2010 ——- CELEBRATE JESUS ——- 2011

Calendar Dates

Sat. Dec. 4-Confirmation/Candidate Sponsor Meeting rescheduled for February 2011 Sun. Dec. 5-PTO Mom’s Christ-mas Gift Exchange 2-4:00pm Mon. Dec. 6-Parent Rosary (focus Kindergarten & 1st gr.) 8am Tues. Dec. 7-No Mass Advi-sory Council Meeting 7pm Wed. Dec. 8-Feast of the Im-maculate Conception ALL SCHOOL MASS 9am Thur. Dec. 9-No Mass Christ-mas Family Delivery 8:15am Sat. Dec.11-Confirmation/Candidate Sponsor Meeting rescheduled for February 2011 Sun. Dec. 12-Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mon. Dec. 13-Parish Reconcilia-tion Service 7pm Tues. Dec. 14-No Mass Recon-ciliation Grades 3,4, & 5 1pm Thurs. Dec. 16-No Mass Christmas Program(5th,6th, Choir, Band & Bells) 7pm Dress Rehearsal-Christmas Program 1pm Fri. Dec. 17-Reconciliation Grades 6,7 & 8 1 pm Spirit Day Staff Christmas Party Sun. Dec. 19-Advent Family Pot Luck 5:30pm

8101 W. 95th Street Overland Park, Kansas 66212 Phone:913-381-7408 Fax:913-381-1312 Early Education Center 913-381-7151

December 3, 2010

Sunday’s Gospel

Matthew 3:1-12 “Repent, for the kingdom of

heaven is at hand!”

It was of him that the prophet

Isaiah had spoken when he said:

A voice of one crying out in the

desert,

Prepare the way of

the Lord,

make straight his

paths.

www.holycrosscatholicschool.com

Dear Parents, December is here! This brings the Advent Season, the Feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe, our Christmas Family Project (with delivery on December 9th), three Christmas Programs, the Sunshine Club Lunch, the Posada, and Christmas parties. This month also brings a great deal of behind the scenes activities in preparation for your auction and dinner at the end of January. Celebration 2011, “Denim and Diamonds,” is quickly approaching. It takes a great deal of time and effort to bring this event together and make it a success. Thanks to all those who have been planning the event and to all of you who have donated items for the auc-tion. Keep those donations coming. If you need some ideas of what to donate, we have included a wish list in this newsletter. We ask that your donations have a value of at least $25. Please remember that this is the major fund raiser for the parish and school and we need everyone’s help and participation for it to be successful. Now, like myself, I am sure you are all thinking of your personal holiday sea-son “to-do” list. It always seems that there is so much to do and so little time to do it. I am so happy that I have great people to help me with all of the activi-ties, festivities and celebrations. It is so very easy to get caught up in all of this and forget the true meaning of the season. I hope you all remember to take some time to focus on the gift of the Advent Season and the presence of Jesus our Savior in our lives. I try to take just a few minutes every morning to say a prayer of thanksgiving and ask the Lord to guide me. I find that even a few minutes in prayer can make a huge difference in my life. Blessings to you all as we walk through the Advent Season together and look toward the joy of Christmas.

Mrs. Gates

Appliances Coffee Maker Toaster Oven Microwave Slow Cooker Under the Counter Clock Radio/CD Vacuum Power Sweeper Hand Vac Iron Under the Counter TV/DVD Electric Griddle Kitchen Aid Mixer Portable Hand Mixer Electric Carving Knife Blender Ice Cream Maker Compact Refrigerator Steamer

Home Area Rugs Picture Frames Interior Decorating Consulting Decorative Mirrors Wall Clocks Home Décor Glassware Flatware Dinnerware Crystal Cookware Sets Knife Sets Blankets Handmade Quilts Comforter Sets Computer Desk Luggage Entertainment Credenza Table & Floor Lamps Storage Organizers Furniture Bar Accessories Kegorator Margarita Machine Wine Cooler Garbage Disposal Garage Door Opener Garage Doors Windows Services/Labor for your home Indoor/Outdoor Paining Services

