SPECIAL
POINTS OF
INTEREST:

Patriot Press
March 17th—
21st—Book Fair

March 20th—Band
V O L U M E
2 3
M A R C H 1 8 ,
2 0 1 4
and Choir Festival

March 26th—
Spring Pictures

March 28th—St.
Joseph Altar

March 28th—
Spirit Day

Principal’s Corner
March 31st—Golf
Tournament
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
Principal’s
Corner
1
Student Life
2
Box Tops
2
Student Life
3
Clubs
3
Student Life
4
Memorial Mass 4
Summer Read
5
Golf
5
Library
6
Info.
7
Snow Days
As you are aware, we missed 4 days of
school due to freezing weather. I do not
know if any of us ever witnessed snow.
Our diocese requires more academic
days than the state requires. Because of
this, we exceed the total number of
minimum minutes required by the state.
Even if you subtract the minutes from
the 4 days missed, we would still have
minutes remaining.
The great news is that we will not have
to do anything added to make up those
days. Thank you for your patience in
waiting for this news
Fair Proceeds
As promised, we will answer any questions
that are emailed to us from the last Home
and School Meeting. A parent asked about
a comparison of our Fall Parish Fair proceeds, to our past Spring Parish Fair. Our
Fall Parish Fair income was revealed in the
church bulletin in December. In case you
missed that and/or you are interested in the
comparison, here it is: Our Spring Fair
(April 2013) netted after expenses, just
over $164,000.00 Our Fall Fair (October
2013- just 6 months later) netted after expenses, just over $140,000.00. Thank you
to whoever asked this great question!
Teachers Attend Saturday Workshop
Rigor and Relevance
On Saturday, March 15th, the HGCS
teachers attended a Professional Development Day in the Parish Hall.
Mrs. Nuri Ayres from the International
Center for Leadership in Education
presented to teachers planning tips on
increasing rigor and relevance in the
classrooms.
A huge thank you to Home and School
for providing the refreshments for Saturday’s meeting.
Nuri Ayres from ICLE presents different instructional strategies to increase rigor and relevance.
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2
Student Life
Sarah Stant, 6th grader at Holy Ghost
Catholic School, shows off her new,
shorter hair. Sarah donated 8 inches of
her long, dark hair to Locks of Love.
Mrs. Courtney from the salon at North
Cypress helped her donate her hair and
give her a new look. This is Sarah's
second time to donate to this worthy
cause.
Lenten Journey
Students in sixth grade were learning about the Stations of the Cross in preparation for Lent. Groups of students were assigned a station. The students brainstormed and drew their interpretation of the meaning of the assigned station.
The students commented that they had a better understanding of each station from
this assignment. Mrs. Inman proudly displayed the students’ stations in the sixth
grade hall.
As part of your Lenten journey, please join us on Fridays at 8:00AM for Stations
of the Cross in the church.
Aftercare Phone Number:
(985) 542-9676
Box Tops = Playground
Here's how we get FREE PLAY GROUND EQUIPMENT! Send in Labels for
Education through May 15. Please label with your homeroom. Thank you!
PATRIOT
PRESS
PAGE
3
Spanish Club Learns about Mexican Fold Dances
Our annual 3rd Grade Reading Celebration will be Friday, May 9, 2014, from
2:40 to 5:15 p.m.
Angela Davis, the storyteller, will be here at 4:00
to tell her stories.
We are looking forward to
this special event with your
children.
Elsa Blessey, mother of Spanish teacher Elsa Rodriguez
Comeaux, came to the Spanish Club meeting on Thursday
February 27, 2014 to show the
club members two different
folk dances from Mexico. One
was “La Raspa” a dance
which is a mixture of Aztec,
Mayan, Yaqui, African and
European movements-sacred
and secular-which were forged
together as many cultures
intermingled over centuries. The other was el “Jarabe
Tapatio” better known internationally as “The Mexican Hat
Dance” which came to be seen
as a part of Mexico’s emerging identity as a country since
the late 18th century.
An account has been set up for
Ashlyn at Whitney Bank. You
may deposit any donations at
any location.
Ashlyn Bravata Benefit
Account #47198132
Pictured watching Mrs. Blessey dance as they snack on Spanish
treats are: Jenna Francis Duvic, Destiny McLaughlin, Aryn Cambre, McKenzie McLaughlin, Nicole Francois, Abbie Busch, and
Mia Milton
Club News
IT IS EASTER CASCARONES TIME!
Start saving those empty, cleaned-out and
dried eggs!
Our next meeting is Thursday, March 27.
Where: Señora Elsa’s room.
For the safety of all
students, please do
not send any
products that
contain nuts or
peanut butter
Time: 2:40 – 3:40
Garden Club
