St. Louis Catholic School Newsletter
|
|
A Message from the Principal...
|
|
Dear St. Louis Families,
As we enter the month of December, we also look to a new liturgical season: Advent! This Monday, we will light the first candle on our school Advent wreath, and we will look with joy and anticipation for the coming of our Savior. I am sure that many of you are busy decorating your own homes for Christmas, so be sure to have an Advent wreath or Advent candles as you help your children prepare at home.
I am so pleased to share with you that our students donated 5,140 food items to UCM (United Community Ministries), filling their food bank shelves. What an amazing gift to the community! Thank you for your support from home as we teach our children about stewardship - helping others and serving as Christ asks. We are now preparing for our annual luncheon for the Missionaries of Charity on Dec. 5th, when we will welcome residents from one of their homes and the seniors of the parish for Mass and a special lunch in McClunn Hall. This joint effort with the rectory staff is always a special one, as it provides such a great opportunity for the children to take the lead in helping, performing, cleaning and hosting guests and neighbors in need.
The first trimester ends today! Our grading portal closes today, and report cards will be going home next Friday for grades 1-8. Remember that this coming Monday, Dec. 3
rd
, is an 11:30am dismissal day (afternoon EDC is available).
God bless,
Kathleen McNutt
Principal
Congratulations to the Weber family of St. Louis School and Parish! Today is the Investiture Mass for Juliana Weber (St. Louis Class of 2013), who is entering the convent for the Order of Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara. She has taken the name Sister Mary, Handmaid of the Lord. Please pray for Sister Mary, Handmaid of the Lord!
|
|
Weekly Prayer Intentions
Each day our school community prays for the intentions of our families. This week the following families were included in our prayers: Guyet, Hammershaimb-Smith, Hannan, Harar, Harmon, Hart, Hartwell, Havern, Heck, Henson, Hinkle, Hixson, Hobson, Hodgkins, Hokanson and Holland.
|
|
|
Thanks to the generosity of St. Louis School families, alumni and friends on Giving Tuesday, we raised
$7,900
for the Annual Fund bringing our total raised to-date to
$41,000
!
For those who wish to make an end-of year donation for the 2018 tax year, please consider giving your gift online through the
PayPal Giving Fund
.
PayPal will add 1% to all donations received through December 31st.
|
|
This Advent season, our school is participating in the annual Scholastic Book Club's Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive benefiting Pajama Program, a national nonprofit organization that provides new pajamas and storybooks to at-risk children. Pajama Program supports children living in shelters, group homes, and foster care. You can find out more about the drive and Pajama Program at:
scholastic.com/pjdrive
. We will collect new pajamas (size newborn – adult) from December 3– 14. Please see the attached
flyer
for more information. Thank you, in advance, for your generosity.
|
|
Brrrr...Winter Has Arrived!
|
- Please make sure your student has a winter coat! As parents, sometimes we forget to check for coats when we leave the warm garage. Mittens and hats are also a wonderful idea because the children enjoy the outdoors at recess.
- Winter brings chapped lips, dry skin, sniffles and coughs. Remember lip balm and cough drops are classified as medication per Diocesan policy. If your child requires these items, they must be carried in by an adult with the Medication Authorization form completed (https://www.stlouisschool.org/apps/pages/healthforms ). Cool mist humidifiers, lotion and water all help prevent and alleviate these ailments.
- If your student is ill, please keep them home! Students must remain home for 24 hours without medication if they are ill with a fever, vomiting or diarrhea. This policy is in place to prevent transmission to other students.
- The clinic is running low on tissues and paper towels. If you are able, please consider sending some in to the clinic.
|
|
New Family Coffee - Wed., Dec. 5th
|
Families new to St. Louis this school year are invited to join us for our "New Family" Coffee on Wed., Dec. 5 at 8:15am in the school cafeteria. These coffees cover timely topics as well as provide the opportunity to ask questions or express concerns. Younger siblings are welcome.
|
|
Middle School Dance - December 14th
|
Please see the attached
flyer
for more information on the 7th and 8th grade "Glow in the Dark" dance to be held, Friday, Dec. 14, 7-9pm.
|
|
Attention Middle School Students!
Annie Jr.
Auditions!
|
Middle school students are invited to audition for St. Louis School's production of
Annie, Jr.
on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 3:30-6pm in the Music Room. Please see the attached
flyer
and audition form for more information.
|
|
Christmas Luncheon for Seniors of the Parish
|
St. Louis School is hosting its annual Christmas luncheon for the residents of the Missionaries of Charity home and for the seniors of St. Louis Parish! On Wednesday, December 5th, a special Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am in the church followed by a luncheon in McClunn Hall. There will be delicious food catered by Roseina’s and served by St. Louis School students; students will entertain with the performance of Christmas carols; and we will be visited by Santa! We would love to have our seniors join us for this special day, so mark your calendars and call us to RSVP – 703-768-7732. You can speak with the office staff or leave a message. Just let us know your name and how many will be attending.
|
|
As we head into the Holiday season, please consider donating items to the Silent Auction. No donation is too small. We don't want to add a burden to families during this time of the year, but we will happily accept donations of items you may have already. Wine bottles you received as a hostess gift, gift cards you have in a drawer that you don't think you'll use, that gift you just don't have a place for, these are all items that the auction committee can use. Other ideas are on the attached
"How Can you Help"
flier. Please be sure to put your name on the items so that we may thank you. Items may be sent to the front office Attn PTO Auction Committee.
