September 11, 2024

On this day of solemn remembrance of September 11, 2001
May we honor the lives that were lost in this tragic act.
May we give thanks for those who served and saved, rendered aid and assistance.
May we give comfort to those who live with loss.
May we seek justice and peace where it is within our ability,
and rely on you when the ability escapes us.

On this day of solemn remembrance:
May we build what has been torn down.
May we mend what has been broken.
May you live your love when hate seems to reign.
May we bear witness to the cause of peace.

Dear Annunciation Families:         

Welcome PreK3, PreK4& Kindergarten:
          We warmly welcomed our PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten students over the last two days!  We are full steam ahead and our students did a great job acclimating to their new routines, meeting new friends, and teachers!

Signed Handbook Appendices:
          Signed Appendices are due, September 13, 2024.  These signed documents are required to be on file.  If you have not, return them right away.  Thank you.

Safety Drills:
          We hold two safety drills each month.  One fire/evacuation and one lockdown/shelter in place. We held our first Fire Drill on Monday.  It was very good, and we anticipate more efficiency as we progress through the school year.

          We will hold another fire drill that will include our youngest students (PK & K).  Teachers will discuss, practice with, and prepare these young students before we hold this drill.

          Parents are encouraged to discuss these drills with their children and remind them of the importance of each type of drill and the necessity for quiet during them.

MAP Testing – Round 1:
          Our first round of MAP Testing begins next Monday, September 16th. Students in grades K through 8 take these tests three times per year. 

          Our students must try their best on these exams as they establish a baseline for comparison for the next two rounds.  Measuring achievement and growth is vital for instructional decisions.

Attendance Emails:
          To support parents and track attendance more closely, we will utilize a communication feature of Educate.

          Parents will receive an email when a student is late or absent from school.  This is a form of record keeping and reminder. 

          We will implement this feature on Monday, September 16th.

High School Information Night–8th Grade Parents Only:
          On Monday evening, September 16th, we will hold a high school information night.  The meeting is for parents of 8th-grade students and will commence at 6:30 PM. You can plan for the meeting to last about 45 minutes.

          The focus of the meeting is transition to high school.  This will include, but is not limited to, TACHS information, recommendations, high school visits.

          We hope you can join us for this informative session.

Chess Club Update:
          We are extending the enrollment for chess club to grades 4 and 5.  Please see attachment for information.

2024-2025 Arrival/Dismissal Form:
          Please complete the attached Google Form regarding your child’s intended arrival and dismissal plan.  As always, if there is a change to your child’s transportation or someone else will be picking up your child, the school office and homeroom teachers must be notified.  Your child(ren) will not be released to anyone unless we have written permission from the parent/guardian. 

24-25 Arrival/Dismissal Form 

Back to School Night Reminders: 
          September 23, 2024→ Back to School Night, Lower School, 6P-8P
          September 24,2024→ Back to School Night, Upper School, 6P-8P

Happy Kid Lunch:
          Please complete the attached form if you are planning to participate in our Happy Kid Lunch program for the 2024-2025 school year. 

https://forms.gle/9ArSfSfaBEhpWNph8 

Recess Reminders:
          Children may bring recess/play materials with them to school each day.  Please be sure to LABEL names on any personal items.  It is each child’s responsibility to care for recess materials that they bring to school.  Please note that any balls that are used should be “soft” for safety reasons. (Basketballs and volleyballs are permitted to be used).

Schoolyard Painting Project:
          Attached to the weekly today you will find a template for submitting ideas for the school yard. If your child is interested in participating in the “paint your ideal school yard project”, please submit proposals by September 23, 2024. It is important to note that we will begin painting the school yard and will take ideas from submissions (as long as they are logistically feasible.) We look forward to seeing your ideas! Thanks to our Mens’ Club for sponsoring this initiative! 

Family Mass Reminders:

• We will begin our Family Mass class assignments on October 6, 2024. It is so important for our classes to attend the 10AM Family Mass on days that your class is assigned. We know and understand that everyone’s schedule on the weekend varies but please mark your calendars and try to support your child’s class at the particular family Mass that is assigned. 
• A HUGE part of our success at Annunciation is our deep-rooted faith & by gathering together at Mass on Sundays, our strength and success as a community just grows!

