DragonTales  Weekly Newsletter
Back-To-School Issue


Dear St. George Families,
I hope this summer has been both restful, productive and given you many opportunities to spend time with your children and families.  As we "gear up" for the beginning of another school year I want to share a few items of note as we prepare for an outstanding school year.
This summer there has been a great deal of activity around our campus. Our new Pre-K building is completed! We hope that you will come and see this amazing learning center after the 9:30 and 11:30 Masses on August 5th. The building will be officially dedicated at 6:00 pm on August 6th at the Back-to-School Bash.
Teachers have been on campus preparing for the upcoming school year readying their classrooms for students. They have been eager participants in a variety of professional development opportunities.
One thing that is very evident at St. George is that we have a community of parents, students and teachers who expect the very best of themselves and each other.  Our Catholic roots continue to challenge us to see all situations and people through the eyes of faith, to seek innovative solutions to current day realities, and to love and appreciate the uniqueness of our students.
As teachers and staff, we continue to follow in the footsteps of our founders - the Sisters of St. Joseph.  A passion for education and a vision of a community of love, unity and collaboration was the heart of their mission.  Each and every faculty and staff member at St. George Catholic School has that same ability. Our challenge, one that we look upon with great anticipation, as educators, is to be a difference maker in the lives of the children in our care.
Teachers and staff are busy preparing for the new school year with the goal of making it the best ever! St. George Catholic School has 1,195 outstanding students that are truly gifts from God.  We are going to have an outstanding school year.
The "Back-to-School Bash" is Monday, August 6th.  I look forward to seeing every one there. Enjoy the last days of summer vacation.
Geaux Dragons!
God bless
Jack Nelson
Principal

WE INTRODUCE AND WELCOME
OUR NEW FACULTY and STAFF MEMBERS

Mrs. Sara David (PreK-1)
is proud to call St. George my new home. A graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in Early Childhood Education, she has been teaching for 3 years. Since childhood, Mrs. David always knew teaching was her calling and passion. When she is not teaching, she enjoys serving her family and our community! She adores dressing up as Princess Aurora and visiting children at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in hopes of bringing a little joy or smile to their hearts.

Mrs. Sheila Pecot (PreK-1 Assistant) grew up in Baton Rouge and is an LSU graduate. She and her husband have been parishioners of St. George Parish for over twenty years, and their daughter graduated from St. George in 2013. Mrs. Pecot has volunteered in many capacities at St. George School and she looks forward to the opportunity to assist in teaching our newest St. George Dragons. She enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, and LSU football.  

Mrs. Kaci Mahler (PreK-2) is very excited to be teaching Pre-K at St. George! She graduated from Louisiana State University in 2015. Since graduating, she has been teaching 1st grade in Metairie. When not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, baby, and puppy. She feels blessed to be joining the St. George family!
 
Miss Lauren Gregoire (PreK-2 Assistant) is a 2017 graduate from Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in Child and Family Studies. She is currently working towards receiving her teaching certificate. As an alum, she is looking forward to starting her teaching journey at St. George Catholic School. 

Jennifer Cronan (PreK-3 Assistant) is an alumus of St. George. She and her husband have 3 children, 2 at St. George and 1 at Lee High School. Mrs. Cronan has been a substitute teacher at St. George for 2 years and also worked in the After Care program. She recently received her child development certificate and teacher's aide certificate from Penn Foster College and she also has a medical assistant license. She looks forward to joining the PreK program.

Rebecca Mickles (PreK-4 Assistant) feels so blessed to have the opportunity to pursue a second career at St. George School. In addition to being a recent substitute, she previously worked in a medical office for twenty-nine years and has always been very active in the church and her children's schools. She and her husband, Rustin, have a blended family of four sons and one daughter, as well as, three grandchildren. She enjoys crafts, sewing, jewelry making, decorating and travelling with her husband.

Mrs. Michelle Jordan (PreK-5) is an alum of St. George and is very excited to be teaching at her alma mater. She and her husband have 3 children, 2 of which attend St. George. She taught PreK at a Catholic school for 3 years. She is looking forward to becoming a part of the new PreK program at St. George.
 
Miss Bonnie O'Brien (PreK-5 Assistant) has worked in the St. George School After Care program for the past three years. She received a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Louisiana State University. She has an identical twin sister and is an avid reader and baker. Miss O'Brien enjoys being active in the Mardi Gras Krewe, Krewe of Romany.
 
Mrs. Kelli DeLarue (PreK-6) looks forward to teaching PreK this Fall! She graduated LSU in Early Childhood Education in May, 2018. After student teaching grades PreK to second grade at four different schools, she is thrilled to have a classroom and school she can proudly call her own. She enjoys spending time with her husband and taking Pure Barre classes! She is very excited to be joining the St. George family! 
 
Mrs. Jennifer Berthon (PreK-6 Assistant) is married with three children, all of whom will be St. George Dragons this year! A native of South Florida with a degree in Mass Communication from Florida State University, Mrs. Berthon worked as a news producer for WAFB-TV, as well as teaching a 2 year-old class at a local Mother's Day Out program. She enjoys dancing, baking, outdoor activities and spending time with her family and friends.

