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School News

December 15, 2004 1:08 am

city schools

With the diversity of its student body, the school delights in the various holiday traditions each child has to offer. The school's halls are filled with artwork representing Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and more.

During your family's holiday, take this opportunity to help your child better understand the diversity of cultural and religious beliefs in the Fredericksburg area.

Need a special gift for that special teacher? Hugh Mercer encourages students to consider making a homemade card, sharing a favorite family recipe or tradition, donating to a favorite local charity or sending an electronic greeting card. There are many alternatives to spending money. Be unique and creative this year.

Hugh Mercer also invites students to visit its Web site over the holiday break. Interesting games, contests and activities will be posted directly from the front page. Log on, have fun, and learn at cityschools.com/hughmercer. Parents are encouraged to preview the study guide, online homework and instructional programs pages. New information is continually added.

Classroom spelling bees will continue through the remainder of this week.

This past week, first-, second- and third-graders participated in the annual Jingle Bell Jog. Winners' names will be posted on our Web site and submitted for newspaper publication after the holidays.

On Jan. 5, the school division's Gifted and Talented Advisory Committee meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Original Walker-Grant School. Goals for Gifted Education improvement will be reviewed at that time, and subcommittees will report on their progress.

--Michele Phillips

There will be a school committee meeting tomorrow at 7 p.m.

--Valerie L. Morgan

Mary Hicks has been selected as the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership nominee representing James Monroe High School. Mary has demonstrated leadership in the band, and is a very active member of the James Monroe and regional Amnesty International organization.

The Scholarship Program of the Virginia Golf foundation was founded to help young Virginians with an interest in golf attend colleges and universities within the state. The program is funded by the Virginia Golf Foundation, a tax-exempt organization that is the benefiting organization of the VSGA VIP program. All applications must be received by Feb. 28.

The Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution will offer scholarships to high school seniors:

American History Scholarship. For a high school senior who will have a concentrated study of a minimum of 24 credit hours in American History or American Government. Students may attend any accredited college or university in the USA. State winner, $1,000; second place, $500.

The Virginia DAR Scholarships. This scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior who plans to work toward an undergraduate degree other than nursing. The winners must attend a Virginia college or university, state winners, $1,000; second place, $500.

Deadline for all scholarships: Received on or before Jan. 15, 2005 to guidance for mailing to the local chapter. Applications are available in guidance.

Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America has a scholarship for a young lady, a middle or high school student. The theme is Girls Going Places. It is its fifth annual scholarship program celebrating the spirit of the young female entrepreneur. The deadline is Feb. 25, and there are prizes. An adult must nominate a student by writing an essay. See complete details at guardianlife.com/womens_channel/girls_going_places/ggp_entrepreneurship.html.

The Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 55 would like to award a $200 scholarship to a graduating senior who is the son or daughter of a veteran who will be going on to further educational, either vocational or academic. The recipient should be able to show some financial need. Contact the guidance department to mail in your data.

The new SAT is coming March 12. James Monroe will be a testing site.

--Heidi Miller

county schools

Seven students were honored for their excellent performance in various subject areas on last year's state Standards of Learning tests. They are Victoria Angold, history; George Hastings, history, math and science; Thomas Houck, history; Sean Phouthachack, history; Paige Romeo, science; and Alexander Sewell, history.

--Tammy Jones

Just a reminder that we are still accepting new, unwrapped toys for the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots, through tomorrow. These toys will be distributed to needy children in our community.

Brock Road Elementary Reflections winners are as follows:

Literature--first place, Christian Sherman; second place, Tyler Putz; third place, Connor Muilenburg.

Visual art--first place, Nicole Muilenburg; second place Katie Berry; third place, Christian Henkle.

Music--first place, Kassandra Grigsby.

Literature--First place, Meghan Pattillo; second place, Thad Thompson; third place, Taylor Scheer.

Visual art--first place, Rachel Shrader; second place, Janae McNeal; third place, Jonathon Everhart.

