Thursday, May 8, 2014

ICS Newsletter 5.8.14

ICS Newsletter 5.8.14
UPCOMING EVENTS
5/8 - 5/9 - ICS Book Fair

5/8 - Family Supper / Irish Cup Activity

5/14 - Household Meetings; School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; ICS Irish Athletic Banquet

5/16 - Irish Cup Championship (formerly known as Field Day; please note that this is a full day of school; see below for details)
ICS Hall of Honors Ceremony, 5/2/14.

5/17 - ICS Dads Club Golf Outing

5/21 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

5/23 - 1/2 Day of School

5/26 - No School, Memorial Day

5/28 - Graduation Mass, 8:30 a.m.; 8th Grade Luncheon

5/31 - ICS Class of 2014 Graduation, 10:00 a.m.

6/5 - Honors Breakfast, 5th - 7th grade, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. (*by invitation)

6/6 - 1/2 day of school; School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; last day of school


PRAYER INTENTIONS

Please pray for 7th grader Marc Martin-Romero as he undergoes hand surgery next Tuesday. May God steady the surgeons' hands and give Marc health and a speedy recovery. 

We continue to pray for the Varela family as they continue to mourn the loss of Javier's aunt, Lourdes Fernandez. May God send them strength and comfort.

We pray in thanksgiving for the inspiration of our ICS 2nd graders (and others) who made their first and second Holy Communions this past week, our 8th graders who were confirmed yesterday evening, and our very own Mrs. Gonzalez who received the Sacrament of matrimony this past weekend. May we all grow closer to Jesus because of our community's celebration of these Sacraments. 

We once again lift Eric Castellucci, the son of a friend of Ms. Cummings, for his recovery from heart surgery this past week. May God grant Eric strength and healing. 

We pray for greater respect for all human life from conception to its natural end.

We pray for all mothers and families as we celebrate Mother's Day this upcoming weekend. We pray in a special way for all families who's mother has passed into eternal life as well as all women trying to conceive a child. May God's peace and comfort come to these families. 

We continue to pray for the following people: 

-Sophia Castro 
-Mario Mora
-Mireida Abad
-The Baker Family

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


CELEBRATING SUCCESSES


Congratulations to the following current ICS students who were recognized this past week at our First Friday Morning Assembly.

St. Sebastian Student-Athlete of the Month Awards: George Morgan and Jordan Jankowski

Cross-Fit Leadership Award: Angelina Carmona

Red Ticket Raffle Winners: Jaden Do and Nicole Rodriguez

Incarnation Inspiration Award Winners: Jasmine Castano, River Disher, John Coulman, John Rogers, Ian Gray, Matt Covington, Maria Paula Owens, Jacob Rogers, Anthony Santos, Isabel Bequer, Marissa Mattingly, Shane Oliva, Ximena Sanchez, Karolynne Gutierrez, Malio Mayo

Congratulations, Irish! Great job!

Do you know of a current ICS student or ICS graduate who has found success in the areas of academics, athletics, leadership, service or ministry that should be featured in our Newsletter? If so, please send notification to: icsmzele@icstampa.org           


HOME


-Emilie Buchwald


May our families be places where reading is encouraged and fostered! Take time to read to your kids!

Have a great quote about our school's theme, HOME? Send it to: icsmzele@icstampa.org                


IRISH CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

Our Inaugural Irish Cup Championship is set for next Friday May 16, 2014. This all day event will supplant and enhance what used to be field day. ICS Priories will compete in various events testing their academic and athletic prowess and their problem solving and teamwork skills! 

Volunteers for this AMAZING event are needed! If you are willing / able to help (for commitment hours for 2013 - 14 or next year), please contact the Main Office. 


T-shirts for this historic event will be provided to all students. Please pay $5.00 to the Main Office by May 14 to help offset the cost of this memento of this inaugural event.


Spirit FM will be on hand in the afternoon broadcasting live from ICS! Even if you can't attend, please be sure to tune into our Diocesan Catholic Radio Station, 90.5, between 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. 

Publix has graciously donated oranges for the festivities while we are in the process of supplying Icees to all Household members! Stay tuned!

GO IRISH!


COMMITMENT HOURS

Invoices for unfinished commitment hours will be sent home today. If you still need hours, please consider volunteering for the 5/16 Irish Cup Championship.


YEARBOOKS

2013 - 14 ICS Yearbooks can no longer be purchased on line but can still be purchased.  Cost is $35.00. Checks should be made payable to Incarnation Catholic School. Contact the Main Office for details. 


ICS BELIEFS

As offshoots of our schools mission statement to inspire life-long learners, challenge each individual to be disciples of Christ and strive to live our Catholic faith through service our school's belief statements include messages about the importance of Catholicism.


