Dear Students and Parents,

Here we are in our second month of school already. October will be a busy month as we have a lot of events going on.

As an aside, on Oct. 1, all diocesan teachers and administrators had an opportunity to attend a "Religious" Professional Development Day in Manchester. The guest speaker, Dr. Ernie Collamati, Professor of Theology at Regis College, offered us his perspective on "The God of Unlikely Situations." This conference was an occasion for all of us to enrich our faith knowledge and spiritual growth, to heighten our awareness of Catholic identity and to promote the professional ethic to which we are called.

Please note that students will have an opportunity to have their school pictures retaken on Wednesday, October 10. This is the only day we will be doing "retakes". Students will be given a new form to be filled out just like the first one. Children having retakes done must bring in their original picture packages to be returned to the picture studio.

The Nashua Catholic sponsored Annual High School Fair Night will be held October 12. This will be an opportunity for your 8th graders to meet with representatives from several public, private and catholic area schools.

Our Catholic Schools Exam Prep Course will also commence this month-October 16 & 18, and October 29 &31.

Our second school wide Mass will be held on October 18; of course, all parents and other family members of NC students are invited to attend.

Get ready for the Halloween Dance! The Halloween Dance will be held on October 26, 6-9PM. This year's dance promises to be as exciting and fun-filled as ever.

Parent's Night Thanks!!

We appreciated the many families who so generously brought treats in for the refreshment table . Some of our parents come right from work so a cup of coffee and a bit of something to eat helps. Thank you from all of us!

Nashua Country Fair Raffle Winner

As previously advertized in our students' opening day packets, the Nashua Country Fair Committe raffled off two Red Sox tickets for the September 27 Game vs Minnesota. The drawing was held on September 26 at NC. The winners were Mr. and Mrs. Allen Kerr. Their daughter, MacKenzie, is a 6th grader at Infant Jesus.

A word about Communication:

We at NC value the working relationship we try to foster with parents. The mutual support we both derive from "staying in touch" regarding your child's progress will surely help promote success while your child attends NC. Our teachers will always do their utmost to respond to your questions in a timely and reasonable manner - either via phone or email. If you call or email a teacher in the morning they may not respond to your inquiry immediately; it may take several hours or even extend into the next day. The demands of the "teaching day" may, at times, interfere with an immediate response. We ask for you patience and consideration in these matters. Rest assured, our teachers will return your phone calls or emails.

Important Notice from Mrs. Brittan to 7th Grade Parents:

Dear Parents,

On October 31, 2007 the seventh grade students will be journeying to the Palace Theatre to see a production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to experience theater first hand. It will also serve as preparation for students who will read this short story in their Literature classes.

We will be departing at 8:45A.M., and expect to return by 1:00P.M. Upon return to school students who purchased hot lunch for that day will be provided with a box lunch from Celebrations. If your child did not purchase hot lunch, you will need to provide him/her with a brown bag lunch. There will be no a la carte for seventh grade that day.

The cost for admission and transportation is $12. Assistance is always available. Please print out and return the attached permission form (See below) along with the fee in an envelope marked "Theater" by October 19, 2007.
Please contact me if you have any questions.

Patricia E. Brittan
Assistant Principal


--------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- DIOCESE OF MANCHESTER
PERMISSION SLIP
ACTIVITY: 7th Grade Class Trip to the Palace Theatre to see a production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow


DATE OF ACTIVITY: Wednesday, October 31, 2007



TIME OF DEPARTURE: 8:45 A.M. TIME OF ARRIVAL: 1:00 P.M.



NAME OF MINOR CHILD/WARD
_______________________________________
(Please Print)


Please allow my minor child/ward to participate in the activity listed above. My child/ward is physically fit and capable of taking part in this activity.

I agree to have my child/ward transported via ambulance and/or treated for emergency medical or dental problems if an emergency arises. I accept full responsibility for all medical expenses incurred as a result of my child/ward's participation in this program.

On the lines below I have listed any medical conditions, physical disability, allergy to medicine, etc. which is relevant to rendering medical care to my child/ward if he/she needs emergency medical care:

__________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________


During the time of this activity, I can be reached at _______________________________________
(Telephone Numbers)


Signed this ______________________ day of ________________________, 20 _________.