Photography--first place, Hayley Dodson; second place, Andrew Cahall.

Music--first place, Greg Johnson; second place, Noel Sheaffer; third place, Patience Grigsby.

Literature--Bethany Buchanan, Hayley Dodson, Daniel Jarrell, Amanda Meadows, Bradley Meadows and Lexus Morton.

Visual art--Brandon Ferrante, Drew Hoffman and John Hoffman.

Music--Lauren Usher.

The PTA thanks the following judges for Reflections: Karen Harrison, Barbara McWhirt, Pat Meadows and Erin Shafferman. Felicia Thompson, Reflections Chairman; also, thanks to Katrina Negley, Andrea Depaol and Katherine Greene.

--Cheryl Gallello

The following students were chosen as Cardinal of the Week for the week of Dec. 6:

First grade--McKenzie Deutsch, Dylan Gaumer, Lindsay Hendley and Thomas Peterson.

Second grade--Brook Dickens, Harrison Kozlow, Jennifer Oakes, Joshua Scott and Darius Thomas.

Second-graders participated in Scholastics' Classrooms Care program. Each class read more than 100 books, and Scholastic will now donate the same amount of books to the children who need them.

--Susan Debus

The following classes earned the Spanish Star of the week:

Kindergarten--Renee Magee's and Carrie Neglia's classes.

First grade--Kelly Kisler's class.

Second grade--Wendy Fletcher's and Teresa Lynch's classes.

Third grade--Jennifer Lapic's class.

Fourth grade--Becky Murray's class.

Lynn Kogleman, the school guidance counselor, is visiting each classroom to provide students with strategies to regulate their emotions.

Linda Parson's class will visit Carriage Hill Nursing Home on Dec. 21.

Students David Dickinson, Dior Wade, Alex Rickley, Tamara Hewitt, Mary Whittaker, Jonathan Milton, Becky Floyd, Christopher Reese, Jarvis Shepard and Jacob Hyman have made gifts, cards and room decorations to present the residents.

The students have practiced holiday and seasonal songs to sing to the residents, with whom they plan to maintain a relationship. They will continue making cards and pictures, and hope to visit again in the spring.

Tonia Bond's third-grade class has been using Letter Generator to write letters to a student in Ohio.

The Spanish Club will meet tomorrow. This is the last meeting before winter break.

Dec. 22 is Spirit Day.

--Becky Murray

The teachers are proud of the following students chosen as Star Students this week: Laura Graninger, Emmanuel Padilla, Mitch Stahlman, Andrew Cornell, Katherine Johnson, Brittany Margelos, Zuly Cabrera, Bobbie Edwards, Benjamin Carter, Xavier King, Brittany Hasso, Tim Dinehart, Cassandra Torres, Scott Crumley, Brent Tate, Kasi Pitts, Sequoya Robinson, Caramon Stanley, Nansi Rodriguez, Monica Hernandez, Keyohn Joyner, Hannah Jordan, Gracie Parker, Rene Escalera, Lenny Cherry, Michael Demaio, Davon St. Aimie, Maximilian Shafer, Darlene Vasquez, Ryan Watterson, Jessica Bridges and Brianna Penn

Dec. 17 will be Spirit Day. Wear teal and gray.

--Donna Pirnat

The school is getting a new playground thanks to the Lee Hill PTO.

The PTO has been saving money for this new playground for several years, and staff is very excited about the playground being installed in January for upper elementary students.

Look for more information about a supervised volunteer installation day to be published soon. Please come by the school and view the playground display information in the lobby.

--Lisa Reese

Staff members recognized for going "Above and Beyond" during the months of October and November were special services teacher Cathy Jones, first-grade teacher Ginger Carey, speech therapist Beth Field, kindergarten teacher Nicole DelVecchio, paraeducator Cindy Holladay and kindergarten teacher Teresa Striegler.

James Mullikin is Artist of the Month.

