SVS STUDENTS SHINE - St. Veronica School

November / December Issue
“KEEP the FAITH ALIVE”
January 2011
SVS STUDENTS SHINE
St. Veronica School Wins At Rumson Forensics Competition
On November 20, St. Veronica School competed in the Rumson Country Day School Forensics Competition. SVS was represented
by students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grade in Dramatic Pairs and
Storytelling. St. Veronica‟s eighth grade came away victorious in the Dramatic
Pairs Category. The awards were given to: Grace Groh and Stephanie Hay for
"Lost" by Rachel Johannigmier; Alex Oleck and Joe Ventura for "Ghost of a
Chance" by Ken Bradbury; and Sophia Zampardi and Maris McLoughlin for
"Benny Visits the Eye Doctor" by L.B. Brooks. SVS alumni Steven Jacobson,
also won in the Storytelling category for the Ranney School. Mrs. Loretta Boyle,
music teacher and moderator of the Forensics team said, "Every year the kids
seem to become more and more professional. They are taking their material and
really giving the rehearsal process 150%, adding in lots of different character
voices and physical comedy when it is called for and addressing the dramatic
and serious moments with such emotion. There were so many schools involved
in this competition, but I think our SVS kids can always be distinguished by just
having that extra amount of spirit. Many thanks also to my co-moderator Kim
Pawlicky. We have so many kids on the team now that it takes two of us to make
sure they all have a chance to rehearse their material”. - D. DiBella
Social Justice Group Captures the True Spirit of Christmas!!
Every year at Christmas, the Social Justice Group helps a family facing adversity with whatever it is they need. With
over 50 members in the group, moderators Miss Morello and Mrs. Groh saw that more than one family could be helped
this Christmas season. With the help of Saint Veronica parish, 3 families were chosen in our community that sought
specific needs for their families. The stories were touching and sad, and the students rallied to help in whatever way
they could. One family was risking the possibility of losing their home, so gifts for the children and parents were
purchased. Another family facing difficult struggles asked for clothing and a few toys. The final family asked only for
food. The students were left speechless by a request for only food. The holidays are a season of gift giving. Ask most
of the middle-school children in this building what they want for Christmas
and you will hear an i-Pod, video games, clothes, but no one asks for food.
The students‟ desire to help these families was astounding, and they
responded in a way that made us proud. When the day came to wrap, the
gifts brought in were numerous. Each group shopped for their gifts,
gathered to wrap the gifts and truly shared the spirit of Christmas! We often
ask the question, “Are there angels among us?” At SVS we can firmly
answer, “YES!” As news of the Social Justice Group‟s effort spread, our
SVS families reached out in a way that was unimaginable. For the family in
need of food, over $1,000 worth of gift cards were donated anonymously so
they could purchase food. For the other families, Visa gift cards, as well as
gift cards to the movies and stores were donated, and again all
anonymously. We are called to do Jesus‟ work here on earth. We are
called to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. What better way to do that
than to allow our children to be a part of this experience? It was their discussion, and their planning, and their faith in
God that brought about these Christmas miracles. - L. Groh
The PTA Corner
Thanks to everyone who came out to support St. Veronica School at our Barnes & Noble/Chick-fil-A night on November 17th. The children really enjoyed hearing Sister Cherree tell a story! The night was a great success
thanks to your participation.
Also, thank you to all of the volunteers for Santa’s Workshop, the PTA Free Christmas lunch and Movies with
Santa. These events really have become such a part of the Christmas tradition here at SVS, and the kids thoroughly enjoyed them all!
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Saturday, February 5th - Catholic Schools Week Family Fun Night!! - 6PM In the SVS Gym.
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Friday, February 25th - Movie Night—7PM Details of the event will be forthcoming as well.
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Saturday, March 5th - Sisters’ Dance - 6:30PM Enjoy a night out with our wonderful sisters.
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Tue/Wed, March 15-16th - Semi-Annual Book Fair More details to follow.
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Friday April 8th - SVS 27th Annual Gift Auction—7PM at South Gate Manor. Join us for a “Walk
in the Garden” and a wonderful fun-filled evening!
Happy Birthday Father Williams!!
The entire SVS School Community was on hand to help celebrate Father Williams’ 70th birthday with a beautiful
liturgy. Afterwards, Sister Cherree, the PTA, the Student Council and members of the faculty presented Father
Williams with a few surprise gifts. One gift was a beautiful “Irish Birthday Blessing”, which was a traditional Irish
poem read by Mrs. Groh. It was a wonderful celebration, and we all wish Fr. Williams many more in the years to
come!!
