The mission of Immaculate Conception School is to provide experiences to inspire, challenge, and nurture the mind, body, and spirit  of our student within the framework of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the tradition of the Catholic Church.

"Lord God, our hope is in you, for you can do all things, provide all things and overcome all things!”
August  28, 2009                                                                                                                   v.35 #4          

Dear Parent, Student, Teacher, Friend, and Benefactor,

THE LABOR DAY PICNIC  The Caped Crusaders did a great job last night reminding us how much we do…I was very proud of the 18 picnic chairpersons connected to school!   Please jump in and take your turn.  You will find that in giving of yourself, you will get far more back in return. 
The major picnic set-up is Friday night September 4 and Saturday morning September 5 with lunch around 11:00.  Please contact Shari Murphy (618/363.2043 or murphyshari@mac.com) to signup for a shift at the picnic. Still need a second shift dining hall chair, workers, and bingo people. We picked up a few last night.   We need a general chair for next year to shadow Bill and Janet. Thanks Bill and Janet Ulivi for chairing!  

PARENTS AND FRIENDS NEWS… We meet on Monday night at 6:30 for a social followed by our opening meeting of the year.  Lots of progress to be made…no two school years alike.  Come and be our driving force to a great year!
Faculty Meeting Snacks---our faculty meets monthly and to lighten the burden of meetings and provide fellowship our Parents & Friends is looking for volunteers to bring snacks to feed our great ICS staff.  The meetings are held the Thursday before the School Board Meetings after school.   If you can volunteer, please email Jennifer at derekjen@htc.net and provide your name, email address and which of the following you can bring:
- cups/drinks -snacks/plates           -snacks/napkins        -sweets/utensils     I will assign you a month and email you the week of the meeting to remind you.  There are about 25-30 staff members that attend the Faculty Meetings.  Please bring the items to the Faculty Lounge before school the day of the meeting.  You can use the refrigerator for cold items and leave the rest on the table.   Thanks so much for helping us give back to the wonderful ICS staff!  We are blessed to have them!       Jennifer Fisher Eastep, ICS P&F Board Member
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS SALES

Remember, all students who sell two books by September 4th will receive a “Jeans Day” on Friday, September 5th.    Thanks,  Tammy Read
SCRIP  It does pay to buy SCRIP and it doesn’t cost a penny more.  WE NEED SCRIP VOLUNTEERS TO SELL AFTER MASS at 11:00.  mikcarla@htc.net  

SCHOOL BOARD Due to time constraints, Kelly Pelt has resigned from the Board.  Thanks for your service and enthusiasm Kelly!  Kathleen Carter-Groppe will fill out her term.  Thanks for stepping up Kathleen.

Committees for this year:
Teacher/employee:   ( chair) Bruce Terveer, Cheryl Ritter
Development: (co-chair):  Ann Hoffman/ Angie Bueltemann,  Rita Belaska,
Sam Watters, Theresa Stearns, Lori Hennes
Curriculum: (chair) Sam Watters, Rita Belaska, Cheryl Ritter, Don Unwin
Athletic: (chair):  Lori Hennes, Mary Eppinger, Sam Watters, Cheryl Ritter
Budget: (co-chair) John Whitworth, Lori Hennes
Discernment: (co-chair):  Angie Bueltemann, Ann Hoffman, Theresa Stearns, Sam Watters
Building/Grounds: (chair)  Bruce Terveer, Mary Eppinger, Rita Belaska

Children's choir - is open to all students in grades 3 - 8.   Our first gathering will be Wednesday, September 2 from 3:15 - 4:15pm in church. Our first meeting will include the distribution of parental information and yearly schedules, as well as a short, simple private voice check for each new and returning student. This is NOT an audition - all who wish to sing in the children's choir are welcomed!   For the parents who are able to be here at 3:15pm, I can do the voice check with your child, after which you will be free to leave. If not, I will stay until 4:15pm for you to pick up your child. Our September rehearsals are Sept. 9 and 16 from 3:15 - 4:15pm in church, and our first Mass to sing is 9am on Sept. 20.  For more information, please contact Rick Byers at rbyers@htc.net, or call 281-5105. Thanks!!  (Great opportunity here folks!)

