DragonTales  Weekly Newsletter
August 24, 2017

Dear St. George Families,
 
I recently observed an endearing moment while taking my dog on a walk in my neighborhood:  A young boy, perhaps 5 years old, was learning to ride a bike, with his mom and dad helping him. The boy would sit on the bike, with anticipation and a little fear in his face, and his father would gently push him forward and let go. Within seconds, the front wheels would begin to wobble, and the boy would crash. But he would hop up, run the bike back to his father and say,  'Again, Daddy.' The father gently pushed, the bike would wobble, then, wobble some more, and crash.  'Again Daddy.' I watched this happen at least five times as I walked passed this young family, and when I rounded the block ten minutes later, they were still at it. But then a break-through moment occurred: For 20 glorious seconds, he rode the bike without crashing, shouting with electric joy, 'I'm doing it! I'm doing it!' as his parents cheered and clapped for him. 
 
This was a wonderful moment in a young boy's life. But what was fascinating to me was the boy's relentless desire to succeed, even though he kept crashing. Some where along the way as we grow up, we stop taking risks. We "play it safe" for fear of failure.  We don't want to be laughed at, we don't want to be ostracized for being wrong, we are fearful of rejection. 
 
I hope St. George will be a place that's the opposite of that - where students will have the courage to a risk. I hope students try out for a team, even if they don't play much. I hope they'll run for student government, even if they are not elected. I hope they'll volunteer an answer in class, even if it's wrong.
 
I want students to try, to risk often because that means you're trying new things, taking risks, exploring new possibilities often. The electric joy we feel, like this boy learning to ride a bike for the first time, comes in achieving things we work hard for.  It's what makes life such a fantastic adventure!
 
As we begin the year St. George, I pray that God will give us the courage to try new things. Pray that he will give us the courage to try!  
 
God bless, 
Jack Nelson

St. George Catholic School
Pre-K Building Groundbreaking Ceremony 
Tuesday, August 29th at 1:30pm (weather permitting)
at the site of the new Pre-K building



PLANNING TO VOLUNTEER
FOR CLASS ACTIVITIES OR FIELD TRIPS?
Please note: All volunteers are required to successfully complete the volunteer certification by September 15, 2017 
to be eligible to volunteer for this school year.
Find volunteer certification details HERE.
Thank you for the gift of your time and talents! 
We wholeheartedly appreciate our wonderful volunteers!


IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Friday, August 25
School Liturgy, 8:00am
Tuesday, August 29
Pre-K Building Groundbreaking Ceremony
1:30pm  (Weather Permitting)

Friday, September 1

School Liturgy, 8:00am
JDRF Presentation following Mass

Monday, September 4

Thursday, September 7


Friday, September 8
Labor Day, No School

Out-Of-Uniform No Pink Slips - August

School Liturgy, 8:00am
Pep Rally, 1:30pm

Monday, Sept. 11 - Friday, Sept. 15

Tuesday, September 12
Book Fair Preview Week

2nd Grade First Reconciliation Parent Meeting,
6:00pm, KAC

Sunday, September 17
Monday, Sept. 18 - Friday, Sept. 22

Book Fair Open House 

Book Fair Sale Week

CALL FOR COPY CORPS VOLUNTEERS
Copy Corps is in need of volunteers to help make copies in the school office.
Copies are made Monday - Thursday, 9:00a.m. - 11:00a.m.
If anyone is able to volunteer just one day per month to make copies,
please contact Shelly Labbe' at [email protected] or 225-354-9445.

AFTER CARE NOTE
AFTER CARE FOR THE 2017-2018 school year is FULL in all grade levels. There are still spaces available in Before Care. Please contact Susan Giles, Director ( [email protected] ) if you have any questions.
SGS Performing Arts 
The St. George Performing Arts Department is excited to offer various after-school music classes at school this year - Beginner and Advanced Bands, Performance Choir, Beginner and Intermediate Piano Classes. New this year is a BEGINNER GUITAR CLASS. Private lessons in piano, guitar, and violin are also available. Some classes will be limited in space, so don't delay and register today! 
Please click the links below for Information and Registration Forms for SGS Performing Arts Classes. 
 Band
For additional information regarding SGS Performing Arts,  please email Mrs. Jan Dupre, [email protected]
~ St. George Instrumental Music Dept.  "Inspiring Enthusiasm and Excellence through Music Education" ~

SGS Beginner Band Instrument Try-Outs
this Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 26

Sign-up to attend a session HERE
Students must be registered to attend a try-out session.  

