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Committees
Athletic Committee
Volunteers coordinate all extra-curricular athletic activities for Holy Family Parish School students- includes sports coordinators, coaches, uniforms, league fees, equipment and maintenance of gym and gym floor for volleyball and basketball. Sponsors a number of tournaments held at HFPS throughout the year. Also sponsors Little Dribblers, Little Spikers and the Spaghetti Dinner. The Athletic Committee is self-funded and meets monthly in the school cafeteria. Open meeting held every spring.
Development Committee
The Development Committee coordinates parish-wide annual Dinner Dance and Auction, Fr. Tom Kerstein Golf Outing, Guardian Angel Run, Annual Appeal, and Bus Trip to Chicago. They also cover some recruitment activities with assistance from Home and School. It publishes Family Ties newsletter. At least 50% of profits from these fundraisers go to the general operating budget (parish), with remaining funds earmarked for “B” budget list. Treasurer manages school endowment fund. Membership and involvement open. They meet as projects warrant.
Home and School Association
Volunteers organize a wide range of activities for school, teachers, parents, and students. Home and School is self-funded, and helps to cover wish list items on School’s B-Budget. Check calendar for meeting schedule. Meetings are open; voting on expenditures open to all Home and School members (parents/guardians who have paid the annual nominal Home and School Association dues).
School Board
Nine elected board members, plus teacher representatives, principal and pastor, set budget for school and deal with general school policy issues. Establishes and maintains “B” budget list, a list of items not covered in core budget, prioritized by teachers, principal, parents and parish. Also directs some long-range planning for the school. School Board meets the first Tuesday of the month in the school cafeteria. With exception of some budget meetings, meetings are open.
Activities and Events
All School Mass
Mass is usually celebrated on Wednesday mornings at 8:15 a.m. (during the school year) with alternating classes assisting and planning the liturgy. All families encouraged to attend.
Battle of the Books
Battle of the books is a literary competition for 4-6th grade students within the school and community
Boston Store Community Days
Community Days is a fundraiser that is held in the fall benefitting the school by selling coupon booklets to Boston Store.
Book Fair
The book sale benefits the school library and to provide opportunities for teachers to receive books/items from “wish list.” (Parents and children have the opportunity to purchase wish list items for the teachers and classrooms.) Open during the school day for students; evenings and weekends for parents and parishioners. Run by Home and School
Campus Ministry
Open to school students beginning in fifth grade. Provides opportunity for students to participate in special outreach programs and to plan programs and events which foster students’ spiritual growth- usually meets during lunch break.
Career Day
Career Day provides half-day presentations to middle school students on a wide-range of career options. Presented by persons involved in various occupations- often allows students to visit professional locations for presentations. Sponsored by Home and School every other year in spring
Catholic Book Fair
The Catholic Book Fair is held every other year and promotes Catholic Faith books. The sale is held during Lent.
Catholic Schools Week
CSW is a weeklong celebration in conjunction with National Catholic Schools Week, with special activities and projects throughout the week. Usually end of January. Coordinated by teachers with Home and School support
Christmas Concert
Annual performance by all students, K4-8, usually held in church. May also include concert by beginning and advanced bands.
Christmas Tree Sale
Every year, the school holds a Christmas Tree Sale in the school parking lot. The funds raised benefits the school.
Dinner Dance and Auction
The Auction is an annual parish-wide event. It is the single largest fundraiser benefiting the school. All parishioners, school families, and other supporter of the school invited to attend with more than 500 items up for bidding, auction, and raffles.
Epiphany Celebration
This is a one-day production of Epiphany Pageant by children of the school and parish which is held in church for families and parishioners. Parts are chosen day of production and costumes are made by parent volunteers with some supply assistance from Home and School. This also includes family potluck supper before production. Held near Epiphany, after Saturday Mass
Family Fun Night
Evening event with family friendly dinner served in school cafeteria for all school families during first quarter of school year. Carnival games for younger children, relay races and contests for older children. Run by Home and School
Father/Daughter Dance
The dance is a social event held for father and daughters.