AN IRISH BIRTHDAY BLESSING
May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks. May your
heart be as light as a song. May each day bring you bright
happy hours, that stay with you all year long.
For each petal on the shamrock this brings a wish your
way— good health, good luck, and happiness for today
and every day.
From the desk of Sister Cherree
January 2011
Dear Parents/Guardians,
A number of years ago I used “Gratitude” as our theme for the year and I encouraged our faculty
and staff to keep a “Gratitude Journal”.
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial
into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a
home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates
a vision for tomorrow.”
Melody Beattie
As we begin this New Year 2011 a daily “Gratitude Journal” might be a perfect resolution!
Take the time to write down five things for which you are grateful that day each night before you
go to bed. Some days your list may be filled with amazing things, other days just simple joys.
You may find that some days could be tough and you might think that you don’t have
five things for which to be grateful, so you just write the basics: God in your life;
your health, your family and their health, your animals, your friends, your home,
your comfortable bed that you’re about to fall into, and perhaps the fact that the day is over!
These are great reasons to be grateful! They are REAL!!
I can assure you, if you try this for a while, you will not be the same person after a few months
of consciously giving thanks each day for the way God lavishes his love upon you – in good times
and in bad. So why not begin today? Select a “journal”. You may choose the prettiest,
most inviting blank book you can find, or a simple note book that simply becomes beautiful
as you express yourself in words on its pages through the writing utensil in your hand.
As the months pass, and you fill your journal with the many blessings of your life,
you will soon come to see how content and hopeful you are feeling. As you focus on the blessings
rather than the lack in your life, you will begin to see God at work in your life.
He wants to walk this journey with you into the New Year and help you explore
and integrate this beautiful, life-affirming principle into your life.
I pray the miracle of gratitude will transform your dreams into reality! God bless you and fill you
with deep peace this New Year 2011!
Sincerely,
Autumn Activities
A great time was had by all at the Fall Family
Dance on November 6th, including Sister Roberta who happened to be celebrating her birthday!!!
On November 17th, Sister Cherree delighted lots of
SVS students, as she read a story to them during the
annual SVS Barnes and Noble Night.
CLASSROOM HIGHLIGHTS
Howell Deputy Mayor Visits 1B
On Friday December 17th, the students in Mrs.
Accomando‟s First Grade received a special visit from
Deputy Mayor of Howell, Angela Dalton. Mrs. Dalton is
the mom of Cassandra, in Mrs. Accomando‟s class.
When she heard that the class was busily studying
about government and had done so well on their Social
Studies test , she wanted to bring Congratulations from
Mayor Robert Walsh! Mrs. Dalton talked about her job
as Deputy Mayor, answered many great questions from
the class and even read a special book: „Amelia
Bedelia for Mayor‟. It was truly a great visit!!
KINDERGARTEN CLASSES HOP ABOARD THE POLAR EXPRESS!!
KA and KB
celebrated
Christmas with
their annual
Polar Express
Day. The
students wore
their robes and
slippers and
enjoyed
homemade cookies and hot chocolate while listening to the story, ‘The Polar Express’. Afterwards, we
enjoyed a pizza lunch delivered by none other than Santa Claus himself! It was very exciting and such a
"warm" way to enjoy the Christmas season!
KA Learns It Is Better to Give Than to Receive!!
In the busy month of December, while people were shopping and looking for gifts, KA was
filled with a generous heart. In lieu of having a grab bag, each student donated $5.00 to the
Missions. Our donation to the Missions was $105.00. KA truly discovered that it is better to
give than to receive. Way to go KA!
SVS Catches the Christmas Spirit!!
“It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” was the theme for this year’s Christmas
Concert held December 16th, and once again everyone involved helped to make it a
wonderful event. The band, led by Mr. Franca, started off the concert with a joyful array of
songs. Following the band came the ever-impressive performance by the “Spirits of
Grace”. Then students in 1st through 4th grades, led by Mrs. Boyle, brought a variety of
Christmas Carols to life! Several soloists highlighted the concert. The show was capped off
with a beautiful nativity scene starring 1st grade students. Special thanks go out to Mr.
Franca and Mrs. Boyle for all of their hard work and dedication towards our annual
concert. It was a spirit-filled start to the Christmas Season!!
SVS Cross-Country Team Finishes Strong!!
The St. Veronica Cross Country Team completed a very successful season. The team competed in eight meets
and all 24 of the team members improved their race times from week to week.
