Thank you, STA! END OF THE YEAR 2023 2024
“I hope you enjoy this End-of-Year summary and humbly offer my gratitude to everyone who has made STA not only the largest Catholic elementary school in Texas, but far more importantly – the best!”
— Dr. Patrick Magee
As we end another successful school year at STA, I want to take a moment to reflect on our journey together and express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and partnership.
This year has been filled with both challenges and triumphs, and through it all, our shared commitment to the values and mission of our Catholic school has shone brightly. Your dedication to your children’s education and faith formation has been truly inspiring. Our students have demonstrated remarkable growth, not only academically, but also in their spiritual and moral development. They have embraced the teachings of Christ, shown kindness and compassion to one another, and worked diligently to achieve their personal best. This would not have been possible without the strong foundation of faith and love that you, their parents, provide at home. In May, we said goodbye to 92 eighth graders as they begin their high school careers, and I am confident that they will be successful in all their future endeavors.
I am also deeply grateful for your active involvement in our school community. Whether through participating in school events, volunteering your time, or supporting our initiatives, your contributions have enriched our school and helped create a nurturing and dynamic environment for our students to thrive. This summer we are continuing to improve our facilities thanks to the leadership of Father John, our School Advisory Council, and the dedicated fundraising efforts of STAPA, FOSTA, and Booster Club. This summer we are increasing security measures at the Lower School by relocating the main entrance, similar to the Upper School. This secure area is dedicated to welcoming visitors and volunteers on campus and includes a new lobby, receptionist area, and conference room. We are also replacing the Upper School gym roof and renovating the Lower School library. Yes, we are busy but blessed to be able to complete these much-needed renovations.
In August we will say farewell to Father John Libone. Father John has been the cornerstone of the STA community for more than two decades, providing spiritual leadership, guidance, and
unwavering support to both the parish and the school. His dedication to our mission and his presence have profoundly impacted us all for the better. While we will deeply miss Father John, we trust that his new assignment is part of God’s greater plan and will allow him to share his gifts with the entire diocese.
Our newly appointed Pastor is Fr. Arthur Unachukwu. Fr. Arthur currently serves as the Associate Director of the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Fr. Arthur served as Pastoral Administrator of Holy Cross Catholic Church and as Chaplain and Director of SMU Catholic Campus Ministry. We look forward to working with Fr. Arthur this coming school year.
I hope you enjoy this End of Year summary and humbly offer my gratitude to everyone who has made STA not only the largest Catholic elementary school in Texas, but far more importantly –the Best!
Thank you once again for your continued trust and support. I look forward to welcoming you back in August with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Magee
Nicole Bosworth, Chair
Tiffany Kocsis, Vice-Chair
Jonathan Stanley, Treasurer
Elizabeth Shafer, Secretary
Mitch Paradise
Kristen Reinsch
Mike Starcher
Ben Woodard
Brent Yost
Thank you to our 2023-2024 Advisory Council for working tirelessly for the betterment of STA this year.
FIRST COMMUNION
At the Lower School, we emphasize the development of the whole child in a safe and nurturing environment, making it a priority to offer the support necessary, not only academically, but also socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. In partnership with our amazing parents, we build a strong foundation on which children can grow as confident and capable human beings.
Here are a few great things that happened this year!
We are so proud of the 2024 kindergarten graduating class. A tradition at STA, kindergarten students did an amazing job singing for their families in this wonderful ceremony.
GUEST SPEAKERS AND AUTHOR VISITS
The Upper School program provides our students opportunities to shine in a safe and nurturing environment while providing a bridge between the Lower School and the increased academic demands of middle school.
Here are a few great things that happened this year!
PRAYER PARTNERS
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
CHOIR PERFORMANCES
ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS
STARS OF THE DAY
Congratulations to our Upper School music teacher and STA Teacher of the Year, Mr. Taylor Coffin, for receiving the 2024 Halo Initiative Distinguished Educator of the Year Award for the Diocese of Dallas.
