Weekly Newsletter

There are so many things to love about November, from the falling leaves to the brisk autumn air, what I love the most about November is that it invokes a sense of gratitude and celebrates it with the Thanksgiving holiday.

As I reflect upon our school community, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for so many things. I am grateful for:

• The gift of Catholic education.

• The community that has sustained our school throughout the years so that we can continue to provide a Catholic education.

• Our dedicated school board for its diligence in supporting our mission as a Catholic school to develop students Spiritually, Academically, Physically, and Socially.

• Our devoted staff who go above and beyond in so many ways to support the development of the whole student (Spiritually, Academically, Physically, and Socially).

• Our students, the Beloved children of God, for they are the reason why I and so many others joined the field of education and choose to work in Catholic education.

• Our parents and families for the support they give to our students at home and for choosing to partner with us by sending their children to a Catholic school.

I hope the month of November brings you a renewed sense of appreciation and gratitude for all of the blessings God has bestowed on each and every one of us.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Blessings,

Mrs. Douglas

No Waterloo buses will run on Thursday, November 14. The Bosco bus will operate its morning and afternoon routes. The transfer bus for St. Joseph will still run.

The Bosco Catholic School System will be celebrating the Veterans from our communities with an assembly on Monday, November 11, at 9 AM in St. Mary Center gym. Veterans and their guests are invited to St. Mary Center Commons for coffee and donuts before the assembly. We will begin with refreshments at about 8:30. All are welcome to join us for the celebration at 9 AM.

Whenever possible all K-5 and ABC students will spend some time outdoors, so please be sure they have coats, hats, and mittens (snow pants and boots when they are needed). Please label your student’s sweatshirts, coat, hat, snow pants, gloves, mittens, lunchbox, etc.

Return the November Bingo Card for your family's chance to win a prize at the December Leader in Me Assembly.

For any boys in grades 3-6 who are interested in playing Jr. Dons basketball this year, there will be a parent meeting on Sunday, November 10th, from 6:30-7 PM in St Mary Center. This meeting will be helpful for any new families interested in learning more, as well as for those who already plan to play. If your son is interested but you cannot attend, please reach out to Erin Hogan (5th/6th graders) or Jess Steils (3rd/4th graders) for more information.

There will be a basketball open gym before the meeting (5:30-6:30 PM) for 3rd-6th graders.

The National Honor Society (NHS) held another successful drive for our community, collecting 74 units. Thank you to all who gave.

The Don Bosco National Honor Society is hosting a penny war to raise money for a service project to benefit underprivileged families from the Cedar Valley. This will be a BCSS system-wide fundraiser, and all proceeds will be used to buy gifts and supplies for these families.

A student from NHS will be visiting your child's classroom next week to explain the rules of the penny war. Pennies and paper money will be positive points for each classroom. Silver coins will be negative points for them to give to other classrooms. Competition will be within units (K-2, 3-5, MS, and HS), and winning classrooms will earn ice cream treats. The penny war will run Monday through Friday November 18-22. Thank you in advance for your contributions and for helping these families have a Merry Christmas.

Our middle school students had a fun learning experience with a lively presentation from The National Theatre for Children! The interactive show, Spend It or Save It, offered engaging lessons on financial literacy, covering important concepts like needs vs. wants, saving, and the difference between debit and credit. Opportunities like this and Junior Achievement, combined with what we do in the classroom, help students learn real-life skills in fun ways!

Matching Fund Raffle tickets and payment may be returned to school in an envelope marked COF Raffle. If you would like tickets sent home with your student, email Ms. Berry. Ms. Berry will turn in tickets to the Catholic Order of Foresters for the raffle drawing on November 13. Thank you to all who purchased cinnamon rolls and pull-aparts.

• The K-5 Christmas Concert and Art Show will be on Wednesday, December 4.
• The high school Choir and Band Christmas Concert will be on Wednesday, December 11.
• The preschool Christmas Concert will be Wednesday, December 18th.

Bosco Catholic School System 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 8 AM

11 – Veterans Day Assembly K-12 9 AM

(Veterans at 8:30 AM)

12 – BCSS Board Meeting 6:30 PM

14 – No Waterloo Busing

15 – Professional Development (No School)

15 - 17 – Fall Play

18 – Iowa Star Conference Band Festival @ Janesville

21-23 – All State Music Festival @ Iowa State Univ.

25 – MS Lock In 7PM - Tuesday AM

27-29 – Thanksgiving Break (No School)

MISSION STATEMENT

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!

Submit newsletter articles to icsjnewsletter@boscocatholic.org by 3 PM on Wednesdays.

Website: boscocatholic.org

Facebook boscocatholic.org

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 256, Gilbertville, IA 50634

Don Bosco High School

405 16th Ave

Gilbertville, Iowa 50634

319-296-1092

dbhssecretary@boscocatholi.org

Immaculate Conception K-8

311 16th Ave

Gilbertville, Iowa 50634

319-296-1089

icsecretary@boscocatholic.org

St Joseph Center PS/PK

6916 Lafayette Rd

Raymond, Iowa 50667

319-233-5980