Principal’s Corner
Lord, you have endowed human beings
with the ability to search out your laws.
Please help us to learn
and be safe in our science class,
in your name we pray.
Written by Prayer Warrior Josh Mason, 8th grade
Gala and Raffle 2022
Cardinals, you are amazing! Our gross income for the Gala, auctions, and raffle was over $125,000! Thank you for helping in this WHOLE GROUP EFFORT to support our school and parish.
National Assessment Educational Progress 2022
The "Nation's Report Card" was released on October 24. This report is based on the test results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) which assesses the nation's students in grades 4 and 8 in the area of reading and mathematics. "Catholic-school students now boast the nation's highest scale scores on all four NAEP tests." Kathleen Porter-Magee, Wall Street Journal
For more information, see the attachment to today’s newsletter.
Trimester 1 Report Cards
Bear with us as we navigate FACTS Student Information System’s report cards. You will notice that report cards (coming home on Friday, November 11) will not have scales. This is what you need to know:
G=good
NI=needs improvement
A=93-100
B=85-92
C=77-84
D=70-76
F=below 70
We hope to have more of the kinks of this new SIS worked out by the time Trimester 2 report cards come out. If you have any questions, be sure to email your child’s teacher or Mrs. Smith.
Questions or Concerns?
Don’t hesitate to email me at ksmith@divineredeemer.net and we will arrange a time to meet.
Upcoming Events:
· Friday, November 11:
o 2nd Friday: Spirit wear for everyone (no passes accepted)
· Sunday, November 13:
o Running Club 5K Fun Run; 2PM at the Grace Center, all are invited
· Thursday, November 17:
o School Mass 8AM; 4th sponsors
· Friday, November 18:
o 3rd Friday: Gala and dress passes accepted for free, appropriate dress
o Whole school Holy Hour and Adoration: 11-11:40
o 11:45AM dismissal
· Saturday, November 19-Sunday, November 27:
o Thanksgiving Break: NO SCHOOL
· Sunday, November 27
o First day of Advent
o Glowsary 5:30PM at the Rosary Garden (welcome Advent by praying the Rosary with glow sticks); hot cocoa and cookies to follow; bring a favorite nativity to be blessed by Fr. Jason
· Tuesday, November 29:
o School picture re-take day
· Thursday, December 1:
o School Mass 8AM, 3rd sponsors
· Friday, December 2:
o First Friday: Gala and dress passes accepted for free, appropriate dress
o SMHS placement test at SMHS (8th grade)
o School Rosary at 2:30 in the Rosary Garden; 7th sponsors
· Wednesday, December 7:
o K-5 Christmas program in the church at 3:15
· Thursday, December 8:
o Feast of the Immaculate Conception
o School Mass at 8AM; 2nd sponsors
Save the Date!
· Wednesday, December 7:
o K-5 Christmas Program at 3:15 in the church
· Wednesday, February 1:
o Cardinals Classical Symposium 9 to noon-all parents invited (more information to come)
· Saturday, February 25:
o Dart Warz in the gym from 10AM-noon
· Sunday, May 7:
o First Communion Mass at 11AM
· Sunday, May 21:
o Confirmation Mass at 11AM Mass
From Mrs. Faber:
Running Club- Our running club is hosting a free 5K on November 13th. We hope that you can join us! We will begin at 2 p.m. at The Grace Center for Athletics located at 1655 Pirate Height. We will have a small concession stand open with drinks and snacks to purchase. Strollers will be allowed, but no other "wheels" (scooters, roller blades etc.) Our pets are part of our families, but this will be a pet free event. Please do not drop off your student, we request that parents attend as well.
Mark you calendars for our annual Glowsary! What is this!?! This is a Rosary with glo sticks at dusk on the first Sunday of Advent (November 27th.) We will have cookies, hot chocolate, and you can bring in your Nativity Scene for Fr. Jason to bless. This is a wonderful way to prepare our hearts for Advent.
Our 1st-4th grade basketball players still have three weeks left, it is not too late to join. We will be in the Divine Redeemer gym this Saturday, 9-11 a.m. The cost is $50.00.
Food Pantry- We are gearing up for our Thanksgiving give-a-way. The food pantry gives turkeys as well as all of the items needed to create a meal. There will be brown paper bags that go home this Friday with our students. You may return the food in each bag or just send in whatever you want to donate with your child before the Thanksgiving break. Thank you to everyone for blessing those who need a little extra grace this time of year.
7th and 8th Girls BB schedule:
Nov. 1st 5:30 @ St. Paul's (1601 Mesa Ave.)
Nov. 3rd 5:30 @ DR
Nov. 4th 5:30 @ DR
Nov. 10th 5:30 @ DR
Nov. 11th 5:30 @ St. Paul's
Nov. 15th 5:30 @ St. Peter's (104 1st Street, Monument)
Tournament will be Nov. 18th-19th time and locations TBA.
7th and 8th grade Boys BB schedule:
Oct. 27th 6:45 @ St. Paul's (1601 Mesa Ave.)
Nov. 1st 6:45 @ St. Paul's
Nov. 3rd 6:45 @ DR
Nov. 4th 6:45 @ DR
Nov. 8th 6:45 @ St. Paul's
Nov. 10th 8:00 @ DR
Nov. 11th 6:45 @ Corpus Christi (2410 N. Cascade)
Nov. 17th 8:00 @ St. Peter's ( 104 1st St.)
