Chalk Talk

Serving the parishes of Sacred Heart and St. Benedict

Our mission is to form a Catholic community of faith and learning by living Gospel values,

promoting academic excellence, and serving those in need.

Kindergarten Roundup Set

We have set our Kindergarten Roundup for Monday, April 26^th at 7 pm in the dining room at St. Benedict’s and Kindergarten Visiting Day for Thursday, May 13th. We will be sending out an informational letter the end of March. We would like to mention that

beginning March 29th, you may call to schedule your child’s kindergarten screening, which is required of all children before they enter school. We will be screening our own students again this year on Thursday, April 29th beginning at 8 am, allowing about an hour for the process. To schedule a time for your child, please call Mrs. Rockne at 665-5841 after March 29th.

Registration forms for the 2010-2011 school year were sent home on Monday, February 1stwith current SHS students and were due back at conferences. We are still missing a few forms, but need to have them returned by Wednesday, March 3rd so that we can begin making preparations for the upcoming year. If you have misplaced your form, please contact the school office so that another can be sent home to you.

We have several different scholarships available at Sacred Heart School for the upcoming school year. The application process consists of filling out only one form to send in along with a $17 processing fee. All applications are due by May 15, 2010. Please make note of the deadline as no applications will be accepted after this date. There is also a scholarship offered by the Presentation Sisters which is due March 12, 2010. And don’t forget about the Spirit of Service Award and Scholarship available for a 2006 SHS/2010 YHS graduate. The forms are available now at both school offices so stop in or give us a call to have one mailed to you.

MATHLETES

The Math Counts team, consisting of Sam Bisgard, Alex Dangler, Madison Dangler, and JJ Hejna participated in the SE Chapter MATHCOUNTS competition on Saturday, February 20th at Augustana College in Sioux Falls. Alternates, Jon Barkl and Evan Hoffman, accompanied the team and competed as individuals. Sam Bisgard was the top scorer from SHMS and the team got 8th place. Every year the students and Coach Kim Olson put in endless hours doing math before and after school during their free time, and we are very proud of their accomplishments. The other students making the school team but not traveling include Ben Cameron, Tyler Wenande, Haley Mines, Joseph Welter and Isaac Althoff. A special thanks to all who sponsored donuts throughout the season and to Eisenbraun and Associates who sponsor the competition in Sioux Falls every year.

The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders competed in the annual Spelling Bee in February. The top three from each grade then went on to compete in front of the school. 6th graders included Jared Rafferty, Dani Dvorak, and Cody Perakslis. 7th graders included David Barnes, Maddie Dangler, and Ben Cameron. 8th graders included Isaac Althoff, Kyle Katterhagen, and Will Steward. David, Will, and Jared won 1st place and will go on to represent SHS at the Yankton

Congratulations to the following students who will participate in the Science Olympiad State Competition on March 27^th on the USD Campus in Vermillion:

9th Graders – Theresa Barnes, Kelsey Fitzgerald, Sarah Hicks and Allyssa Schroeder

7^th Graders – Jon Barkl, David Barnes, Sam Bisgard, Ben Cameron, Madison Dangler, Charlotte Ekeren, Matt Fitzgerald, Luke Rockne and Tyler Wenande

Spirit of Service Award and Scholarship for SHS/YHS Grad
If you have a child who graduated from SHS in 2006 and will graduate from YHS this spring, he/she may be interested in applying for the SHS Spirit of Service Award and Scholarship. The intention of this scholarship is to recognize those students who exemplify the values of service taught at Sacred Heart School. This year there will be a $1500 scholarship and a runner up scholarship of $500 based on the following criteria:

1) The student must have graduated from SHS's 8th grade class of
2006 and YHS's class of 2010. All 2006 SHMS 8th grade graduates have been
mailed an application.

2) The student must have attended SHS at least one complete
school year.

3) The student will be selected based on a record of service to
the Church and the community, based on the values taught within the church and SHS.

