The Messenger - January 19, 2018

THE MESSENGER January 19, 2018 staopcs.org

SPIRIT WEEK FUN! The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness. Galatians 5:22

MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION Dear STAOPCS Families, Is it Friday? Is it Wednesday? How cold is it? Things seem so confusing and mixed up with our extended holiday and wintry weather this week. Trying to squeeze an entire week into two short days is no easy task. Some things have had to take a backseat for a bit. We apologize if we have not been as quick to reply to emails, etc. We are catching up and hope to have things back on track with the start of the new week.

We have been notified that we will need to make-up the two (2) days missed this week. As soon as we have the calendar revised to show that, we will get that out to everyone. Let’s pray that we will not have additional weather days to come. Remember that flu season is upon us! We are taking pro-active measures to disinfect the campus and practice good hygiene and you can help at home as well.

Registration for 2018–2019 opens on Monday, January 22nd for returning families. It’s all electronic and begins with an email that you will receive to start the process. Continue reading The Messenger for the annual letter from the School Advisory Committee (SAC). 2018–2019 Tuition and Fees can be found by clicking here. We're all looking forward to National Catholic Schools Week which begins on Sunday, January 28th. We’re having a Trivia Night on Saturday, Jan. 27th which sounds like a lot of fun. It’s not too late to register! We hope everyone will join us in celebrating Catholic education!

Our discipleship message this week is about God’s love for us. We see His love through our family, friends, teachers and staff members who love us and they see God’s love through us when we love them back. God reminds us that He abides in us. That means he lives in us and when we show love to others we abide or live in God’s heart, too. We can connect this easily to Personal Best, our character trait for the month. Personal Best is giving 100% to everything that we do. It is not giving up even when it is difficult.

God knows that it is not always easy for us to love. Sometimes it can be very hard. But we can ask God to help us to love all those around us each day and all those we will meet especially those who are different, unpleasant or even unkind to us. He will help us to reach for and achieve our Personal Best. A great spiritual goal for all of us is never to let those around us see anything but love coming from us towards another person.

Don’t forget to sign up for STEPS for Students. We want our presence known downtown among the other Catholic schools in the Archdiocese on February 17th. Mrs. Nunez is ready to kiss a pig if we reach 200 STEPS team members! Both Fr. Tom and Mrs. Nunez have joined our STEPS team and Mrs. Nunez leads our fundraising with $250 raised so far. Who is going to be the first to pass Mrs. Nunez up?

We gather at table with our parish family this weekend for Mass where we will hear in the Gospel that Jesus begins His Galilean ministry by calling the first Apostles. These men leave their old lives behind and immediately follow Christ. If Jesus came to us today and asked us to leave everything behind to follow Him, how would we respond? Maybe we’ll attend the same Mass and get to see you there. God's blessings to everyone for a great week ahead!

Reneé B. Nunez

Susan Leddy

Kendall Shamas

Principal

Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal

FOLLOW US @STAOPCS ON:

MESSAGE FROM SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Happy New Year! On behalf of the School Advisory Committee (SAC) it is with pleasure and enthusiasm that we welcome our students and families to 2018 continued success.

The SAC is made up of eleven members who are parishioners and/or school parents. We meet four times a year and serve as an advisory committee to Father Tom and Mrs. Nunez and we feel blessed to be a part of the STAOPCS family. We want to highlight some areas of focus for SAC in 2017 and share some of the plans for the upcoming school year.

2017 SAC ACCOMPLISHMENTS:       

SAC welcomed Tina Anderson, Fausto Lasta, and Steve Lastrapes to the SAC committee in August. All are parishioners and one is a former school parent.

SAC invested in their effectiveness and professional growth having members attend the Archdiocesan Board Workshop.

SAC promotes the well-being and expresses gratitude to our faculty and staff by providing snacks during teacher work days and providing “sacks” with Christmas gifts.

SAC members serve as ambassadors for our school providing hospitality on the first day of school, Parent Information Nights and welcomed prospective families during our Future Family Open House.

