The Messenger - August 1, 2016

THE MESSENGER August 1, 2016 staopcs.org

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL

MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION Dear School Families, Where has summer gone? If you are like most of us, the past few months went by very quickly and we are already counting down to the start of the 2016—2017 school year. We are filled with JOY in welcoming you to our school community. It is our hope that you and your children are looking forward to a great school year.

For the 2016-2017 school year, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School will continue on a mission to instill a lifelong commitment to joyful discipleship, foster academic excellence, and together with parents, develop a moral compass that guides students to serve with Jesus Christ as their model. We invite all members of our school community to join us in embracing and living our theme, “JOY—Jesus, Others, Yourself”. It will continue to serve as our guide in interacting and working together as we spread the love of Christ.

It is our hope that your summer has been safe, relaxing, and filled with time for family, friends and fun. As you read this newsletter our staff is joyfully preparing for the start of the year on August 15th. Soccer, football, volleyball and the Angels Dance/Cheer Team get practices underway before school begins.

This year the first day of school is Orientation Day—Kindergarten through 8 grade students will arrive in uniform and be prepared to stay in their classrooms while parents will make their way to the Gym and Fellowship Hall to gather more information and details on the start of the school year. PreK3 and PreK4 students will accompany their parents after “meeting the teacher”. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend Orientation Day and younger siblings are welcome to accompany parents. th

We look forward to seeing returning families again and getting to know our new families!

Thank you in advance for joyfully working with us to prepare for an exciting school year. We are blessed to have all of you as part of our school family. May God’s blessings be with you always.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Tom Rafferty Pastor

Reneé B. Nunez Principal

Susan Leddy Assistant Principal

Kendall Shamas Assistant Principal

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL/ORIENTATION DAY AUGUST 15, 2016 Students should wear their school uniforms on the First Day of School/Orientation Day. Parents are STRONGLY encouraged to attend Orientation Day. PreK students will accompany their parents to the Fellowship Hall and Gym after meeting their teachers. Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade will stay in their classrooms.

Younger siblings may accompany parents on Orientation Day. There is NO carline on the first day of school.

There is NO Before and After School Program (BAASP) on the first day of school.

Parents have the opportunity participate in a fun activity to win a “Free Shoe Friday” for their children at Orientation Day. Cash and Checks will be accepted for spirit wear, P.E. uniforms and used uniforms (donations).

SCHEDULE 8:00—8:30 a.m.

Parents and students arrive in classrooms, meet & greet teachers Kindergarten through 8th grade students remain in classrooms; all parents & PreK students move to designated areas. (see below) 8:30—9:30 a.m.

Fellowship Hall—Family Last Names A through L Welcome & prayer, coffee, refreshments, FAQs, changes for 2016—2017 and fellowship!

Gym—Family Last Names M through Z School t-shirt sales, P.E. uniform sales & athletic information, yearbooks, Before & After School Program (BAASP) information, Geomar lunch information, School Spirit Store, used uniform sales, carline sign/dismissal tag pick-up, clinic information, medication dropoff and fellowship!

9:30—10:30 a.m.

Fellowship Hall—Family Last Names M through Z Welcome & prayer, coffee, refreshments, FAQs, changes for 2016—2017 and fellowship!

Gym—Family Last Names A through L School t-shirt sales, P.E. uniform sales & athletic information, yearbooks, Before & After School Program (BAASP) information, Geomar lunch information, School Spirit Store, used uniform sales, carline sign/dismissal tag pick-up, clinic information, medication dropoff and fellowship!

10:30—11:00 a.m.

Parents will pick up children in their classrooms.

**PARENTS** WIN YOUR CHILDREN A

“FREE SHOE

FRIDAY” AT ORIENTATION DAY!

BACK-TO-SCHOOL INFORMATION WHAT DO I BRING TO SCHOOL? School supplies have been purchased in bulk and will be in the classroom when students arrive. Students need to bring a zippered backpack and lunchbox if they are bringing snack/lunch to school. Backpacks must be large enough to hold textbooks and a 9 1/2” x 11” folder but small enough to fit into classroom cubbies or middle school lockers as storage space is limited. We highly encourage PreK & K students to have non—rolling backpacks due to safety concerns. Please label backpacks and lunchboxes.

DAILY ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL Our carpool system is designed to provide safe access for student arrival and dismissal. We want to thank everyone in advance for your cooperation in following procedures. It is important that everyone follows the procedures for arrivals and dismissals. We strongly encourage you to watch our video for proper carline procedures here: staopcs.org/arrival-and-dismissalvideo. Carpool numbers and dismissal sign/tags will be distributed at Orientation Day in the Gym.

Before & After School Program (BAASP) Calendars for students using the BAASP program should be submitted along with the $50 registration fee on Orientation Day in the Gym.

In the mornings, our Parent Safety Patrol will be on duty to assist students.

Arrival & Dismissal Form (for walkers, bikers, and ALL middle school students) should be filled out and turned in at the gym on the first day of school.