Special thanks to the following DOGS--Dads of Great Students--for participating in our Scholastic 2004 Reads Day. Taking time for the students were David Murphy, Lloyd Fox, Dean Lothamer, Billy Deavers, Richard Beasley, Douglas Jett, George Hockman, Troy Holladay, Roy Stewart, Travis Pratt, Brad Beitzel, Jonathan DAvis, Kevin Pavey, Thomas Chew, John Phillips, Todd Campbell, Bill Sigler, Michael Madigan, David Phelps, Allen Weathers, Wesley Chase, Ken Beard, Glenn Goodin, Leonard Smith, James Daley, Paul Kersse, Jimmy Weedon, Jimmy Corthon, Chad Logue, Steve Kuney, Tom Hartless, John Jameson, David Weaver, Mike Hinds, J.A. Farley, Kevin Kirtley, Ken Sekuterski, Charlie Squires, Gil Palomares, Darron Morton, Kevin Watson, Soloman Clair, Michael Aubrecht, Stan McDaniel, Jeff Packard, Peter Kim, Jarod Fox, Alonzo Bowler, Bill Scott, Douglas LeBlanc, Ovander Kay, Samuel Adams, Norman White, Keith Hostetler, Russell Bryant, David Schwartz, Joseph Short, and Charles Brown.

Students achieving perfect scores on the Standards of Learning assessments for the 2003-04 school year are:

English--Cassidy Betterton.

History--Cassidy Betterton, Victoria Bond, Michael Carter, David Flues, Rebecca Jones, Andrew Kay, Caleb Lewis, Katelyn Lothamer, Adam Marshall, Tanya McClure, James Mullikin, Jacqueline Murphy, James Murphy, Breanna Owen, Daniel Powers, Dana Rainey, Destinee Vigil and Caleb Woodward.

Science--Cassidy Betterton, Corey Gibson, Kaitlin Meade, Jacob Miller and Sarah Tranter.

Math--Aaron Brown, Courtney Carneal, Mandy Cole, Christopher Kazanjian, Theresa White and Kali Yamarik.

--Kim Kirtner

Fourth-graders will be presenting a musical production called "The Twelve Days of Christmas" on Dec. 21.

Dec. 17 is a Spirit Day at Robert E. Lee. Students and faculty will wear red and green.

--LeAnn Farley

Students who received a Spotswood Sparkler the week of Dec. 3 are Karis Bachman, Megan Ballard, Chris Blankenship, Alexi Bowden, Shawn Bowman, Alexis Breeden, Josh Collins, Sierra Edenton, Reagan Farmer, Madelyn Figgers, Danny Flores, Dominique Hackett, Christian Holz, Bengisu Izat, Monica Lopez, Alison Mairena, Anika Metts, Mary O'Dell, Erik Phillips, Cody Rock, Stephen Schultz, Summer Wilson and Michael Yost.

Spotswood Sparklers this week are Lauren Beach, Trevor Courtney, Camille Cummings, Mitch Figgers, Christopher Haberlie, Tajzsha Haigler, Jason Johnston, Brian Kelly, Amber Morris, Ashton Sibley, Steven Valle, Leigh Wallace, and Eddie Wunderlich.

The attendance contest was won by Anita Francis's class for the week of Dec. 3. This week, the contest was won by Lorie Maneer's class.

Conference night is Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m.

--Blynn Wilson

Outstanding Citizens for the month of November were:

Kindergarten--Rebekah Holloman, Jarred Pates, Ashley Frazier,Matthew Young, Manuel Duran, Alexis Guevara, Mattie Stout, Cayden Taylor, Gabriel Washington, Jacob Wellerman, Catie Loving, Jackie Petrella and Savannah Ochs.

First grade--Savannah Dornseif, Michael Fitzgerald,Marcus Reynolds, Alison Williams, Megan Muldoon, Austin Jackson,Erica Denham, Skylar Oztuna, Anthony Montalvo, Raeanne Martell, Grayson Fusaro and Jordan Koontz.

