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Volunteer survey for 2015-2016

Schoolbelles Winter Uniform Sale

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Annual calendar 2015-2016

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Scrip order form

Option C (grades)

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Sports forms

Calendar

School website

The Feast of the Epiphany, or the Three Magi, is to be celebrated at school on Thursday, January 7, with Fr. Grecco and Fr. Steve blessing our classrooms, children, and staff.

The custom in Germany is a children’s festival from January 1 to January 6 (Three Kings Day). After a service at church, the children go from house to house to gather offerings for poor children in poor countries. They are dressed as the three kings and carry sticks with stars on the top. At the homes they sing songs and recite messages of Christmas. At each house they paint the letters "20+CMB+16," which stand for the Latin Christus Mansionem Benedicat (Christ bless this house). At the same time, the letters are the first letters of the names of the wise men: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.

We continue this tradition by having the children gather in the halls and sing carols while the priests move from room to room blessing everyone and the classrooms that are in daily use.

Every year I offer a challenge to the students in 2nd grade: During Advent do something good for someone without being asked and/or without complaining. The reward: placing a piece of straw for each good deed in an empty manger in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ. They always take the challenge well and the manger I give them is always overflowing. This year was no different! I took the statue of the Infant Jesus to each classroom and we prayed and placed Jesus in the manger filled with straw from their good works. Ask your child about it!

Reminder to Sacred Heart parishioners: The blessing of homes is traditional at the beginning of New Year. Father Steve and I are happy to make a visit along with a picture of the Sacred Heart to place in your home. Call the rectory for scheduling.

Conference Form

Please return the Parent/Teacher Conference form by January 12. Conferences will be scheduled for January 21 and 22.  See the form for available times.  At this conference you can choose a subject teacher other than your child’s homeroom teacher to discuss your child’s progress. And don’t forget to keep up with your child’s grades by checking Option C frequently.

Second Semester Tuition Payment

If you chose to pay your tuition two times this school year, the second payment is due on January 15th at the church rectory.  The school office cannot accept your tuition payment.  The parish tuition office can provide your exact balance. Call Laura at 412-661-0187 ext.113.  A late fee will be assessed if payment is not received by the due date.

Scrip Program

The Scrip program resumes with the first turn in of the new year on January 6. Keep earning Family Assessment credit through mid-March with your Scrip orders.

“Are you returning?” Form

Please return the paper enclosed in your family envelope  which indicates to the school office your intentions for next year’s enrollment.  Please complete one form per child and return by January 20.

Monthly Envelope Helpers Needed

If you can spare an hour or so one time each month to stuff the Family Envelope, your help would be greatly appreciated.  Please contact Amy Volpe at amy.volpe@bnymellon.com if you are interested and thanks in advance for joining this monthly group.

Catholic Schools Week will be from Sunday, January 31 through Saturday, February 6. The national theme for 2016 is "Catholic Schools - Challenged to Proclaim God’s Mercy."                                       

We invite all families to attend the 9:30 a.m. parish Mass on Sunday, January 31 to celebrate the many gifts God has given to Sacred Heart School; our children, parents, teachers, and parishioners. The Mass will be followed by a festive family brunch in the cafeteria. The registration form can be found in the monthly envelope and is due on Thursday, January 21.

As is tradition, parents are invited to join their children (preschool to grade 5) for breakfast in the cafeteria during Catholic Schools Week. The reservation form in the monthly envelope includes times and dates by grade. Please return it by Monday, January 25.

A hard copy for events scheduled for the week is included in the monthly envelope.

First Reconciliation for 2nd grade students will take place on Saturday, February 13. Complete details will be sent home closer to the date.

A First Communion Family Session will be held on January 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. All children planning to receive First Holy Communion in the spring and parents must attend this session.  If you have any questions, please contact  Sharon Smoller at sacredheartparishreled@gmail.com .

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated at Sacred Heart on Sunday, April 10 with Most Reverend Bishop William J. Winter during 11:30 a.m. Mass.

The parish Confirmation retreat day for 8th graders preparing to be confirmed is scheduled for January 27.  The retreat will be held at Martina Spirituality Renewal Center in West View. Students will be transported from school at 8:15 a.m. and return to school in time for dismissal. Lunch will be provided.  If you have any questions please contact Sharon Smoller at  sacredheartparishreled@gmail.com.

"Alive in Our Faith” for 8th grade Confirmation candidates, parents and sponsors is scheduled for Sunday, February 7.  The event will take place from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. Special guest speakers Rev. Ken Marlovitz and Deacon Tony Giordano will present what our Baptismal call means to the fully initiated members of the Church. If you have questions, please contact Sharon Smoller at sacredheartparishreled@gmail.com.

Grades 1 through 3 completed a service project for December: Prayers from Our Hearts.

