Friday February 12 - NO SCHOOL - Pastor’s Holiday


Monday, February 15 - NO SCHOOL - Presidents’ Day Holiday


New Pictures On The Website
Click here to check out the new pictures on our school’s website. We recently posted pictures from SC Spirit Days and Mix It Up At Lunch.

Two Free Dress Days
* Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 10, To Celebrate Multicultural Day
Students may wear ethnic costumes, ethnic colors, or the color of the Olympic Rings that each grade has been assigned. The five rings represent the five major regions of the world: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Every national flag in the world includes at least one of the five colors which are blue, yellow, black, green, and red.
Grades K and 8 will wear blue.
Grades 7,6,and 3 will wear black or yellow (your choice).
Grades 5 and 2 will wear green.
Grades 4 and 1 will wear red.


* Thursday, February 11, To Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Students may wear free dress as long as they are dressed in the Valentine Theme-- Red, Pink, White, or Valentine Theme.

All students must follow the directions for Free Dress found in the Parent/ Student Handbook. Please note: Short shorts or mini skirts may NOT be worn even if they are worn with tights! Closed shoes and socks are required. Shoes must also be appropriate for pavilion use—non-marking, white soled, and soft soled!

Hearing Tests
Last week we had audiometric screening for Grades K, 2, 5, and 8. We are grateful to Hannah O’Donovan for coordinating this service and to Catherine Sorgie, Siobhan Johnston, and Sheila Gallagher for escorting the children.

Re-registration
The Re-registration letter for 2010-2011 school year will be sent home tomorrow, Thursday, February 11, with your oldest child. February tuition is due today. Those families whose tuition account is not paid to date and have not made arrangements with a member of the School Finance Committee are not eligible for re-registration. The Re-registration Fee ($225 per child) will be due by Tuesday, March 2.

Year of the Tiger
On Tuesday, February 16, we will celebrate Chinese New Year--the Year of the Tiger! People born in the Year of the Tiger are magnetic, adventurous, loyal, affectionate, and generous. Tiger people were born in 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, and 2010.

Name Our SC Alumni Newsletter!
The St. Cecilia School Alumni committee would like your help – alumni, parents, family and friends - in naming the new alumni newsletter. Give us what you think best represents our school past and present.

Submit your suggestion for the newsletter name to Lilly (Uribe) Angelopoulos langelopoulos@stceciliaschool.org before March 1, 2010. Please include "newsletter name" in the subject line. Multiple suggestions are welcome and creativity is always welcome.

Confirmation Dinner
Thanks to the following moms who prepared and served dinner to the Confirmation candidates and their families following the Confirmation retreat: Martha Ball, Mary Ryan, Celine Calalang, Donita Murphy, Maria Hegarty Maria Camposeco, Patricia Wong, Sharon MacSweeney, Diane Weinkauf Suzie Tam, Jackie Ong, Karen Politz, Monet Medina, Marlena Sheeran, Romy Scott, and Lisa Cisneros.

SC Screamer
The staff of the SC SCREAMER is pleased to invite you to now read the school newspaper on-line. Click here for news, puzzles, and coloring fun!

Lent
On Wednesday, February 17, we begin the season of Lent -- a time of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. The faculty and clergy will be providing opportunities for the students to come closer to Jesus during this holy season:

On Ash Wednesday, February 17, the school community will participate in a special 11:00 Mass prepared by the third graders. All are welcome!

Our school community will pray together in the morning as students from each class take a turn leading us in prayer on S.C.T.V.

There will be an opportunity for students in Grades 2-8 to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday, March 1.

Each teacher will provide prayer experiences, which will help the students walk with Jesus on this Lenten journey. Students in Grades 3-8 will use Totally Lent, an age-appropriate Lenten booklet of Scripture readings and activities.

During Lent the students will collect money for the pre-schools and primary schools in Lesotho, Africa. These schools are staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Names, the same community of Sisters at St. Cecilia School. In each school numerous students have been affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. Many of the children are either “single or double” orphans, having lost one or both parents to AIDS. Often times the children are living with grandparents who are unemployed and unable to provide new clothes, proper food, or tuition. One principal reports, “It seems the school is the only place of their comfort.” The teachers, Sisters, and other students who are able are trying to provide uniforms, track suits, shoes, and other clothes for those children who come to school in tatters. The school also tries to provide these students with vegetables and maize meal for nutrition and takes care of their health needs at the clinic the Sisters have close by. The care of ONE child at one of these schools for ONE year is $100.00 which covers tuition, books, uniforms, school fees, and food.

For more information see the Sisters of the Holy Names website (http://www.snjm.org). Go to the link path: Provinces, Lesotho, Ministries, and click on the various schools.

Abstinence Everyone fourteen years of age and older is bound to abstain from meat on ASH WEDNESDAY and FRIDAYS of Lent.

