1. Healthcare

NAZARETH ACADEMY
NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY, 2015
Founded In 1867
By Sisters of the Incarnate
Word and Blessed Sacrament
To Teach (the Gospel),
to Build (a loving Community) and to
Serve (those in need) in the Spirit of Christ
Jets for Jesus
148 of Service
DATES TO REMEMBER
Dear Parents, Guardians and Faculty/Staff,
Feb. 2
Re-Enrollment for 2015-2016 begins
Feb. 3
Group photo and retakes
Feb. 9
Progress Reports sent by Renweb
We thank you for your involvement in our Catholic
Schools Week celebration. Now that the 100th day of
school and Catholic Schools Week are over, it’s time
to concentrate on the last 75 days of school! That
includes the upcoming Accreditation visit in February.
All Catholic schools in the diocese are accredited by
the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department
and are recognized by the Texas Education Agency.
Feb. 10 -13 Accreditation Visit
Feb.14
Happy Valentine’s Day
PSIA Meet at OLV
Feb. 17
Distinguished Alumni Awards
Feb. 18
Lent begins
Feb. 21
District Math Counts Competition, OLV
Feb. 23
New Student Enrollment Begins
UP COMING EVENTS
Mar. 6
Mar. 6
Dismissal 1:00 Faculty Meeting
rd
End of 3 nine weeks
Mar. 9-13 Spring Break
Mar. 18
Report Cards Distributed
Accreditation of Catholic Schools in the State of Texas
is now conducted every seven years. Areas to be
evaluated by a team of six educators from outside the
school are Domain I: Mission, Philosophy and Vision;
Domain II: Community; Domain III: Governance,
Administration and Management; Domain IV:
Personnel; Domain V: Curriculum, Instruction, and
Student Assessment; Domain VI: Student Services;
and Domain VII: Plant and Facilities.
February 10-13, 2015 will be a busy active week for
us. The team of six educators will arrive at the school
on the afternoon of the 10th. We will have a gathering
of faculty, Advisory Council and HSA officers that
evening to get acquainted with them and the process.
The team will spend the next three days observing in
the classrooms and school, and interviewing teachers,
parents and students. They will check our files and
evaluate our strengths and areas needing
improvement (based on our self-study and what they
find). The final report will be on Friday, February 13,
at 2:30 p.m. for faculty and staff (Early dismissal will
be at 2:00 p.m.)
Delivery and pick-up of students are two areas that will
be evaluated. We need your help to make the
procedure safer for our children. More information will
be coming.
Sr. Evelyn, Principal
Sr. Evelyn, Principal
RE-ENROLLMENT REGISTRATION
Re-enrollment of current students begins on Feb. 2nd . The discounted enrollment fee is $450.00
which may be made in two payments –$225.00 at enrollment and the remainder by April 1st . The
discount continues thru Feb. 20th.
Please visit Nazareth’s webpage for important information concerning re-enrollment
Enrollment for New Students begins on Feb. 23rd . Go to Downloads for forms and additional
information. Forms are also available in the office.
Parents, you are the best advertisement and recruitment for new students/families. Invite interested
families to consider Nazareth Academy as partners in the education of their child(ren).
NJHS SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER
The National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring a Chick-fil-A
evening on Monday, Feb. 16th to earn funds for their scholaraship
fund.
Support the NA NJHS by dining at Chick-fil-A on Wednesday, April 10th
from 5:00-8:00pm. Thanks for your support!
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday is Wednesday, Feb. 18. The blessing and application of ashes to the forehead is a
sign of penance; it reminds us of our own mortality, and calls us to repentance. The ashes are
obtained by the burning of the palm fronds that were distributed the precious year on Palm Sunday.
LENT
Lent is the period of time the Church sets apart to help us prepare for Easter by observing a period of
Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Abstaining from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays
during Lent is a form of penance in honor of the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross on Good Friday.
Each Wednesday during Lent the students will have a silent lunch. It is a our small sacrifice as a
school for Jesus Christ, who made a much, much greater sacrifice for all of us.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The Lenten devotion of the Stations of the Cross will be on Feb. 27, March 5th. March 20th and
March 27th at St. Mary’s beginning at 2:45 pm. You are welcomed to join us for this Lenten
devotion.
THE TRADITION OF THE PRETZEL
Pretzels began in the 6th century at an Italian Monastery. A monk was
preparing unleavened bread for Lent and twisted the scraps of bread dough to
resemble arms in prayer. He named his creation Pretiola, a work meaning
little reward, and gave it as a treat to the children who recited their prayers.
A Lenten Reflection
Give up complaining——focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism——become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgments——think kindly thoughts.
Give up worry——trust Divine Providence.
Give up discouragement——be full of hope.
Give up bitterness——turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred——return good for evil.