Beginner Band Registration Form is available HERE

For additional information about the SGS Bands, please email Mrs. Jan Dupre, Director,  [email protected] or visit the website HERE

S chool Mass Lector Training, Tuesday, August 29th
  • A training for 6th-8th grade students interested in reading at our school masses will be held on Tuesday, August 29th at 7:20am.  
  • Students should meet Mrs. Blanchard in front of the school office by  7:20am. 
    Once present, students will be walked to the Church for the training.  
  • The training is for grades 6th - 8th students only.  
  • If a student read last year and wishes to read again this year, there is not a need for the student to attend the training again.
Join the Church Youth Choir!
Who: 4th-8th Grade students who love to sing
When: Thursdays 5:30-6:30 PM, beginning September 7
Where: St. George Church Music Room
Contact Blake Bruchhaus to sign up!
293-2212 or [email protected]


St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer
  • You can save lives! Let's end childhood cancer. Together.
  • Dragons for St. Jude is helping St. Jude Children's Research Hospital end childhood cancer by fundraising for the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer to be held on September 16th in Baton Rouge.
  • This amazing event supports the mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children.® 
  • Visit this link to register and join or donate to Dragons for St. Jude today: http://walkrun.stjude.org/DragonsforStJude
    • Contact Team Captain, Charlene Lauman, [email protected] if you need assistance setting up a team or have questions. Thank you for your support.


* Parents are invited to join their student(s) for lunch beginning Tuesday, September 5th.
**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.
HANDBOOK POLICY HIGHLIGHT

STUDENT ABSENCE REPORTING:  [email protected]
  • Tardies - Students who arrive at school after the start of the school day (7:45 am) are considered tardy. Parents must accompany their child to the school office to obtain a tardy slip before going to class. The parents of students accruing 4 or more tardies in a 9-week period will be notified. Eight or more tardies in a 9-week period will result in a meeting with administration.
  • Dismissal Changes - Parents wishing to change their child (ren)'s dismissal plans must contact the school office by 2:15pm. 
  • Early Release  - Parents checking out students early must report to the school office and sign the early release book. Students may not be checked out after 2:15 pm. 
Athletic Dragon Notes
FALL SPORTS REGISTRATION FOR SWIM, CROSS COUNTRY, GIRLS BB AND FOOTBALL - FRIDAY, 8/25/17 - 3:30pm -7:00pm GYM
● Swim and Cross Country - $50
● Football and Basketball $80
● Cheer and Dance $50 - not required to attend registration, please send fee through coaches
● Make checks payable to St. George Athletic Association
● Only form needed for registration is Parent Code of Conduct - Click HERE
● Physicals are due before first meet/game
● Permission slips will be sent through coaches at a later date
● If you are unable to attend please send payment through another individual, all registration fees must be received by the end of registration on Friday, 8/25/17
● Girls BB and Cross Country uniforms will be given out so it is important that all those players attend
● Football Jerseys will be given out at a later practice date

**NO SPORTS STUDY HALL ON TUESDAY, 8/29/17 AND TUESDAY, 9/26/17
DUE TO FACULTY MEETINGS **

BOYS 6th - 8th VARSITY BASKETBALL TRYOUTS - 10/11-10/13/17, Gym-Times TBD
● Practice starts 11/5/17
● Jamborees 12/13 - 12/15/17
● Regular season starts 1/4/18

BOYS DEVELOPMENTAL BASKETBALL (3-5) AND JV EVALUATIONS (6-8) - TBD
● Practice starts 11/5/17
● Regular season starts 12/1/17

IF YOU HAVE A UNIFORM FROM LAST YEAR PLEASE TURN IN TO THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT ASAP TO AVOID PAYING REPLACEMENT FEE.

THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE ADDITION OF ASHLEY BOURGEOIS AND NEAL ZEBER AS ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTORS! 
WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE THEM! 
PLEASE WISH THEM WELL AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR TIME AND TALENT.

GEAUX DRAGONS!
THE ST. GEORGE FAIR NEEDS YOU!
Sign up to Volunteer in a Booth
Now is the time to signup for a shift (or two) in your child's  class booth. Sign up early to get your preferred time! There are  over 600 volunteer spots open.

Calling All Crafters
It's time to start making your wonderful treasures for this  year's fair. The Arts & Crafts Booth needs handmade items  such as door wreaths, baby clothes, aprons, etc. We are always  looking for something new!  If you have a fresh idea or would like to donate, contact Sylvia  Doming at 225-235-8871. Completed crafts can by dropped off  at the Parish Office, or you can call Sylvia to schedule a  pickup.

Booth Chairs Needed
A number of game booths are still in need of chairs. If you'd  like to help out, contact Terri Barksdale at [email protected] or  225-937-2944. Chairs needed for:
· Basketball Throw
· Leap Frog
· Ring Toss
· Tic-Tic-Toe

WWW.STGEORGEFAIR.COM -  The website to visit for all things FAIR related: rid e bracelets,  fair times, volunteer opportunities, sponsorships and more!
SCOUTING NEWS
 The Catholic Committee on Scouting (CCOS)  will be hosting its annual Religious Emblems Award Ceremony at 2:00 p.m. on August 27 at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge. 

In addition to the scouts listed in the previous publication, the following individuals will also be recognized at the Religious Emblem Award Ceremony for Scouts this Saturday:  Cub Scouts earning their "Parvuli Dei" from Pack 136: Nicholas Conti, II  and Evan Guilbeau.  We regret the oversight.

Click on Flyer for Link to Information Registration Form
St. George Catholic School
(225) 293-1298