Second grade--Emily Borst, Grant Harless, Lexi Heishman, Chris Pritchett, Ashley Doering, Kiley Steed, Madison Atwood, Allison Wolfe, Sierra Morcom, Gannon Lang, Kayleigh Elliot and Ricky Berrios.

Third grade--Caleb Atwood, Heather Dempsey, Kevin Gray, Linelis Luna-Baez, Cameron Rott, Crista Brock, Cody Rioux, Alexis Holloway, Tiffanii Mendoza, Thomas Foster, Jontell Parham, Ricky Klingbeil, C.J. Amstone and Stephanie Milligan.

Fourth grade--Rosa Crisafulli, Dakota Drain, Hailey East, Mason McMahon, Lela Starks, August Valentour, Billy Brown, Matt Capozza, Shelby Hinegardner, Brandon Holland, Brianna Beach and William Domingo.

Fifth grade--Joshua Helmick, Elliot Taylor, Travis Staples, Chelsea Mickatavage, McKenzy Moreno, Rachel Dempsey, Haley Rheinholtz, Colin Douglas, Nicole Pritchett, Alexis Montalvo, Katie Hartmann and Zack Burnley

The Wilderness PTA thanks the volunteers for helping with the Santa Breakfast, the Reindeer Shop, and helping turn Wilderness into a winter wonderland.

The volunteers are Kim Thomas, Sara Carty, Jule Miller, Eric Miller, Cheryl Christopher, Kristy Caudil, Kim Starks, Megan Emmons, Sgt. Rose Poinvil, Sgt. Stephen Mankus and the Riverbend High varsity winter cheerleaders.

A special thanks to Mike Lastes for being such a jolly ol' man, and to Tina Landis for all of her hard work that morning.

--Susan Strawn

Richard Ingebretson has been selected to serve as a student representative to the Virginia Department of Education's Student Advisory Council. Only 12 students from the state were selected. out of 100 applicants.

Career Pathways Day at Battlefield Middle School was held for eighth-graders Dec. 2. Students rotated through five sessions and heard speakers from the Spotsylvania Career and Technical Center, Germanna Community College, the University of Mary Washington, the armed services and Arby's Restaurants. Career Pathways Day is designed to provide eighth-graders with a more realistic view of the numerous opportunities that are available to them as they begin making decisions about their own career paths.

Battlefield Hosts assisted with Career Pathways Day by greeting the speakers and escorting them to designated classrooms. Participating hosts were Zachary Sherrod, Ashley Morton, Michele Kirchberg, Samantha Freeman, Allison Brooks, Andisheh Yazdani, Randy Ryan, Angel Medrano, Emily Dutton, Ninel Benson and Samantha Testa.

Matt Lansden received one of 10 T-84 Plus Silver Edition calculators given away in a random drawing of registrants on the Texas Instruments' Web site. The nationwide contest was entered by thousands.

--Theresa Harvey

Catherine Paige White took first in state in the Sparring and Forms Division of the Virginia Karate Alliance competition. Virginia Karate Alliance held its banquet on Dec. 12 in Roanoke. Paige holds a "pre-black belt."

Thanks to our business partners for their continued support. Our newest addition is Four-Mile Fork Sport & Health Club. Our members include Panera Bread, Hair Quarters, Primo's Pizza, Slapshotz Indoor Recreation, Meadows Farms Golf Course, Scafa's Italian Restaurant, Mama's Pizza & Subs, Team Sports & Awards, Marquee Cinemas, Old Country Buffett, Subway at Salem Fields, Liberty Lanes and Spotsylvania Blackbelt Academy.

Parent/Teacher Conference night will be tomorrow night, by appointment only. Please call 548-1030 to schedule your appointment.

