Welcome+to+a+New+School+Year+-+2016-2017

**Our Mother of Sorrows /Saint Ignatius of Loyola School** 617 North 43rd Street  Philadelphia, PA 19104  Telephone: 215-222-3626

 September 7, 2016 Dear Parent / Guardian,

 I am pleased to greet you as the seventh grade homeroom teacher at Our Mother of Sorrows /Saint Ignatius of Loyola School. I teach religion, language arts, and social studies to the seventh graders, and religion and social studies to the eighth graders. In my seven years here, I have learned much about the rich traditions in our school, and I am still learning! I feel blessed to be a part of the OMS/SI family. The beginning of this school year brings newness for everyone! We “veterans” join our new students and several new staff members as we combine all of our grades in the building which was previously known as our lower school campus at St. Ignatius. I am confident that soon we will all feel “at home”. Along with general policies which are already described in the school handbook, here are several additional details about the seventh grade classroom:

**Attendance –** Please make sure your child is on time for school each day. If your child is absent, you need to call the school office before 8:15 AM to report her/his absence. Even with a phone call, you also need to write a note stating the reason for your child’s absence when your child returns to school. I expect students to complete all assignments which they may have missed during their absence.

 **Communication** – In addition to the Communication Folders which we send home each week, I use __[|**http://new.schoolnotes.com/omssi7b**]__ to post information of interest and importance to you and your child. When you go to the above address (notice there is //**NO**// “www”!), click on any of the several pages - based on the information you want - which appear next to my name. You may email me by clicking on the “Contact” link at that page. This will connect you to my email address: __**rorchon@omssiphila.org**__ . If you prefer, you may write a more traditional note and send it with your child. You may also call the school office and leave a phone message for me.

 **Homework** – I assign homework as reinforcement and/or extension of classwork. I expect students to complete homework on the night it is assigned unless otherwise indicated, or a student was home sick during the school day, or I receive a note of explanation about unusual family circumstances which cause a delay in the completion of the homework.

 **Supplies** – Students are given the stationery supplies that they need to start the year. Please replace these as needed. Please assist your child in covering all textbooks and workbooks. Each seventh and eighth grader needs to have a set of earbuds / headphones in school for use with computers one or more days a week. Students may bring their own earbuds / headphones to use in school for the upcoming school year or students may purchase these from me for $1.00. They should bring the $1.00 or the earbuds / headphones to school by September 12. In addition, I ask please that parents of seventh grade students send to school a **box of tissues** and a **roll of****paper towels**. We use these daily throughout the year.

 **Prayer and Worship** – In choosing Our Mother of Sorrows / Saint Ignatius of Loyola School for your child, you choose a school where faith-filled environment and instruction are of greatest importance. I heartily encourage you to pass along your own rich faith traditions by worshiping regularly at the church of your choice and taking your child(ren) with you. If you do not have a "home church" which you regularly attend, please consider worshiping with us at Saint Ignatius of Loyola Church on Sundays at 10 AM. You are always welcome! I offer you the following prayer for your family:

**A Family Prayer** <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">God made us a family. <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">We need one another; <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">we love one another; <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">we forgive one another. <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">We work together; <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">we play together; <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">we worship together. <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">Together we use God’s word. <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">Together we grow in Christ. <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">Together we love all people. <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">Together we serve our God. <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">Together we hope for heaven. <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">These are our hopes and ideals. <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">Help us to attain them, O God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">Amen!

In enrolling your child at Our Mother of Sorrows / Saint Ignatius of Loyola School, you have entrusted one of your most precious gifts to us. I appreciate your trust and will work hard on behalf of your child. If ever I can do anything for you and/or your child, please do contact me as I described above. Please return the Parent Information Paper which you receive with this letter by Friday, September 9. I look forward to meeting you personally at Back-to-School Night on September 13.

God bless you! Sister Rosanne Orchon, SSJ