Sports Golf Bag Golf Clubs Golf Accessories Golf Lessons Golf Trips Rounds of Golf Bicycles (youth & adult) In-Ground Basketball Goal Portable Basketball Goal Basketball Accessories Baseball/Football Accessories Fishing Rods Tackle Boxes Gun Safe/Cabinet Hunting Equipment Hunting Trips Coolers/Duffle Bags Sport Camps KC Speedway Driving Experience KC Chiefs/Royals Tickets College Logo Furniture/Accessories Camping Gear Fitness Equipment (Treadmill, Elliptical) KU Football/Basketball Tickets KSU Football/Basketball Tickets Nebraska Football/Basketball Tickets MU/KU Football Tickets for Arrowhead MU Football/Basketball Tickets Apparel for KU/KSU/Nebraska/Missouri Notre Dame Football Tickets Apparel for Notre Dame Kayak Pedal Boat

Lawn & Garden Extension Ladder/ Step Ladder Compressor Power Washer Hedge Trimmers Leaf Blower Snow Blower Chain Saw Self Propelled Lawn Mower Tool Chest Power Tools Wheelbarrow Garden Tiller Garden Hoses Lawn Spreader Birdhouses Outside Yard Light Post Garden Bench Outdoor Camping Test Statuary

Flashlights Planters Utility Wagon Rakes, Shovels Fencing Outdoor Patio Deck Heaters Outdoor Fire pit/Fireplace Lawn Ornaments Trees Bushes Landscaping Services Decorative Rock Concrete/Asphalt Materials &/or Services Load of Topsoil Garden Patio Furniture BBQ Grill Smoker Outdoor Bar Set Gazebo Hammock Stainless Outdoor Cooler

Kid’s Stuff Power Wheels Utility Vehicles Bicycles Tricycles Big Wheels Toys Barbie Items Lego Sets Game Tables Roller Blades SpiderMan Items Wagon Table & Chair Sets Picnic Table Playhouse Sleeping Bags Girl’s Dress Up Items Kid’s Swimming Pool & Accessories Nerf Items Handmade Items Games DVDs Outdoor Play Swing/Slide Set Backyard Water Slides Snow Sled/Toboggans Sand Box Skateboard Soccer Goals Pitching Rebounders Baseball Gloves Dollhouse Outdoor Games

Electronics Big Screen LCD HDTV/Plasma HDTV Home Entertainment System 13-21” Flat Screen TVs (under the counter kitchen) Portable DVD Player Digital Cordless Phone + Answering Ma-chine Wireless Gaming Chair iPod Shuffle iPod Nano iPod Classic iPod Touch Digital Picture Frames Digital Camera + Printer Camcorder Nintendo DS PlayStation 3 Blu-ray Player Video Games Xbox 360 Games Printer/Scanner/Copier/Fax Widescreen Monitor Computer/Monitor/Printer Pkg Garmin GPS SoundDock Portable Music System Guitar Hero Game & Wireless Guitar Pk Laptop Wii Electronic Keyboard Kindle/iPad

Special Request Items Frequent Flyer Miles Vacation Packages Time Share Packages Dinners Shopping Trips Great Wolf Lodge Family Getaway Limo/Transportation Services Hunting/Golf Packages Chateau Avalon Overnight Stay Hotel Points Puppy (AKC Registered-Pure Breed) 6-8 weeks old

Other Items Religious Items Handbags Jewelry Wine Baskets Bath & Beauty Products Nativity Sets

Basket Ideas Family Fun Night We All Scream For Ice Cream Rock Chalk Jayhawk K-State Purple Pride Kids Crafts Taste of Italy Gardening Baby Baking Favorite Kids Books Movie Night Holy Cross Blue/Gold Chocolate Wine BBQ Coffee/Tea Mexican Fiesta Entertainment

Kid’s Stuff Power Wheels Utility Vehicles Bicycles Tricycles Big Wheels Toys Barbie Items Lego Sets Game Tables Roller Blades SpiderMan Items Wagon Table & Chair Sets Picnic Table Playhouse Sleeping Bags Girl’s Dress Up Items Kid’s Swimming Pool & Accessories Nerf Items Handmade Items Games DVDs Outdoor Play Swing/Slide Set Backyard Water Slides Snow Sled/Toboggans Sand Box Skateboard Soccer Goals Pitching Rebounders Baseball Gloves Dollhouse Outdoor Games

CHRISTMAS FAMILIES!!!

We have contacted St. Benedict’s Children’s Center and will once again adopt families for Christmas. During the holiday season Holy Cross tries to provide these families in need with food, toilet-ries, clothing and gifts. Each classroom is assigned a family. You will receive information about these families from your children’s teachers. We try to provide each family with a turkey. If you are able to purchase a turkey and store it at your home until Thursday December 9, it would be greatly appreciated.