4) Academic record (both SHS and YHS) will be of secondary consideration.

5) Said Scholarship will be given directly to the college or technical
school of the winner's choosing, endorsed to the applicant and said
institution.

Pennies for Progress at Sacred Heart School was a great success! The middle school students collected $1,266.72. The preschool and elementary school students collected $1,704.62. That gave both schools a grand total of $2,971.34!!! The winning elementary school house was Saint Francis. Saint Peter took the prize at the middle school. All the money raised will go towards the "One Heart, One Mind, One Spirit in Christ" Catholic Community Campaign. Thank you so much to all the students who participated in this challenge! You are all awesome!

On Tuesday, March 9th Sacred Heart School Administration and School Board will give a presentation on our current bussing status and seek public input on proceeding into the future. The forum is open to all current and prospective SHS families. The forum will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Benedict dining room.

Students at Sacred Heart School, grades third through eighth will be taking the Dakota STEP test March 29-April 1. Standardized tests serve two purposes. Most importantly, the results of the test give parents and teachers an indication of how well an individual child is doing in school. The second purpose is to provide information on how our school is doing as a whole and comparing to schools across the state.

Remember, this is like a photo; a one-time look at your child’s performance. Every child has skills and abilities that cannot be measured by a test.

The campaign committee continues their work trying to reach 100% of our parishioners. Please respond with generosity and kindness. We are really hopeful that our SHS families will all participate. Our pledges have reached $3,410,562. Keep in mind that there are opportunities to name rooms and offices in memory of loved ones. Sacred Heart in Yankton is the oldest parish in Dakota Territory and Sacred Heart School is the oldest school. Many families have helped this parish create its vibrant ministries through the years. Wouldn't it be special to have your family name or loved one honored by naming a room after them? Contact Barb in the Development Office (665-4585) if you are interested in this opportunity. The meetings with the city and diocese in regard to this project are going well. Please pray that the remainder of the meetings proceed well so that ground can be broken this spring!! It's an exciting time in the Yankton Catholic Community and for Sacred Heart School!!!

All the Gala committees are cruising around working on the Island Inspired Gala, which is set to sail on April 17^th! Exciting things are going on…Gift Gathering Parties, Grand Raffle Sales, Gun Raffle Squares and many other “behind the scenes” action! Thank you to all who have been so generous with your time and resources! When we put all our efforts together in the name of God, wonderful things can happen…and they are!! In the next four weeks, watch for your Island Inspired Invitation in the mail. If you do not receive one or know of someone you would like to get one, please contact the Development Office at 665-4585. Also, please let us know if you would be interested in helping with any part of the Gala…either before, during or after. There are many jobs to do both in and behind the scenes and we invite you to become part of the excitement! We would love to fill all 320 seats this year, so spread the news and let’s set sail on another successful Gala!

February 28^th was the final submission date for the current school year for Box Tops. So far this year our school has received just over $1500. WOW!! The contest last month brought in $760.50. Congratulations to Mrs. Fiscus’ class for winning the box top challenge. They will receive a pizza party. Thank you one and all for your hard work.

For a complete listing of eligible products and lots of other great ideas, you can go to www.boxtops4education.com. All Box Tops turned in from now through May will be banked for the next school year. Keep up the good work!

Healthy Students

PLEASE help us keep more students in school. If your child is running a fever please keep them home from school. The Yankton Medical Clinic recommends that children should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. This will help prevent the spread of germs to their classmates. Thank you so much for your cooperation!

Congratulations to Jim and Mary Elsen, the February winners of a $50 gift certificate to Charlie’s Pizza House. Also, a special thank you is extended to Steve & YaVonne Slowey for donating the gift certificate.

The Dakota Smiles Dental Mobile will be in Yankton from March 22– 26. If your child is between the ages of birth and 21 and needs dental care or just a check up, please take advantage of the program. No child is turned away for inability to pay. Registration forms are available at both school offices and the United Way & Volunteer Services office. Call 665-6766 for more information.

