ICS Newsletter: Thursday March 24, 2016

Upcoming Events


March

24 - ½ Day of School, Holy Thursday; End of Quarter 3

25 – 31 - No School, Easter Break

April
1 - No School, Easter Break
4 - School resumes 
6 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.
7 - Kindergarten Easter Hat Parade
8 - First Friday Morning Assembly, 8:30 a.m., St. Michael Hall
13 - School Mass with ICS Households, 8:30 a.m.
14 - Carnival, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. 
15 - 1/2 day of school; Carnival 6:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. 
16 - Carnival 2:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
17 - Carnival 1:00 - 8:00 p.m.

18 - No School, Carnival Clean-up
19 - Grades 5 and 8 to Enterprise Village and Finance Park, respectively
20 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.
21 - Family Supper with ICS Households
25 - ICS - Chick-fil-A Spirit Night
27 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

For a comprehensive look at all of the many activities we have planned for this school year, please visit our ICS Calendar Page.


Prayers

We pray for Catholics and Christians that the upcoming celebration of Easter will flood our hearts, homes and world with the love, peace, joy and hope of the Resurrection. May the end of our Lenten journeys draw us closer to the risen Christ!

We continue to pray for the family of Andrea and Luisana Pereira (Grades 3 and 5) as they mourn the loss of the girls' grandmother, Maria Lourdes Muniz. May God be with Pereira family and walk with them through this time of grief and sadness. 

We pray for all of those who will be fully initiated into the Church during this upcoming Easter, especially our very own Ms. Maniscalco. May God bless these RCIA candidates during these final days of preparation and may they experience His abundant graces through reception of the sacraments! 

We pray for the continued recovery of Flavio da Silva, Mickaella Marcal's (Gr. 2) father.

We pray for next month's Incarnation Carnival. May the weather be pleasant, the fun be safe and may all that happens honor and glorify our Heavenly Father!

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

  

Hope Will Rise

O Death, where is your sting? 

O Hell, where is your victory? 

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. 

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. 

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. 

Christ is risen, and life reigns. 

Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. 

For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 

To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. 

Amen.

-St. John Chrysostom

Hope Will Rise and good will win because Easter Sunday is coming! May the peace, joy, love and HOPE of the Resurrection RISE up within you this Easter and always!

ICS Academics

Standards Based Grading:
-is specific
-is focused on mastery / proficiency
-removes non-academic (knowledge or skill) factors such as neatness, preparedness, timeliness
-empowering for the student, informative for the teacher, prescriptive for the parents

For a great overview of the philosophy and advantages of Standards Based Grading, check out this quick video:

If you would like more information or if you have a specific question about this shift in pedagogy, please contact Mrs. Gonzalez, a member of our Diocesan Grading Policy Committee: gonzalezl@icstampa.org

ICS Faith
Push through this last week of Lent! Watch the video below for some great insights on making these final days the best yet!

See this schedule of activities for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday at Incarnation Catholic Church!

Holy Thursday
7:30 p.m. Holy Thursday Mass
9:00 - 11:30 p.m. Adoration in St. Michael Hall
11:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Tenebrae 

Good Friday
12:00 - 2:45 p.m. Meditation and Prayer
3:00 p.m. English liturgy
5:00 p.m. Via Cruces at the Pavilion
7:00 p.m. Spanish liturgy

Holy Saturday
11:00 a.m. Blessing of Easter Food in the Chapel
8:00 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass

Easter Sunday Masses
7:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m. (with overflow Mass starting at 9:10 in St. Michael Hall)
10:30 a.m. (with overflow Mass starting at 10:40 in St. Michael Hall)
12:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m. (Spanish)

ICS Digital Media

ICS embraces a philosophy that technology is a tool, not a subject, that is to be used by both teachers and students. ICS students are challenged to produce digital media in addition to consuming it. Students receive technology instruction as a part of an interdisciplinary approach to education. Students work with our digital equipment most frequently through the context of another class.

For a glimpse into the quality digital work being done by our ICS students, visit our ICS Wikispaces: http://icstampa.wikispaces.com/ICS+Wiki+home 

ICS Students are AMAZING!

