The St. Boniface Blaze

Events, Updates and News from St. Boniface School

Volume XV, Issue I October, 2017

Our new school year began on Wednesday, August 16th. There was a lot of excitement as students returned to greet classmates and staff. School families were invited to join us for an all-school Opening Prayer Service on Friday, September 1st. The theme for the Prayer Service and the “goal” for the year is for each of us to “Make a Difference!”.

October is here! Know what that means? It’s time to put those uniform shorts away…

until next Spring!

There are some new faces in the crowd

this year. Let us introduce you to:

MS. CARRIE RASMAUR, SPEECH PATHOLOGIST

MRS. PAT RUSH, CPS SCHOOL PHYCHOLOGIST

and our newest “crop” of Volunteers…

MISS ESTHER SPURLOCK, MERCY VOLUNTEER CORPS (MVC) Miss Esther, as the children call her, is with us full-time, Monday through Friday. A little about Esther in her own words… Hello! My name is Esther Spurlock (Miss Esther) and I am the MVC volunteer at St. Boniface this year. I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and went to college at Seton Hill University where I got a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics. I graduated from college in 2015 and then spent 19 months working for PPG (a coatings company based in Pittsburgh). During my time at PPG, I got involved in the 2016 election and that experience of working to create social change is what prompted me to volunteer at St. Boniface. In my spare time, I like to spend time with my three community members who are also MVC volunteers, read the news, go for long walks and call up my friends and family from back home.

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DOMINICAN BROTHERS

BROTHER CHARLES grew up in Darien, Connecticut and has two brothers. He graduated from Duke University and then spent a year in Ireland where he earned a M.A. in Philosophy at Maynooth University.

BROTHER LUKE was born in California, but lived in several different states while growing up because his father was serving in the U.S. Navy. Because most of his family is there, he considers Michigan home. He has a younger brother and sister. He attended the Naval Academy and, upon graduation, he left flight school and the Navy to follow his call to the priesthood.

BROTHER VINCENT is one of five and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. He attended Aquinas College in Nashville, Tennessee and it is while he was there that he felt the call to a vocation as a Dominican priest.

We are blessed to have the Brothers with us on Thursdays throughout the year. They serve in many capacities – working with individual students and small groups, helping with cafeteria and recess duty, assisting in the classrooms and any other miscellaneous jobs around the school. We are grateful to have them during this year of formation.

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Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t extend a warm welcome to

our new students and families. We’re glad that you are now a part of

the St. Boniface School Community!

St. Boniface School Fall Conferences Wednesday, November 1st & Thursday, November 2nd All parents/guardians are highly encouraged to attend your student’s Fall Family-Teacher Conference. This is your opportunity to get to know your child’s teacher(s), check on your student’s academic progress and to discuss any concerns that you might have and hear some good things, too! Family-Teacher communication is vital for student success and everyone should take full advantage of this opportunity. By now, you should have received your conference times. If you have not, please call the School Office as soon as possible.

We’re always glad to see our Mother of Mercy Blazin’ Bobcat Buddies ! The “Buddies” made their first visit of this school year on Wednesday, October 4th. Students in grades K-4 had a chance to meet/get reacquainted with their “Buddies”.

Then, everyone had a sack lunch in the Gym, played games, worked on projects and just enjoyed each other’s company! Our students will visit Mother of Mercy High School in December.

Bobcat Buddies are the BEST!

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The St. Boniface Anniversary Garden

It’s been another successful growing season in the garden. Miss Barb Luken has worked hard through the seasons, prepping the ground, planting, watering and trimming all for the benefit of others. Clients at our St. Vincent DePaul food Pantry, garden volunteers and school and Parish staff all enjoyed the various fruits and vegetables grown. Additionally, fresh produce is provided to the school cafeteria to be included in student meals.

What to know more? Read Miss Luken’s Garden Journal on the school website.

“FAMILY-S” had their first gathering on Wednesday, September 27th. They had some “get to

know you” activities, received their shirts, had pictures taken and played Bingo. Everyone had great fun! FAMILIES will meet again on Wednesday, November 1st to discuss and celebrate the Feast of All Saints. Be sure to ask your students about their FAMILY-S experience!

THIRD GRADE UPDATE from Mrs. Perkins Third grade is off to a great start! We are learning a lot of new things. Our class mascot is Humpy, a stuffed Humpback whale. A lucky 3rd grader is

chosen each day to take him home. We also have a class pet. His name is Little Rascal and he is a Panda Hamster. He is black and white and enjoys rolling on the

floor in his hamster ball.

Little Rascal also received a blessing on Wednesday, October 4th, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.

Kids in Action Kick Off a New Year of Service Fifteen Middle School students attended the first meeting of the school year. The first order of business was to

discuss the purpose of the club: to put into practice the Gospel message to “Love your neighbor as yourself” or,

in other words, “to do nice things for other people”. Events and activities for the year were planned. Members

then had fun making posters to hang throughout the school, encouraging everyone at St. Boniface to “Make a

Difference”.

