May 15, 2015

The Weekly

Nativity Newscast

UPCOMING DATE

May 18 AR Millionaire Readers

wear AR shirts May 20 PFO Trash Bag Pickup,

2:30 – 6, back of church May 21 Mass, 8:30 Kindergarten Roundup,

9:45-10:45 OR 2:00-3:00 Cantor Choir Luncheon May 22 Field Day, wear grade

level shirts May 25 – Memorial Day,

No School May 26 Rain date for Field Day May 27 8th Grade Class Trip Pre-K 3-day class picnic,

10-noon, Thompson Park May 28 Mass, 8:30 Last Day of School, K-7 Pre-K 2-day class picnic,

10-noon, Thompson Park May 31 Graduation, 3 p.m.

Nativity Catholic School 3310 S. Meadow Drive Indianapolis, IN 46239

Telephone: 317-357-1459 Fax: 317-357-9175

Email: plamott@nativityindy.org

Great Endings and New Beginnings

It is hard to believe how quickly the school year has passed and

come to an end. I would like to thank you for your faith, trust, and

commitment to the mission of Nativity Catholic School. It is your

belief in the Catholic education values that help us to sustain our

school. We respect the sacrifices each family makes to send their

child to Nativity and we will continue to put your child first in

everything we do! This was a very busy year and you, as partners in

education, played a great role in making it a success!

Although it is a hectic time of year, it is the time when I most realize

how blessed we all are to be part of the ministry of Nativity. Parents

and teachers commit their time and energy every day toward

creating a nurturing environment in which children can thrive!

We wish our eighth grade students all the best as they journey on to

new places. Eighth grade graduation is a time for celebration and

reflection on the impact faith-based education has made on each

student, and parents proudly see their child as a Nativity Graduate

rooted in CHRIST:

Connected to create a stronger community

Honoring Christ with personal integrity, dignity and respect for

themselves and those they encounter

Reaching for academic excellence and goals, influencing

others with their efforts and obtaining their objectives

Imitating Christ’s teachings

Serving others

Trusting Christ as they learn to be relied upon at home, school

and the community.

continued

Page 2

In closing, I take this opportunity to congratulate all students of Nativity! Their

hard work and dedication made our dream of earning an A rating and being

named as a Four Star School by the Indiana Department of Education a reality!

I wish you all a very happy, safe and enjoyable summer. Please be sure to take

time as a family to talk, play, and pray together. I look forward to seeing you all

in August.

To students and staff who are not returning to our school, you will continue to be

in our prayers as you make your journey on to new places.

In Christ’s peace,

Terri Bianchini

Principal

Highlights of the 2014-15 School Year

Nativity Catholic School was honored as an Indiana Four Star School. To be

awarded this honor, a school must be in the top 25th percentile of schools in

two ISTEP-based categories, must have earned an A in the accountability

system, and be accredited by the Indiana Department of Education. The

award was given to 281 of the 2,766 schools statewide.

A record number of students were enrolled: 406 students, which included

347 in K-8 and 59 in PK.

Students read OVER 131,000,000 words and took over 10,745 Accelerated

Reader Tests.

We focused on our Faith through school-wide Advent and Lenten activities

Nativity students completed over 238,591 math problems on IXL (web-based

math site).

Marian University entrusted the training of two student teachers and three

undergraduate education students to Nativity’s exemplary faculty.

Nativity was awarded a $5000 grant from The Westerman Foundation and a

$2500 Kroger Grant to help us join the Indianapolis Marion County Public

Library Shared System. Nativity students checked out 3177 books this year.

Ninety-seven percent of students passed the Math ISTEP. This is the highest

percentage of all South Deanery Schools.

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The Indiana Department of Education calculated our Growth Score as 5.6%

which was the highest Growth Score in the South Deanery.

National Anthem Day was celebrated.

Three Nativity Eighth Graders were awarded the Presidential Scholarship at

Roncalli for scoring in the top ten (out of 350) on the High School Placement

Exam.

Proudly celebrated Catholic Schools Week and prayed the Living Rosary

together.

Honored the Veterans from our community with a Veterans’ Day Program.

Nativity Grandparents’ Club was established and enjoyed by all.

Nativity was awarded a $27,750 James P. Scott Grant. With the school

matching this dollar amount, we are able to provide a laptop for each

eighth grader to use during the school day next year.

Celebrated Respect for Life Week by blessing expectant mothers.