SAC supports advancement initiatives by attending Mass together on Dolphin Donor Day, contributing to the Fund for St. Anthony, and members attended the auction gala.

Working with the Advancement Department, the Advancement sub-committee developed the new Paduan Point program, Volunteer Handbook and completed the Advancement Plan for the current school year. They work continuously with the Advancement Department on fundraising for our school community.

SAC welcomed the addition of the parish Little Saints Program as part of our advisory responsibilities. The Finance sub-committee assumed responsibility for the finances of the parish Little Saints Program recommending policies to the SAC for the program’s tuition and fees. A budget, compensation and tuition/fee structure was developed and presented to the SAC for approval for both Little Saints and the school.

LOOKING AHEAD… PADUAN POINTS PROGRAM REVISION As you know, the SAC approved a new program called Paduan Points for this school year. St. Anthony parents have been asked to acquire 20 Padua Points annually. Numerous ways for each family to reach 20-points are offered and many of our families have reached and/or exceeded the 20-point minimum already. A list of available Padua Points opportunities is available online.

Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, families will be required to complete 20 Paduan Points for school-related volunteer activities or pay $10 per Paduan Point ($200 maximum per family). Research shows that family involvement enhances student achievement and adds to the quality of our total school program. Look for more information on this new initiative during re-enrollment.

2018-2019 TUITION AND FEES Student enrollment has remained steady over the last several years and students are waitlisted in multiple grade levels. Despite healthy enrollment, the school is continually faced with rising costs and the reality that tuition and fees alone are insufficient to cover costs and to provide the exemplary education our students enjoy. Consequently, the school’s revenue shortfall must be covered by both fundraising and Parish support.

The School Advisory Committee recently approved the 2018-2019 operating budget prepared by the school administration with substantial input from the SAC Finance Subcommittee. The budget was based upon projections of student enrollment, operating costs, Parish support and the results of fundraising. We are fortunate that the Parish makes generous financial contributions to the school each year in the form of tuition assistance to school families unable to pay full tuition. The Parish also helps to subsidize staff and sibling tuition discounts offered by the school to qualifying families.

MESSAGE FROM SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE In order to achieve a balanced budget for 2018-2019, a 3.75% tuition increase will be necessary for the upcoming year. The 2018-2019 tuition and fee schedule is available on our website and provides more detailed information.

The 2018-2019 balanced budget on which tuition rates were based assumes that school families, parishioners, and others who support Catholic education will continue to generously contribute to our school. These contributions take many forms, including financial support and the gift of time volunteered to our school. Without these continued generous offerings, tuition would be much higher. Your ongoing support will ensure another financially sound school year.

In conclusion, thank you, thank you, thank you, to our parent community, for your support and generosity that make STAPOCS who we are! The School Advisory Committee looks forward to continuing to serve the school community!

Yours in Christ,

Betty Hollas Chair, School Advisory Committee School Advisory Committee Members: Celeste Fruge, Heather Rosas, Kathleen Johnson, Amy Janiszewski, Angie Coscio, Fausto Lasta, Steve Lastrapes, Catherine Miller, Rocio Arana, Tina Anderson

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 CALENDAR Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

22

23

24

25

26

Mass (2B), 9 a.m.

Campus Tour, 10 a.m. 100th Day of School

Registration opens for Spirit Night at returning students Black Walnut CafĂŠ, 4-10 p.m.

Rosary, 8:30 a.m.

Love & Logic, 1 p.m.

Rosary (en Espanol), 2:30 p.m

SPIRIT WEEK 29

30

31

1

$1 T-shirt & Jean Day to benefit PACN

Registration closes for returning students

Love & Logic, 1 p.m.

Rosary, 8:30 a.m.

Mass (7-2), 9 a.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 27TH

TRIVIA NIGHT! Students encouraged to wear uniforms to Sunday Mass for Catholic Schools Week!

2

Rosary (en Espanol), 2:30 p.m Future Family Open House, 6:30 p.m.

NATIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK - SEE PG. 9 5 Registration opens for new students Rosary, 8:30 a.m.