--Debra Heckman

Winners in the PTA-sponsored Reflections contest are:

Writing--Michelle Demas, Jessica Farrow, Alicia Apperson, Emily Carpenter, Lori Butts, Samantha Enfinger, Kayla Davis, Ashlei Baker, Kristen Aldrich and Chris Williams.

Art--Joel Torres and Abbie Niderberg.

Music--Robyn Broaddus.

Photography--Kristy Murnane.

Students going out for a Limo Lunch this week as a reward for selling 10 or more subscriptions on the first day of the school magazine fund-raiser are Cody Hazard, Kristina Stamm, Holly Wilson, Jake Accord, Cary Chet-Tyler, Samantha Montgomery, Logan Sparks, Kyle Eackles, Stephanie Duncan, Samantha Long, Joey Knoche, Oscar Alfaro, Bob Board, Evan Shiflett, Amber Coleman, Amber Ponton, Nick Johnson, Brett Hughes, Laura Murdaugh, Shaina Morcon, Stephanie Pfaff, Frankie Minter, Chelsea Hardle, Lauren Luttrell, Ryan Passela, Ashley Kaufman, Michael Rod-riquez, Kaitlin Vose, Josh Cooley, Samantha Dye, Emily Parrett, Micah Catlett, Brittany Miller, Taryn Snyder, Raymond Nalley, Taylor Huson, Sydney Morello, Bryan Spruill, Amanda Cole, Amanda Haislip, Krystal Cole, Emily Murphy, Chris Balian, Jimmy Fladug, Tiffany Price, Sherry Downhour and Jackie Baldwin.

If you would like to track the progress of your magazine subscription order from the fall fund-raiser, you can do so by calling 877/289-6247 or visiting MagTrak.com, 24 hours a day.

The Lady Falcons soccer team was the Spotsylvania County champion for the season. The ladies were coached by Debra Coddington, Dave Bush and Mike Gianforte.

Team members were Lauren Gianforte and Claire Robinson, co-captains; Joanna De Brouse, Lindsay Wilshaw, Lindsay Baker, Cindy Craig, Erin Crain, Erin Blissard, Rachel Boardway, Sandy Epling, Casey Ridings, Jamie Meadows, Kaysi Galyen, Megan Nargi, Molly Ilijevich, Emily Rudy, Emily Lasica, Hannah Shrader, Ashley Knappenberger, Robyn Broaddus, records and Jessica Stark, manager.

Purchase the gift that keeps on giving. Yearbook orders will be taken through Friday in the front foyer, 7:40 to 8 a.m. Checks or cash will be accepted in the amount of $25. This will be the last chance to order the 2004-05 yearbook. Order yours now before it's too late.

--Angie Branham

The following homerooms received certificates for outstanding attendance for the month of November:

Cathy Limbrick's sixth grade, 97 percent.

Vicki Nesbitt's seventh grade, 96.4 percent.

Jim Grace's eighth grade, 98.1 percent.

Each student in these homerooms will receive a free candy bar courtesy of the SCA.

The sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade chorus performed a winter concert Dec. 9.

In the sixth grade, there was great solo speaking by Brittany Hunt, Emily Jackson and Nicole Simms.

In seventh grade, the ensemble solo group of Megan Beland, Daneia Brown, Shawna Carpenter, Jessica Decatur, Amber Markey, Shawn Prager and Christina Shover were wonderful.

The eighth-grade solos by Dominique White, Isaiah Lomax, Tenisha Minor, Vanessa Lewis, Kenny Sisk and Robin Ford were excellent.

--Lisa Simmermon

In an award ceremony held at Massaponax High School on Dec. 13, the following students were recognized for scoring a perfect 600 on the spring Standards of Learning tests:

U.S. History II--Michael Botkin, Stephen Oesterheld, Caitlyn Viars and Jonathan Zimmerman.

Algebra I--Rodney Jackson.

Geometry--Nicole Martin and Heidi Mills.

Reading, literature and research--Heidi Mills and Heather Skinner.

