STCS Notes Wednesday January 23rd, 2019

Mark your calendar! January 27th All school Open House 12-2 PM in the Ramada January 27th-Feb.1st- Catholic Schools Week January 29th- Diocesan Spelling Bee @St. Francis Xavier January 30th- Catholic Schools Week Mass &Rally @ Sts. Simon & Jude February 7th- PTO Meeting with Mom's Night Out to Follow February 8th- Father/Daughter Dance 6:30PM- FR. Feeney Hall February 10th- Cimi for 6th graders (Catalina Islands) February 18th-NO SCHOOL Holiday February 20th-Tax Credit Scholarship Training 6:30 PM Science Lab February 22- Famous People 3rd Grade -Ramada March 6th- Beginning of Lent-Ash Wednesday March 13th -Diocesan Science Fair @ St. Jerome 2-3PM **Keep May 13th open for Grandparents Day, May Crowning, and Art Walk**

Please pass along to family and friends -

Celebrate Catholic School! Catholic School Sunday Information

Sunday of Catholic Schools Week is a time to celebrate the gift of Catholic Education. Students who wear their STCS uniform to church services is a special way of acknowledging this wonderful gift. In appreciation for sharing their STCS spirit by wearing their uniform at a Saint Theresa weekend Mass or at a church service they attend, students are granted a free dress day on Monday, January 28th. We also celebrate Catholic School Sunday (January 27) with an open house at 12:00 to 2:00 PM. Current students and families are invited to participate in classroom activities (check with homeroom teacher) parents are welcome to check out next grade levels. We welcome perspective families to the open house and encourage current families to share their experience with STCS. Please join us for a barbeque lunch provided by the Dad's Club and celebrate Catholic Schools!

Catholic School Week Events and Celebrations

Monday Free Dress Day for those who wore their STCS uniform to Mass or church service. (Parents, please monitor - this is on your honor) Tuesday PTO provides breakfast for teachers - Thank you! Crazy Sock Day - wear your favorite crazy socks. Partner Picnic Lunch for Students - Celebrate with a picnic with your inter-grade buddy. Recognize Church Vocations - Write Cards to our parish priests. Wednesday Student Council attends Mass @ SS. Simon and Jude Cathedral Celebrate 25 years of teaching with Mrs. Drummey! School Mass at 8:30 AM. NJHS inductions following Mass. PTO provides lunch for Teachers - Thank you! Thursday Spirit Day - Wear your favorite higher education sports shirt. Teachers vs. 8th Grade Volley Ball game and assembly at 1:30 PM. Friday Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day.

The Candy for the Troops team is excited to report that the candy from our collection in October is making its way to troops deploying around the world! We send a special prayer of gratitude for (Ret.) First Sgt. Dan Chavez, who wrote us this letter:  Dear Students of Saint Theresa,  On behalf of soldiers deploying I want to send you a heartfelt thank you for the candy bags that you have provided for the soldiers. I am a retired soldier that works at the deployment center on Ft. Bliss and I get to see soldiers depart and arrive on a regular basis. Your candy bags light up their eyes and produce smiles when they get them. Again THANK YOU SO MUCH. God Bless you all.

STCS automatic re-enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year will begin February 15th Please notify the school office before Feb. 15th if you do not plan to re-enroll Only families that are current with their tuition for the 2018-2019 school year will be automatically re-enrolled FACTS $300 non-refundable down payment (per student) will be deducted March 1st  Questions? Please call or email Heather Chapman 602-586-7490 - hchapman@stcs.us

FREE MONEY - families received $250!!!

Thank you to those who applied to CEA for the 2018-2019 school year!

If you did not receive funds from CEA for the 2018-2019 school year, you will be receiving a credit of $250 per family. Check your FACTS account for the credit! Please make sure to reapply next year. Applications will be available in February/March for the 2019-2020 school year.

PTO UPDATES Spring 2019 find us on facebook at WeLoveSTCS!!

Mark Your Calendar for these Important Dates:

Jan 27- Open House-Dads Cooking Feb 7- PTO Meeting, 5:30pm Upper Convent, FOLLOWED BY MOM'S NIGHT OUT Feb 8- Father/Daughter Dance, FR. Feeney Hall Feb 11-15- Scholastic Book Fair, FR. Feeney Hall March14- PTO Meeting, 8am Upper Convent March 4-15- Fundraising Apex Fun Run March 15- Apex Fun Run March 21 and 23-Spring Musical

Join the 2019-2020 PTO

WE ARE ALREADY PLANNING FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR! Our events are amazing because we have the best teacher/parent group around!! Hands Down! Are you interested in working with a dedicated group of parents to make key decisions and plan events for STCS? The STCS PTO is looking for volunteers to help fill the PTO Board for the 2019-2020 school year! The only qualifications you need are a "can-do" attitude and a willingness to provide leadership for this fabulous community. Veterans and first-timers are all welcome! If you are interested in volunteering for a leadership position, please reach out to Cary Buddensick at  cbuddens@gmail.com  or 602-540-3553; or fill out the PTO Leadership Survey at  https://goo.gl/forms/dwce1cb7ouX28CeI2 Thank you!

SAVE THE DATE FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE FEB 8TH

Survey says ...

Continuing the report of the information provided by parents on the recent parent survey, below are the results of questions 8 and 9. Q8: What do you like best about Saint Theresa Catholic School? Two most often offered responses included Teachers/Faculty (29 out of 141 responses) and Community (29 out of 141 responses). Values and Faith were mentioned (17 out of 141 responses). High standards, Technology, Small Class size and "Truly, everything" were offered as responses as well.

Q9: What improvements would you like to see at Saint Theresa Catholic School? This question generated a lot of thoughtful and differing responses. Communication (29 out of 141 Responses) and Security (29 out of 141 Responses) were mentioned most often. Additional comments made by respondents include "We’ve been very happy at STCS. The only thing we’d like is more consistency between grades. Like all post homework in RenWeb past 4th grade. Same app like class dojo for all etc.", "Better enrichment programs", " Stricter discipline/consequences ", "Perhaps not so strict - minor offenses should be overlooked (we had boys and girls attend - this is applicable for both)", "Music and arts programs added to sports as extracurricular activities.", "Less 'busy work' homework", "A consistent principal. Not a new one every 3 years. ", and suggestions for improving facilities, including gym, bathrooms, adding a Jr. High wing and swimming pool. Improving After Care programming was also mentioned.

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Future Facts Information

For future planning: First FACTS payment for 2019-2020 will be in June of 2019 Last FACTS payment for 2018-2019 is April, 2019 Arizona has chosen to support all K-12 education for all students with tax funds, while giving parents the choice of schools to attend. All families, regardless of income, should not have to pay tuition, however for Catholic Schools, claiming tax support does require some planning. Please be sure to learn how STCS can (and should be) tuition free and avoid any FACTS payments!

Tidbits from Innovation Learning

Dear St. Theresa Families, Innovation Learning is continuing with coding and robotics this week! We have welcomed 2 new staff members to the after school program, Maggy Grady and Kristen Vallely. They truly enjoy working with your children. If your child is in Innovation Learning and is in the play, please let Mrs. Tufts know whether they are attending play practice and/or going to Innovation Learning. We want to make sure your children are safe and where they are supposed to be. Thank you for your support in this effort! Have a wonderful week! Mrs. Tufts Kelly Meeks Area Director - AZ Innovation Learning 480-416-3077

2nd Grade Entrepreneurs

Parents of Exceptional Learners

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