THIS WEEK AT NATIVIT Y / FOURTH GRADE / PATRIOT’S PEN / NATIVIT Y ’S NATIVIT YSTAFF SPOTLIGHT / CLUB HIGHLIGHTS / SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS / WINE CELL AR

school.nool.us | December 16, 2018

T HE K N IGH T T I ME S

WE CAN HARDLYSTAND THE WAIT

Dearest Parents,

It is the last week of the year at school and there are so many points of gratitude to look at. First and foremost, gratitude for the children entrusted to our care, and for the possibility to partner with you, the parents, in their education. Yesterday a fourth grader came into the office looking for the box for the Fr. Woody’s toy drive. She held up a stuffed purple animal of some sort. She chose it herself, she said - she likes purple. All day today children dropped toys off at the office, items they chose from the Santa Shop. All for Fr. Woody’s kids. At one point, a first grade class passed by to bring their contributions, leav-ing a small mound in their wake. I asked them, “Does it make you happy sharing your gifts with other children?” “YES!”, they screamed. When I asked them why, one student responded, “Because I am happy to give to some-one like me who doesn’t have toys. That makes me sad.”

Thank you for your generosity to “kids like us who don’t have toys” and most of all for planting in the hearts of your children the fact that the unknown “other” belong to them. Enclosed you will see the many ways we will celebrate the coming of Jesus this week. I hope you can share in some of the joy!

Live Jesus in our Hearts,

Holly

NOTES FROM DR. PETERSON

TOUR INFO

With general inquiries or to schedule a tour, contact our Director of Marketing, Katie Mikesell.

PTO MINUTES

Notes from the latest PTO meetings can be read at:

nool.online/pto

FACULTY AND STAFF

ADMINISTRATIONPastorFr. Michael Carvill, FSCBm.carvill@nool.us, ext. 114

Associate PastorFr. Accursio Ciaccio, FSCBa.ciaccio@nool.us

School PrincipalDr. Holly Petersonh.peterson@nool.us, ext. 141

Assistant PrincipalMs. Joann Dawej.dawe@nool.us, ext. 126

SUPPORTNurseNancy Waringn.waring@nool.us

School RegistrarShannon Spinuzzis.spinuzzi@nool.us

Marketing DirectorKatie Mikesellk.mikesell@nool.us

ReceptionistNabila Sroujin.srouji@nool.us

Athletic DirectorJohn Novakj.novak@nool.us

School CounselorBethany Dossbdoss@ccdenver.org

School CounselorAbby Kowitzakowitz@ccdenver.org

TEACHERSPreschool DirectorMrs. Carla Rigli

PreschoolLisa Domier

KindergartenMrs. Marie Hulquest

Grades K-5 - SpanishMrs. Beatriz Ocampo

First GradeMrs. Brittaney Conner

First GradeKatie Regan

Second GradeMrs. Leigh Woods

Second GradeMrs. Debbie DiPetrillo

Third GradeMrs. Katrina Bingham

Third GradeTiffani Dalme

Fourth GradeMrs. Jennifer Wagner

Fourth GradeMrs. Barbara Flesher

Fifth GradeMrs. Paige Barr

Fifth GradeCassondra Anderson

Seventh GradeMr. Thomas Ariniello

Middle School - Social StudiesMr. Sebastian Calvino

Middle School - MathAnna Banuelos

Middle School - LiteratureMiss Maria Berger

Middle School - ScienceMrs. Jaclyn Brandenburg

Middle School - ScienceSr. Eleonora

Middle School - MathSr. Teresa

Middle School - ReligionMrs. Marla Zubrinic

Middle School - SpanishMrs. Lissette Gutierrez

Learning SpecialistMrs. Marianne Arling

MusicMr. Decker Babcock

ComputerMrs. Angelica Reyes

ArtMrs. Lynne Vuletich

Physical EducationMr. Lance Murrow

CONTACT INFO

LOCATION: 900 W. Midway BlvdBroomfield, CO 80020

OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday,8:00am-4:00pm

WEBSITE: school.nool.us

PHONE: 303-466-4177

FAX: 303-460-0391

PARISH: 303-469-5171

NOTABLE DATE CHANGES & ADDITIONSJanuary 13 | Catholic Schools Night with the Nuggets • 6:00pm