Give up negativism——be positive.
Give up anger——be more patient.
Give up pettiness——become mature.
Give up gloom——enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up jealousy——pray for trust.
Give up gossiping——control your tongue.
Give up sin——turn to virtue.
Give up giving up——hang in there!
.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD - 2015
Glenn Villafranca is Nazareth Academy’s recipient for the 2014 Distinguished Alumni award. His high
standards of integrity and moral character enhance the mission of Nazareth Academy and other Catholic
schools in the diocese.
Glenn attended Nazareth Academy from the first to the fourth grades in the days when the boys moved to
St. Joseph School in the fifth grade. Since his graduation from St. Joseph High School in 1970, Glenn has
served as a role model and leader in his community of Victoria, TX. Despite facing personal hardships
along the way, Glenn continues to place his family and church before himself. He never hesitates to assist
his church and community members in all endeavors, from coaching football voluntarily at Nazareth
Academy for fifteen years to serving at the Our Lady of Sorrows Jamaica and ACTS retreats. Whether he
is tirelessly mentoring students on the football field to become future leaders or spending time with his
family at the ranch or home, Glenn serves as a model for others in the community.
PSIA DISTRICT MEET
Congratulations to all the students who will be participating in the District 7AA PSIA Meet on
February 14, at Our Lady of Victory School. Nazareth Academy has 135 entries from grades 1
through 8 for this meet. Students are encouraged to spend these last weeks in serious preparation for
the competition. As soon as all room assignments have been made all the information will be given
to students. This information should be distributed by February 6.
Students need to be present at least 15 minutes before contest time to report to the contest room.
Parents must help in directing their child to the contest room. NA teachers will be involved in
administering, judging and grading tests. Awards will be given in each event upon completion of
verification. In speaking events there may be two rounds so students and parents must pay attention
to the posting of the results of the first round. In all the speaking events, Storytelling, Poetry
Interpretation, Modern Oratory, Impromptu Speaking, an audience is permitted.
It is our hope that the NA students who are competing will discover that ultimately the true meaning
of winning is doing one’s best and having fun!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
MATH COUNTS
DISTRICT MATH COUNTS COMPETITION will be held February 21, 2015, in the OLV gym
from 8:30am – 12:00. The following teams will represent Nazareth Academy-GOOD LUCK TO
ALL!!!
Team I
Team II
Mitul Agarwal
Alex Bonorden
Elizabeth Du
Rahil Motiwala
Will Seiler
Payton Terrell
Charlie Settles
Joaquim Richmond
Alternates
Dylan Blough
Emma Milam
SPELLING BEE
On Monday, January 12th, Nazareth held its Spelling Bee to determine the campus winner.
Nazareth’s campus winner, Rosalyn Brysch, will represent Nazareth Academy for the second year
at the County Bee held in VC Johnson Symposium Center on Thursday, February 26th at 10:00am.
NA spelling bee champion will be rewarded with the K12 Prize - a free powerspeak 12 foreign
language course. This prize will give him/her the opportunity to study a foreign language at the
difficulty level of their choice. Language course choices include Latin, Spanish, French, German,
and Chinese.
Reese Bludau is the First Runner-Up and will represent Nazareth Academy if is not able.
Nineteen class winners participated in the Spelling Bee.
Participating students Gr. 3 Maanvi Agarwal and Sofia Rodriguez
Gr. 4 Joshua Bonorden and Lisa Du
Gr. 5 Emma Barberena, Rosalny Brysch, Samuel Gisler and Jade Neisser
Gr. 6 Halie Aikman, Kieiran Grones, Emma Milam and Juliet Rangnow
Gr. 7 Mitul Agarwal, Joseph Truman and Evan Woodruff
Gr. 8 Tom Benoit, Reese Bludau, Elizabeth Du and Rahil Motiwala
All participants are recognized and complimented for their dedication to improving spelling,
increasing vocabulary, learning concepts and developing correct English usage.
YEARBOOK ORDERS
We are pleased that many of you took advantage of the Early Bird Special and ordered your 20142015 Yearbook. Yearbooks are still available and may be orders online at
www.yearbookforever.com or by downloading a form. If you do not have internet access, order
forms are available in the school office. The price of the Yearbook is $47.00.
BUSINESS ADS & 8TH GRADE KEEPSAKE AD
This year you may order and design your business ad or 8th grade keepsake ad online. Just go to
www.yearbookforever.com and follow a few easy steps. If you prefer, you may bring your ad
information to the school office, and the yearbook advisor will design your ad. Ad prices are $40,
$70, $130, or $250.
8TH GRADE KINDER SECTION
All parents of 8th grade students are asked to submit a kindergarten photo of your child to the
Yearbook Advisor for the use in the Yearbook. This special section will honor all Nazareth
graduates. Please give your photo to Sr. Lois Marie in the school office.