We also need people who can drive and help deliver the food and gifts on the morning of December 9. We begin loading the cars, vans, trucks, pack mules, etc. around 8:05. This goes quickly and we are usually loaded and ready to leave by 9:00.

If you are able to do either of these things, please complete and return the form below. On behalf of the Holy Cross Staff and St. Benedict’s families, thank you! Your generosity throughout the years has been remarkable. The spirit of Christmas lives through you.

Susan Gittinger Social Outreach Coordinator __________________________________________________________________

______Yes, I can purchase a turkey and store it at my home until December 9th. ______Yes, I can help deliver goods to St. Benedicts on the morning of December 9th. I drive a ________ car. ________ pick-up truck ________ van ________ other (____________________) Name (please print) _____________________________________________ Phone number _______________________________________________

PTO TEACHER’S CHRISTMAS FUND

Are you looking for that perfect gift for your child’s teacher?

Are you having a difficult time deciding what to give?

The PTO has the perfect solution!

We invite you to contribute to the Staff Christmas Fund.

Any size gift is appreciated

We plan to deliver the checks to the teachers on Monday, December 20th.

Please send in your donation by the end of the day on Friday, December 17th

Look for acknowledgement cards that you can give to your child/children’s teacher(s) in a future newsletter.

Thanks!

Dear_______________________ Our gift to you is a wish for a Blessed Christmas , Happy New Year, and a donation to the staff fund. Thanks for all the work you do with our children.

Dear_______________________ Our gift to you is a wish for a Blessed Christmas , Happy New Year, and a donation to the staff fund. Thanks for all the work you do with our children.

Dear_______________________ Our gift to you is a wish for a Blessed Christmas , Happy New Year, and a donation to the staff fund. Thanks for all the work you do with our children.

Dear_______________________ Our gift to you is a wish for a Blessed Christmas , Happy New Year, and a donation to the staff fund. Thanks for all the work you do with our children.

Dear_______________________ Our gift to you is a wish for a Blessed Christmas , Happy New Year, and a donation to the staff fund. Thanks for all the work you do with our children

Dear_______________________ Our gift to you is a wish for a Blessed Christmas , Happy New Year, and a donation to the staff fund. Thanks for all the work you do with our children

LUNCHROOM VOLUNTEERS: Monday 12-6-10 Ellen Jones, Carol Hattrup and ????? Tuesday 12-7-10 Paul Hocevar, ????? and ????? Wednesday 12-8-10 Stacy Cahalan, ????? and ????? Thursday 12-9-10 Joel Campos, Divina Sachen and ????? Friday 12-10-10 Joel Campos, Divina Sachen and ????? Monday 12-13-10 Ellen Jones, Carol Hattrup and ????? Tuesday 12-14-10 Divina Sachen, Freddie Sachen and ????? Wednesday 12-15-10 Stacy Cahalan, ????? and ????? Thursday 12-16-10 Joel Campos, Divina Sachen and ????? Friday 12-17-10 Joel Campos, Divina Sachen and ????? THANKS SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please contact Rita Binns at extension # 25 or email rbinns@holycrosscatholicschool.com for lunchroom volunteer opportunities. Typical volunteer time is 11:00-1:00. We serve and then clean up. We would appreciate very much, at least two volunteers everyday. Benefits: enjoy a complimentary lunch; spend time with your child during their school day------PRICELESS!

Dress Code Reminders: Please review the Dress Code with your children. You can find it in the Handbook on the Family Login page on the school website. The Dress Code is on pages 20 – 23. Here are a few reminders:

• Sweatshirts: Only navy blue school sweatshirts may be worn in the building on most school days. The only exception to this is on Spirit Days.

• Socks and tights may only be white or navy blue. • Jewelry must be kept to a minimum – refer to the handbook for specific

guidelines • It is time to check those skirt lengths – the girls have been getting taller. • Please take a look at the length of hair for the boys. • Shirts must be tucked in and shoes must be tied at all times.

Thanks for your help!!

The Holy Cross Hispanic

Community Would like to invite everyone to

come celebrate the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s, appearance to Juan Diego in Mexico in the 1500’s. It was through our Mother’s humble appearance to a simple man that con-verted millions to the Catholic Faith. Leading up to the Mass, the Hispanic

Community will also be offering a nine-day Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe from December 3rd to

December 11th at 7pm each evening at Holy Cross.

