Corpus Christi Catholic School E-Mail Newsletter
http://www.corpuschristischool.us/

Dear Parents,

Hard to believe that February is nearly over. We are one week into living differently during Lent. Our Middle School students are attempting to live a complaint free life. Each child has been asked to donate money to the Catholic Relief Services rice bowl project. Father Charlie Brown reminded everyone about almsgiving, prayer and fasting during mass this week. We were blest to have Dr. Michael Page, who just returned from Haiti, share his experiences with our students after mass. He asked that we mark the 12th of every month to remember Haiti as they struggle to rebuild their lives and to have access to the basic necessities.

Each child understands and internalizes Lent differently. Their response is partly personal and partly family/school/church culture. Being able to acknowledge the challenges of preparing for Easter on a daily basis is one of the blessings of a catholic education.

Next week we will begin celebrating March is Reading month. Pick a book and set aside some time each evening to read aloud to your children. Consider logging how many hours your family spends reading and compare it to how much time your family spends with technology. We have many great activities planned throughout the coming weeks.

Thank you to everyone who has already returned their enrollment forms for 2010/2011. Consider asking for an extra form and sharing Corpus Christi with a friend.

Jo Jones

The Book Fair is coming!
March 10th (Wednesday) 11:30am – 12:45pm & 3:00pm – 7:30pm &

March 11th (Thursday) 11:30am – 12:45pm & 3:00pm – 7:30pm
 
Home and School Meeting!!
Remember to join us for our March Home and School meeting on Monday,
Mar. 1st at 6:00 pm.    We will have updates from our subcommittees. 
We will also begin to discuss our 2010-2011 budget.  We would LOVE to
have YOUR input!!  Come and share your thoughts of how we should spend
the funds you help to generate!

Our nominating committee is still accepting nominations for officers for
the 2010-1011 school year.  If you are interested in becoming an officer,
please contact Michelle Jensen, Carmelita LaPorte, or Pam O’Brien. 
In our meeting on Monday, we will vote to elect our Vice President
for this current school year.  At our April meeting, we will be electing our
Secretary and Vice President for next year. 

If child care would be helpful to you, please contact Pam O’Brien by
Saturday, Feb. 27th.  (Phone: 738-8836 or email: danpamob5@aol.com)
We hope to see you there!
 
Car Keys (Jeep) FoundIn the Library – Check in Office to claim

We want to share the news . . . .
Corpus Christi has been invited to participate with the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance in “Calling All Colors.”  The program works to create a greater appreciation for diversity in school communities.  Calling all Colors engages students in learning about relevant issues of race and diversity and challenges them to think critically about the issues at hand in their schools.  We hand selected 15 students from grades 6, 7, and 8 to represent Corpus Christi.  They attended a conference at Hope College . . . created plans . . . is currently executing it here at Corpus Christi . . . and return in the spring to Grand Valley and report.
The students meet twice a month to discuss and plan their vision.  With the help and support of the students, parents and staff, the committee will lead the school community in a celebration of our diversity.  Activities are being organized and volunteers will be needed to help us achieve our goals. 
Some of the activities that have already taken place include:  Corpus Christi Jeopardy, Day of Sharing – Cultural Crosses, Catholic Schools Week – Friendship Pins and Bingo, March is Reading Month – March Madness Basketball Game.  Watch for the dedication of our Corpus Christi Cultural Cross and Cultural Food Tasting in April.
Help us spread the great news . . . by sharing of your time, talents and support.  Cultural Food Tasting is scheduled for April 2010.  We are looking for parents to help with the set up, preparation of food and clean up of this event.  We would like to have a similar set up to “Day of Sharing” – if you would be willing to help with this event, please contact Mrs. Koster at your earliest convenience.