Congratulations to the following 8th graders, winners in the Optimist Speech Contest:

-Boys

1st Place - Carlos Rueda

-Girls

1st Place - Maria Paula Owens-Jaramillo

2nd Place - Allison Elkins

3rd Place - Molly Caballero

Also congratulations to the following students who were inducted into the ICS chapter of the National Junior Honor Society after Mass yesterday:

-7th Grade

Maximillian Al-Ali

Avery Altamirano

Madeline Maroney

Elizabeth Newcom

-8th Grade

Jenna Maroney

Jennifer Pham

Natalie Robles

Sarah Torres

Works of Mercy
This Lent, ICS students focused on five different spiritual practices to help us on our Lenten journeys. Among this list was performing works of mercy. Grade levels partnered together to help "feed the hungry" by making bagged lunches for the Kaye Prox Food Bank. Please see these thank you notes in response to our efforts! Great job, Irish!

Personnel Updates

Please see below for a few personnel updates:

1. Mrs. Graves (PreK-3 and Grade 5) will not be finishing the school year with us at ICS. We thank her for her service to ICS and wish her the best in her future endeavors. We have filled Mrs. Graves' teaching positions with Mrs. Kathy Sirianni in PreK-3 and Mrs. Diane Doyle in Grade 5 LA and Math. 

Mrs. Sirianni, an ICS aide, has early childhood teaching experience and holds her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. This CDA Credential is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education. We are very excited for Mrs. Sirianni to serve our school and its students and families in this new way!

Mrs. Diane Doyle, a long-time veteran of ICS, has served our school in a variety of circumstances. She retired from teaching at the end of the 2014 school year. Luckily, she has agreed to continue to help ICS and has filled in regularly as a substitute teacher since retiring. At the beginning of this school year she covered our ICS Media Center; she will now help our 5th graders in LA and Math. We are very excited for Mrs. Doyle to rejoin our ICS faculty! 

2. Mrs. Gonzalez will begin her maternity leave after Easter break. With a due date of mid-April, Mrs. Gonzalez will use the time before the birth of her daughter to prepare for this beautiful addition to her family. Mrs. Gonzalez has also made the decision not to return to ICS for next school year. Wanting to embrace this awesome opportunity to be a mother, Mrs. Gonzalez will be stepping away from administration to be able to devote more time to this upcoming new job of being a mom! 

We have already begun a search for a new Assistant Principal. Details about Mrs. Gonzalez's replacement will be shared as they become available. 

We keep Mrs. Gonzalez, her husband, and their daughter in our thoughts and prayers. 

We will plan to give Mrs. Gonzalez a proper send-off later in the school year. She hopes to return for our 8th grade graduation ceremonies and the last day of school celebration. We thank Mrs. Gonzalez for her incredible service to ICS! She will be missed! Send her a note here: gonzalezl@icstampa.org 

Incarnation Carnival - April 14 - 17

The 52nd Annual Incarnation Carnival less than one month away! 

Visit this link or stop by the office to purchase advance ride and/or food tickets:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/52nd-annual-incarnation-church-school-carnival-tickets-22978702919?aff=es2 

This year we are introducing an unlimited 1-day wristband option in addition to the unlimited 4-day wristband. Unlimited 1-day bands are $25 in advance, $35 during the event. The unlimited 4-day band is available for $75 in advance. Visit the link above for more details! 

All school families need to volunteer their time to help support this event (5 hours minimum). Time slots are filling up fast but there is still a lot that needs covered. An initial email for volunteer sign-ups was sent last week; a follow-up will be sent soon! Be on the lookout for it and respond to your Homeroom Parent. 

-Thursday April 14 - 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

-Friday April 15 - 6:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

-Saturday April 16 - 2:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

-Sunday April 17 - 1:00 - 8:00 p.m.

See below for some for some other upcoming opportunities to get involved. 

Carnival Set-Up Continues!

Many thanks to the 25 volunteers who helped begin Carnival construction last weekend. We got off to a great start! Thanks!

*Email Rob Rogers at robert.rogers@progressivewaste.com if you are interested in volunteering or would like more details about getting involved in Carnival set-up.     

Saturday March 26th                     

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

We need at least 10-15 volunteers to continue assembling booths, evaluate electrical, test appliances, etc.  We also will need volunteers with trucks to help move appliances to pavilion. 

Saturday, April 2nd                         Sunday, April 3rd

9:00 am - 1:00 pm                                                9:00 am – 1:00 pm

We need at least 10-15 volunteers to continue assembling booths, setup and test appliances, tables and chairs setup, electrical.

Saturday, April 9th                          Sunday, April 10th

9:00 am - 1:00 pm                                                9:00 am – 1:00 pm

We need at least 10-15 volunteers to finalize booth set-up, additional appliances and all remaining tasks under the pavilion.