As the children prepared their hearts and hands for Jesus, they wanted to reach out to Sacred Heart Parish. Several hundred prayer cards were created and placed in a basket in the vestibule for the parishioner and guests of Sacred Heart to take home.  The true meaning of Christmas was displayed in all the joy the children experienced while taking time to color and cut out their prayer. From the children's hearts to a prayerful home, we wanted to share the prayer with our Sacred Heart families:

Dear Lord, During the Advent season, prepare my heart to meet you. Guide my actions toward treating others with love and respect. May you light my life with peace,love and hope.  Amen

The  4th and 5th grade students participated in a Christmas pajama drive sponsored by Scholastic Books. For each pair of pajamas that was collected, Scholastic Books donated a book.  We collected 60 pairs of pajamas for children in need.  The pajamas were delivered to Pressly Ridge Day School in Pittsburgh prior to the Christmas break.  Thank you 4th and 5th grade students and parents for your kindness and generosity.

It’s a conservation celebration on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 18, at the Science Center.

Thanks to the generous contribution of Duquesne Light, all visitors will enjoy free general admission, parking, and an Omnimax film.

Kid’s Night Out (KNO) is an event for Kindergarten through 4th grade where we turn the cafeteria in our own private movie theater! This year’s KNO will be held on Friday, January 8 for grades K-1 and on Friday, January 15 for grades 2-4.  Drop off begins at 6:45 p.m. and the movie starts at 7:00 p.m. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. Sleeping bags, pillow pets and pajamas are welcome!  Movies will be announced at a later date. Keep a look out for registration forms which will be sent home in early January. We hope your child can join us! If you are interested in volunteering or have questions, please email Jennifer McPeak at  jlmcpeak@burnswhite.com.

Sacred Heart’s Daisies and Brownies (Troop 52491) are sponsoring a Winter Tea on Sunday, February 21 from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m. in the Sacred Heart auditorium.  Cost is 5.00 per person (excluding Daisies and Brownies).  The Winter Tea will benefit Birthright, a local center aiding in difficult pregnancies

All students and their special grown-ups are invited to attend. Please join us for an elegant afternoon with tea, light refreshments, shower themed games, winter fun and good company.  Feel free to dress up in your high tea attire and bring your favorite doll. 

We also request that guests bring a wrapped baby gift which will go to Birthright.  Gifts can be items like a rattle, diaper wipes, diapers (sizes preemie to 12 month), snowsuits, outfits, undershirts, sleepers, etc.  Please NO strollers, highchairs or pack-n-plays.  Also, a can will be provided for monetary donations, which are also greatly appreciated by the center.

Be on the lookout for a flyer with additional information.  RSVP information is due by January 27.  Checks should be made payable to “Troop 52491". Paper tickets will not be issued; names will be checked upon arrival at the door. For more information, please contact Danielle Cessna at mainierodj@hotmail.com.

The annual Sarris Easter Candy sale begins Tuesday, January 19 and runs through Wednesday, February 10. Profits from the sale help support many of the PTG sponsored activities held throughout the school year. We encourage the children to sell to family, friends and neighbors to mention a few. 

Pick-up will be on Wednesday, March 16 in the lower level of the Monsignor Keane Activities Building (the gym), between the hours of 2:00 and 6:00 pm.

We will be offering online ordering again this year. Online ordering is available for out-of-town friends and family.  Visit www.sarriscandiesfundraising.com  and enter the Sacred Heart Group ID:  10-1411.

For more information, please contact Danielle Cessna at mainierodj@hotmail.com.

Intermediate Chess classes are being offered for students in 2nd-8th grade.  To be eligible, students should know how to move and capture chess pieces.  The fee is $40 for the first child.  Lessons will be on Wednesdays from 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. from January 13-February 17.  Registration forms are available at the office and on the school website here .  Please contact Kerry DeLuca at deluca.clan@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Sacred Heart Moms is a new group forming for all moms of the parish to come together in prayer, worship and social activities.  Moms, take a break from your schedule for one hour to recharge your spirituality! 

The group will gather on the following dates:

January 14 at 8:10 a.m. to pray the rosary in the Lady’s Chapel prior to 8:30 a.m. Mass.

January 28 at 8:10 a.m. to pray the rosary in the Lady’s Chapel prior to 8:30 a.m. Mass.

January 21 from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. for a social gathering at Panera Bread, Bakery Square

More information can be found on the parish website: http://www.sacredheartparishshadyside.org/sacredheartmoms or by contacting Sharon Smoller at sacredheartparishreled@gmail.com.

Bring a friend and join us!

All coaches of sports teams at Sacred Heart are invited to attend the Play Like a Champion clinic on January 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  The clinic will be held at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School.  If interested in attending, you may register by calling Susan Grierl at 412-456-3090.

In conjunction with Sacred Heart Parish, the school will collect Rice-a-Roni to be contributed to the food bank run by the East End Cooperative Ministry.

Each month, the Student Council members encourage all of us to contribute a different featured food to share with our neighbors in need. Thank you for your support.