St. George Catholic School 
7880 St. George Drive,  Baton Rouge, LA 70809 
School Office: 225-293-1298   School Fax: 225-293-4886 
Pre-K Office: 225-293-9822    Pre-K Fax: 225-293-7432 
Student Absence Reporting - sgsabsent@sgschoolbr.org
Cafeteria - 225-293-1719 - Find Lunch Menus and Information  HERE
Dragon Tales Weekly Newsletter
September 12, 2019

Scholars, leaders, disciples of Jesus Christ. 

This is what we want our students to become.  It is deliberately aspirational, something we all aim for. We'll all fall short of it-we as teachers, you as parents, our students. Failure is part of growing up-so don't get too upset if from time to time your student does poorly on an assignment, or forgets something, or if a coach benches him for a time. It's part of their maturation.  

Parents are the primary educators-the role of the school is to support you in that role, "to extend the franchise of families," I once heard it described. One of the natural sources of friction between students and parents is they are trying to find their own voice, and to do so, they must step outside of the large shadow you cast, to distinguish your voice from theirs. But when they step outside of that shadow, they step into ours-and if the school and family are together, your values, your "voice" is being echoed by us, in the culture we create, in the values we are trying to instill in them. There are a lot of other voices, clamoring for their attention! So it's critical that our relationship is one of partnership.  Neither of us work "for" the other. We work "with" each other. 

In fact, in Catholic educational philosophy, the most important relationship in a school is NOT the teacher and student, but the teacher and parent. Our unity of purpose is a precondition for our right relationships with the kids. 

I think there are two take-aways from that: 

Let's avoid 3rd person pronouns when speaking about each other. Not "they" or "them" but "us!" I say that not only to you as parents, but to our teachers. Let's get to know each other. 

Second, when our children come home and tell us horror stories about this or that teacher, or if they tell US horror stories about you, let's give each other the benefit of the doubt. My former principal used to say, "We agree to believe only half of what students tell us about you as parents, if you agree to only believe half of what they tell you about us." The point is, there's a difference between the lens through which a student sees the world, and an adult. We who have a wider-angle lens are better able to contextualize. So if something comes up, let's agree to talk with each other, rather than harbor grudges or misperceptions. 

Please  act as our ambassadors  - parents choose schools for their children by word of mouth. Speak well of us to your co-workers, your friends, your extended family. We want good kids here. Please only write positive things about St. George on social media.  We have a great school, let's always put our best foot forward.

I ask that if you're able, to  be generous to the school . One of the things I am most proud of about our school-is that NO FAMILY has been turned away because of inability to afford our tuition. Volunteer!   There are ample opportunities to share your time and talent with St. George School, Home and School, Men's Club, Fair, Auction, Athletics and the list goes on.  No parent has ever said, EVER!- "I wish I would have spent LESS time with my child, or LESS time involved in the life of his or her school!"

Blink, and your kindergartner will be an 8 th grader! These are special years. We'll be a stronger school with your involvement, you'll be a stronger family, and you won't have any regrets at the end of this very short ride. 

God bless,
Jack Nelson
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
 Friday, September 13
School Liturgy, 8:00 am

 Sunday, September 15
Book Fair Open House, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Library

 Monday, September 16 -  
 Friday, September 20

Book Fair Purchase Week

  Thursday, September 19
Book Fair Night Out w/ Food Trucks, 4:30-7:30 pm

 Friday, September 20

School Liturgy, 8:00 am
Book Fair Sale Ends

 Friday, September 27
Box Tops Early Bird Due Date
School Liturgy, 8:00 am

* Morning carpool begins at 7:20 am and ends at 7:43 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

St. George Home and School extends a big THANK YOU to all who helped with the Pep Rally treats for our teachers and staff last Friday. All were delicious and appreciated.
A special thank you to Cafeciteaux Coffee Roasters (The Guillory and Peneguy Families) and the SGS Baker's Committee for the generous donations of time and treats. We could not have done it without you!
The faculty and staff extend heartfelt appreciation to the organizers of this wonderful event which was enjoyed by all - Jessica Cuba, Aubrie Jones, Jesse Lambert, and Jessica Valenti, as well as to the donors of the delicious treats!
CAFETERIA NEWS

* Federal and State regulations prohibit our cafeteria employees from charging the child's account for a parent meal. 
* The cafeteria does not accept credit cards nor do they keep cash on hand, therefore, parents must pay the exact amount or write a check for a lunch. Adult meal price is $5.50.
* Please note that according to the LA. School Food Service Policy Guidance Manual, outside restaurant food, soft drinks, and candy are not allowed in the school cafeteria. Your compliance is appreciated and necessary.

