St. Matthew Elementary Jaguar Journal
March 1, 2019
St. Matthew Elementary
Jaguar Journal
This week's to-do list:
- Pray for warm weather, blossoms and green grass!
- Please turn in your preregistration forms for next school year!
- Thank you to those of you who send in snow gear and for your students who wear it!!
This Week's To-Do List:
* Vote for St. Matt's in the UnityPoint "Imaging the Amazing" contest (see below)
* Send in box tops and Hy-Vee receipts
* Vote for St. Matt's in the UnityPoint "Imaging the Amazing" contest (see below)
* Send in box tops and Hy-Vee receipts
"Paws"itive Students
James Corio-Garcia Oliver Wood
Anna Nguyen Lucy GiorgioJackson Owens Megan Livingston
Abby Driscoll Rory Schaub
Kiley Kauder Mia Deegan
Lindzey Jeffrey Zizi Maybanks
Madyson Livingston Ruby Maybanks
Cate Charkowski Emmett Lyon
Sophia Bates Jacob Osterhaus
Oliver Pino James Corio-Garcia
Cael Stutzman Sam Leuck
Evan Thuente Lila Thuene
Important Upcoming Events
March 2 - Mardi Gras @ Elmcrest CC
March 6 - Mass 8:35 AM Ash Wednesday (Staff)
March 13 - Mass 8:35 AM (4th grade-Smith)
March 15 - No School Day
March 16 to 24 - Spring Break!
March 27 - Mass 8:35 AM (3rd grade-Adams)
April 1-5 - Wareham ISASP testing
April 3 - Mass 8:35 AM (5th grade-Chute)
April 8-12 - Chute ISASP testing
April 10 - Mass 8:35 AM (5th grade-Wareham)
April 12th - 3rd Grade Titanic Day
April 15-18 - Adams & Smith ISASP testing
April 17 - Mass 8:35 AM (Staff)
April 19 - No School: Good Friday
April 22 - Potential make-up day
April 23-26 - ISASP Testing Make-up
April 24 - Mass 8:35 AM (Staff)
April 26 - Donuts with Dad/Muffins with Mom in Kearn Hall from 7:05-8:15 AM
April 27 - 2nd Graders 1st Holy Communion at 4 PM
A huge thank you to Rev. Steve Garner for helping clean up some water from last weekends rain event! Your assistance is very much appreciated, most especially on the weekend!
Thanks also the anonymous person who donated their Keurig, it is perfect for the staff lounge and much appreciated!
A shout out and THANK YOU to Gary and Sarah Miller for not only replacing the glass in our Little Free Library but also putting this cool etching on it! It looks awesome!
Looking to help serve on a committee?
We are needing members for a couple of committees here are St. Matthew, please see below for more information:
We are needing members for a couple of committees here are St. Matthew, please see below for more information:
- We are needing members for our SIAC (School Improvement Advisory Council) committee
- We are looking for 5th grade parents who are interested in serving on a committee as we look to put together an "afternoon of respect" for our 5th grade students; any and all ideas welcome
School Make-Up Days
The St. Matthew Board of Education met last night to determine a plan to meet the state required 1,080 hours. Currently, we are short 9.52 hours. The plan is as follows but know that more information will be forthcoming in a separate email:
The St. Matthew Board of Education met last night to determine a plan to meet the state required 1,080 hours. Currently, we are short 9.52 hours. The plan is as follows but know that more information will be forthcoming in a separate email:
- Friday, March 15th - we will be in-session along with Xavier (we realize some of you already have planned spring break activities, please note that this will be considered an excused absence)
- Friday, April 5th - we will be in session
- Monday, April 22nd - we will be in-session along with Regis and Xavier
- Friday, May 17th - will now be a full day of school with families welcome for a picnic lunch and Rainbow Day activities in the afternoon.
- Thursday, May 30th - we will be in session for a full day of school
- Friday, May 31st - will now be the last day of school including Mass, recognition and early dismissal.
- We are looking at adding 15 minutes to our school day beginning on Monday, March 25th - how we will accomplish this will be shared in a subsequent email. We need to review all options and are watching the current legislation prior to finalizing this plan.
