Dear Parents,

We hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday. Over the next three weeks we look forward to providing a consistent and predictable environment for the students, even as we celebrate the season. We will work hard to provide students and families with advance notice of any changes to the regular schedule, including many that are noted in this newsletter today. Everyone needs a little help staying focused during the holidays, and our students are no exception J.

There will be no after school care or afterschool activities on <b>Thursday, December 19</b> due to the De LaSalle staff holiday gathering. Bus service will run as usual.  We appreciate your support so that all staff members can celebrate together.

With the joy of the season,

Ms.  Moreau
<p align="center"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS</span></b></p>
<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">DE LASALLE ANNUAL CELEBRATION</span></b>

We look forward to seeing folks at our Annual Celebration on <b>December 6 at 6:00 PM.</b> Students who are in the Student Government will be giving tours.  Students in Chorale and Drama Club and Ms. Pistorio’s homeroom will be performing at this event. All participating students should be in uniform and report to the music room by <span style="text-decoration: underline;">5:45</span>. Please join us if your schedule will allow, even if your child isn’t in one of these organizations.  Please feel free to invite business owners or your employer to come for an hour to see why our light shines so bright!

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<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES</span></b>

We will need help from adults to serve appetizers and drinks to our guests on <b>December 6</b>.  Set up time will begin at 4:00 PM.  The event should end by 7:30, including cleanup.         <b></b>

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<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">BOOK DRIVE FOR THE HOLIDAYS</span></b>

The De LaSalle Academy Student Government will be collecting new or gently used books for The Nations Association Organization, <i>"A Point of Light"</i> that has been serving underprivileged families in Fort Myers for 35 years.  The association is planning to present 15,000 children and their families with gifts, candy, refreshments and new or gently used books this holiday season. They are also looking for 1,000 beanie baby size stuffed animals that they will use to bundle with the books. The goal is for each family to go home with three books. Please help support this amazing organization by donating books for ages 0-16 and beanie baby size stuffed animals to De LaSalle starting NOW and ending Wednesday, December 18.

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<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">DE LASALLE HOLIDAY PROGRAM</span></b>

This year’s program will take place on <b>Friday, December 13 at 7:00 PM</b> at Riverside Church on Daniels Pkwy. We will be in the main sanctuary. This year’s production is <i>The Christmas Carol.</i>  Following the program, we will have a dessert and punch reception in the church lobby.
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<p align="center"><b>If you can contribute a baked item on the 13<sup>th</sup>, please plan to bring it the night of the program.</b></p>

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All students are asked to wear nice clothes, no jeans or shorts please.  All students will travel on a field trip to the church in the morning on Dec. 13 for rehearsal. Field trip forms are required.
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<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">SOCKS AND BUTTONS</span></b>

We would be grateful for donations of white tube socks and buttons for our Annual Snow Day activities taking place on

<b>December 16. </b>

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<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GINGERBREAD HOUSE ACTIVITY</span></b>

Back by popular demand, De LaSalle will host our 2<sup>nd</sup> Annual Gingerbread House Activity on <b>Wednesday, December 18.</b> This is a fun-packed afternoon with creativity beyond description. To make this day a success, we will gratefully accept your donation of “building supplies” for the event. Please see the enclosed flyer for more information regarding volunteering and supplies. We appreciate receiving donations after December 11<sup>th</sup>, as storage space is limited.

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<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">CLUB NEWS</span></b>  <b><i></i></b>
<ul>
	<li><b><i>Lego Club </i></b>meets on Tuesdays. The club will meet for 8 weeks through January 14, from 3:30-4:30. <b></b></li>
	<li><b><i>De LaSalle Chorale</i></b> (chorus) rehearses on Thursdays after school, 3:30-4:30.</li>
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<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">SPORTS NEWS</span></b>
<ul>
	<li>The <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Fall Sports Banquet</span> will be held this <b>Thursday, December 5 at 6:00 PM.</b></li>
	<li><b>Basketball </b>practice is every Tuesday and Thursday, 4:15-5:30 PM. Homework time is provided from 3:30-4:15. Our first game is at Cape Christian in Cape Coral on <b>December 10</b>, from 3:30-5:00. The De LaSalle bus will transport students TO Cape Christian, but parents must arrange to pick up students FROM Cape Christian at 5:00.</li>
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<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">DE LASALLE CHEERLEADING TEAM</span></b>

Please refer to the enclosed flyer for information on uniforms.

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<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">LOCAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITY</span></b>

Event:  Annual Christmas Party on behalf of The Nations Association Charities, Inc.

Date:    December 21, 2013

Times:  9 AM for 11 AM Party  &amp;  12 PM  for 1 PM  Party

Location: 2010 Hanson Street  (Araba Shriner Temple)  Ft. Myers

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for both parties or one depending what fits in your schedule!!! The Nations Association is planning to serve 1,500 children and their families with gifts, books, candy bags and refreshments. We greatly appreciate your consideration and assistance for this worthy cause.  If you have further questions please feel free to contact:  Brenda Clapper, Volunteer Coordination, <a href="mailto:TBird8170@embargmail.com">TBird8170@embargmail.com</a>

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<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">CALENDAR REMINDERS</span></b>

Dec. 5                   Fall Sports Banquet 6:00 PM

Dec. 6                   De LaSalle Annual Celebration 6:00 PM

Dec. 13                 De LaSalle Holiday Program at Riverside Church (9:00-12:00 Rehearsal) 7:00 PM Program

Dec. 20                End Quarter 2

Dec. 20-               Winter Break

Jan. 5

Jan. 6                     School resumes

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<b>De LaSalle Holiday Event Schedule!</b><b></b>

December 13   Annual Holiday Program – Riverside Church (7:00 PM)

December 16   Snow Day – Snow and Winter Activities (all day) (See separate handout for dress code for this day.)

December 18   2<sup>nd</sup> Annual Gingerbread House Activity (1:00-3:15)

December 20   Holiday Movie Afternoon &amp; Class Parties (11:15-3:15)