Donation Form
|
|
|
|
Don't forget!
Individual families are required to track their volunteer hours throughout the school year and to submit them to the PTO Volunteer Coordinators for credit.
|
|
|
 |
VIRTUS REQUIRED
Volunteers must have completed the VIRTUS training seminar AND have a background check clearance to participate in these volunteer opportunities.
|
|
|
|
NON-VIRTUS
Silent Auction Class Baskets
1 item = 1 hour
View Sign Up Genius
here
.
Classroom Celebrations
1 item = 1 hour
Various Sign Up Geniuses from room parents
Silent Auction
|
|
|
|
Mandatory CYO Parent Meeting
|
We had to cancel one of the mandatory parent meeting options because of the snow day and have rescheduled it for
8 pm, Wednesday, Dec. 5th in the cafeteria
. If you have NOT attended one of the parent meetings where you watched a video from the Diocese CYO office, you MUST attend this session in order for your children to participate in any CYO sports for the rest of the year. If you have any questions, please contact Judy Conti at
jconti@nelp.org
. Thank you!
|
|
The Girls on the Run and Heart and Sole teams will be participating in their 5K this Saturday in Woodbridge. The girls have worked and trained hard for this day. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. The Heart and Sole team is dedicating their race this year to Mrs. Shannon Swanson who was a coach for the program a year ago. A special thanks to all the coaches who give of their time including Mrs. Beth Cucinotta, Mrs. Lisa Rezac, Mrs. Jennifer Robinson, Ms. Laura Boak, Mrs. Mary Cigliano, Mrs. Sarah Young, Ms. Sarah Balough, and Mrs. Jennifer Cotnoir.
|
|
A Message from Girl Scout Troop 900...
|
Did you know that 80,000 people died from the flu last year?
Girl Scout Troop 900 encourages you to get your flu shot at your local pharmacy. Click this link for more information.
www.cdc.gov/flu
|
|
Knights of Columbus "Keep Christ in Christmas" Poster Contest
|
Greetings to everyone! Welcome to this year's "Keep Christ in Christmas" Poster Contest! Create a poster with a visual theme that reflects keeping Christ in Christmas. The poster should include the original work of a single person and be approximately 11x17 inches. (If pastels, chalk or charcoal are used the poster must be laminated or covered with plastic.) Please find
attached
the entry form for three age categories, ages 5-7, ages 8-10, ages 11-14. There is a $50 monetary prize for each winner! The contest opens directly after Thanksgiving and entries are due December 31st to the Council Hall (you may turn it in to the school front office). Please utilize our round table representatives to gather the entries as needed. Thank you kindly for your support of this great program for our youth. See
http://www.kofc5998.org/index.html
webpage for details!
|
|
Boy Scout Troop to Sell Christmas Wreaths
|
St. Louis Troop 680 Boy Scouts will be selling fresh, fragrant Wreaths and Centerpieces for $20-$30
on Nov. 25, Dec. 2, and Dec 9
before and after 8:45, 10:30 and 12:30 Sunday Masses. Don’t delay, we sold out early last year!
|
|
Please come see St. Louis students Julie Dunn, Sarah Raetz, Clara and Diana Bodniewicz, Catherine Moncher, and Kyla Conner dance in the annual Alexandria Community
Nutcracker
at West Potomac High School on Friday night at 6:30 pm and Saturday at 2:30 and 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at the door or online at
www.alexandrianutcracker.com
. It’s a very family friendly show, great for kids of all ages!
|
|
Bishop Ireton Christmas Concert
|
The Bishop Ireton High School music program will be presenting their Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 2 at 7pm in our Garwood Whaley Auditorium. This is a wonderful opportunity for your students to experience what is possible should they join our music program here at Bishop Ireton High School.
The concert will feature our Mixed Chorus, Guitar Ensemble, String Ensemble, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble. Admission is $10/person, $5 for seniors and students and free for those under 10.
|
|
Monday, Dec. 3 - 11:30am Dismissal (PM EDC open)
Wednesday, Dec. 5 - New Family Coffee, Cafeteria, 8:15am
Wednesday, Dec. 5 - Missionaries in Charity Senior Mass and Luncheon
Thursday, Dec. 13 - "Lessons & Carols" St. Louis Church, 7pm
Friday, Dec. 14 - 7th & 8th Grade Dance, 7-9pm
Friday, Dec. 21 - 11:30am Dismissal (
No PM EDC
)
Dec. 22-Jan. 2 - Christmas Break
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
