Shamrock News Announcements:

Bishops Initiative Meeting: Dave Faber, Superintendent for the Office of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Grand Rapids will be here on Thursday, February 18 in the parish hall to receive feedback from those involved with our school community. This forum will discuss the Bishops Initiative on Catholic Schools as well as do fact finding on our parish school. There are two ses-sions that will discuss the same topics. The times are 5:00 – 6:30 pm and 7:00 – 8:30 pm. We hope to see you there. AQ College Class Surveys: Sophomore and junior parents – please return Aquinas College surveys to the school office as soon as possible. Calendar: Many have been asking about a school calendar for next school year. We have a draft of a traditional calendar that has been completed but is not being sent out at this time. There is discussion of a balanced calendar (start earlier in Au-gust with more breaks scheduled throughout the school year and finish later in June) with the public schools in Ionia County at this time. We are waiting to see what those discussions bear as we would look at the possibility of joining them if they move towards a more balanced calendar. Jean Days: Friday, February 19: With Lent beginning, this jean day will be combined with our parish Rice Bowl contributions that are col-lected throughout Lent. Congratulations: To our newly commissioned Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Kelsey Schneider, Noah Goodman, Amelia Schrau-ben, Mallory Scheurer and Emma Gunderman.

Drama Club: Drama Club will begin on Tuesday, February 16th. There will be two sessions. Grades 6-12 will meet from 2:30 - 3:30 pm and grades 3-5 will meet from 3:50 - 5 pm in Room 112. The sign up form is included in the online version of this newsletter.

Attention National Honor Society Parents: An “Understanding Financial Aid” Webinar will take place on Feb. 17th at 7pm. You must pre-register. More information on the flyer in the online version of this newsletter.

Lego League: Another session of Lego League will begin on Tuesday, February 16th at 6 pm. If you are returning or inter-

8/28/15

Shamrock News 2/12/16

St. Patrick School 122 West Street Portland, MI 48875 www.portlandstpats.com

Calendar of Events

2/12 JV/Var. Boys BB vs. Saranac @ PMS 6p

2/15 NO SCHOOL - Mid Winter Break/Presidents Day

Bowling @ Carson City-Crystal 3:30p

2/16 PFCU Student Run Branch during lunches

JV/Var. Girls BB @ Saranac 5:30p

Drama Club Grades 6-12 Room 112 2:30 - 3:30p

Drama Club Grades 3-5 Room 112 3:50 - 5:00p

SPS Lego League 6p

2/17 Shamrock Art Attack Room 111 2:30 - 4:30p

7/8 grade Girls BB @ Potterville 5p

PTO Meeting Room 208 6p

Sanchin-Ryu Room 209 6p

2/18 Mass lead by the 8th grade 9:30a

Shamrock Art Attack Room 111 2:30 - 4:30p

Community Forum—Catholic Schools—

Bridging Faith & Future in Parish Hall 5p & 7p

JV/Var. Girls BB @ Potterville 5:30p

2/19 Reconciliation for 11th Grade 8:30a

Stations of the Cross 1:30p

JV/Var. Boys BB @ Potterville 5:30p

2/20 5/6 grade Girls BB vs. IHM/St. Casimir @ SPS 10a

2/25 Preschool, DK, Kindergarten Open House 6:30p

2/26 1/2 Day of School Grades DK-12 dismiss at 11:45a

NO BUSING (PPS not in session)

Scrip Scrip is an easy way to earn money toward tuition and our school. St. Patrick Parish participates in the Great Lakes Scrip Program. You create an account, then through the program you buy gift cards at face value to use when you shop. A por-tion of every purchase goes into your account to be used for your child’s Catholic education or to any school or church fund.

There are over 300 retailers to choose from such as Meijer, Barnes & Noble, Burger King, Michaels, Best Buy, Speedway and many more. Enroll in the “pre-enrollment” program and begin saving tuition dollars early. If you enlist grandparents and others to buy scrip and direct their earnings to your ac-count, the sky is the limit!

Scrip is available Monday through Friday at the Parish Office from 8:30 am-12:30 pm, 1:00-4:30 pm and on Wednesday eve-nings from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

For directions on how to start earning go to http://www.portlandstpats.com/scripgiftcards.htm.

COUNSELOR’S CORNER Hi Parents, HIGH SCHOOL NEWS There is a National College Fair on Wednesday, March 23 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. coming to Grand Rapids. The fair will be held at the DeVos Place downtown. I have not attended this event yet, so I can’t give you an opinion on it, but there will be numerous admissions counselors on hand to field questions from 63 different colleges. There will also be workshops and presen-tations. If you have a 10th, 11th or 12th grade student you are invited to come. To get your free tickets for the event please preregis-ter at www.gotomyncf.com. You will complete a short questionnaire and receive a ticket to print out. If you would like a brochure for the event please email or call me and I will make sure you receive one. MORE SCHOLARSHIP INFO THE MITA (Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association) is offering a scholarship for students who are interested in the heavy construction, engineering or highway construction trades. Please contact me for information. Portland Federal Credit Union is offering the McCrumb Scholarship. In order to apply you will need to be a member of PFCU. I have copies of the application and directions for completing the scholarship forms. Please have your child stop by my office to pick up a form if they would like to apply. Have a great weekend and hug your child today. Valerie Hynes McCaul, MA CTAS Guidance Counselor, SPS (517) 647-7551 EXT:204

Come visit our school!

