Principals Post
March 10, 2010

Dear Lourdes Catholic School Families,   

We are almost to the end of the 3^rd Quarter and to Spring Break!  We aren’t done yet---there are some important things I need from you before you enjoy a week away from school.  Please read below to see pre-registration and focus group information. 

Thank you to the families who have returned your pre-registration paperwork for the ’10-’11 school year.  All forms should be turned in by tomorrow: Thursday, March 12^th.

Speaking of numbers, only three parents have registered to participate in the March 31^st Focus Groups.  This is a chance for your voice to be heard regarding the future of our school and the OLOL parish.  You do NOT have to be a member of the OLOL parish to participate.  Please look at your calendar for March 31^st and consider participating in this activity.  The times have been scattered for convenience----the AEA is planning to send 6 consultants to hold these focus groups.  We need a strong turnout.  Information is as follows:

FOCUS GROUPS: The Focus Groups will be held on Wednesday, March 31^st at school and in the church conference rooms.  Times for the meetings will be 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.  You would only need to attend one of the listed times.  Staff from the AEA (Area Education Association) will be conducting the Focus Groups and will present the information to the Strategic Planning Committee.  If you are interested in participating, please call or email Mrs. Courville (359-3466 x102 or bcourville@mail.lourdes.pvt.k12.ia.us).  Please also let Mrs. Courville know your preferred time

Please keep in your prayers the 33 students preparing for First Holy Communion and 52 Candidates preparing for Confirmation.

Congratulations to one of our 4th graders. She was selected as a winner in the Catholic Messenger contest, “Why my priest is important to me.” She will have lunch with the Bishop on May 7^th.

Congratulations to two of our school's wrestlers who participated in the AAU Super Pee-Wee State Wrestling Tournament held March 6th and 7th in Waterloo, IA.

v      St. Ambrose University, continuing its mission of service to the Diocese of Davenport, announces the Menke Parish Scholarship Program for the 2010/2011 Academic Year. Each parish will once again have a $1000.00 scholarship to be awarded to a new first year or transfer student to St. Ambrose. To qualify, the student must be a member of the parish, be nominated by his/her pastor, and meet the admissions and financial aid requirements of St. Ambrose University. The scholarship can only be used for undergraduate work. Contact Fr. Tim Sheedy or Joyce Kloft to receive more information 563-359-0345.

v      The Marguerite A. Ritzinger Scholarship-The Diocese received a wonderful gift in the estate of Marguerite Ritzinger, formerly of St. Mary Church, Sigourney, Iowa.  The Diocese established a committee of people to determine how to administer the scholarship.  We have decided to give ten $1000.00 scholarships each year to Catholic students spread among college freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.  The application can be found on the Diocesan homepage at www.davenportdiocese.org.  Deadline to submit information is April 1st.

v      Marie Frye, a long time parishioner and volunteer at Our Lady of Lourdes, recently passed away.  In her memory, the Marie Frye Scholarship to support Catholic education for young women has been established.  Beginning in 2010 and continuing thereafter, this $500 scholarship will be awarded to one 8^th grade Lourdes student planning on attending Assumption High School.  The Marie Fry Scholarship will be awarded to the student who shows a strong commitment to volunteering, may have financial difficulty in attending AHS, and has earned a ‘C’ or above average at LCS.  All young women who fulfill these criteria are encouraged to submit a one page essay as application for this scholarship.  In addition, the essay should include your plans and/or goals in attending AHS.  Essays are due May 3, and the scholarship will awarded at the graduation ceremony on May 27.  Please contact Kristyn Tjaden (kristyn_tjaden@yahoo.com or 340-8316) for questions or additional information. 

v      ‘A Faith-Filled Future’ The Assumption High School Scholarship Sponsored by Lourdes Catholic School-Lourdes Catholic School wishes to encourage students to continue their Catholic education through the attendance at our local Catholic high school, Assumption.  LCS also wants to acknowledge the hard work by our students and understands the financial constraints of some families.  This scholarship will be awarded to two graduating Lourdes eighth grade students as an annual Assumption tuition assistance of $500 for each year in attendance at Assumption.  This $500 will be paid directly to Assumption High School upon the student’s entry in August at Assumption.  If, for some reason, either award winner changes his or her mind about attending Assumption, the committee will award the tuition to another qualifying student.  The scholarship will be awarded on a yearly basis to two different, newly entering ninth grade Assumption students from Lourdes.  Application forms are available in the church or school offices.  Students must submit the application IN FULL to the Lourdes principal no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 7, 2010.   (NO EXCEPTIONS will be allowed!)  The applicant must be a baptized, confirmed and a practicing Catholic.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mrs. Selden at 563-359-3466 or kselden@mail.lourdes.pvt.k12.ia.us.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR: Our Lady of Lourdes School and Parish in Bettendorf, IA is seeking applicants for the position of Development Director.  This full-time job will focus on increasing school enrollment and parish growth through development and implementation of a marketing strategy.  The ability to build relationships within the school and parish, Davenport Diocese, and public will be vital as well. Fundraising and grant writing skills are desirable.  Candidates must have a 4-year degree or equivalent experience in marketing/sales, along with a passion for Catholic education.  It is expected that the director will be active as a Lourdes parishioner, with this being their only employment.  Resumes of those wishing to apply should be received by March 24^th at the following address:  Our Lady of Lourdes Church--Development Director, 1506 Brown St. Bettendorf, IA  52722

End of the Quarter:

3^rd Quarter wraps-up on Thursday, March 11^th.  There is no school on Friday, March 12^th.  Report Cards will be available to pick-up on Friday, March 26^th after 3:00.  Conference request forms will go home Monday, March 22th.  Conferences will be Monday, March 29^th and Tuesday, March 30^th from 4-8 p.m.

Announcements:

*Thursday, March 11^th is a NUT day!  All students may dress out of uniform, however, shorts are still not allowed.

*The Lourdes Little Lancers House will be open Friday, March 12th but will be closed during spring break from Monday, March 15 to Friday, March 19.

*There will be no before/after school care from Friday, March 12 to Friday, March 19.

*AHS Spring Musical, “Into the Woods” will be performed March 19th (7:30 p.m.), 20^th (7:30 p.m.), and 21^st (2:00 p.m.).  Tickets are available at: www.assumptionhigh.org and also at the door.  Tickets cost $9 for adults and students/seniors cost $7.  LCS students received a free pass last week to attend the performance.

Spring Book Fair will begin Wednesday, March 24^th.  Look for an email soon asking for volunteers to help with this wonderful fundraiser for the library.

Have a restful and FUN Spring Break!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Katie Selden