January 19 | Gender Matters Conference • 9:00am

January 26 | Trivia Night Friend-raiser • 7:00pm

January 27 - February 2 | Catholic Schools Week

January 27 | School Tours After Masses • 9:00am/11:30am

January 28 | School Tours • 4:00-7:00pm

February 1 | Grandparents’ Day • 8:15am

February 24 | Catholic Schools Night with the Nuggets • 3:00pm

February 28 | Catholic Schools Night with the Nuggets • 6:00pm

THIS WEEK AT NATIVITY

CHRISTMAS WEEKIn this third week of Advent we begin to feel the air of Christmas in the Sunday gospel, reminding us of the words of John the Baptist. There is an intensity of waiting for Him to come! The same true for us at Nativity: Faith & Reason. This week is filled with the intensity and joy of waiting for the birth of the Lord of life, and we are beginning to celebrate for that reason.

Thus, here is the schedule:

Monday | Christmas Concert - with students from preschool through third grade sing- ing classic Christmas songs, and the eighth grade choir joining for the finale! Come early as it will be a packed house! The show starts at 7:00pm in the Church.

Tuesday | Extended Care Nativity Play - The show at 5:15pm in the Church, refresh- ments to follow.

Wednesday | CGS Nativity Play - The show starts at 7:00pm in Ryan Hall.

Thursday | School Family Activity - From 2:30 - 3:15pm, there will be goodies for all at the end of the day.

Friday | School Liturgy - Mass begins at 8:15am.

Classroom Parties - Parties will begin at 11:00am (room parents arrive at 10:45am).

Noon Dismissal - School will be dismiss- ed at twelve noon.

Continuing the celebration of the One who is to come soon, students are encouraged to wear holiday socks and tights all week long; red, green, white, and fun Christmas socks and tights will all be accepted during from December 17-21. Friday, a Liturgy Day and our last day of school for 2018, students may be in free dress!

FOURTH GRADE

On Monday, our fourth graders ventured to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science! They attended an adapt-ation class and learned how animals’ specialized senses and body parts change to suit their environment… all in order to survive! They then traversed the museum search-ing for examples of adaptations in the various exhibits, marking their findings on a keepsake trading card.

They traveled through the streets of Havana, in the Cuban exhibit, where they were challenged to use deductive thinking skills: mind-benders. In conclusion, they visited the exposition on Health, spending time in the DNA lab that hosted their webinar in October, thus getting to see

FIELD TRIP

This past week, the fourth grade presented their ‘Charac-ters Come to Life’. Students studied the biographies of the famous person of their choice and, in full costume, brought their character back to life for classmates and parents.

BIOGRAPHIES

the instruments they had been learning about. Thank you to all of the parent volunteers who drove and helped chaperone – it was a memorable day for all!

NATIVITY SCENE

A New Nativity at Nativity

Have you seen the Nativity crèche in the foyer in front of the office? Our middle school student sculpted all of the clay buildings for the scene, then painted and fired them. Their work honors the Lord and I would encour-age you to visit the crèche any time you are at school.

Thank you to Sr. Marilú and Lynne Vuletich who made it all come together!

PATRIOT’S PEN

Congrats, Young Patriots

Eight of our students were given local level awards and scholarships for their essays on patriotism at Thornton’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Lodge on Wednesday night. Students and parents were thanked for their interest in American history and patriotism, and understanding of our nation’s story. Two of our students will be chosen at a later date to compete at a District level in the essay contest.

Congrats to our Patriot’s Pen honorees: Brady Lindoerfer, Jessica Eldridge, Erin White, Adam Thresher, Kenna Crookham, Madeleine Fernandez, Sydney Lux, Preston Beyer.

CLUB HIGHLIGHTS

GeoBee is our newest club on campus. There are fourteen middle school students who are working steadily to prepare for the upcoming competition in the new year. Preparation includes studying and continual quizzes about geography and world cultures.

Why do GeoBee?

Students said that it was fun to learn more about Social Studies, and that they want to help the school. Matt said that he was interested in world geography and wanted to learn more about the world.

