News from The Atonement Academy --- Vol. 2020-2021 No.14, October 22, 2020

"Entrust everything to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to ​Mary Help of Christians, and you will see what miracles are."
~St. John Bosco
While our clergy was away at their annual retreat this week, our prayer has continued.

For the Lower School, the leadership came from Mrs. Taylor's fifth grade class, as they expertly prepared and led the younger Crusaders in praying the Rosary each day.

We appreciate the care with which the fifth graders instructed their younger peers. What great modeling and fine examples they are!
Fifth grader Andrew Mefrige led a decade of the rosary for the LS students.
NOTA BENE: NOTE WELL

Safe Return Plan. Thank you for partnering with us to carry forward the mission of Catholic classical education in these challenging times. Please remember that our comprehensive Safe Return Plan and all updates and revisions will always be sent first to your email inbox and then will be posted on our website at this link.

Library Hours
Each full school day, our St. Pope John Paul II Library will be open 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.

October 12-December 15
Second Quarter AR period

October 23 --TOMORROW!
Half Day (LS dismissal at 12:15; MS/US at 12:30) Aftercare ends at 3:30 p.m.

October 24
Daddy-Daughter Dance "Hoedown Hootenanny"
Times vary. See flyer below "Scenes on Campus."

October 26
Deadline to submit photos for All Souls' Day commemoration, "Altar of Remembrance." Details later in this newsletter.

October 29
Parishioner Shadow Day. See details below.

October 30
Virtual All Saints' Day Program and Salute to Grandparents
With health concerns, our program will be a virtual one this year. All LS families will be emailed a link for the program.

October 31
Booster Club Movie Night, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. This is a great alternative to trick-or-treating, and an opportunity to see a Charlie Brown classic that will not be on national television this year! See flyer later in this newsletter.


UPCOMING TEAM SPORTS GAMES

10/22/20-MS Volleyball @ Castle Hills - 4:30/5:30 p.m.
10/22/20-US Lady Crusader Volleyball @ Bulverde Living Rock - 6:00 p.m.
10/23/20-Varsity Football vs. Cedar Park Summit Christian - 7:30 p.m.- Crusader Field (6:30 p.m. gate)
10/24/20-US Lady Crusader vs. Hill Country Christian School - 6:00 p.m. - Crusader Gym (5:30 p.m. gate)

Always check our school website for updates and details.
In addition, Atonement Sports are kept current on their social media page (Atonement Sports) and the Athletics tab on the school website.
REMOTE LEARNING
 
We continue to welcome students back to campus. Of the 83 students who started the year with Remote Learning all but 51 will be on campus as of this Monday. Please note the latest updates to the Remote Learning FAQs. These updates address what to do if your child needs to transition temporarily to Remote Learning due to illness or quarantine.
FIRST QUARTER AWARDS
Hearty congratulations to all of our hard-working Crusaders! Even though we will miss recognizing each of you at a First Quarter Awards Assembly, we wanted to be sure to acknowledge your accomplishments in this week's newsletter.
3rd Grade Silver

Alexander Ang
Ignatius McHugh
Lola Salinas
3rd Grade Gold

Isaiah Casey
Gabriel Garza
Aaron Garza Rivera
Ella Gorospe
Patrick Henriquez
Gracie Ku
Annabella Le
Quinn Monaghan
Louise Picha
Ava Sanchez
Josepaolo Santillan
Edwin Thomas
4th Grade Silver

Alyssa Alcantara
Dominic Creech
Ireland Garvey
Natalia Guerrero
Tristen Noriega-Barreto

4th Grade Gold

William Chude
Diego Conrad
Devin Deschenes
Logan Farber
Jozsef Ferenczi
Genevieve Galvez
Elise Halpin
Gabriela Hernandez
Emerson Horton
Jory Martinez
Julia Moselina
Gabriel Puente Molina
Mia Giuliana Salinas
Santiago Sanchez
Bertie Scott
Ty Slayden
Ana Spiller
Anna Thomas
Maximilian Vander Sys
Charles Watson
Juan Diego Zazueta
5th Grade Silver

Alexander Groh
Steven Sander
Fabiola Truque

5th Grade Gold

Colt Cockrell
Benedict Creech
Theodora Galvez
Lillian Garcia
Armando Garza
David Gorospe
Hank Halpin
Matthew John
Elizabeth Ann Keller
Gianna Ku
Andrew Mefrige
Perri Mishreky
Nathan Morales
6th Grade Silver