Forty-eight second graders celebrated their First Reconciliation and First Holy

Communion.

The annual Tech Trek raised over $6000 and purchased an IPad and case for

each grade level. An IPad Air was purchased for every classroom.

Over twenty students competed in the CYO Music Contest in February. Most

of these competitors earned first place superior ratings. The Middle School

Choir received a first place honor and was selected as the “Best In Class”

performance.

Students proved that they were “Anchored In Christ” by serving others with

11 service projects – each one organized by a grade level.

Nativity students participated in the Scripps Spelling Bee, National

Geographic’s Geography Bee, Roncalli’s Quest for Excellence and the CYO

Science Fair.

A Titan Archery Team participated in the National Archery in the Schools

Program for the first time ever and qualified for the State Championship!

Inaugural year with our science lab was enjoyed by middle school students

and their science buddies.

The Student Council represented Nativity students in outreach visits to

Rosegate Nursing Home and Wheeler Mission Men’s Shelter.

Students shared their God given talents while performing in the Christmas

and Spring Programs, the Talent Show and the Middle School Musical ( Once

upon a Mattress).

Nativity teachers provided over 220 hours of no cost tutoring to small groups

of students.

Graduated 26 eighth graders with 88% continuing on to a Catholic High

School.

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The Titan Café was awarded a grant for a new modern milk cooler from the

Indiana Dairy Association and received a generous donation of a freezer

from a Nativity Parishioner.

Rolled out an updated Nativity Catholic School website.

Nativity CYO sports teams finished their seasons with several trophies and a

reputation of being stellar athletes exhibiting great sportsmanship.

New Beginnings

New Faculty and Staff

We wish the very best to Mrs. Brenda Pillsbury, second grade teacher, in her

retirement! Seventeen of Mrs. Pillsbury’s twenty-six years in Catholic

Education have been at Nativity. In these years, she has made a positive

impact on many, many students. Many students state that their deeply

rooted love of reading was cultivated by Mrs. Pillsbury. She will be missed!

o Mrs. Jenne Youtsey will be our new teacher in second grade. She has

nine years of teaching experience with several of those years in

second grade. She has a solid foundation in multisensory reading and

reading intervention strategies for the second grade classroom. Mrs.

Youtsey also is a volunteer catechist in her parish, Christ the King, as a

second grade religious education teacher.

Ms. Jill Knueven, third grade teacher, has the opportunity to enter into the

business world. Although she will miss the children and co-teachers very

much, she is excited to begin a new career.

o Ms. Emily Shipton has accepted the position of third grade teacher.

Ms. Shipton has been teaching third grade at St. John Neumann

Catholic School in Maryville, IL this past year. If you would like to

check out her websites to learn more about her, visit:

missshipton.weebly.com or missshipton3rdgrade.weebly.com. The

password for both is grade3.

Mrs. Christie McGaha, our technology teacher, will not be returning next

year. She has chosen to take next year to stay home with her young

daughter.

o We are excited to welcome Mrs. Joanne Kehoe as Nativity’s

Technology Teacher. Mrs. Kehoe is a St. Joan of Arc parishioner and

school volunteer. Before choosing to stay at home with her young

children, Mrs. Kehoe served as St. Richard’s School Director of

Information Technology.

Page 5

For scheduling reasons, Mr. Hagerty will be working fewer hours in the Titan

Library next year.

o We would like to welcome Mrs. Bonnie Kurz to our staff. Mrs. Kurz has

children in our school and has been volunteering in the library and

serving as Mr. Hagerty’s “right hand woman” this year.

We will be dividing the Middle School Language Arts program into two

separate classes next year. Mr. Boyle will be teaching Literature and

Vocabulary.

o Ms. Amy Burke will be teaching Writing and Grammar to our 6th, 7th

and 8th grade students. Ms. Burke has taught middle school language

arts at Sacred Heart School, Highbridge, in Bronx, NY, Ursuline

Academy in New Orleans, St. John Berchmans Catholic School in

Chicago, IL and St. Jude Catholic School here in Indianapolis. After

several years of teaching experience out of state, she is looking

forward to returning to Indianapolis.

Other New Beginnings to Note

Middle School students (grades 6, 7 & 8) will be able to wear cargo pants in

the school uniform colors.

The eighth grade homeroom classrooms will be located in the middle school

science lab and the current religion room. Mrs. Devine and Ms. Wagner will

be 8th grade homeroom teachers. Ms. Wagner’s classroom will be in the

current religion classroom.

