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DragonTales
Weekly Newsletter
September 14, 2017
Dear St. George Families,
What does it mean to be a "scholar."
Let me begin by saying what it doesn't mean. We don't expect all of our students to attend Harvard, or Notre Dame when they graduate. We don't expect all of them to make all A's, and if they fall short of that, that they have failed in some way! Though many are capable of these things-and we want to encourage students to strive for these goals- our mission isn't so narrow as to serve only the intellectually "elite." In fact, I would argue it's much grander than that! We believe the chemistry and interplay of students with different aptitudes and backgrounds give us our authenticity, our liveliness, and perhaps even, our "flair." It makes St. George interesting!
No, what I mean by "scholar," is that students DO THEIR BEST. Whatever their talents God has given them, whatever their strengths and weaknesses, we are all called to do our best.
There's an interesting video floating around the internet of a Naval officer addressing cadets at their graduation, talking about ways they can "change the world." He begins with this practical suggestion: Make your bed each morning! He says that when we begin the day completing a small task, it will give us momentum to complete larger tasks through out the day, starting our day on a positive trajectory. And if it turns out to be a miserable day, when we get home, our bed will be neatly made, beckoning us to get a good night's sleep, so that we can have a better day tomorrow.
If we want students be scholars, let's begin by making our beds. The truth is, we're emotionally influenced by our environment, and if their rooms are wrecks, their lives often reflect this chaos. But "scholars" take ownership of the small things, which gives them momentum for bigger things.
Attendance at school is important. But I want to qualify that a bit. It's not enough to be physically present. Students must bring their best selves to class: alert, and ready to learn. Practically, that begins with getting enough sleep the night before. Doctors recommend at least 8 hours for children, and if you try to cheat your body with less than that, it'll steal back what you've cheated it by making you sluggish and apathetic. So if they're waking up at 6 a.m. and not getting to bed by 10'ish, they are not bringing their best self to class. Chances are they are not engaged, not taking very good notes, not making connections, not asking questions.. Bring your best self to class each day.
"Scholars" ask questions in class. When I was younger, I taught in a school without air conditioning.. But I remember there was one girl who fought off her misery and sleepiness by peppering me with questions through out class. "Mr. Nelson, is this kind of like..." and she'd make a comparison to something she knew. "Mr. Nelson, could you re-explain what you just said? I didn't understand you." This girl wasn't the student in class with the greatest ability. But she was the best student! The best scholars! Ask questions.
"Scholars" become passionate about ideas! Do you want to know what makes me smile? It's students, getting into discussions over ideas discussed in class, with these discussions spilling out into the hallways. That's a sign of engaged minds! My granddaughter is almost two, and she's just discovered her belly button, and she seems fascinated with it. Too often in our culture today, we are "navel gazing," pre-occupied with trivial matters concerning only ourselves. Let's get passionate about big ideas! The merits and demerits of democracy! The implications of a world that is 4.5 billion years old, one planet in a universe of billions of galaxies! Issues of social justice concerning refugees, unborn children, and the criminally accused! Scholars thirst to understand, and they get excited about ideas. Let's be a school that is electrified with discussion.
Scholars don't work in isolation. Teachers will tell you the best way to learn new material is to tutor and mentor others. If you can explain it to someone else, you'll understand it and remember it at a much higher level.
Scholars at St. George bring their anxiety to God. Striving to be the best students we can be often brings with it a certain amount of stress. We care about our grades! We care about our performance on tests! But the wonderful gift about being believing Christians is we don't have to carry that burden alone-God invites us to share it with him.
May God give our students the courage, the energy, and the desire to become scholars! It's one of St. George's greatest hopes for our students!
God bless,
Jack Nelson
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IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Friday, September 15
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School Liturgy, 8:00am
- Student Council Induction Following School Liturgy
- PreK Building Groundbreaking Ceremony Following School Liturgy
Last Day to Complete Volunteer Certification
Find Details
HERE
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Sunday, September 17
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Book Fair Open House, 10:00am - 1:00pm, Library
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Monday, Sept. 18 - Friday, Sept. 22
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Book Fair Sale Week
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Tuesday, September 19
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Kids for Christ ( Religion Club) Informational Meeting, 7:20 am in Mrs. Karen Gautreaux's class, Room 44
Picture Retakes - DK/K -5 Girls must wear white blouse under jumpers
*Please bring picture proof to the photographer for retakes. Proofs were returned to students this week.
