October Student and Family Newsletter

Dear Immaculate Conception Families,

As the crisp air of autumn settles in and the leaves begin to turn vibrant shades of red and gold, we are filled with excitement for the new season and all the wonderful opportunities it brings. Fall is always a special time at our school, and we have a lineup of engaging activities and events for our students and families that we can’t wait to share with you!

From upcoming student celebrations like Character Day to family events that bring our community together, there is so much to look forward to in the weeks ahead. Be sure to keep an eye on your inboxes and our school calendar for detailed updates and important reminders throughout the month.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we make this season one of joy, growth, and connection for our students. We look forward to sharing all the fun that autumn has in store for our Immaculate Conception School community!

Cordially,

Mr. Johnson

Principal of ICS

A Fresh Start to Fall!

As we step into October, it’s incredible to see how much we’ve already accomplished in these first few weeks of the school year. Students have settled into their routines, and our classrooms are buzzing with learning, discovery, and growth. This month, we’ll continue to build on the strong foundation we’ve set, with a variety of exciting events, enrichment activities, and deeper academic engagement.

• Our Fall Events Calendar is packed with activities, including our upcoming classroom celebrations to conclude Hispanic Heritage Month, and seasonal fall festivities.

• One highlight is our upcoming Character Day—a unique celebration here at Immaculate Conception School! This special day will feature fun activities, costumes, and a spirit of community, ensuring a joyful and safe experience for all our students.

We’re also excited to focus on our October Root Belief: We can do hard things. As we explore this theme, we’ll encourage our students to embrace the value of hard work in everything they do.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to a month filled with learning, growth, and joy for our entire Immaculate Conception School community!

ICS Root Belief of the Month: We Can Do Hard Things

At Immaculate Conception School, our Root Belief of the Month is We Can Do Hard Things. This belief encourages our students to face challenges head-on, knowing that with perseverance, effort, and a positive mindset, they are capable of overcoming obstacles. By embracing this belief, we help our students build resilience, confidence, and a willingness to grow through difficult experiences. Whether it’s tackling a tough math problem, learning a new skill, or navigating a challenging social situation, our goal is to teach our students that hard work and determination can help them achieve great things.

• Review the progress report with your child: Come up with a focus area for the rest of the quarter.

• Encourage Open Conversations: Talk with your students about the importance of effort. Ask them about their schoolwork and what challenges they faced, emphasizing that effort is more valuable than perfection.

• Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your child's progress in various tasks, no matter how small. Recognizing their hard work can boost their confidence and motivate them to keep trying.

• Model Effort: Share your own experiences where effort led to success or growth. Discuss times when things didn't go as planned and how you learned from those experiences.

• Set Goals Together: Help your child set achievable goals related to their schoolwork or hobbies. Encourage them to focus on the effort they will put in rather than the outcome.

• Create a Homework Routine: Establish a dedicated homework routine that emphasizes a focus on effort. Encourage your child to take their time and do their best, reminding them that it's okay if things aren't perfect.

• Be Supportive During Challenges: When your child faces challenges, be there to support them. Help them brainstorm solutions and emphasize that struggling is part of the learning process.

• Reinforce Positive Behavior: Praise your child for demonstrating effort in their activities, whether academic, sports-related, or creative. Positive reinforcement helps reinforce the importance of hard work.

By partnering with us to reinforce We Can Do Hard Things, we can help our students develop the inner strength and perseverance they need to succeed both in school and in life. Together, we can show them that with effort and determination, no challenge is too great!

Hispanic Heritage Month

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, students are invited to participate in a cultural appreciation dress down day. On Tuesday, October 15th students may wear clothing that represents and honors the rich and diverse cultures of our school community. While this day is intended to highlight the important contributions of the Hispanic community to our wonderful country, we want to be inclusive of all students in their demonstration of cultural pride. Please note that:

• All attire should be appropriate for a school setting

• Students are encouraged to celebrate their culture with pride, respect and inclusivity.

We look forward to seeing the vibrant expressions of our students’ culture!

Eagle Circle Ceremony

What is the Eagle Circle?
The Eagle Circle is a monthly induction ceremony where students who exemplify our root beliefs are celebrated for their positive impact on our school community. Nominated students are invited to join this select group of students. It’s a time to honor those who consistently show kindness, empathy, and a commitment to helping others feel included and valued. Students who accept their nomination are entitled to certain rights but also agree to take on certain responsibilities within their school community. Students who accept their nomination will receive a golden star to wear on their uniforms, as well as a certificate detailing why they were selected for this honor.

