The Weekly Update #4

As we journey through Advent, our hearts and minds turn toward the anticipation of the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This season invites us to reflect deeply on God’s unfolding plan of salvation, in which the Blessed Virgin Mary holds a central and extraordinary role.

Mary is the first disciple, the one who said “yes” to God with unwavering faith and trust. Her fiat—“Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38)—set into motion the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior. Her Immaculate Conception, which we celebrate on December 8, reminds us of God’s grace at work in her from the very beginning, preparing her to be the pure and holy vessel for the Incarnation. Mary, preserved from original sin, stands as a symbol of hope, reminding us that God’s grace can transform our lives and call us to holiness. Our diocese will observe this feast day tomorrow, December the 9th. We will celebrate our Children's Liturgy at 8:30 a.m. this week.

Just a few days later, on December 12, we honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, a powerful and tender reminder of Mary’s maternal care for all her children. In her apparition to St. Juan Diego, she brought hope to a suffering people, drawing them closer to her Son. The message of Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of unity, love, and faith, transcending cultures and languages to remind us that we are all beloved children of God. Our 2nd graders will present a very special Prayer Service on Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m.

During Advent, Mary serves as our model of faith, obedience, and humility. She shows us how to wait with hope, how to trust in God’s promises, and how to carry Christ within us to bring His light into the world. She invites us to ponder in our hearts the mystery of God’s love and to prepare a place for Christ to dwell in our lives.

Let us turn to Mary, our Blessed Mother, in prayer during this holy season. May we imitate her faith, draw closer to her Son, and rejoice in the gift of salvation that comes through Him.

May Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother, intercede for us as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas.

In Christ's love,

Mrs. Ana E. Gomez, M.Ed.

Positive communication between teachers and parents plays a vital role in supporting student success in elementary school. A second critical point is consistent daily attendance and arriving on time so students are ready to learn. As we go through the year, I want to remind you of these key elements.

Here’s how these elements can work together to foster achievement and growth:

1. Importance of Positive Communication with Teachers

• Building Trust: Establishing open, respectful, and positive lines of communication creates a partnership between parents and teachers, ensuring that everyone works collaboratively toward the student's success.

• Encouraging Growth: Constructive conversations allow parents and teachers to share insights into the child's strengths, challenges, and learning preferences, leading to tailored support strategies.

• Problem-Solving Together: A solution-focused approach ensures that potential issues, whether academic or behavioral, are addressed proactively, helping students stay on track.

2. Productive Conversations to Generate Solutions and Plans

• Individualized Focus: Every student is unique. Productive discussions should include personalized strategies and goals that align with the child's needs and learning pace.

• Actionable Plans: These conversations should result in clear steps for both teachers and parents to follow, whether it’s creating extra support for academics, developing social skills, or addressing behavioral concerns.

• Consistency and Follow-Up: Regular updates and progress checks ensure that the strategies discussed remain effective and adjustments can be made as needed. As a team ( home/school) we can only achieve together with this vital communication.

3. Responsibility for Reviewing School Communication

• Staying Informed: Parents and students must actively review all school communication to stay informed about assignments, events, and updates.

• Effective Use of Tools: Utilizing platforms such as Google Sites, Remind, email, calendars, and student planners streamlines communication and helps families help students stay organized.

• Empowering Students: Encouraging children to use tools like planners fosters independence and time management skills, laying the groundwork for lifelong habits. We must support the teachers in this initiative to give each student the life-long skills they will need to succeed.

Per our policy, a chain of command is to be followed, and parents are asked to meet with the teacher(s) of record first if possible regarding any issue or concern. If the meeting is unsatisfactory, an appointment with the administration may follow. Each situation is handled as necessary and with great care.

Our team is responsible for replying to parents via email or Remind within 24-48 hours. If it is an emergency, we ask that parents contact the school. A message will be communicated to our teachers. Conferences may be held by calling the school office at any time.

3. The Importance of Student Attendance

• Consistent Learning: Regular attendance ensures students benefit from daily lessons and the curriculum's consistent progression, reducing knowledge gaps. Consistently arriving late and leaving early negatively impacts students’ learning.

• Social Development: Being present allows students to build peer relationships and learn critical collaboration and communication skills.

• Accountability: Attendance teaches students responsibility and prepares them for future expectations in higher education and careers.

By prioritizing these practices, schools, parents, and students can work together to create a supportive environment where every child thrives academically, socially, and emotionally.

The Student Council and Choir will host a first ever Parent's Night Out. If you need a little time to yourself to complete errands, gift-wrap, or go for a dinner date, students may be dropped off at school after hours. The details are below to those who are interested in this opportunity.

Students looking for clues to solve the missing cookie mystery. Engaging students in a creative way to infer and draw conclusions makes this a wonderful opportunity for students to learn important skills.

Community members past and present participated in the Virgen Peregrina walk and Holy mass celebrated this weekend at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

Students enjoyed a small treat from St. Nick this past Friday. The gold coins and candy cane reminded our community of the importance of compassion, love and generosity modeled by St. Nick.

Participation in our weekly Children's liturgy is a student favoirite. This opportunity engages students in the parts of the mass, praye but also extends in oral speaking and creativity when reading the daily readings, petitions and particpating in gospel skits. We thank Mrs. Gutierrez and her 5th graders this past week.