Masterworks Children's Chorus is inviting 2nd through 12th grade students to audition for their 2009-2010 Season.  For information regarding the Masterworks Children's Chorus, please contact Mrs. Epplin for the flyer or you can visit the website at www.singmasterworks.org
THE WHEELS OF THE BUS We still have people unloading and stopping in the bus zone.  If you get a ticket from the police, please contact me at   idontthinkicanhelpyou@sorry.com.
No Nuts at ICS... To help protect our students who have allergies to peanuts or other nuts,
ICS will be a "nut sensitive" . Please be considerate and save your nuts for the weekends.
2009 H1N1   Seasonal Flu and Novel H1N1 Flu Virus Prevention Steps
The first step in prevention is getting your students and faculty vaccinated against the flu. This year, everyone should also be aware of the novel H1N1 flu virus - it is different than seasonal flu and so is the vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers are currently developing vaccines against the new pandemic strain of the influenza virus, which are expected to be ready sometime this fall. However, other flu prevention steps are the same for both flu viruses. In addition to getting students and faculty vaccinated with both vaccines, practice these other prevention steps to help prevent the spread of illness in your school:

* The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency believes that, based on available scientific information, currently registered influenza A virus products - such as Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes and Clorox® Regular-Bleach - will be effective against the novel H1N1 flu strain and other influenza A virus strains on hard, non-porous surfaces.
ONCE AGAIN… Food Allergy Alert:  We had 5 students share an organic  “JamFrankas” bar this week and two had symptoms.  They are OK but we need to be aware not to pass around anything that might be suspect.  Keep it to yourself…you don’t always have to share to be Christian!    Once again, please eat all the PB & J, shellfish, and cantaloupe you can at home and refrain from bringing it to school.  We are our brothers and sisters keepers and can take care of each other!   Thanks!

THE SPORTING NEWS…
Soccer grade K-4:  Uniforms have been given out.  If your child still needs a physical, I will give them the uniform when I get a copy of it.   Please send in your Maple Grove money if you have not yet paid:  $40 for one child....plus $35 for the second child....with maximum of $105 if more than two children playing.  Make checks to Maple Grove.     Check schedules and directions at www.dmanderson4.com        Thanks for your cooperation and understanding.  Mr Anderson

Jenny Lesko, Michael’s sister, has made the “Fighting  Irish” Marching Band at the University of Notre Dame.  We’ll be able to watch her in the trumpet section this fall on national TV!  Congratulations to Jenny who learned trumpet at Gibault.  She played flute and clarinet for us and then moved on to oboe and whatever chair needed to be filled.  Music is important in our lives, develops our brain muscle in ways no other subject can, and can get you to the Final Four or National Championship on national tv in a different way than paying for a ticket!  Congratulations Jenny!

CHS Cheer Camp:  Saturday September 12th at the CHS gym from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Lunch will be served.  Attendance Prizes and Cheerleader Awards!  Cost is $40.  If interested, e-mail Mrs. Epplin and she will send a form home with your child.

Mark your calendar for "Art on the Bluffs" on Saturday, October 3, a monumental, first-ever celebration of the visual arts in Columbia, coordinated in part by our own Carol Fetcho and Carol Waide. This art walk will help celebrate our 150th anniversary, and will showcase more than 50 local artists along with our talented youth, and feature music, food, and activities for all. To pull off an event this big, both student and adult volunteers are needed in several areas. If you can help before, during or after the event, please see the "Volunteer Description" attachment or contact volunteer coordinator Kate Hartman at kate.hrtmn@gmail.com or 618.698.0944

MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT  Thanks for coming last night…I spoke so fast someone said they missed my joke and I should email my talk home….so here is a re-cap….
---Our 150th anniversary production of Hail Columbia II   was playing in the gym…starring Mrs. Stechmesser and written, produced and directed by Mary Beth Babcock and Lizanne Young with musical direction by Mr. Hake.    Available for $20 from Joyce Rose, ICS Secretary for 17 years.