_____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (print)

_____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature

--------------------------------------------------------------------- -----

News from the English Department

The English Department is off to a very productive start this year. The 8th grade English classes are working on their formal research papers and learning new vocabulary words. The 7th grade English classes are beginning their study of grammar, discussing study skills, experimenting with the writing process, and learning new vocabulary words. Both 7th and 8th grade literature classes are exploring nonfiction literature during this first quarter. Mrs. Barker's 7th grade honors literature class has read The Breadwinner about a young girl's life in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. They are currently planning an Afghan cultural festival to be held on October 25th during class time. Mrs. Maloney's 7th grade advanced literature classes are researching various Native American Tribes, will present their findings with their classes, and will hold a culminating powwow. Mrs. Barker's and Mrs. Philion's advanced 8th grade literature classes are embarking on a study of the life and writings of Mark Twain which will include a visit to the Twain residence in Hartford, Conn., during October. The 8th grade honors literature class has dabbled in an eclectic combination of Charles Dickens, Jazz, and African American cultural history.

Our school has been formally registered with the Scripps National Spelling Bee which will enable our school to compete in the Nashua regional spelling bee held in early March. We will be conducting pen and paper spelling competitions in each of our English classes in October to determine school-wide spelling bee participants. These classroom winners will be furnished with materials to study for the school- wide bee which will be held in January. The winner of the school-wide bee will compete at the regional level. Last year, our school representative, Sean Olbert, won at the regional level and nearly won at the state level. It was very exciting! We are looking forward to this year's competition.

The Writers Club began meeting after school on Monday, September 24th. We will continue to meet on Mondays from 3:00-3:45 in Room 406. Mrs. Pinsonneault is the sponsor and fellow writer. Anyone with a sincere interest in creative writing is welcome to join us at any time.

BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION

Nashua Catholic will participate in the Box Tops for Education program once again this year. How can you help? Find Box Tops on hundreds of your favorite products. Each Box Top is worth 10¢. Turn your Box Tops into the school office. Our school will collect the Box Tops and send them to Box Tops for Education. Box Tops will send our school a check worth 10¢ for each Box Top we redeem! You can find Box Tops on brands such as Cheerios, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Ziploc, Kleenex, Hefty, and more! We'd like to thank those families who have already sent in Box Tops. Keep them coming!

You can sign up free with Box Tops online. Just visit: www.boxtops4education.com. This is another way to earn cash for our school at no additional cost to you. When you sign up, we receive bonus points!

You can also start shopping online at the Box Tops Marketplace. Choose from quality stores like JCPenney and Land's End. Nashua Catholic receives a donation of up to 8% from your qualifying purchases. Once you sign up at the Box Tops website, you can click on the Marketplace tab and shop at over 60 popular online stores and earn cash for our school! Make sure you check out the Marketplace if you do any on-line shopping, especially with Christmas right around the corner!

HANNAFORD HELP SCHOOLS

Nashua Catholic has also been registered in a fund raising program called "Hannaford Helps Schools". This is another opportunity that would benefit our school. This program is sponsored by Shop 'n Save. Their stores will be issuing "School Dollars" when you purchase participating products. Nashua Catholic will receive a dollar for dollar return on all certificates. You can visit www.hannaford.com to read more about the program and to view a list of participating products. The program began on September 2nd and runs through December 1st 2007. Please send your school dollars into the school office as soon as you receive them. This is another easy way to help raise funds for our school!

STOP AND SHOP BONUSBUCKS PROGRAM

Nashua Catholic is also registered with the Stop and Shop BonusBucks Program. You just have to designate our school with Stop and Shop. After you designate our school, each time you use your Stop and Shop card at a participating Stop and Shop store you will earn CASH for Nashua Catholic. Please look for the BonusBucks flyer which will be sent home with your child! You can also log on to www.stopandshop.com/aplus to designate on- line.

As always, we thank you for your support of Nashua Catholic Junior High School!



News for Ms. Gibson's Spanish Classes:

Ms. Gibson's homework assignments for Spanish are now available on-line at www.scholastic.com. A letter was sent home with all her Spanish students, including directions on how to access the classroom site and check weekly homework and long-term assignments. If you have any questions regarding the website, please contact Ms. Gibson at mgibson@ncrjhs.org.

NEWS FLASH from the LIBRARY!