March Breakfast and Lunch Menus
These are included below!
These are included below!
Free and Reduced Lunch
Families may apply for free or reduced lunch status at any time during the school year. Free and reduced application packets are located in the school office. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Kember Nelson at knelson@stmatthewcr.org or by calling 362-3021.
Families may apply for free or reduced lunch status at any time during the school year. Free and reduced application packets are located in the school office. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Kember Nelson at knelson@stmatthewcr.org or by calling 362-3021.
2019-2020 Enrollment
We are looking for future Jaguars, if you know of anyone interested in attending St. Matthew School, please have them contact Mrs. Conlon at 319-362-3021 or aconlon@stmatthewcr.org. We would love to schedule a meeting and give them a tour. Please keep in mind that you're reaching out to one or two people may be the difference maker. Thank you for your help!
We are looking for future Jaguars, if you know of anyone interested in attending St. Matthew School, please have them contact Mrs. Conlon at 319-362-3021 or aconlon@stmatthewcr.org. We would love to schedule a meeting and give them a tour. Please keep in mind that you're reaching out to one or two people may be the difference maker. Thank you for your help!
Transportation Reimbursement Reminders
Second semester non-public transportation reimbursement forms for the area school districts are due May 1st. Click the district in which you live to find the form you need to submit. Remember Cedar Rapids school district forms need to be turned in to the St. Matthew office. Contact Ann Waltermyer at awaltermyer@stmatthewcr.org if you have any questions.
Second semester non-public transportation reimbursement forms for the area school districts are due May 1st. Click the district in which you live to find the form you need to submit. Remember Cedar Rapids school district forms need to be turned in to the St. Matthew office. Contact Ann Waltermyer at awaltermyer@stmatthewcr.org if you have any questions.
Sign your student up to sing the National Anthem
3rd, 4th, and 5th, grade families: your student has an opportunity to sing the National Anthem at the Cedar Rapids Kernel's game on Sunday, May 5th. Students that would like to sing will need to attend the game with a responsible adult.(Game time is 2 p.m., students need to arrive at 1:15 p.m.) Each student and adult would need a ticket. Tickets are $10.00 a piece. Forms to order tickets will come from the school at a later date. If your student is interested in singing please fill out the following form with the student name and your email.
3rd, 4th, and 5th, grade families: your student has an opportunity to sing the National Anthem at the Cedar Rapids Kernel's game on Sunday, May 5th. Students that would like to sing will need to attend the game with a responsible adult.(Game time is 2 p.m., students need to arrive at 1:15 p.m.) Each student and adult would need a ticket. Tickets are $10.00 a piece. Forms to order tickets will come from the school at a later date. If your student is interested in singing please fill out the following form with the student name and your email.
Knight of Columbus 909 Fish Fry
Every Friday Night During Lent – Starting March 8th
Public is always welcome, invite your family & friends! Raffles will be offered with cash and non-cash prizes. Dinner is served from 5:30 - 8:00pm $12 – Adult All You Can Eat Fish Dinner
$10 - Seniors (65 and older) All You Can Eat Fish Dinner
$6.00 - Children (up to age 12) - All You Can Eat Fish Dinner
$6.00 - Grilled Cheese Dinner -Ages 4 and under free
All dinners include: a baked potato or French fries, coleslaw, roll, dessert, coffee, milk or water (other drink options available with an additional charge). All proceeds benefit Knights of Columbus Council 909 charitable causes.
See you tomorrow night!
Tickets are still available and you are able to bid on auction items even if you are unable to attend. Check out our website.
Education Celebration - April 2nd
Registration is open for the April 2nd Education Celebration at the Capitol. If you are interested in attending this event with a group from St. Matthew Elementary, please let Amy Conlon know by Friday, February 22nd. We need to show our interest and support for school choice initiatives! The event takes place at noon and we encourage visits to legislators before/after the rally. A few notes are below!
Registration is open for the April 2nd Education Celebration at the Capitol. If you are interested in attending this event with a group from St. Matthew Elementary, please let Amy Conlon know by Friday, February 22nd. We need to show our interest and support for school choice initiatives! The event takes place at noon and we encourage visits to legislators before/after the rally. A few notes are below!
