Dear Parents/Guardians:

            Happy Valentine’s Day! I certainly hope you all enjoy some “catch up” time with you and yours. Remember, you are welcome to attend the Marriage Encounter Weekend this weekend. Call the parish office for more information.

            We are right in the middle of third quarter which traditionally means “The Mid-Quarter Blues” hit. Things that may not normally affect us seem to take on a life of their own, and we find ourselves or others uncharacteristically transformed. As with all things in our lives, let’s do our best to keep the family together and face any adversity that may come our way with the hope that all things are possible through the Man Upstairs. Please know my prayers are with us all—especially our kids.

            We have been amazingly blessed this week. First, through your benevolence and the benevolence of our parish and community, Jacobsen Appliance delivered the new commercial one-door and two-door freezers last Saturday. When they deliver the two-door refrigerator on February 21, we will be able to install them in the kitchen. Jacobsen Appliance also threw in a commercial microwave oven as well. We certainly appreciate their business and their assistance.

            Secondly, the flagpole project that has been underway for a few years has finally come to fruition. On Tuesday, Industrial Welding in conjunction with Beam & Kellogg Construction put up our new flagpole. The pole used to stand as a light pole on the highway near Crook. The Elks acquired it about ten years ago, so when the opportunity presented itself, they acquired all the parts and labor to donate it all to the school. (A big thanks to Leroy Morrissy and his crew for their work on that.) IW mounted the pulleys, cleat, and eagle on it, and B&KC attached it to the concrete. They cut about four feet off of the old flag pole, and with a giant crane, slid the new pole over the top of it. Helping Hands has donated a new 4x6-foot flag, so we will be holding a flagpole ceremony on Tuesday at 10:30 to commemorate the occasion. Please join us.

I would like to personally thank the PTSO members who provided food and snacks for our staff during parent/teacher conferences. This is a great group of people who work miracles behind the scenes. Please join them when you can. Meetings are the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

     Again, if you have any ideas for next year’s calendar, please share them with us.

Starting Monday, February 23 and running through the end of that week, we will be holding a Literacy Fair. Children’s author, Jeffrey Bennett, will be here to kick off the week starting at 11:30. You received flyers last week about his book signing that evening at the public library. I would encourage you to attend. We will also have a book swap, story-telling, a read-a-thon, and a writer/illustrator contest among other things. Thanks to Tara Barlean for all her work in bringing this project to life!

Also remember the Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Soup Supper on Fridays during Lent this year and they are asking that each family bring a dessert to the school cafeteria. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: as you are able, please follow the date chart as to which classes are assigned for which Friday:  February 27th - Kindergarten and 8th grades; March 6th - 1st and 7th grades; March 13th - 2nd and 6th grades; March 20th - 4th & 5th grades; March 27th - Preschool; and April 3rd - Kindergarten and 8th grades. If you would like to help serve, please do so.

Recall February is American Heart Month, and they would like to encourage us all to stay active for at least sixty minutes a day!

Please mark your calendar for Saturday, February 21 as Saint Anthony Catholic School will be hosting the annual 3 on 3 Tournament. Forms were sent home and need to be returned to the school by Tuesday, February 17th. We need everyone's participation in making this event a success. Don't forget to send the $8.00 with the sign-up sheet to help.

As always, we appreciate the benevolence of others: thanks to Bobbi Zen for the craft items she donated.

Lastly, thanks to all of you who have answered the call to register early for the next school year. It has been a great help to us in the office. Remember Father Robert will provide an updated State of the School address February 24. I pray you can join us.

Great things are happening, and it is only through the grace of God and the marvelous people in our school that it is so. Have a marvelous weekend, enjoy the snow (?) we are suppose to get, and may God keep you and your families in the palms of His hands.

Pax et lux,

Joseph Skerjanec

school@saintanthonyssterling.org                                                                                                                    principal@saintanthonyssterling.org

Lynnette Werner                                                                          970-522-7567                                                                           Joseph Skerjanec