St.

Augustine Academy
130 South Wells Road Ventura California 93004 805-672-0411 Fax 805-672-2365 e-mail StAugAcad@juno.com www.SaintAugustineAcademy.com

March 21, 2014 Dear families

Board of Governors President Thomas Q. Ellis Secretary Robert R. Orellana, Esq. Treasurer Michael C. Collins Members Abel Montiel Jeff Schuberg Michael F. McLean, Ph.D. Louise Warnert

St. Benedict

As we enter the middle of Lent, fresh from my accreditation visit to our sister school, St. Monica, I thought it would be a good time to share this reflection from EWTN.com. One thing I experienced in our meetings with students, parents and faculty was a great sense of gratitude. When the spirit of gratitude is promoted, accepted and lived, EVERYTHING is better! It was refreshing to hear students speak counter-culturally about how great the little kids are and how they understand that hard work is hard but it prepares us better for real life, like what our parents have to put up with. Anyway, it was a joy to be there and even better to be back home! [P.S. how is Golf-a-thon coming?] Here is the Lenten reflection --Lenta season of Fasting and feasting. This holy season, let us think about our call to: Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them Fast from emphasis on our differences; feast on our oneness Fast from the darkness around us; feast on the light of Christ Fast on thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God Fast on words that pollute; feast on words that purify Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude Fast from withholding anger; feast on sharing our feelings Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism Fast from worry; feast on trust Fast from guilt; feast on freedom Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation Fast from stress; feast on self-care Fast from hostility; feast on letting go Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness Fast from selfishness; feast on compassion for others Fast from discouragement; feast on seeing the good Fast from apathy; feast on enthusiasm Fast from suspicion; feast on seeing the good Fast from idle gossip; feast on spreading good news Fast from being so busy; feast on quiet silence Fast from problems that overwhelm us; feast on prayerful trust Fast from talking; feast on listening Fast from trying to be in control; feast on letting go. Loving God, let us Fast from anything that leads us away from You and teach us to feast on all that brings us closer to You. Amen.

Headmaster Michael J. Van Hecke, M.Ed. Vice President of Development J. Peter Slaga Board of Advisors Hon. Jeremiah Denton Former U.S. Senator Mr. Nicholas J. Healy, Jr. Professor of Phil. And Culture John Paul II Institute Dr. Ronald P. McArthur Co-founder Thomas Aquinas College Mr. Roy S. Rohter, S.F.O. Co-founder St. Augustine Academy Fr. Michael Scanlan, T.O.R. Chancellor Franciscan University Mr. James Stenson Educator and Author

Please SIGN and RETURN Report Cards Promptly!

Basketball
CONGRATULATION GIRLS!!! It is now official, at 10 0 you have logged our first girls bball undefeated season! I cannot wait for the trophy presentation next week. NOTE: Middle School Basketball Tourney NEXT WEEK at St. Bonaventura Gym

MONDAY Girls v. Sacred Heart at 6:00 PM Boys v. Our Lady of the Assumption at 7:15 PM (Games will also occur on Tuesday night, but we do not know the times, yet.)
MEDIEVAL DAY COMING TUESDAY!!! The Banners are taking shape the excitement is growing the teams are bonding. This is going to be FUN! Students should come to school on the 25th of March in full uniform (including TIE, since we start with Mass.) Also, students are to bring their medieval costume with them for the activities that begin after the morning mass and rosary decade in honor of Our Lady. Costume choices should reflect the high middle ages in western Europe. Students already know what country/court they belong to and should try to arrange their costumes to match the official color of their team. Knights should have cardboard armor. Ladies, maybe a headpiece with veil. [Please do not feel compelled to re-create an authentic medieval costume accenting is sufficient. However, if the students want to get some scrap materials and build full-on costumes, cheer them on. If anyone needs help with this, please inform Mr. Zepeda.] Weapons should be either plastic or cardboard... no metal or wood, please. Other costumes should be in accord with the school's code regarding modesty. Also for individual preparation: If participating, artwork in any of the six categories posted in the hallway. The teams will be judged on knowledge, skill, and courtly behavior and an awards ceremony for the winning team will close the day at 2:20ish (pm). Plans for the midday banquet are being organized by Mrs. Susan Grayson. If any families could loan us free-standing dining fly shades/canopies for pavilions, we'd be very grateful. Parents who want to observe are more than welcome... and we could use help with photography and videography.

A Man for All Seasons!

THIS SATURDAY! 7:15 PM (Please note LOCATION) Come enjoy this great drama of faith, intellect, principle, and conscience. There are plenty of witty moments to lighten up the story, so it can be enjoyed by the whole family. Invite friends, too. Ventura County Christian School Auditorium - 96 MacMillan Ave, Ventura, CA 93001 STANDARDIZED TESTING Due to the discontinuation of the CTBS services, we need to change testing services. Since the diocese is also in transition, we decided to wait until next year to invest in a new publisher for our testing. Consequently, to the chagrin of our students (I am sure!) there will be NO TESTING this year. [UCLA Math tests will still be conducted for grades 6-12] CALENDAR EVENTS Mar 22nd A Man for All Seasons, the school play, will be performed at 7:15 PM. Play will be at: Ventura County Christina School Auditorium 96 MacMillan Ave, Ventura, CA 93001 Mar 24-25th Basketball Tournament Mar 25th Medieval Day! Mass at 8:30 AM th Apr 4 EARLY DISMISSAL, Faculty In-Service Apr 11th Progress Reports ORA PRO NOBIS We continue to keep all our friends and family in our prayers. For Michael Montiels cousin, Blanca Montiel, who died yesterday from complications from a car accident she was 18. For the Lewis Family (of Wyoming Catholic College) whose two little girls died in a car accident on Tuesday - Olivia, 6, and Emma, 3. We also pray for consolation for all those family and friends who suffer these losses. Please pray for the Kesley Family as they recover. Please pray for Kim Liebe, a friend of the Voogd and Plander families, who is in her final stage of cancer.Please continue to pray for Mr. Vargas, for Mrs. Warnerts father, Mrs. Seeleys sister, Mrs. Collins father, Mrs. OKanes sister, Joan, and for Mrs. Lyons daughter, Diana. We pray for the souls of a ll those friends and family who have passed away. For three special intentions. We pray for all our school families, their needs and those of their friends and relatives. We pray for our Pope, our Archbishop, all of our priests and religious.