"Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but, as it truly is, the word of God."
Message from the Principal
Dear Families and Friends,

We are one week into the 2018-2019 school year, and we are so pleased with the way our students have adjusted to their new routines and expectations set before them. We are also very pleased to see how our student body has begun embracing our theme of “Little Ways of Kindness” by welcoming so many new students into the school.

One of the adjustments that students may struggle with at the beginning of the year is adjusting to the amount of homework they have each night. As students get older, the material tends to become more difficult, and in turn, students need to set aside more time to complete their work. We would like to provide you with some guidelines for how much homework you can expect to see each night. Students in Kindergarten should expect about 10-20 minutes of homework each night, while fourth grade students may have about 40-50 minutes of homework. Junior high students may have around 70-90 minutes of homework to complete, but for those students taking high school classes, they can expect to have up to two hours of homework a night. Remember that each child may not complete the homework within these suggested times; some may take longer than others. If you have questions about the amount of homework your child is given, or if you have concerns about how your student is adjusting to the school year, please speak to your student’s teacher. 

We look forward to seeing you at our Back to School Night next Thursday!

God Bless, 
Mrs. Ramos
Announcements
Parent Volunteers Needed

As we embark on a new school year, please know that we are looking for parent volunteers to help with various tasks, including morning drop-off (7:00-7:45 a.m.), recess duty (12:00-1:10 p.m.), and afternoon dismissal (2:00-3:00 p.m.). All volunteers must have completed the required Archdiocesan Safe and Sacred training before participating in any volunteer activities. To complete your Safe and Sacred training, please click here . If interested in volunteering, please contact Mrs. Ramos.
After Care Workers Needed

St. Michael-St. Gabriel is looking for two adults to work in its After Care program from 3:00-6:00 p.m. one to two times a week. All workers must have completed the required Archdiocesan Safe and Sacred training and submit required paperwork. To complete your Safe and Sacred training, please click here . If interested in working our After Care, please contact Mrs. Ramos .
Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Meetings

Our Parent-Teacher Association will be meeting on the following Sundays at 7:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. As a reminder, parents who attend these meetings receive one hour (per meeting) toward their ten required service hours. 

August 19th, September 16th, October 21st, November 18th, December 16th, January 20th, February 24th, March 17th, April 14th, May 19th
School Pictures
 
Remember that school pictures are scheduled for Monday, August 20th. Picture forms went home in our communication folders this past Monday. 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 is 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. 
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 Thursday, August 23rd, from 7:50-8:30 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 .
Back to School Night

All parents and guardians are invited to join us for our annual Back to School Night which will be held Thursday, August 23rd from 6:00-7:00 p.m. This evening is a time for you to learn more about classroom expectations, homework expectations, and other items of note for the year. Our teachers are being asked to hold two informational meetings for parents that night. The first meeting will run from 6:00-6:30 and the second from 6:30-7:00. Junior high parents will meet in the school cafeteria with all junior high teachers.
Those parents who had a student in third through seventh grade last year at St. Michael-St. Gabriel will also receive their student’s 2018 Spring ISTEP results. Parents who attend our Back to School Night will receive one hour toward their ten required service hours for the year.
Eighth Grade Electronic Devices

Once again we will be allowing our eighth grade students to bring in and use their own computer devices to take notes and work on assignments for their classes. With more and more of our students taking high school classes both at St. Michael-St. Gabriel and at Cardinal Ritter High School, we see a greater need to acclimate our students to the 1 to 1 technology environment they will experience in high school. Therefore, eighth grade students will be allowed to bring in their own computer devices (tablets, iPads, netbooks, or laptops) to use in class. Cell phones cannot be used as their computer devices in class. In August, students and parents will be required to sign an Acceptable Use Policy in order to use our internet and their devices, as there will be specific guidelines students will need to follow. A copy of this policy must be on file before a student is allowed to bring in his or her device. Students will also be responsible for the devices they bring. The school will not assume any responsibility for lost or broken devices.  

Drop-Off & Dismissal

 Remember to always be observant when you are on the school grounds!

 
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 between the church and the school. Please follow the procedures that have been set in place by the school. Follow alongside the cones in the 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 enter the parking lot from Cardinal Ritter High School, as cars will be exiting our parking lot that way.

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 in the alley cause a delay in the flow of traffic and endanger the lives of students, including their own children. Please follow the procedures that have been set in place by the school. We want to make sure that all of our students, staff, and volunteers are kept safe.
 
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 first with the junior high students. We have one teacher who serves 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. Parents will need to pick up their children from the Pre-K classroom. 
CYO Cross Country

Registration for CYO Cross Country is open! The cost is $40 and all runners must have a physical turned in before practice begins. Parents, if you are interested in volunteer coaching this season, please let Mr. Powers know ASAP. Register here .
CYO Football

Any Junior High boys interested in playing CYO football for St. Michael-St. Gabriel, please contact Mike Cmehil .
CYO Girls Basketball Tryouts

Any student interested in trying out for girls’ basketball this fall should come to tryouts at the St. Michael Parish Life Center on the following days:

Cadet Basketball (7th and 8th Graders):  Tuesday, August 21, 3:30-4:30 PM
4th/5th/6th Graders: Wednesday, August 22, 3:30-4:30 PM

The CYO fee is $80. If you have any questions, please email Ana Adams .
Box Tops Collection

Remember to save your Box Tops and bring them in to help support St. Michael-St. Gabriel.
Trash Bag Order Forms

To place your order for trash bags and help support the 8th grade class, please complete this order form and return it to the main office, or call us at  317-926-0516 .