St. Patrick School

Preschool, DK & Kindergarten Open House

Thursday, February 25, 2016

6:30 pm: Presentation in the Parish Hall

7:00 pm: Visit classrooms

Bring your children! Meet the teachers!

Drama Club Registration Form

Elementary (grades 3 – 5) _____

Middle School (grades 6 – 8) _____

High School (grades 9 – 12) _____

Dates: Each Tuesday beginning on February 16 (ending date TBA)

Times: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. for grades 6 – 12

3:50 – 5:00 p.m. for grades 3 - 5

Location: Room #112 (pickup at middle doors on West St.)

Directors: Mattie Timmer and Sara Pohl

Contact Info: Mattie Timmer madtimm@sbcglobal.net (517)316-5265

Sara Pohl spohl@portlandk12.org (517)896-5005

Please turn this form into your homeroom teacher or bring this completed form to your first Drama Club Meeting.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Child’s Name ____________________________ Grade ______ Age ______

Address ___________________________________ Phone ____________________

Parents Name _____________________________

Emergency Contact __________________________ Phone ____________________

I give permission for my child, ______________________ to participate in the event described above. In consideration of my

child being allowed to participate in this event, I agree to waive and release and indemnify and hold harmless St. Patrick School and all affiliated organizations, its employees, agent representative, volunteers, and drivers for any and all claims I or my child

may have, excluding claims for intentional misconduct or gross negligence, arising from or relating to my child’s participation in this event. I authorize St. Patrick’s School to obtain necessary medical treatment for my child in case of illness, injury, or accident.

I agree to uphold and follow all St. Patrick Schools policies as stated in the School and Athletic Handbooks.

Please list any allergies, medications, etc. ______________________________________

Parent Signature _________________________________ Date ___________________

Person Picking Up Child if not a parent _______________________________________

_______ Yes, I am able to serve as a volunteer for Drama Club.

If you have a child who will be five years old on or before December 1, 2016, we invite you and your family to consider St. Patrick School. St. Pat’s has been a part of the Portland community for more than 100 years. We work hard to give our students an education which allows them to grow spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and physically in a loving, Christian environment. We offer a unique, faith-based academic program to all students, regardless of faith. We are confident you will find St. Patrick School to be an excellent investment in your child’s future.

Please complete the attached form and return it to St. Patrick School by March 18 to be scheduled for a developmental screening appointment. The decision to enter developmental kindergarten or kindergarten will be based on the Gessell Developmental Observation. Screenings will take place on Friday, April 1, 2016. You may drop-off or mail your form to St. Patrick School at 122 West Street, Portland MI 48875. If you would like additional information, please call 517-647-7551.

Come visit our school!

St. Patrick School Kindergarten Open House

Thursday, February 25, 2016

6:30 pm: Presentation in the Parish Hall

7:00 pm: Visit classrooms

Bring your children! Meet the teachers!

St. Patrick School

Kindergarten Screening

122 West Street • Portland, Michigan 48875 Telephone (517) 647-7551 • Fax (517) 647-4545

All-day developmental kindergarten and kindergarten

Low student to teacher ratio

Fully certified teachers

Art, Music, Physical Education, Foreign Language, Library

Before and after-school supervision program

Curriculum meeting diocesan, state and national standards

Fully accredited through the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools

Big Rock/Little Rock mentoring program

In-district transportation

Tuition assistance available

Highest MME/ACT scores in the county

98% of graduates go on to post secondary education

Catholic Schools: Bridging Faith and Future

Developing a plan for school vitality

Help shape our future! Join Superintendent David Faber to explore, discuss and provide feedback on how to strengthen Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Items to be discussed: We will share the relevant and compelling data that has shaped the emerging strategic priorities and seek your input regarding those priorities. Who should attend? Anyone involved with, or interested in, learning more about Catholic schools. Times: Two community forums will be offered at each location. They will take place from 5:00-6:30pm and 7:00-8:30pm. Both forums will cover the same information; choose the one that’s best for you.

Locations and dates: February 18, 2016: St. Patrick (Parish Hall) 520 W. Grand River Ave. Portland, MI 48875 February 25, 2016: Corpus Christi Catholic School (Gymnasium) 12100 Quincy St. Holland, MI 49424 *7:00-8:30pm forum in Español March 1, 2016: Cathedral Square Center (Wege Conference Center) 360 Division Ave. S. Grand Rapids, MI 49503 March 8, 2016: Muskegon Catholic Central (Cafeteria) 1145 W. Laketon Ave. Muskegon, MI 49441 March 17, 2016: St. Mary Catholic School (Parish Center) 927 Marion Ave. Big Rapids, MI 49307 April 12, 2016: Ludington Area Catholic School (Family Center) 700 E. Bryant Rd. Ludington, MI 49431 April 18, 2016: San Juan Diego Academy (Gymnasium) 1650 Godfrey Ave. SW Wyoming, MI 49509 *Both forums in Español For more information, visit CatholicSchools4U.org or email our strategic planning team at in-fo@dogrschools.org.