Weekly Update -- Jan. 20, 2017
Dear Parents,
I'm not sure about you, but I was never the type of student that looked forward to the yearly science fair.  I loved school and did well, but the whole process of putting together a project or experiment was overwhelming to me (and probably my parents too).  This year our science fair was "changed up" from previous years and is now known as our Stem Fair.  I know there were a few tears shed as our middle schoolers worked hard to complete their projects.  Well, their hard work paid off!!
 
Nine of our students participated in the Diocesan STEM Fair this past weekend at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School.   Of the 102 projects at the fair, the largest group was Engineering. St. Raphael won two of the three medals in that division. Special congratulations go to Daniel Feeley and Ava Stoller who won third place for their Interchangeable Sports Shoe, and Claudia Johnson who won first place in that category, for her UV Smart Spekkies. Also, congratulations to Jessica Halvorsen who won third place for her Smoothie Nutrient Calculator app in the Intelligent Machines, Robotics and Systems Software division.   We are so proud of our students!
 
Blessings on a wonderful weekend,
Mrs. Bogataj
Stem Fair Participants
Scholarships were presented to the top 3 Eighth Grade projects at the fair:
Claudia Johnson - 1st place - $1000 Scholarship
Jessica Halvorsen - 3rd place - $250 Scholarship

Front Row : Connor Ford, Olivia Flaherty, Hannah Quillin, Daniel Feeley, Ava Stoller.
Back Row: Claudia Johnson, Jessica Halvorsen, Sydney Charlson, Isabel Kaprowski

Updates/Reminders:
** Catholic Schools Week begins on Sunday, Jan. 29th.  We have a lot of fun activities planned.  Mark your calendar for the following:  Tues. Jan. 31st - family picnic - 11:45 (for all students), Wed. Feb. 1st - Geography Bee - 12:45, Thurs. Feb. 2nd - Rosary following Mass, Run for the Royals - 1:30.  Fri. Feb. 3rd - Talent Show - 8:15. 

**It’s that time of year again when we start preparing for registration for the 2017-2018 school year.  If you have children who are not with us this year, but you intend for them to join us, please send Mrs. Ewell ( tewell@st-raphaels.com) or Mrs. Tawil ( srsoffice@st-raphaels.com) a quick message with the child’s name and grade.  It is our plan to begin registration at the end of the month or early in February.
Home & School Updates
** Our next spirit night is coming up at PDQ next Wednesday the 25th, from 5 to 8!  They will be booking a balloon artist for us, and we can mention our school both in the restaurant and at the drive-thru.  


RUN FOR THE ROYALS - February 2nd!


Save the Date
March 25, 2017
The Royal Derby 
Dinner and Auction


Upcoming Dates: 
Tues. Jan. 24th – Run for the Royals kickoff

Thurs. Jan. 26th – Home and School Mandatory Meeting 7:00 pm followed by a talk from Anthony Astrab (our former seminarian).  I hope you can stay for it!

Fri. Jan. 27th – Royal Spirit Day

Sunday, Jan. 29th - Fri. Feb. 3rd - Catholic Schools Week - see column to the left for more information

Sunday, January 29th - Open House
9:30am Mass followed by Campus Tours

Invite your friends to visit our school to see how we SHINE!!!
Sports News

Mon. Jan. 23rd -  Varsity Basketball practice boys 3-5, Bowling match - Sunrise Lane - 3:45 pm

Tues. Jan. 24th - Varsity Basketball vs St. Paul's @ girls - 4:00, boys 5:00

Wed. Jan. 25th - Bowling practice - 3:30 - 4:30

Thurs. Jan. 26th - Varsity Basketball vs St. Jude @ home - girls 4:00, boys 5:00

Fri. Jan. 27th -  St Pete Christian tournament - boys - TBA

Faith Find

**Join some of your fellow parents for a Rosary walk (1 mile) after Mass next Thurs. Jan. 26th.  Meet in the narthex if you wish to join in.

**Thursday Jan. 26th after the H & S meeting Anthony Astrab (our former seminarian) will give a talk about his faith journey.  I hope you can stay to hear it!!

This week our prayers go out to:
  • The Wright family as they grieve the loss of Jill Wright, Aunt and Sister of the Wright family.