Valeria Flores
Briony Garza
Thomas Kisgen
John Paul Ku
Ashley Meyering
Alexander Nyberg
6th Grade Gold

Angela Aquino
Julia Conrad
Gabriela Garcia-Tovar
Nicholas Gulick
Matthew Musquiz
Mia Roberson
Sophia Vander Sys
EvaMarie Wick
7th Grade Silver

Maria Alvarez
Ethan Cochetti
Katherine Joyner
Ethan Michael Keller
Evan Landry
Mary Helen McKee
Alejandro Santillan
7th Grade Gold

Luke Farber
Gabriel Garcia
Gianna Hivnor
Asha Janaki
Roman Pena
Raquel Puente Molina
Lucas Sanchez
Leah Thayil
Henry Watson
8th Grade Silver

Rebekah Barron
Sean Brosnan
Lucia Diez
Isabela Gabino
Sofia Gabino
Megan Guerra
Kattarina Leal
Diego Salinas
Emma Sauer
8th Grade Gold

Miguel Arizmendi-Alanis
Abigail Casey
Adrian Garcia-Tovar
Dominic Le
Sophia Musquiz
Isabela Nelson
Napoleon Puente Molina
Joshua Wick
9th Grade Silver

Frank Campos
Jordan Davis
Karolina Garza
Madelline Magallanes
Merrick Skeens
Mason Wendtland
9th Grade Gold

Carlos Alvarez
Michael Cantu
Lauren Dietert-Deschenes
Carlos Flores
Nathan Groh
Noah Gulick
Hannah John
William Jones
Perla Robledo
Andrew Sackett
Isabel Spiller
10th Grade Silver

Joseph Barron
Andrea Diaz
Adianna Garcia
John Giltner
Talen Skeens
10th Grade Gold

Daria Cosnowski
Hannah Cruz
Madelyn Landry
Richard Mark Lane
Ian Pro
Andres Sanchez
AnaMarie Santos
Madison Vale
Victoria Watson
11th Grade Silver

Katherine Cerda
Annmarie Groh
Elizabeth McKee
Alfredo Santillan
Faith Weems
Sian Wendtland
11th Grade Gold

Cody Clute
Isabella McHugh
Matthew Petroff
12th Grade Silver

Aiyanah Chavez
Anais Garza
Sarah Trevino
12th Grade Gold

Katherine Monroe
Natalie Pecha
THE ATONEMENT EXCELLENCE AWARD

Have you heard about The Atonement Excellence Award? Each month, faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate scholars for this recognition. Here is the description: The Atonement Excellence Award is given to a young person who in the course of his or her everyday school life conspicuously embodies the aspirations to virtue and Christ-likeness articulated in The Atonement Academy’s Mission Statement. The recipient is chosen by the Head of School from among the nominations submitted by the Academy’s various departments. The Atonement Excellence Award is given monthly to one awardee from each assembly division.

Here are the September Atonement Excellence Awards (bestowed at their division's assembly):

9th-12th Grades: John Giltner
“Taking to heart the virtue of charity and the importance of leadership, sophomore John Giltner exemplified what it means to be a member of this Atonement community by guiding a shadow student throughout his day and dedicating much of his time and effort to introducing the student to members of our community, escorting him from room to room, and ensuring a wonderful overall experience for our guest.”

6th-8th Grades: Sophia Cantu
“Through her attentive note-taking in class, persistence in creating study guides at home, and her willingness to share those notes and study guides with other students, sixth grader Sophia Cantu embodies the virtues of diligence and generosity.”
 
3rd-5th Grades: Louise Picha
“Louise Picha has demonstrated responsibility through her genuine willingness to assist a shadow student, a new student, a returning remote student, and the rest of her fellow classmates; her thoughtfulness and courtesies contribute to the ideal classroom environment in third grade.”
PARISHIONER SHADOW DAY

Do you know any parishioners who have been considering The Atonement Academy for their family? Be sure to tell them about our upcoming "Parishioner Shadow Day" on Thursday, October 29th. Prospective students can spend time in their appropriate classroom and experience Crusader student life! Additional details and registration for this day are available from our Director of Admissions, Mrs. Yolanda Joiner via email.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

Region Choir Audition Results

Thirteen of our upper scholars auditioned this past weekend in the first round of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Choir process. Over 15,000 high school students from public and private schools all over the state audition for this every year, and The Atonement Academy has always been competitive going up against the largest 6A public school programs.

