Monthly DB Newsletter

Thank you students, families, and community members for celebrating #catholicschoolsweek2024!

The importance of attendance and punctuality…balanced with family life experiences, and it starts in kindergarten!

Academic Achievement: Regular attendance is strongly correlated with academic success. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to keep up with the curriculum, participate in class discussions, and complete assignments on time, contributing to better academic performance.

Skill Development: Consistent attendance allows students to engage in continuous learning and skill development. Regular exposure to educational content is essential for acquiring and reinforcing foundational knowledge and skills across various subjects.

Social Interaction: School is not only a place for academic learning but also a crucial environment for social development. Regular attendance ensures that students have the opportunity to interact with peers, develop social skills, and engage in cooperative learning activities.

Establishing Routine: School attendance helps establish a routine for students. Routines provide structure and stability, helping students develop time management skills and a sense of responsibility.

Preparation for Future Success: Regular attendance instills habits that are valuable for future success in both education and the workforce. Employers often value punctuality, responsibility, and a strong work ethic, all of which are cultivated through consistent school attendance.

Teacher-Student Interaction: Regular attendance allows for meaningful interactions between teachers and students. Teachers can provide individualized support, identify learning needs, and offer additional assistance when students attend class consistently.

Reducing Achievement Gaps: Regular attendance can help reduce achievement gaps. Students who consistently attend school have more equitable access to educational resources and opportunities, contributing to a more level playing field.

Economic Impact: Research suggests a positive relationship between education and future economic success. Higher levels of education are associated with increased earning potential, and regular school attendance is a key factor in achieving higher educational attainment whether it be college or trade school.

Building a Positive School Culture:High levels of attendance contribute to a positive school culture. A vibrant and engaged student body enhances the overall learning environment, fosters a sense of community, and encourages a culture of achievement.

We (Bosco Schools) pride ourselves on providing a holistic education to our students, one that focuses on the spiritual, academic, physical, and social development of our young people. Consistent attendance is imperative to ensure that your child is given every opportunity to develop in these areas.

Not to belabor the point much longer but simply to let you know that when your student is gone or tardy, it has a ripple effect. It not only impacts him or her, it impacts his or her classmates, it impacts the secretary, it impacts the teacher, and it impacts the instructional flow. We pride ourselves on small class sizes, when one student is gone or tardy, it is noticeable and has an impact. When 2 or more students are gone or tardy, it has a significant impact. When 6 or more students are gone from or tardy to a class, it has a negative impact on him or her and the class.

We fully support the opportunities given to children who are gone to spend time with family, such as vacations. Those experiences build background knowledge that we cannot recreate at school. When considering other absences, especially for appointments, we sincerely ask you to try your very best to schedule them outside of the school day. Maybe look ahead at the school calendar and try to schedule appointments on days school is not in session. If it absolutely cannot be avoided, we understand but are now asking that a note from the provider be brought back to school. Please refer to the student handbook for procedures surrounding attendance. Note that the school board approved some changes in December that are now in effect.

Thank you for your continued support in this and all areas. Together, we make great advocates for your child’s success!

Mrs. Douglas

At NCYC, I encountered many different moments that impacted me. One of those moments was Adoration. I felt close to God in that moment. Looking up to see 13,000 other high school kids adoring God all in one place is amazing. This experience has helped me understand the importance of adoration and ever since then I have had the need to go to the adoration, chapel and pray.

Gina P

12th Grader

It's hard to believe Lent is already here! Fun fact--Lent is the earliest it can be this year--February 14. Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. During the season of Lent, we prepare ourselves for the Resurrection of Christ on Easter. As Catholics, we are encouraged to fast from something (or give something up). Denying ourselves of things we enjoy is a small reminder of Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross. Ash Wednesday is specifically a day of fasting and abstinence which means that Catholics need to refrain from eating meat as well as eat two small meals and one normal size meal (should not add up to two full meals).

As we fast, it is important to remember that we do this as a way to grow spiritually. It is best to avoid complaining about the fact that you are hungry and want a burger 😊. Instead, redirect the struggle into a conversation with God. In addition to giving something up, we should also consider how God might be calling us to grow spiritually by adding something in. This could be attending Sunday Mass more regularly or adding in 15 minutes of prayer each day.

Mrs. Rohret

Campus Minister

The Vocations Crucifix Program is a prayer devotion for the increase of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life. As a school system within the Archdiocese of Dubuque, one of our expectations is an awareness of vocations. Through the Vocations Crucifix Program, families will have the opportunity to intentionally pray with their families in front of a traveling crucifix for the intention of an increase in vocations.

When you sign up, you sign up for a week. By signing up, you are accepting the crucifix as a family to pray for vocations for that week. The Vocations Crucifix Program will start Monday, February 5. Pick up and drop off for the crucifix and resource folder will take place on Monday. The office will give the crucifix and resource folder to your child to take home on Monday at the end of the school day. Please specify the number of resource folders you’d like based on the number of people in your family or based on whomever else you might like to ask to join your family. The crucifix and resource folder(s) should be returned to the school office the following Monday by the start of the school day.

You can sign up for a week on the Signup Genius. If you have any questions, please email Jenna Rohret at jrohret@boscocatholic.org.

The band students are working hard for the upcoming Perry Band Olympics. The contest is still being held, but this year it is being held at North Polk High School in Alleman, Iowa. Brandon Weeks, the former director from Perry who is now the director at North Polk High School, has offered to host the contest this year after the tragedy that took place a few weeks ago at Perry High School.

Bosco students will assist with set up and clean up for the event, while the Directors will be assisting in other ways to support the Perry community. Contest day is Saturday, February 17; however, the band will depart for Highland Ridge Nursing Home on the 16th to provide entertainment to residents as we travel to Alleman for the Perry Band Olympic Event!

Mr. Mikita

Students are in charge of their future and living out their full purpose. Keeping Leader in Me habit #1 in mind, I encourage all our students to take control over their future goals. I will start meeting with juniors to create their academic plan!

Unsure where to start? Take a look at the 9-10 and 11-12 checklists.

Senior parents, spring is here and lots of deadlines are quickly approaching. Reach out to me as needed. I am here to help!

Ms. Martin

• February 7: Youth Group
• February 9: Teacher PD, No School
  
• February 15: Teacher Work Day, No School
• February 16: No School
• February 22/23: No Waterloo Busing
• February 28: Youth Group

Youth Group meets from 6:15-7:30 PM in room 202 at the High School. 8-12th grade students are welcome to attend for pizza, faith and fun!

St. Joseph Parish will be serving a Valentine Omelette Breakfast at St. Joseph Reuter Hall at 313 E. Central St. in Raymond. The menu includes made-to-order omelettes, hash browns, cinnamon rolls, juice, milk, and coffee. The public is invited to attend.

The breakfast is on Sunday, February 11, with serving from 8 AM to 12 PM

Cost: $12 adults, $6 children 4-11, free for 3 and under.

Parish Mass Times

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.

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

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.

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

Mail Address: PO Box 106, Gilbertville, Iowa 50634

Phone: 319-296-1692