Week of December 17, 2012 Rooted in TraditionLed by the Spirit to Wait Patiently

Its sharing your gifts, not purchasing gifts. Its not wrapping presents, its being present and wrapping your arms around the ones you love. Its not getting Christmas cards out on time, Its send any card, anytime, at the right time. Its not having the biggest and best Christmas light display, Its displaying the light of Christ that comes from your heart. Its not Santa coming down the chimney, Its Jesus coming down from heaven and giving us the gift of eternal life.
Anonymous

Christmas Thoughts

THIS WEEK

We returned to school yesterday and our children certainly lifted my spirits. There were many prayers for Sandy Hook Elementary School during our usual Morning Prayer time. Teachers reassured their children as we went through our day. As we moved through the last 4 days we no doubt have struggled with how our loving God let this tragedy happen. There are no rational answers to this, but it is not part of God's plan that innocent people would meet tragedy. Gods plan was to send his son to lead us out of violence and to peace. I believe He cries with all the families who are in pain. In difficult times it is our faith in Jesus, called Emmanuel, God with us, that sustains us and will bring some measure of comfort to the people of Newtown. In the end, it is this faith in the Lord Jesus that remains. As a school we will continue to review all of our Emergency Procedures and remain vigilant that our school is secure at all times.

Christmas Events
Details of Christmas Show
Our Christmas Program is Thursday, December 20 at 7:30 PM in the Church. Matinee showing will be Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 1:30 PM in the Church.

The What to Wear Flyer is at the end of this letter. Kevin Trebel will be videoing the program. DVDs will sell for $10.00. Order form attached to the email Seating is only in the main body of the church no seating in the transepts. Priority Seating Winners from the auction at the 5K are Gary Thompson on the right side facing the altar and Karen Lanni on the left facing the altar. They will be labeled Auction Winners. Students in grades K-2 must be picked up in their classrooms after the show.

There will be a reception in the gym after the Christmas program. If youve offered to bring desserts, you may put them in the gym kitchen at any time throughout the day on Thursday. Thank you, Lisa Gottshall, for coordinating this event. Our Advent Christmas Liturgy with the Shower for Baby Jesus is on Friday, December 21st at 11AM. The shower gifts go to the children of Mary House, a shelter for homeless families located in DC. Anne Thomas is the coordinator for this project. The gift list is at the end of this letter. During this Liturgy families sit together and bring their gift to the altar at the Offertory. If you cant make the mass, please let your child's teacher know. In this case, the students sit with their teachers. On Friday the students may wear red or green shirts/blouses/sweatshirts with their uniform pants or skirts. Christmas Vacation begins at noon on Friday, December 21st. NO AFTER CARE Children's' Choir will practice on Wednesday after school. This will be the last practice before 5PM Mass on Christmas Eve. Please don't miss practice.

Coat Drive sponsored by Student Council

Tomorrow is the last day to bring a coat for the Student Councils coat drive for people in the area who are in need of a coat. Coat/jackets/sweatshirts/sweaters for adults or children may be new or gently used (and clean). There are collection boxes in the school lobby.

Led by the Spirit Update

We are at 74% of the goal of $700,000. We have $516,265! Please help us reach our goal by making a gift. Pledge cards are available in the school office. Thank you if you have made a gift/pledge. It is not too late to make a 2012 tax deductable gift.

Lunch Duty
Yeah! All the spots for the remainder of the week are covered. Please don't forget to look at the

January sign up schedule. Please remember, teachers need a break at lunch and if no one signs up then that doesnt happen. Here is the January link... www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0A4AA4A829A13-january1/5235127

Creative Writing Contest

The 20th Annual Creative Writing Contest is underway. Weve posted the contest rules, guidelines and entry forms on the website. Look for these documents on the front page of the website in the Latest News section. The entries are due on January 7, 2013.

You Can Help?

Do any of you shop at Giant, Shopper or Shop Rite? If you do, our scholarship fund could be earning 4-5% on each dollar you spend. This is a great deal. Free money!! Perhaps during this holiday season you will consider using Grocery Gift Cards to shop and/or to give as gifts. For your convenience, order forms are in the folder every week. Last week 15 families participated and we earned $114. THANK YOU!!! Sign up for lunch duty. Save Box Tops and used ink cartridges. Send your unwanted coupons to Kevin Clark or office for getting free items for WV PEplease save your old socks for the hockey sticks. We cover the ends of the sticks to save the gym floor. The season begins in mid-January. Bring medication for Haiti Ibuprofen, vitamins, Tums or antacids, and soap.

