We ask parents for your cooperation with the following:
Haircuts: Students should not have hair in their eyes! If so, it’s time for a haircut!
Belts: All boys should be wearing a belt!
Double Parking: Parents, grandparents, please no double parking and jaywalking!
Upper Lot: Do not drive through this lot to drop off your children! 3

October Mandatory Parent Meeting
Given the stormy weather, our October Finance Presentation to the school families was cancelled. In lieu of scheduling another meeting, there are a few main points that the Finance Committee would like to cover with our school families:

1. With the current economic conditions, it is very important that families that have difficulty making their monthly tuition payment be proactive in reaching out to either the Finance committee or to Sr. Marilyn.

2. Tuition must be paid by the 10th of each month. Tuition funds are used to fund the monthly payroll. St. Cecilia School pays faculty and staff on the 15th and the 30th of the month. We appreciate your cooperation on this point.

3. St. Cecilia School has been fortunate to be able to provide a high quality Catholic education at a reasonable price. St. Cecilia School has been able to keep its tuition increases low through successful fundraising, including Scrip sales. In years past, we received as much as $29,000 from Scrip sales, but that figure declined to $7,000 in the past year. Scrip sales benefit the school, but do not cost families anything extra. Merchant proceeds vary on the amount returned to the school from 3% to 23%. In these challenging economic times, many local schools have made Scrip sales mandatory. As the Finance Committee works to keep tuition rates reasonable, we continue to evaluate the drop off in Scrip sales and the advisability of requiring Scrip purchases for the 2010 -11 school year. In the meantime, we encourage your participation in the Scrip program.

4. In the recent past, the school has received various corporate matching funds: Federated Department Stores--Employees who also volunteer at school are eligible to apply for “Employee Volunteer Grants-for-Schools Program”. We have received funds from the following corporations:
Union Bank of California Foundation
Wells Fargo
PG&E Corporation Campaign for the Community
Barclays Global Investor
United Way of the Bay Area Campaign
VISA Givingstation
SF City & County Employees Charities Campaign
Community Health Charities of California
SBC Employee Giving/United Way Campaign
Tetra Tech Em Inc.
Microsoft
Genentech
Sprint
City and County of S.F. Combined Charities Campaign
Autodesk

Thank you to those who pursued these funds. We ask for everyone's assistance in seeking these funds again this year. These dollars are used to fund the various technology related school expenses and to keep our technology equipment current.

Thank you from the St. Cecilia School Finance Committee: Kathy Atkinson, Barbara Cutten, Joe Grazioli, Steve Johnson, Sally Maske, Ray Williamson, Sister Marilyn, and Monsignor Harriman.


St. Cecilia School 2009-2010 Yearbook
Capture those memories that last a lifetime! All yearbooks must be pre-ordered. Click here for the order form. Just complete the form, print it, and enclose it in an envelope (marked “Yearbook”) with $15.00. Yearbooks will be distributed in May. All orders are due orders are due by Friday, November 13.

Yearbook Pictures
Please send in pictures of any school event for the 2009-2010 School Yearbook. We would like to include as many students and events as possible in the yearbook. We especially need pictures of athletic events. Please send pictures to: Yearbook Staff—Grade 8 Room 14. We will be collecting pictures through the end of January.

St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Drive November 9–13
We are asking that each student bring in one non-perishable item to help support the St. Vincent de Paul Society this holiday season. Therefore, when you are grocery shopping this week please remember those in our community in need. Each of the classes’ participation and donations will be acknowledged at our Thanksgiving Prayer Service on November 23.

Little Sisters of the Poor
Again this year we have received an appeal from the Little Sisters of the Poor to collect items for their residents at St. Anne’s Home for the Aged. Students can bring their donations to the classrooms from Monday, November 16 through Friday, November 20. Requested items include:
Kleenex
Mouthwash
Body Wash (not bar soap)
Shampoo
Skin Lotion
Baby Wipes
Efferdent Denture Cleaner
Thank you for your generous contributions.

Drama Club News: Improv Show!
We are very lucky to have a Drama Club under the direction of Ms. Katy Porter. This fall Katy offered Saturday Improv classes to students in Grades 4-8. Katy does a wonderful job of introducing children to basic acting techniques and terminology and creates a safe space where children can be creative, silly, and take risks. Many Drama Club students have uncovered and explored new found talents. We look forward to an Improv Matinee on Saturday, November 21, from 1:30 to 3:00 in the school auditorium. Admission free! Come and join the fun!

In January, we will have auditions for students in Grades 4-8 for our spring musical, Once On This Island. This will be an exciting venture, and we look forward to another fabulous musical performance. More information will be sent home in December.

January Music Concerts
We look forward to having our student musicians play for their classmates in January. Parents, relatives, and friends are invited!