This year, we are thrilled to announce that of our thirteen who auditioned, eight made the Region Choir, and four of them will advance to the next round of auditions at the end of November. This process necessitates dedication and hard work on the part of the students as they learn various pieces of challenging repertoire and perform a solo audition. Congratulations, Crusaders!

Region Choir Members:
Annmarie Groh
Lina Garza
Andres Sanchez*
John Giltner
Gabe Wendtland
David Henriquez*
Matthew Petroff*
Ian Pro*
(* denotes advancing to the next round of auditions)

Fifth and Sixth Grade to Sing for Mass Next Wednesday

On Wednesday the 28th, two classes will sing for daily Mass. Our sixth grade will sing for the 9:00 a.m. Mass (with Dr. Seighman accompanying them on the organ), and the fifth grade will sing for the 12:50 p.m. Mass.
 CRUSADER ATHLETICS UPDATE

The Physical Education classes are starting a recognition program for PE Scholar-Athletes of the week. We are acknowledging Crusaders who exemplify leadership and true sportsmanship in the classes this week.

We begin with the following students:
 
3rd Grade: Annabella Le and Iggy McHugh
 
4th Grade: Jory Martinez and  Charles Watson
 
5th Grade: Perri Mishreky and Lilian Garcia  
 
6th Grade: Ashley Meyering and Alexander Nyberg
 
7th Grade: Katherine Joyner and Lucas Sanchez
 
8th Grade: Josemaria Henriquez and Megan Guerra
  
Middle School Football: Coach Hegedusich
The middle school football team hosted Castle Hills last week, a game which we lost, but played tough. The boys are playing better every week. With the season coming to a close, we have two weeks left with two games. This Thursday, we will host Medina MS at 6:00 p.m.
 
Varsity Football: Coach Vidal
The team lost a tough battle with Bracken Christian this past Friday. They have been working hard in practice this week to take on another good program in Austin Cedar Park Summit Christian this Friday at home at 7:30 p.m.
 
Middle School XC: Coach Buendia
The season finished up this past Saturday at the FEAST XC meet in which every runner placed and medaled. Good job, Team!
 
Upper School XC: Coach Gray
This past Saturday was the last official meet for the team as they prepare for the 1A/2A State Championship on November 2nd near Waco, Texas.
 
Middle School Volleyball: Coach Alvarado
The middle school team will finish up their season this Thursday against Castle Hills. This is a rescheduled game.
 
Lady Crusader Varsity Volleyball: Coach Alvarez
The team played Gateway Christian on Monday night and won 3-0, and they will travel to Bulverde to play a district game against Living Rock. The Crusaders took the first game they played against this team, and we are looking to win the second district game tonight. They will then play host to Hill Country Christian on Saturday at home at 6:00 p.m.
 
Game Tickets and Protocols
Remember, you must have an advanced ticket to get into game, purchased tickets as well as free tickets for student, teacher, or Booster Club members. For free tickets, please email Coach Vidal if you plan to attend. Temperatures are being checked at the admissions table. Please follow protocols and practice social distancing while at the game. Face masks required when entering and exiting facility.

To purchase tickets, please go to links below:
Faculty/Staff and Students get into game free. Please email or notify Coach Vidal if you plan on attending
NATALIE PECHA EARNS TOP HONORS
The college acceptance letters are beginning to roll in for Atonement seniors! Congratulations to Natalie Pecha for her early acceptance to the University of Dallas and also earning the top scholarship from the Catholic school which is widely recognized for academic excellence. She also received her certificate from the College Board, designating her as a National Hispanic Scholar.
DON'T FORGET: ALTAR OF REMEMBRANCE PHOTOS

Help us create an Altar of Remembrance! As part of our commemoration of All Souls' Day, Fr. Lewis would like for our students to bring copies of photos of deceased loved ones to create an altar at the entrance of the school. If you would like for your family to participate, please send copies of the pictures by Monday, October 26th to the school office, attention Mrs. Trevino. Please note that copies are not to be any larger than 4x6 and will not be returned.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT:
ELIZABETH (LISA) OTTEN

What do you currently teach, and what do you enjoy about it?
I currently teach AP Language and Composition, 8th US History, 8th Literature and Composition, and 9th Geography. I really enjoy teaching students classical books. I love books and want to share them with everyone.

What do you most appreciate about teaching at The Atonement Academy?
I have taught at The Atonement Academy for 24 years and have taught everything from 1st grade to 8th grade Latin. I am most appreciative of the wonderful Catholic education that my sons Christopher, Luke, and Stephen received from this school. My sons are my pride and joy, and I believe that their education was instrumental in their formation. My sons always speak fondly of their days at The Atonement Academy and especially love Mr. Adian and Mr. Chude.  

