The Messenger - October 13, 2017

THE MESSENGER October 13, 2017 staopcs.org

Nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. –3 John 1:4

MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION Dear School Families, Today is the last day of the first quarter. It's hard to believe that one fourth of our school year is already behind us. Report cards will be distributed electronically through ParentsWeb© on Friday, October 27th for 1st-8th grades. We are looking forward to having parents on campus next Thursday and Friday for fall conferences—we know that our students and teachers have a lot of great things to share with you!

Monday is the start of the second quarter so it’s a great time to focus on something that is important in defining who we are as a school – our belief statement that we recite every single day. We always start our day saying that as Disciples of Christ we strive to be respectful, be responsible, be safe and be Christ–like in all that we do. Why is it important that we have such a statement that we all believe in? It goes back to being in community and part of a family. We are connected by shared values so we have to work at living up to those values each and every day. This belief statement helps us to do that. We all need to remind ourselves that we have responsibilities to each other. We need to be there for each other, support and protect each other, help each other and above all lead each other closer to Christ. Our shared values and expectations help us to do that. Our belief statement helps us to make our school an environment where students can learn and teachers can teach.

The month of October is flying by quickly. One of the busiest times of the year is already upon us. Halloween is approaching. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it followed quickly

by Christmas and the start of 2018. Although busy, this time of year brings new memories, opportunities for fellowship with family and friends and a chance to reflect and grow in our faith.

When we gather at table with our parish family this weekend for Mass, we will learn that we are called to obey God first and above everything else, but are also called to obey civil authorities and practice the virtue of faithful citizenship. Maybe we’ll attend the same Mass and get to see you there! May the coming week bring God's blessings to you and yours.

Sincerely in Christ,

Reneé B. Nunez

Susan Leddy

Kendall Shamas

Principal

Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal

FOLLOW US @STAOPCS ON:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS DO ALL VOLUNTEERS NEED TO HAVE VIRTUS CERTIFICATION? Yes—All volunteers are required to complete the VIRTUS©, Protecting God’s Children adult workshop and keep current with trainings as per the Family Handbook and Archdiocesan guidelines. We strongly encourage all parents and guardians to complete the training so you don’t miss out on time with your children spent in the lunchroom, on field trips, or in classrooms! Thank you for your dedication to this policy for the safety of our children.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE PIAZZA? Thanks to a few generous parishioners the Piazza is being refreshed in honor of the Parish’s 20th Anniversary! Please excuse the mess for the next few weeks and if you'd like to participate in giving to the project please email Stephen Lenahan at: slenahan@staoptw.org. Please also follow and be aware of signage to ensure safety!

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 CALENDAR Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

16

17

18

19

20

Rosary, 8:30 a.m.

Living Rosary, 8:15 a.m.

Mass (5B), 9 a.m.

EARLY RELEASE (12:00 p.m.)

EARLY RELEASE (12:00 p.m.)

Fall Conferences

Fall Conferences

SPIRIT DAY: Panera Bread, 4—8 p.m.

23

24

Rosary, 8:30 a.m.

SPIRIT DAY: Bahama Bucks, 4—7 p.m.

25

26

27

Mass (4A), 9 a.m.

Rosary en Español, 2:30 p.m.

Halloween Science Day! $1 T-shirt & Jean Day—benefitting Cross Catholic

RED RIBBON WEEK 30 Rosary, 8:30 a.m.

31

1

2

Mass (8-2), 9 a.m.

Rosary en Español, 2:30 p.m.

Early Release, 2:15 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.

3

ALL–SCHOOL NEWS UPCOMING SPIRIT DAYS Tuesday, Oct. 17th 4-8 p.m.

Panera Bread College Park Thursday, Oct. 19th 4-7 p.m.

Bahama Bucks on Kuykendahl *Bring a flyer—they will go home in Green Folders today! Or you can find them online at: staopcs.org/spirit-days

PADUAN PARENTS HALLOWEEN SCIENCE DAY! Halloween Science Day on Friday, October 27th is one of our most memorable days for the entire school. This day requires a lot of volunteers so please sign-up to help! Volunteers must be VIRTUS certified.

October 27th—Halloween Science Day Volunteering

NURSE’S NOTES For the Week of 10–9–17 to 10–13–17: 10-12-17

BOX TOPS Box Tops are due today, Oct. 13th!

Grade with the highest collection of Box Tops this year will receive a free dress day!

1A, 3A, 5B & 6A STREP THROAT (one case in each classroom)

**There are several families that have not updated their TB Questionnaire form in RenWeb. We must have an updated form at the beginning of each school year for each student. Please make sure you have updated your form** Speech Screening is coming next month. Carlin Speech Pathology will conduct screenings on November 16th for a minimal fee. Information will go home next week. The screening is not required.

ALL–SCHOOL NEWS PRAYER INTENTIONS Let us pray for you! Next time you visit the front office stop by our new Prayer Intentions station. We will have a prayer intentions book where you can write down any intentions you want us to pray for.