Fr. Tom Kerstein Golf Outing
Parish-wide fall golf outing, sponsored by the Development Committee
Fine Arts Committee
The Fine Arts Committee promotes the fine arts though-out the year with activities and assemblies.
Guardian Angel Run
This is an annual Memorial Day run/walk with festivities and food for all ages. Held in memory of Peter Helf and all our dearly departed. Profits go to Holy Family Parish.
Hospitality
Provides and serves beverages, snacks and desserts at school events throughout the year. Home and School sponsored.
Lenten Offerings
Weekly collection or service projects during Lent; students bring requested items to donate at all-school Mass (i.e. items for homeless shelters, making Easter cards for nursing home residents, etc.). Coordinated by Home and School
Little Dribblers/Little Spikers
Basketball/volleyball clinics offered during winter and/or early summer for K4-4th graders. Basics of basketball/volleyball are taught and games are played. Open to school and non-school students; profits go to the Athletic Committee.
Magazine Sale
The Magazine sale is an annual fall subscription sale sponsored by Home and School. It is the only fundraiser that directly involves participation of students. Prizes awarded for participation and sales. Proceeds directly benefit the school and often fund large ticket items (i.e. computers, door security camera, hot lunch debit system).
Market Day
Market Day is a monthly fundraising food sale. Orders taken via forms sent home monthly, on-line or by telephone. It offers family-style frozen entrees, meats, vegetables, snacks, desserts and beverages. Orders picked up at school cafeteria. Parish-wide participation encouraged. Sponsored by Home and School
Middle School Musical
The musical is held in the spring and performed by the middle school students.
Open House
Organized by Recruitment Director and staffed by volunteers from the school. Held yearly in January to kick-off Catholic Schools Week, the school is open for tours to current and prospective parents and students, as well as interested parishioners.
Pancake Breakfast
Parish-wide pancake breakfast held in McCormick Hall on the Sunday at the end of Catholic Schools Week, usually in February. Community-building event with proceeds benefiting Home and School, its sponsor
Parent Orientation Night
Information night for parents held at the beginning of each school year. Brief general meeting followed by multiple presentations in all classrooms by teachers and staff. A “parents only” event
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Held twice yearly, in late fall and early spring. Attendance required at fall conference and encouraged at other conferences throughout the year.
Plant Sale
Home and School sponsored sale of annuals and hanging baskets, held in late May. Profits donated to parish to cover costs of its annual spring planting.
Respect Life Month
Weekly activities involving students in life issues, including respect for children, the elderly, the homeless, and the unborn. Coordinated by Home and School in October
Rice Bowl Lunch
Rice and water lunch held once a school year, (Ash Wednesday) to foster solidarity with children from impoverished nations and to raise funds for Operation Rice Bowl. Participation is optional and students are asked to contribute the regular lunch fee. Coordinated by Home and School
Room Parent Luncheon
Luncheon in September kicks off the school year and underscores the partnership between room parents and teachers. Sponsored by Home and School
School Band
School band is offered to students beginning in the 5th grade. The band holds 2 concerts a year.
Science Fair
The Science Fair is an annual Fair for middle school students to display completed long-term projects in the sciences; open to all school families, the parish and community. Science fair is judged by community members with science backgrounds.
Scouting
Available to all girls and boys; participation and meeting schedules vary from class to class. Troop and Den leaders are school parent volunteers.
Senior Luncheon
Home and School underwrites this event, where the seniors of the parish are invited to a luncheon in December. The students as well as alumni of the school, volunteer their time to assist with meal service as well as entertain the seniors. The luncheon is held in McCormick Hall.
Spaghetti Dinner
Parish and community wide dinner held annually served in McCormick Hall (Take-outs are available). Sponsored by Athletic Committee; profits benefit athletic programs.
Special Friends Day
Grandparents, friends and relatives are invited to school for prayer service, some kind of all-school gathering/program and tour of school.
Special Interest Day
Special Interest Day is a half day of activities in arts, athletics, cooking, crafts, etc. for first through fifth grade students. It is typically held in spring every other year. Sponsored by Home and School, volunteers are recruited to help run the programs and outside presenters are hired as well.
