March 28, 2008
Vol I., Issue 27

  Around Campus

Spring Break is sooo over, and we're all gearing up for the big end-of-school PUSH. Here's a little of our warm-up. Enjoy...

Second graders were playin' with the big boys (well, at least in their house) over Spring Break. Several of our boys showed their Lacrosse skills in Texas Stadium. Not to make ya feel bad, but these 7- and 8-year olds are already livin' the dream!

Our Middle School MathCounts team was busy prepping for the State meet today and tomorrow in Austin. Let's all cheer on James Morris, John Rector, Elliot Sherren and Blake Wilcox, and check the Parish web site for results early next week.

Third graders took their science lessons to heart Thursday. They made lesson benders to remind them of how the heart functions, some foundational circulatory system information and the names of different areas of the heart. Quiz them sometime... that is if you remember enough anatomy to know if they are giving the correct answer. (That's Gray's anatomy folks, not "Grey's Anatomy!)

Several seniors listened to author, speaker, Viet Nam vet and West Point grad Allen Clark tell his story of war, injury and his journey back to health and to a meaningful life afer losing both legs. The students took away some great life lessons about what it is like to travel a journey of Faith.

  Hot Topic

Oprah and WFAA have challenged the Parish community to GIVE BIG to the North Texas Food Bank!

As part of the "Oprah's Big Give" phenom that is sweeping the nation, WFAA is challenging the Dallas community to multiply the $10,000 donated by the show. The North Texas Food Bank has chosen us as Campaign Partners to help out the "Food 4 Kids" program, which our fifth graders already are familiar with through their volunteer efforts.

So, you ask, what are we supposed to do? SHOW US THE... PEANUT BUTTER! For the next three weeks, we are asking our community to donate plastic jars of peanut butter (18 oz or smaller). Our goal is 10,000 jars! Just drop them off in the designated boxes located next to the front desk at Midway and just outside the main office in Building E or next to Admissions in the Snyder Building at Hillcrest.

The jars will be delivered to NTFB on April 20 at a big wrap up event, open to the public, with refreshments, celebrities and cameras!

Thank you so much for being such a generous community! Our help will ensure that some of the 1 out of 5 kids in this area that go to bed hungry won't anymore. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

  Parish PA

Over Spring Break our Admissions Office sent letters to many students inviting them to join our school, and the Parents Association stands ready to welcome them with open arms! PA volunteer Anoma Amerasekera began organizing this busy program in February, recruiting families throughout the school to participate in our WELCOME Program. As each new student joins our community, their family will be contacted by a Parish "Buddy" family to celebrate their decision and to answer questions.

A Parish family in their neighborhood will deliver a Panther Welcome Bag full of information and goodies donated by the Parents Association, the Athletic Booster Club and The Arts People. Spring Picnic will offer special age-appropriate activities to entertain new students and their buddies. The fun continues over the summer as the Welcome Program focuses on activities to integrate new parents and students of all grades into our Community.

Why make such a fuss? Because, when you join Parish, you become a member of our family, and we appreciate each new addition. If you are a new parent reading the Scoop for the first time: WELCOME! We are delighted to have you join our Parish!

Interested in joining our Welcome Team? Contact Anoma at ANOMA@aol.com. The more the merrier!