---Fr. Carl   …Did you hear why the Cardinals are doing so well?   The General Manager went out and got Matthew-Mark-Lugo and John!  Fr. Carl prayed using our theme for the year and reminded us of the hope that St. Monica, Mother of St. Augustine had.  At the all-school Mass,  Fr. Carl told the story of how much St. Monica prayed for her son.  She was a mother filled with  hope.  He then told us of a woman of faith who raised 5 children to faith…a mother filled with hope. His Mom Mrs. Gertrude Scherrer.  All her prayers and rosaries are prayers of hope.  And our moms are no different.  They have great hopes for us too!  Mrs. Scherrer let each of her children have a bunny rabbit as a pet. Fr. Carl brought  “Adeodatus”  to Mass  and was part of the homily.  “Gift from God” is his name, was the name of St. Augustine’s son, and is our parents name too!  He then reminded parents to get to Church or he would be out of a job!

---Bill and Janet Ulivi  Our Picnic Chairpersons pulled off a “caper” and reminded us to help make this year a success.  We need a new chairperson.  Please step up!

---Karen Lundy:  A Chance to Talk  and Steps to Respect…When you sell your  house…you get a professional.   When it’s tax time, you get help.  When you feel like something’s wrong, you go to the doctor.  When the “spiritual void” within you needs filling, you go to Church.   Sometimes, we need help getting along or understanding relationships or why we do what we do.  We are confidential  So…
We have a program called ACTT…A Chance To Talk.  Our counseling program continues to be available at ICS.  Referrals for counseling happen for many reasons:         a student may be
* having anxiety for any number of reasons (separation from home, a specific fear, trouble     with friends/peers)
           *difficulty concentrating/behaving in class/playground or home
           *difficulty getting along with peers/people at home
           * dealing with a recent loss or traumatic situation
        
These are just a FEW examples of reasons you, your child's teacher or your child himself /herself may want to be referred to see the counselor.   The counselor is also available to speak to parents as part of this cooperative effort to help with situations regarding your child.
 How is someone referred?
1.  The student can tell his/her teacher, or give a note or e mail Mrs. Lundy
2.  The teacher/principal may suggest that the child be seen.
3.  The student's parent/guardian may make a request by phone/note/email to Mrs. Lundy.
Counseling is confidential, but nothing to be ashamed of.  In these days, we all seek professional help in our lives.  Meetings with students/parents are made in the best interest of all concerned (to accommodate and not interfere with schedules).   How to contact Mrs. Lundy:
e mail:  klundy@htc.net         phone:  home 281-1014         office 281-9282      Either number is fine!  Any questions at all, don't hesitate to ask!

---John Whitworth; School Board President   We have a great School Board.  Contact them if you have questions.                  Lori Hennes-VP        Angie Bueltemann-Secretary          Bruce Terveer
Ann Hoffman              Don Unwin     Sam Watters             Rita Belaska                          Theresa Stearns Mary Eppinger        Cheryl Ritter   Kathleen Carter-Groppe
And past Board members…Lisa Meyer, Patty Alvarez, Patty Knaup, Janet Ulivi and Kelly Pelt

---President Katie Spurgeon   VP, April Smith    Sec. Kim Sullivan  Treas. Jamie Huether PR Jennifer Fischer Eastep.  Thanks to our retiring officers  Chris Schall and Patty Rachell!

Tim Keefe---volunteered to be president of our re-juvenated Father’s Club!  Alleluia!

---This year we welcome  297  STUDENTS FROM 193 FAMILIES including 36 new students and 19 new families: the Curry family, Everett,  Newton, Peterson, Powers,  Repp,  Sasser,  Schlemmer,  Smugala,  Stark,  Block,  Keefe, Palmier, Ramey,  Unger,  Ward, Burke, Kleve, and welcome back to the Ericson family!

---Latchkey:   welcomes Vicki Chisum to more hours… Emily Meyer, Patti Webb and JoAnn Schilling in the morning.

---INTRODUCED THE FACULTY: 

---THANKS FOR THE TRIP TO CHICAGO THIS SUMMER…I’m GOING TO BE 60 AGAIN NEXT YEAR!  It was a perfect trip!

