The City of Papillion had an Arbor Day celebration yesterday
and giving awards to 4th graders who were honored
We thank the Papillion Junior Women's Club
Last fall one of Mrs. Monico's students suggested they all write notes to a civilian who is serving our country in a war zone in Afghanistan. Everyone in the 8th grade classes participated. Some wrote notes of thanks for serving, others sent notes of encouragement and some wrote about the Nebraska football team.
What came as a surprise to the students and Mrs. Monico was that this man created a shadowbox for the class. He had the shadowbox delivered to the school and Mrs. Overkamp presented it after daily Mass today. He asked not to be identified so we are respecting that wish here.
The shadowbox contains coins, a US flag and a certificate.
On 30 December 2009 this flag was flown on a combat rescue mission
Mrs. Monico used this as a teaching moment to
All the 8th graders gathered with the shadowbox.
They also heard secondhand the impact their letters had made; how they were read over and over. They heard how even those serving as civilians are sometimes diving under their desks during bombings. And they were encouraged to appreciate all the little things like crayons that children in Afghanistan are often without.
It was fun!
How can we best accomplish what God has in mind for us? How can we best use the gifts and talents of the people who are part of this parish? These are important questions for us at St. Columbkille.
Our preschoolers began the day at the aquarium because we have been studying the ocean.
Many of us were tired on the bus ride home, but we had a wonderful time! 
Wednesday was the Spring Tea for Kindergarteners.
The students each served their guest ...
and enjoyed their time together.
The statement from the Archdiocese says, "The Archdiocese of Omaha is committed to serving the needs of anyone who has been abused by any member of the clergy or Church employee. [Fr. Joseph] Taphorn said victims should contact him at 402.558.3100, or the Archdiocese’s victim assistance coordinator, Mary Beth Hanus, at 888.808.9055 to report incidents of abuse."
One of the auction items at the Ceili was for one classroom to replace their normal lunch time with a Pizza and Ping Pong party with Fr. Wee. Mrs. Cerny's 4th grade got to celebrate that party on Wednesday.
After enjoying their pizza and pop in the Social Level, it was time for Ping Pong...
as Fr. Wee defeated all challengers.
We thank everyone who supported the parish through the Ceili ...
and we hope the class enjoyed the party
Saturday at 10:00 a.m. there will be a 
The whole parish is invited to a picnic sponsored
Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to join us.
If you have any good First Communion Pictures, please let Deacon David know at dkrueger@saintcolumbkille.org.
Monday was Crazy Hair Day in First Grade.
At Columb's Ceili, one of the items auctioned allowed one class to 
Tuesday night Fr. Damian introduced next year's principal, Dr. Cheryl Blue, to the school staff. Over the course of the next few months she plans to meet with teachers and staff individually before she becomes principal on July 1st.
A native of Lubbock, Texas Dr. Blue received her undergraduate degree in Spanish and English from Texas Tech University. She completed her Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Northern Colorado in 1973 and her Specialist degree in Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She received her doctorate in Administration, Curriculum, and Instruction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1995.
Dr. Blue is also the Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) a state affiliate of the International organization. She serves as a representative from Nebraska to the International ASCD Leadership Council. In addition she has presented at numerous conferences around the nation.
Dr. Blue said she was attracted to St. Columbkille because of the school reputation and she missed being with the students and staff. She enjoyed meeting a few students after school yesterday and discussing their project.
Welcome Dr. Blue!
Photographer Michael Clancy took the picture above on Aug. 19, 1999 and was printed by USA Today on Sept. 7, 1999. Michael Clancy recounts that “… in the hushed but crowded operating room where outsiders have gathered to watch a rare medical event - spinal surgery on a child still in his mother’s womb - a stool falls with a loud bang. ‘Shh’, says, Joseph Bruner, the surgeon leading the operation. “You’ll wake the baby.”
e proud of the photo and is quoted saying, "A lot of babies would've lost their lives if that didn't happen."
Dr. Ein & Dr. Stein (transfer students from the Ralston School of Cosmetology) visited the 5th-8th grade classrooms to tell about their entry in the upcoming Science Fair.
They have been working on a formula to shrink things. Knowing how much students like vegetables in general, and Brussels sprouts in particular, they have invented a formula to shrink a day's worth of vegetables into a small spoon.
Unfortunately Fr Damian seemed to have stopped by their secret lab and drank from their beaker...
... shrinking him.
Thursday is the deadline to sign up to participate in the Science Fair. Students in grades 5 to 8 may sign up as an individual or as part of a team: just like Drs Ein & Stein.
