November 30, 2018
Dear St. Anthony of Padua Families,

This weekend starts the liturgical season of Advent, the exciting time during which we anxiously and prayerfully await the arrival of the infant Jesus at Christmas. This is a large focus of all of our students and faculty across campus. My own home has been decorated by paper Advent wreaths created in school. Classrooms are beginning to fill with wrapped middle school presents containing letters to Jesus for His birthday. (Of course, teachers never miss an opportunity for many teaching moments…. Students also calculated the area of the wrapping paper and predicted the length of ribbon needed.) I pray that your family is also able to enjoy these moments to focus on this very important season of Advent amidst the fun and busyness of Christmas preparation.

Each of my children learned this prayer during Pre-K which we sing every night of Advent. I love its simplicity and its focus on the true meaning of the season.

See the candles burning bright;
One by one each week we light.
Advent is a time to wait…
Not quite time to celebrate
When the waiting time is through,
It’s Christmas joy for me and you.

Only by His Grace,

Veronica Tucker
ALL-SCHOOL NEWS
NURSE'S NOTES
From 11-26-18 to 11-29-18

11-29-18: Pre-K4 B - Strep Throat

Please note that a form will be going home in your child’s weekly folder. The form is for speech screening done by Carlin Speech Pathology. The screening is optional. If you would like to have your child screened, please complete the form and return it by December 18, 2018.  
PARK & WALK REMINDERS
If you are using the front entrance for morning arrival you MUST park your car and walk students to the front of the school. The parking lot in front of the school main entrance is the only lot to be used for walk-in arrivals. The front entrance is not a drop-off point in the mornings; drop-off assistance is available in the car line in the rear of the building. Also please exercise safety and drive slowly through our parking lots for the safety of all students. Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. must enter through the main/front school entrance and be signed in tardy.
SCHOOL-WIDE STEWARDSHIP PROJECT - 2ND QUARTER

Our 2nd Quarter Stewardship Project will benefit Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Through their Share Your Blessings Christmas Campaign, Catholic Charities touches the lives of children, families, seniors, and many other in need by providing Christmas gifts. We are excited to partner with them, helping to remind those who receive the gifts that they are not alone and forgotten by their community.

For a complete description of the project and a list of accepted toys for the drive, please click below.
PADUAN PARENTS
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS CHAMPION NEEDED

We are in immediate need for a Paduan Parents Volunteer for our Christmas Celebrations. This champion will order cookies and water for classroom celebrations and deliver the supplies to each classroom on Wed., Dec. 19th. This position earns 10 Paduan Points. Please email: advancement@staopcs.org if you are interested in assisting with this fun project!
PADUAN PARENT FACULTY LUNCHEON
Our Paduan Parent Coordinators are organizing three staff luncheons (Dec. 5, Mar. 5, Apr. 25) for the faculty of STAOPCS and we need your help! Click the Sign-Up genius to volunteer for lunchroom coverage (VIRTUS-certified only) or to bring in drinks & desserts. Thank you!
PARENT SURVEY
Continuous school improvement can only happen with input from our school community. Your feedback is essential as we work to better serve you and create a positive experience at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School.

Please complete the survey below by Wednesday, December 19, 2018.

If you are a returning family, you may notice that some questions are the same as previous surveys. This is done intentionally so that we can track progress in certain areas over time. You will see this specifically regarding events and communication. These are areas which are very important to us. Please complete one survey per family. Thank you, in advance, for your help and for your commitment to our school.
MARDI GRAS BALL TICKET PRE-SALE - ONE WEEK ONLY!
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: $175   Available for $125 until Dec. 7th!

PADUAN PATRONS: $500 Available for $400 until Dec. 7th!
Paduan Patrons receive:
  • Two reserved seats at the Gala
  • Invitation to Gala pre-party
  • Recognition on Gala website and sponsor page of the auction catalog.
GALA GIFT CARD DRIVE - ALL DECEMBER! 
We are collecting gift cards to create auction items for the Mardi Gras Ball on March 2, 2019. Gift cards for restaurants, family activities, spa/salons and retail shops are popular. We are also specifically seeking H-E-B, Kroger, SPECS, or Total Wine cards to help curate a wine cellar!