Mr. Boyle and Ms. Burke will be the seventh grade homeroom teachers. Mr.

English and Mr. Wood will be the sixth grade homeroom teachers.

Mrs. Haltom’s resource classroom will be located in the current conference

room off of Weilhammer Hall.

The third, fourth and fifth graders will be going out for recess before they eat

lunch next year. To read more about the benefits of “Play Before Lunch”

visit this website: http://www.nea.org/home/43158.htm

With the help of the James P. Scott Grant, all eighth graders will have a

laptop with carrying case to use in classes next year.

YEARBOOKS FOR SALE

Forget to order a yearbook? We have several extra yearbooks for sale in the

office. They are available for $15. each.

Page 6

IXL HONOR ROLL

Congratulations to the following first through seventh grade students who were

the top 10 performing students in their grade in IXL Math!

Grade 1 Gabriella Nolting, Ara Meyer, Alex Beard, Isabella Cadwell,

Brayden Treadwell, Becca Engel, Ally Richardson, Logan

Neyenhaus, Shane Gregg and Elijah Clifton

Grade 2 Maggie Smith, Madeline Daming, Delanie Oskay, Gianna Miller,

Morgan Albrecht, Maria Paynter, Joey Hicks, Michael Dexter,

Sydney Kirkhoff, and Grace Daming

Grade 3 Aubrey Silcox, Ethan Williams, Alice Smidebush, Lucy Schoettle,

Nathan Miller, Kiefer Lawry, Dre Stephenson, Dom Casper, Ella

Guilfoy, Conner Fitzgerald, and Danica Keller (tie)

Grade 4 Allison Vennall, McKenna Nolting, Rory Beikes, Blake Vennall, Ethan

Dexter, Luke Vennall, Anthony Paynter, Lauren Bobko, Grace Busby,

and Drew Beard

Grade 5 Carlie Young, Livia Ianni, Charles Schoettle, Ali Sanchez, Bryce

LaMarca, Dionte Stephenson, Aidan Curtis, Madeline Mader,

Angelina Fisher, Lucy Harrell, and Noah Resler (tie)

Grade 6 Will Beikes, Jacob Kappes, Daniel Seed, Christina Kurz, Eliza Rail,

Elijah Buening, Jazmyn Lawry, Veronica Phillips, Savannah Evans,

and Jacob Sitzman

Grade 7 Brian Bobko, Alex Payne, Sydney Silcox, Mason Bogie, Grace

Whitaker, Sarah Miller, Trace Solonka, Sophia Prusa, Erin Rooney,

and Sydney Geibel

PFO TRASH BAG PICKUP RESCHEDULED

Pickup has been rescheduled from today to Wednesday, May 20 from 2:30-6

because the bags have not yet arrived.

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ACCELERATED READER MILLIONAIRES

Nativity Students have read 131,000,000 words! Mr. Barr and Ms. Bianchini will be first in the dunk tank. Other teachers will have the opportunity to volunteer for our Dunk Tank Challenge. All Students who participated in AR this year will be entered into the Dunk Tank drawing. Also, for every 100,000 words read, each student will receive an extra ticket into the drawing. This Accelerated Reader celebration will be held on May 22nd at the end of Field Day from 2:15 -3:00. Congratulations Nativity students!!!

The week of May 18th – 21st and May 28th -- 1,000,000, 2,000,000, 3,000,000,

4,000,000 and 5,000,000 millionaire students will be rewarded with AR T-shirt Days! Students may wear their AR T-Shirt with uniform pants on their designated day.

1,000,000 Words Read – AR T-Shirt on Monday. 2,000,000 Words Read – AR T-Shirt on Monday and Tuesday. 3,000,000 Words Read – AR T-Shirt on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. 4,000,000 Words Read – AR T-Shirt on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 5,000,000 Words Read – AR T-Shirt on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Last

Day of School.

