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ST. LOUISE SCHOOL PARENT BULLETIN
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Next week, we have a few days of intense meetings with teachers and staff. There will be dozens of topics we will discuss and refresh our memories on, from
A (our A-bsence policy) to
Z (our U-niform policy). Okay...perhaps not quite to
Z. But nonetheless, the faculty and I go over all our school policies and procedures, hold small group discussions on students with unique learning styles and how we are going to best meet their needs, and practice emergency drills in the case of earthquakes and lockdowns.
Furthermore, something special for this year's August inservice week is we are devoting an entire day to
Mental Health First Aid training. You can compare Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to regular First Aid. Just as we want to be trained and prepared to tend to a student who falls off the BigToy and injures his/her arm, we want to be trained to tend to a student who reveals to his/her teacher that he/she is depressed or to tend to a student who is suffering a panic attack.
All of the teachers, staff, and I will be taking an 8-hour course on MHFA next week. This is in conjunction with the physical-health first aid and CPR training we already take every summer, as well as an annual refresher at this time of year regarding how to use an epi-pen should a student have an allergic reaction.
Speaking of students with health issues, please go to our
School Policies document and familiarize yourself with the sections on "Allergies," "Illness & Accidents", and "Immunization Form." Please make sure you send in an "
authorization to administer medication" form if your child will be bringing any meds to school, including an epi-pen. Should you have any questions on the above medical-related policies and procedures, please contact our school nurse,
Jane Reynolds, RN.
Enjoy God's blessings today,
Please see below a letter from Father Gary, explaining his decision for the parish to host a night-time shelter on the St. Louise campus for the next six weeks.
Father Gary made the decision with careful discernment and with reassurances from Catholic Community Services. When Catholic Community Services (CCS) first asked Father Gary to host, they were turned down. CCS came back to Father a second time after they tried to find other organizations but no one was available to house the shelter temporarily. Father recognizes that it will be inconvenient and challenging to a parish like ours with a school and with so many other events going on, but trusting in God's grace that the opportunity to serve was the right thing to do, he told CCS our parish would host. Be assured that the parish and school staffs will be vigilant to make sure there is no safety concerns for your kids. When this shelter has been at other parishes, the staff members there expressed no safety issues. Please address any questions to
Katie O'Neill, parish staff member, and if you continue to have concerns, please let me know.
Speaking of the parish staff, we are excited that
Amy Baumgardner has been hired as the new youth minister. The youth minister teams with our grade 6-8 teachers to connect with our middle-schoolers on a regular basis during school recess times. Amy will also help organize a social/dance for our kids, and lead an annual retreat for our 7th-8th graders later this year. She will be running our parish's CROWD program, and I highly encourage parents of 6th-8th graders to send their children to
CROWD on Fridays. It's a great alternative to Friday night video-game-playing or kids handing out with the "wrong crowd."
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Upcoming Calendar of Events
- Charger Gear Sale - sale of fleece and Friday-spirit-wear in the St. Louise Room (central hallway of original school) from 4:00-5:30
- Used Uniform Sale - sale in the St. Louise Room (central hallway of original school) from 4:00-5:30
- Charger Cards Sale - at the Charger Cards sales-window in the central hallway of original school from 3:30-5:30
- Playdate for PreK and Kindergarten students and their families at the BigToy (north end of playground) from 3:00-4:00
Friday, August 30 through Monday, September 2
Tuesday, September 3 -
First Day of St. Louise's 58th School Year!
- Passport Day Schedule - Families Report to the PARISH HALL at the following times with their school supplies:
- Last names A-C at 8:30
- Last names D-J at 9:15
- Last names K-P at 10:00
- Last names Q-Z at 10:45
- Curriculum Night for Parents of 7TH & 8TH GRADERS - Library at 6:30PM; every gr. 7-8 family must have at least one parent present
Wednesday, September 4
- Parents' Coffee - Main Lobby at 8:30AM; all parents invited
- Curriculum Meeting for PRE-KINDERGARTEN Parents - Pre-K room at 9:00AM; every grade Pre-K family must have one at least one parent present; meeting is for adults only - please find childcare; there is no Pre-K class held today
- Opening Week Prayer Service for Gr. 1-8 - Church at 11:00AM; parents invited
- Noon Dismissal ONLY for gr. K & 1 - parents park in south/central parking lot and wait outside central wing of original school for your children at 12:00PM
- Kids' Club begins today.
Thursday, September 5
- ONLY Pre-K students with last names A-O attend Pre-K today - 8:15-11:45 (no extended day)
- Noon Dismissal ONLY for gr. K & 1 - parents park in south/central parking lot and wait outside central wing of original school for your children at 12:00PM
-
Curriculum Meeting for Parents of 1ST THRU 6TH GRADERS - PARISH HALL at 6:30PM; every gr. 1-6 family must have one at least one parent present; meeting is for adults only - please find childcare; (note that the evening begins in the Parish Hall, not the school)
Friday, September 6
- ONLY Pre-K students with last names P-Z attend Pre-K today - 8:15-11:45 (no extended day)
- Noon Dismissal ONLY for gr. K & 1 - parents park in south/central parking lot and wait outside central wing of original school for your children at 12:00PM
- Cross Country practices begin
Saturday, September 7
- Fall Fix-Up Day - 8AM-12PM; please meet outside the original school's north wing with your weeding tools, metal rakes, shovels, and/or wheelbarrows.