Tournament will be Nov. 18th-19th, times and locations TBA.
Scrip Corner
NEW SCRIP INFO
- Raisin' Canes $25 gift cards will soon be available from the Scrip box. It is not on the RaiseRight app, and has to be ordered through the Scrip Office. We hope to have it available to pay for through the app, like King Soopers. But it is only available as a physical card.
- VISA is now available in $25 and $500 denominations!!
- Remember, Scrip is available most Monday mornings from 7:30-10:00 in the Scrip Office, as well as most Tuesday & Friday afternoons at pick up in the parking lot.
SCRIP REMINDERS
- WHAT IS "GREEN SCRIP"? It's a gift certificate to buy Scrip cards! You can purchase Green Scrip for teachers or other people who buy Scrip at DR; and they can redeem it for whatever Scrip cards they want (only available to redeem for physical cards, not for use on the RaiseRight app). It's a great way to say "Thank You" to someone special. And as the purchaser, you earn 5% towards your commitment. A win win for everyone!
- With the holidays fast approaching (much too fast!), we have the following cards available while supplies last: Starbucks-$5, Amazon-$10.
- If you cannot purchase during regular hours, request a "yellow envelope" from the office, that can be used to send orders to the office and home again.
- FIVE GUYS is now available through the app--only as a "e-card"--and earns 7.5%--take a break from the kitchen!
- Supercuts is no longer available.
- Orders are placed in the office Monday mornings with delivery on Thursdays. Be sure to get orders in by Monday at 9:00, and send the office an email (scrip@divineredeemer.net)
- Enroll your family in the RaiseRight app--the enrollment code is FFDL29CF737. Share with friends and family to earn even more towards your commitment!
Other News:
SMHS
St. Mary's Open House on November 16 from 11a - 2p
Come Experience our Community
Mass, Classroom Visits, Parent Panel, Lunch, Student Panel
to register rkrasovec@smshcs.org
FREE AND REDUCED HOT LUNCH
It is not too late to apply for free or reduced priced lunches for your children. The application and income guidelines can be found on the DR app or on the information board outside of the front office. All information is held in strict confidence and is only seen by the lunchroom coordinator and the principal. The students themselves have no idea who qualifies. Being part of the program benefits not only your family but also the school which earns additional funding and grant opportunities. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Hansen at lunchroom@divineredeemer.net.
Butter Braids
Stock-up on Butter Braids and other delicious sweets for the holidays and support DR's 8th grade activities and class trip. Order forms (attached) are available soon for cash or check payments. Please turn those orders into the office or your student's teacher. Convenient online ordering is also available at https://store.myfundraisingpla...
Older News:
RSV
There is a nationwide, as well as local surge in RSV cases .
On October 28th, CDPHE reported an increase in hospitalization due to RSV, with 95% of hospitalization being children. Additionally, CDPHE has seen a sharp increase in reported RSV outbreaks occurring in childcare and school settings, with 42 confirmed outbreaks reported since Oct. 1, 2022. Among these outbreaks, more than half have had at least one person involved in the outbreak seek care at a hospital.
Let’s all do our part to keep our children, their friends and our community safe!
Here are some ways you can help reduce transmission of RSV:
· If your child is sick, please keep them home.
· If your child is demonstrating early signs of respiratory distress, consider taking them to their primary care doctor for evaluation.
· Frequently wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
· Encourage children to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue or upper arm sleeve when they cough or sneeze, throw away the tissue after they use it, and clean hands as instructed above.
· Clean potentially contaminated surfaces, like doorknobs, tables, handrails, etc.
· Avoid sharing cups, eating utensils, and touching your face with unwashed hands.
More information on RSV can be found on the CDC or CDPHE websites.
Lost and Found
Our lost and found (located at the bottom of the café stairs) is overflowing. If you have a lost item, check the lost and found.
Bell Ringers and soloists for the Christmas Program
Dr. Ellis is looking for eight interested KN-5th graders who would like to be bell ringers at the Christmas program on December 7. If your child is interested, send in the attached permission slip.
We have opportunities for some children in Grades 2-5 to be selected as vocal soloists for the performance! Auditions will be held during school recess times, and children will sign up for slots. More information will be emailed to you on Monday, November 7.
Adult supervision
A reminder that students must have adult supervision after school. Students may not wait in the bleachers for a sibling to finish practice without a parent. Students also may not play on the playground or on the black top after school without adult/parent supervision.
Emergency and Weather Alerts
CS Fire Department and Police Department would like everyone in El Paso and Teller county to sign up for Peak Alerts for notification of emergencies. Notifications go out based on your zip code and your “zone”.
https://coloradosprings.gov/re...
Inclement weather procedures
All inclement weather decisions are based on concerns for student, parent and staff safety. Parents are expected to decide whether to send students to school on threatening, stormy days. When school is open, parents may choose to keep their children home or delay their arrival when conditions warrant. Early removal from school will affect perfect attendance, except for scheduled early dismissal days or early release days due to inclement weather.
A timely decision to cancel or delay the start of school shall be made to ensure announcements are provided to DR families no later than 6:15 AM of the same school day, unless there are extenuating circumstances. If Colorado Springs School District 11 is closed for the day, Divine Redeemer will be, too. Parents will receive a text message,
St. Nick to visit on December 16!
We will have an esteemed visitor on December 16! St. Nick will join us for a pancake breakfast (buddy classes will eat together) AND a story!