ICS Newsletter: Thursday August 6, 2015

Upcoming Events

August
August 10 - 14 - Used Uniform Sale, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., St. Michael Foyer
August 13 - New Family Orientation and Back to School Blessing* (see below for more details)
August 17 - 1st Day of School
August 24 - 1st Day of School, PreK-4 and PreK-3
August 29 - ICS Family Cookout** (see details below)

September
September 7 - No School, Labor Day
September 30 - 1/2 Day of School

October
October 15 - No School
October 16 - No School
October 29 - 1/2 Day of School (Conferences)
October 30 - 1/2 Day of School

November
November 23 - 27 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

December
December 18 - 1/2 Day of School
December 21 - January 4 - No School, Christmas Break

January
January 18 - No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

February
February 11 - 1/2 Day of School (Conferences)
February 12 - 1/2 Day of School
February 15 - No School, Presidents' Day
February 26 - No School
February 29 - March 11 - Iowa Assessment, Grades 2 - 8

March
March 1 - 11 - Iowa Assessment, Grades 2 - 8
March 24 - 1/2 Day of School
March 25 - April 1 - No School, Easter Break

April
April 15 - 1/2 Day of School
April 18 - No School

May
May 6 - 1/2 Day of School
May 30 - No School, Memorial Day

June
June 3 - 1/2 Day of School, Last Day

Please note that the above dates are subject to change. A more detailed school calendar will be sent soon. 

Prayers

We lift up the family of Elias Matos (Gr. 4) as they mourn the passing into eternal life of his grandmother, who was 99 years old. May the Lord surround the Matos family and offer them His love, strength and guidance during this difficult time.  

We continue to pray for Matt Covington as he continues to recover from the effects of a biking accident at the end of last school year. May God's healing hand lead Matt back to full health!

We pray for the safety of our lives and property during Hurricane Season. May Mother Mary protect us and keep us safe from all evil, harm and illness. 

We pray for all students that they enjoy a successful 2015 - 16 school year! We especially lift up those in our ICS Family who are new to our school and who are moving on to high school. Hope Will Rise!

Have a prayer request? Send it to icsmzele@icstampa.org. 





Hope Will Rise

Want to increase your hope? Turn to prayer. As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1817 Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Turn to prayer and Hope Will Rise. 

Supply Lists
Please visit the following links to access our supply lists:

Elementary School: ICS Elementary School Supplies 2015 - 16

Middle School: ICS Middle School Supplies 2015 - 16

Also, be sure to take advantage of the sales tax holiday from August 7 - 16. For more details about the types of purchases that qualify, visit this link: http://dor.myflorida.com/Documents/tip15a0105.pdf


Re-registration

If you have questions about registering, please contact the Front Office: 813.884.4502. Please register, if you have not done so, as soon as possible so that we can plan accordingly!

Back to School Blessing and New Family Orientation
We look forward to welcoming our PreK and Kindergarten families on the evening of Thursday August 13th at 6:00 p.m. These families will have an opportunity to meet with their child's teacher and visit the classroom.

We will also welcome any family new to ICS in grades 1-8 to join us for an orientation at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday August 13th as well. Please also stop in the Front Office for directions to the location of this informational session.

Finally, we will welcome all families (returning and new) for a Back to School Blessing from our Pastor, Fr. Michael Suszynski, at 7:00 p.m. in St. Michael Hall! From there you will be able to visit classrooms and reunite with classmates.

If you have any questions, please contact the School Office: 813.884.4502! We look forward to seeing you on the 13th!


Personnel Updates
Please join us in welcoming the following members to our ICS faculty:

-Mrs. Sarah Graves - Mrs. Graves will join ICS as both our new PreK-3 teacher as well as our 5th Grade LA and Math teacher. Mrs. Graves has a Masters of Science degree in Elementary Education from University of Mary Washington and has worked in both Early Childhood and Elementary Education settings.

-Mr. Joshua Paczynski - Mr. Paczynski will serve ICS as our new Middle School Science teacher. Mr. Paczynski has a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Florida State University and is slated for certification in both Physics and Math for Grades 6 - 12. Mr. Paczyski has experience serving as a catechist within our diocese and has interned at the National Weather Service. Additionally, he has experience with computer programming, which will help advance our STEM initiative here at ICS.

