Wednesday Wireless

From the Office

Advent: Many times as I have walked through the hallways, I hear advent songs being sung or listened to by the students. At other times students are writing about the meaning of advent in their journals. Several of the classes made their own advent wreath for the classroom or to take home to use with the family. Each Wednesday, the students are greeted by a teacher holding a lit candle as they enter the school and the classroom. Meditative music is played as the children come in silently and prepare for the day. All of these are symbols of waiting for the rebirth of Christ.

Mad Science: Due to low enrollment, the Mad Science classes will be cancelled that were scheduled for December and January.

Christmas Program: Today is the big performance of the Student Christmas Program. We will have a rehearsal at 12:45 for the students and any parents who are not able to make it in the evening. In the evening, the students who are in the program should be in their places by 6:15 at the latest. We will all be looking forward to a great evening of entertainment to get all of us in the mood for Christmas. Thanks to Mrs. Klein for preparing the students for this performance.

‘Tis the Season . . . . .

It is with great pride and pleasure that the students in Grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 invite you to attend their upcoming concert, “The First Christmas”.

Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Christ King Church

Attire: Sunday or holiday clothes

* no jeans or cargos please

7^th and 8^th grade boys: long sleeve shirt and tie

This year the students in grade 7 have organized a food drive and “wish list” items for the Milwaukee Humane Society in the spirit of the giving of gifts by the Magi.

Please bring your non-perishable items for the food bank and/or donations for the Humane Society to the evening concert. Suggestions from the “wish list” are: paper towels, plastic freezer bags, swiffer dusters, cottonballs, meat and fruit variety baby food, puppy chow, peanuts or mixed nuts, cat toys, kongs and other enrichment dog toys, lint rollers, water bottles for small animals, dog treats (Lean Pupperoni or bill Jac’s), soft blankets for dog beds and dog shampoo. We thank Mrs. Klein for her hard work with the students.

Nutcracker Performance: Students in Grade 3 will be taking a trip to the PAC to see the performance of the Nutcracker on Wednesday, December 17th. (Parents, of our 3^rd graders, please remember to send a cold lunch for your child on that day.)

National Spelling Bee: Students in Grades 5 through 8 will be preparing for the school spelling bee to be held here on Friday, January 16th at 1:15 in the gym. Prior to that time, there will be eliminations in the classes to pick the top three spellers from each class from grade 5A through 8B. Students may go online to www.myspellit.com and find words to practice any time between now and the time of the class spelling bee. Also on that same date, we will have the elimination for the National Geography Bee.

Community Service Awards Program: This program is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Each student in Grade 7 and 8 received a flyer regarding this program with details that the students would need to follow to be eligible. All questions and applications can be obtained from the Knights as listed in the brochure. Final entries and portfolios are due no later than March 12, 2009. Several years ago, one of our students was a second place winner. Please review this material with your child and encourage him or her to participate. It is a good experience whether they win or not.

Hot Lunch Program: We have seen success with the hot lunch program. Beginning in January, we will offer the opportunity of participating in a hot lunch for each day of the week. You will need to check the lunch calendar carefully as there may be days that we are not in session or are not able to use the North Hall. The option will be yours as to how often you wish to have your child/ren participate. We will also try to have one sub lunch each month.

Kris Kringle: In the past, students in Middle School bought various gifts for their Kris Kringle as part of the religion class. For several reasons this year, the students will not be participating in this activity. First of all, many times, parents were the ones who were paying for the gifts. This year, there are many concerns regarding the economy and we need to be aware of this and how it affects families in different ways. Secondly, families have been asked to assist others through the mittens, scarves and hats collection by the Scout Troop 117. Thirdly, the Girl Scouts are collecting new or gently used clothing and notions for the homeless teens in the city. Fourth, all students, as guided by the decision of the student council, are collecting “Pennies for the Poor” as advertised in the latest Wednesday Wireless. And, last of all, many families are participating in the gift giving joint venture with the parish for the needy families at St. Catherine's Parish here in the city. With all this in mind and living out our theme for this quarter, Christ King Students make a difference in the community, we will not be having the Kris Kringle activity, nor breakfast for the 8th grade at Mount Mary. Rather, I am suggesting that all the money that would have been spent on other students at Christ King, the students earn and save their money to be used for one of the above activities. "It is in giving that we receive," so let's try to encourage the students to give rather than receive this year.

Middle School Parents: Please encourage your child to attend the "Recess Rosary" on Thursdays from 11:40 to 12:00, during lunch recess. It is a wonderful way to celebrate Advent and prepare for Christmas. Rosaries are available. No experience necessary!

Fund Raising: Please respond to Sr. Janet’s request (letter had gone home last week with your Wednesday Wireless) for our fund raising budget items if you have not done so. Thank you!

Home & School

SCRIP: You are not too late to order Christmas Gift Cards through SCRIP. Place your order by 8am on Tuesday, December 16th.

Gift Gathering Save the Dates: Invitations will be coming.

K5 - February 7th at the home of the Wirostko Family

1st Grade - February 21st at the home of the Rozema Family

3rd Grade - February 7th at O'Donoghues Irish Pub

6th Grade - January 24th at the home of Mike and Maureen Klein

School Committee

The School Committee will meet Thursday, December 18 at 6:30pm in the school conference room. Guests are welcome. If you wish to address the Committee with an issue, please email Sister Janet or Sheila Finnegan (sfinnegan@wi.rr.com) no later than two weeks prior to our next meeting (January 15) to be placed on the agenda. The agenda for the 12/18 meeting follows:

6:30pm - Call to order/prayer

Approval of Minutes from 11/20/08

Open Forum
-Web Grader
-Conferences
-VIP Day

Pastor's Report

Parish Council Report

Athletic Committee Report

New Business
-Drama Program
-Update on Grades K4-2

Old Business
-Budget Brainstorming

Subcommittee Reports
-Marketing/Recruitment
-Communication

Principal's Report
-Accreditation Report

Meeting Wrap-Up

Adjournment

Scout News

Attention Cub Scout Parents: Please save the date for the upcoming Christmas Party on Tuesday, December 16^th, from 6pm to 8pm. Invitations came home last week Friday.

Middle School Students: Volunteer opportunities are available if you are interested for service hours. Any questions, please call Julie Rettko @ 414.774.5352, or Sarah Schulz @ 414.607.1845.

Sports

Gym Duty: The gym duty calendar is complete through February 21, 2009. If you did not sign up please go to www.my.calendars.net/christking to find your shifts. Please contact Kelly O'Shea with any questions at 778.0702.

Gym Duty for Saturday, December 13, 2008:
7:45-10:45a C: Slawski; E: Fax; GS: Janiszewski;

1:45a-1:45p C: Gundersen; E: Scallon; GS: Bruett;

1:45-4:30p C: Ferentchak; E: Hutchinson; GS: Benvenuto

This and That

6th Grade Boys Book Club: Our second quarter is Monday, January 12^th from 7pm-8pm in the Scout Room of the Parish Center (enter at 91^st church entrance; room is in lower level of the Parish Center) We will be discussing The Magician in the Michael Scott series "The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel." Any questions, please contact Kit Slawski, or Jennifer Radosevic.