Spirit Wear Days
School days (typically early dismissal days and other days at the principal’s discretion) when students are permitted to wear Holy Family logo wear, such as t-shirts, sweats, denim shirts and Holy Family sportswear apparel. Spirit Wear is available for purchase during spirit wear sales, usually in fall.
Sports Teams
Interscholastic teams play available to 5th through 8th graders-boys and girls can participate in volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter. 7th and 8th grade girls play softball in the spring. Coordinated by Athletic Committee with volunteer coaches; governed by Archdiocesan regulations. Students may also join combined-track team with St. Monica School in the spring, and cross country team in the fall.
Spring Concert
The Spring Concert is an annual performance by students, K4 through 5th grade, usually held in school gym. Band concert may be the same evening or at another scheduled time.
Teacher In Service/Teacher Work Day
Only teachers report to school on these days set aside for professional development or report card preparation.
Used Book Sale
The Used Book Sale is held annually during the winter. Gently used books to be collected throughout the year, and sold to parish members and general public with proceeds to benefit Holy Family. Coordinated through Home and School
Used Uniform Sale
The Used Uniform Sale is held during first and last weeks of school. Allows families to sell clean, good condition, previously worn school uniforms, spirit wear, and scout uniforms to other school families. Families may keep profits or donate them to Home and School, the program’s sponsor. Unsold items are returned to owners or donated to charity as requested.
Welcome Back Coffee
The Welcome Back Coffee offers an opportunity on first day of school to meet new and returning school families. Sponsored by Home and School
School Information
Annual Fund
The Annual Fund is a school year long campaign to raise funds for the school.
“B” Budget
A prioritized budget list of items wished for or needed at the school, but unable to be included in the general school budget because of financial restrictions. Priorities established by principal, teachers and parents. As funds become available throughout the school year, through fundraising or donations to the school, “B” Budget items are secured for the school.
Birthday Book Program
Families purchase a book for the school library on or near their student’s birthday to be presented (usually wrapped) to school librarian who will open the present during that child’s library class. Books may be chosen from a wish list available at Harry W. Schwartz’s bookshop, or the family may select a book on its own. Book will receive a book plate acknowledging the gift in the child’s name.
Box Tops
Box Tops are collected by Holy Family and helps raise money for the school. You can find the collection bins in the school by the office or in the parish.
By-Laws of Holy Family Home and School Association
By-laws governing the Home and School Association; explain voting on expenditures, duties of officers and active membership requirements. Available to view on the school website
Calendar
One school calendar provided to each school family. The calendar includes all pertinent dates including all school breaks, early dismissals, school events and committee meetings. It is available for pick-up at school with “Back to School” packet mid-to-late August. Weekly principal notes will include any date changes or additions to the calendar. Compiled by Home and School Association
Campbell Soup Labels
Labels are collected by Holy Family and helps provide items for the school. You can find the collection bins in the school by the office or in the parish.
Directory
The Directory offers a listing of all classes, students and families’ addresses and phone numbers. Upon payment of Home and School dues, each school family receives one copy. Additional directories are available for purchase. Compiled by Home and School
Early Dismissal
Some Fridays of the month, often the third Friday, students are dismissed at 1:00 pm to allow teachers to conduct afternoon meetings. In September, the dismissal time is 11:30 am to allow teachers to attend the room parent-sponsored luncheon.
Family Handbook
Comprehensive publication distributed by the school office at the start of the school year. It covers all policies and practices at Holy Family Parish School. Required reading for all families.
Family Ties
Newsletter published for Holy Family Parish School alumni, parents, friends, and benefactors.
FOSS-Hands on Science
FOSS is a research-based science curriculum for grades K-8. The FOSS program materials are designed to meet the challenge of providing meaningful science education for all students and prepare them for the 21st century.
Fenced Playground Maintenance
Volunteers are needed during spring to help clean-up the fenced playground in the school parking lot.
