St. Matthew Elementary Jaguar Journal
May 15, 2020
St. Matthew Elementary
Jaguar Journal
Student Improvement Advisory Council (SIAC)
The SIAC committee meets once a year to review student improvement items. We are going to be meeting on Thursday, May 21st at 3PM; all individuals interested in helping with these conversations, please let me know and I will send you the Zoom link. On the agenda are the following items:
- Health and Wellness policy
- Cafeteria conversations - new space, 2020-2021 plan, electronic payments
- WIN
Please let me know of interest by Wednesday May 20th. We would love to have a great group for our conversations.
Iowa Catholic Conference Legislative Alert
Catholic education has played an important role in lifting many from poverty to a more hopeful future. This mission is in danger as a result of the economic devastation facing many families across the country. Abrupt unemployment and lost income has meant financial difficulties for many families.
Additionally, our parishes which normally provide financial support to the schools to keep tuition within financial reach for families have lost much of their Sunday collections with the halt to the public celebration of Masses.
Please take a moment to click this link and contact your Members of Congress to ask for emergency aid to Catholic schools and our families in the next Covid-19 Legislation package. Our requests include: equitable access to K12 federal funds for Catholic schools, direct funding to families for tuition aid and tax breaks for K12 tuition payments.
We encourage you to add your own personal story in the message as well.
Catholic schools urgently need help in this time of uncertainty. By speaking with one voice, we can amplify this problem with Congress and provide help for our families.
Additionally, our parishes which normally provide financial support to the schools to keep tuition within financial reach for families have lost much of their Sunday collections with the halt to the public celebration of Masses.
Please take a moment to click this link and contact your Members of Congress to ask for emergency aid to Catholic schools and our families in the next Covid-19 Legislation package. Our requests include: equitable access to K12 federal funds for Catholic schools, direct funding to families for tuition aid and tax breaks for K12 tuition payments.
We encourage you to add your own personal story in the message as well.
Catholic schools urgently need help in this time of uncertainty. By speaking with one voice, we can amplify this problem with Congress and provide help for our families.
Pastor Appreciation Day
Pastor Appreciation Day was this past Sunday, May 3rd. We shared our appreciation with Father Don on Monday with a few of his favorites. As many of you know, though, Father Don will be leaving us this summer as he has been reassigned to St. Cecilia in Ames. We would like to put together a book of thank you's and share with him the last week of school. I am attaching some documents for you to print from here but also know copies are available in the ECC main entrance or feel free to make a card from things you have at home. Cards can be mailed to the school (2244 1st Avenue NE, CR, IA 52403) or dropped in the box in the ECC entrance as well. Thank you for doing this to celebrate the amazing things Father Don has done for us in his short time here.
AUP - Acceptable Use Policy
It is that time of year when we review our technology acceptable use policy (AUP). Included below is the copy that will be reviewed at the May School Board Meeting on Thursday May 21st; please send any comments or suggestions to aconlon@stmatthewcr.org by Wednesday, May 20th.
It is that time of year when we review our technology acceptable use policy (AUP). Included below is the copy that will be reviewed at the May School Board Meeting on Thursday May 21st; please send any comments or suggestions to aconlon@stmatthewcr.org by Wednesday, May 20th.
Lunchroom Notes
The remaining balance left on your student(s) account will carry over to the next school year whether it is positive or negative. If your student will be attending Regis Middle School, your positive balance will be transferred to Regis. If your student will not be attending either St. Matts or Regis, please contact me.
We, along with everyone else, are disappointed in the abrupt way our school year ended. We are especially sad we won’t be able to send our 5th graders off with a great Rainbow Day lunch. You are all missed and we look forward to seeing everyone when you return to school. Until then, stay safe and God Bless!
Ms. Nelson and the Kitchen Crew - KNelson@stmatthewcr.org
Virtual Parent Association Meeting - Monday, May 18th
Instructions to join the call will be given to those who RSVP. The purpose is to wrap things up for this year, and vote on upcoming 2020/2021 activities, will also be announcing the new Executive Board
Instructions to join the call will be given to those who RSVP. The purpose is to wrap things up for this year, and vote on upcoming 2020/2021 activities, will also be announcing the new Executive Board
Pastoral Council, Faith Formation Commission and School Board Candidates
It is time to begin our annual process of nominating, electing and appointing members of the St. Matthew Pastoral Council, Faith Formation Commission and St. Matthew School Board.
Parishes normally elect new members annually on or before the third Sunday of May. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hope to hold the elections in June. Newly-elected board members will take office at the first meeting of their respective board after July 1, 2020.
St. Matthew Pastoral Council Candidates Needed:
3 Candidates for 3 Year Terms & 2 Candidates for 1 Year Terms
St. Matthew School Board Candidates Needed:
2 Candidates for 3 Year Terms
Faith Formation Commission Members Needed:
3 Members or more are needed to serve
Interested candidates need to turn in a short bio and electronic picture
to the parish office by May 20th. Email to kyordi@stmatthewcr.org.