We believe:
1. Catholic education is an integral part of the Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, to build faith communities, to celebrate through worship and to serve others without distinction equally.


2. Our school reflects the integration of Catholic faith with learning and life.

A current ICS family is moving to Orlando over the summer prior to next school year. Due to this transition, the family is searching for Catholic elementary schools in the Orlando area so as to continue their family's Catholic education. Trying to find a comparable school has proven difficult. "It's hard to find a school as purely Catholic as ICS," according to this parent. "No other school can seem to measure up." 

Thank you for this kind remark! Please know of our continuous efforts to improve in all aspects of our school community, especially the reason for our school - our Catholic faith!


MRS. DOYLE'S RETIREMENT


I hope and trust that you received last Friday's (5/2/14) letter detailing the news that Mrs. Diane Doyle will be retiring at the end of this school year. This news induces the simultaneous feelings of sadness and joy. We will sorely miss Mrs. Doyle and her AMAZING teaching but we are excited for her to move into this new phase of her life. 

Plans are underway to honor Mrs. Doyle and her ICS career prior to the end of the school year. If you would like to help volunteer for this event and help with the planning of it, please contact the Main Office. 


USED UNIFORM SALE

At some point during the last week of school, we will sponsor a used uniform sale in St. Michael Hall. Say tuned for details.


HAPPY EASTER!

Continue to fight for your joy! The world is fallen but Christ has conquered the world! Alleluia! Happy Easter!
In keeping with our tradition, we at Incarnation Catholic School:
Inspire life-long learning,
Challenge each individual to be a disciple of Christ, and
Strive to live our Catholic faith through service to each other and the community.
-----------------------------------------------------
5111 Webb Rd. * Tampa, FL 33615 * Tel: 813.884.4502 * Fax: 813.885.3734 * www.icstampa.org

Thursday, May 1, 2014

ICS Newsletter 5.1.14

ICS Newsletter 5.1.14
UPCOMING EVENTS

5/2 - First Friday Morning Assembly, 8:30 a.m., St. Michael Hall; Irish Incarnation Spirit Day; ICS Hall of Honors Induction Ceremony, 7:00 p.m., St. Michael Hall

5/4 - First Communion Sunday

5/5 - 5/9 - ICS Book Fair

5/6 - Family Supper Lunch Order Forms due

5/7 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; ICS First Communion Celebration to follow Mass; 8th Grade Confirmation
A Kindergartener in an ICS Easter Hat!

5/8 - Family Supper / Irish Cup Activity

5/14 - Household Meetings; School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; ICS Irish Athletic Banquet

5/16 - Irish Cup Championship (formerly known as Field Day; please note that this is a full day of school; see below for details)

5/17 - ICS Dads Club Golf Outing

5/21 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

5/23 - 1/2 Day of School

5/26 - No School, Memorial Day

5/28 - Graduation Mass, 8:30 a.m.; 8th Grade Luncheon

5/31 - ICS Class of 2014 Graduation, 10:00 a.m.

6/6 - 1/2 day of school; School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; last day of school


PRAYER INTENTIONS

We lift the Varela family up in prayer as they mourn the loss of Javier's aunt, Lourdes Fernandez, on Tuesday. May Jesus offer to the Varela family comfort, strength and peace during this difficult time.

We pray for our ICS 2nd graders and all of the students who will be receiving Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time this weekend. May their participation in this Sacrament bring us all closer to the living Jesus. 

We also pray for our 8th graders as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next Wednesday. 

Four ICS students were received into the Church during the Easter Vigil, receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. May God bless and keep them!

In thanksgiving for the gift of life, we pray for the birth of Carlos Rueda's cousin, Emiliano. Congratulations to the Rueda family!

We lift Eric Castellucci, the son of a friend of Ms. Cummings, who will be undergoing major heart surgery on May 5th and 6th to remove a malignant tumor growing on his aorta. May God grant Eric strength and his surgeons endurance to have a successful surgery. 

Please pray for Miss Gess as she prepares for the Sacrament of Marriage this Saturday! May God bless her and Mr. Gonzalez!

We continue to pray for the following people: 

-Sophia Castro 
-Mario Mora
-Mireida Abad
-The Baker Family

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


CELEBRATING SUCCESSES


Congratulations to ICS 7th Graders Maureen Tanner and Kenley Bruce for their performances at a recent Cross Country meet. Maureen ran a personal best and a school record of 11 minutes, 13 seconds. Kenley also ran a personal best of 15 minutes, 27 seconds. Great job, Lady Irish! We are proud of your exemplification of AMAZING Training Pillar #1 - Improvement. People who are AMAZING know they can always improve and they strive to do it!