We have discovered a Web-Based source for Library Software, which is actually better suited for our school, and will give us almost the same ease of use and functionality as the software we were trying to purchase. The exciting part is that this Web-Base Software costs only $365 per year!!! That's less than $2 per student, folks. Wow! With your help, we are striving to have this in place before Christmas vacation! We already have some experienced volunteers ready to implement, so let's get together and make this happen.
Here's how you can help: Our goal is $2 for every student in the school. Place your contribution (cash or check make out to Nashua Catholic) in an envelope marked "Library Software" and either send it in to the office with your child, or drop it off, or mail it in. Simple! We'll keep you informed. We'll let you know when we reach our goal and are on our way to making our library a viable resource.
Thanks Friends. You are the BEST!

Notes from Ms. Matson:

A big thank you to all who helped with face painting at the Cow Maneuver! Your help was greatly appreciated! Parents, when picking your child up from the Café/Extended Day or GOALS programs, please park along the black fence on Bartlett Avenue near the Cafeteria windows. When we see your vehicle, your child will sign out and exit the building to meet you. If the lights are off in the Cafeteria, the students may be playing in the Gym or outside. Please discuss at home what time you will be picking up your student, so s/he can keep watch for your arrival. Your child may use his or her cell phone (or the phone in the library if needed) with staff permission, to contact you. Your child may stay in Extended Day as late as 5:30pm daily (after 3:30, a fee is charged, to be paid quarterly upon receipt of your child's report card).

2007 Cow Maneuver Winners:

Plop #1 $500 Conaire Hansen, Merrimack NH Sold by Shannon O'Donnell SC
Plop #2 $500 Kevin Gage, Nashua NH Sold by Nicholas Gage IJ
Plop #3 $5000 Mariellen MacKay, Nashua NH Sold by Rheanna Bauer SC

$100 Raffle Winners:

Leonard Hayes, Bedford NH Sold by Christian Hayes NC
April Roketenetz, Merrimack NH Sold by Aleah DuBois IJ
Kiernan Family, Hudson NH Sold by Kelsea Kiernan SC
Shirley Davis, Harrison ME Sold by Stacie Cornell IJ
Jean Dickson, Nashua NH Sold by Maria Dickson NC
Jennifer Torosian, Nashua NH Sold by Kelly Fagan IJ
Pitsillides Family, Nashua NH Sold by K. Juris SC
Ann Wong, Nashua NH Sold by Michael Lai SC
Janine Campanella, Nashua NH Sold by Joey Campenella NC
Patricia Pereira, Nashua NH Sold by Maria LaCroix IJ

$50 Raffle:

Scott Avery, Nashua NH Sold by Scott Avery NC
Christine Delmonte, Nashua NH Sold by Julia Gester IJ
Allen O'Keefe Sold by Julia Gester IJ
Cameron Prangley, Nashua NH Sold by Connor Prangley SC
Dan Dionne, Hudson NH Sold by Marie Laplante SC
Debbie Sanders, Nashua NH Sold by Jaden Carrier IJ
Patrick McCabe, Brookline NH Sold by Molly McCabe SC
Andrew Bauer, Nashua NH Sold by Austin Bauer NC
Roberta Alessi, Wakefield MA Sold by Tia Avila NC
Sonya Davis, Nashua NH Sold by Aleah DuBois IJ

Red Sox Raffle: Joan Kerr, Nashua NH Sold by MacKenzie Kerr IJ

Pizza Party Winner: 203 Mrs. Sevigny's Homeroom NC



Athletic Department News:

NC soccer teams are in the playoff hunt, with just a handful of games left to the regular season. They still have big games left against Amherst and Milford.

The Cross Country team has a city meet coming up this Thursday, October 4th at Nashua South. The Tri County Championships are coming up Saturday, October 13th at Pelham Memorial School and the NH State Meet at Londonderry HS on Saturday, October 20th. They wrap up the season with The City Meet on Thursday, Oct 25th.

Ahhhh and the girls Volleyball team, currently in first place, has a big - no, make that HUGE - match with Hollis Brookline on Tuesday, October 9th (here at NC gym, 3:30). We need some support from our student body for this one. Please come support your classmates. Hollis Brookline is also tied for first place.

Winter sport tryouts, mark your calendar.

