November School News

Friday, December 7, 2007

'Tis the season of giving and Christ the King students have given much. They are to be congratulated for their enthusiastic response to the Men's Club Thanksgiving Food Drive. School families contributed enough food to fill more than one hundred bags, which twelve of our eighth grade students helped organize and distribute to needy members of our community.

Active parent participation enabled our teachers to take their students on a number of rewarding field trips. Our first and second graders enjoyed a wonderful production of Alice, presented by the Nine O'Clock players at the Assistance League. Our third and fourth graders explored the Natural History Museum and then visited the Imax theater to see the acclaimed National Geographic 3D movie Sea Monsters. The Cabrillo Beach Aquarium was a popular destination for our 7th grade students who enjoyed a hands-on experience there. Our eighth grade students visited the Museum of Tolerance and were deeply moved by the graphic evidence of the Nazi Holocaust during World War II. We thank our generous parents who served as chaperones and provided logistical support for these class trips.

Our students prepared an assembly in honor of Maria Weir, who taught music at the school for seventeen years. They sang a variety of old favorites, read cards which they made, and presented Maria with gifts. We thank Mrs. Weir for instilling a love of music in our students and wish her happiness and good health in her retirement.

Our new music teacher, Antonio Espinal conducted his Harmonies Girls' Choir in a concert, held in the church to celebrate the feast of Christ the King. It was a magnificent performance by energetic young singers whose varied repertoire resounded through the church for an appreciative audience. The program included sacred music (Ave Maria and Panis Angelicus), as well as American favorites (Battle Hymn of the Republic) and traditional Latin American favorites. Antonio Espinal's 5-year old daughter, Elizabeth, led the choir as soloist for a beautifully performed Dona Nobis Pacem.

We congratulate our girls' varsity volleyball team – this year's CYO league champions! Now, the basketball season is just beginning, and our boys' and girls' teams are practicing regularly and eagerly awaiting their games.

Christ the King School is making a serious effort to restore meaning to the approaching Advent season. We ask all our families to encourage the children to make and keep pious resolutions for these four weeks. It is a tradition which will make their Christmas much more satisfying. Students are already showing their willing spirit by collecting toys to give to needy families at Christmas. They are also beginning to practice for their Christmas Nativity program which will take place in the Church on Wednesday, December 19, at 7:00 p.m.

Ruth C. Anderson
Vice Principal