Dragon Tales  Weekly Newsletter
January 5, 2017 

Welcome back, and Happy New Year! 
 
So I don't know if this applies to you, but according to many sources, the average American, gains 5-7 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. That undoubtedly explains why the top three New Year's resolutions for 2017 are weight related: 
   
1. Diet or eat healthier (71%) 
2. Exercise more (65%)  
3. Lose weight (54%)  
4. Save more and spend less--(32%)  
5. Learn a new skill or hobby (26%)  
6. Quit smoking (21%)  
7. Read more (17%)  
8. Find another job (16%)  
9. Drink less alcohol (15%)  
10. Spend more time with family and friends (13%)
                                                               Source: iheart.com 
 
I think the idea of a New Year's resolution is excellent! The ability to assess ourselves and our weaknesses, and how we need to improve our lives, is a uniquely human one. Even the most advanced animals are not able to able to say "How can I be a better monkey?" And if you look at this top ten list a second time, you see a real desire to improve oneself-something which is surely a noble goal. 
 
Look carefully once more at this list. 
 
All are excellent goals-but it strikes me that they are all related to SELF-improvement, with the emphasis on self alone. I'd like to suggest one of the most noble of goals for all of us this 2017 is what can we do to help OTHERS. 
 
I imagine most of us received some pretty amazing Christmas presents on December 25. But when God made us, he did something pretty cool. He designed us to be HAPPIEST OF ALL when we are giving, not receiving.
Let's work in 2017 to make other people happy, to serve them-and the great thing about that, through this law of spiritual physics, we'll be happier too. 
 
Let St. George become, borrowing the slogan for the United States Navy, a " force for good" in the life of Baton Rouge. 
   
May God bless all of you, and bless St. George in 2017. 
 
Jack Nelson  

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
 
JANUARY 2017 - HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
   
Friday, January 6 
     Epiphany Drama Liturgy, 8:00am, Church
Wednesday, January 11 
     AR Superior Award
     AR Honor Award - Crazy Sock / Tennis Shoe Day (moved from 1/12/16)
Thursday, January 12 
     Out-Of-Uniform No Pink Slips December
     Report Cards, K - 5
     AR Superior Award
Friday, January 13
     School Liturgy, 8:00am
     Report Cards, 6-8
Monday, January 16
     Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - No School
Friday, January 20
     School Liturgy, 8:00am
     Academic and Behavior Awards Following Mass
     Winter Follies Rehearsal, 6:00pm
Saturday, January 21 
     5th Gr. In His Image Talk    
     Winter Follies Performances, 2:00pm and 6:00pm
Sunday, January 22
     Winter Follies Performance, 2:00pm

Thursday, January 26 - Friday, February 3
     Re-Enrollment of Current Students  
 
YEARBOOKS FROM LAST SCHOOL YEAR - Yearbooks will be sent home with students next week.
CAFETERIA NOTES
  • All school meal payments are due in advance. Please remember to send extra funds for seconds and extra items.
     
  • January Lunch prices: Full price $52.20, Reduced price - $7.20
  • January Breakfast prices: Full price - $32.40, Reduced price - $4.40
     
  •  All families are encouraged to monitor your students' cafeteria purchases with anonline 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.
FROM THE DRAGON'S LAIR

Boys Basketball Games/Schedules/Tournaments
  • 3rd-8th schedules have been emailed to parents by coaches.

  • Come cheer on the Dragons to victory at our upcoming home tournaments:
    5th grade January 5 - 8
    6-8th Varsity January 13 - 16
    6-8th JV January 19 - 22

Sports Study Hall - NEW POLICY
  • All students participating in basketball are automatically enrolled in Study Hall at no extra cost to the parents! A big thank you to the Administration and Athletic Association for approving this new policy! Study Hall is available Tuesday - Friday for practices that start at or prior to 4:00pm.
  • Study Hall resumes Tuesday 1/10/17.
  • This new policy will also be in effect this Spring for Track and Volleyball. Please remember no snack containing nuts can be brought to Study Hall.
    Study Hall is monitored by St. George Teachers.
Parent Work Duty
We need your help! Parents are asked to sign up for three work shifts through the course of each of their child's regular sports season- tournament participation requires extra work shifts (specific requirements will be emailed directly to parents via coaches). Link to sign up - http://signup.com/go/QGFDH2 

GIRLS ON THE RUN:  We are in desperate need of coaches and a coordinator for St. George to be able to facilitate this wonderful and enriching program this season.
     Until we have a commitment for coaches, we will not be able to open up the registration for GOTR.  Also, GOTR has begun using a lottery system for registration. Please click HERE for more information.

The spring session of the empowering program, Girls on the Run, will begin at St. George after the holidays. Girls on the Run is a 10-week after-school program that uses the power of running to inspire joy, health and confidence in girls. The curriculum creatively incorporates training for a 5k with lessons that encourage third through fifth grade girls to develop essential life skills. The program has been a big success since coming to St. George four years ago.
We are in desperate need of coaches and a coordinator for St. George to be able to facilitate this wonderful and enriching program this season. If you are interested in coaching, please contact Linda Dutreix, 293-1298 or lindad@st-george.org. Our girls cannot register for the program until we find coaches and set days for practices. For additional information about the program, check out the Girls on the Run websites at http://www.girlsontherunsola.org/.
Afternoon Receptionist Needed!
St. George Church has an immediate opening for an experienced office receptionist. This is a 20 -25 hour/week position from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday and 9 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. The receptionist serves as the Church's first point of contact with church members and the general public. The successful candidate will be a motivated self-starter with a kind and professional demeanor, and will possess a positive attitude and excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. He or she must be able to remain productive with minimal supervision, and be able to work as part of the church ministerial team. He or she must have strong computer skills familiar with the Windows operating system and be proficient with Microsoft Office. Experience with Parish Data Systems Church Management software is a plus. Interested applicants should send resume to: Martin Hernandez, Director of Administration at martinh@st-george.org or fill out an application at the Church Office.

KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON  
IN ST. GEORGE CHURCH PARISH?
 
Keep up with the happenings around St. George by reading the St. George Catholic Church Bulletin HERE. 
St. George Catholic School
(225) 293-1298