Here is the schedule:
K-AM & 1st Wednesday, January 20 10:45
K-PM & 8th Wednesday, January 20 1:30
2nd Grade Thursday, January 21 10:45
3rd Grade Thursday, January 21 1:40
6th Grade Tuesday, January 26 10:45
7th Grade Tuesday, January 26 1:30
5th Grade Thursday, January 28 10:45
4th Grade Thursday, January 28 1:30

Composting
Thank you to those who sent in brown bags for us to use for composting. We use them year round so keep sending them in as we never have enough.




Click here for the last newsletter from our Festival Chairpersons: Stephanie Pasini and Janice Calonico.

Calling all Holiday Cookie Lovers!
If you a purchase a school cookbook between November 9 to November 30, you will be entered into a raffle for a platter of 3 dozen assorted homemade holiday cookies made by Sally Maske who is known for her cookie trays! Winner will be chosen by December 2. Delivery date to be mutually agreed upon. The cookie platter is wonderful for entertaining or for just sharing with your family or co-workers. This offer is only good for cookbook orders made through the school. Multiple orders will result in multiple raffle tickets.

Books are $15 each or 3 for $30. Click here for the order form and return it to the school office. Checks should be made payable to St. Cecilia Mothers’ Club. Orders are filled once a week on Mondays.

Any questions? Please contact Sally Maske at 415-753-6950 or email at cookbooksc@earthlink.net.The cookbook is expected to sell out so don't wait to purchase your books today. The cookbook includes some wonderful holiday recipes as well as of everyday recipes. Enjoy!

Birthday Book Club
Click here for an updated list of available books to purchase for the Birthday Book Club.

"Aloha" St. Cecilia Families!
St. Cecilia Families! Paradise is coming to you. Planning is under way for the Mothers' Club Spring Fundraiser, 'OHANA LU'AU scheduled for Saturday, March 20, 2010. Save the date! Mark your calendars! Dig out the Hawaiian Prints, and let’s do it "Island Style!" Your support and contribution is essential to the success of our largest Mothers’ Club Event of the year. We need your help! So come to our 1st Kick-off 'Ohana Luau Meeting on Tuesday, November 17, at 6:30 P.M., in the Green Room. Mahalo! For more information, Click here!

For questions regarding volunteering, sponsorship, advertising and donations, please email annieblas@netscape.net.


SCRIP
Scrip Gift Card Program:
Remember scrip gift card orders are filled every Thursday, and this is the easiest way for our school to earn money. Click here for the new order form.

eScrip
Renew your grocery and debit cards on eScrip. If you have not yet enrolled, registration is free and easy. For more information or to join eScrip: www.escrip.com or 1-800-592-0942. St. Cecilia Parish group ID #136952501.

Lucky S.H.A.R.E.S. Cards
Help our school earn 3% when shopping at Lucky Supermarkets. We just recently received a check for $450!). Simply swipe the S.H.A.R.E.S. card before paying for your groceries (whether you pay by cash, check, credit, debit or gift card). If you do not have a Shares Card, contact Elaine Shanahan who will send one to you via your oldest child. Contact scrip coordinator Elaine Shanahan, 269-5562 or Shanfam@pacbell.net, with questions about any of this. Thanks for your support of our school!

Altar Serving Update
All altar servers should have received their November/ December schedules through their classroom. If you did not receive one, please Click here to download a copy here or you can obtain a copy at the rectory. Questions should be directed to Luana Letele at lletele@sbcglobal.net or call 415-682-3610. Thank you for your faithful service to your church, school and community.

Men of St. Cecilia Father-Daughter Dance!
Saturday, November 14, 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M., in the Durocher Pavilion. Join the fun with DJ music and dancing, face painting, caricatures, ice cream bar, finger foods, sodas, Shirley Temples, and photos (for a small price)... Dinner will NOT be served. Please drop off checks at the rectory or mail them to: St. Cecilia MOSC, 2555-17 Ave., S.F., CA 94116. Cost: Adults ($25) and Girls ($15). Make checks payable to MOSC. Click here for more information or contact Mike Riordan at mriordan@mcguire.com.


Team Parties
Please note that “end-of-the-season” team parties are NO longer allowed on parish property.

Attention All Volleyball Coaches
As your season winds down, please return your balls and medical kit with your name, and place the bag on the bench by the school office. Thank you again for volunteering to coach this season.

Attention All Volleyball Players
As your season ends, please return ONLY your WASHED jersey top. Put it in a bag with your name and grade on it and leave it on the bench by the office.

Girls' Soccer
Mary Ann Paul is still looking for soccer head coaches for the Grades 4 and 5. If you are interested, please call Mary Ann at 415-664-6905 ext.#2 with your name and the grade you would like to coach. Thank you.