The last day of the Novena on De-cember 11th will be at 10:00 pm be-fore Mass starts, after Mass ends we

will be singing “Las Mañanitas”. The joyous Mass will be celebrated in Spanish. After the Mass, there will be a reception featuring tradi-

tional Hispanic food. Everyone is invited to attend the

celebrations.

Celebrate Together In Honor of Our Most Holy Mother!

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe December 11th at 11 pm

Holy Cross Catholic Church

Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration More Information

As part of the parish’s celebration of the

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe there will be a nine day Novena from December 3rd – 11th at the church.

The novenas will be lead by various groups in the parish. The school’s night to lead the novena is Dec. 6th.

The Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

will be celebrated on Dec. 11th at 11PM. The PTO will be providing drinks for the celebration following Mass.

Please bring a dessert to share. You can take your dessert to the kitchen before mass begins.

If you do not plan to attend, but would like to donate a dessert, you can drop them off at school on Friday, Dec. 10th.

Second Chance Spirit Cup Sale Due to popular demand we have decided to offer a second opportu-nity to purchase the Spirit Cups and you will have them before Christmas. Remember they are $15.00 per each set of 4 cups. Contact Bill Schneider by Tuesday, December 7th with your order information. schneidere52@yahoo.com or 913-579-3579 (cell phone). He will need to know your name, the team name and the number of set you want. Send your money in an envelope to the school office. Make sure you have your name and “Spirit Cup Order” on the envelope. Checks should be made payable to Holy Cross School Cups will be delivered between Dec. 15th and Dec. 17th.

Thanks for your support of this fundraiser.

“This holiday season if you purchase your Christmas Tree at Whole Foods Market on Metcalf and 91st Street, $10 is donated to Holy Cross Catholic School. Simply show your church bulletin at the store. Each beautiful Fraser Fir tree is 7-8 feet tall and only $49.99. For every tree cut down, 2 more trees are planted the follow-ing year. Trees arrive around November 23rd and are available for pre-purchase. Ask about the new Santa Tree Delivery program. This is a simple way to support our community.”

Holy Cross Scrip “fundraising while you shop”

We regret to inform our customers that American Girl® Gift Cards will be discontinued, as soon as our current inventory is depleted. Unfortunately, the popularity of their gift cards in scrip fundraising was more than anticipated by American Girl, and they are re-evaluating their participation. Our best estimate is that under normal conditions, our in-ventory will last roughly one week.

Mass sellers for the next two weeks:

Date 5:00 7:30 9:00 11:00 Counters-12:20 pm

Dec 4/5 Willsey / Schneider Bunker / Westhoff Callahan / Wassen-berg Eisenberg / Adams Adams / Eisenberg

Dec 11/12 Reynolds / Adams Hogue / Deschamp Cashman / Fuhrmann Lauterwasser / Steichen

Lauterwasser / Stei-chen

Thanks!!

We did it again! We’ve won another SmartBoard

from HyVee.

Drop Off and Pick Up Reminders –Safety First!

• Please, if at all possible, stay in your car and circle the parking lot to drop off and pick up your children. If you come to the main lot (trees) the drop off/pick up point is on the west end of the lot.

• Children should exit vehicles from the passenger side. • If you must park in the trees lot, park in the center facing south. Please do not

park around the perimeter. • If you park to drop off or pick up, you must walk your child across traffic.

They may not cross traffic by themselves. (We have had several near misses lately.)

• At pick up time, make sure you have a sign in your window that clearly dis-plays your last name or carpool name. This helps the teachers efficiently or-ganize the children and keeps traffic moving.

• If you park in the Greek Church’s parking lot, be extremely careful when crossing 95th Street. Make sure that after you see the walk signal you check to be sure that the traffic is stopping. We have a teacher posted at this spot to help with this.

Safety and Security

• All parents and visitors must check in at the office when coming to the school even if you enter the building through a door other than the main entrance.

• To enter the building, press the button on the box next to the door. One of the office staff will allow you entrance to the building by electronically unlocking the door. The children have been instructed not to open the door for adults even if it is someone they recognize.

• If you come to school before 7:30am or after 4:00pm it is highly likely that no one will be in the office to allow you or your child access to the building. If your child will be staying late (after 4:00PM) due to tutoring, Mathletics, etc., please make sure your child knows where to meet you. (Please do not count on being able to gain access to the building).

• We do monthly, unannounced fire drills. We cannot promise that we can ar-range a fire drill on a warm day or that children can grab coats. Please make sure that your children are dressed appropriately for the weather each day.