Mrs. Shawnee Brock (K1), a life-long resident of Ascension Parish and a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, is very excited to begin a new chapter in her teaching career at St. George School. Mrs. Brock and her husband, Lance, have two children who attend Dutchtown High School. Teaching is not only Mrs. Brock's passion, she feels it is her God given gift. Her hobbies of crafting and singing fit perfectly into an early childhood classroom as both enable her to make teaching and learning fun and engaging.

Mrs. Betty Falcon (1C Assistant) and her family have called St. George their church parish for over 25 years. She and her husband, Joe, have 2 children, Courtney Falcon Norris and Jolie Falcon, who both graduated from St George. In additional, they have two beautiful granddaughters. Mrs. Betty is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University. Beginning her 26th year as an employee of the before and after care program at St. George School, Mrs. Betty is looking forward to also working with our youngest Dragons in the PreK program.

Mrs. Kristin Medus (1B) grew up in Metairie, LA with her twin brother. She attended Archbishop Chapelle High School and graduated from Tulane University with a B.A. in sociology and social policy. Upon completion of her teacher training with Teach for America in Nashville, TN, she taught 1st grade in Nashville. After completing her M.Ed. in Teaching, Learning & Leading at Lipscomb University in Nashville, she moved back to Louisiana and worked as a reading interventionist, kindergarten teacher, and most recently a first-grade teacher in Ascension Parish. She loves to travel, do arts and crafts, and relax at home with her husband and Boston Terrier.
 
Mrs. Robyn Cavell (5A Math, Science, Social Studies) grew up in Zachary and graduated from Zachary High School.  She received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from LSU in 2012. Mrs. Cavell's first two years teaching were spent in the public school system, and she has spent the past three years teaching 5th grade at Sacred Heart School. She has been married for two years to her husband, Andrew, who is a lifelong St. George parishioner and SGS alum. They have a one-year old daughter, Rhodes.

Ms. Tracey Vicknair (8A Math) has been teaching math for 15 years. She was born and raised in New Orleans and graduated from LSU where she met my husband of 23 wonderful years. Unfortunately, she lost him recently to cancer.  Ms.Vicknair has two beautiful daughters, one attends LSU and the other will be attending Dental School. She moved back to Louisiana from Cincinnati, Ohio. She LOVEs teaching math and is looking forward to being back home and a part of the SGS family.
 
Mrs. Shannon Landry (8D ELA/LIT) began her career in education at St. George School in 2009 and feels tremendously blessed to be returning to St. George for her tenth year teaching in Catholic schools. Her goal is to share the love of reading and writing with the 8th grade students. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Landry enjoys reading, photography and discovering new local eateries. She and her husband of 22 years, Kevin, have two children, Sophie and Nick.

Mrs. Leah Barbato is the new resource teacher in the reading lab. She has taught locally for over 10 years and holds a master's degree in regular and special education. Her teaching experience includes one-on-one remediation, small group instruction and lead classroom teacher. She lives in St. Gabriel with her husband, David, and their daughter, Susan. Ms. Barbato enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering in the community. 

Susan Faucheux is our new receptionist in the school's main office. She and her husband have two daughters that are graduates of St. George Catholic School (Holly 2003/Amy 2010). Holly graduated from LSU with a bachelor's degree in Communications Disorders and will be receiving her Master's in Applied Behavioral Analysis in December.   Amy graduated from Louisiana Tech with a bachelor's in Chemical Engineering. Previously, she worked at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School as the receptionist. She looks forward to meeting and assisting our St. George families.


Monday, August 6
6th Grade Orientation, 8:30 am - 11:20 am

Medication Drop-Off, School Office
     9:00 am - 10:30 am      

Kindergarten Parent Mandatory Orientation,
     11:00 am - 12 Noon, Kindergarten Classrooms

New Student Orientation, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, 
                                                       begin in cafeteria

Back-To-School Bash, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Dedication of PreK Building, 6:00 pm

Tuesday, August 7
School Supply Drop Off (Optional) Grades 2 - 5
     2:30 pm - 3:30 pm  (see below) 
     School Supply Lists

Thursday, August 9
First Day of School, Grades 1 - 8
½ Kindergarten Students Attend (full day) 
     EBR Bus Service Begins
     Before and After Care Services Begin
PreK Meet and Greet Appointments

Friday, August 10
½ Kindergarten Students Attend (full day) 
PreK Meet and Greet Appointments
School Liturgy, 8:00am

Monday, August 13
All Kindergarten Students Attend
½ PreK Students Attend (full day) 

Parent Orientation Night (K - 5th Grade)
    Gr. 1-3 Classroom Meeting, 6:00 - 7:00pm
    Gr. K-5 Parent Meeting, 7:00pm, Church
    Gr. 4&5 Classroom Meeting, 7:45 - 8:30pm

Tuesday, August 14
½ PreK Students Attend (full day) 

Parent Orientation Night (6th - 8th Grade)
    6:00pm, Church followed by Classroom meeting

Wednesday, August 15
All PreK Students Attend

School Liturgy, 8:00am, Feast: Assumption of Mary
Follow Friday Schedule 

Friday, August 17
Follow Wednesday Schedule


* Morning carpool begins at 7:20 am and ends at 7:45 am
* School day: 7:45 am - 2:45 pm
* Before Care drop-off begins at 6:45 am and ends at 7:15 am
* After Care pick-up begins at 3:20 pm


POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
 
Parents of 5th grade students : Please note that 5th - 8th graders dress out for PE. Uniforms for PE class may be purchased at the local uniform stores.


