November 30, 2010

Dear Parents,

Advent is a season of preparation: we shop for gifts, plan parties, and decorate our homes for the coming of Christmas. Sometimes it is easy to forget the real mission of Advent: preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ. We are bombarded by commercial messages in which the reason for Christmas—Emmanuel, “God with us” is absent or overlooked. However, the rituals and practices of our Catholic liturgies during this season can join us together with the People of God. United, we can offer messages of challenge and hope and express our desire for God's presence in our midst.

Advent blends penitence, preparedness, and joy. We are called to consider our lives and to repent or turn around from those things that keep us from God. In this way, we repent and prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord. This theme of preparedness permeates the liturgies of Advent. Lastly we are called to be joyful as we get ready to celebrate the incarnation of our Savior in Bethlehem.

Student Council

            This Thanksgiving, we at St. Jerome have much to be thankful for...sometimes it's as simple as food on the table and presents under the tree at Christmas.  Many children in the Los Angeles area go without at this time of year and the St. Jerome Student Council has much to be proud of as the Thanksgiving food drive was a huge success! From Pre-K to 8th grade the school collected over 600 canned and dry goods! Congratulations to the 2nd grade class, which brought in a whopping 181 canned goods, just inching out the 6th grade class's 171.

           As you go out to do your Christmas shopping this over the next few weeks, please pick up an extra (unwrapped toy or item) for our unwrapped new toy drive.         The Los Angeles Fire Department, Westchester Dept. will be here to collect the toys on December 17, the last day of the drive.
Thank you to all the generous families that donated food that will benefit our local area of Inglewood and Westchester.
                              Mrs. Lennon, Student Council Moderator 

 SPECIAL SCRIP

This is just a reminder that the order forms and payment for special scrip orders are due on Wed., Dec. 1st- NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  

This will be the last order before Christmas! So order now if you want to use gift cards as presents.  If you have any questions please call Krista D'Angelo (310) 293-4405 or Lisa Harris (323) 291-6136.

**Please note: the last page of the order form shows Gift Card Wrappers for sale...only the HOLIDAY gift wrappers are available.  Sorry for the inconvenience.**

VISION SCREENING: On Wednesday, December 1, 2010 we will have our annual vision screening. Please have students who wear glasses bring them on that day.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Anyone in need of service hours or would like to volunteer to assist with vision testing, please call Felecia Dufauchard at 323-309-4835 or you can email me at Felecia.dufauchard@expeditors.com.

SPORTS NEWS:

• B Volleyball - the girls team ended their season with a victory over previously unbeaten St Anastasia.  While they fell short of conference playoffs, the Lady Spartans had a fine season.   
• Bowling - CYO will host a bowling tournament on  Saturday Dec 4.  The deadline to register is Mon Nov 29.  If you send me an email that your son/daughter is definitely committing to the event, I will make sure they get registered.  You can send in a $20 check for the event (includes 2 games and shoe rental) to my attention made payable to St Jerome School.  It would be nice to get a team but any individuals in grades 3 thru 8 are welcome.  For more information, check out www.cyousa.org <http://www.cyousa.org>  
• Basketball - the girls A team is in the midst of finalizing tryouts for the team and the boys A team will have tryouts on Monday Nov 29 and Wed Dec 1 from 6 to 730 pm in the gym.  Announcements will be made at school regarding the B and C basketball teams.  
• IHOP 20% Discount Cards - purchase a 20% discount card to 6 IHOP restaurants including the one in Westchester for $10.   Cards expire in November 2011 and are good for multiple uses.  All profit supports Spartan Sports.  

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

TUESDAY, NOV. 30              Report cards go home

WEDNESDAY 12/1                 Vision Screening

FRIDAY, DEC. 3                     School Mass—8:00am

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8           School Mass 11:30 am Immaculate Conception

THURSDAY,  DEC. 6             Christmas Program 7:00pm (children wear their Christmas best.)