FAIR STA STUDENT COUNCIL
ACADEMIC RECOGNITIONS
STUCO ELECTION
CARNIVAL PERFORMANCES
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY
DPL Championships
90% of students in 5th–8th grade participated in DPL sports
11 Sports Offered
We are thrilled with the success of our Wildcats this school year! Our student-athletes took home 11 DPL Championship trophies.
• 5th Grade Flag Football Team
• 6th Grade D1 Girls Volleyball
• 6th Grade D2 Blue & D2 Silver Co-Champions Girls Volleyball
• 7th Grade D2 Blue Girls Volleyball
• Varsity Girls Swimming
• 5th Grade Black & Silver Co-Champions Boys Basketball
• 5th Grade Silver Girls Basketball
• 7th Grade D2 White Boys Basketball
• Varsity Track & Field Girls and Overall
• 7th/8th Varsity Boys Baseball
• Varsity Boys Golf
Our STA Booster Club worked hard this year for the Wildcats! Membership helps raise money for upkeep and improvement of our athletic facilities, annual scholarships for 8th grade graduates, and hosting sports kick-offs and celebrations.
Thank you to:
• Evy Dinsmore, Whitney Wagner, and Sarah Patterson for chairing the Booster Club Golf Tournament
• Karin Cree and Amy Schroeder for chairing the 3V3 Basketball Tournament
2023-24 Championship Runners-up:
7th Grade D1 Girls Volleyball; 8th Grade D1
Girls Volleyball; 6th Grade Girls D1 Basketball; 6th Grade Girls D2 Blue Basketball; 7th D1
Girls Basketball; 7th D1 Boys Basketball; 6th JV Softball; 5th Coed Silver Futsal
Thank you, Booster Club!
32 26 Jesuit Congratulations, Class of 2024! We are so proud of all 92 graduates as they head off to 6 different high schools in Dallas. You are loved and forever will be a Wildcat. #alwaysawildcat Booker T. Washington 6 1 6 HPISD Woodrow IB
Catholic identity and service are woven into everything we do at STA. Students are reminded daily of their call to live their faith through service to others by participating in grade-level and school-wide Christian service projects.
2nd Grade May Crowning
8th Grade May Crowning
Both campuses participated in special Masses and celebrations including:
• Catholic Schools Week
• Praise and Worship
• Living Rosary
• May Crowning
• All Saints Day
• Blessing of the Animals
• Living Stations of the Cross
• Spiritual retreats for 5th, 7th, and 8th grade students
• Christian Witness Awards at the Upper School
• Angels in Action at the Lower School
80
Received the Sacrament of Confirmation
86
Received the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Reconciliation
Witness Awards
• Dog treat drive for Blessing of the Animals
• Extended Day students made treats for pets of faculty and staff
• 8th grade play date with 1st and 2nd grade at the Lower School
• Pink Out Weekend at football and volleyball games and prayer chains for cancer patients/survivors/victims
• Students made cards for Meals on Wheels, veterans, and school volunteers.
• 2nd graders sang oldies for residents at C.C. Young and Catholic Charities’ Brady Center.
• Box of Joy
• Catholic Schools Week stuffed animal drive for Children’s Hospital
• To Be Like Me field trips
• Dollar dress day for Ashley Nelinger
• Eclipse glasses reuse/recycle drive
• 4th grade made bags for homeless
• Penny Wars, all funds going to Ashley Nelinger
• 7th graders hosted a morning of fun for STA PK4 students at the Upper School.
Our fundraising efforts were unprecedented in terms of attendance, money raised, and community celebration! Thank you to the 2023-2024 Carnival chairs: Katie McPike, Marla Ravkin, Stephanie Dolan, and Erin Zane and the Auction Chairs: Nicole Bosworth, Stacy Brown, Katherine Schuler, and Alyson Woodard.
On behalf of everyone at the school, thank you!
