The Hornet's Buzz

January 31, 2025

Dear Holy Cross Community,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to provide an update on our ongoing search for the next principal of Holy Cross.

I am pleased to share that we have received a competitive pool of applicants, each bringing valuable experience and a deep commitment to Catholic education. Beginning Monday, our search committee will commence the interview process as we continue our mission to find the next leader for our beloved school. Throughout this process, we are working closely with Dr. Cascone, Superintendent of Schools, to ensure that we select a principal who will uphold our tradition of educational excellence while guiding Holy Cross toward a bright and faith-filled future.

I want to reassure you that we are committed to finding a leader who will continue to nurture our students academically, spiritually, and personally. Holy Cross is a special place, and I am confident the right person will soon be called to lead us forward.

Thank you for your prayers, trust, and support during this important time. I will continue to update you as we proceed through this process.

May God bless you and our Holy Cross family.

Fr. Abner

Dear Holy Cross Community,

Our Catholic Schools Week has been incredibly joyful and inspiring! A million thanks to the faculty and staff of the Blue Committee for organizing such a fun and faith-filled week of activities for our students. Heartfelt thanks also to the PTO staff appreciation committee for providing lunch for our staff this past week. From students engaged in prayer, service, and learning simulations to guest presenters and academic events, it was a great way to celebrate and honor Catholic education. Congratulations to all students who participated in the Catechism Bowl and Spelling Bee. Special thanks to Fr. Abner and Deacon Tim for serving as judges for the Catechism Bowl.

As we look ahead to the month of February, please find some important information below.

First Reconciliation

Grade 2 students are preparing for their Holy First Communion and will have their First Reconciliation Service at the Church this Tuesday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m.

Enrollment/Re-enrollment

New preschool family enrollment opens on Monday! Re-enrollment began on Wednesday, January 22. Please do not hesitate to contact Stefanie Bridges if you have any questions. Also, look for financial assistance information, as applications will open soon.

Spelling Bee

Congratulations to Aiden Dennis (1st place) and Emilio Campos (runner-up), who won the Holy Cross Spelling Bee. They will represent our school on Wednesday, February 5, at Bishop Miege. Join me in wishing them all the best! Go, Hornets!

Mathletics (3-8)

The third Mathletics competition will take place on Thursday, February 6, at 3:50 Holy Spirit.

Mass

Our all-school Mass will occur in the Gym on Thursday, January 23 at 8:30 am.

Personnel Update

Mrs. Rebecca Sharp has joined the Holy Cross faculty and will serve as our Grade 1 teacher. Please join us in giving her a warm Hornet welcome!

Electronic Devices

A reminder that per our handbook, students cannot have personal electronic devices in school without the principal's consent. These include bringing personal computers (excluding 6-8), iPads, music players, tape recorders, cameras, handheld video games, CELL PHONES, SMARTwatches, or items of a similar nature.

Wishing you a blessed week ahead,

Paola V. Clark, Ed.D.

Principal

We are on the countdown for Celebration – an event that provides critically needed

technology upgrades and scholarships for Holy Cross Catholic School. We need your

help!

The Auction Team is hard at work! You just might be the key to finalizing that silent or

live auction item that will get the bidding moving, resulting in support for your child’s

school.

We have a wish list as long as a Kindergartner’s Christmas list. Do you have or can

your help solicit any of the following items:

 Restaurant gift cards

 Airline miles

 Gift certificates for home improvement or professional services

 Jewelry

 Sports memorabilia

 Sporting equipment

 Drinkware or Barware – liquor or wine

 Electronics

 Video games

 Tickets to sporting events – fan swag

No item is too big or too small! If you have a connection to a local merchant, please

help make the introduction! Please contact Becky Dixon with any questions or great

ideas!

Celebration Is Desperately Seeking. . .

Are you organized and want to help with Celebration? Your Event Steering Committee needs

you! The committee is searching for a Volunteer Team Lead to schedule volunteers for set-up,

on-site at the event, and to clean-up. Interested? Contact Becky Summers.

As we enter the winter season, we want to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students, staff, and families. Please be aware that school closures or delays may occur due to inclement weather or poor road conditions.

Archdiocese schools in Johnson County will decide on snow/inclement weather day closures based on the nearest district ( Shawnee Mission School District). This may not apply to "cold weather" or "late start" days.