December 3—7: Curbside Drop-off (7:40 - 8:00 a.m.) - Gala Committee members will be available to accept your gift cards!

December 3—19 : Drop-off gift cards at the Main Office or the Advancement Office during school hours!

Please send in Attention: Gala Committee and include your family's name with donation/gift card so that we can provide proper donation acknowledgment. Thank you!
GALA RAFFLE TICKET SALES - DEC. 8 & 9
Exciting news for the Mardi Gras Gala! This year St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School is holding a Winner’s Choice Raffle .

One Grand Prize Winner will win a choice of one of three trips :

  • "Ultimate Pro Sports Fan Getaway" - Lower Level Tickets to Choice of a Select Regular Season MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL or PGA Event, 2-Night Weekend Stay with Airfare for 2
  • "Escape to San Francisco & Sonoma" - Winery Tours & Tastings, Fairmont 3-Night Stay with Airfare for 2
  • "Tennessee Whiskey Adventure" - Jack Daniels and George Dickel Distillery Tours and Tastings, Lunch, Transportation, 3-Night Stay in Nashville with Airfare for 2

Tickets and more information will be arriving home today in your student's green folders. Please be sure to read the Raffle Ticket Sales Guide thoroughly to answer any questions.

Additionally, we will be selling Gala Raffle tickets at the December, January, and February Fellowship Sunday events after weekend Mass. Please consider volunteering to assist our Gala committee with these sales. Sign-up Genius .
GIVING BY LIVING

UPCOMING SPIRIT DAYS
  • Dec. 11, 5 - 9 p.m.: Jason's Deli, 32818 FM 2978, Magnolia, TX.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
UPCOMING DATES
1 2/3/2018: STAOPCS Rosary, 8:15 AM
12/3/2018: Chess Club, 3:45-4:45 PM (K-8)
12/5/2018: Mass (8-1), 9:00 AM
12/5/2018: Faculty & Staff Luncheon provided by Paduan Parents ( Sign-up Genius )
12/6/2018: STAOPCS Rosary (in Spanish), 2:30 PM
12/7/2018: Final Day for Gala ticket Pre-Sale ( 501auctions.com/staopcs )
12/8 & 12/9: Winner’s Choice Raffle Sales at Fellowship Sunday. ( Sign-up Genius )
12/9/2018: Final Day for Gift Drive Drop-off for Catholic Charities
12/10/2018: STAOPCS Rosary, 8:15 AM
12/10/2018: Chess Club, 3:45-4:45 PM (K-8)
12/11/2018: SPIRIT DAY: Jason’s Deli, 5:00-9:00 PM
12/12/2018: Mass (8-2), 9:00 AM
12/12/2018: “Deep Parenting in a Digital World”, 10 a.m. in AMR
12/13/2018: STAOPCS Rosary (in Spanish), 2:30 PM
12/13/2018: â€śDeep Parenting in a Digital World”, 6:30 p.m. in PLB 205
12/14/2018: $1 T-shirt & Jean Day benefiting Prolife Across America
12/14/2018: Talks with Fr. Tom, 8:15 AM
12/17/2018: STAOPCS Rosary, 8:15 AM
12/17/2018: Chess Club, 3:45-4:45 PM (K-8)
12/19/2018: Mass (7-1), 9:00 AM
12/19/2018: End 18-19 2nd Quarter
12/19/2018: 12:00 NOON DISMISSAL
12/19/2018: BEYOND THE BELL CLOSES AT 12:00 NOON

Full Calendar in ParentsWeb!
SAVE-THE-DATE
STEPS FOR STUDENTS
Thank you to all of our "Early Birds"! We already have 88 team members for the Feb. 16th race - well on our way towards our goal of 200 team members! Stay tuned for more fun surrounding Steps for Students as the date draws closer.

WANT TO SEE MORE PHOTOS?
Please follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram for more photos of what is happening around campus.
AROUND OUR PARISH
(281) 296-0300
7901 Bay Branch Dr.
The Woodlands, TX 77382