Band, orchestra and chorus students performed holiday music at Spotsylvania Mall on Dec. 10. Donna Jacobs directs the band. Orchestra is directed by Alena Sneizek, and Leon Lewis directs chorus.

Parents are reminded of parent-teacher conferences tomorrow, 3-5 p.m. Parents requesting a conference need to contact their child's teachers via e-mail, note or a phone request through the guidance department.

Parents are encouraged to attend a Math for Mom and Dad Program from 5 to 6:30 p.m., held in the library. Cheryl Gray, math specialist, along with school math teachers will be coordinating the program. This is an excellent opportunity to see what students are doing in math and gain a better understanding of how parents can assist their students at home.

John J. Wright Middle School's Partners in Education are Outback Steak House, Westwood Deli, Pizarro's Grocery, Liberty Lanes, Four Mile Fork Sport and Health Club.

--Helen S. Cielakie

Congratulations to the PTSO on being selected as a 2004 Honor Roll Award Recipient. The PTSO was recognized by the Virginia Department of Education for its hard work, time and the members' commitment to providing an alcohol/drug-free celebration at after-prom parties.

The College Board notified the school that numerous students have been recognized as a result of their scores on the 2004 Advanced Placement tests.

There were 26 students who earned AP Scholars, nine who were Scholars with Honor, 22 Scholars with Distinction, one State Scholar, and four National Scholars. These awards are based on:

AP Scholar--students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams

AP Scholar with Honor--students who receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and grades of three or higher on five or more of these exams.

AP Scholar with Distinction--granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and grades of three or higher on five or more of these exams

AP State Scholar--granted to the one male and one female student in each US state and DC with grades of three or higher on the greatest number of AP exams and then the highest average grade, at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken.

National AP Scholar--granted to students in the U.S. who receive an average grade of at least four on all AP exams taken, and grades of four or higher on eight or more of these exams.

Parent Teacher Conference Night is tomorrow. Call guidance at 710-0419, ext. 512, to make appointments.

--Joe Rodkey

Several Spotsylvania High School chorus students traveled to Essex High School in Tappahannock on Nov. 13 to audition for the District 15 All-District Chorus, which will be held in February.

Those students who were selected to participate were Clementine Anderson, Danielle Clay and Hee Jung Kim.

--Joanna Peters

private schools

Parents are reminded that Lower School students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow for Holiday Break. No after-school care will be provided. Middle and Upper School students will be dismissed at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow. Friday is a faculty work day, and classes will resume on Jan. 3.

Parents are encouraged to attend the Lower School holiday program at 11 a.m. tomorrow in the Theater of the Arts & Sciences building.

The sixth and seventh grade will go ice skating at the Fredericksburg Ice Park from 1 to 3 p.m. today. A bus will transport the students to the rink, and parents should pick up their children at the rink at 3 p.m.

The Holiday Breakfast Dec. 4 was a huge success, as was the academy's Candyland float in the Fredericksburg Christmas parade. Stephie Maurer and Allie Goldstein, who spearheaded the breakfast and float, are grateful for the help and participation of many parents, faculty and students.

--Beth Hunley

Christmas Chapel will be tomorrow at 9 a.m. in the gym.

The Fruit and Nut Sale was a big success. The Bear Class had the highest classroom sales and Ryan McGee had the highest individual sales. The Thomas Nelson Book Fair raised more than $1,000 for the playground and added titles to the classroom shelves.

Christmas Chapel will be Friday at 9 a.m.

The Fruit and Nut Sale was a big success. The Bear Class had the top sales and Catarina Roye and Chad Pitts had the top individual sales.

Christmas Chapel will be on Friday at 8:40 a.m. with all classes singing. All students are asked to wear a white shirt.

Through tomorrow, students are permitted to wear Christmas sweaters or sweatshirts with their school wardrobe. Remember the true meaning of Christmas and avoid secular motifs such as Santa and reindeer.

