St. Matthew Elementary Jaguar Journal
April 18, 2019
St. Matthew Elementary
Jaguar Journal
Happy Easter - Message from the Principal
Many thanks to our 5th graders who just provided us a living stations of the cross experience, it was amazing! The stations of the cross display allowed us to walk the journey with Jesus in his final days and hours. I am so proud of their work to make this experience an amazing reminder of the Easter season, it will be one I treasure!
At this solemn time in our liturgical calendar, and more importantly, as we walk through Jesus' final days, it is a great time for us to take a minute in silence to pray. We all have so much to be thankful for and often times I find that amongst the hustle and bustle, the "thankfulness" gets lost amongst the "please help me with.......!" As a school, we have been using this week in preparation and learning about Jesus' sacrifices for us, especially sacrificing himself for the forgiveness of our sins.
Have a fantastic Easter with those you love.
--Mrs. Conlon
Many thanks to our 5th graders who just provided us a living stations of the cross experience, it was amazing! The stations of the cross display allowed us to walk the journey with Jesus in his final days and hours. I am so proud of their work to make this experience an amazing reminder of the Easter season, it will be one I treasure!
At this solemn time in our liturgical calendar, and more importantly, as we walk through Jesus' final days, it is a great time for us to take a minute in silence to pray. We all have so much to be thankful for and often times I find that amongst the hustle and bustle, the "thankfulness" gets lost amongst the "please help me with.......!" As a school, we have been using this week in preparation and learning about Jesus' sacrifices for us, especially sacrificing himself for the forgiveness of our sins.
Have a fantastic Easter with those you love.
--Mrs. Conlon
"Paws"itive Students
Nathan Bryant
Chase Rust
Tristan Rosteck
Annabell Deegan
Avery Ohde
Emerson Steffen
Mila Pompei
Cooper Takes
Gianna D'Amico
Emma Feller
Important Upcoming Events
April 22 - School IS in session
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
May 1 - Mass 8:35 AM (2nd grade)
May 1 - Xavier Senior Walk at 12:45/1:00 PM
May 6-10 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 8 - Mass 8:35 AM (1st grade-Driscoll)
May 14 - Spring Concert Matinee at 2 PM
May 14 - Spring Concert at 7 PM
May 15 - Mass 8:35 AM (1st grade-VanBerkum)
May 17 - Rainbow Olympics Day in PM
May 22 - Mass 8:35 AM (4th grade)
May 31 - Last Day of School (early dismissal)
Holy Week Mass Times
Included in the picture at the right is a list of all the Mass times for the Catholic churches in Cedar Rapids during Holy Week and for Easter Sunday. You will also find the address of each church.
Holy Week is the annual Christian observance commemorating Jesus' last week on earth and the events leading up to his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Did you know that Holy Thursday is just the start of a 3 day liturgy called the Triduum which continues through Good Friday and Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)?
Included in the picture at the right is a list of all the Mass times for the Catholic churches in Cedar Rapids during Holy Week and for Easter Sunday. You will also find the address of each church.
Holy Week is the annual Christian observance commemorating Jesus' last week on earth and the events leading up to his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Did you know that Holy Thursday is just the start of a 3 day liturgy called the Triduum which continues through Good Friday and Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)?
Please check out the IGNITE booklet for more details on our Holy Week Mass and Reconciliation Times: http://www.stmatthewcr.org/parish/files/2019/02/Spring-IGNITE-2019.pdf
We are looking for a few more volunteers to get their feet washed on Holy Thursday during our Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7pm. Jesus washed the feet of his 12 apostles before the Last Supper to show how they are called to serve others. Like the apostles, we are also called to serve others. Please email Kate Tyler at Ktyler@stmatthewcr.org to be among those who will have their feet washed.
We are looking for a few more volunteers to get their feet washed on Holy Thursday during our Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7pm. Jesus washed the feet of his 12 apostles before the Last Supper to show how they are called to serve others. Like the apostles, we are also called to serve others. Please email Kate Tyler at Ktyler@stmatthewcr.org to be among those who will have their feet washed.
First Day School Supplies
Make your back to school prep that much easier this fall by placing and order for your school supplies now. First Day School Supplies is on online school supply company that has put together custom supply boxes for St. Matthew School students. You can find out more and Order Here!
(Orders must be placed by June 30th. Make sure when they ask for the zip code you are putting the school zip code: 52402)
Make your back to school prep that much easier this fall by placing and order for your school supplies now. First Day School Supplies is on online school supply company that has put together custom supply boxes for St. Matthew School students. You can find out more and Order Here!
