. Studies have shown that parent involvement is more successful in helping kids become good students than simply offering rewards or punishment.

5. Rewards aren't forever. Applaud your child's achievements: The goal is for your child to fall into a consistent pattern of better work habits and to find that the results bring their own rewards.

Taken from: http://www.pta.org/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1760

Questions about Curriculum?

Please submit questions for the next Curriculum Corner to Dr. Yaden at BYaden@plu.edu.

Email: office@hrrsjda.org
Website: www.hrrsjda.org
Location: 504 S 30th St, Tacoma, WA, United States
Phone: (253) 272-7012
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolyRosaryTacoma