Friday Thoughts May 19 2017

Posted on May 19, 2017

Dear Falcon Families.

There is great excitement in the air as all are beginning to sense that the end of the school year is almost here. Please continue to check the calendar and teacher blogs regularly because there are so many events in the days ahead.

Today we honor Mary, the Mother of God, at the May Crowning Prayer Service. I love the day because it focuses on our eighth graders, a very talented and enthusiastic group of young people and on our mothers, grandmothers, godmothers and all of the women who have helped shape our lives, our dreams, and our values.

Looking ahead to next week, please know that all of the appointments for the Beau Dowling Blood Drive on Sunday are filled. However, if you can give blood, please go to the Life Source Center at 95th and Cicero and mention Beau’s name. Any donation for the next two weeks will be credited to Beau’s Blood Drive. We are, as always, so grateful for your support.

Next Tuesday, please plan to spend an hour or so at the last Family School Meeting of the year. We are adding a festive touch with “libations” (mini-wine tasting, a refreshing new sangria, and beer) to complement food sampling from Gilhooleys. We are seriously considering using Gilhooleys to provide our daily lunch program next year and value your opinion of this option. We will also be taking a look at the gym uniform and other gym apparel options. We will review the activities of this year and seek your input on what is working well and what you might want to suggest for the future. Finally, I will share the preliminary results of our school assessment, “AdvancED”. I know these are very busy days, but please try to make the meeting at 7:00 in Kane Hall. In order to determine a rough estimate for our food and wine providers, please RSVP to Kate Keller. Hope to see you Tuesday.

Next week we will also launch the annual end of the year raffle. Although participation is not mandatory, profits from the raffle help with some of the “extras” that are not part of the operating budget. This year our wish list includes more chromebooks for our fifth and sixth graders, a continuation of window repairs and replacements, plans to re-surface the playground area, and painting corridors and hallways.

Tickets for the raffle are $50.00 and the grand prize is one year of free tuition for one child. I am very aware that you are inundated with requests and obligations at this very busy time of the year, but know we are grateful for anything you can do to help up address the items on our wish list.

The School Board meets on Wednesday night. An important agenda item is the approval of the school budget. We also hope to confirm a plan to streamline book fees by invoicing all of our families by the end of June. On line and regular summer payments are encouraged. Look for details to follow.

Thanks to all who have met this year’s tuition deadline. Our summer cash flow is dependent on full payment by all. Thanks for your cooperation.

Have a wonderful weekend.