The Messenger - October 27, 2017

THE MESSENGER October 27, 2017 staopcs.org

Go Astros!

Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. -1 Peter 5:8

MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION Dear School Families, Where has the month of October gone? The start of November is just a few days away and we will be turning our focus to giving thanks for our many blessings. As Catholics we start the month celebrating All Saints Day. Our third graders will have their traditional Saints Gallery to kick-off the month. As part of our religion program, we will all be studying and learning more about the saints. We're excited about November events including our Fall Book Fair, Pastries with Parents, Saints Trivia Bee, 3rd Grade & Kindergarten Programs as well as the Thanksgiving Holiday so we can spend time with family and friends. We want to thank everyone for participating in our fall conferences last week. It was great to have everyone on campus. Look for 1st quarter report cards for 1st-8th to be posted on ParentsWeb© this afternoon.

Our discipleship message for the week prepares us for our celebration of All Saints Day next week. All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Church celebrated annually on November 1st. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, those who have already attained heaven and been canonized. It should not be confused with All Souls' Day, which is observed on November 2, and is dedicated to those who have died and not yet reached heaven. Saints are people who live out God’s plan in their lives. God calls each one of us to be saints and do just that. As we look to November and our focus on saints it’s a great time to ask God to show us what our vocation or call in life is. When times are tough or we’re bored or struggling maybe those are hints from God that we’re not on the right path. But when we listen to God and follow His plan for our lives we can find peace and joy. The feast of All Saints should give us great hope. All the saints in heaven lived on earth just like we do. They were baptized, marked with the sign of faith, they were faithful to Christ's teaching and they have gone before us to heaven. We can look to the saints for inspiration for our own lives so that we can grow closer to Christ and one day reach heaven too.

When we gather at table with our parish family this weekend for Mass, we will be reminded of the two greatest commandments: Love God and love your neighbor. We will be challenged to understand the true meaning of love and how as Christians we are called to apply its definition in the modern world we live in. 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.

Reneé B. Nunez

Susan Leddy

Kendall Shamas

Principal

Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHAT IS MISSION MATTERS? Mission Matters is a parent-seminar series that is presented by Administration. Our first Mission Matters topic is Discipline & Discipleship and will be Thursday, November 9th at 8:15 a.m.

WHEN IS THE LATEST I CAN PICK–UP MY CHILD FOR “LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY”.

Due to carline schedule and safety the latest early pick–up time we can accommodate is 2:50 p.m. After 2:50 p.m. students must go through car line or parent pick–up. Thank you!

(This is for leaving school early, not for EARLY RELEASE DAYS)

HOW DO I CHECK OUT MY OTHER CHILDREN AFTER A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OR EVENT DURING THE SCHOOL DAY? When you are planning on checking out additional children after a special event please follow the Leaving School Early procedures in the Family Handbook to secure Early Release Stickers for your children. Making the lastminute decision to check out additional children is discouraged to alleviate classroom disruption.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 CALENDAR Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

30

31

1

2

3

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

Rosary en Español, 2:30 p.m.

Rosary, 8:30 a.m.

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

6

7

Rosary, 8:30 a.m.

8

9

Celebrate & Communicate: Paduan Parent Meeting, 8:15 a.m.

MISSION MATTERS: Discipline & Discipleship / A Call to Responsibility, 8:15 a.m.

Mass (4B), 9 a.m.

13

14

15

Rosary, 8:30 a.m.

SPIRIT DAY: Grub DOLPHIN DONOR Burger Bar, 11 a.m.— DAY! 10 p.m.

Pastries with Parents, 7 a.m.

10

Rosary en Español, 2:30 p.m.

16

17

Rosary en Español, 2:30 p.m.

EARLY RELEASE DAY, 2:15 & 2:30 p.m.

Mass (3A), 9 a.m.

BOOK FAIR—In Sheltz Hall

*Beyond the Bell closes at dismissal

ALL–SCHOOL NEWS BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS Head on out to this fall’s Wild West Book Fair: Saddle up and read! We are rounding up volunteers to help students make their way to the reading frontier, where readers are wanted and adventure awaits!

If you can contribute as little as one hour it would be very much appreciated! Classes visit the book fair throughout the week. Click the Sign–up Genius Link for a list of times available to assist with each class. During your shift, you will help children make their Wish Lists and purchases.

We are also seeking volunteers to help with set–up and take–down. As always, thank you for volunteering!