The St. George Book Fair ( Artic Adventure) is fast approaching!
Please take note of the dates below:
* Sunday, September 15 : Book Fair Open House 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
 * September 16-20: Book Fair Sale Week
* Thursday, September 19: Book Fair Family Night Out, 4:30-7:30 pm
Come by with your family to purchase books and enjoy good food and music. Enjoy delicious food offered by  Pullin Pork, BRQ, The Big Cheezy, Baked to Geaux, Snowballs by Tena.
* Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball will be available for pre-sale.
* Dog Man: Fetch 22 will be available for pre-sale.
Volunteers are needed to make this year's Book Fair a big success! Thank you for your support!
* Volunteer opportunities include: set-up, open house, class visitations, family night and take down
* Please sign up HERE
Contact: Mrs. Taylor, Librarian, Jennifer.Taylor@sgschoolbr.org
Pamela Lerch, Library Chair, 832-541-5732

September Stewardship Project
" Socking It to Childhood Cancer"
Update
Thank you for your generosity in helping SGS "sock it to childhood cancer"! Through our students' remarkable efforts we raised over $6,100 in the battle against childhood cancer.

Please consider joining us at the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer.
Saturday, September 28th
A. Z. Young Park,  N. 3rd St and Spanish Town Rd.,  Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Opening Ceremony - 7:45 a.m.; 1 mile walk - 8 a.m.; 5K walk and run - 8:30 a.m.
Walk - $10  Ages 6 and up  /  5K Run - $20  Ages 6 and up /  Ages 5 and under are free
Register HERE
Participants may enjoy jambalaya, as well as, crafts and a petting zoo for the kids!
Click Image for Community Partners Fundraising Form
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20

FAIR SCHEDULE
Friday, October 18th, 6pm-10pm 
Saturday, October 19th, 10am-10pm
Sunday, October 20th, 10:30am-6pm


Save the time and spare the line! Order your food/drink and game tickets online in $50 increments. Pre-Purchased Tickets pick up location will be at the  "INFORMATION - TICKET BOOTH" Friday 5-7 pm  and Saturday 10 am - 1 pm. "Orders not picked up by  1 pm on Saturday, October 19 can be picked up in the fair  Bank located in the school office teachers' lounge.

Ride Bracelets Get those ride bracelets for unlimited rides all weekend! 
Order deadline is Friday, October 19th and distribution is  Tuesday, October 23rd. 

Looking for a fun way to spend a few hours?  Please volunteer! Volunteers are needed in all areas
including games, food booths, set up and clean up. If  you have more than a few hours, please consider becoming a booth chair. Volunteers are essential to the  success of the Fair!

Fair Booth Chairs Needed
Chairpersons are needed for the following booths:
* Football Throw      * Tic Tac Toe      * High Low Card Game     
* Leap Frog      * Golf Gun      * Horseshoe      * Arts & Crafts
If you'd like to volunteer, please contact Terri Barksdale,  tgbarksdale@gmail.com or Julie Terrell,
jujuterrell@aol.com.

FAIR T-SHIRTS  - Fair  T-Shirts are available in one color and are approved Out-Of-Uniform attire. 

For More Information -  Visit stgeorgefair.com or For more information on getting  involved, please contact Teri Cangelosi, St. George Parish  Special Projects Coordinator at teric@st-george.org or  (225) 293-2212.
Join the St. George Girl Scouts
Kindergarten Troop 10589
Kindergarten troop 10589 is formed for this school year with Natalee Menge and Kathleen O'Regan as troop leaders.  Any kindergarten girls who want to join may contact Natalee at nmenge@yahoo.com or register online at http://www.gsle.org/en/about-girl-scouts/join.html .  
Please contact Courtney Rahm at courtney@fpcpa.com or (225) 205-6277 for more information or if you have any questions.  
Middle School Dragon Hearts Program
Registration Now Open!  SGS Dragon Hearts of Divine Mercy Club or "Divine Mercy Girls"  
Registration open now until September 13, 2019

Who are the "Divine Mercy Girls"?
This is a service club for girls in Middle School at St. George School.  Our theme or focus for Middle School will be the performing acts of service through the Corporal Works of Mercy.  We will also learn about St. Faustina and Jesus' message to her about Divine Mercy.  Our motto is "All grace flows from mercy" from St. Faustina.
For more information and to register,  please click here for SGS Dragon Hearts of Divine Mercy page. 
Please email us with any questions at  SGSDHCDivineMercyGirls@gmail.com

KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN 
ST. GEORGE CHURCH PARISH?
Keep up with the happenings around St. George by reading the St. George Catholic Church Bulletin HERE.
Dating? Engaged? Married? Join us at St. George on March 8, 2020 for Passion and Purpose for Marriage. Whether you're dating, engaged, or married, this event will open your eyes to new and practical ways you can strengthen and enrich your relationship. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting DynamicCatholic.com/batonrouge. If you purchase tickets online during Sept. 12-16, 2019, tickets will be discounted to $19/person (normally $25). After Sept. 16, tickets will sell for $25/person. 
St. George Catholic School
(225) 293-1298