6

7

8

9

Mass (5A), 9 a.m.

Love & Logic, 1 p.m.

Spring Pictures

Early Release Day (2:15/2:30 p.m.)

Rosary (en Espanol), 2:30 p.m

Spirit Day: Crust Pizza (to benefit 8th grade class gift), 11 a.m.– 9 p.m.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION 2018-2019 Registration Information Campus Tours of Common Areas

Registration Timeline

Thursday, January 11 | 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, January 18 | 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, January 25 | 10:00 a.m.

Monday, January 22 | Registration Opens for Returning Families Wednesday, January 31 | Registration Closes for Returning Families Monday, February 5| Registration Opens for New Students Wednesday, February 14 | Registration Closes for New Students Saturday, February 24 | Screening Day for New Student Applicants Friday, March 9 | Decision Emails Sent

Future Family Open House Thursday, February 1 | 6:30 p.m.

ONLINE RE–ENROLLMENT FOR RETURNING STUDENTS THOUGH PARENTSWEB©:  Re–enrollment for returning students is Monday, January 22 – Wednesday, January 31.  You will receive an email on Monday when your re–enrollment packet is ready on your ParentsWeb© account.  If you have not created a ParentsWeb© account, directions will be in the email you receive when your packet is ready.  This process allows you to complete your student’s re–enrollment for the 2018– 2019 school year online.  Detailed instructions will guide you through the process.

FACTS© TUITION MANAGEMENT: We continue our partnership with FACTS© Management Company to help us manage our tuition payment program, financial aid assessment and incidental billing. We believe this program offers greater efficiency and financial stability for the school while providing conveniences to families.  Payment Plans: You will be able to choose from different payment plans that best suit your family’s needs. Automatic payments can be made from a checking or savings account or from a variety of credit cards.  Convenience & Security: Along with different payment plan options, your payments are processed securely through a bank-to-bank transaction.  Peace of Mind Insurance: FACTS© offers this optional benefit for only $20 per year per family. In the event of death of the Responsible Party or spouse, the remaining tuition balance owed for the current school year is paid to the school.  Consumer Account: You may check your personal account or make payments online from the convenience of your home or office anytime.

If you have any questions or require assistance contact Cathy Russell at: crussell@staopcs.org.

2018-2019 TUITION ASSISTANCE St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School is pleased to offer two options for tuition assistance for the 20182019 school year – the St. Anthony of Padua Tuition Grant Program and the Archdiocesan Tuition Assistance Program.

St. Anthony of Padua Tuition Grant Program

Archdiocesan Tuition Assistance Program

Available to:

St. Anthony of Padua Parishioners

Any Catholic School Student

Grade Levels

K – 8th

K – 8th

Qualifications

Economic Need

Economic Need

Limitations

Limited to a portion of tuition only – usually no more than 50%

Range from $500 to $2500 per family towards tuition only

DUE DATE

March 31, 2018

February 9, 2018 (90% of available funds will be distributed)

Families applying for financial aid will need to complete an application and submit the necessary supporting documentation to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. Note that after the due dates additional monies may not be available. The only applications that will be considered after these dates will be those of an emergency nature – loss of job, serious medical situations, change in family status, etc.

Applicants apply online by clicking the following link—FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment Once an online application has been completed, the following required information must be uploaded in PDF format or faxed to 866-315-9264.  Copies of your most recent Federal tax form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ including all supporting tax schedules  Copies of your 2017 W-2 forms for both you and your spouse  Copies of supporting documentation for Social Security Income, Welfare, Child Support, Food Stamps, Workers Compensation & TANF FACTS will report to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School and the Archdiocese showing the amount a family can reasonably be expected to pay towards tuition. The sole purpose of the report will be for the awarding of available funds. This information will be held in strictest confidence. The SAOP Tuition Grant Committee including the principal and pastor will award grants for the SAOP Tuition Grant Program.

