Your Child's Most Important Teacher

Educator Chester E. Finn, Jr. states that, “There is an old saying that a parent’s heart is the child’s schoolroom.  You dreams, your efforts, your examples and loving exhortations – these set the boundaries of your child’s education.  The seminal lessons taught in the home stay with the children as they make their way through school and life, shaping their interest, ideals, and enthusiasm for learning.  Parents are the child’s first and most important teacher.  Raising our children is the most important task we are given in life.  Seeing that they get a good education is, in many respects, the crux of that task.  The pressures of time, work, and competing interests tempt us to hand more and more of our educational responsibilities to others.”  No matter what happens at school, you remain the child’s most influential teacher.  Research has shown that the more you are involved in the education of your child, the better chance they have to succeed.  A simple statement to be sure – but all the more critical in today’s ever-challenging world.  Our children today are facing a very scary world 10-15 years from now.  I am certain that we cannot imagine what changes there will be in that time.  Look at all of the advancements that have taken the world by storm the last few years and you can imagine what I mean.  But more than technological advancements is the fact that the world is becoming more and more “international” in scope.  I don’t believe that we can expect the world to be like it is today, and for our children to be competitive in the world of tomorrow will require a more international-minded thought process.  I am very proud of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP) and what it attempts to do for our children.  I hope that you will take some time to learn about the IB Profiles and Attitudes, help your children discuss how these concepts affect their everyday life, and help prepare them for the future.  You are your child’s most important teacher.
Rich Webb

Hot Lunch Menu & Servers

Monday ~ Steakfingers ~ Susan Recks
Tuesday ~ Fazoli's Fettuccini Alfredo ~ Wendell Seitzler
Wednesday ~ Pizza Hut Pizza ~ Loren Schwartz
Thursday ~ Hamburger ~ ???
Friday ~ Chick-Fil-A Sandwich ~ ???

This Week at St. Paul's

October 29 ~ Volleyball tournament ~ 4:45 at Waco Montessori
October 30 ~ 4:45 ~ Football versus St. Louis 5th
October 31 ~ Halloween Parties
November 1 ~ Volleyball Tournament ~ TBD
November 3 ~ Parking Lot Fundraiser ~ 12-3

IB in Action

Taking Action ~ One of the really great things about our IB program is that it encourages students, parents, and teachers alike to take action. Thrid graders, in their Health Smarts unit, have learned so much about the important reasons to have good personal hygiene.Last week, they had a discussion about  how difficult it would be to have healthy hygiene habits if you were a homeless person. The question was asked, “What does that have to do with us? We aren’t homeless.” Mrs. Burnett's response was one of being grateful that she was not in that position, but she sees homeless people on the way to school each day. The students began to tell about homeless people they had seen around our school community. They made a list of items that people use for personal hygiene, and decided that it might be a good thing to collect items for a group such as the Salvation Army and make a donation. If you would like to help the third grade class take part in this action project, you may bring soap, shampoo, chapstick, toothpaste & toothbrushes, dental floss, combs & hairbrushes, mouthwash, razors, or shaving cream, by next Monday, November 5.

Auction Wrap-Up

Special thanks to Ellen Hack, Susan Recks, and Melinda Suchecki for their hard work coordinating this year's fabulous auction. So many volunteer hours went into this special night. Thanks to all who gave of their time to help the school. Well over $100,000 was raised in underwriting and and auction sales that will be used to contine the excellence at St. Paul's School.

The video that was shown at the auction of each child saying what they'd like to be when they grow up is available if you'd still like to purchase a copy. They are $10 and can be purchased in the school office. We also had several items that will be available for bidding that were not purchased the night of the auction as well as some open spaces for the parties for those who would like to participate. Those will be available soon in the office as well.