Students Words Read Books Read

Hagerty, Jillian 5,264,432 76

Wlodarczyk, Cara 5,215,282 134

Prusa, Sarah 4,402,058 44

Moore, Paige 4,156,802 41

Minton, Ben 4,005,749 72

Daming, Madeline 3,859,263 442

Schoettle, Charles 3,237,034 114

Whisler, Chris 3,158,961 61

Vennall, Blake 2,987,321 94

Busby, Grace 2,507,041 115

Vennall, Luke 2,368,075 59

Prusa, Sophia 2,311,403 21

Dexter, Ethan 2,162,854 141

Bogie, Gracyn 2,161,702 69

5 Millionaire

4 Millionaire

3 Millionaire

2 Millionaire

Dexter, Michael 1,962,162 155

Beard, Andrew 1,864,805 64

Sergi, Caterina 1,851,857 101

Fisher, Angelina 1,743,165 53

Curtis, Aidan 1,733,291 48

Nolting, McKenna 1,724,083 113

Marcum, Jade 1,719,989 84

Daming, Grace 1,637,366 127

Bognar, Olivia 1,501,253 56

Maples, Jackson 1,488,548 92

Silcox, Aubrey 1,419,136 194

Bobko, Lauren 1,393,124 91

Fitzgerald, Mitchell 1,365,751 47

Newett, Ainsley 1,363,817 71

Wiley, Sarah 1,265,667 12

Silcox, Sydney 1,259,228 18

Kurz, Christina 1,230,561 31

Vennall, Allison 1,220,859 94

Sullivan, Kaitlyn 1,200,562 67

Meer, Evan 1,164,156 45

Geibel, Andy 1,133,207 60

Luebkeman, Mary 1,040,731 42

Shives, Vinnie 1,030,938 105

Phillips, Garrett 1,025,264 84

Jasheway, Sarah 1,005,149 241

1 Millionaire

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The Accelerated Reader Program is a vital part of our success here at Nativity. It

is our goal to not only teach our students to read but to make reading exciting

for them. Thank you for all your hard work and support!

Date Changes:

1. Wednesday, May 27th -- Students can wear AR t-shirts, Bracelets, and

Necklace.

2. 5 Millionaires may wear their AR T-Shirt the last day of school.

FIELD DAY NEWS

Next Friday, May 22nd, is Field Day! It is an out of uniform day for everyone;

however, students are requested to wear their grade level t-shirts or a shirt of

their grade’s assigned color. Please see attachment for more information.

Pre-School Yellow Kindergarten Lime Green

1st grade Navy Blue 2nd grade Green

3rd grade Light Blue 4th grade Maroon

5th grade Blue 6th grade Orange

7th grade Red 8th grade Field Day Leaders

DO YOU HAVE YOUR ACT(S) TOGETHER?

Are you one of the remaining 25 to turn in your stewardship “ACTS” form? If so,

there is one attached to this week’s newsletter. Please take a moment to

complete the form now and return it ASAP.

All families requesting the parishioner tuition rate are required to have the ACTS

form on file in the Parish office. Father Pat will call families who have not turned

in their form.

JARS FOR JOY!

The seventh grade studied Africa in Social Studies this year. Therefore, for our

service project in May, we will continue Nativity’s partnership with World Joy,

which has adopted 13 rural villages in Ghana. In the fund-raiser, which is called

Jars for Joy, we will place coin jars in each of the homerooms. Any spare

change put in the jars will be collected and sent to the villages in Ghana. The

money will buy school supplies for the schools that World Joy has built in the

villages. The previous two Nativity Jars for Joy campaigns helped finish a

kindergarten classroom in the village of Abomosu. Thank you for your support!

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DO YOU HAVE YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT?

If you have not already done so, please remember to register or update your

tuition account information online at

https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3CW34. After you complete this, please

print out the form, sign and return it to the office.

If you have any questions, please contact Susan McClard, Nativity’s business

manager at smcclard@nativityindy.org.

SECOND HELPINGS FIELD TRIP

The third grade has been talking about different communities all year in our

Social Studies curriculum. During the first month of school, we learned about

Second Helpings, which is mentioned in our Social Studies book. Second

Helpings is a nonprofit organization that works hard to eliminate food waste,

feed the hungry, and train those who are struggling financially to learn a trade

in order to be successful. During the month of March, the third grade collected

pasta and rice to donate to Second Helpings. On Monday, the third grade

traveled to Second Helpings for a field trip. They took a tour of the facility and

learned about how their donated pasta and rice would be used to feed those

who are hungry.

ART ROOM DONATION

The Nativity Art Department would like to thank Paul Mayer for his generous

donation of a screen printing drying rack and mat cutter. The additions to our

art room add to the value of education our children receive here at Nativity.

Our art department is quickly making its way to the top in what our children are

able to experience and the authenticity of that art experience. Thank you Mr.

