DragonTales  Weekly Newsletter
August 31, 2017

"I have come to give you life, and life to the full."
John 10:10
 
When have you experienced life to the full?  What do you consider as "full" experiences?
 
This past week I received a call from a former colleague in Seattle.  As we talked about the hurricane and my experiences in Louisiana she shared with me some of her recent experiences.  As we talked I was able to view life from many different perspectives. Some of these perspectives were, through the hopeful yet sad eyes of her mother and father - who, at 94 and 96, are approaching end-of-life.  And secondly, through the hopeful and anticipating eyes of her daughter and son-in-law who were married at the end of July.  So many times throughout the summer, I have reminded myself, "All blessing, all gift."   For my friend, I simply wanted to be present...  I wanted to experience the fullness of life. 
 
Fr. Mike and I were talking the other day about our hopes for the year ahead.   He has been so very supportive throughout this summer, and I again realize what a blessing he is for our community.  Our Parish and School continue to grow in number and deepened in faith as a result of his leadership and guidance of us all.  I thank him for his belief in us all! 
 
That being said, I want to offer you a thought to continue our year.  How we continue our year with this fullness of life at the heart of what we do?  I see the possibilities playing out in two areas...faith and parenting.
Faith - Our pastor and our parish community believe in the ministry of the school.  Our faith offers a lens for life for our children.  The lens of appreciation, dedication and belief as each of us helps discover God's Kingdom on earth.  This is pretty powerful stuff!  From the moment our children enter the world, they see the world through your eyes as a child of God!  You are the first teachers of your children, and our parish/school community helps parents imbed this "fullness of life" perspective!  Offer your children the richest possible experience and make time to pray as a family.  Make the effort to attend Mass on Sunday with your family, challenge yourselves to become involved!  Model for your children this fullness of life - it can be so rich!
Parenting is a ministry...perhaps one of the most important ministries of our lives.  As we continue our year together, let us be open to the "fullness of life" for our families.  As I reflect on this summer, I carry the hopefulness of young-love and sacred wisdom of time.  Our children grow so very fast and before you know it, you will be walking your child down the aisle.  We are always asked to "give away" our children.  This is so very difficult to do.  Through this gift of a Catholic education, you give your children deep roots to carry them through this changing world. 
 
I so look forward to our year together!  I am so grateful for each of you, all the families, and your unique gifts that you currently bring to us, and possibly will share this year!  Remember, your investment in your child's education is the gift you give them for a life-time.  The gift is far more than an academic education - this is important - but it is so much more.  You give them a community of care, and the faith we share anchors and offers a moral compass in this challenging and ever-changing world.
 
Each of you remains in my prayers!
St. George, pray for us!
 
Jack Nelson

St. George School Pre-K Interest Survey
St. George will be opening a Pre-K program in the fall of 2018.  Please click on the link to complete the survey which will help us gauge the interest from our school families.  If you have children under the age of 5 years old, please take a moment to answer the survey.


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, September 1

School Liturgy, 8:00am
JDRF Presentation following Mass

Monday, September 4

Wednesday, September 6


Thursday, September 7

Friday, September 8
Labor Day, No School

Cub Scout Pack 136 Parent Orientation,
6:30pm, Cafeteria

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

8th Grade Parent Meeting (Optional),
Noon, KAC
2nd Grade First Reconciliation Parent Meeting,
6:00pm, KAC

Friday, September 15


Sunday, September 17

Monday, Sept. 18 - Friday, Sept. 22
Last Day to Complete Volunteer Certification

Book Fair Open House 


Book Fair Sale Week

Attention All 8th Grade Parents
There will be an optional eighth grade parent meeting on Tuesday, September 12
at 12 noon in the KAC for those parents that would like to learn more about
8th activities and volunteer opportunities.



  • 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.comThere 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. 
* 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.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING


CAFETERIA ANGELS ONLINE SIGN-UP 
Volunteers are greatly needed to help serve lunch in the cafeteria on Monday - Friday from 10am - 12:45pm. Please consider signing up for a shift each month and invite a friend to join you. Find the link to volunteer HERE.

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 shellylabbe@cox.net 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 ( susan.giles@sgschoolbr.org ) 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    Choir    Guitar    Piano
For additional information regarding SGS Performing Arts,  please email Mrs. Jan Dupre, jan.dupre@sgschoolbr.org
~ St. George Instrumental Music Dept.  "Inspiring Enthusiasm and Excellence through Music Education" ~
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 blakeb@st-george.org

Book Fair 2017
The St. George Book Fair is fast approaching! The theme this year is Wild West!
Please take note of the dates below:
· September 11-15: Preview Week  - Students will visit to preview during their regular library time
· Sunday, September 17: Book Fair Open House 10:00am - 1:00pm
· 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 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 Jennifer.Taylor@sgschoolbr.org or Pamela Lerch, Library Chair, at 832-541-5732
Athletic Dragon Notes
  • If you missed uniform distribution and registration for Fall Sports please make arrangements through your coach.
  • NO SPORTS STUDY HALL ON THURSDAY 9/7, AND TUESDAY 9/26 DUE TO FACULTY MEETINGS
  • BOYS 6-8TH VARSITY BASKETBALL TRYOUTS NEW DATES - SUNDAY 11/12 (AFTERNOON), MONDAY 11/13 AND THURSDAY 11/16 Gym- EXACT Times TBD
    ● Jamborees 12/13-12/15
    ● Regular season starts 1/4
    ● Practice start date and times TBD 
  • BOYS DEVELOPMENTAL BASKETBALL (3-5) AND JV EVALUATIONS (6-8) TBD
    ● Practice starts 11/5
    ● Regular season starts 12/1
  • 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!

CUB SCOUTS
  • For all 1st grade thru 4th grade boys interested in joining Cub Scouts, Pack 136 will hold new parent orientation on Wednesday, September 6th in the Cafeteria at 6:30pm. All interested boys and a parent should attend.
     
  • All new scouts and returning scouts are invited to our "Jump Back Into Scouting" registration night at SkyZone on Thursday, September 7th at 6:30pm
  • This event is open to the entire family!

St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer
  • You can save lives! Let's end childhood cancer. Together.
  • Join Dragons for St. Jude to help 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: 
    • Contact Team Captain, Charlene Lauman, charlene.lauman@sgschoolbr.org if you need assistance setting up a team or have questions. Thank you for your support.
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 bigwt@eatel.net 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!

Please support our annual Fair and leave personal ice chests at home.
Thank you for your cooperation
.
THE PIVOTAL PLAYERS Volume 1 has been created as a tribute to those men and women whose friendship with Christ transformed not only their lives, but also the world.  In volume I, we will look at the lives of Michelangelo, G.K. Chesterton, St. John H. Newman, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis of Assisi. 
Please come join us on Sunday, September 10th as we learn about
St. Thomas Aquinas  9:30 - 11:15 a.m.  in the Parish Office.  
For more information, contact Karen Fawley, 225-293-2212.
Click on Flyer for Link to Information Registration Form

Pennington Biomedical Research Center currently has two studies for children ages 6-16 that focus on trying to increase kids' physical activity and reduce their sedentary time, with an overall goal to improve health. 
See the flyers for more details on PrePLACE and TIGER Kids studies.

St. George Catholic School
(225) 293-1298