ATTENTION BEFORE/AFTER CARE FAMILIES!!

  • There will be changes to the drop-off and pickup procedures and location for both Before and After Care. 
  • We will also be using FACTS for monthly payments. 
  • Please be on the lookout for a very important email with all of the details prior to the first day of school.


  • UPDATED IMMUNIZATION RECORDS
    NOTE TO PARENTS OF KINDERGARTNERS, 6th GRADERS, AND NEW STUDENTS: Please have your child's required vaccinations completed and return the updated immunization record to the school office by 
    Monday, August 6, 2018.

    EMERGENCY CONTACT & HEALTH INFORMATION 
    Parent, please be sure to review and update your student(s) emergency contact and health information in RenWeb by logging on to your RenWeb account.
    (School Information / Web Forms / Student Demographic Forms tabs).

    Additionally, parents names and contact information, must be included in the Emergency Contact section along with other contact listed. 


    School Supply Drop Off (Optional) - Grades 2 - 5
    Wednesday, August 7th - 2:30pm - 3:30pm

    • Parents of students in grades 2-5 are welcome to bring school supplies to their child's classroom between 2:30pm and 3:30pm.
    • If supplies are not dropped off during this time, students should bring their supplies with them on the first day of school.

      * Students in Gr. 7-8, and 6th graders who do not attend the 6th grade Orientation, should bring their school supplies on the first day of school. Students are welcome to bring 1/2 the supplies on the first two days of school.

      *Supplies for students in Gr. PreK, K and 1 were delivered to classrooms.



    SGS Cantor Auditions 
    Thursday, August 16, after-school at 3:00 p.m.
    All students in grades 7 and 8 are eligible to audition for SGS Cantor. 
    Additional information including audition material and the online link to register for auditions will be available in Dragontales and on the school website on the first day of school.  Questions?  Please email Mrs. Dupre [email protected] 
    or Mrs. Sneed [email protected].








    WANT TO VOLUNTEER THIS SCHOOL YEAR?  Don't delay! 
    • All volunteers must successfully complete the certification requirements. 
    • HERE is the link to the school web site with the requirements. 
    • Background check packets can be picked up in the school office. 
    • Please contact Susan Giles if you have any questions. 
    • Successful completion of child protection requirements MUST be completed by Friday, August 24, 2018. 
    Sign-Up online now until Sunday, August 5th, to volunteer your time and talent for 2018-2019 school year. 

    Class specific sign-up will take place at either Parent Orientation meetings or shortly after school starts by communication from class Room Parents.

    Our faithful volunteers help to make many day-to-day classroom events and special events happen. Please consider sharing your time and talent.
    St. George School needs and wholeheartedly appreciates all volunteers!  
    Click Image for the July 22nd bulletin
    KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON 
    IN ST. GEORGE PARISH?
    Keep up with the happenings around St. George by reading the St. George Catholic Church Bulletin HERE.
    The bulletin of July 22nd (access by clicking image on left) includes important updates regarding the new PreK building, security and parking!

    HOME AND SCHOOL BOARD 2018-2019

    Please help us welcome the Home and School Board members for the 2018-2019 school year. 
    We appreciate their unselfish gift of time and talents! 
    Jen Parfait - President 
    DeNea Riche - Vice President 
    Karin Simmons - Treasurer 
    Amanda Noel - Secretary 
    Jenny Vargas - Volunteer Coordinator 
    Jenny Allen - Asst. Volunteer Coordinator 
    Melissa Terrell - Special Events Coordinator  
    Jamie Goodson - Special Events Coordinator  
    Jessica Cuba - Asst. Special Events Coordinator  
    Aubrie Jones - Asst. Special Events Coordinator  
    Connie Lieux - School Advisory Committee
    Kelly Vaughan - Past President 



    USED UNIFORM CLEARANCE SALE
    SGS Home and School Association will host a Used Uniform Clearance Sale (cash only) during our Back-To-School Bash on Monday, August 6th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm.  SGS doll uniforms will also be available for sale!
    Please consider signing up to help out for a shift or two.  
    Help is especially needed for set up!   
    Volunteers can shop early. Students can sign up as well for service hours.


    The Used Uniform Sale held in June was a huge success!  Many thanks to the following volunteers who help to make the sale another Home and School Association fundraising success:

    Julie Walsh and Wendi Pounders - chairperson of the event 
    Wendi Pounders, Connie Lieux,  Andrea LeBas - loaned tables for the event 
    Men's Club members who provided the "muscle" to move the HSA inventory from the cafeteria to the gym on Saturday and Sunday
    The many parent and student volunteers for the great gift of their time
    The many families who donated their uniforms to the HSA for this fundraiser

    St. George Catholic School
    (225) 293-1298