Happy National Cookie Day! What better way to celebrate than with the classic, chocolate chip cookie? Today is all about indulging in one of life’s simplest and sweetest pleasures. Whether you prefer them warm and gooey straight from the oven or with a crisp edge and chewy center, chocolate chip cookies reign supreme.

The Accidental Invention

The chocolate chip cookie was born in the 1930s at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. Ruth Wakefield, the inn’s co-owner, was baking butter drop cookies when she discovered she was out of baker’s chocolate. Thinking creatively, she chopped up a Nestlé semi-sweet chocolate bar and added it to the dough, assuming it would melt into the batter.

Instead, the chocolate held its shape, creating gooey pockets of delight. The cookies were an instant hit with her guests. The recipe gained national fame, and Ruth made a deal with Nestlé to print it on their chocolate bar packaging in exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate. That original recipe, known as the "Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie," remains a classic to this day.

Why Are Chocolate Chip Cookies Are the Perfect National Cookie Day Treat?

Chocolate chip cookies are everything National Cookie Day is about: warmth, comfort, and the joy of sharing something delicious with people that you love. Oatmeal raisin cookies - the dark lord of desserts - look like chocolate chip cookies—golden brown and dotted with what appears to be melty chocolate. But one bite reveals the cruel truth: those aren’t chocolate chips; they’re raisins! Oatmeal raisin cookies are doom in disguise. Chocolate chip cookies don’t need to deceive us. They deliver exactly what they promise—pure, chocolatey happiness.

Cookie Face-Off: Chocolate Chip Cookies vs. Raisin-Filled Betrayals

Since today is National Cookie Day, I am inviting YOU to settle the ultimate question: Which cookie reigns supreme?

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies – The honest, chocolatey delight.
2. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies – Also known as “Raisin-Filled Betrayals,” the cookie that tricks you into sadness.

I’ll tally the votes and announce the winner next week!

Rick Logue

(P.S. If you’re one of the brave souls who loves oatmeal raisin cookies, we can still get along with each other—but are you sure you don’t want a chocolate chip cookie instead?)

Click below to vote and make your voice heard! 🍪

During Advent, our students have a special opportunity to write and share their heartfelt prayers with the school during morning announcements. Here are just a few of the beautiful prayers our children have created.

I am thankful for my mom and dad and brother. I am thankful for Saint Patrick Catholic School, my teachers, and my classmates.

Rena Miyauchi - Grade 4

Jesus, We hope that we are happy and peaceful on Earth. We hope that our Eartyh is full of joy and peace and that we are all happy on Earth. We are thankful for the Ten Commandments and we are happy and joyful when you are born on Earth. We are joyful for the joy and love that we receive. I am thankful for families and friends and food and water we have. You created grass and plants. You created all things and we are thankful for that.

Hana Ueoka - Grade 4

Let us have a good year and help us learn more about God. Let us pray for Mrs. Sweet and every teacher in the world and my Nana (AKA Mrs. Bell). Please pray for the people that were forgotten. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Kayden Bell - Grade 5

I am grateful for Jesus that opened the gates of Heaven.

I am thankful for the thing Jesus did.

I love going to Mass to hear all the things Jesus did, all the scriptures, Gospels, and other things.

Ceana Cyran - Grade 5

Dear God, please protect all of my animals. Please protect my horse so he will be able to show next year. Please protect my sheet to have two healthy lambs. Please protect all of my cows and heifers so they give birth, stay healthy and that the calves eat and drink fine. Oh God, I love my animals and You too.

Heidi Grube - Grade 5

This year, we're excited to spotlight two amazing students each month as our Students of the Month! Teachers and staff nominate students who are going above and beyond, and then we all come together to vote for the winners. For November, we're thrilled to announce that Taylor Gorman and Mackinley Bell are our Students of the Month! Congratulations to both of them for their hard work and dedication!

The latest spirit wear order has arrived, and students should have their shirts by now. Each student received a short-sleeve shirt with the Irish Falcon logo. If there are any issues with your order, please reach out to the school office—we’re happy to help!

To celebrate, we’re having an out-of-uniform day this Friday, December 6! Students can join in the fun by wearing one of their shirts featuring either the Bishop’s Mitre logo or the Irish Falcon logo.

Looking ahead, families can choose for the rest of this school year between the PE uniform shirt with the shamrock or the Irish Falcon logo. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, we’ll fully transition to the Irish Falcon logo for the PE uniform. Thank you for your support as we make this exciting change!

On Monday, December 9, we will celebrate the Holy Day of Obligation, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with a special School Mass at the church. This is a beautiful opportunity for our school community to come together in prayer and reflection.

Students should wear their Mass uniforms on Monday, December 9, for this special occasion. Regular uniforms should be worn on Wednesday, December 11.

As a reminder, families signed a permission slip for this trip at the start of the school year, so no additional forms are needed.

Our Christmas program is coming up next Wednesday, December 11, at 7:00 p.m. in the Froning Center. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m., and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. We hope you’ll join us for a joyful evening filled with music and community!

We are excited to announce that this year’s Christmas concert will include a special community outing! On Monday, December 16, our students will be taking their caroling talents on the road to share the joy of the season with the residents of London Health and Rehab (formerly The Arbors).

The students will walk to the facility as part of this event. Because we will be leaving the school campus, a signed permission slip is required for each student to participate.

You can access the permission slip by clicking the button below or copying and pasting the following link into your web browser. https://form.jotform.com/243384459552162

What to Wear:
Students should wear their school uniforms for the outing. However, to add a festive touch, they are welcome to wear a Christmas-themed hat if they wish! 🎅🎄

This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to spread the love and hope of the Christmas season while practicing the virtue of humility as they share their gifts with others.

Yesterday, we sent reminders to families who still need to complete the permission slip for the Nutcracker field trip on December 18. If you did not receive an email, thank you for promptly submitting the form!

For those who received the reminder, please complete the permission slip by December 11 to ensure your child can attend this exciting performance. Unfortunately, students without a completed form will not be able to participate. The link to the form is below. If the link does not work, please copy and paste https://form.jotform.com/243224597073358 into your web browser.

We appreciate your cooperation in making this a memorable experience for our students!

The FACTS Grant and Aid application is now open, and we encourage all families to apply! This one simple application gives you access to several financial assistance options, including the Emmaus Road Scholarship, Diocesan Tuition Assistance, Saint Patrick Parish Grant, and Saint Patrick Tuition Assistance.

New this year: the application is more streamlined and only asks about income—no questions about expenses! Plus, we’ll reimburse any application fees for the 2025-2026 school year.

Don't miss out on this great opportunity for tuition support! Apply today and see what assistance is available for your family!

We are so grateful to our families for their incredible generosity and kindness in supporting our Giving Tree this holiday season. Your contributions are truly making a difference and bringing joy to those in need.

As a reminder, if you’re participating, please ensure that all gifts are returned by the morning of Friday, December 6. This ensures we have enough time to deliver them to their recipients.

Thank you for being part of this wonderful tradition and for helping us share the spirit of the season with our community!

• Friday, December 6 - Saint Nicholas Day
• Friday, December 6 - Spirit Wear out of uniform day
• Saturday, December 7 - Greenery Sale Pick-up (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
• Week of December 9 - STAR Testing Week
• Monday, December 9 - Holy day of Obligation -Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Mass will be at the church
• Wednesday, December 11 - No school Mass
• Wednesday, December 11 - Christmas Program
• Friday, December 13 - School Penance Service