December 2015

Dear Parents,

As we begin the Season of Advent, let us pray for the grace to understand what the birth of Christ means for us. Our PTO has provided every family with a book of prayers to help us understand Advent. Please take time to read and reflect with your family.

Baldwin EMC Grant
The Baldwin Electric Membership Charitable Foundation awarded Mrs. Rose Mary Mitchell and Mrs. Barbara Hutson grants through their Star Light program. This grant money will fund research materials and music/art supplies.

Outreach - November
Thank you to all who sent in canned goods for the Catholic Social Services food pantry. The need is great during these times and many families will receive food because of your willingness to help others.

For our December outreach we will collect new - unwrapped toys for delivery to Catholic Social Services in Robertsdale. These toys will allow families who do not have the means to purchase presents for their children to have something to give them for Christmas. We appreciate your help in this outreach for our neighbors in Baldwin County.

Child Protection Training
Please be sure to keep your Child Protection retraining up to date - you must renew yearly. Only those who have done this may participate in CKCS activities. You may update your training at www.mobilearchdiocese.org/childprotection. St. Lawrence offers the initial training on the second Tuesday of each month.

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Second grade students will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on December 2. Please say a prayer for them upon this important celebration in their lives.

Christ the King Christmas Choir
Practice will be on Thursday, December 3 and Thursday, December 10, for our Christ the King Christmas Choir. It is open to all students from fourth grade to eighth grade. Practice will be at 3:15 in the music room. This choir will be singing at the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.

Christmas Program
You are invited to our Christmas program on December 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Gym: Called to Christmas – performed by our 4th graders and our 1st graders will be singing as the back-up choir…Joyfully Noisy! Our 5th grade students will be sharing a special song at the end of the program that you won’t want to miss! Thanks to Mrs. Hutson and the classroom teachers for preparing the students for this special Christmas event.

The Lion King! Our Drama Club is Here!
As soon as we return from our Christmas break, our newly formed Drama Club will begin meeting each Thursday afternoon at 3:15 in the music room. The Drama Club will be open to 4th-8th grade students.

School Holidays/Reopening
Please note from your December calendar that CKCS will dismiss for the Christmas holidays at 12:00 Noon on Friday, December 18. Extended Day Care will be open that day. Classes will resume for the beginning of the second semester on Monday, January 4.

Contributing Rate
Please note that to receive the contributing rate for next year (2016-2017), all parish donations must be made by December 31.

Before School Care
Students should go to the gym if they arrive before 7:30 AM. We have a staff member in the gym to supervise students for their safety. Students can be dropped off as early as 7 AM for a small fee. Please look at the handbook for more details.

Reports Cards
The second report card will be sent home in a sealed envelope on January 6.

Geography Bee
Students in grades 4-8 will have an opportunity to compete in the Geography Bee before we close for Christmas vacation. The ten classroom winners will compete in the all-school bee in January. Prizes and certificates will be awarded to classroom winners, and to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of the all-school event.

Volunteer Hours
Thank you to all who donated 562 hours of service to our school during the month of November. We appreciate your support!

Scrip News
I want to express a special word of thanks to all who are participating in the Scrip’s program. Please consider using this program to purchase your Christmas gifts! The last Scrip order before Christmas will be accepted on December 13.

Faculty Appreciation
Thank you to all parents of 6th grade students who sent in snacks for our faculty meeting this month. We appreciate your efforts on our behalf.

Let us pray for each other during this Advent Season.

Sincerely in Christ,
Maxwell Crain
Principal