Charece Michel, Christina Heintz and Madison Gibson led our JV Girls. The JV Boys Team was led by Chris
Clayton, Matt Carrigy and Mateo Malek.
Congratulations to 8th graders Nick Lanier and John Espinos. We wish them much success and the same
running spirit in High School.
Mission Reach Out
Four students, Daniel Clayton, Andrew DiBella, Erin Kneucker and Maria Polera from 6A attended an honorable event on
November 4th, 2010 in Moorestown, New Jersey. This event was called Mission Reach-Out. At Mission Reach-Out,
some missionaries from all around the world came to talk to children about their missions, what they do, and who they
serve. The event included a morning assembly and Mass which Bishop O‟Connell celebrated.
One missionary was Father Jack whose missions were in Madagascar. The inhabitants of Madagascar could not say Jack
so they named him Rakotoarilavabebekokoa. Houses are made of straw in Madagascar. Twenty-four million people
live in Madagascar and 20 percent of the people are under the age of 20. They also have rice for every meal.
Sister Margaret‟s mission was in Uganda. People walk for miles for water and there is usually one meal per day. There is
no electricity and the houses are very simple, some are bamboo structures. Some children have the opportunity to go to
school. Children sometimes die before the age of 5.
Sister Rosemary said she serves in missions around the world. Seventy-five million people throughout the world are not
being educated. Some children can‟t go to school because of war. She showed a picture of two women learning how to
read and write. One woman was 27 and the other was 92 years old. Some children look for water for eight hours and are
not being educated. Children are kidnapped and trained to be soldiers. Every five dollars you send to the missions sends
a child to school. It was a very interesting event and they were grateful to have gone!
By: Maria Polera 6A
Student Council Hosts “A Winter’s Dream Dance”
On December 18th, the 6th, 7th and 8th grades
enjoyed a wonderful, fun-filled evening! The Student
Council came up with the theme for the dance, and
decorated the gym, which was transformed into a
Winter’s Dream, complete with a blue and white
balloon arch. Students danced the night away to
popular hits with a mix of Christmas tunes. There
was also a Holiday Baking Contest, won by Joseph
Santanello in 7B. There were also three separate
“Guess the Number” jars filled with M&M’s,
Marshmallows and Hershey Kisses. Students who
guessed closest to the actual number in the jar went
home with the jar. What a way to end 2010!! L. Groh
SVS Honors Sister Cherree
and Mrs. Nelson
Students and faculty gathered in the gymnasium on
November 18th to show their gratitude to Sister Cherree
and Mrs. Nelson for Principal / Vice-Principal Day. How
fortunate we are to have such wonderful examples of
leaders here at Saint Veronica School.
Leadership Ambassador Awards
October
November
December
KA
KB
KELLY bryanT
GIAN-ANTHONY MELENDY
BENJAMIN CHAMBERLIN
CARLOTTA TRAPANI
KAYLA HANSON
JOSEPH IMBRIALE
1A
1B
ALEXIS PAVLINEC
KATE BRYANT
AVA DUBINSKY
SEBASTIAN ORTEGA
KAYLA OGNO
RACHEL ANIELLO
2A
2B
GIANNA LAUMBACH
RYAN TIERNEY
DILLON KNEUKER
MADISON SAILER
ERIN O’BRIEN
NICHOLAS DESANCTIS
3A
3B
BRIAN HEINTZ
EMILY MADEIRA
CAYLEI HOFFMAN
NOLAN CUSHMAN
NOAH NOVERA
BAILEY MORTE
4A
4B
NICO LANDINO
LAUREN POULILLO
ALEXANDER LANIER
KRISTINA PELANO
JOSEPH BLAES
KEVIN RALPH
5A
5B
ELIZABETH DEMIAN
KATHRYN ARWAY
JACKSON BATTA
MATHEW CARRIGY
SAMANTHA SIMONE
TIFFANY FERRER
6A
6B
MARIA POLERA
CHRISTINA HEINTZ
KRISTOPHER KULICK
REBECCA MADEIRA
CONNOR GRIFFIN
BRYANNA GARNETT
7A
7B
REBECCA DEMIAN
THERESA HOLL
JONATHAN ALICEA
KARL MADL
GIANNA CAINZOS
CASSI YAEGEL
8A
8B
ELIZABETH SAYKO
BRANDON BOYLE
MACKENZIE MINOGUE
STEPHANIE HAY
COLIN KNEUCKER
NICK LANIER
WELL DESERVED CONGRATULATIONS!!