LaSalle High School Big Brothers are every Tuesday afternoon and our Ursuline Academy Big Sisters come on Thursdays after

school. Students in grades 3-5 are paired with a high school student. They meet throughout the year for activities, bonding, field trips and mentoring. Our students look forward to their time with their “Big Sibs” and we are grateful for their presence at St. Boniface.

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Blazer Band They’re at it again! Another year of beautiful music is in the works. Thirteen new members have joined Beginning Band this year. Welcome to: Elizabeth Louis Nathaly Bracero-Chala Michael Davis Yiri Diaz-Mercedes Emmanuel Hayes Maurice Howard

Melissa Howard Santo Luis Munoz Kehaulaini Newman Zach Nintrup Tyler Sipe Jayden Tolbert Tatumn Wharton

These newest additions to our Blazer Band are playing 4 trumpets, 2 trombones, 1 alto saxophone, 2 flutes, 3 clarinets and 4 on the drums.

BLAZER FALL SPORTS

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

A few words from Coach Fredrick… The Girls’ Basketball team, associated with The Friars Club, is coached by Mrs. Annie Timmons and Ms. Julia Fredrick. Even though the team has not won a game this season, the girls continue to improve. The main goal is not to win games, but to have a better understanding of the game and improve skill development. Besides basketball, the girls do an hour of homework before each practice and learn to practice the four values of the Friars Club, which are Respect, Responsibility, Leadership and Good Sportsmanship.

This year’s team members include: Amya Carroll Skylar Bryant Melissa Howard Tra’mya Morales Agnes Karumba Jarissa Adams Jada Shepard Nia Buchannon

Girls on the Run This year, Mrs. Kampel reports that, “We have 15 ENTHUSIASTIC 3rd and 4th Grade girls

participating”. Assisted by Mrs. Goldick, Mrs. Hampton, Miss Jauch and Miss Esther, they are preparing and training the girls to run in the big 5K race In Downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, November 18th.

“RIGHT IN OUR OWN BACKYARD” We are fortunate to have beautiful Parker Woods within blocks of our school and our students are able to enjoy annual Fall and Spring field trips to the park. On Monday, October 16th, Grades 4 and 5 walked to the park and participated in the Nature Connections Program there. Grade 4 learned about habitats and the topic for Grade 5 was ecosystems.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL FIELD TRIP TO THE ARONOFF CENTER

Students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 attended a performance by Black Violin on Tuesday, October 17th. Black Violin consists of two classically trained violinists who blend classical, hip-hop, rock, R & B and bluegrass music to create a unique style they call “Classical Boom”.

OFF TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH On Wednesday, October 18

th, students in Kindergarten and Grade 1 headed off to the

Benton Family Farm. There, they were able to see and pet farm animals. Students

also learned about bees and how honey is made. Then,

they took a tractor Hay Ride out to the pumpkin patch to

pick a pumpkin right off of the vine!

Students are required to wear their TKD black uniform pants for gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Red, St. Boniface T-shirts can be worn as part of the TKD gym uniform.

Each student is given a name tag. These are to remain at school at the end of the day. If your student accidentally brings theirs home, please make sure they return it to school. Replacement name tags will cost $3.00.

Hurricane Help We are all aware of the devastating effects that Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Jose have caused in recent

months. Students participated in a raffle to raise money for Hurricane relief. Raffle tickets were sold before

school and during lunch periods over three weeks. Three lucky students won bicycles and helmets.

Congratulation to: Isabella Browning, Grade 5, Laniece Peppers, Grade 5, and Abby Randolph, Grade 1 .

$265.00 was raised directly from the raffle and additional donations from students, families and friends brought

the grand total to $500.00! The money was sent to Houston Cristo Rey College Preparatory High School.

Although the school itself escaped damage, many of the school’s families lost everything they had – homes,

clothing, furniture and vehicles. Our donations will be used to assist these families. A special thanks to Farion

Gray, Mathias Horstman and Dianna Fields for their faithful commitment to selling tickets each morning before

classes.

Please remember… to clip Boxtops for Education and Campbell’s Labels for

Education. Our school earns money for each label turned in. Every little bit helps and we are grateful for whatever you can do!

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SAVE THE DATE! In seven short weeks…on December 12th, our 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students will be performing in the Christmas Program. They will present the Christmas Story through skits, singing and playing musical instruments. Showtime will be 7:00PM!

Mark your calendars…

Friday, October 20th LAST DAY OF 1ST QUARTER Thursday, October 26th REPORT CARDS SENT HOME Monday, October 31st HALLOWEEN Tuesday, November 1st All Saints Day Liturgy 9:00AM Wednesday, November 1st FALL CONFERENCES Thursday, November 2nd FALL CONFERENCES Friday, November 3rd FALL BREAK (NO CLASSES) Sunday, November 5th (FALLBACK) DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME END November 22nd, 23rd, 24th Thanksgiving Break (NO CLASSES)

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