(Orders must be placed by June 30th. Make sure when they ask for the zip code you are putting the school zip code: 52402)
Spring Concert - Mark Your Calendar
With the warmer weather finally upon us we are getting ready for the 4th and 5th Grade Spring Music Concert. The concert will be on Tuesday, May 14 at 7:00 PM here in the St. Matthew Gym. Students will be expected to arrive at 6:45. Students should plan on wearing dress code or better, remembering that we will be dancing, playing buckets, as well as singing. The 5th grade band will also be performing that evening. The concert should be done by 8:00. We cannot wait to show you what we have been working on this semester in music class. Many of the students have also spent some extra time working on additional music skills for small groups. Being part of a performance is one of the National Standards that we are blessed to be able to support here at St. Matthew.
With the warmer weather finally upon us we are getting ready for the 4th and 5th Grade Spring Music Concert. The concert will be on Tuesday, May 14 at 7:00 PM here in the St. Matthew Gym. Students will be expected to arrive at 6:45. Students should plan on wearing dress code or better, remembering that we will be dancing, playing buckets, as well as singing. The 5th grade band will also be performing that evening. The concert should be done by 8:00. We cannot wait to show you what we have been working on this semester in music class. Many of the students have also spent some extra time working on additional music skills for small groups. Being part of a performance is one of the National Standards that we are blessed to be able to support here at St. Matthew.
Xavier Senior Walk
The 2019 graduating class from Xavier High School will take one last trip down memory lane at St. Matthew Elementary on Wednesday, May 1st around 12:45/1:00 PM. All are welcome to attend! Just a note that our 5th grade students will participate in this walk at Regis Middle School as they will be there for their 5th grade retreat. Dress code for the day will be:
The 2019 graduating class from Xavier High School will take one last trip down memory lane at St. Matthew Elementary on Wednesday, May 1st around 12:45/1:00 PM. All are welcome to attend! Just a note that our 5th grade students will participate in this walk at Regis Middle School as they will be there for their 5th grade retreat. Dress code for the day will be:
- Dress Code Bottoms
- Xavier or St. Matthew Top
Mia, Jolene, and Aimele got up early this past Saturday morning to represent St. Matthew at the Coe College Honor Band. These three were able to play with over 100 other students. They worked with a two guest conductors. One of them was even the composer of two of their pieces. The worked hard and performed beautifully. Way to go Ladies!
Message from the Library
The last week to check out books from the library will be the week of May 6-10th. Beginning the week of May 13-17th we will be sending home slips with the books that are still checked out. Please help us get the library ready for our next school year.
~Mrs. Bates and Mrs. Williams
The last week to check out books from the library will be the week of May 6-10th. Beginning the week of May 13-17th we will be sending home slips with the books that are still checked out. Please help us get the library ready for our next school year.
~Mrs. Bates and Mrs. Williams
St. Matthew Day at the Kernels
Please join us for St. Matthew Day at the Cedar Rapids Kernels! This fun and exciting event will take place on Sunday, May 5th at 2:05 PM. Gates open at 1:00 PM, and the Kernels will take on the Dayton Dragons. It’s IPTV Daniel Tiger Day—the first 1,000 kids at the game get a free IPTV Kids Clubhouse Adventures baseball cap and can meet Daniel Tiger! Kids 12 and under eat free at the game (they will receive a coupon when they enter the main gates), and kids can play catch in the outfield and get autographs from the players after the game. Tickets are just $10.00, a savings of $2.00 off the regular box office price, AND $2.00 of each ticket goes back to support St. Matt’s. Tickets can be purchased using the flyer distributed at school, OR online by using the special URL below: (This special link will be active until Saturday, May 4th at Midnight.) If you do not want to buy your tickets online, you may also purchase them by calling the Kernels ticket office at (319) 896-7560. Please select the special ST. MATTHEW area in section 117 when ordering online and over the phone.)
https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/Buy.asp?EventID=276674&promocode=stmatt
Please join us for St. Matthew Day at the Cedar Rapids Kernels! This fun and exciting event will take place on Sunday, May 5th at 2:05 PM. Gates open at 1:00 PM, and the Kernels will take on the Dayton Dragons. It’s IPTV Daniel Tiger Day—the first 1,000 kids at the game get a free IPTV Kids Clubhouse Adventures baseball cap and can meet Daniel Tiger! Kids 12 and under eat free at the game (they will receive a coupon when they enter the main gates), and kids can play catch in the outfield and get autographs from the players after the game. Tickets are just $10.00, a savings of $2.00 off the regular box office price, AND $2.00 of each ticket goes back to support St. Matt’s. Tickets can be purchased using the flyer distributed at school, OR online by using the special URL below: (This special link will be active until Saturday, May 4th at Midnight.) If you do not want to buy your tickets online, you may also purchase them by calling the Kernels ticket office at (319) 896-7560. Please select the special ST. MATTHEW area in section 117 when ordering online and over the phone.)
https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/Buy.asp?EventID=276674&promocode=stmatt
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.