- Registrants will get information about the day and talking points in advance.
- If you want to take a tour of the Capitol, please let me know and I will get that scheduled
Summer Solutions
Believe it or not, it is that time again, time to start thinking about summer! Included below is a flyer for the Summer Solutions materials available for you. This includes both literacy and math, along with a few other options depending on grade level. Please highly consider this opportunity as it is a great way to keep students engaged and help reduce the summer slump and it compliments the workbooks we use throughout the school year!
Believe it or not, it is that time again, time to start thinking about summer! Included below is a flyer for the Summer Solutions materials available for you. This includes both literacy and math, along with a few other options depending on grade level. Please highly consider this opportunity as it is a great way to keep students engaged and help reduce the summer slump and it compliments the workbooks we use throughout the school year!
Reasons Why I Volunteer....
“I volunteer for two reasons: the first is to continue to know more people in the St. Matts community. We all have a common link and by seeing each other as a network we can build a more rewarding and vibrant school community. The second reason is that I think it is a good skill to teach our kids to be willing to give their time and talent.”
--Kate Lyon, mother of Emmett and Maggie
“I volunteer for two reasons: the first is to continue to know more people in the St. Matts community. We all have a common link and by seeing each other as a network we can build a more rewarding and vibrant school community. The second reason is that I think it is a good skill to teach our kids to be willing to give their time and talent.”
--Kate Lyon, mother of Emmett and Maggie
Xavier High School will host its Middle School Show Choir Contest, Xtravaganza, on Saturday March 2nd, with performances beginning at 10:05 a.m. Eleven choirs will compete during the day, including our very own Cedar Rapids LaSalle and Marion St. Joe’s Center Stage and Cedar Rapids Regis Radiance and Eclipse. The Xavier show choirs Xhilaration and Xuberance will perform in exhibition. The six highest scoring choirs will advance to the evening finals, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Admission to Xtravaganza 2018 is $13 for adults and $7 for students K-12 for the entire day. Concessions will be sold throughout the day, including Zio Johno’s over the dinner break. Come and enjoy an “Xciting” day of music, food and fun at Xtravaganza!
Regis Middle School After School Bus Driver Needed
Do you enjoy driving and want to work a few hours a week? Regis is currently seeking a part-time bus driver for after-school activities. Driving time is variable and will be in the Cedar Rapids/Marion area with occasional trips to Iowa City/Coralville. This position also would include some hours each month for maintaining the buses. Potential drivers should have a valid Class CDL license with passenger and air brake endorsements. If interested please contact Tracie Chute at tchute@regisroyals.org.
Xavier Alumni Vintage Store
The LaSalle-Regis-Xavier Alumni Association and Xavier Foundation are celebrating our Catholic high school heritage by offering vintage-inspired designs in a special apparel store! Each school represents the proud lineage of the Catholic high school tradition in the Cedar Rapids/Marion area. Proceeds from each purchase will support the Alumni Association. The online vintage store is currently open and will close at 5:00 p.m. (CST) on March 17th. You can order items with logos from Immaculate Conception, LaSalle, Regis, St. Patrick and St. Wenceslaus Schools. Orders are expected to be fulfilled mid-April 2019.
Do you enjoy driving and want to work a few hours a week? Regis is currently seeking a part-time bus driver for after-school activities. Driving time is variable and will be in the Cedar Rapids/Marion area with occasional trips to Iowa City/Coralville. This position also would include some hours each month for maintaining the buses. Potential drivers should have a valid Class CDL license with passenger and air brake endorsements. If interested please contact Tracie Chute at tchute@regisroyals.org.
Xavier Alumni Vintage Store
The LaSalle-Regis-Xavier Alumni Association and Xavier Foundation are celebrating our Catholic high school heritage by offering vintage-inspired designs in a special apparel store! Each school represents the proud lineage of the Catholic high school tradition in the Cedar Rapids/Marion area. Proceeds from each purchase will support the Alumni Association. The online vintage store is currently open and will close at 5:00 p.m. (CST) on March 17th. You can order items with logos from Immaculate Conception, LaSalle, Regis, St. Patrick and St. Wenceslaus Schools. Orders are expected to be fulfilled mid-April 2019.