There will be no actual transfer of funds to the family if assistance is allocated. Instead the funds will be credited to the family’s tuition account. Families will be responsible for the balance of tuition to be paid in accordance with the tuition and fees policy. In the genuine spirit of Christian sharing, if during the school year a family receiving a grant becomes financially able to attend school without financial assistance, that family is expected to pay the remaining tuition, thus allowing aid to be extended to another family in need.

A family receiving a tuition grant must provide volunteer services to the school in support of various school activities. Families receiving tuition grants will be required to document volunteer activities at mid-year and, if applicable, as part of the application process for the following school year.

A Catholic school education is an investment in the future and we appreciate the opportunity to serve your family’s educational needs. If you have questions please contact Cathy Russell at crussell@staopcs.org.

ALL–SCHOOL NEWS UPCOMING SPIRIT NIGHTS Black Walnut Café Tuesday, Jan. 23rd | 4-10 p.m.

No flyer needed

9000 New Trails Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77381 Crust Pizza Benefits 8th grade class gift!

Wednesday, Feb. 7th | 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Must mention STAOPCS

8000 Research Forest Drive, Suite 340

NURSE’S NOTES Just a reminder that the flu is active in our immediate area! In addition to the efforts made at school, please help us prevent spreading the flu by being pro-active!  Monitor for cough, runny nose, headache, fever, chills, vomiting.  If you have a doubt about whether you should keep your child home, please err on the side of caution.  If your child has a temperature of 100.0 or above, they cannot be in school until they are fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT fever-reducing medication.  If your child has been diagnosed with something traceable, such as the flu, strep, mono, pneumonia, etc., let the front desk or Mrs. Pavlock know, so we can keep track where the illness’ are in the school and what classes.  Remind your children to cover and cough in the bend of their arm and wash their hands often.  Be aware that we do have some immune compromised children in our school and in an effort to help protect them as much as possible, keep your children home if they are ill.

UNIFORMS Due to the closure of Parker Uniforms this is an excellent time to sort through used uniforms at home and here at school.

Please consider donating items you aren’t using, and visiting our used uniforms to find items you need. We also have limited sweatshirts and fleece jackets in stock. Contact Emily Booth if you need any of these items for your students!

FAMILY SURVEY RESULTS Thank you to the 112 families who responded to our Family Survey in December. Click here (staopcs.org/parent-surveyresults) to view the results.

FAMILY HANDBOOK CHANGES We are utilizing survey results as we continue our work this year and make plans for future. We’ve made some additional revisions to the Family Handbook to help clarify questions, etc. about Virtus© in regards to volunteers, lunches and classroom celebrations. We have further distinguished volunteers from visitors. Click here (staopcs.org/family-handbook-1) to view the changes.

YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST What? A design cover contest for the SAOPCS 2017-18 Yearbook.

Who? Any student from 4th-8th grade can participate in this contest.

When? Your cover design is due to Mr. Mattern by Friday, January 26, 2018.

Where? You turn your cover design into Mr. Mattern in the library.

Why? You get eternal fame as the designer of this year’s yearbook cover and you also will receive a free 2017-18 yearbook.

How? You need to think of the following instructions, “Kindness means remembering J.O.Y. and thinking of OTHERS.”

SPRING SPORTS SIGN-UP

GEOMAR LUNCH REFUNDS Geomar will refund all lunches purchased on inclement weather days: Tuesday, Jan. 16th & Wednesday, Jan. 17th. Please contact Geomar directly if you have any questions.

The STAOPCS Spring Sports season is just around the corner. STAOPCS needs to know how many student athletes are interested in participating in Boys Baseball (7th & 8th), Girls Fast Pitch Softball (6th thru 8th) or Boys & Girls Track (5th thru 8th) for the 2018 season.

To sign-up for sports complete the commitment form and send in to Dale Quickel ASAP!

TRIVIA NIGHT

Not sure you want to play? VOLUNTEER TO HELP! Click here for Sign-up Genius!

NATIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK January 28—February 3 Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. The theme for the National Catholic Schools Week 2018 is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”

Throughout the week we will focus on the value Catholic education provides and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.