---We must say THANKS to   Soccer Coordinator:   Dave Bernhard  and our coaches,   to Jim Lewis, Sue Lewis, Mrs. Epplin…for the Distribution list on gMail --- Columbia DAZE, the Cat-E Project, the Landscaping Project, Mike Whelan for his painting, a certain school board member who wants anonymity for his work around here, for the 4 new laptops  from 3 parents who work for IBM, Toky Design ---for the one-of-a-kind calendar, Mr. Dale Anderson ---for the gym floor resealing,  Chris Sueme ---for the A/C work, Parents and Friends,  You have blessed us! 

---Another  exciting year…  3 SACRAMENTS… 5000 MILES OF FIELD TRIPS, ACCELERATED MATH, MONEY SMARTS, WORDMASTERS 8, new BUILDERS CLUB OFFICERS, 

---“God’s secret weapon”-VOLUNTEERS.  We Need Volunteers for:
Art,      Librarians,      Young Authors, Parents and Friends--- funding amounting to over $90,000 last year for Spanish Funding, 50+ Coaches for over 30 teams, Science Olympiad, Science Fair, Scholar Bowl, Staff Development, Maintenance Projects, our Endowment Fund,  the Magazine Drive, Book Fair, Field Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, Guest Speakers, Curriculum Committee, Faculty Meeting Snacks, The ICS/Joe Hoguet Golf Tournament---See  Golf Tournament Chair Grant Frierdich.  Sign up for THE LABOR DAY PICNIC

---We have a really smart 8th Grade class this year…some of them are even reading my weekly letter home.  We have to deal with H1N1 this year…Mrs. Epplin got a call yesterday…she thinks it was an 8th grade boy…
I overheard…(on phone) : My son has a bad cold and won't be able to come to school today. Mrs. Epplin….Who is this ?          Pupil: This is my father speaking !

---MBWA—management by walking around…Overheard from Mrs. Hopkins room…
Class, we will have only half a day of school this morning.   Class: Hooray
Mrs. Hopkins:   We will have the other half this afternoon

---Much of my summer reading noticed a backlash at the math-science people and the tyranny of everything being black and white…inside the spreadsheet of skepticism and cynicism, I noticed some  big pushes for the arts because it generates creativity within our math-science capabilities...much of technology is "dreamed up"… creative stuff...if you can dream it-you can do it philosophy.  The arts goes hand in hand with math and science!!!!

And again in our changing world, we are reminded why our  students will need to put off self-gratification...sacrifice and hard work now should pay off later.   As a kid who worked his way through school with 3 part-time jobs and a scholarship , we have to have that hope available to future generations.  Our students will hold jobs that do not exist today!

---Faculty, Why Are We Here?  We are Baptized!           
-Last year’s word was Efficacy…this year---we are into Response to intervention.

-Why Do We Go to Church on Sundays?  Because one of the Commandments says “Remember”… 
 
-Jesus who says Do This in Remembrance of Me.   When your kid doesn’t want to go to Church on Sunday, help them remember this!   We live in an ever changing world.  Change is a constant.  Our faith is supposed o change too.  As we get older, our faith should get deeper.  That won’t happen unless we know that Change happens best in community, just like learning. 

As Parents, teach your children the Hebrew wording of the 4th Commandment:
“Honor thy father and they mother and you shall have a long life”!

 

-Please recruit for us and lower your cost!
- when Counting my blessings, I think of you

Thanks for: 
Recycling:  Paper  $117.61 from 7.85 tons saving 24.29 cubic yards of landfill space
Aluminum:   $ 94.98     .24 tons saving .75 cubic yards of landfill space   Thanks!

OFFICE DEPOT  If you shop there, please credit our school.  Our I.D. number is 70031791.  We get 5% back.

SPANISH  For the past 14 years, ICS has offered Spanish to grades 5-8(now 4-8).  This has been funded through private donations.   We have  $200!   $12,800 to go!   Thanks!

15th Annual ICS/Joe Hoguet Memorial Golf Tournament:  September 18, 2009 at the Columbia Golf Club.  Sponsored by The Market Place & H.J. Frierdich & Sons, Inc. Three Person Scramble $90 per player/$270 per team.  10:00 Registration 12:00 p.m. Shotgun start.  For more information call Grant Frierdich at 281-7131

Enjoy the little things for when you look back you will realize they are the big things!

