St. Mary’s School
Weekly Bulletin
February 4, 2015
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.
Hebrews 10:24

Registration for 2014-2015: Registration packets for next year were sent to current families last week. The
registration process is a little different this year. Please fill out the registration information for each child you are
enrolling, even though some of the information is the same for multiple children. Fillable registration forms are
now available on the school website for your convenience.

State Income Tax Deduction: On your State of Wisconsin tax return, you may take a deduction of up to $4,000
per child attending a private school. You will need to fill out a Schedule PS with the amount you paid for tuition
for the 2014 calendar year. Check with your tax advisor or accountant to see how to make this opportunity work
best for your family.

Home & School News: The annual Father/Daughter Dance will be held February 13. Tickets are available at the
school office. Cost is $10 per family. See the information included with this bulletin for details. The annual Gala
event is set for April 24 at Rodeway Inn. Dinner will be $30 per person catered by Reuland’s of Minocqua.

Measles: The CDC has reported an outbreak of measles in the U.S. currently involving eleven states, including
our neighboring states of Illinois and Minnesota. There are currently no confirmed cases in Wisconsin. Measles is
the most deadly of all childhood rash/fever illnesses. It is a serious infection that causes fever, cough, a rash,
sore eyes, and occasionally dangerous complications. Measles spreads very easily, so it is important to protect
against infection. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent measles. Specifically, to have the best protection
against measles, two doses of MMR vaccine are required. As part of the childhood immunization program the
first dose of vaccine is required between 12 -15 months and the second dose before entering school, at 4 – 6
years. It is important for you to check your child’s immunization records to make sure he/she has received two
doses of MMR vaccine. Measles can spread easily to and from unimmunized children. In addition to being at risk
for getting sick if exposed to measles, children with one or zero doses of MMR will not be able to come to school
for two weeks if exposed. If you believe that your child needs the MMR vaccine, please call your health care
provider or local health department.

Accreditation Update: St. Mary’s was recently reaccredited for the year 2015. We continue to work on the next
accreditation cycle which begins with this year’s self-study and continues with a visiting team coming next year.
The school committee, staff members, and administration are completing 10 standards to identify strengths and
weaknesses of our school. Next week, Mrs. Pekol will participate as a visiting team member for Merrill’s site visit
February 10 – February 12. This will help our staff as we finish our self-study this spring. We’ll know ahead of
time for what a visiting team is looking.

Parish Mission and Angotti Concert: The St. Mary’s Parish Mission with Father Jim Marchionda begins February
13 until February 17 and this weekend features the Father John Angotti Concert. Both events are fabulous
opportunities to grow spiritually as a family or individually. The students will have the chance to celebrate Mass
with Father Jim on Tuesday, February 17 at 8:45 AM.

Conferences: Parent/Teacher Conferences are February 19 from 1 PM to 4 PM and 5 PM to 8 PM. Conference
slips will be coming home soon. Be sure to watch for them! There is no school for students on February 19 and
20.

Sugar Out: Lincoln County Health Department is sponsoring a Sugar-Out Day event February 27. Each day that
week you will be able to choose a sugary food or drink to give up, building up to Healthy Smiles on Friday.
Students will begin learning about healthy choices and smile care in their classrooms and a pledge sheet will be
sent home next week for your whole family to try to reduce how much sugar you eat or to do a better job of
flossing and brushing.
Upcoming Dates
February
8
13
17
19
20
Father John Angotti Concert (Mass at 11:00 AM, concert at 4:00 PM)
Father/Daughter Dance (Rodeway Inn 6-8 PM)
Parish Mission egins
Mass with Fr. Jim Marchionda
No School
Parent/Teacher Conferences
No School