Sunday, January 28 | Celebrating Our Parish  Students are encouraged to wear their uniforms to Mass; Greeters & Ushers are needed for 11 a.m.

Mass—sign–up to help serve! Sign–up Genius  School Information Tables will be in Sheltz Hall after weekend Masses.

Monday, January 29 | Celebrating Our Community  $1 T-shirt & Jeans Day to support Pregnancy Assistance Center North (PACN) Tuesday, January 30 | Celebrating Our Students  Students will gather with their Paduan Pods and enjoy a picnic lunch in the Gym! Entertainment to be provided by STAOPCS staff!

Wednesday, January 31 | Celebrating the Nation  Students will sit with Paduan Pods at Mass.

Thursday, February 1 | Celebrating Vocations  Dress Your Vocation!* What will you be when you “grow up”!? *As on all Free Dress days, clothing must be modest and appropriate. Please refer to Family Handbook for further guidelines.  An interview with Father Tom will air on DNN. Friday, February 2 | Celebrating Faculty & Staff  Show your favorite staff member love by praying for them! In class, students will write appreciation letters for the support & facilities staff who help keep our school running smoothly!  Faculty & Student Basketball Game!

Saturday, February 3 | Celebrating Families  Enjoy your weekend with your family! And share your family time on social media using the hashtags: #staopcsfamily #NCSW

STEPS FOR STUDENTS

FEBRUARY 17TH, 2018

AS SEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

100% CLASS PARTICIPATION: Each class reaching 100% participation in Steps for students by Friday, February 16th will receive a free shoe for a month pass (not valid on Mass days)!

200+ TEAM REGISTRANTS: Mrs. Nunez will KISS A PIG on DNN!

STEPS FOR STUDENTS EVENTS NEW! St. Anthony Team T-shirts Doucet Safety Analysis, LLC is generously sponsoring a school t-shirt for the St. Anthony of Padua team! The t-shirt will feature our school’s winning shirt design from student Evie Fleming, and will allow the St. Anthony team to stand out in the crowd! Every registered participant on our team will receive a shirt!

Last day to “Snooze for Students” Thursday, January 31st Too early in the morning to run? This option allows you to be a Virtual Participant and still support our school with your registration fee. T-shirt included but no race packet or runner’s bib will be issued.

Registration fee increase Thursday, January 31st Registration fee will increase to $30 on Feb. 1st. $5 Free Dress Day Benefitting the STAOPCS Team Friday, February 16th All students will be encouraged to bring $5 for free dress to show their support of the STAOPCS Steps for Students team.

IPad Drawing Tuesday, February 20th All Steps for Students participants/families who raise over $500 through their Steps for Students fundraising page will be entered into a drawing to receive a “loaded” iPad! Steps Participation Day Tuesday, February 20th All students who participated in the Steps for Students 5K on Saturday, February 17, 2018, (either walking/running/volunteering or “snoozing”) will be encouraged to wear their Steps shirt/jeans/shoes of their choice (following dress code guidelines) to school.

REGISTER TODAY: HTTPS://STEPS4STUDENTS.ORG/

PADUAN POINTS LOGGING PADUAN POINTS Our goal is 100% volunteer participation from our families during the school year.

We will notify families of their current Padua Points accumulation in 2018, so please enter your points! *2017–18 Paduan Points Required: 20 points per family.

Volunteer hours* can be logged in ParentsWeb by following these simple steps: 1. Log in to ParentsWeb. 2. Select “Family Information” from the ParentsWeb navigation list.

3. Select the name of the parent who has volunteered, then select “Service Hours ” (link next to Parent Contact Info).

4. Select “Add Service Hours”.

5. Select the Date of service. Select Description from drop down list. Enter Total Hours or points assigned to your duty – a list of volunteer positions and points assigned to them are listed online at: http://staopcs.org/volunteer–opportunities The Note & Verified By Field sections are optional and can be used for further detail about volunteer service. Select “Save”. Service hours summary will appear after saving.

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