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM The August and September calendars are available on our website at: staopcs.org/baasp August calendars and payment are due by Monday, August 15th. The $50 registration fee must be turned in to the Before and After School staff at Orientation Day in the Gym. UNIFORMS, SHOES & DRESS CODE Uniforms are required beginning on the first day of school. Here are a few reminders:  Shopping for socks and shoes will be easier if you read the requirements first and refer to dress code (excerpted from the Family Handbook) and the uniform color chart.  Before getting back to school haircuts, please read the requirements.  Uniform information is available at: staopcs.org/uniforms IMPORTANT - Infractions of the uniform and dress code are reflected in conduct grades. P.E. uniforms are required for 6th-8th grades. P.E. Uniforms will be available at Orientation Day. SUMMER REQUIRED READING You still have time to finish up your summer reading.

Requirements and forms are posted on the school web site, staopcs.org/summer-reading-lists Please keep summer reading logs and projects at home until teachers ask for them.

Carpool drop off begins on the second day of school.

Afternoon Dismissal: Parents arriving for 4th—8th grade dismissal should not arrive prior to 3:30 to avoid delays or create safety concerns for 3:15 dismissal. Vehicles that arrive prior to 3:30 will be directed to a waiting area until 3:30. Families are assigned to a dismissal time based on the age of the oldest child in the family. This year, families assigned to 3:15 dismissal have orange stickers on their carline sign for recognition.

Middle School Park and Walk dismissal begins on the second day for students who turn in permission forms on the first day of school. Backpack tags will be issued the first day of school.

Be prepared as dismissal during the first few days of school may be long and hot. We may also see weather dismissals for rain or high temperatures or even heat advisories. Once we establish the routine, dismissal will improve. Your cooperation in following procedures and guidelines will help things run more smoothly.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL INFORMATION VIRTUS, PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN PROGRAM The Archdiocese’s Virtus© Protecting God’s Children Program creates a safe environment for our children. All staff members and substitute teachers have completed the training. Information is included in the Family Handbook about the requirements for school volunteers.

If you plan to volunteer on a regular basis, chaperone field trips, work in the library, coach, etc. where you will be in contact with students, you must complete the program. After five years of taking the Protecting God’s Children© workshop, volunteers are required to complete a refresher workshop, Keeping the Promise Alive© . You can register for both classes at www.virtus.org. VIRTUS© workshops can be taken at any location throughout the Archdiocese. Questions regarding VIRTUS© can be directed to crussell@staopcs.org.

Students may bring lunches from home.

CAMPUS SECURITY: VISITORS & VOLUNTEERS Access into the school building during school hours is through the main entrance. Other entrances including those into the Bishop Sheltz Fellowship Hall are locked for the safety and security of our students, staff, and visitors.

Public access to the interior of the school building will be restricted to the office lobby. The office staff will provide necessary assistance to visitors. All visitors, including school parents are required to check in through the school office and show valid picture identification. Visitors approved to enter the building will be issued nametags that must be worn while on campus including the Fellowship Hall for lunch. Visitors approved to enter the building will be buzzed through a second set of secured doors. Security cameras cover building entrances, interior hallways, and stairwells providing 24-hour recording surveillance.

VOLLEYBALL COACH (C-TEAM) NEEDED SAOPCS volleyball practices are held weekdays at 3:30 PM., starting on Monday, 8/16/16. Games will begin in late August and are held weekdays at 4:30 PM. There will be a Saturday tournament, schedule TBA.

LUNCH PROGRAM We are pleased to welcome Geomar© back as our hot lunch vendor. Look for a separate handout in this mailer with information on ordering, paying online, etc. Lunch service will begin on the second day of school. Orders and payment must be placed through their website at geomar.h1.hotlunchonline.net. You can access their website directly or through a link on the school web page.

Online menus will be available for viewing August 1st.

Orders must be placed at least 2 days in advance to ensure that enough meals are prepared each day.

Geomar© will be at Orientation Day to meet families.

Information about snacks will be provided by the classroom teachers. Students do not have access to cold storage, heating appliances or utensils.

ATHLETIC PROGRAM Calling all cross country, football, soccer, and volleyball players in 6th-8th grade! We are gearing up for the fall season. There will be a Meet the Coaches night for parents and players on Thursday, August 18th at 6:30 PM in the gym.

Practices begin: Football—Mon., 8/8, 5:00-7:00 p.m. @ Frassati Soccer—Tues., 8/16, 4:00-6:00 p.m. @ Shadowbend Volleyball—Tues., 8/16, 3:30-5:30 p.m. @ STAOP Cross Country—Wed., 8/17, 3:30-5:00 p.m. @ STAOP

SOCCER COACH (J.V. TEAM) NEEDED Soccer fundamentals coach for our 5th & 6th grade coed soccer team this fall. The first practice is scheduled for Tuesday 8/16. Practices will be held 3 or 4 days a week until the first games. The first league games will begin the first week of September. There will be one tournament on the schedule on a Saturday late September. The soccer season runs until the first of October.

These are stipend coaching positions only. All SAOPCS coaches must complete VIRTUS training. If you love volleyball, basketball or soccer and are looking for a rewarding challenge – please contact Athletic Coordinator - Dale Quickel – 281-296-2800 ext. 181 or e-mail at dquickel@staopcs.org for more information.