St. Matthew Pastoral Council
Candidates need to be members of St. Matthew Parish and practicing Catholics in good standing with our church. They need to be willing to work with the pastor and other members of the council for setting the direction of the parish. They also cooperate in planning with the School Board for the good of St. Matthew School and Early Childcare Center.
Prospective candidates should be actively involved in parish life. Council members participate in monthly meetings or when special meetings are called. Before the meetings, members prepare by reading committee minutes.
St. Matthew Catholic School Board
Candidates need to be members of St. Matthew Parish and practicing Catholics in good standing with our church. The School Board works with the pastor and the principal in setting policies for St. Matthew School and Early Childcare Center. Members cooperate with the Pastoral Council in planning for the good of the parish as well.
Candidates should be actively involved in our school and in our parish. Members participate in monthly meetings or when special meetings are called. They should be supporters of our school and teachers.
**Of note: In March 2020, an update was made to the St. Matthew School Board Constitution that allows 3 appointed members (individuals who do not go through the parish election process); these individuals can be representatives from St. Matthew, St. Wenceslaus and/or Immaculate Conception Parishes. The addition of St. Wenceslaus and Immaculate Conception parishes are because these two parishes provide financial support to their families who attend St. Matthew Elementary. Those interested from St. Matthew Parish should use the parish election process; however, individuals interested from St. Wenceslaus and Immaculate Conception should receive a recommendation from their respective pastor. Once received, the School Board will vote upon the recommendation.
St. Matthew Faith Formation Commission
Members of the Faith Formation Commission work with the pastor, Director of Faith Formation and the Coordinator of Faith Formation. The Commission advises, assists and supports the staff in bringing faith formation opportunities to our parishioners of all ages. The Commission offers support and guidance of Sacramental preparations including First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. They also assist with Adult Education including the annual Advent Retreat.
Grab ‘N Go Meals
Grab ‘N Go Meals will remain throughout the summer months, Monday - Friday, 10:30 am - 1:00 pm, at nine designated locations: Arthur Elementary, Grant Elementary, Grant Wood Elementary, Hoover Elementary, Johnson Elementary, Nixon Elementary, Taylor Elementary, Wright Elementary, and Roosevelt Middle School.
- No charge for meals
- Pick up breakfast and lunch
- 1 breakfast & 1 lunch for each child, 18 years or younger
- Families will not be able to enter buildings
- Meals will not be consumed on-site
- No ID or paperwork required
Faith Formation
Annual registration of Family Formation (previously Religious Education) including Sacramental preparations for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, is open! Second graders must attend Catholic school, and/or attend Family Formation. ALL families with children ages K-5 are welcome and encouraged to join our Family Formation Program. Please visit the St. Matthew website and follow the "Grow in Faith" link to read about the program, and to submit your registration for 2020-2021 Family Formation sessions. Please contact Julie Testin, CFF, at the parish office #362-9967 with questions.
Knights of Columbus Resources
Being inside doesn’t mean you can’t explore the world virtually. Using free online resources, you and your family can visit museums, aquariums and historic items around the world from the comfort of your own home. Here’s a grab-bag assortment of educational resources to help our brother Knights and their families:
Xavier High School SOS ("Saints of Service")
Xavier students are happy to offer support and service to Xavier Catholic School families through student volunteers and outreach efforts. We invite you to complete the form below to share your family's specific needs. If you have already done so and your needs have changed, you are welcome to complete it again!
Each week, Xavier SOS coordinators will review your submission and will respond with how we can best assist your family. After completing the form, you should expect to hear from a parent volunteer OR an XHS student who has volunteered to help our families via the SOS effort.
Each week, Xavier SOS coordinators will review your submission and will respond with how we can best assist your family. After completing the form, you should expect to hear from a parent volunteer OR an XHS student who has volunteered to help our families via the SOS effort.
First Day of School Supplies
Yes, you are right, we are talking about the 2020-2021 school year. We have no control on how the school year is ending, but we can do something about how next year will start. We owe it to teachers, parents and students to make the start of this year to be the best ever.
1st Day School Supplies allows you to purchase your students school supplies NOW and ONLINE, they are then shipped to your students classroom teacher and waiting for you on Meet Your Teacher day. I just ordered mine for all 3 kids in less than 10 minutes; it is super easy and the best thing to avoid the craziness of back to school shopping in August!
1st Day School Supplies allows you to purchase your students school supplies NOW and ONLINE, they are then shipped to your students classroom teacher and waiting for you on Meet Your Teacher day. I just ordered mine for all 3 kids in less than 10 minutes; it is super easy and the best thing to avoid the craziness of back to school shopping in August!
Xavier High School News
Upcoming Birthdays
May 19 - Emily Frisby
May 21 - Ruby Maybanks
Make sure to follow us on social media:
Twitter - @StMattsJags
Facebook - @StMatthewCedarRapids