The grocery card program is being phased out on campus, and the remaining stock of Shoppers Food Warehouse, Food Lion and Giant cards need to be sold. They can be purchased through the campus office.

Through tomorrow, students are permitted to wear Christmas sweaters or sweatshirts with their school wardrobe. Remember the true meaning of Christmas and avoid secular motifs such as Santa and reindeer. Students must wear their normal school wardrobe on Friday.

All classes have their Christmas celebrations tomorrow.

Christmas Chapel will be on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Kindergarten students are asked to pack a snack and lunch. Rather than dismissing at 12:35 p.m. as usual, they will eat lunch and participate in Chapel, dismissing immediately afterward.

Christmas Chapel will be on Friday at 10:15 a.m. with all classes sharing.

Through tomorrow, students are permitted to wear Christmas sweaters or sweatshirts with their school wardrobe. Remember the true meaning of Christmas and avoid secular motifs such as Santa and reindeer. Students must wear their normal school wardrobe on Friday.

Bible X-treme will not be held on Jan. 3.

Kim Andrew's class had the top sales in the Fruit and Nut Sale and Donovan McLaurine had the highest individual sales on campus.

FCS collected 1,594 shoe boxes full of Christmas gifts for Operation Christmas Child. The Upper Elementary campus collected 140, 15 more than its goal.

Christmas Chapel will be Friday at 1:30 p.m.

Freshman class officers are Keri Jones, president; Kristi Swan, vice president; Allyson Banks, secretary; Rachel Cuff, treasurer.

The Homecoming Court has been announced:

Seniors: Brandon Jones, David Coleman, Justin Breezee, Courtney Baskeyfield, Bethany Steigerwald, Sabina Holtby.

Juniors: Jason Gossett, John Gordon Corrigan, Brittany Jennings, Dillon Mahoney.

Sophomores: Jeremy Poole, Missy Martinez

Freshman: Jacob Zimmerman, Keri Jones.

Basketball passes are on sale for $40 for a family, $20 for a parent, $10 for a student.

The following students were awarded academic letters for the 2003-04 school year by carrying a 3.8 grade-point average or higher:

First year letter--Matt Ball, Ashley Bonzo, Jessica Boyd, Sarah Custalow, Lauren Floyd, Ann Getts, Jonathan Thompson, David Toves, Amelia Wright, Matthew Adams, Emma Clay, Stephanie Crowe, Brittney Jennings, James McLeod, Kiersten Scott, Elizabeth Swauger, Heather Turpin, Sandy Voelkel, Matt Devine, Josh Cooke, Ian Duffy, Suzette Fischer, Shannon Hopper, Rachel Jensen, Katherine Jones, Eric Killian, Sungbin Ma, Tabitha Mandell, Imad Matini, Allison May, David Owens, Travis Porter, Aaron Rayford, Mary-Scott Standish and Jesse Zimmerman.

Second year Lamp of Knowledge--Daniel Jackson, Erin Ovitt, Steven Albright, John Donehey, Lauren Gossett, Josh Kaminski, Erin Lubeshkoff, Ashley Rollyson, Eric Scott and Whitney Vance.

Third year Star--Courtney Baskeyfield, Colleen Betts, Katie Boggs, Amy Bopp, Elizabeth Carpenter, Ashley Catlin, David Coleman, Erika Dunnington, Julie Fitzpatrick, Meredith Lee, Christy McAvinney, Katie Parsons, Sarah Rodriguez, Alex Roman, Katie Sears and Sara Wirtala.

Students are invited to prepare a second bag lunch and bring it to school on Tuesdays. This program is feeding more than 75 homeless in our community. Students are encouraged to continue and expand their efforts to feed the hungry.

Check the guidance office newsletter for information on contests, scholarships, and college fairs and open houses.

Athletic schedules, including practice and game departure times, are posted on Kevin Hollowell's Web page at the school site, fredericksburgchristian.com.

School directories are available in the office for $3.

The 442-page FCS cookbook, Family Favorites from FCS, is on sale in all campus offices for $15.