Attention 8U Saints Softball Players and Parents!
There will be an 8U Saints Softball parent meeting for registered players in the Xavier Commons area on Tuesday, March 5th at 6:30-7:15 p.m. We need at least one parent to attend for each player. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT by emailing joeamylink@hotmail.com. We will discuss specifics of the season and get sizes for jerseys. You may bring your daughter if you want her to try on jersey samples, but otherwise it's not necessary for your daughter to be in attendance. Go Saints!
There will be an 8U Saints Softball parent meeting for registered players in the Xavier Commons area on Tuesday, March 5th at 6:30-7:15 p.m. We need at least one parent to attend for each player. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT by emailing joeamylink@hotmail.com. We will discuss specifics of the season and get sizes for jerseys. You may bring your daughter if you want her to try on jersey samples, but otherwise it's not necessary for your daughter to be in attendance. Go Saints!
Girls Bulldogs Basketball Skills Camps for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade
The Bulldogs girls’ basketball organization is to serve as a development program for Xavier High School. We will be offering a series of FREE Future Bulldogs Clinics to be held for the younger (1 st/2nd/3rd grade) girls to teach some basketball skills and drills; and to get them introduced to the Bulldog program. See the attached flier for specifics dates and more information
The Bulldogs girls’ basketball organization is to serve as a development program for Xavier High School. We will be offering a series of FREE Future Bulldogs Clinics to be held for the younger (1 st/2nd/3rd grade) girls to teach some basketball skills and drills; and to get them introduced to the Bulldog program. See the attached flier for specifics dates and more information
SAVE THE DATE - Friday, April 5th, for Regis' Royal T Night!
Mark Friday, April 5th, 6:30-10:30pm on your calendar and plan to attend Regis Middle School's annual Royal T Night at Regis' Richard J. Breitbach Gymnasium, 735 Prairie Drive NE, Cedar Rapids. This year's event theme is ROCK THE BLEACHERS! All proceeds from this casual, adults-only evening of food, drink, games, raffles and silent and live auctions will go toward updating the gymnasium bleachers, which are original to when Regis High School opened. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Regis at 319-363-1968. If you'd like to make a monetary donation, donate an item for the auctions, or if you have an interest in purchasing a portion of the current wood bleachers please contact Dianne Clarke at dclarke@regisroyals.org or 319-363-1968. Thank you for your support of Regis Middle School!
Mark Friday, April 5th, 6:30-10:30pm on your calendar and plan to attend Regis Middle School's annual Royal T Night at Regis' Richard J. Breitbach Gymnasium, 735 Prairie Drive NE, Cedar Rapids. This year's event theme is ROCK THE BLEACHERS! All proceeds from this casual, adults-only evening of food, drink, games, raffles and silent and live auctions will go toward updating the gymnasium bleachers, which are original to when Regis High School opened. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Regis at 319-363-1968. If you'd like to make a monetary donation, donate an item for the auctions, or if you have an interest in purchasing a portion of the current wood bleachers please contact Dianne Clarke at dclarke@regisroyals.org or 319-363-1968. Thank you for your support of Regis Middle School!
Message from the Principal
Many hands make light work. As you saw earlier, we highlighted a few individuals who have contributed greatly to our community this week. However, it does not go unnoticed all the other things that many of you do, such as:- All you regular lunchroom volunteers
- Parent Association
- Mardi Gras committee
- Classroom volunteers and helpers
- And the countless others
--Mrs. Amy Conlon
Essentials Team Highlight
Hello Jaguar Families! The music room is full of students making and creating music! Even our youngest Jaguars are working on using buckets to play along with a song from Moana. We will continue focusing on music literacy up until spring break. When we get back from break the 4th and 5th grade students will begin focusing on getting their songs ready for our May 14th concert. The other students will get the opportunity to build an instrument. Have a great weekend!--Mrs. Williams
Next Week's Birthdays
March 6 - Grace Kane
Make sure to follow us on social media:
Twitter - @StMattsJags
Facebook - @StMatthewCedarRapids