 Baked goods for the Christmas Program. Bring Coats for the Coat drive.

Casino Night

Mark your calendars!! The ever popular Casino Night will be held Feb. 8, 2013. See enclosed flyer for more information.

Notes from the Art Room

Please submit any photos from Breakfast with Santa, boy/girl scout photos from meetings, trips, etc., and photos from any of the service projects for the Yearbook to Mrs. Leishear at CLeishear@sjbsilverspring.org Mrs. Leishear is collecting Styrofoam meat trays & yogurt cups for the Art Room.

8th Grade News

Its time to create your Yearbook ad! See the enclosed flyer for details. Due Feb. 14, 2013.

Morning Care/After Care SJB CYO Athletic News

If you participate in morning care or after care your statement is in your folder. Please pay this week.

Super Bowl Squares are now on sale! This is a fundraiser for SJB Athletics Ministry. Each square is $100 and you have a chance to win $1,000 each quarter of the big game. Get a group to go together and buy a ticket as a gift. Along with the chance to win the big money, the ticket gets you entrance to a fun party on Jan. 26th. The flyer is attached to the email.

2013 Dates to Note

Classes resume on Wednesday, January 2th. The Creative Writing Contest Entries are due by Monday, January 7. School Board meets on Tuesday, January 8th. Exams start on Friday, Jan. 11th. The students will receive review sheets the day after we return from vacation. Catholic Schools Week Open House, Liturgy and Parent Lunch is Thursday, January 31st.

SJB School News

If you hear any Alumni News during the Christmas Holidays please let me know so we can include in the upcoming edition of Arches, our graduate newsletter. Found boys black North Face jacket - size M (10-12). Contact office.

SJB Parish News

Parish Advent Reconciliation Service is tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 19th at 7:30PM in church. The 7th annual Vocations Basketball is back in our gym on Friday, January 11th at 7:30. A team of SJB men will play a team of seminarians and priests of the Archdiocese, known as the DC Hood. After the game there is a pizza party in the Lyon Center for all attendees. The Knights of Columbus have announced the winners for their Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest. The winners in their specific categories are: Nicholas Hippchen, Grade 2, Catie Connolly, Grade 5 and Abby Jenkins, Grade 7. Each student will receive $25.00 in cash.

This is our last letter/folder for 2012! If there are any reminders or news to communicate, I will do so via email. I wish each of you a peaceful Christmas with your friends and family.

Enclosures / Email Attachments

What to Wear at Christmas Program (just below in this letter) Baby Shower gift list (just below in this letter) Creative Writing information (posted on the website) Christmas Show DVD order form (email only) Super Bowl Squares (email only) SJB Casino Night (in folder and on email) Yearbook Ad (email only) Jaguar Newspaper (folder only)

Christmas Show-What to wear

K White turtleneck with dark pants school shoes Gr. 1 Boys - white Turtlenecks with dark/khaki pants-school shoes Girls white turtleneck with any color skirt with white tights or dark/khaki pants -school shoes Gr. 2 White turtlenecks with dark pants school shoes Gr. 3 White turtleneck with dark pants/skirts school shoes Gr. 4 White turtleneck with dark pants/skirts school shoes Gr. 5 White turtlenecks with dark pants/skirts - school shoes Gr. 6 White Turtlenecks with dark pants school shoes Gr. 7 White Turtlenecks with dark or khaki pants school shoes Color pants will depend on rolestudent will know Gr. 8 Boys white shirt/dark pants with red/green festive tie- school shoes Girls white blouse/shirt (short or long sleeve is fine) with dark pants with festive scarf, flat dress shoes or school shoes

Shower for Baby Jesus

Kindergarten:

Last names starting with A-M: clothing or toys for babies 0-2 years old. Last names starting with N-Z: clothing or toys for toddlers 2-3 years old. 1st and 2nd grades: Clothing or toys for children 8 years 10 years old (girls & boys) 3rd and 4th grades: Clothing or toys for children 8 years 10 years old (girls & boys) 5th and 6th grades: Clothing or toys for children 8 years 10 years old (girls & boys) 7th and 8th grades: Clothing or toys/activities for children 11 years 13 years old (girls & boys) Suggestions include sweatpants & sweatshirts (bright colors for girls),board games, basketballs/footballs, lotions, manicure sets, etc.