We also recognize the following students who were inducted into the Incarnation Catholic School chapter of the National Junior Honor Society on Wednesday 4/30:



-Isabella Edbrooke
-Allison Elkins
-Zachary Ellis
-Allison Kramer
-Maria Paula Owens
-Carlos Rueda
-Jessica Velte
-Gentry Burks
-Sophia Prima
-Sebastian Torres
-Jacob Croskey
-George Morgan
-Nicole Rodriguez
-Ricardo Rojas




Congratulations as well to the following students who participated in the Optimist Speech Contest: 
-Gentry Burks, Alex Garcia, Tyler Hernandez, George Morgan, Ricardo Rojas, Vivian Dinh, Bianca Falcone, Emily Hull, Amanda Lockhart, Lia Morrissey, Sophia Prima, Cristina Suarez-Solar, Lexi Velte
The following students took 1st and 2nd place in the Optimist Speech Contest. Congrats!
-2nd place Winners - Sebastian Torres and Jessica Anastasia
-1st place Winners - Carter Campbell and Jordan Jankowski
GO IRISH!

Do you know of a current ICS student or ICS graduate who has found success in the areas of academics, athletics, leadership, service or ministry that should be featured in our Newsletter? If so, please send notification to: icsmzele@icstampa.org         


HOME



May our families be places where our love for each other lights up the whole sky! May God bless all families!

Have a great quote about our school's theme, HOME? Send it to: icsmzele@icstampa.org               


HALL OF HONORS

Tomorrow, Friday May 2 will mark our second ICS Hall of Honors Induction Ceremony. Coach Jeff Pafunda and Mr. and Mrs. James and Sylvia Fernandez will be inducted as members of the Class of 2014. The event will take place in St. Michael Hall at 7:00 p.m. Any ICS parent still in need of volunteer hours for this school or looking to get a jump on hours for the 2014 - 15 school year should contact Main Office: 813.884.4502. Thank you in advance for your help!


IRISH CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

Our Inaugural Irish Cup Championship is set for Friday May 16, 2014. This all day event will supplant and enhance what used to be field day. ICS Priories will compete in various events testing their academic and athletic prowess and their problem solving and teamwork skills! 

Volunteers for this AMAZING event are needed! If you are willing / able to help (for commitment hours for 2013 - 14 or next year), please contact the Main Office. 


As a way to commemorate this monumental competition and capitalize on the excitement that our Household Initiative has generated, we would like to provide students with t-shirts corresponding to their Priory color. Anyone willing to help offset the cost of this Priory present through a donation should contact either Mr. Woodward or Mr. Zelenka. Along these same lines and in the absence of donations, the cost per student will be $5.00. Please pay the money to the school office by May 14. 

Other items needed: 
-Oranges
-Ice pops
-Paper cups
-Gatorade

More details about the Irish Cup Championship will be on the way! GO IRISH! May the best Priory win!


COMMITMENT HOURS

Invoices for unfinished commitment hours will be sent home next Thursday. If you have any hours that you have not submitted to the Office, please be sure to do so before next Thursday. Similarly, if you still need hours, please consider volunteering for the 5/2 Hall of Honors event or the 5/16 Irish Cup Championship.


YEARBOOKS

2013 - 14 ICS Yearbooks can no longer be purchased on line but can still be purchased. Please see the flyer in today's pack for details. Cost is $35.00. Checks should be made payable to Incarnation Catholic School.


PARENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT


As parents and family members of our ICS students, you play a crucial role in the development of your sons and daughters. One of our AMAZING teaching pillars states, "Parents are the primary educators of their children." As partners in the education of your child(ren), we value, respect and honor your role as primary educators of our students. 

Along these lines, we also value your hard work, dedication and commitment to ICS! Our Home and School efforts this year have yielded over $60,000 for the school, helping ICS to continue to enjoy strong financial stability. With the ICS Dads Club Golf Outing still to come (May 17), your generosity and commitment to ICS will help us to more firmly establish and execute many of our long-term plans such as: new computers for teachers, the beginning of an Early Childhood program, and online curriculum planning and assessment software to help assist student learning and promote academic growth. Thank you!


FIRST FRIDAY MORNING ASSEMBLY

Please consider joining us in St. Michael Hall tomorrow morning for First Friday Morning Assembly at 8:30 a.m. Go Irish!


HAPPY EASTER!