Fast Everyone eighteen years of age and older, but under the age of sixty, is also bound to fast on ASH WEDNESDAY and GOOD FRIDAY. On these two days, the law of fast allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food during the day, so long as this does not constitute another full meal. Drinking liquids during the day is permitted. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. The faithful should not lightly excuse themselves from this obligation.

ASH WEDNESDAY--Masses: 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 A.M. and 5:30 P.M.

Chevy’s Nights
Have fun and raise money for St. Cecilia School! Please mark your calendars for our Chevy’s fundraisers. TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT of the proceeds will be donated to St. Cecilia School. Attend one or both (even better)!

*Monday, February 22 (Minimum Day at School)
Chevy’s at Stonestown, 3251 20th Ave. 1–10 P.M.

Tuesday, February 23
Chevy’s at 141 Hickey Blvd., South San Francisco 5-10 P.M.

Please click here for an invitation and plan to bring it with you to Chevy’s. Don’t forget to bring your friends and family. For more information, email Randa Ghnaim at jrluppino@comcast.net or call (650) 867-1380.

SCRIP
Click here to download and print the one-page scrip form. Want to help out our school even more? Then remember to purchase your Chevy’s scrip gift cards for use at the Chevy's fundraiser nights. Chevy's scrip is available in $25 denominations. Questions? - contact Elaine Shanahan at 415-269-5562.

ALOHA!!
Our Annual St. Cecilia Mothers' Club Dinner Dance Auction is scheduled on Saturday, March 20- LUAU at Paradise Cove (Durocher Pavilion).

'Ohana Lu'au event information
Wish List, Raffle and Donation Forms can be accessed through our fundraiser website http://www.scfundraiser.com Updates will be made regularly, so come check it out!

Aloha, calling all SPONSORS... Please support the Mothers’ Club and submit your forms. We will gratefully acknowledge your donations in our event program and website. Mahalo!

Auction Donations
Are you dropping by your dry cleaners this week? Are you getting your hair or nails done? Or maybe you're getting a facial or massage, or seeing your dentist? Do you have a favorite florist or baker? If so, please ask these merchants if they would like to donate a little something to St. Cecilia's annual Mother's Club fundraiser!!

We all run errands and run into establishments each day that would like the tax write off or a chance to be involved in the community. It doesn't hurt to ask. Your relationship with them is our greatest resource! Ways to contact us: Lori and Dana, 823-7262, scsilentauction@gmail.com

RAFFLES, RAFFLES, RAFFLES, RAFFLES
FEELING LUCKY? Can you use some extra CASH? How about your child having A LU’AU PARTY at school in the middle of the day with their class and teacher? I hear SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS is so cool! Wouldn't you like to see for yourself? Good Luck and Thank You for Supporting Mothers’ Club 'Ohana Lu'au. Winners will be announced at the event on March 20. Need not be present to win. Click here for raffle descriptions and tickets!

Baskets Needed
Thanks to all for dropping off your baskets! We need as many as we can get! So clear out your garage and attic! We'll take baskets big or small. Please leave them on the bench outside of school's front office. Thank you so much!

Calling All Artists And Craftspeople
Do you have a special talent or hobby? Do you make beautiful jewelry or craft amazing arts? Calling all artists and craftspeople of St. Cecilia Family! We are looking for one of a kind artwork, such as pottery, painting, or something lovely you've knitted...We'd love to showcase your artwork as part of silent auction. If you have something unique and special to offer to the Mothers’ Club Spring fundraiser and help us raise money, we'd very much appreciate the donation of your own art pieces. Please contact Dana or Lori at scsilentauction@gmail.com or call 823-7262.

Save The Date For The St. Patrick’s Parish Dinner
The annual parish St. Patrick’s Day Dinner will be held on March 6, 2010 in Durocher Pavilion. Tickets sales start on February 14, 2010!

Are you interested in becoming a Catholic?
Do you know someone who is? RCIA Inquiry is starting soon! Come and see. We invite all who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith to join our Inquiry group. This group meets from 9 A.M. until 11 A.M. on Saturday mornings. The Inquiry group is open to adults interested in Baptism and reception into the Roman Catholic Church and adult Catholics seeking the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist. Come and bring a friend! For more information, please call the rectory at 664-8481.

Basketball Clinic
Mike Mulkerrins, head varsity girls’ basketball coach from St. Ignatius, will be hosting a basketball clinic for both girls’ and boys’ basketball coaches on Sunday, February 21st from 4:30 - 6:30 pm in the Durocher Pavilion. Please arrive no later than 4;15 so we can start promptly at 4:30. RSVP to Katie Kohmann at kohfive@sbcglobal.net See you there.