PICTURE ORDERS DUE
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Thursday, September 21
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JDRF Wacky Walk, 7:20-7:40am, Gym
Book Fair Night Out with Food Trucks
4:30-7:30pm, Library and Courtyard
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Friday, September 22
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School Liturgy, 8:00am
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Tuesday, September 26
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3rd Grade Class Mass
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Friday, September 29
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School Liturgy, 8:00am
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Please Note: October 5 - No After Care Service due to Fair set-up
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PICTURE RETAKE DAY
School picture RETAKE DAY is Tuesday, September 21. Students wishing to have their picture retaken must bring their picture proof to the photographer. Picture proofs were sent home this week.
Students who have not have their school picture taken this year must have their picture taken on Tuesday, September 21.
Girls in grades DK/K -5
must wear white blouse under jumpers.
Picture orders are due Tuesday, September 21.
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PEP RALLY FACULTY TREAT "THANK YOU"
St. George Home and School Association would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to those who helped make last Friday's Pep Rally treat for the teachers and staff such a success. The faulty and staff enjoyed the delicious treats!
This special treat could not have been possible without the help and generous donations from Cafeciteaux Coffee Roasters, The Guillory and Peneguy families and the SGS Bakers Committee. Thank you all!
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Book Fair 2017
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Sunday, September 17: Book Fair Open House 10:00am - 1:00pm
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September 18-22: Book Fair Sale Week
· Thursday, September 21: Book Fair Family Night Out with Food Trucks, 4:30pm - 7:30pm
Come by with your family to purchase books and enjoy good food and music. Food trucks: (Pullin' Pork, BRQ, LCI - LA. Culinary Institute, Cookies Baked to Geaux, and The Sneaux Stop will be selling delicious food and the SGS Advanced Band will be performing in the courtyard.
· Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway will be available for pre-sale.
Volunteers are needed to make this year's Book Fair a big success! Volunteer HERE
Volunteer opportunities include: set-up, open house, class visitations, family night and take down. Thank you for your support!
Contact Mrs. Taylor, SGS Librarian, at [email protected] or Pamela Lerch, Library Chair, at 832-541-5732
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STEWARDSHIP PROJECT
JDRF
Our September Stewardship Project
(Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) will run until Friday, September 21st. Students are asked to donate a dollar to purchase a paper tennis shoe in support of JDRF. To end our stewardship project, there will be a wacky walk in the gym - Thursday, September 21st at 7:20am - 7:40am. Students who donated to JDRF will be allowed to wear crazy socks and tennis shoes on that day.
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For the first time, the fair will open on Friday night with rides, live music and delicious food from 6:00-10:00 PM. The weekend ride bracelet is good for unlimited rides from Friday through Sunday. Get more of what you love at a great value.
VOLUNTEER:
We have 522 volunteer time slots left to fill! The fair requires the time and talents of many. There are also opportunities to be involved on the steering committee, serve up something yummy in a food booth, or helping with setting up/taking down. Wherever your talent lies, we've got a place for you! Please sign up at www.stgeorgefair.com or contact Teri Cangelosi at [email protected] or
(225) 293-2212.
RIDE BRACELETS:
Weekend ride bracelets (Friday-Sunday) are being sold online only for $49. Single day/limited hour bracelets will be available for $20 at the fair for Friday 6 PM-10 PM, Saturday 10 AM-2 PM, and Sunday 10 AM-2 PM.
FUZZY FRIENDS BOOTH: The Fuzzy Friends booth is in search of new or gently used stuffed animals. Now is a great time to thin out your child's stuffed animals. Please bring your donations in a bag to the school office.
Please support our annual Fair and leave personal ice chests at home.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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- September cafeteria payments are due now. All school meal payments are due in advance. Please remember to send extra funds for seconds and extra items.