We are excited to announce our very first Eagle Circle Ceremony, which will take place on Tuesday, October 15th (to celebrate the month of September)!

• 8:30 For Grades Pre-K through 4th grade

• 2:50 for Grades 5 through 8

September's root belief focus was “We are made for each other.” This belief emphasizes the importance of connection, community, and supporting one another. It means that we thrive when we lift each other up, show empathy, and work together as a team.

Teachers will be selecting students who:

• Show kindness and empathy towards their peers.

• Help others feel included and welcome.

• Demonstrate teamwork and collaboration.

• Support classmates and contribute to a positive classroom environment.

• Go above and beyond to make sure that everyone feels like they belong.

We can't wait to induct our newest members!

Character Day

We’re excited to celebrate Character Day on October 25th! For grades PK-5, the event will take place in the gymnasium, and for our middle school students, it will be held in their classrooms. This fun-filled day will include activities such as face painting, games, and treat bags. Students are welcome to dress up as their favorite characters, as long as costumes are appropriate for school. Please ensure that hands and faces remain visible, and no fake weapons are allowed.

To help cover the cost of activities, we are asking for a $5 participation fee. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone! Be on the lookout for more information as we get closer to the day.

Important Information About the Flu

With flu season upon us, it is important that we work together to keep our children and school healthy. By keeping our children and staff flu-free, we benefit the community as a whole. Additionally, healthy students and staff miss fewer days of school, which results in less stress on our families. An increase in flu activity is seen in October and November and peaks between December and February, although it can last as late as May.

The CDC recommends these three steps be taken to fight the flu:

1. Get a flu vaccine every year.

2. Contact your doctor if you develop symptoms of the flu, especially if you are elderly, very young, pregnant or have a chronic health condition.

3. Take precautions to prevent spreading germs, such as washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth when you cough and staying home from school or work when you are sick.

More information can be found here.

Emergency Drills

At Immaculate Conception School (ICS), the safety of your children is our top priority. Our dedicated team works diligently every day to maintain a secure environment, supported by comprehensive protocols, procedures, and precautions designed to ensure student safety.

Our students participate regularly in a variety of emergency drills, including fire, lockdown, and lockout drills. These drills are essential to prepare both students and staff for potential emergency situations, whether the threat is internal or external. While we take these drills very seriously, we ensure they are conducted in a way that minimizes any emotional distress for our students. Each drill is explained in an age-appropriate manner, helping students understand the purpose behind these practices and fostering a sense of security throughout the process.

For safety reasons, we do not announce the specific dates and times of drills in advance to the community. This allows us to better assess our readiness and identify areas where we can improve. After each drill, we reassure our students that it was just a practice and that they are safe.

You can trust that the well-being of your children and the entire ICS community is always our foremost concern.

Middle School Enrichment Opportunity - Salesian High School

Salesian High School is offering a tuition-free, enrichment program for middle school students called Saturday Academy at Salesian. See attached flyer for more information.

Preston High School Halloween Fest

PHS is hosting its annual Halloween Festival on Saturday October 19th from 2pm-4 pm. The official flyer is below. Tickets $20 for children ages 10 and under and $5 for accompanying adults. Advanced ticket purchase is strongly recommended. Use this link to purchase tickets: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/6gItvgmq

Put This On Your Calendar

• October 8th - Progress Reports are Distributed

• October 10th - 8th Grade Picture Day

• October 11th - School Conference Day (No Students/School Closed)

• October 14th - Indigenous Peoples’ Day (No School)

• October 15th:

  • Cultural Appreciation Dress Down Day

  • Eagle Circle Ceremony

    • 8:30 Lower School

    • 2:50 Upper School

• October 23rd - Regional Conference Day (No Students/School Closed)

• October 25th :

  • Character Day (More details to come)

  • Garden Pumpkin Festival (3:00-5:00)

• October 30th:

  • TACHS Registration Deadline

  • 2:30 Dismissal (No After School)

• October 31st:

  • Happy Halloween

  • 11:30 Dismissal (No After School )