Girls Basketball Try-Outs
Friday, February 19th
4th grade 4:00 - 4:45--1st try-out
5th grade 5:00 - 5:45--1st try-out
7th grade 6:00 – 7:00--team selection
8th grade 7:30 - 8:30--team selection


Saturday, February 20th
3rd grade 11:00 -12:00--team selection
4th grade 12:30 - 1:30--team selection
5th grade 2:00 – 3:00--team selection
6th grade 3:30 - 4:30--team selection

If you are in the 4th or 5th grade, you must attend both try-outs. Please call Mary Ann at 415-664-6905 EXT. #2, if you have any questions.

St. Cecilia Boys’ Baseball
* Player’s Information
Baseball season is quickly approaching. Pete has a few dates that need to be marked on your calendars. Team selection will be on Sunday, February 28, at Fairmont Field, in Pacifica for 3rd through 7th grade. Directions can be found here.

All players need to come to the team selection. Loss of one or two players could result in having one team rather that two. Please call Pete at (415) 250-6800 if you will not be able to make the team selection. A finalized schedule for team selection will be released next Wednesday. We need evaluators and organizers for this team selection. If you would like to help in any way please contact Pete. The season will begin on Saturday, March 13.

* Coach’s Information
Pete has contacted these volunteers for coaching baseball this season. If you would like to be added or removed this pool please contact Pete.

3rd Grade - Gino Rinaldi and Phil Monares
4th Grade- Jim Garcia
5th Grade- Mike Franceschi and Josh Montero
6th Grade- Chris Pollino and Gaetano Caltagirone
7th Grade- Jim Kohmann and Jim Garcia
8th Grade- Bob Mikovich

There are a number of openings for coaches this upcoming season. We need coaches for the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade teams.

St Cecilia Track Program - 2010 - It's Almost Here
Well, the official start to the 2010 Track & Field season is almost upon us. Sign-up sheets will be coming out soon to your classrooms. All boys & girls in Grades 5 through 8 are welcome to join. Everyone makes the team, and everyone participates equally (no cuts and no preferential treatment!). As usual, the field events consist of High Jump, Long Jump, and Shot Putt. The track events consist of 100M, 200M, 400M, 800M, 1600M, and two relays (4X100M and 4x400M). Each participant can choose a maximum of 1 field event, 3 track events, and 1 relay.

Our first practice will be on Friday, February 26th at a site TBD. Ifyou're not sure you want to do it, you are always welcome to just come out and try. If you don't like, we understand.

The Track & Field program is a lot of fun, and we try to make it that way! You do learn and get better, but we do it in a way that makes it enjoyable.

If you have any questions about the program, contact either Sue Courey scourey@sfsu.edu or Jeff Waite jwai@chevron.com for more details. Stay tuned!

THANK YOU! St Cecilia - Holy Name Tournament VOLUNTEERS
From the Athletic Board: We want to thank all the volunteers who helped us put on what turned out to be an excellent Basketball Tournament between Holy Name and St Cecilia last weekend. These volunteers helped in the snack bar, sold tickets, managed security, monitored the parking lot, and kept things clean & orderly. We were able to generate a nice sum of money for our own sports program in the process, too.

A special thanks to Janice Calonico for once again running a top-notch snack bar. The food was excellent with Jeff’s personal favorite being the Mike O’ Driscoll sandwich!! Bryan Blake was her right hand man and looked as fresh at the start of the day as he did at 10 P.M. that night. However, they didn’t pull it off alone. Our group of super volunteers consisted of: Laura Escobar, Melanie Manning, Rosalie Echon, Ron Echon, Michelle Waite, Tyler Waite, Yianni Gogonas, Kathryn Ann Doughery, Donita Murphy, Michelle Mikovich, Eva Fong, Mary Ryan, Romy Scott, Jad Jadallah, Chris Pollino, Cindy Coyne, Mike Eng, Siobhan Orford, Phil Monares, Grace Monares, Tom Harvey, Misook Kim, Mary Ann Paul, Katie Kohmann, Ann-Marie LaRocca, Kathy Bonacini, Patty Coggan, Eileen Collins, Jennifer Dorantes, Lori Peltier, Matt Escobar, Mike O’Driscoll, John Calonico, Pete/Mike/Brian Franceschi, Stephanie Pasini, Gaetano Caltagirone, and John McKeon. We really appreciated all the help!

From a St. Gabriel School Parent
The Sunset appears to be getting targeted for new medical marijuana dispensaries, and the latest one is planned for 31st and Taraval. Approval must go through a public hearing process. The city by law only notifies those within 300 feet, which does not include nearby schools, preschools, pizza places, etc. If you would like to stop this, the best way is to contact Supervisor Carmen Chu's office which will put you on an email notification list so you can submit a letter or attend the hearing when it is scheduled.