Remember, our 10-Year Anniversary Celebration is just around the corner!  Plan to join in the fun on Saturday, April 17, 2010!  Invitations will be arriving very soon.  If you have the name and address of a family member or friend you would like us to invite, please pass on their information to Rose Bays via email- (rbays@hollandengineering.com).  Also, remember the event is for adults only!
Event Information:Tickets are $25 each, and you may reserve a table of 8 for $200.  $100 cash prize drawing for the first 100 tickets sold.  Drawing will take place the night of the event… so don’t delay; get your tickets right away!  Use the RSVP card inside your invitation to purchase your tickets.  Simply send your money inside the RSVP card and drop the envelope in the mail.  It will already be addressed and stamped for you! 
There are only a few days left to donate toward your classroom auction package.  Please consider contributing to this and thank you to those who have already given!  Also, there is still time to become a corporate sponsor of our event, or make a prize donation to our auction.  Contact Rose Bays for more info.
We will have great food, music and dancing, door prize give-a-ways, raffles, auctions, and much more!  We will come together as a community and celebrate “10 YEARS OF TOGETHERNESS.”  Please be our guest and celebrate with us!

UpcomingEvents

03/01          Home & School Mtg. @ 6:30 p.m.

03/03          Mass @ 8:45 a.m.

03/08          Bd. Of Ed. Mtg. @ 5:00 p.m.

03/10          Mass @ 8:45 a.m.
                   Book Fair
                  11:30am – 12:45pm
                   3:00pm – 7:30pm

03/11          Book Fair
                  11:30 am – 12:45 pm
                    3:00 pm – 7:30 pm

03/15          Booster’s Mtg.

03/16          4th Grade Song Fest / Delta Plex – GR

03/17          Mass @ 8:45 a.m.
                   Middle School Lenten Retreat
                   St. Patrick’s Day

03/19          No School

03/24          Mass @ 8:45 a.m.

03/31          Mass @ 8:45 a.m.

T.R.I.P. Info:
J.C. Penney – 1% bonus through March 26th.
Please make a note that the last T.R.I.P. order before Easter/Spring Break will be March 22nd.  This will be a two week order.  T.R.I.P. will resume on April 12th.
 
Booster’s Corner
Save the Date: Sunday, March 14th, 2010 Back by popular demand! 
Joe Murray, an OLL parishioner and owner of Gringo’s Grill, has graciously partnered with Corpus Christi Catholic School’s Boosters to help raise funds for the athletic department.
Please join us for a meal anytime during the extended hours of 11-9: PM where 50% of the proceeds from that day’s sales will go towards athletic equipment for the all sports teams at Corpus Christi.
Tell your friends, neighbors and family!
Please come out to support our school, a parishioner and your Holland community.
2863 West shore Drive (across from the Fairfield Inn). 616-994-9722
Take out available ~ No coupons will be honored during this event.

“My Personal Michigan Hero”
Good News - - the results are in!  Three students from Corpus Christi have been named local winners in the 41st annual America & Me Essay Contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance.
 The three students, who earned first, second and third place awards for us, are Alexis Gaiser, first, Lindsay Ross, second, and Ricky Altamira, third.  All three will receive award certificates for their achievement.  As the school’s first place winner, Alexis’ name is also engraved on a plaque for permanent display in the school. 
 Alexis’ first place essay now advances to the state level competition, from which the top ten essays in Michigan will be selected.  The top ten statewide winners, who will be announced in April, will each receive a plaque, a $500 U.S. savings bond and a $500 cash award.  In addition, the top ten essayists will be honored at a banquet in Lansing, meet with Michigan’s top governmental leaders, and be the featured guests at a Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball game dedicated in their honor.
 Several thousand eighth grade students from nearly 500 Michigan schools participated in the 2009 - 2010 America & Me Essay Contest, which was conducted with the help of Farm Bureau Insurance.  The topic of the 2009 - 2010 contest was “My Personal Michigan Hero”.
 All Corpus Christi 8th grade students took part in this essay contest – CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL! 

MARCH IS READING MONTH