November 9, 2014

Dear St. Raphael School Families and Parishioners,

I want to first say a HUGE THANK YOU to all those who have helped with this year’s Black & Gold Auction to benefit our school. The Auction has not yet taken place as I am writing this letter, but I am certain it will be a rousing success. An event like this takes many people and many hours to put together, and all of us here at school are ever so grateful to all of you!

Our featured teacher this week is our 5 ^th Grade Teacher, Miss Amanda Imo. Miss Imo is a graduate of Rockhurst University with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, and she is also certified in Elementary Education. Miss Imo teaches Religion and Vocabulary to her 5 ^th Grade Homeroom students, and she is the Reading and Math teacher for all of our 4 ^th and 5 ^th Grade students. Her teaching style is very contemporary, and individualized to students. Her classroom is always busy, sometimes noisy, and full of learning. It’s not uncommon to see Miss Imo’s students out of their desks, sitting on a carpet, lying down while working, in a bean bag or beach chair – I’ve even seen kids sitting under the desks – whatever it takes to help kids focus on their work! She has instituted book clubs with her students to get them excited about reading, and she loves to do creative writing with them. Miss Imo also participated in the Urban Math Institute last summer as part of their 3-year training program, and she, along with Mrs. Polson, has incorporated numerous new and effective math teaching techniques into her lessons. Miss Imo initiated the move to increase the amount of time that 4 ^th and 5 ^th Graders spend in math instruction every day, and she and Mrs. Hennicke have made it work. Students have moved from 225 minutes of math instruction per week last year, to 360-390 minutes of math instruction each week this year. You don’t have to do the math to figure out what a huge benefit this will be to our students! We are so grateful to have Miss Imo, her bright smile, and her wonderful energy on our faculty!

Many of you have asked me about our school's plans when the Grand Jury makes public its decision in the Michael Brown case. We are following Superintendent Dr. Kurt Nelson's instructions to schools by being in close contact with law enforcement personnel in our parish and making plans for keeping our students safe.

Assuming our neighborhood will NOT be affected by unrest, we will take the following steps when the Grand Jury decision is announced:

• All of our outside doors are always locked and will remain so. We will be extra vigilant about only allowing familiar people into our building.
• Morning drop-off will be as if it was raining - cars will pull on to the lot right up to the cafeteria doors, and students will go directly into the cafeteria.
• We will hold Indoor Recess on the day the decision is announced, and for as many days afterward as we deem necessary for student safety.
• Afternoon dismissal will be the same as usual, except that we will require ALL students to tell their teacher on the parking lot when they have located their ride for the day. We recommend that ALL students be picked up that day instead of walking or riding bikes.

If our neighborhood IS affected by unrest, please watch your email as I will communicate any alternative plans via Flock Notes.

Please join me in praying for an end to this violence, and for peace and understanding in our community.
Peace and Blessings,
Kim Vangel
Principal