CARNIVAL CHAIRS
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR TEACHERS
This year, STAPA has made significant strides in supporting our community and enhancing our school environment. The used uniform closet remains organized, pictures and descriptions of the lost-and-found items are published in the WAAG, making it easy to retrieve lost items. We published volunteer SUG’s for both campuses and continue to provide each teacher $250 for their classrooms. Our Buddy Family program worked with many new families this year, helping them integrate smoothly into the STA community. Fundraising efforts outdid themselves, with impressive amounts raised through the Carnival and Auction, and the chairs are returning to do it again. The White Rock Games raised $4,800. The Community Outreach Committee continues to support STA families and staff, providing baskets of goodies and gift cards to our priests and staff during Holy Week and holding a weekly rosary every Wednesday morning. The faculty and staff committee stocked the lounge monthly with treats donated by each grade and provided quarterly meals for the teachers and staff. Our social media team continues to keep us informed and amazed with their creativity. The Angel Fund and Thank You Fund received matched donations, bringing the total to $157,000. The STAPA Board celebrated during our Christmas party for the first time since 2019 and provided Christmas gifts and stockings for our crossing guard, Johnny Cochran, and his grandchildren. Hospitality provided refreshments for in-person STAPA meetings, open houses, Grandparents Day, and balloons for kindergarten graduation. We welcomed 16 new STAPA Board members, representing 36% new involvement. Additionally, STAPA is helping fund the new entrance to the Lower School and updates to the Lower School library.
STAPA raised over
$1.19M
Thank you for the generous gifts of your time and your hearts.
THE DATE Oct.18 - Bingo Oct.19 - Carnival
Get ready for an epic fall carnival lineup that will bring music, games, rides, and art to our amazing community. Save the date for the weekend that won’t end, beginning with our legendary Bingo night on Friday, October 18 that you will not want to miss! We will keep the party going on Saturday, October 19 with headlining music, awesome games and rides, and some stage-worthy events and activities.
The Lower School library will have a big change this coming school year with the help of STAPA. Bright colors, new seating, and lots of fun will be added this summer to the library. We can’t wait for the Lower School students to enjoy their new space. STAPA SUPPORTING STA
FOSTA’s fundraising efforts were record-breaking this year. Thank you to the 2024 Meat Fest chairs Nick Cutri, Brad Levy, and Andrew Schmeltz. Thank you to our STA community and all the dads who helped make STA a safer campus for all of our families.
This year, we funded our campus off-duty police officers, upgraded internal communications equipment, and provided campus security signs and barriers to enhance safety. We hosted a welcome event for dads new to our community and organized a Monday Night Football kickoff membership drive. Additionally, we supported both campuses with morning carpool duty on FOSTA Fridays.
The Lower School campus will have a big change this coming school year. The main entrance at the Lower School will change location with the help of FOSTA. Morning and afternoon carpool will remain the same, but you will use the new entrance when picking up early or dropping off after 8 AM, or anytime you come to campus to meet with faculty/staff or to volunteer.
We say goodbye to the following faculty/staff and wish them luck in their new endeavors. Our school has been very blessed to have them teach our students and assist our staff! Thank you for your hard work over the years at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School. You will be missed!
Father John Libone
22 years at STA
Father John has been the cornerstone of the STA community for more than two decades, providing spiritual leadership, guidance, and unwavering support to both the parish and the school. His dedication to our mission and his presence have profoundly impacted us all for the better. While we will deeply miss Father John, we trust that his new assignment is part of God’s greater plan and will allow him to share his gifts with others in our diocese.
Ashley Nelinger
2 years at STA
As Ms. Nelinger continues to fight cancer, we remain close to her and continue to pray for her healing.
“God of all goodness, Look with mercy on all who suffer any kind of infirmity, sickness or injury, that they may be comforted. Let your hand of healing and protection be upon them. When they are fearful, ease their fear and anxieties. When they are afraid, give them strength and courage.”
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The 2024-25 Back to School Guide will be in your inbox August 1st, filled with important details and dates for the upcoming school year. Class lists will be posted to the FACTS Family Portal at this time, too. Don’t forget to subscribe to the school calendar from your desktop or mobile device.
Parents are invited to park and walk their children into school. Your child’s first day will be a full day of school. No Extended Day hours will be available on Monday, August 12th or Tuesday, August 13th. All students will resume a normal full day schedule on Wednesday, August 14th, and Extended Day will be available. NEW SCHOOL HOURS:
Lower School 7:55 AM – 3:10 PM Upper School 7:50 AM – 3:20 PM