Remember that the celebration of Easter is 50 days long! Continue to find the joy of the Resurrection at all times! He is risen! Alleluia!
In keeping with our tradition, we at Incarnation Catholic School:
Inspire life-long learning,
Challenge each individual to be a disciple of Christ, and
Strive to live our Catholic faith through service to each other and the community.
-----------------------------------------------------
5111 Webb Rd. * Tampa, FL 33615 * Tel: 813.884.4502 * Fax: 813.885.3734 * www.icstampa.org

Thursday, April 17, 2014

ICS Newsletter 4.17.14

ICS Newsletter 4.17.14
UPCOMING EVENTS

4/17 - 1/2 Day of School, Holy Thursday; Living Stations of the Cross (5th Grade), 8:30 and 9:30 in St. Michael Hall; Sacred Steps Running Club, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

4/18 - 4/25 - No School, Easter Break

4/30 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony to follow Mass

5/2 - First Friday Morning Assembly, 8:30 a.m., St. Michael Hall; Irish Incarnation Spirit Day; ICS Hall of Honors Induction Ceremony, 7:00 p.m., St. Michael Hall

5/4 - First Communion Sunday

5/7 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; ICS First Communion Celebration to follow Mass

5/8 - Family Supper / Irish Cup Activity

5/14 - Household Meetings; School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

5/16 - Irish Cup Championship (formerly known as Field Day)

5/17 - ICS Dads Club Golf Outing

5/21 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

5/23 - 1/2 Day of School

5/26 - No School, Memorial Day

5/28 - Graduation Mass, 8:30 a.m.; 8th Grade Luncheon

5/31 - ICS Class of 2014 Graduation, 10:00 a.m.

6/6 - 1/2 day of school; School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; last day of school


PRAYER INTENTIONS

We continue to pray for the following people: 

-Sophia Castro 
-Mario Mora
-Lourdes Fernandez
-Mireida Abad
-Nilda Houellemont
-The Baker Family

Did you know that fasting, something that all adult Catholics should do tomorrow on Good Friday, is a great form of prayer? Offer up your fast tomorrow for one of the people mentioned above or for a personal intention not listed. For more information, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-resources/lent/catholic-information-on-lenten-fast-and-abstinence.cfm

Also, please pray for our ICS students who will be received into our Church during the Easter Vigil, receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. May God bless and keep them! 

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


CELEBRATING SUCCESSES


Congratulations to the following students, recognized last week at our Friday Morning Assembly! AMAZING work, Irish!

-3rd Quarter Honor Roll Recipients:







































-St. Sebastian Student-Athlete of the Month (March): 
Kenley Bruce (Gr. 7) and Alex Vazquez-Kersey (Gr. 8)

Cross-Fit Leadership Award: 
Ashlyn Straughn (Gr. 5)

Red Ticket Drawing Winners: 
Isabella Edbrooke (Gr. 6) and Katrina Otis (Gr. 4)

Incarnation Inspiration Awards:
McKinley Gorman (Gr. 2)
Oscar de los Rios (K)
Alex Mazza (Gr. 4)
Kayla Kramer (Gr. 4)
Emilie Vendrone (Gr. 4)
Alaina Garcia (Gr. 4)
Robbie Hipkins (Gr. 4)
Sophia Torres (Gr. 4)
Vivian Dinh (Gr. 8)
Adam Reciniello (Gr. 7)
George Morgan (Gr. 8)
Carson Phillip (Gr. 7)
Mary Sexton (Gr. 8)
Emily Hull (Gr. 8)


Do you know of a current ICS student or ICS graduate who has found success in the areas of academics, athletics, leadership, service or ministry that should be featured in our Newsletter? If so, please send notification to: icsmzele@icstampa.org        


HOME


Have a great quote about our school's theme, HOME? Send it to: icsmzele@icstampa.org              


HALL OF HONORS

Friday May 2 will mark our second ICS Hall of Honors Induction Ceremony. Coach Jeff Pafunda and Mr. and Mrs. James and Sylvia Fernandez will be inducted as members of the Class of 2014. The event will take place in St. Michael Hall at 7:00 p.m. Any ICS parent still in need of volunteer hours for this school or looking to get a jump on hours for the 2014 - 15 school year should contact Main Office: 813.884.4502. Thank you in advance for your help!


IRISH CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

Our Inaugural Irish Cup Championship is set for Friday May 16, 2014. This all day event will supplant and enhance what used to be field day. ICS Priories will compete in various events testing their academic and athletic prowess and their problem solving and teamwork skills! 

Volunteers for this AMAZING event are needed! If you are willing / able to help (for commitment hours for 2013 - 14 or next year), please contact the Main Office. 