Also, please join us in thanking Mrs. Desiree Bennington and Mrs. Michelle Emery for their service to ICS. Mrs. Bennington has served as our Aftercare Coordinator since 2011 and we thank her for her constant presence in this important role as she transitions to a new professional opportunity. Similarly, Mrs. Michelle Emery has made the decision to leave ICS to pursue a position at Carrollwood Day School. Mrs. Emery joined ICS in 2012 and has worked diligently to enhance our Art Program. We wish Mrs. Emery success in this new educational ministry.

Searches for candidates to fill these two positions at ICS are already underway. Details will be communicated as these positions are filled.

Finally, many of you will remember that Mrs. Jean Brown, ICS Media Specialist, took a leave of absence at the end of last year for medical reasons. At this time, Mrs. Brown will not be able to begin the school year with ICS. Additional information will be sent as it becomes available. Please continue to pray for Mrs. Brown and her recovery to full health.


ICS Family Cookout
On Saturday August 29, ICS is hosting a Family Cookout. Come to the 4:30 Mass and then over to the Pavilion at 5:30 or just join us any time between 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. for a summer cookout to reconnect with your ICS Family and to celebrate the beginning of an AMAZING school year! 

The menu will include hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and drink. Cost is $5.00 per person. We hope to see you there! More details will be coming soon. 


ICS Home and School Association
Please note the following details about our revamped Home and School Association:

The ICS HSA will be organized into various areas of responsibility. These areas will be headed by committee chairpersons. The chairpersons of the respective areas will form the HSA leadership group.

The Leadership Group will meet monthly.

Area Committees will meet / communicate as needed. 

All families are expected to sign-up for at least one Area Committee. 

Area Committees include:
1. Fellowship
The Fellowship Committee will be responsible for engaging current and prospective families along with students, faculty, staff and community members to build fellowship between and among these various parts of our school. 

A. New Family Outreach - form a "Welcome Wagon" that would indoctrinate new families into the ICS Family

B. Current Family Connections - design strategies to sustain and enhance the relationship that current families have with the school 

C. Membership Coordination - execute and track the membership drive for families to be a part of the HSA 

D. School and Weekend Masses - coordinate activities to capitalize on families' participation in the Celebration of the Eucharist

E. School Assemblies and Student Activities - coordinate activities to capitalize on families' participation in school assemblies and other student activities

F. Invitations for Events - design and distribute invitations to families for various HSA and ICS events

G. Prospective Family Engagement - work closely with administration and staff to coordinate and execute Open Houses for Prospective Families. 

2. Communications
The Communications Committee will help with the various avenues of communication that take place within the school. The Communications Committee will help assist many of the other committees with the specific task of delivering messages about events, news and updates.

A. Internal Communication - Newsletters, flyers, Facebook messages, tweets.

B. External - Marketing - some of the above plus media directly aimed at soliciting new relationships with ICS.

C. Social Media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest.

D. Incarnation Parish Bulletin - creating weekly submissions for the Church Bulletin.

E. Front Office Communications - helping pack envelopes, additional support during busy times (i.e. Carnival, beginning / end of the year).

F. Calls - donations, reminders, invitations, prospective families, outreach to current families.

G. HSA Updates - communications to the community about upcoming events within the Home and School Association.

F. Church Liaison - coordinate with the Church regarding fundraisers, events, sacramental prep and other Church information.

H. Directory of Contacts - school family directory, business directory, alumni directory, donor directory.

3. Fundraising
The Fundraising Committee would work with the other committees, especially those in charge of events, on raising money for the operating budget of the school as well as for capital improvements. 

A. Treasury - the Fundraising Committee would be in charge of collecting and tracking money for all HSA events. Preparing cash boxes for events, working with Event Committees to compile supplies, and submitting money to the Business Office are the key components of this Committee.

B. Business Partnerships / Sponsorships - work with area businesses and individuals to partner with ICS for donations, supplies and services.

C. Membership Requirements - work with the Fellowship Committee regarding Membership Dues and tracking these transactions, track commitment hours as well as fundraising requirements for each family.

D. Spirit Sales - develop, organize and oversee a spirit "store" with shirts, hats, and other ICS gear for purchase. 

4. Events
The Events Committee will help to operationally coordinate and run the various HSA events throughout the school year.

A. Set-Up / Take-Down - this committee will help to set-up and/or take-down the facility needs for the various events.

B. Volunteer Sign-Up - based on the needs of the various events, this portion of the Events Committee will ensure volunteers are recruited and confirmed for the various events.

C. Decorations - from table cloths to other decor needed for various events, this group will work on the aesthetics for each activity.