The Garden Club will meet on
Thursday, March 27th. Be sure
to bring your snacks and T-shirt.
Meet in Mrs. Beth’s room from
2:45 until 4:00.
Attention Art Club members! Here are the
meeting dates for the rest of the year:
April 17th (Thursday)
May 1st (Thursday)
*All meetings are from 2:40-4:00pm.
Remember that you may bring a snack and
drink to the meetings (following the
school snack guidelines), and students
not able to be picked up at 4:00pm outside of St. Thomas will go to aftercare.
Thank you!
HGCS Student Spotlight:
Laine Lonero
Holy Ghost’s own Laine Lonero will be featured on channel 4 morning show from 8-9 on March 24th. Laine will
be singing throughout the hour.
Laine has also been asked to sing 3 songs at the Mrs.
Louisiana Pageant on March 28th as a featured solo artist.
Laine will also be opening the Blues and Bar-B-Que festival this weekend with the National Anthem.
Kyle Miller Golf
Tournament
One of our grandparent’s
company sponsors an
annual golf tournament.
The Kyle Miller Fund will
be the recipient this year.
If interested in playing,
please contact Micah Bujol
at [email protected]
Congratulations, Laine!
STA to Offer Memorial Mass Honoring Sister Mary Roselle O.P.
HAMMOND – “In the beginning there
was only a vision,” according to the
1993 edition of Veritas, STA’s yearbook. “But now there is a reality, a
thriving Catholic high school in Tangipahoa Parish and Sister Roselle was an
integral part in making the dream of
STA into a reality.” Sister Mary Roselle Orso, O.P., the first Principal of
Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional
Catholic High School, passed away
peacefully from the care of her Dominican Sisters to the loving arms of
our Lord on Feb. 7, 2014. She served
STA as Principal from 1986-1992.
“Sister Roselle, our first Principal,
worked tirelessly with parents, students, and community leaders to bring
out the best in each of us and to ensure
the support of the community,” said
current Principal Jose Becerra. “She
left a thriving high school with a firmly
established reputation for Christian
service and academic excellence..
The STA community will offer a Memorial Mass in her honor on Wednesday, March 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the
STA Commons. STA Chaplain Father
Randy Cuevas will be the Celebrant.
All are welcome, especially those who
knew Sister Mary Roselle, to gather
with our Falcon family to remember a
beautiful lady who was so important to
continuing the tradition of Catholic educational excellence in Tangipahoa Parish. A brief reception will follow the
Mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be
made to the Sister Mary Roselle OP
Scholarship fund at STA, 14520 Voss
Drive, Hammond, LA 70401 or to the
Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund,
1237 W. Monroe, Springfield, IL 62704.
Sister M. Roselle Orso, OP (83) a Dominican Sister of Springfield for 61
years, died Feb. 7, 2014. She was born
to Joseph and Winifred Boente Orso in
Carlinville, Ill.
For 43 years, Sister M. Roselle taught or
administered in Catholic education at St.
John Bosco, Chicago; Holy Angels,
Aurora; St. Mary, Mt. Sterling; St.
Cabrini, Christ the King and Sacred
Heart Academy in Springfield; Marian
Catholic in Chicago Heights; and St.
Thomas Aquinas in Hammond, La. For
four years she offered pastoral care at
St. Catherine's Village in Madison,
Miss. In 1999 she retired to the
motherhouse.
Sister M. Roselle was preceded in
death by her father and mother; her
brother, Joseph; and her sisters, Frances Mack and Jean Bene. She is survived by her brothers, Donald and
Richard, and her nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be
made to the Sister Mary Roselle OP
Scholarship fund at STA, 14520 Voss
Drive, Hammond, LA 70401 or to the
Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund,
1237 W. Monroe, Springfield, IL
62704.
PAGE
5
Bridges to Success Reading Program
Brighton Elementary is holding a Summer Program from June 2 - 26 from
8:00am - 12:00pm, Monday thru Thursday, focusing on Reading, Language,
Math and Computer. This is an excellent chance at remediation/
tutorials that teachers often ask parents to provide for their child
during the summer. Attached you will find a flyer and a registration
form. Please distribute attachments to your elementary students. We
Abbey Youth Fest
is this Saturday in
Covington at the St.
Joseph Abbey. If you
would like to attend with
the Holy Ghost Youth
Group please let Marli
Freas know by
Wednesday March 19th
so she can arrange
transportation and
registration forms for
you.
have limited space so interested candidates will want to register as
soon as possible. The registration may be faxed to (225)