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....
There are so many organizations that are in need of volunteers, and we are all limited in the time we have to commit to these worthy causes. You'll often hear me say, "If I'm going to volunteer my time, it's going to be with St. Matthew." After all, there's no other place that has more of an impact on my family's lives than our time spent at our church and school. I have found so many benefits from volunteering with our Parish ...interaction with all ages; improved relationships with staff and my children; lifelong friendships; and an overall sense of bettering our community. I have found my volunteer time to be a stress-reliever (planting flowers with preschoolers), entertaining (roller skating with 1st and 2nd graders), and joyous (that feeling post-Mardi Gras). I firmly believe when a community of volunteers come together and dedicate their time and resources to build a solid foundation of support, it gives everyone involved a more meaningful experience. This community continues to bless our family and we will do what we can for its betterment.
--Amy Thuente, mom of Evan, Lila, Jack, & Audi (little super volunteer!)
There are so many organizations that are in need of volunteers, and we are all limited in the time we have to commit to these worthy causes. You'll often hear me say, "If I'm going to volunteer my time, it's going to be with St. Matthew." After all, there's no other place that has more of an impact on my family's lives than our time spent at our church and school. I have found so many benefits from volunteering with our Parish ...interaction with all ages; improved relationships with staff and my children; lifelong friendships; and an overall sense of bettering our community. I have found my volunteer time to be a stress-reliever (planting flowers with preschoolers), entertaining (roller skating with 1st and 2nd graders), and joyous (that feeling post-Mardi Gras). I firmly believe when a community of volunteers come together and dedicate their time and resources to build a solid foundation of support, it gives everyone involved a more meaningful experience. This community continues to bless our family and we will do what we can for its betterment.
--Amy Thuente, mom of Evan, Lila, Jack, & Audi (little super volunteer!)
Xavier High School will be hosting a variety of summer camps for elementary and middle school students. Campers will have an opportunity to learn key skills from the coaches and moderators of Xavier's successful activities programs while having fun! Registration is now open. Campers will receive a t-shirt with their registration.
Head to http://www.xaviersaints.org/camps/ to register today and to see more information. All registration is online - no phone orders.
Contact Pam Barta in the XHS Activities Office with any questions at pam.barta@xaviersaints.org or 319-294-6635 ext. 302. Camps offered include:
Own a Piece of Regis History!
With the upcoming replacement of the historic wooden bleachers in the Regis Middle School gymnasium, and in an effort to preserve a part of that history, Regis has enlisted the help of Kory Helgens of Spring Run Designs in Marion, to create some beautiful memorabilia pieces from the wood. He has crafted a cross, spoon, cheese board and canoe paddle. If you attended the Royal T Night fundraiser, you got a sneak preview of them; if not, they are available in the Regis Main Office if you’d like to see them. We are taking pre-orders through May 3rd for anyone interested. You may access the Google Form found HERE to see pictures, get pricing information and let us know what you'd like to purchase. Please contact Dianne at dclarke@regisroyals.org or 363-1968 if you have questions. Thank you!
With the upcoming replacement of the historic wooden bleachers in the Regis Middle School gymnasium, and in an effort to preserve a part of that history, Regis has enlisted the help of Kory Helgens of Spring Run Designs in Marion, to create some beautiful memorabilia pieces from the wood. He has crafted a cross, spoon, cheese board and canoe paddle. If you attended the Royal T Night fundraiser, you got a sneak preview of them; if not, they are available in the Regis Main Office if you’d like to see them. We are taking pre-orders through May 3rd for anyone interested. You may access the Google Form found HERE to see pictures, get pricing information and let us know what you'd like to purchase. Please contact Dianne at dclarke@regisroyals.org or 363-1968 if you have questions. Thank you!
Message from the Principal
Please see Easter message above!
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
Essentials Team Highlight
Hi all, art has been rolling by. We are working on our Famous Works projects in the whole school. Each class has a different work of famous artist. We changed one part of the faces. Also we are looking forward to the Ceramics Center coming in 2 weeks to help us learn about clay. The 5th grade gets to go learn about the wheel throwing. If there are any parents who want to volunteer to help let me know. 5th grade art club is next week and we had a lot of fun with 3rd and 4th grade in Art club this week. -Mrs. M
Next Week's Birthdays
April 19th--Kellen Haverback
April 19th--Gavin Linn
April 21st--Rory Schaub
April 22nd--Emerson Steffen
Make sure to follow us on social media:
Twitter - @StMattsJags
Facebook - @StMatthewCedarRapids