What do you look forward to this school year? 
I am very happy to be in the classroom again with my students (in person or remote). Remote Learning 1.0 was really difficult-not being able to see and speak with my students is probably one of the most challenging things I have ever done as a teacher.  

Tell us a bit about yourself!
Currently I am searching for a new opera to watch with my husband. We just finished watching Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelugen or The Ring Cycle. It is a series of four German operas based on Norse mythology and was composed between 1848-1874.  

What is something you wish we had asked?
I wish someone would ask me about installing drywall. My husband and I are in the middle of flipping a house, and I have learned all about hanging drywall. I have learned that home improvement is not for the faint of heart. My husband, Thomas, does most of the work on the house, but I have learned a lot by helping him.
Photos include Mrs. Otten with her twin sons Luke and Stephen in 2018 and pre-pandemic campus shots last year as well as a photo with her favorite collateral duty: car line!
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: MITCHELL CROSSEY

I am a member of the Atonement Academy graduating class of 2012. We moved around a bit owing to my father's job changes, and I attended Atonement Academy for four years in total; my 5th and 6th grade years and my junior and senior years. 

Some of my favorite memories of my time at The Atonement Academy were with my choir teacher, Mr. Edmund Murray. With Mr. Murray’s direction, we took field trips for numerous vocal performances, I sang in the Latin Schola Choir for the Latin Sunday Mass, and he our daily during Choir class. Music has become such a huge part of my life because of his guidance during my time at The Atonement Academy!

In 2017, I graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. After working in San Antonio for a few months, I took a job opportunity with a Historical Preservation Architecture firm in Austin, where I live today. I work for an Interior Design firm, Amity Worrel & Co., where I designed residential remodels for clients of all backgrounds and income levels. Our firm's designs have been featured in many different prestigious magazines & articles!

Recently, I was accepted into my father’s alma mater, Michigan Tech University, for a degree in Construction Science Management. I will be pursuing that opportunity in the Spring of 2021. 

My free time is spent honing my design craft by creating sketches of buildings and architectural spaces, playing music on my guitar, and running a weekly Dungeons and Dragons game.
Photos include Mitch with with his friends and colleagues in Austin, an example of some of his design work, and Atonement photos at the top of the Vatican duomo with his dad, and with the Atonement men's choir in 2011-2012.
THE KING'S FAIR 2020
KINDERGARTEN LESSON IN COOPERATION
Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Fitzgerald submitted this photo and its background:

"While this picture may look sweet, it actually has a story about learning to cooperate and using critical thinking skills. This was from one of my history lessons on citizenship and cooperation. My Kindergarten class was asked to choose one crayon color; any color, but they could not change that color. Then I told the children that they would come up, one by one, and create a picture to include a house. As you could see, there were many colors that were the same, but each child began to create the sky, sun, bird with blue eyes, a pond with fish, the air moving, flowers, grass, a house with a red roof (thank goodness someone chose a gray crayon), etc. In addition, my remote students told me exactly where to place their 'item' whether it be on the top or bottom, or left or right. These students really came up with a very creative pictures and even helped one another if someone was stuck. I am so proud of this group cooperation picture and I love how The Atonement Academy allows our students to learn, grow, and work together starting as young as Kindergarten."
PROM COMMITTEE FRIDAY MORNING DONUTS
MIDDLE SCHOOL POSTER CONTEST
Sister Mary Margaret submitted a great article on a recent poster contest she designed for her Logic students:

"The Classical Trivium describes the learning stages of children as they mature and focuses the educational method in each stage to best develop a knowledgeable, thinking, and articulate student. As its name implies, there are three stages represented in the Trivium: Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. At The Atonement Academy, we can consider the Lower School as the Grammar stage, Middle School as the Logic stage, and the Upper School as the Rhetoric stage. The methodology of traditional logic was originally laid down by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. In the middle ages, it was taken up again by the great doctors of the church such as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine. 

"Traditional Logic, which is studied by all Middle Scholars, is an in-depth study of the classical syllogism. The course provides students with a basic understanding of the Christian theory of knowledge, the four kinds of logical statements, the four ways propositions can be opposed, the three ways which they can be equivalent, and the seven rules for the validity of syllogisms.