ROSARY MONTH The month of October is dedicated to the Rosary, and after the Mass, the Rosary is the most powerful prayer at our disposal. St. John Paul II often said that the Rosary is a prayer of peace, and he encouraged families to pray the Rosary together. Please sign up for a day that your family will pray the Rosary together.

Sign-Up Genius—Family Rosary

2017–2018 YEARBOOKS For the 2017–18 school year, yearbooks will only sold online at WWW.BALFOUR.COM. Price will increase after December 31st.

Yearbook Pictures—If you are interested in submitting photos for yearbook please contact Mr. Mattern at cmattern@staopcs.org

Our Halloween Science Day is one of our most memorable days for students and volunteers at STAOPCS! If your business would like to become an exclusive Platinum Sponsor ($2,500) for this day, please contact advancement@staopcs.org Benefits: 

Exclusive Banner at Halloween Science Day



Business Card Ad in The Messenger

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Business Card Ad on our school website

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Social Media recognition (Facebook, Instagram & Twitter)

FAMILY HANDBOOK REVISION



Prominent Logo on flyer sent to all families

A revision has been made to the family handbook on page 33 which states when we send home printed reports for pre-kindergarten. With moving to a full-day program, the teachers will be able to meet all parents for fall and spring conferences.

Since we have these conferences during the first and third quarters of the year, we will be sending the printed reports through RenWeb at the end of the second and fourth quarters of the school year.

Thank you!



Full page Ad or recognition in Gala 2018 Program

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Outdoor Display Board Recognition in car line during Halloween Science Week

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Logo Recognition in the 2017-2018 Gratitude Report

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Prominent Logo on Community Partner Banner

RED RIBBON WEEK 2017 “I’m Too Smart to Start” OCTOBER 23—27, 2017 Monday, October 23rd | BE REDdy to say NO to DRUGS! Staff and students will wear Red-shirts with uniform bottoms Tuesday, October 24th | “SOCK IT TO DRUGS” Staff and students wear crazy socks Wednesday, October 25th | “SHADE OUT DRUGS” Staff and students wear sunglasses Thursday, October 26th | “TEAM UP AGAINST DRUGS” Staff and students wear favorite sports team jersey with uniform bottoms Friday, October 27th – “SMARTIES CHOOSE to be DRUG FREE” Staff and students will receive a special Red Ribbon treat

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SUBSTANCE ABUSE AWARENESS POSTER CONTEST “I’m Too Smart to Start” October 23—27, 2017 HELP DECORATE OUR SCHOOL FOR RED RIBBON WEEK! Students in 3rd through 8 grade are encouraged to design a poster that reflects either of these topics: Alcohol Awareness and Abuse or Drug Awareness and Abuse th

There will be four winners, one from each of the following categories:  3rd – 5th grade—Drug Awareness Winner  3rd – 5th grade—Alcohol Awareness Winner  6th – 8th grade—Drug Awareness Winner  6th – 8th grade—Alcohol Awareness Winner RULES:  Posters must reflect either the theme of Alcohol Awareness and Abuse or Drug Awareness and Abuse.  Each poster should be the original work (including concept, layout, slogan and any visual images) of a single person.  Posters must be 11X17 inches in size. Please stop by the counselor’s office or the front office to pick up your poster board paper.  The name, grade and age of the person entering the poster should be included on the back of the poster.

EACH OF THE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE A $25 GIFT CARD FROM BARNES & NOBLE. PLEASE TURN IN YOUR POSTERS TO THE COUNSELOR’S OFFICE, ROOM 119, BY WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17TH. If you have any questions, please contact Janay O’Connor at joconnor@staopcs.org or 832-482-4168

FUND FOR ST. ANTHONY Every One. Every Year.

The Fund for St. Anthony is vitally important as St. Anthony Catholic School relies on income from charitable contributions to help reach a balanced budget each year.

PLEASE NOTE:

The tuition your family pays each year covers operating expenses (salaries, supplies, and facility maintenance), but contributions to the Fund for St. Anthony make our school exceptional and unique by providing technology upgrades, learning support and memorable events.

Each family enrolled at St. Anthony will receive a Fund for St. Anthony letter and a commitment card in the coming weeks. Please prayerfully review it and help us reach an ambitious goal of 100% participation.

The Fund for St. Anthony is made up of hundreds of gifts from St. Anthony of Padua parishioners, parents, alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends.

Each gift makes a tangible difference for our students!

On November 15th, you can double your donation on Dolphin Donor Day! Dolphin Donor Day is a 24-hr. fundraising event designed to encourage all alumni, faculty, parents, and friends to support the Fund for St. Anthony!

Currently a group of generous donors have agreed to match all gifts received up to $26,750!

We hope you will participate!

AROUND STAOPCS

Thank you to all of our volunteers who helped make Pre-K Pumpkin Day a blast!!

DNN (Dolphin Network News) is being upgraded thanks to last year’s Raise the Paddle at Gala!

AROUND OUR PARISH WEEKEND MASS TIMES: SATURDAY 5:00 PM | Vigil SUNDAY 7:00 AM 9:00 AM 11:00 AM 1:00 PM | Spanish 6:00 PM | LifeTeen