Please note that on days when Shawnee Mission is not in session (such as when they have professional development days or similar events), Holy Cross will make any closure decisions independently, prioritizing safety.

We will inform you of any closures as soon as decisions are made through the Holy Cross app, email, and social media sites. We encourage you to monitor these platforms regularly, especially in the mornings when weather conditions are uncertain.

Your child’s safety is our top priority. If school remains open but you feel that road conditions in your area are unsafe, please use your discretion. Absences due to severe weather will be excused with appropriate communication to the school office (gradeschool@holycrosscatholicschool.com).

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to ensure a safe winter season. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Stay warm and safe!

A medida que entramos en la temporada de invierno, queremos garantizar la seguridad y el bienestar de todos nuestros estudiantes, personal y familias. Por favor, tengan en cuenta que podrían ocurrir cierres o retrasos en la escuela debido a condiciones climáticas adversas o carreteras en mal estado.

Las escuelas de la Arquidiócesis en el Condado de Johnson decidirán sobre cierres por nieve o clima adverso basándose en el distrito escolar más cercano (Shawnee Mission School District). Esto puede no aplicarse a días de "clima frío" o "inicio tardío".

Tenga en cuenta que, en días en que Shawnee Mission no tenga clases (como días de desarrollo profesional u otros eventos similares), Holy Cross tomará decisiones sobre cierres de manera independiente, dando prioridad a la seguridad.

Les informaremos sobre cualquier cierre tan pronto como se tomen las decisiones a través de la aplicación de Holy Cross, correo electrónico y redes sociales. Los animamos a monitorear estas plataformas con regularidad, especialmente por las mañanas cuando las condiciones climáticas sean inciertas.

La seguridad de su estudiante es nuestra máxima prioridad. Si la escuela permanece abierta, pero consideran que las condiciones de las carreteras en su área no son seguras, utilicen su discreción. Las ausencias debido a clima severo serán justificadas con la comunicación adecuada a la oficina escolar (gradeschool@holycrosscatholicschool.com).

Gracias por su comprensión y cooperación mientras trabajamos juntos para garantizar una temporada de invierno segura. Si tienen alguna pregunta o inquietud, no dude en ponerse en contacto con la oficina de la escuela.

¡Manténganse abrigados y seguros!

Please help us prioritize the safety and security of our students and staff. Parking is not permitted in the Tree lot during school hours. If you need to park and enter the school, please use the front parking lot by the main office. When exiting the parking lot, only turn right onto 95th. All visitors must stop by the front office to check in.

The Student-Parent Handbook for 2024-25 can be accessed here. Please note that as part of our continuous improvement efforts, this is a living document that will be revised as needed in order to nimbly respond to any needs that may arise. Any edits will appear in a different font color.

Education in Virtue is the Archdiocesan Catholic Social-Emotional Learning program, a key component of our Virtuous Formation Program. It provides a curriculum and resources developed by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, based on St. Thomas Aquinas’ teachings on the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit. These resources provide a framework for helping people of all ages understand how to live more virtuously.

At Holy Cross, we highlight a virtue each month that is woven organically into lessons and our daily school life. They are used in our announcements to guide our morning prayer, selection of the Saint of the Month, activities for our Faith Families, and classroom lessons. The virtue of February is Justice. We will also reinforce "Stewardship" from the CROSS Rule.

The Saint of the month is St. Martin of Porres.

The Health Office is equipped with the following, in the event of a medical emergency only:

• EpiPen

• Albuterol inhaler

• Narcan

Please feel free to contact the nurses if you wish to opt out or have any questions or concerns.

La oficina de salud está equipada con lo siguiente, en caso de una emergencia médica únicamente:

• EpiPen
• Inhalador de Albuterol
• Narcan

No dude en comunicarse con las enfermeras si desea excluirse o si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud.

Our regular office hours are as follows. Please note that the school office will be closed during holidays and school year breaks.

Monday - Friday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

Noon dismissal: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm

Your students' classroom teachers are the best point of contact for any student matters. Our team will do their best to get back to you as soon as possible. Please note that it may take up to two business days to respond as our faculty and staff tend to students and duties throughout the day. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

In an emergency, please call or email the Front Office at gradeschool@holycrosscatholicschool.com, and we will assist.