"Last week, the middle scholars had the opportunity to create a poster illustrating one of the Laws of Opposition. Kattarina Leal, new this year to the Academy, took top honors for the girls. Napoleon Puente took top honors for the boys. (Napoleon Puente is studying remotely and submitted his entry electronically.) By the way, the contest was judged remotely by the cloistered Dominican Sisters in Lufkin, Texas."
HAPPY FEAST DAY OF ST. JOHN PAUL II, POPE
 
“Through his ‘artistic creativity’ man appears more than ever ‘in the image of God.’” – Letter of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to Artists, 1999
 
This morning as part of Our Lady of The Atonement’s Music Series, the fourth performance is now available on YouTube.
 
Our Lady of The Atonement has been blessed to have a number of talented singers in the parish choir who are now pursuing or have already completed degrees in music from prestigious institutions. Countertenor Christian Cruz (Crusader Class of 2014), soprano Mary Henriquez (Crusader Class of 2015), soprano Maura Navarrete (Crusader Class of 2015), bass-baritone Alejandro Oliveros (Atonement faculty and Crusader Class of 2013), and mezzo-soprano Cameron Weger will sing music by Bach, Cavalli, Handel, Mendelssohn, Mussorgsky, Purcell, and Telemann. 
 
This Virtual Alumni Voice Recital can be accessed using this link, or you can simply go to the parish website, www.ourladyoftheatonement.org, and click on the promotional banner on the home page. Saint John Paul II, pray for us!

--Dr. Jennifer Seighman
Parish Music Director
Our Lady of The Atonement Catholic Church
SCENES ON CAMPUS
Mr. Creech, our Assistant Head of School, read to some of our first graders in the courtyard this week. The senior class had a successful "BLINGO" virtual bingo night, winners included Michael and Catherine Henriquez, Brenda Garza, and Dee Cosnowski. The event raised $869 and CB Jewelry also sweetened the pot by giving back 30% of jewelry sales to the school. Thank you to all who participated it was an entertaining evening. In other photos, our MS and US Cross Country teams had a great meet this past weekend, too. (In addition to medals, they brought home lots of mud, too!)
CRUSADER NOTICES

-PTC NEEDS A ROOM PARENT COORDINATOR. The PTC is looking for a parent volunteer to be the room parent coordinator of the Pre-K3 through 8th grade room parents. If you are interested email PTC@atonementonline.com.  

-FLU SHOTS. Don't neglect to get your regular flu shots. In the midst of the COVID-19 concerns, let's so all we can to stay healthy as best we can!

-MIDDLE SCHOOL PHOTOS NEEDED. The Yearbook Club is in need of Middle School Volleyball and Football Game photos. Photos from a camera work best! Please send photos to Mrs. Powell at apowell@atonementonline.com Thank you in advance.

-SHOES UNLIMITED IS CLOSING. The family-owned business will soon be closing their doors. Please note that their inventory is reduced for quick sale (40% off), so if you anticipate needing shoes soon, stop by the store, located at 2019 Vance Jackson, 78213. Call 210-734-9003 for more information.

-NEED TUTORS. Are your MS or US scholars interested in tutoring other Crusaders? If so, you may submit the following information to the newsletter to be included on a listing: tutor name, subjects, and contact details. Please note that all arrangements must be made parent-to-parent and no on-campus facilities are available. NOTE: Contact information will be omitted from newsletters published online.

Sample Listing:
Ima Tudor, 9th Grade: She can tutor all LS subjects except handwriting. Contact mom via text at 210-555-6677. Available most Saturday afternoons for virtual tutoring (or in-person at your home, with minimal travel charge and must observe all COVID-19 precautions).

-NEED CARPOOL. If you are interested in carpooling with other families, list your information here! Please note that all arrangements must be made parent-to-parent. NOTE: Contact information will be omitted from newsletters published online.

Sample Listing:
Nita Wright-Morninz: I would like to share a carpool with a family of 1 or 2 children in the Leon Springs area. Ideally, to meet at HEB Leon Springs mornings, and I can handle afternoon pickups. Contact me via text at 210-222-3344 or via email at nwm@xxxx.com

Submit your school-related notices to Mrs.Havel at mhavel@atonementonline by Wednesday noon before anticipated publication.
The Atonement Academy, founded in 1994, is a PreK through 12th grade Catholic, classical school. It is the parish school of Our Lady of The Atonement Catholic Church, one of the founding parishes of the Personal Ordinariate of The Chair of St. Peter, established by Pope Benedict XVI and located in Houston TX.