Stay tuned for even more opportunities to get involved!

Carnival Donation Requests

The heat from the trailers that store our Carnival equipment destroyed our refrigerators.  We need at least 5 working refrigerators. If you have a working refrigerator that you are willing and able to donate to the Carnival we would greatly appreciate your donation!  Email Rob Rogers at robert.rogers@progressivewaste.com if you are able to help with this request!

Incarnation Carnival Sweepstakes Drawing

Our Incarnation Carnival Sweepstakes Drawing is underway! We've already given out over $1000 worth of prize money! Get your tickets in to maximize your chances to win!

All school families have received 15 tickets, priced at $10 each. Remember that any family who was not able to attend Auction is expected to buy / sell all 15 tickets. If a family was only able to purchase one Auction ticket, 8 raffle tickets must be bought / sold. If a family attended Auction with two tickets, we would ask for your support in this effort, but it is not required. 

Of course, all families are encouraged to sell / buy even more than 15 tickets! If you need more tickets, please contact the Front Office!

Congratulations to our winners thus far!

3/17 (Bonus drawing): Arevalo family

3/18 ($250!): Nora Hura (sold by Klein family)

3/21: Falcone family (Nadia, Gr. 6)

3/22: Brian Heubel (sold by Ms. Cummings)

3/23: Dave Murrio (sold by the Rogers family)
3/24: Valerie Lewin (Gabriel Avilez, Gr. 3)
3/25: ($250!) Martinez family (Jason, Jeremy, Julianna, Grades K, 2, and 6)

Remember that we will not have any drawings next week. The excitement begins again on April 4! Get your tickets in by next Monday to maximize your chances to win!

Carnival Talent Show
The Carnival Talent Show is scheduled for Sunday April 17 between 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. 

Please email Mrs. Carrier: carrierr@icstampa.org or Ms. Maniscalco: maniscalcos@icstampa.org if you have any questions. 

Carnival Pick-up

Thank you for your patience and cooperation during "Rainy Day Pick-up" as a result of Carnival construction. Even though the weather won't necessarily require it, we will continue "Rainy Day Pick-up" from now through the week after Carnival (April 22). 

Thank you for your patience and flexibility.


ICS Dads Club

Any ICS dad interested in joining our ICS Dads Club should contact Craig Balco: CBalco@BBandT.com 

Need some inspiration? Check out this link for the "Power of Fathers": http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/parenting-roles/the-power-of-fathers/the-power-of-fathers   

2015 - 16 ICS Yearbook

Be sure to capture the AMAZING memories of this school year by ordering your 2015 - 2016 ICS Yearbook today. The cost is $35; make checks payable to Incarnation Catholic School.

Please contact the Front Office with any questions: (813) 884-4502. 


Spring Pictures
If you haven't either purchased or returned your Spring Pictures please do so as soon as possible! If you have any questions, please contact the Front Office: (813) 884-4502. 

ICS Band
Please note the following dates and times for the remaining ICS Band practices and performances! If you have any questions about our ICS Band Program, please contact our Band teacher, Mr. Reed Stricsek: reedstricsek@mail.usf.edu  

3/25/16 - No Band Easter Break
4/8/16
4/15/16
*4/20/16 (Wednesday)
4/22/16
*4/27/16 (Wednesday)
4/29/16
5/6/16
*5/11/16 (Wednesday)
5/12/16 - (Thursday) Concert At 7:00 p.m.
5/20/16
5/27/16 School Time Concert, TBA

Faith Formation Updates

First Communion Dates

Workshop

-April 9 

-9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in St. Michael Hall

-both child and parent should attend 

*First Communion is Sunday, May 1, 2016

Confirmation Dates

Rehearsal

-Tues. May 24  at 6:00 p.m.

*Confirmation is Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., Candidates and Sponsors must be here by 6:30 p.m.

Adult Catechesis
Doors of Mercy Parish Initiative
April 4, 11, 18, 25 - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in St. Michael Hall
May 2, 9, 16, 23 - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in St. Michael Hall

For more information contact Carmen Cayon (813) 885-7861 or ccayon@icctampa.org  


Re-registration to ICS
We hope you will join us at Incarnation Catholic School as partners in Catholic education next year. Please re-register today!

Happy Easter! 

Hope Will Rise!

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

Inspire disciples of Christ,

Challenge each individual to be a life-long learner, and

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