923-2208 or mailed/dropped to 9150 Bereford Drive, Baton
Rouge, LA 70809. You may also go online to register at:
www.thebrightonschool.org / Activities / Summer Bridges /
2014 Registration form. Please call (225) 923- 2068 (Ext.
200) for questions.
Golf Tournament
Due to the Book
Fair, there will be
no assembly this
week.
Therefore, the 3rd
quarter Points
Club recipients
will be awarded
their medals at
assembly on
Wednesday,
March 26.
PATRIOT
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PRESS
.Students have received their packets for the HGS Golf Tournament
Golf Tournament is Monday, March 31st at Carter Plantation
If they would like more raffle tickets they can get more sent home
Each student that sells at least (3) tickets will be able to attend the pizza/
ice cream party
The student that sells the most tickets will win an I pad mini
Students name must be written on the back of the ticket in order
to receive credit for the contest
The deadline to turn in tickets for the contest is Friday March 21st
The deadline for sponsorships is March Friday March 21st. We are seeking a parent or volunteer that would like to come out to the
tournament to take pictures.
PAGE
6
AR Corner
Congratulations to Julia Bouffard, Joseph DiGiovanni, Justin
Domiano, Luke Carballo, Kimberly McKenzie, Mia Mannino, Blayne
Schilling, Jacob Farrell, Claudia Olah, Ella Paddock, John Edwards,
Elizabeth McRae, David Anthon, Jacob Anthon, William Daley, and
Abby LeBlanc. These students are the newest members of the Points
Club. They will receive their medal at assembly on Wednesday, March
26.
The 4th quarter AR period has started. This quarter ends on May 16th.
Library Challenge
Library Challenge
Mission: Possible
Challenge 1,000 AR Points
HGCS students are challenged to earn 1,000 AR points by May 16, 2014. Winners will be treated to dinner and shopping at
Books-a-Million. As of Friday, Friday, 2/21/14
The Top Ten Leaders are:
Student
Points Earned
One For Books
1.Leo Du Plooy
2.Amelia Pham
3.Emma Crawford
4. Martha Rigney
5. Abby LeBlanc
6.Brock Serpas
7.David Anthon
8.Georgie Rigney
9.Marie-Claire Honoree
10.Nicolos Gagliano
PATRIOT
PRESS
780.4
495.5
371.2
331.4
276.2
257.0
241.2
238.8
230.0
222.9
HGCS is trying to raise $1,000
to donate books to Children’s
Hospital. Students may bring
1.00. A balloon with their name
will be posted in the gym. If
HGCS reaches this goal,
students will have a free dress
day. Scholastic will match any
proceeds raised by HGCS!
Monthly Spirit Dress Guidelines
Students may wear long blue jeans with a school approved club or athletic shirt, their
HGCS Spirit shirt/sweatshirt or with a solid navy or red shirt. If a students does not own
one of these, the school uniform shirt must be worn. School approved tennis shoes
must be worn. Jeans many not have holes. Students may not have writing on their
jeans. Shirts must have a sleeve and cover the waistline or be tucked inside the jeans.
The school reserves the right to determine what is or what is not appropriate dress and/
or hairstyle. The first offense in failing to comply with special dress guidelines will result
in calling home for a school uniform and an infraction will be issued. On the second offense; students will call home for a uniform and a double infraction will be issued. Third
offense: student will call home for a uniform, a detention will be issued, and loss of privileges for the next Spirit Day dress occasion. Fourth offense: student will call home for a
uniform, a detention will be issued, loss of privilege of wearing Spirit Day dress occasion
Spirit Dress
Guidelines:
See 7.8 in the
student handbook for
Spirit dress
guidelines.
for the rest of the school year.
Outerwear/indoor wear remains the same as a normal school day
We’re on the Web
hgschool.org
Our Mission is to promote
a Catholic environment of loving,
learning, and living in Christ, through
academic excellence, Gospel values,
and a nurturing community.
Holy Ghost Catholic School
Loving, Learning, and Living in Christ
Phone: 985.345.0977
Fax: 985.542.6545
Holy Ghost Catholic School receives Title I funding.
Students are deemed eligible for Title I services through
curriculum based assessment and spring Terra Nova scores
in reading and math. Students are eligible for Title I if they
score at or below the 40th percentile in reading and/or math.
These services are provided during their enrichment time.
Information concerning students’ academic needs will be
released to this agency. Should a parent have concerns over
Title I, the parents should meet with the school first then
507 North Oak Street
Hammond, LA, 70401
Tangipahoa Parish School System Title I Department