Christmas Update from Mrs. Dalmut

Posted on December 8, 2014

Dear Parents,
Thank you to our PTO and all who helped with the Polar Express Movie Night last night! It was very well attended, including a special guest appearance from the busy Mr. Claus! This was a coming together of our Service and Social missions — and a grand success, in my opinion. The PTO is a great conduit for bringing families together. I saw a lot of visiting among the parents — and I enjoyed catching up with many of you. These days are so busy that it’s good to have a night of fun!
Christmas note: How do I say this? Please try to keep the magic alive for all our children. Some of your children may be more aware of logistics, economics, and geography, and may be inclined to express their observations or new-found knowledge about how the world works. Please, please, remind them that there are some conversations that stay in your home, and they should be very careful not to spoil the belief of other children or traditions of other families. If you have no idea what I am talking about, please see me! I am talking in code in the off-chance your children read my emails! Our students have an innocence that is not common in the world. We would like to keep it that way.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Thursday, Dec. 18 — 6:30 pm — Here are the costumes requests from Ms. LaTorre:

• Kindergarten: Dress clothes, such as your Sunday best. (Christmas theme is welcomed!)
• 1st grade: One of three animals (you will be informed which one your child is). If your child is the donkey: wear all brown. If your child is the cow: wear white and red. If your child is the sheep: wear white top and black bottoms.
• 2nd grade: Dress clothes, such as your Sunday best. (Christmas theme is welcomed!)
• 3rd grade: Green top, brown bottoms (Christmas tree motif is a plus!)
• 4th grade: Your child knows which part he or she is playing: If they are in the “Holly” group, wear red top with black bottoms. If they are in the “Ivy” group, wear green top with black bottoms. Narrator knows to wear “tux”. [“Solo” singers know who they are and know their respective outfit: Lily flower= all white. Berry= all red. Thorn= all brown. Gall=purple and gold.]
• 5th grade: Earth tone colors: brown, beige, tan, gray, or neutral color. Shawls, togas, robes etc. are great! Narrator and Storyteller wear the same. [Wise men know who they are and know to dress up as Kings: Old Melchior brings gold; middle-aged Gaspar brings frankincense; young Balthazar brings myrrh.]
• 6th grade: All are dressed as angels: all white. (Wings and halo a plus!) Sandals are good as footwear. [Exception: “Mary” and “Joseph” dress up as their characters: earth tone colors: brown, beige, tan, gray, or neutral color. Shawls and robes would be great.] [Shepherds know to dress up as shepherds with crook/walking stick, shawl, hood, robe.]
• 7th grade: Winter gear: scarves, mittens, coats, boots, ear muffs…
• 8th grade: All brown clothes with black shoes.

We have a special treat this year. The Adult Choir will be joining the Children’s Choir for a special song. Thank you to Mr. Cotton for preparing them, and for accompanying all our children for the pageant. We will have the Band Concert first, followed by the Choir, and then the Christmas pageant. We look forward to seeing you all there!

When you come into the school, be sure to take a moment to look at the Christmas art work. Our students have been working hard in Art class, and it shows! As one parent said to me, “I didn’t know my daughter had talent!” Way to go, Mrs. Warnock!

Christmas holidays begin at 11:30 on Friday, Dec. 19. There will be no Afternoon Extended Day on that day. We hope that all children will attend on the 19th so they can celebrate the coming of Christmas with their class at their party. Friday the 19th is a dress-down day — we recommend red & green/ purple & pink to celebrate the season.

May God bless you for your generosity! The winter coat box was overflowing, so we have already delivered one load of coats. The toy boxes are overflowing, and the food boxes have had to be emptied and re-filled several times. It shows the true Spirit of Saint Ambrose!

Advent blessings,
Barbara Dalmut