School will be closed Dec. 20-31 for Christmas break.

Spirit Week will be held January 3-7.

Internet shoppers can support FCS by shopping at their favorite stores online through mighty works.com.

To learn whether school is closed or there is a delay in opening due to bad weather, call the FCS hot line at 372-7032, listen to local radio stations, or check fredericksburgchristian.com.

Information on donations for the March 18 auction to benefit teachers' salaries is now being collected. Forms are available from the school offices.

Campus teachers now have their own Web pages at the FCS site, fredericksburgchristian.com. The pages offer contact information, policies, homework assignments, test dates and other information.

Parents are reminded to participate in Campbell's Labels for Education program by saving the labels or panels from Campbell's, Pepperidge Farm, Franco-American, Prego, Pace, V8 and Swanson broth products. The labels are redeemed for school equipment.

Food Lion and Giant will send FCS a rebate on the total amount of groceries purchased when shoppers use their Food Lion MVP card and/or Giant Bonus Card and designate FCS as the selected school. Giant's rebate runs to April 3. Food Lion's rebate runs the entire year from January to December. Shoppers must re-designate FCS as the beneficiary of this program at the start of every school year.

The Association of Christian Schools International Yearbook Evaluation was held Nov. 13 in Atlanta, Ga. More than 60 schools entered books into the yearbook evaluation this fall. Fredericksburg Christian Schools Elementary soft cover division was awarded "first place." It also received the award for the "Best Cover and Best Theme."

--Cindy Gossett

Two very special feast days were celebrated this past week. The first was the feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6. St. Nicholas has the longest history as a patron saint of children and is one of the most popular saints of all time. It is the custom among Austrians, Germans, Swiss, Belgians and Dutch to give small gifts and candy to children on the feast of St. Nicholas, marking the occasion as a sweet prelude to Christmas. In honor and recognition of his feast day, the littlest students in kindergarten and first grade set out their shoes in the hallway in the hopes that St. Nick might bring them something. They were not disappointed. When the children later checked their footwear and found all of their shoes filled with candy, they were bursting with delight.

On Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception was celebrated with the Rev. Don Rooney celebrating Mass here at the academy for the students and their families. It was also the very special parish feast day of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church.

Also noteworthy was the level of excitement and joy when Santa himself took time out from his very busy schedule to visit the library and read some of his favorite Christmas stories to the children in kindergarten through third grade. It was a very happy morning for everyone.

Last Monday, the sweet sound of children singing a host of heavenly hymns and holiday music was heard in Bishop Keating Hall during the yearly Christmas program. This extraordinary choir of angels did a magnificent job.

The academy has taken the lead in the Spotsylvania Mall School Spirit Points contest. It's great to report that the school has accumulated 41,489 points to date--the closest competitor is at 35,751--so keep those receipts rolling in.

A gentle reminder that the academy is a designated recipient of the Combined Federal Campaign. The numbers are: National CFC-7145, Local-7008 (Dahlgren, Quantico, Fort A.P. Hill).

--Betsy Moran

The Mariamante Academy Schola Cantorum and Cantores Regis (King's Singers), directed by Johanna Rubin, will perform a Christmas "Lessons and Carols" program at St. Patrick's Church on Friday at 8 p.m. The program will be recorded in advance, and CDs will be sold at the event. The concert itself is free and open to the public. A freewill donation will be appreciated.

For more information on Mariamante Academy's Schola Cantorum, contact Johanna Rubin at 972-0325.

--John Hathaway

The call to "family, community and participation" by the Words to Live By committee during November was answered resoundingly by St. Patrick families and friends. The school's efforts helped feed 21 families for Thanksgiving, collecting $950 and many, many bags of nonperishable items. This month, we are once again collecting funds, canned foods and small gifts for Christmas baskets to help those in need in our area. Monetary donations may be deposited in the angel in front of the school office.

--Marcus and Theresa Vivona