GEOBEE

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

The staff spotlight this week is on Sr. Teresa Zampogna, a Missionary Sister of St. Charles Borromeo. Sr. Teresa is one of our sixth grade math teachers this year, and she assists with math tutoring after school. Before she enter-ed the convent, Sr. Teresa studied biomedical engineering at the University of Genoa. She has one brother who is a mathematician in Luzerne, where he lives with his wife and daughter Sophia, who is two. When Sister was young, her mother was an elementary teacher, and she would accompany her to school on occasion. Her mother’s passion for her work planted the seed in her to be a teacher - something she did not pursue after high school. Instead, she worked for a multinational biomedical firm, before feeling felt called to the convent.

About the life of a nun, Sister noted: “I feel really loved [by my community] and this makes me want to love as I am loved. The communion with my sisters [all 32 of them!] is one of the pillars of our life, along with silence and prayer. These things, especially silence and prayer,

SISTERS

are how I live the relationship with God, and through these moments I receive correction and consolation - God speaks to me”.

About teaching at Nativity, Sister said: “This is not a job, but something that God has asked of me. I could not do this work without being a Missionary Sister. If I don’t pray, or stay with my sisters, I could not look at the students in the way I am called to do.” “Many times my prayer is invested with the faces of the kids and teachers. In prayer I bring them all in front of God.”

We are grateful to have Sister Teresa in the school, as well as Sisters Eleanora, Patrizia, and Marilú. They are a gift to us!

Twenty-one students from our Servants of Love Club visited Kipling Meadows last week. They decorated cookies with the residents and spent time chatting.

The result, said moderator Mrs. Zubrinic, was to bring a sense of dignity to men and women who rarely go outside or have visitors.

Charlie recounted, “I met a woman who was the first breeder a line of terriers that today are living throughout the world… I met some amazing people.”

SERVANTS OF LOVE

One thing he has learned in GeoBee?

“That there are a lot of countries in the middle east.” Matt also said that he loves world geography and wanted to learn more.

Harry, another GeoBee participant said, “I learned that Novosibirsk is the largest city in Siberia!”

NUGGETS NIGHT

Catholic Families Night

Mark your calendars for Catholic Families Night with theDenver Nuggets on February 24 at 3:00pm! You’ll have the chance the cheer on the Nugs as they take on the Los Angeles Clippers, while also supporting the St. Sebastian Project (saintsebastiandenver.org). Alternate dates include: January 13 at 6:00pm vs. Portland and February28 at 7:00pm vs. Utah. Tickets start at $18 and can be purchased through Kroenke Sports by going to:

Nuggets.KSETickets.com/1819cfn

Catholic youth will be selected for the “High-Five” Tunnel,flag presentation, and more. On January 13 court timewill be available on a “first come, first served” basis. To order court time tickets or find more information visit:

Nuggets.KSETickets.com/courttime

SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS

Parent Help Needed

Are you looking for a way to volunteer at Nativity: Faith & Reason? We are looking for parent volunteers to help monitor recess. Recess occurs for every class after the three lunch periods, and we have three adults on the play-ground during each 20-minute recess. Two of the adults are employees of Nativity. If you would be willing and able to be a third adult, one lunch a week, have had Safe Environment Training and a background check, we’d love to have you volunteer! Parents and grandparents are encouraged to consider this service to our school. Please contact the front office for more information.

LOST AND FOUND

Last Call for Lost and Found

Are you are missing a lunch box or water bottle? I bet we have it on the Lost and Found table. How about a jacket, belt, tennis shoes or sweatshirt? We have those too. This Friday at noon our Lost and Found treasure will be donated to charity.

WINE CELLAR

Do You Like Wine?

Do you have a bottle of wine you could donate to the Nativity Gala? One of the auction items this year is a community “Wine Cellar”: bottles to stock your cellar from members of our school and parish families. Only two things to consider:

- Bottles should be worth at least $20;

- Bottles should be accompanied by a brief explanation of why this particular wine is special to you. Descriptions will be compiled into a book accompanying the bottles.

For example, I offered a bottle of Bogle’s Phantom to the Gala, a yummy and unique red from the Sacramento River Valley in California. Memory: I used to take long summer bike rides with friends and family to the Bogle family vineyard, whose grapes line the Sacramento Delta. We’d end the Delta ride with a picnic and tasting at the vineyard, with Phantom front and center. Here in Broom-field, a bottle of Phantom brings memories of warm summer days back home.

