"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." Psalm 28:7
Message from the Principal
Dear Families and Friends,

We know that it will take some time for all of our families to get adjusted to a few new routines, which may include understanding the rules of their teachers and also understanding the nightly homework demands we place on our students. On average, we try to assign 10 minutes of homework times the grade level the student is in. For example, students in Kindergarten may have 10 minutes of homework, while fourth grade students may have 40 minutes of homework. Students in eighth grade may have about 80 minutes of homework, but if students are taking high school classes, they could have up to two hours of homework a night.  Remember that each child may not complete the homework within this time frame; some may take longer than others. If you have questions, please ask your student’s teacher.

If you were unable to pick up this year’s school calendar and family handbook, please know that we have copies in the main office. We ask that all families read the handbook and sign the verification form and photography release form provided in the back of the handbook. These forms are due to your student’s teacher or the main office by Friday, August 25th .

Today, your student will be bringing home his or her first Monday folder. This includes the school picture form needed for next week and your Jupiter log-in so that you can check your student’s grades and receive updates from the school. If your contact information has changed or changes throughout the year, be sure you contact the school office to update your information.
Tomorrow we are blessed to have our first All School Liturgy celebration for the Assumption of Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics. This day commemorates the death of the Blessed Mother and her bodily assumption into Heaven.  All are welcome to join us at 10:00 a.m. in St. Michael’s Church for worship.

This Wednesday, August 16th, is our first PTA Dress Down Day, and the theme is Sports Attire. Students who wish to dress down should bring in $2 or bring in their pre-paid coupon. Money will be collected by the homeroom teachers that morning.  Please make sure all attire is appropriate for school.
School pictures are scheduled for next Monday, August 21st. Students may dress up for their school pictures, or they may wear their school uniform. Remember that casual attire is not appropriate for school pictures and should not be worn. This includes, but not limited to, jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys, and tank tops. Students who are dressed inappropriately will be asked to call home for a change of clothes.

We hope your student’s year is off to a great start. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

God Bless,

Mrs. Ramos
Announcements
 
We welcome the following new teachers to the St. Michael-St. Gabriel community:
 
Ms. Jacque Fenzel — Third Grade, Math
  
Ms. Amanda Keller — Art

Mrs. Anne Thompson – Maternity Leave Substitute for Grade 2

2017-2018 Volunteer Guide

All families are required to complete 10 service hours for the school year. Please know that all service hours for St. Michael-St. Gabriel must be completed at our school. Hours worked at Cardinal Ritter High School events do not count toward these hours. Please review the 2017-2018 SMSG Volunteer Guide (English) (Spanish) for more details. If you have any questions, please contact the main office. 
Catholic Identity and Family Involvement

Over twenty-five years ago, the Bishops of the United States published To Teach as Jesus Did , a statement on authentic Catholic education. This document is still the standard for judging the authenticity of the Catholic school. The school must teach solid Catholic Doctrine, provide for worship and prayer as an expression of faith, build community among parents, students, faculty, staff, and administration and reach out to the larger community through service.

In research done over time, community or social capital was identified as the greatest strength of the Catholic schools. What does this mean for those of us who are engaged in Catholic education? We believe that it means partnership between educators and parents. We believe that it is a partnership built on the foundation of mutual trust, respect, and honesty. When parents enroll their children in a Catholic school, they have certain expectations of the school, its teachers, and administrators. The school likewise has certain expectations of parents. Sister Mary Angela Shaughnessy, CSN, J.D., Ph.D. in her book published by NCEA in 2003, entitled Home & School Working Together: The Rights & Responsibilities of Catholic School Parents discusses parental rights and responsibilities.
 
Some of the parental rights that she lists are:

  •  To have your children’s safety be a priority
  •  To have your children receive an academically sound education in a Catholic environment
  •  To have your children taught by competent teachers who respect and care for them
  •  To participate in the life of the school
 
Some parental responsibilities that she lists are:

  •  To be a partner with the school in the education of your children
  •  To understand and support the religious nature of the school
  •  To read all communications from the school
  •  To discuss concerns and problems with appropriate personnel
  •  To be as actively involved as you can be in the life of the school and to volunteer assistance when possible
  •  To promote your school and to speak well of it to others
  •  To meet your financial obligations in a timely manner and to support fundraising efforts
 
Within the community of the school, mutual expectations can best be met when all partners act with trust, respect, and honesty.   It is through this partnership that we believe your student will find great success. 
Beginning Band
 
This year, Cardinal Ritter music teacher Ms. Leyba will be offering a beginning band class for students in Grades 5-8. This class will be offered on Mondays after school in the Cardinal Ritter High School band room.  This Friday, August 18th from 7:45-8:05 a.m., Ms. Leyba will be discussing this opportunity for Beginning Band with our students. During this meeting, students will have the opportunity to look at instruments and ask questions about the class.  If you have any questions yourself, please feel free to contact Ms. Leyba at kleyba@cardinalritter.org. 
2017-2018 CYO Cross Country 

Any student interested in running Cross Country needs to sign up on the CYO website here.

The fee is $39, which includes the uniform. Checks can be made payable to Cardinal Ritter High School. The deadline for registration and the fee is  September 28th . If you have any questions please contact Mr. Kyle Powers via email at  kpowers@cardinalritter.org .
Morning Drop-Off
 
We want to remind all families that they must enter the school parking lot from Tibbs Ave. After entering the west gate, make a right hand turn into the lot and make a horseshoe between the church and the school. Please follow the procedures that have been set in place by the school. Follow the cones, signs, and directions given to you. We want to make sure that all of our students, staff, and volunteers are kept safe.  Never enter the parking lot from Cardinal Ritter High School, as cars will be exiting our parking lot.  
 
As you drive around to the main doors of the school for drop-off, the volunteers and staff will guide you to move up as far forward as possible. Then, make sure your student is exiting the car from the passenger side of the car. Do not allow your student to retrieve belongings from the trunk when in car line. This, again, is for the safety of the child.  Please be patient, as many new families are learning the routine. 
 
Never drop students off in the alley. There is a great deal of traffic exiting the parking lot in the alley. Families that stop to drop off their students here cause a delay in the flow of traffic and endanger the lives of students, including their own children.
 
If you need to go to the main office, please park on the north side of the school near the main entrance on the other side of the cones.      
After School Dismissal

All car riders are dismissed with their homeroom teachers.  Students are to remain with their homerooms near the school until all students are dismissed to their cars by our Dean of Students, Mr. Miles. Students should not find their way to their vehicles prior to this. 
 
Families should never park along Tibbs Ave., between the church and the school, by the rectory, in front of the adoration chapel, or in the alley.  Parents that park in these locations cause an obstruction in the flow of traffic and hinder the safety of our procedures.  Students will not be released to these locations.
 
Walkers are dismissed with the junior high students. We have one teacher who will serve as a crossing guard for students crossing 30th Street. All other walkers proceed down the eastside of the school, down the alley, and make their way toward Bonham Drive with the guidance of two teachers.

Please note that per safety guidelines for our Pre-K students, all Pre-K students will only be released to an adult at dismissal. 

 Please r emember to always be observant when you are on the school grounds!