SIGN–UP TO VOLUNTEER

GRATITUDE REPORT Click the link below to view our Gratitude Report for the 2016-2017 school year. This report is an account of our finances and gratitude to our supporters.

Gratitude Report - 2016-2017

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RED RIBBON WEEK POSTER CONTEST WINNERS! Jessica Bazaldua, Sophie Kratter, Gaby Navarro, and Ana Del Angel Aguilar

NURSE’S NOTES For the Week of 10/20/17 to 10/26/17: No reportable illness this week. There are a few students with fevers and a few experiencing tummy issues, but not enough to report for a particular classroom.

If you have not updated your TB Questionnaire in Renweb for this school year, YOUR ACCESS TO RENWEB WILL BE BLOCKED. If you cannot access Renweb and you believe it may be for this reason, please contact Mrs. Amy Leslie for access to be restored. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you, but the TB Questionnaire is a form that has to be completed yearly at the beginning of the school year per the Diocese and a report must be turned in for each school. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

UPCOMING SPIRIT DAYS Grub Burger Bar 2417 Research Forest Dr. Tuesday, Nov. 14th 11 a.m.—10 p.m.

DRAMA SHOWCASE The Theatre classes will be performing the 3rd annual night of acting scenes called “The Living Room Show”. The show gets its name because this is a casual, relaxed environment where the students will perform for their friends and family, much like putting on a show in the living room.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH 6:30 P.M. | IN AMR ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!

FUND FOR ST. ANTHONY Every One. Every Year.

When we reach our Fund for St. Anthony goals students celebrate too!

CLASS GOALS: Each class reaching 100% participation will receive a pizza & dance party in their classroom!

SCHOOL-WIDE GOALS: 50% Family Participation 15 minutes of extra recess 75% Family Participation Free Dress Day 100% Family Participation Shaved Ice Truck Day

Currently a group of generous donors have agreed to match all gifts received up to $26,750! We hope you will participate in Dolphin Donor Day on November 15th!

WHY 100% PARTICIPATION? Because each child is an important part of the St. Anthony community, our goal is for every family to make a gift every year to the Fund for St. Anthony.

There is strength in numbers – many gifts add up to a large sum each year, and every gift makes a difference no matter the amount.

The cumulative effect of consistently high participation propels us even further and speaks to our shared commitment to our students and our school.

WHEN & HOW CAN I GIVE? You can give to the Fund for St. Anthony anytime! You can double your gift on Dolphin Donor Day thanks to a group of generous donors who will match all gifts up to $26,750! The Fund for St. Anthony campaign will conclude June 30, 2018.

We accept cash, check, credit card, appreciated securities.

Online giving is available for onetime gifts or recurring gifts may be made through the Parish online giving portal.

Many employers offer matching programs that could double or triple your gift; we encourage you to check with your company.

STEPS FOR STUDENTS February 17, 2018

REGISTER TODAY @ STEPS4STUDENTS.ORG Steps for Students is an annual event benefiting the 59 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. This exciting day of family fun includes a 5k USA Track and Field Association sanctioned race and post-race party! Help to raise funds and awareness for Catholic education by joining the St. Anthony of Padua team!

All students registered by Wednesday, January 10th @ 4 p.m. will be invited to a New Year’s Party on Friday, January 12th in the gym from 7:40 a.m. until after morning announcements. We will celebrate with music, balloons, small giveaways, donuts and milk!

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

If we reach 200 team registrants Mrs. Nunez will KISS A PIG on DNN! All students who participate in Steps for Students on Saturday, February 17th (either walking, volunteering or snoozing) are invited to wear their Steps t-shirt, jeans & shoes of their choice (following dress code guidelines) to school on Tuesday, February 20th!

LUCKY HEARTS GALA April 13, 2018 Our 17th annual auction gala is an exciting evening for parents, friends, and parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua! This year's event will include cocktails, dinner, casino games, and silent and live auctions.

Each class reaching 100% participation* in Gala by Friday, April 27th will receive a special pajama & movie day in their classroom!

Participation in Gala is achieved through donating to the silent auction, hosting or attending social parties, participating in auction and/or sponsoring or attending the event, More details about Gala will be sent out in December!

TRIPLE CROWN

First class to reaching 100% participation in all three fundraising efforts (Fund for St. Anthony, Steps for Students & Lucky Hearts Gala) will receive a private day of fun! *Activities dependent on grade level of winning class.

AND their teacher receives a "rest & relaxation day" on Friday, May 25, 2018.

MATCHING GIFTS

MATCHING GIFTS

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