Monthly DB Newsletter

On behalf of our students and staff, we pray you had a safe, blessed and happy Holiday season!

Dear Bosco Families!

Welcome to 2024! As we stand on the threshold of this new year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each and every member of our Bosco Family! I pray that the coming year is filled with joy, growth, countless moments of achievement, and PURPOSE!

As I reflect on the past year, I am overwhelmed by how much we have accomplished! The collective efforts of our dedicated students, purpose driven staff, and supportive parents have yielded so much positive growth. Together, we have created a school culture that values the role of the family as the first teacher and the development of our students spiritually, academically, physically, and socially.

In the spirit of the New Year, let us renew our commitment to purpose in our endeavors to grow in excellence, kindness, and community. I pray that our shared journey in Bosco Catholic Schools continues to be one of purpose, inspiration, and mutual support!

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Douglas

Thank you to all who've supported the Bosco Strong Annual Appeal in 2023 with prayers, financial support, and by sharing our giving opportunity with others. Your participation fuels our strength now and into the future. Learn more about the importance of this campaign by watching our Bosco Strong video if you haven't already.

For tax year 2023, gifts need to be postmarked by Saturday, Dec. 30, or given online by Dec. 31. Of course we welcome your participation in 2024!

If giving some each month sounds right for you, consider using our brand new form to give by ACH. Online giving is also quick and easy and lets you make a one-time or recurring gift (small fee applies to online giving).

Watch for updates on our progress starting in January!

Laura Dobson, Development Director

NCYC or National Catholic Youth Conference is a trip for young teens wanting to deepen their faith. On the last night, we had every person at Mass, all 15,000 of us, and it was so amazing. This was the first Mass I have ever been to and I wasn't either falling asleep or wanting to fall asleep. I think after this I want to participate and try to understand the Mass more.

Elonna K.

9th Grader

We will kick off our first Youth Group of 2024 with pizza and adoration and Father Diehm has an incredible time of adoration planned for us! This is a great way to start off the New Year!

Tell your friends to come see what it's like to be part of the Bosco family!

More info and sign up for all tours!

Students are enjoying the new equipment provided by the PTO Grant. They are not only learning composition basics but also editing and using advanced camera settings. The cameras and equipment have been amazing additions to the classroom and have increased student buy-in.

For the Floating Fruit project, students set up the fruit with toothpicks and skewers. They edited the props out of their final images to make the fruit appear to float or fall.

We have also explored our faith through photography. Students took photographs of items in the church are important to them personally, including the Virgin Mary and items related to prayer.

Mrs. Duncan

January is a period of transition as the fall semester comes to an end, and in Western Civilization we move from the French Revolution to the rise of Napoleon. Topics explored will be the response to Napoleon, the Industrial Revolution, imperialism, the unification of Italy and Germany, and influence of nationalism.

Students in AP Government will take an in-depth look at the American political model with an emphasis on interpretation of primary source documents and Supreme Court cases. The goal is to develop both content knowledge and essay writing skills in preparation for the AP exam in May.

The World History class recently began investigating the culture of Ancient Greece, the civilization that provides much of the foundation of modern Western culture. We enjoyed a video of The Odyssey, and we’ll continue looking into the Greek ideas concerning government, philosophy, and theater.

The American History class will continue to explore the unique nature of the American political/economic/social experiment, the impact of the Civil War, the rise of a uniquely American culture, and the winning of the West.

We are ready for a busy spring!

Mr. Stewart

Our Competency Based Education (CBE) program has been expanding and is a wonderful opportunity for students. This is a work study program for those who are unsure of a career path or would like to experience a possibility before college. It includes farm management, the trades, medical, and other career opportunities.

In the fall, we had two students. For the spring, we have spots for 14 students. More students than that are interested, so we are working to see who best fits what we offer through the program.

Mrs. Duncan

Starting in January, the Junior class will sell World's Finest Chocolates to raise money for post-prom entertainment and games. Each chocolate bar will cost $1 and come in a variety of flavors such as milk chocolate, almond, and caramel. To purchase, please reach out to your favorite Junior.

Thank you for your support!

Junior Class and Post Prom Committee

Happy New Year, Don Bosco Families!

January is a great month to start thinking about what you want the year to look like. When planning yearly goals, I encourage all to write a career-related goal.

It is never too early or late to start planning for your future. All students at Don Bosco will graduate with a plan. If you are interested in what your student's plan can or will look like, reach out to me via email or appointment. I have information and can help you stay ahead with college and career planning for your 9th-10th and 11th -12th student. ICANsucceed.org also lists many helpful resources.

SENIOR parents, the FAFSA is NOW OPEN. Let me know if you need assistance with this application. If you have not filled out the GoogleForm sent to all senior parents please do so. It’s a quick way for me to check in with all of you.

Thank you for trusting me with your students. It was a great first semester, and I look forward to an even greater spring.

God bless!

Ms. Martin

With the introduction of Education Savings Accounts, Catholic education has become more affordable for families. But for more than 35% of families, the Our Faith Student Tuition Organization, or STO, is the first piece of financial assistance income qualified families rely on.

Even with the ESA's, this year more than 3100 students in the Archdiocese of Dubuque received more than $5.5 million in tuition assistance from the STO. Iowa taxpayers that donate to the STO receive a 75% Iowa tax credit, or 75 cents back for every dollar you contribute on your Iowa tax return.

Our Faith School Tuition Organization shares lots of information on how STO impacts the schools, students and community, see them and more information on their Facebook page.

Don Bosco is thankful for the supporting parishes and communities we work with and live in. Visit the parish links for Reconciliation and Adoration times.

Parish Mass Times

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Sat 4 PM, Sun 8 & 10 AM, M-W-F 7:45 AM

ST JOSEPH

Sat 5:30 PM, Tue 6 PM, Thur 8 AM

ST ATHANASIUS

Sat 5 PM, Sun 8:30 AM, Tue 5:30 PM, Thur 8:30 AM, Fri 8 AM

ST FRANCIS-BARCLAY

Sun 10:30 AM, Wed 8 AM

ST MARY OF MT CARMEL

Sun 10 AM

• January 3: School Resumes
• January 3: Youth Group
• January 12: No Waterloo Busing
• January 15: No School, Teacher PD Day
• January 19: No Waterloo Busing in the Afternoon
• January 24: Youth Group

Saint Athanasius will be hosting "Out of Hibernation" on Saturday, April 6, in their gymnasium. They will again be hosting a live auction and online auction while guests enjoy the evening including dinner from Starbeck’s.

With support from families, we respect and encourage students to reach their potential

• Spiritually by developing a strong relationship with Jesus and knowledge of His church,
• Academically by igniting learning, leadership and life skills,
• Physically by learning about and living healthy habits and
• Socially by becoming active members of the community who serve others as stewards of the Gospel so they are the Light of Christ in the world.

Preparing students to be the Light of Christ in the world!

Please submit newsletter articles to dbhssecretary@boscocatholic.org

by the 25th of each month.

www.boscocatholic.org

BCSS Facebook

Physical Address: 405 16th Avenue, Gilbertville, Iowa 50634

Mail Address: PO Box 106, Gilbertville, Iowa 50634

Phone: 319-296-1692