D. Marketing - create in conjunction with the Communications Committee advertisements for HSA events.

E. Finances - partner with the Fundraising Committee to track money out and in for events.

F. Operations - ensure the operations for each event from start to finish.

5. Homeroom Parents
This group will work closely with Homeroom teachers to coordinate classroom activities and parties, help with various school activities, and communicate with families from that grade level. 

6. Dads Club
The purpose of the ICS DADS CLUB is to build community and support for Incarnation Catholic School among fathers and father-figures of our students.  This includes:
*Supporting our children
*Supporting our School and Church
*Supporting each other as Catholic men

*Promoting Catholic values and excellence among the ICS community

A. Golf Tournament - the ICS DADS CLUB is also responsible for the Golf Tournament.

7. Facilities

The Facilities Committee is responsible for working with the administration and Director of Facilities to help advance the school from a structural standpoint.

A. Beautification - help to rake leaves, pressure wash, paint, spread mulch, etc. as needed throughout the year.

B. Signs and Stories - work closely with administration and teachers to work on bulletin boards, walls, and other areas of our school to display the story of excellence at ICS.

C. Building and Construction - assist with the continuous improvement and enhancement of our school from a structural standpoint.

8. Auction

The Auction Committee will oversee the school's largest fundraiser. The Auction Committee will work closely with the other committees to ensure successful execution of this event. 

9. Carnival

Similar to the Auction Committee, the Carnival Committee will work closely with the rest of the HSA Area Committees as well as representatives from the Church to host this community building event. 

10. School and Home

The administration, faculty and staff will function as a integral part of this new structure within the Home and School Association. The School and Home Committee will be comprised of the administration, faculty and staff of ICS. A representative from the school will serve as the chairperson for this committee. 

11. Students Ambassadors

This committee will be composed of the members and officers of the ICS Student Council. Officers will attend HSA Leadership Team meetings. A parent liaison will work closely with the Student Council and the HSA to help provide authentic opportunities for students to engage in these professional environments.  

Please prayerfully consider how you can best help our school through our Home and School Association. - everyone must play a part! Stay tuned for more details and contact Mr. Zelenka if you have a desire to work in a leadership role in any of the areas above. 

Early Childhood at ICS

ICS is starting a program for 3 year old children for the 2015-16 school year! Please help us spread this good news and invite those who may be interested!

Also, our 4 year old program is VPK approved. Contact the office or Ms. Noto for more details: notor@icstampa.org.

Our first day of classes for our Early Learning Program (PreK-3 and PreK-4) is August 24!

Please note our ICS Early Learning Program Vision:

ICS ELP is a place that

*delights in being with children and sharing in their joys;

*nurtures a child's ability to wonder, explore and create;

*believes children learn through hands-on play and through meaningful social interactions with both adults and peers;

*provides a student-centered environment that promotes social, emotional, spiritual and moral growth  and development;

*supports parents in their role as primary educators of their child(ren);

*partners with Incarnation Catholic School to foster a sense of community and family among students and faculty.

Please pray for the success of this new addition to our school!



Summer Work

Please be sure to adhere to our Summer Work program. Details about accessing Khan Academy and myON Reader can be found here: ICS Summer Work 2015

If you haven't started yet, please do so today - and start working!!!!! Contact Mr. Woodward or Mrs. Gonzalez if you have any questions: woodwardb@icstampa.org or icslgess@icstampa.org. 

Summer Schedule

Please adhere to the following schedule for office hours over the next three weeks leading up to the start of the school year: 

August 3 - 7: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

August 10 - 14: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

August 17: First day of school!

30 Day Family Prayer Challenge

We are almost one week into our 30 Day Family Prayer Challenge, but it's not too late to start. We invite all ICS families to join in this opportunity to pray for the most important part of our lives.  

Will you join? How will God work miracles in the life of your family by September? 

Try it and be AMAZED by the power of prayer!

Also, check out this prayer calendar for a resource and notice the scripture chosen - "Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, preserver in prayer" (Romans 12:12). This is the scripture for this year's theme - HOPE WILL RISE!

Back to School Letter

Have an AMAZING end of the summer! God bless and GO IRISH!

Be blessed. Be bold. Fight for JOY!

IN KEEPING WITH OUR TRADITION, WE AT INCARNATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL:

Inspire life-long learners,

Challenge each individual to be a disciple of Christ, and

Strive to live our Catholic faith through service to each other and the community.