Mayer!

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Athletics Update

CYO sports provide opportunities for young people to develop strong moral

character, self-esteem and leadership qualities through activities of a social,

educational, recreational and athletic nature. This school year was another

successful year for our CYO sports program at Nativity.

During this school year;

47 boys played on one of our three football teams.

73 boys played on one of our eight basketball teams.

42 girls played on one of our five basketball teams.

17 boys wrestled.

13 boys played baseball.

42 kids played on one of our three soccer teams.

25 boys played on one of our three volleyball teams.

69 girls played on one of our nine volleyball teams.

50 girls played kickball on one of our four teams in the fall.

36 girls played kickball on one of our three teams in the spring.

11 girls played softball.

31 kids ran track.

19 kids ran cross country.

Nativity sponsored 43 athletic teams!

Congratulations to all of the student athletes who participated this season, and

special congratulations to the following:

3/4 Football – 2014 City Runner Up

Cadet Football – 2014 City Runner Up

Cadet A Boys Basketball – 2015 City Runner Up

5/6 B Girls Volleyball – 2015 City Runner Up

Cadet A Girls Volleyball – 2015 City Runner Up

Two wrestlers were City Champions in their respective weight classes (Matt Guhl

and Ethan Huffman)

Eight athletes qualified for the City Track Championship, with Lillian Cadwell

winning City in three track events (long jump, 100, and 200.)

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ALUMNI NEWS

Wonderful news concerning two Nativity graduates from the Class of 2002 has

been sent to us by Cindy Hemmelgarn.

Erin (Hemmelgarn) Dammann and Carrie Anderson both graduated from

Indiana University School of Medicine and became doctors on May 9, 2015.

Erin Dammann plans to work in Preliminary Medicine at St. Vincent Hospital and

Anesthesiology at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.

Carrie Anderson will work in Family Medicine at Indiana University Health, Ball

Memorial Hospital in Muncie.

Congratulations Erin and Carrie!

CAMP INVENTION

Where Big Ideas Become the Next Big Thing

You are invited to come to Camp Invention June 8 through 12 from 9 to 3:30 at

Nativity School! Our own Mrs. Linda Minton is the director. Register at

campinvention.org by May 12th and save $15. Please see the attached flyer.

Interested in learning about Lacrosse?

Roncalli Lacrosse is holding their first summer camp! Come out and learn the

basics, try out some skills, and make new friends. The camp will be held at

Roncalli High School June 1-4, 2015. This is open to all boys, 3rd-9th grade. Time

is 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Cost is $50. Wear comfortable workout clothes, tennis shoes,

and bring lacrosse equipment if you have it. If you do not have equipment, we

can provide it for you for camp use.

Visit http://www.roncalli.org/athletics/summer-sports-camps to register. Any

questions, please contact Sean Cross, Rebel Lacrosse Varsity Coach at

seancross@comcast.net.

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Roncalli Cross Country

The Roncalli High School girls’ and boys’ cross country teams are seeking incoming

freshman who may be interested in joining our teams in the Fall of 2015. This is a great

way to start the high school journey in a sport that promotes fitness, health, and

personal growth. No experience is necessary. For info on summer training and the

team, girls please contact coach Frank Litz at flitz@roncalli.org, or(317) 294-8767; boys

please contact coach Jeff Buckley at jbuckley@roncalli.org. or 317-506-1821.

Please see the following attachments to today’s Newscast:

ACTS FACTS Camp Invention Field Day Marian University STEM Camp

Walk-A-Thon Sponsors

Gold Sponsors: Alpha Systems, Harold & Jeanette Schoettle FTO, Roncalli High School, Beck Service Center, Peterman Heating and Cooling, and Mascari Dry Cleaners

Silver Sponsors: Southport Discount Appliances, Total Restoration, Dexter Photography, Cathedral High School, and Gotta Have It Courier

Bronze Sponsors: Kridan Business Equipment/Hartman Janitorial Service, O’Riley Funeral Home, Daming Excavating, Cox, Beckman, Goss & Co., Thomas C. Wisler Jr. MD OB/GYN, Mader Design, Cub Scout Troop #462, Buck Creek Winery, Knights of Columbus Fr. Louis Gootee Council #13105, Boy Scout Troop# 462, Dr. Rooney DDS, Nativity Girl Scouts, Best In Sight Eyecare, Allied Appliances, and Nativity PFO.