“Religion is not a hobby…”  Fr. Gary Hogan, C.R. in his Sunday homily.

Our parish will welcome Deacon Eric Wagner, C.R. on September 13 after the 9:00 Mass.  It would be great if you could come over so we get a crowd.  As usual, I will be elsewhere…my Sunday at the Columbia Convalescent Center.

Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia had a group of confirmation students at the Humane Society Shelter Saturday. Our animals got lots of love, baths, grooming, etc., and our walking path got cleaned up of sticks, rocks, and other debris. They also brought in a large donation of various cat/dog food and treats. Thanks for your hard work!!

Get Ready for Lifewalk 2009:  Saturday, September 19, 2009 5K Run begins at 9:00 a.m., 1.8 mild Walk begins at 9:02a.m. Call Catherine Hoeffken at the rectory at extension 155

 I would like to add my father, Bill Wylder, to the prayer list.  He has been recently diagnosed with diabetes and now in the past two months has lost the vision in his left eye.  He has gone through multiple painful procedures and surgeries to try and save and now correct this.  We are now to the point of doing experimental options to hopefully regain some sight and, more importantly, relieve the pain and pressure in his eye.  We, as a family, have been praying very hard, but I think we could really use some reinforcements.   Thank you!    Heather Garcia

 

BENEFIT SILENT AUCTION AND TRIVIA NIGHT:   David Buettner, 21 year old  cousin of Blake & Mark Braun has been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma,  stage 4, since October of last year.  He is now scheduled for experimental treatments in a hospital in New Jersey, that the insurance company may not cover.  A Benefit Silent Auction & Trivia Night is being held to raise funds.  It will be held on Sat. Sept. 12th at the SPPS gym in Waterloo.   Silent Auction begins at 6:00  p.m., Trivia at 7:00 p.m.   If you have questions or you would like to reserve a table for up to 8 people, please call Tom or Nancy Braun at  281-7442 or cell 618-978-0009.    A fund has been established in   David's name at the First National Bank of Waterloo to help defray cost of treatments and airfare for several trips that will need to be made.   If anyone is interested in donating unused frequent flyer miles, or have discounted vouchers, that would be graciously accepted.   Many thanks for your prayers too!   Our Hope Is In You, God.....The Braun Family

This Sundays Gospel from Mark  might remind you of H1N1…the wash-your-hands Gospel…but Jesus is reminding us, like Fr. Carl, to keep the main thing the main thing…We can’t let the spreadsheet of skepticism and cynicism cloud what is really important.

 

 Prayer list:     Bill Wylder, David Buettner, Steve Vaughn, Jean Metter,  Fr. Steve Gira, Mary Eppinger,  Susie Settle, Dakota Hohgrefe, Dean Keim(please help me update our list with our prayer needs.)

Sincerely,

Michael L. Kish
 Principal

Ps  play 9 hard!
Ps  Parents and Friends agenda  attached.
Ps Philosophy and Purpose of Catholic School Athletic Programs in the Diocese of Belleville attached

 

Band Schedule: Week of Aug 31-Sept 4
Monday       11:00-11:30 4th Grade Percussion
                    11:30-12:00 4th Grade Flutes
                    12:50-1:20 5th Grade Percussion
                    1:20-1:50 5th Grade Flutes
                    1:50-2:20 6-8th Percussion Ensemble
                    2:20-2:50 6-8th Grade Flutes
Tuesday       7:15-7:50 Jazz Band
                    11:00-11:30 4th Grade Clarinets
                    11:30-12:00 4th Grade Saxophones
                    12:50-1:20 5th Grade Clarinets
                    1:20-1:50 5th Grade Saxophones 
                    1:50-2:20 6-8th Grade Clarinets
                    2:20-2:50 6-8th Grade Saxophones
Wednesday 12:50-1:50 Intermediate Band Full Band 
                    1:50-2:50 Concert Band Full Band 
Thursday     8th Grade Monroe County Field Trip
                    7:15-7:50 Jazz Band
        11:00-11:30 4th Grade Trumpets
                    11:30-12:00 4th Grade Low Brass 
                    12:50-1:20 5th Grade Trumpets
                    1:20-1:50 5th Grade Low Brass 
                    1:50-2:20 6-8th Grade Trumpets
                    2:20-2:50 6-8th Grade Low Brass 
Friday         12:50-1:50 Beginning Band Full Band 
                   