FREE NON-UNIFORM DAY
Order your Yearbook by March 6, 2015, and receive a free non-uniform day pass. The non-uniform
date will be chosen and announced at a later date.
GROUP PICTURES
Group pictures will be taken on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. In addition to each class picture being taken,
we will take pictures of 8th grade graduates, choir, bands, safety patrol, Student Council officers,
NJHS officers, Altar Servers and music ministry. All students are to come to school dressed in
uniform, with the exception of the eighth graders who will dress in their “Sunday Best”.
Students who a member of a group, such as -choir, band, etc\ bring their group shirt to school to
change into for the picture.
CONGRATULATIONS!
SECOND NINE WEEKS HONOR ROLL
GRADE FIVE
High Honors: Rosalyn Brysch, Colleen Sontheimer
Honors:
Emma Barberena, Abby Bauknight, Zane Cantu, Sofia Correra, Samuel
Gisler, Gregory Matula, Sydney Partain, James Perez, Emma Seiler
GRADE SIX
High Honors: Kieran Grones, Emma Milam, Jacob Pena
Honors:
Charles Hand, Kyle Lemke, Sophia Perez, Austin Thompson
GRADE SEVEN
High Honors: Holland Bluhm, Micaela Richmond
Honors:
Mitul Agarwal, Parsely Bluhm, Madison Galvez, Will Lau, Kenya Morris,
Tristen Norman
GRADE EIGHT
High Honors: Madelyne Deckard, Elizabeth Du, Rahil Motiwala
Honors:
Trevor Benavides, Dylan Blough, Alex Bonorden, Cullen Gwosdz, Kendall
Kabela, Payton Terrell, Tavion Varela
CAFETERIA NEWS…
Lunches and snacks can be purchased each morning from 7:30-8:00 a.m. at the front entrance or in
the school office. Nazareth Academy participates in the Federal Government lunch program. If you
believe that you may qualify for this program, please turn in an application to Sister Ann. It helps
you and it helps the school. It is kept strictly confidential. Applications were sent out to all families
in the August newsletter. If you need an application, additional copies can be obtained from the
school office. Please consider participating. You can apply at any time during the school year.
SAFE ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
Nazareth Academy is blessed with many volunteers. All are appreciated and needed.
The Diocese of Victoria adopted the Code of Pastoral Conduct to provide a set of standards for
conduct for all church/church-related personnel, including personnel and volunteers in Catholic
schools of the Diocese. According to the Code, volunteers must attend a Keeping Kids Safe
Workshop, and obtain clearance on a criminal records background check for the State of Texas or
any other state where the applicant has resided during the past 5 years, before volunteering. Any
volunteer providing service to the students, must have met these obligations before being allowed to
volunteer. For more information, including dates for the various trainings, please call the school
office or visit the Diocese of Victoria website at www.victoriadiocese.org.
The Safe Environment program also requires a renewal process every three years. If you completed
the process three years ago, another background check will automatically be performed during the
anniversary month of your original background check. At this time, you will also be required to
complete an online renewal session at www.victoriadiocese.org to be compliant with the diocesan
policy for volunteers.
BOXTOPS
Now is the time to gather all those Box Tops you’ve been saving and put them together to send to
school! If you’ve asked friends or family members to help you collect Box Tops, bring theirs in too,
and thank them for helping to make a difference. Even if you only have a few, it’s important to send
them in! Remember, each Box Top is worth 10¢ to your school – and that adds up fast when every
family participates! If you want to know how to save more Box Tops in the future, see the list of
Participating Products and All About Box Tops pages at www.boxtops4education.com.
Send your Box Tops to school by mid-February so your coordinator, Mrs. Jill Sills, can submit them
by March 1st. This is our last turn in for our April check! Help Nazareth Academy meet our goal of
earning $2,000!
Contributors for January are:
PK3
PK4
Kinder
Gr. 1
Gr. 2
Gr. 3
Gr. 4
Gr. 5
Gr. 6
Gr. 7
62 Cierra Shaver 62
152 Jorden Leos 47; Adeline White 41; Unidentified 42; Taryn Schendel 11; Olivia Villela 11
87 Evan Cantu 63; Unidentified 24
61 Ms. Volkmer 38; Kynzi Jackson 23;
86 Joaquin Barbarena 52; Emily Banda 34;
199 Abby Fagg 108; Maanvi Agarwal 3; Nathan Hoelscher 48; Gabby Gray 40
56 Conner Shaver 52; Dylan White 4;
88 Unidentified 17; Alexa Morris 8; Zane Cantu 63
11 Taylor Robinson 11;
7 Unidentified 7;
295 Unidentified 23; 123; 25;124; 16
101 IWC
Total of 1,221 Box Tops collect realizing $122.10. Thanks to everyone!