Wednesday Wireless

From the Office

The faculty and staff wish each school family a Merry and Blessed Christmas and a peace-filled, healthy New Year. I hope that you are able to spend time together as a family and enjoy the holidays. If you are traveling during vacation, I wish for you a safe and pleasant journey.

Advent was really a time of giving this year. Special thanks to all of the families who contributed in whatever way that they could in any of the following collections: Books for the Invisible children, mittens and scarves sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 117, notions and clothing for the homeless teenagers in the city of Milwaukee, food for the Tosa Food Pantry, animal treats for the Humane Society or gift items for the families at St. Catherine's Parish. There were many projects to choose from and I thank the families who were able to help in whatever way fit into their budget. Yes, it is in giving that we all receive!

Special Thanks: I just want to extend special thanks to all those who had anything to do with the preparation of the school concert last week. Thanks to Mrs. Klein and the students for the fine performance and to all of the parents who assisted in any way with the playing, filming or making costumes. This program spread the Christmas spirit to all who attended.

Las Posadas: All of the students will be participating in a Las Posadas service on Tuesday, December 23rd in church beginning at 10:00AM. After that, the students will go back to their classrooms for a small treat and Christmas celebration. Classes will be as usual until that time. The afternoon K4 students will be in attendance that morning. There is no regular school for morning K4 students.

January School Calendar: The January School calendar is attached to this wireless. Please keep it in a handy place for reference during the month.

Hot Lunches: The hot lunch confirmations should be coming home either today, or within the next few days. It is important to post these on your refrigerator so that the number of phone calls from the office for forgotten lunches can be eliminated. The school is offering lunches on most school days, but the option to purchase lunches is up to each parent for each child. It is just a reminder that if your child is ill, the money will not be refunded. We will not be packing up the lunch and sending it home with other students. If you do want the child's lunch, you would need to personally come to the North Hall at the time that your child would normally eat and claim the lunch. The school does not want to assume liability for spoiled lunches that are sitting around until another student would take it home after school. Your child's ticket will be in the North Hall as a ticket is needed to pick up a meal. We started off the lunch program in a smooth manner, but sometimes we have problems because of giving away lunches with no ticket.

Christmas Vacation: The students will be dismissed for the Christmas vacation at noon on Tuesday, December 23^rd, and are invited back to school on Monday, January 5^th. At that time, I would remind all that this is a time to renew and begin again with good resolutions for the New Year.

Eighth Grade Ornaments: Christ King School was invited to make ornaments for the Christmas tree at the State Capital in Madison. The theme this year was "Birds of Wisconsin". Eighth graders created beautiful wire birds ranging from goldfinches and robins to hummingbirds and redwinged black birds. Hopefully, they will be displayed proudly on the special tree. The ornaments will not be returned to us, so each student made a second one to keep. Great job thinking three-dimensionally and creating these works of art (in a limited amount of time) eighth grade!

Student Council: Action Metals – Student Council is part of an organization that helps recycle broken household objects. During the month of December and January, we ask you to save your broken Christmas tree lights. We will have a bin outside the office where you can drop them off. Thank you for your support! Recently, the Student Council purchased several recycling containers for the school. Thank you students!

Home & School

Gift Gathering Parties are Starting Save the Dates:

K4 - January 31st

K5 - February 7th

1^st - February 21st

3^rd- February 7th

5^th - February 14th

6^th- January 24th

8^th - February 13th

Parish News

Fall Food Drive: The Human Concerns Committee would like to thank everyone who donated food to the Fall Food Drive. We collected approximately 200 bags filled with non-perishable items for the Tosa Food Pantry. Your generosity is truly appreciated by those less fortunate, especially during the holidays. Our next parish food drive will start on Ash Wednesday and continue through Lent. Have a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

District 12 Family Advent Reconciliation Service December 20^th, 10:00am at St. Sebastian Church: Experience God’s healing forgiveness in the communal rite of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Ready your hearts in preparation for the coming of Christ. This is a great opportunity to slow down, find spiritual refreshment and peace in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Advent. While the focus will be on families, all are invited! St. Sebastian Church is located at 5400 West Washington Blvd. The parking lot can be entered on North 55^th St. Street parking is also available. Enter the Gathering Space on North 54^th Street, or one of the church entrances.

Your 2009 Christ King Parish and School

Auction/Social Update: Reminder that the Auction Date is March 14th, 2009. Please make note of the insert in the Wednesday Wireless which outlines the Auction Sponsorship Opportunities. Please share this information with anyone and everyone. Do you know of a business that benefits from the School Parents of Christ King or the Parishioners of Christ King as their customers? Are you looking for an end of year tax deduction? If so bring your sponsorship donation to the Parish Office c/o the 2009 Christ King Parish and School Auction Committee.

Scout News

Used Christmas Cards: Girl Scout Troop 1200 will be collecting used Christmas Cards starting Thursday, December 18th until Friday, January 16th. Please drop off your cards in the box located outside the office. This service project will benefit St. Jude’s Ranch, a residential facility for abused, abandoned and neglected children. They use the card fronts to make new recycled holiday cards to sell.

Pathfinder Shelter: Winter Clothing/Supplies Collection Wrap-Up Marian Girl Scout Troop 1394 continues to collect winter clothing and shelter supplies for the homeless teenagers in Milwaukee. A box is located outside the school office. Thank you to everyone who has already donated these very needed items.

Sports

Gym Duty: Saturday, December 20^th, 7:45-10:45am C: MacKenzie; E: Duffy; GS: Bruett; 10:45am-1:45pm C: Smetana; E: Gillingham; GS: Steinmetz; 1:45-4:30pm C: Devine; E: Mikell; GS: Devine.

This and That

6th Grade Boys Book Club: Our second quarter book club meeting 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.

Dear 7th Grade Girls Book Club Participants: This quarter's book club for The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants will be held Sunday, January 10th from 6:00 - 7:30! Thanks, Mrs. Benvenuto

Pius XI Financial Aid Workshops - Parents of Incoming Freshmen or Those Considering a Transfer to Pius XI High School: Financial Aid Workshops will be held on Monday, January 12 or Tuesday, January 20 from 6 – 7:30 pm in the Pius XI Library Media Center. Various tuition assistance programs available to families will be discussed, including academic awards, scholarship competitions, grants and payment options. The financial aid application process/timeline will also be presented. Advance reservations are not necessary. Pius XI High School is located at 135 N. 76th Street (between Bluemound Rd. and I-94). Questions? Contact Kelly Conn at 414.290.8135 or kconn@piusxi.org.