 

 

Coming to the Alton Marina September 2-6… (thanks Carrie Boser!)  The Niña - Most Historically Accurate Columbus Replica Ship Ever Built   The Niña is a replica of the ship on which Columbus sailed across the Atlantic on his three voyages of discovery to the new world beginning in 1492.  Columbus sailed the tiny ship over 25,000 miles.  That ship was last heard of in 1501, but the new Niña has a different mission.  We are a floating museum, and we visit ports all over the Western Hemisphere.
Pinta - Our Second Columbus Replica Ship   Pinta was recently built in Brazil to accompany the Nina on all of her travels. She is a larger version of the archetypal caravel and offers larger deck space for walk-aboard tours and has a 40 ft air conditioned main cabin down below with seating. Visitors can watch a video on the building of the ship in Brazil. Pinta is available for private parties while in port.
$7 adults        $6 seniors      $5 children age 5 & up         ages 4 & under are free        
Groups of 15 or more $4 each      Boats will be docked at the Alton Marina (1 Henry St, Alton IL) from Sept 2 through Sept 6.    Tours are from 9am - 6pm.       Tours are 20-30 minutes long.
 http://www.thenina.com/index.html

 OLD NEWS…
Calendar:
August 31                   Parents and Friends Meeting  6:30 social
September 3             Columbia-Monroe County Field Trip Gr. 8
September 7             LABOR DAY PICNIC!!!
September 8             Service/Leadership Day---only 8th Grade in attendance
September 9 and 29   Parent Meeting for Steps to Respect---our anti-bullying program
September 10           School Picture Day
September 11           Field Day at Columbia American Legion ---thanks Laura and Dan                                                        Whelan!   Sign-up at Meet the Teacher Night ---need 6 bottles of water                                                per student please.
September 15           School Board
September 17           Springfield 8---parent chaperons needed(need CPP certification)
September 18           ICS/Joe Hoguet Memorial Golf Tourney
September 25           11:25 dismissal, Teacher in-service day
September 29           Parent Meeting for Steps to Respect---our anti-bullying program
October 4                   Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation “Walk to Cure Diabetes” www.jdrf.org

FORMS WE NEEDED RETURNED YESTERDAY:   NOW ON-LINE AS ATTACHMENTS!!!  Forgot to attach one Proof of Insurance for the Diocese   1) Lunch Program Application  Please apply if you can. (Laid off?  Unemployed?    We receive higher reimbursements if you qualify and you are doing us a favor!  Call me if questions.
2) Proof of Insurance for the Diocese 3) Publicity release 4) Policy acknowledgement            5) Family pledge 6) Acceptable use policy are on-line and linked to the newsletter. Print out, sign, and SEND THEM BACK PLEASE.  Do your homework---should take no more than 15 minutes!  Student accident insurance policy forms have been sent home hard-copy.  Return directly to Markle Insurance.  Thanks from Mrs. Epplin.

Chess Team Practice:  The first Chess Team practice of the 2009-10 school year will be Tuesday, October 13.  Any questions call Janet Ulivi at 281-7763 or e-mail at ulivi@htc.net.

 

ArtEx is finally opening its doors to the public, on Tuesday, August 25th at 3pm! Our hours during the school year are as follows:
Tuesday - Friday: 3p - 7p                 Saturday: 12p - 4p

Some Saturdays we'll be having guest artists teach specific classes, and there will be sign-up sheets for those. Our first is on September 26th. Kate Hartmann will be teaching paper-making.

Kids age 12-18 are welcome to sign themselves in and out; 10-12 will need a parent or guardian to sign them in and out; a parent/guardian must remain on the premises with 10 year old and unders. We will have a "parents room" set up, and soon hope to have a wifi hotspot for your use. (Or you can use our art supplies, too!) 

If you are, or know anyone that is, interested in volunteering, you must be 16+. Ask for a Volunteer Application at ArtEx (122 E. Legion), or fill one out on our website: http://www.artexcolumbia.org

- Christina Sterman, President