Your donations help build our school, so I would encour-age you to consider this fun opportunity to donate to the Gala. Donations will be accepted through January 15 by contacting Ilene Dubey at I.dubey@nool.us.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL’S WEEK

Coming This January

Catholic School’s Week is around the corner, January 27 - February 2.

Sunday, January 27 after Masses, tours of the school will be led by our student ambassadors, staff, and parents.

Monday, January 28 evening tours will run from 4:00 - 7:00pm.

Friday, February 1 there will be a special Liturgy for Grandparents’ Day (a move from Thursday, January 24 on the calendar).

Throughout the week we’ll have a Catholic Book Fair, service projects, essay contest, games, and more.

GENDER MATTERS

Archdiocesan Workshop

The Archdiocese of Denver is offering a workshop entitled Gender Matters, by Desert Stream Ministries. You can find tickets and more information at:

bit.ly/2GgymNx

The official calendar can be found at school.nool.us.

DECEMBER

17 Sonshine Disciples • 8:00am

Drama Club • 3:30pm

All School Christmas Program • 7:00pm

19 Office of Catholic Schools Visit to Nativity • All Day

Math Counts • 3:30pm

Academic Decathlon • 3:30pm

21 Close of the Quarter • Noon Dismissal

School Mass • 8:15am

Christmas Parties • 11:00am

24-7 Christmas Holiday • No School

JANUARY

7 Classes Resume • 8:15am

Chess Club • 3:15pm

9 Principal’s Meeting: OCS • All Day

Academic Decathlon • 3:30pm

10 Parent Night: Technology & Student Life • 6:30pm

12 Intermediate Spelling Bee • 7:00am

14 Chess Club • 3:15pm

Academic Decathlon • 3:30pm

UPCOMING EVENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS RED / BLUE DAYS

Monday, December 17: Blue Day

Tuesday, December 18: Red Day

Wednesday, December 19: Blue Day

Thursday, December 20: Red Day

Close of Quarter

NOTICE OF STUDENT NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Nativity: Faith & Reason, under the jurisdiction of Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, S.T.L. and at the direction of the Superintendent, state that all of their Catholic schools admit students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

Furthermore, Archdiocesan schools admit disabled students in accord withthe policy on Admissions in the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools Administrator's Manual. These schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, disability, color, and national or ethic origin in the administration of their educational policies, employment practices, scholarship and loan programs, athletic or other school-administered programs.

VIRTUE OF THE MONTH

The virtue the school is focusing on for the month of December is fidelity. Fidelity comes from the Latin root “fidere” which means trustworthy or true; someone who is loyal. Those who live the virtue of fidelity are faithful, faithful to God, to friendships, to commitments, and even to things that require us to toil or suffer.

The saint of the month who lived the virtue of fidelity was St. Francis Xavier. Francis Xavier grew up a in a prosper-ous family, and yet after many significant encounters chose a life of prayer, sacrifice and mission as a Jesuit priest. Through a series of events he was asked by his dearest friend and superior, St. Ignatius of Loyola, to take the faith to the world of Asia, to which he said yes, despite the sacrifice of leaving his friends and this burgeoning order.

This is an example of the fidelity, of loyalty, that we set before our students this month - an example of faithful-ness to friendships, to commitment, and to God.

FIDELITY

2019-20 Academic Year Registration

Forms for re-registration for Nativity school will be online on December 21. If you register by February 1 you’ll receive $100 off the registration fee. After February 1 the registration will be $300 per family. Look for the FastDirect signaling that forms are online.

Upcoming Parent Night

Nativity’s second parent night, Technology and Student Use, has been moved to January 10 from 6:30-8:00pm in Weibel II. We will discuss the pros, cons, and challenges involved with student use of technology. Our speakers will be Dr. Jim Langley and Bethany Doss, both from St. Raphael Counseling.

Parent Friend-Raiser

Mark your calendars for January 26 at 7:00pm for Trivia Knight. BYOB, snacks and think about your team - other parents, your parents, or friends and neighbors. Theevent is free and we have a surprise MC for the night. Mark those calendars for this adult night of friendship and fun!