Cheerleading, w/o October 29th
Basketball, w/o November 5th
Wrestling, w/o November 5th

There will be two boy's and two girl's teams in basketball this year. Sign ups and practice schedules will follow in the coming weeks.

Development News:

Nashua Country Fair Big 'thank you' to everyone, whether you sold deeds, donated to the theme baskets, volunteered or came Saturday to give us your support. You all definitely showed not only your school support but your commitment to the Catholic School system in Nashua. Great team effort!

This year, the Mother/Son get together will be Glow Bowling. This will be held at Merrimack Ten Pin, 698 DW Highway in Merrimack, on Saturday, November 3rd 7:30-10pm. Tickets are $35/couple which includes shoes, pizza, desert, soda and raffles! Sign up early, space is limited! You can send money in with your son for the homeroom envelope.

School grounds clean up. We are in need of a contact for doing some tree clearing here at school. If anyone knows a 'family' member who is in the business give us a call. Please give them Mr. B's number.

Corpus Christi Food Pantry Day!

There is a shortage of food an our local food pantries. The Nashua Catholic Community wants to help out. We are designating next Friday (i.e., October 12) as Corpus Christi Food Pantry Day. Any food donations will be helpful but Corpus Christi is specifically in need of the following: Canned fruit, spagetti sauce, peanut butter and jelly, crackers, tomato and chicken noodle soup, instant potatoes, stuffing, canned peas, corm and greenbeans, canned baked beans, cereal, toilet paper, men and women's deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Students who bring any of these items to school on friday (Oct. 12) may be out of uniform!

Pizza Price:

Mrs. Urquhart informs us of a need to raise the price of Friday pizza to $1.50/slice. This increase will take effect October 5.


NC ADMISSIONS CORNER :

Open enrollment for the 2008-2009 school year started with many inquiries on Monday, October 1. We will be taking basic student information to compile an invitation list for the NC Open House, Wednesday, November 28, 2007 from 6:00-8:00pm. The easiest time to join the enrollment process is now! Please let your friends and family know.

8th Graders & Parents

HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS FAIR hosted by Nashua Catholic Regional Junior High School will be held Friday, October 12, 2007, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the NCRJHS Gymnasium at 6 Bartlett Avenue in Nashua, NH. This annual event will feature information tables and presenters from area high schools, such as: The Academy of Notre Dame, Austin Preparatory, Bishop Brady High School, Bishop Guertin High School, Lowell Catholic High School, Nashua Public High School, Phillips Academy, St. Paul's School, and Trinity High School. Our 8th graders and their parents are particularly encouraged to attend this kick-off event to your high school search. This evening will enable you to compare many ares high school programs and practice admissions skills.

Progress Reports:

Parent, please sign and return your student's progress report by Tuesday, October 9, 2007. If you wish to keep the report, kindly send to the office a note stating that you wish to keep that copy in your files.

Nashua Catholic Wish List

12'x12' Portable Canopy - Our thanks to the Gelotti Family for donating the canopy.
School Banner - Our thanks to Mr. Bragan for this donation.
Amplifier for the Music Room
Printers - New Lexmark Z1300 ($27)
Multimedia Projectors
Clear Front Information Board
For P.E. - Hoola Hoops, Jump Ropes, Nets/Goals, Frizbees , Nerf Balls
Tall, Oscilating Fan
Games and Craft Supplies for Cafe Program
Office Fax Machine
Our thanks to the many families who have been donating boxes of tissues!

Nashua Catholic Fall Calendar

OCTOBER

1 No School
4 Progress Reports - Parent sign and return
8 No School
12 High School Admissions Fair 6:30 - 8:00
Kick-off Event for 8th graders' high school search.
16/18/29/31 Prep Course- Catholic Schools Exam
Pre-registration Forms will be out near October 1st.
18 School Mass 9am
26 Halloween Dance 6-9:00pm

November

1 All Saints Day Mass 9am
5 Basketball tryouts
8 Report Cards - Conference Sing-up Sheets Out in Foyer
12 No School Veterans Day Wrestling Begins
15 Early Release 11:30am
16 Early Release 11:30
22&23 No School - Happy Thanksgiving!
28 New Student & Parents Open House 6-8pm


God Bless,

Thomas Kelleher
Principal