Guardian Angels
Older students are paired with younger students for the school year for a variety of activities including attending Mass, lunch box exchanges, holiday projects, and schoolwork assistance.
Hot Lunch Program
Hot Lunch will be served five days a week at school. Students may purchase a lunch or bring a bag lunch. Chocolate and white milk are available for separate purchase. Meals are prepared by and the program is administered by an outside agency contracted by Holy Family Parish.
Justice League
The 8th Graders help with projects, events and other things through-out the year to earn service hours.
Kerstein Scholarship
The Kerstein Scholarships are available to students attending Catholic High Schools. Applications are available in March of each year.
Lost and Found
The school does have a Lost and Found Box located by the school office.
Learning Connection
Holy Family School provides a learning center for all the students in the school to help in reading and math. They also work withthe teachers in the classrooms.
Milestones
Independent daycare provider, leasing space at Holy Family Parish School for the purpose of before- and after-school day care- Serves Holy Family and Cumberland students
Milk Caps
Milk Caps are collected by Holy Family and helps raise money for the school. You can find the collection bins in the school by the office or in the parish.
New Family Outreach
The New Family Outreach Committee helps with making new families feel welcome. Each new family will be paired up with an existing family called a “host family”. Different activities are planned.
Room Parents
Two parents per classroom volunteer to assist the teacher in coordination of activities, events and field trips as requested. Room parents recruit other parents to serve in the capacities needed.
Report Cards
Report Cards are issued quarterly for students in first through eighth grade (at semester for kindergartners).
Safety Cadets
The Cadet Service gives the 7th graders a unique opportunity to help the rest of the school. In the morning, they are the crossing guards, the ones to open the doors to the cars during drop-off, and the ones holding the umbrellas to keep the students and parents dry during drop-off on those rainy days.
School Photo Gallery
Check out the School Photo Gallery on the Website. It offers pictures of many of the events at Holy Family School.
Scrip
Scrip is a program that allows you to purchase gift cards. A percentage of the card will go back to the school as well as you.
SMART Boards
The Smart Board is an interactive whiteboard that uses touch detection for user input – e.g., scrolling, right mouse-click – in the same way normal PC input devices, such as a mouse or keyboard, detect input. A projector is used to display a computer’s video output on the interactive whiteboard, which then acts as a large touch screen. The Smart Board typically comes with 4 digital pens, which use digital ink and replace traditional whiteboard markers. Smart Board digital ink operates by using an active digitizer that controls the PC input for writing capabilities such as drawing or handwriting.
Strategic Plan
Holy Family Parish School has a strategic plan. The plan will lay out information in the following areas: Education Environment/Curriculum, Development and Finance, Recruiting and Retention, Faculty and Administrative Staff, Building and Grounds, Student Life, Technology and Catholic Identity. You can find the complete plan on the school website.
Student Code of Conduct
Holy Family School follows the Student Code of Conduct, which is recited at the beginning of each school day. The Student Code of Conduct can be found on the school website.
Student Council
Open to school students beginning in sixth grade. The Student Council is made up of class representatives elected by student body with the council electing its president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer from the eighth grade representatives. Meets during lunch hours to plan special events for students, including pep rallies and charity events
Teacher Appreciation Committee
The Teacher Appreciation Committee is sponsored b Home and School. It offers teachers special luncheons, gifts, and other special recognitions.
Testing Program
Each Spring grades 3,5,7 take the standardized Iowa Test of Basic Skills.
Webgrader
Webgrader is an online tool used for students to see the status of their grades. The link for Webgrader can be found on the school website.
Website
The School Website provides most of the information you may be looking for. Check it out at www.hfparishschool.org
Weekly Folders (“the Green Folder”)
The Weekly Folder is sent home from school office every Thursday with the youngest grade school student (K4/K5 student if kindergartner is only student in school). It contains important communication on events and activities throughout the school, parish, and community. Weekly newsletter highlights important school news, meeting and projects, and includes calendar of school events for coming weeks. Empty Weekly Folder should be returned to school office the following day.
The Weekly Folder is also sent home online. All Electronic Green Folders can be found on the School Website.
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