- September Lunch prices are: Full price $59.00, Reduced price - $8.00
- September Breakfast prices are: Full price - $36.00, Reduced price - $6.00
- All families are encouraged to monitor your students' cafeteria purchases with an online account at www.myschoolbucks.com. There you can set up alerts and make payments by credit card or bank draft. It is not necessary to make payments in order to set up an account. We will always accept check or cash payments at school.
*Please note that according to the LA. School Food Service Policy Guidance Manual,
outside restaurant food, soft drinks, and candy are not allowed in the school cafeteria.
Your compliance is appreciated.
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Announcing
Dragon Hearts Service Club!
We are excited to announce to start of a new club at St. George School! Dragon Hearts Club is a service oriented group that fosters community and fellowship among girls while reinforcing our Catholic faith. We will use the Manners of the Heart curriculum, which builds character, respect & kindness, while adding elements of our Catholic faith. Our motto is a quote from Mother Theresa, "Doing small things with great love."
- For GIRLS in grades DK/Kindergarten and up
- Meet once a month after school & once a month activities
- 2-3 service projects a year
- Fun with friends while serving God and others
We currently have grade level leaders for DK/K & 2nd grade. Depending on interest, we may need more leaders for DK/K and 2nd grade. DK/K & 2nd grade will usually meet on the 3rd
Thursday of each month right after school on campus until
4pm. Other grade levels meeting day & time TBD.
We are looking for volunteers for to start groups in additional grade levels. Grade level volunteer & planning meeting will be scheduled.
Dues will be $32 covering: meeting supplies, snacks & charm bracelet w/ charms. Additional activities priced accordingly. T-shirt will be $10-12
Pay via paypal or send a check to Jenny Culotta via backpack mail to "Lizzie Culotta 2-D".
Below is the link to the online sign up and a tentative calendar of events. Please contact Jenny Culotta with any questions at
[email protected]. Please register online & pay dues by
Friday, September 29th.
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Athletic Dragon Notes
NO SPORTS STUDY HALL TUESDAY 9/26 DUE TO FACULTY MEETINGS
BOYS 6-8TH VARSITY BASKETBALL TRYOUTS NEW DATES
SUNDAY 11/12 (AFTERNOON),
MONDAY 11/13
THURSDAY 11/16 Gym- EXACT Times TBD
- ● Jamborees 12/13-12/15
- ● Regular season starts 1/4
- ● Practice start date and times TBD
- ● Permission slip will be sent home next week through homeroom
BOYS DEVELOPMENTAL BASKETBALL (3-5) Evaluations 10/11
- ● 6:30-7:30 3rd Grade
- ● 7:30-8:30 4th and 5th Grade
- ● Permission slip will be send home next week through homeroom
- ● Practice starts 11/5
- ● Regular season starts 12/1
- ● If interested in coaching please email Michele at [email protected]
Fall Sports Picture Day Saturday 10/21
- ● Schedule of times to be announced next week. Please look for an email from your coach.
Spirit Shop is now open!
- ● Shop Now: https://www.bsnteamsports.com/v3/shop/team_shop/DRAGONS01#/
- ● Store Open From: September 13 - September 21, 2017
- ● Shop will re-open the first week of October
- ● Items will be delivered to school and an email will be sent out with pick up directions
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SGS Performing Arts
Please click the links below for Information and Registration Forms for SGS Performing Arts Classes.
For additional information regarding SGS Performing Arts,
please email Mrs. Jan Dupre, [email protected]
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RAINBOWS PROGRAM
Rainbows' programs help children who are grieving the loss of a parent or guardian due to death, divorce, deployment, or trauma. Rainbows' trained facilitators, using age-appropriate curriculum, establish peer support groups in schools, faith-based organizations, or community centers.
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2017 Catholic High School Band Night
Catholic
High
School
will host a
Band
Night
for 6th- 8th graders on
Friday, September 29, 2017
at the CHS vs. Teurlings Catholic football game. This experience gives your students the unique opportunity to perform with the CHS/SJA
Band
and get a sense of what it means to be a part of a
high
school
band
. It also allows the student to experience the spirit of these two well-established
high
school
s and their traditions.
Online Registration can be completed for this event through the following link:
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