As a way to commemorate this monumental competition and capitalize on the excitement that our Household Initiative has generated, we would like to provide students with t-shirts corresponding to their Priory color. Anyone willing to help offset the cost of this possible Priory present through a donation should contact either Mr. Woodward or Mr. Zelenka. Along these same lines and in the absence of donations, we would look to ask families for $5 per shirt. If you have any thoughts, comments or questions about this potential expense, please let us know. 

More details about the Irish Cup Championship will be on the way! GO IRISH! May the best Priory win!


YEARBOOKS

You can purchase yearbooks online: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com The Incarnation Catholic School code for purchasing online is: 1687914. Cost is $35.00. 

You can also order through the Main Office. Checks should be made payable to Incarnation Catholic School.


MISSION DRIVEN


ICS is extremely proud of its mission to 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.

Did you know that ICS has embarked on many initiatives this year to become more closely aligned to the type of school it aims to be? 

-LIFE-LONG LEARNERS
ICS was the only school in the Diocese to take part in the Hour of Code: http://csedweek.org. 

ICS teachers have almost completed four years of training, study and implementation of using Understanding by Design as a way to plan, instruct and assess students: http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/siteASCD/publications/UbD_WhitePaper0312.pdf. This method, which aligns with the Common Core State Standards, was adopted by the Diocese in 2012, giving ICS a two year head start over other area Catholic schools. Teachers have continued to enhance, refine and perfect their work with this research based planning, teaching and assessment method. 

ICS Administration has embarked upon improvements to its management of teachers, developing an innovative and research proven approach to forming teachers. Built upon the premise that formative assessment (frequent and short checks with feedback geared at improvement) is more effective at promoting growth than summative (longer, less frequent tests with summative feedback), this observation system models multiple sound educational approaches to teachers: http://www.slideshare.net/rhondacarrier/assessment-14069815?qid=8705697c-2779-4fed-8345-f05db7aa7ed3&v=qf1&b=&from_search=31.

-DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
Our ICS Household initiative has afforded our school opportunities to eat, pray and play together, a recipe for successful families. It has increased the number of student leadership positions within the school. Every middle school student has an opportunity to demonstrate responsibility and leadership every time that our Houses meet. Furthermore, ICS Households have given both teachers and students a broader perspective and appreciation for the various grade levels within our school community. 

A greater emphasis has been placed upon the faith lives of students. During Advent, ICS students not only participated in grade level retreats, but also spiritual exercises in Households. Lent has afforded ICS students and teachers chances to take "steps" with Christ along the path of the Crucifixion. Today the entire school will engage in faith-based activities: the Living Stations of the Cross, a presentation by students from the Academy of the Holy Names about their trip to the Dominican Republic with shoes collected by ICS (Run for Love Shoe Drive), and a reflection / prayer service about the Last Supper. 

-SERVANTS TO EACH OTHER AND THE COMMUNITY
In addition to the many traditional service projects here at ICS (Pasta for Pennies, Messiah Migrant Ministries Food Drive, St. Francis Pet Food Drive), ICS Middle School students have traveled to Metropolitan Ministries to as part of service-learning activities. Most recently, 6th grade traveled there to perform service. 

Upon their return, one sixth grader had this to say, 

"The people we served had so little, and we have so much. But, we complain more." 

What an AMAZING insight!

Hopefully you can see and have taken note of the school's commitment to continuously improve and to remain ever committed to Christ, the Reason for our AMAZING school. 


HOLY WEEK, TRIDUUM AND EASTER

The entire ICS community is invited to a parish-wide reenactment of Jesus's Passion tomorrow evening (4/18) in the ICS Pavilion at 5:00 p.m. For the first time since this Incarnation tradition began, it will be celebrated tri-lingually (English, Spanish and Filipino dialect). Rehearsals have taken place since January. All of our parish priests will be present. This is a wonderful opportunity of evangelization. 

The Veneration of the Cross will take place at 3:00 p.m. Spanish Veneration of the Cross will take place at 7:00 p.m. 

Please consult the Parish website: icctampa.org for more details about services, liturgies and opportunities for your faith development during the Triduum and Easter. Please consider taking advantage of this holy season as a way for your family to grow closer to Jesus. 

On behalf of the faculty and staff, and Fr. Michael and the priests, we wish you a very happy and blessed Easter! May the joy and hope of the Resurrection fill your hearts and homes! 

Sunday's coming...

In keeping with our tradition, we at Incarnation Catholic School:
Inspire life-long learning,
Challenge each individual to be a disciple of Christ, and
Strive to live our Catholic faith through service to each other and the community.
-----------------------------------------------------
5111 Webb Rd. * Tampa, FL 33615 * Tel: 813.884.4502 * Fax: 813.885.3734 * www.icstampa.org