NEW FOR 2016-2017 We’re excited to announce our new school management system – RenWeb School Management Software. We’re in the process of setting up RenWeb’s ParentsWeb – a private and secure parents’ portal that will allow parents to see academic information specific to their children, while protecting their children’s information from others.

All you need is an Internet-capable computer to view information such as:            

Attendance Daily Grades Progress Reports Report Cards Homework Missing Assignments School Calendar School Announcements Staff and School Directory Teacher Email Addresses Teacher Websites Other Useful School Information

RenWeb has created a 5-minute ParentsWeb Overview video, which will give you an introduction to the system.

Please watch it at your convenience at this address: https://vimeo.com/126932181.

The password to access the video is ParentsWeb. The link to access the video is also available on our website at staopcs.org/parentsweb As you watch the video, there will be some components mentioned that do not pertain to our school setting or we will not be using. However, it does give you a good overview of the benefits to this program.

Once we have ParentsWeb up and running, we’ll provide you with instructions for logging in and viewing information. We look forward to your participation. Together we can improve our children’s academic development and the communication between our school and your home.

INTRODUCING OUR 2016-2017 STAFF We are fortunate to have a great group of returning staff members and some truly awesome newly hired staff members as well. We believe that each has been called to us in a special way and brings many gifts and talents to share. They have embraced the vision, mission, and philosophy of our school. They are committed to strengthening our culture of discipleship. We know that you will welcome our staff members and support them in their ministry of Catholic education.

Administration & Office Staff Renee Nunez, Principal & Parish Director of Education Susan Leddy, Assistant Principal PK - 5th Kendall Shamas, Assistant Principal 6th - 8th & Auxiliary Katie Tressel, Advancement Coordinator for Community Engagement Leigh Moorman, Advancement Coordinator for Events & Stewarship Janay O'Connor, Counselor Olga Wunch, Learning Advisor Leslie Pavlock, Nurse Nestor Cayanan, Religion Coordinator Ashley Knopp, Assistant Religion Coordinator Becki Kinch, Liturgical Music Coordinator Amy Leslie, Information Systems Coordinator Dale Quickel, Athletic Coordinator Heather Koett, Assistant Athletic Coordinator Cathy Russell, Admissions & Office Manager Colette Carson, Business Manager Mary Cunningham, Administrative Services & Support Assistant Emily Booth, Administrative Services & Support Assistant Emily Domingo, Administrative & Communications Assistant Early Childhood Department Laura Foy, PreK3 Mona Rodriguez, PreK3 Assistant Vanessa Wilson, PreK4 Ann-Marie Dalton, PreK4 Assistant Abby Smith, Kindergarten Prudence Osman, Kindergarten Assistant Kari Golden, Kindergarten Linda Dueitt, Kindergarten Assistant Elementary Department Heather Birsinger, 1st Grade Lexie Lyons, 1st Grade Mary Beth Larkin, 2nd Grade Therese Abib, 2nd Grade Monique Loyo, 3rd Grade Barbara Glanville, 3rd Grade Meghan Preuss, 4th Grade Erin Weixel, 4th Grade Selina Perez, 5th Grade Kathy Graff, 5th Grade Catherine Wogan, Learning Support Teacher

Middle School Department Nicole Petillo, 6th Advisor & Social Studies Jill Gregory, 6th Advisor & Math Kelly Sturgeon, 7th Advisor & Science Lisa Olsen, 7th Advisor & English Language Arts Kristine Parks, 8th Advisor & English Language Arts Nestor Cayanan, 8th Advisor & Religion Rebecca Morris, Math Katherine Naeher, Learning Support Teacher Auxiliary Department Darryl Bayer, Band Patricia Broussard, World Language & Spanish Elizabeth Curtin, Theatre & Middle School Electives Suzanne Ettman, Art Angela Johnson, Music Heather Koett, EC World Languages & PE Rebecca Morris, PE-Angels & Middle School Electives Dale Quickel, PE & Health Kendall Shamas, Broadcast Media Technology/Library Media Center Arlene Failde, Technology & Middle School Electives Tammy Fishman, Librarian Amy Leslie, Instructional Technology & Middle School Electives Cristofer Mattern, Library & Middle School Electives Before & After School Program Susan Leddy, Coordinator Charlotte Aldrich, Manager Cinthia Bierbaum, Staff Patricia Tamez, Staff Thelma Sanchez, Staff Gayle Perkins, Staff

August 2016 Calendar Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

15 First Day of School/ Orientation Day, 8:00 a.m.

16

17 New Parent Coffee, 8:00 a.m.

18 Meet the Coaches, 6:30 p.m.

19

22

23

24 First All-School Mass, 9:00 a.m.

25 Middle School Parent Information Night, 6:30 p.m

26

29

30

31 Fall Athletic Pictures, 3:45 p.m.

1 Early Childhood Parent Info Night, 5:15 p.m.

Elementary Parent Info Night, 6:15 p.m.

2