Morning Care/ Extended Day Enrollment Form:
          Just a reminder that if your child is going to attend extended day, enrollment forms must be filled out. 

Grade 2 Special Person Mass:
            Grade 2 is such an exciting time for our students as they prepare to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. We are starting a new initiative this year, participating in a quarterly Mass throughout the year that just focuses on our grade 2 sacrament candidates.  In addition to our school Masses, our 2nd grade students will be attending the 9AM parish Mass on the dates listed in the attachment. We hope that a parent/guardian will be able to join us for Mass on these dates. We will invite the parents/ guardians to be a part of an additional experience on two of these occasions. We thank Mrs. Power and Ms. Auricchio for helping us to celebrate a milestone year in our faith for our students and families. 

AES Counseling Program–Welcome Back, Ms. Seabrook:

• Ms. Jasmin Seabrook is joining us again this year as our school counselor. If you’d like to see the attached letter/ consent form to begin services, please complete the necessary documentation. 
• Ms. Seabrook can be reached at: jasmin.seabrook@catapultlearning.com

HSA News:
   Get ready to get messy!! The Color Run is this Friday! The Color Run is a can’t miss event on your child’s social calendar, so make sure to get your RSVP in or pay at the door.  4 pm – 5 pm in the AES schoolyard. $25 per student.   Friendly reminder, if you can donate, we have attached our Birthday Bash flyer.  The Birthday Bash is the way we celebrate birthdays during the year at AES.  Our September birthdays will be celebrated on the 30th.   

Upcoming Events:
          September 30th:  Ladies Yoga Night.  Calling all of our girls, moms, grandmas, and aunts to the yoga mat!!  Join us for our annual Yoga Night on Monday, September 30th at  6pm in the AES gym. You do not need to bring your daughter to attend.  This night is a great way to relax after a very busy September.   

          October 1st:  Spiritwear for a Cause Day (please see the full calendar attached to the Weekly) In exchange for a $2 donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, your child may wear a pink shirt and/or pink accessories with AES gym shorts or AES spiritwear.  Please consider donating to this worthy cause! Participation in Spiritwear for a Cause Days is voluntary.  

          October 4th: Mark your calendars!!  Our amazing Fall Festival is back on Friday, October 4th from 6 pm to 8 pm.  Featuring music, food trucks (for purchase), entertainment, photos and the Pumpkin Blaze!! Registration and raffle ticket order form will be in the Weekly next week.  The Pumpkin Blaze has become an amazing tradition at AES for all of our families to experience.  What makes the Pumpkin Blaze so special is the amount of submissions we receive.  Please consider signing up via hsa@annunciationcrestwood.com!! All students are permitted to participate and can sign-up as an individual or team (teams limited to 4 members, any grades).   Take some time this weekend to come up with your theme. Every team that enters a pumpkin this year will receive a dress down day.  Our top winners will receive special prizes!!  The Fall Festival is the start of a very busy October at AES, but is a night you won’t want to miss! 

           October 31: The tradition continues!  Our epic 8th Grade Halloween Carnival will take place on Thursday, October 31st during school hours.  More information to come!!     

Calendar Reminders:

• September 11, 2024→ Kindergarten, Full Day, Prek3 NOON dismissal
• September 12, 2024→ Full Day PK3-Grade 8
• September 13, 2024→ Full Day, HSA Color Run, 4PM 
• September 12, 2024→ Regular Schedule
• September 13, 2024→ Regular Schedule, HSA Color Run
• September 16, 2024→ Regular Schedule, MAP Testing Begins
• September 17, 2024→ Regular Schedule
• September 18, 2024→ Regular Schedule
• September 19, 2024→ Regular Schedule
• September 20, 2024→ 10AM Mass of the Holy Spirit

Attachments:
E-Mail Directory Release Letter
Special Person Mass Schedule
AES Charity Days
AES Playground Flyer
Yoga Flyer
Happy Kid Lunch Info & Registration
HSA Color Run Flyer
Passive Fundraising
Boy Scout Flyer
Birthday Bash
Hillcrest Challenger League Flyer
After School Club Info & Form (3 pages)
Ladies Guild Pep Rally

Best,

Caitlin Geraghty Liberatori                                    Hugh M. Keenan
Lower School Principal                                          Upper School Principal