CHRISTMAS, 2009

This year our students and staff again gifted our families with a beautiful Christmas program on Wednesday, December 16, reminding us that to give is what enriches all of us this time of year. These snapshots from the program are clear evidence that the state and national standards in music can be taught in an exciting and seasonal manner. The children were quite proud of their presentation, and we were so proud of the message and performances they shared. Thanks to the Hospitality Committee, those in charge of lighting and music and video, and to those who set up, clean up, and make learning opportunities like this possible.

The student body attended the 8:00 parish Mass on Friday, December 18, before leaving for Christmas break.  Each class gifted their individual service agencies after Mass, bringing items those agencies had suggested.  Each child was able to bring up to the altar his/her contribution to making the Christmas holidays and 2010 a little brighter and easier for those in need.

The kindergartners brought up their specially decorated placemats for those receiving the Meals on Wheels holiday meals.  Each child wrote a special message on the back.

The first graders brought in doggie treats for their agency, Canines for Companions.

Little Flower Haven was the recipient of delightfully decorated Christmas cookies.  The second graders had fun decorating delicious sugar cookies and then brought in small toiletries, playing cards, etc. to gift the retired senior citizens in this environment run by the Carmelite Sisters.   Those living in Little Flower Haven in La Mesa were delighted with the gifts and especially with their little visitors who shared their time with them.

The OLG Prayer Quilt Ministry is the service agency of the third graders.  They each brought in a monetary gift which was then wrapped in quilt fabric and donated to the ministry.  With those donations, many supplies can be purchased which will allow this ministry to gift the sick of the parish with these handmade and comforting quilts, each tied with prayer.

The fourth graders support St. Madeline Sophie Center, a unique organization that helps adults with developmental disabilities find a way of life that makes a world of difference.  Our young students visit the center each year and work in their garden or craft center.  Thus, they donated many garden supplies and craft supplies which will enrich the quality of their activities.

Rady's Children's Hospital was the recipient of many books for their young patients.  The fifth graders chose their favorite books and then bought a copy of that book to donate to those confined to the hospital.  Their basket overflowed with wonderful stories.

The sixth graders compiled a basket of games and activities with which those families in Ronald McDonald House can play.  These parents, brothers, and sisters spend time with their hospitalized family member and need some time for themselves to de-stress and be together.

Besides hitting the beaches a couple times a year to clean up the areas, the seventh graders also collected office supplies requested by their service agency, I Love a Clean San Diego.  These donations will cut their overhead and allow donations to flow directly to conserving natural resources and maintaining a clean environment for wildlife.

The goal for our 8th graders is that, after 8 years of working with different agencies who serve those in need, they will incorporate some form of giving into their lifestyles.  Therefore, the eighth grade class chooses their own agency each year.  The Class of 2010 chose the Make-a-Wish Foundation, a group that works to grant the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions.  Our 8th graders donated items suggested by this agency:  disposable cameras, journals, bead kits, board games, toys, and art supplies. 

Each of us left Mass realizing that our small individual donations added up to a real way to make a difference this Christmas.  As Monsignor stated, Jesus is the reason for this Christmas season, and I'm sure He would delight of the giving and sharing witnessed today.

H1N1 FLU UPDATE

In an effort to help keep you informed, we have provided a link for you to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) .  The rate of the spread of the H1N1 flu and the suggestions to combat it are changing weekly since the situation is so fluid and there is still so much that is unknown about this virus.

Rest assured that the school is taking precautions to wipe down and clean surfaces daily and to encourage hygienic practices that will retard the contagion, but we need your help in ensuring that sick children and all who are not fever-free for 24 hours without help from medications be kept home from school, athletic practices and games, and any other extracurricular or social event. 

What you can do is help us teach and reinforce reminders to students to cough and sneeze into their sleeves, if tissues aren't immediately available.  Also, remember to wash those sweatshirts, shirts, etc. thoroughly and often.  Thank you for keeping your children home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. 

To clear up misconceptions:

(from the CDC website)

Rapid influenza antigen test

Some commercially available rapid tests can distinguish between influenza A and B viruses. A patient with a positive rapid test for influenza A may meet criteria for a suspected case of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. However, it is not possible to differentiate from seasonal influenza A viruses. Also, these tests have unknown sensitivity and specificity to detect human infection with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in clinical specimens, and have suboptimal sensitivity to detect seasonal influenza viruses. Therefore, a negative rapid test could be a false negative and should not be assumed a final diagnostic test for novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. 

Immunofluorescence (DFA or IFA)

These tests can distinguish between influenza A and B viruses.  A patient with a positive for influenza A by immunofluorescence may meet criteria for a suspected case.  However, it is not possible to differentiate from seasonal influenza A viruses.   Immunofluorescence depends upon the quality of a clinical specimen, operator skills, and has unknown sensitivity and specificity to detect human infection with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in clinical specimens. Therefore, a negative immunofluorescence could be a false negative and should not be assumed a final diagnostic test for novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. 

Viral culture

Isolation of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus is diagnostic of infection, but may not yield timely results for clinical management. A negative viral culture does not exclude infection with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.