On Sunday (Palm Sunday), April 5, both parishes will be having communal reconciliation services: 3 pm at St. Benedict Parish and 7 pm at Sacred Heart. What better way is there to prepare for Easter than to be reconciled as a whole family? Watch your parish bulletin for more details

Congratulations…

To the team members of the Pee Wee C Boys Hockey team who won Yankton’s first ever hockey state trophy in taking first place at the SD State Pee Wee C tournament in Pierre. Austin Barger scored the sole goal of the final contest. The members of the Pee Wee C Boys Hockey team from Sacred Heart School are: Isaac Althoff, Austin Barger, Ben Cameron, Hunter Cameron, Cody Perakslis, Charlie Stephenson and Tyler Wenande,

Do You Have Your Hy-Vee cards?

Do you take advantage of the Hy-Vee cards? What a simple way to help out your parish, our school AND yourself! For every $100 in cards purchased, Hy-Vee donates 5% back to the school, and YOU can get a 1% rebate towards your tuition. Cards are available for purchase after every mass at both parishes, in both school offices, at the Sacred Heart Parish Office, and at the Development Office. We hope you will support this win-win situation for everyone. If you have any questions about how the program works, please don’t hesitate to call us. Tuition credits for the current school year will be figured as of March 31^st. Any cards purchased after that will be carried over to the next school year.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped our last BINGO night run so smoothly! It was a great turnout, and many walked away with fantastic prizes! The funds raised at Bingo helped pay for the teachers to attend the National Education conference they will attend in April.

SHS “Learning for Life” Car Decals are in! What a great way to show our pride for our school by displaying them on our car windows! If you are a new family to SHS and/or did not receive a free decal, please send a note to school and we’ll send a complimentary one home with your child. If you did receive a free one already, but would like to purchase another for a different vehicle, please send $3.50 to school for each additional sticker you would like.

A special thanks to the following parents who donated to the teachers’ conference meals:

SHES Meals: Kathy Fitzgerald, Amy Gokie, Amy Kramer, Jantina Stastny, Marietta Sprakel, Marchell Thurow, Crystal Paulson, Melissa Sundleaf, Rena Hebda, Jen Hladky, Bonnie Nowak, Kristin Madson, Kelly Vornhagen, Carrie Sedlacek, Jenny Kapla, Roxanne Frick, Berta Dooley, Vicki Bent, Tamara Liebig, and Tanya Hacecky

SHMS Meals: Tracie Dvorak, Betty Ekeren, Ann Heine,Stephanie Kanaly, Pat Kortan, Greg Kouri, Julie Perakslis, LeAnn Rockne, Barb Mechtenberg Ruffinott, Brenda Schroeder, Sheryl Schroeder, Mary Strom, Melissa Sundleaf, Nancy Trail, Kelly Vornhagen, Katie Wintz, Milissa Wuebben, and JaneWuesterwald.

Please take a moment to thank Amy Kramer, Amy Gokie and Jill Kouri for coordinating this effort. GREAT JOB ladies!

We had a great turnout at our Family Bowling Night! We hope those of you who attended had a great time with your family. Thank you to Jessica Underwood

and Carrie Hauser for volunteering your time to help!

Mark your calendars for May 8th for our next Faith Family Fitness event! Watch for more information coming soon!

Our next meeting is March 8^th at 7pm at the St. Benedict site. Upcoming events include: Teacher Appreciation Week, Faith Family Fitness, First Communion celebration, and 8^th grade graduation!

You are all welcome to be a part of this caring community of parents! As always, free childcare is provided in the preschool classroom. Hope to see you there!

March 4 (Thurs.) 85^th Grade Cookie Sales – “United Cookie Cutters of America”

March 14 (Sun.) 8Knight of Columbus Breakfast at the KC Hall – 8:15 am-12: 30 pm

March 18 (Thurs.) 85^th Grade Cookie Sales – “United Cookie Cutters of America”