Monday, September 9
- Daily Milk & Hot Lunch begin
- Reminder: school dismisses at 2:00 EVERY MONDAY for all K-8 students and extended day Pre-K students
Tue
sday, September 10
- Curriculum Meeting for Parents of KINDERGARTENERS- Main Lobby at 6:30PM; every kindergarten family must have one at least one parent present; meeting is for adults only - please find childcare
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Life Isn't Perfect...But Your Child's Hair Can Be
On our website you'll find school uniform guidelines, and we ask you to please read it carefully so you purchase the correct clothing for your children. Uniforms are required beginning with the first day of school - September 3rd's "Passport Day." Also on that first day, please have your grade K-8 child bring to the classroom a separate pair of "sneakers" (gym shoes) in a sturdy, plastic shopping bag. (In grade 6-8, students also need a simple P.E. outfit in a bag.) These are kept in the classroom all year and carried over to the gym weekly for P.E. class.
Besides confirming in the Policies section on our school website what pieces of the school uniform are or aren't allowed, in this same section please make sure your children's hairstyles follow the school rules. This may necessitate visiting the barber or salon in the coming days.
Please note below that specific section in our policies regarding hairstyles...
- Hair for both boys and girls must be kept neatly trimmed and combed.
- A boy's hair must not hang below his eyebrows or ears and not touch his shirt collar. No facial hair is allowed.
- A girl's hair must be off her face, be it through side-swept bangs or hairclips/headbands.
- Hairstyles are to be conservative, with no extreme haircuts or hairstyles allowed. The school administration is the final determinant of what constitutes "extreme." Typically, an extreme haircut or hairstyle is one in which unnecessary attention is drawn to it because one or more of the following occurs:
- is not a natural, God-given hair color (coloring, bleaching, or streaking is not allowed);
- does not have consistent thickness but is shaved noticeably shorter in some areas (an "undercut," a "fade," a "mohawk," or a style similar to the one shown here is not allowed)
- is completely shaved on a boy;
- is buzz cut or completely shaved on a girl;
- has designs or lines cut into it;
- excessively uses gels or styling products.
We value decorum and traditions, and our uniforms and appearance are our first opportunity to make an impression on those who see us. Our uniforms and appearance also demonstrate our commitment to modesty, safety, and a distraction-free learning environment. Our uniform policy contributes to an environment freer of the judgment which may be a byproduct of fads, fashion trends, or socioeconomic factors. Thanks for your support!
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Soccer and Cross Country Still Need You
CYO fall sports registration for St. Louise Soccer and for Cross country is open to everyone in grades K-8. Please r
egister
here
.
Soccer registration closes Aug. 30. (There is a $20 sibling discount if you sign up two or more children for soccer.)
Cross Country will register participants through the second week of September. (There is no sibling discount for cross country.)
Cross Country practices will begin on Friday, Sept. 6, and thereafter will be every Tuesday and Friday through Oct. 4th immediately after school at Robinswood Park. The Cross Country meets will be held at Lake Sammamish State Park on three Sundays, all at 2:00 - Sept. 22, Sept. 29, and Oct. 6. We are looking for coaches for all grade levels (no cross country experience necessary), so if you're interested in coaching, please contact the Cross Country coordinator, Amy Wilken.
Soccer is in need of 3rd grade and 4th grade boys' team coaches! We have a plethora of boys signed up, but without a coach there cannot be a team!
Please pray about taking on this role - so to not disappoint the boys and to earn a few volunteer hours each week this fall. I
f you want to learn more about what's entailed in coaching, or if you have questions regarding grade K-8 soccer, please contact coordinators, Jenelle Bair and Mari Sullivan.
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Passport Day Is When It All Begins
School begins for all grade PK-8 students on Tuesday, September 3, with our special "Passport Day." This is a morning for every single St. Louise student and at least one of his/her parents to first meet in the PARISH HALL beneath the church to pick up a "passport" and get instructions from Mr. Fitzpatrick. Families then tour the school, meet familiar and new teachers, learn where all the classrooms are, and drop off all the school supplies in the student's desk (or locker for grades 7-8).
Although students are to wear their school uniform, Passport Day is not like an ordinary first day of school. Instead, every grade PK-8 student must have at least one parent attending with him/her and have a uniquely assigned time to arrive. Your "Passport Day" experience will last no longer than 90 minutes, at which time you will go home for the day. Every grade PK-8 family whose student's last name begins with the following letters are to meet in the Parish Hall on the 2nd at the stated start time:
- A-C at 8:30 a.m.
- D-J at 9:15 a.m.
- K-P at 10:00 a.m.
- Q-Z at 10:45 a.m.
The list of school supplies your child is required to bring to school on Passport Day may be found on the
Student Supplies List link
on our website. We ask that before you go to the store to buy your supplies that you first get Charger Cards (available today from 3:30-5:30 in the original school) and then use those gift cards to make your back to school purchases at various stores (e.g. Fred Meyer, Walmart, Target, etc.).
Please have your children b
ring not only their school supplies to Passport Day but also their P.E. shoes stored in a durable, reusable bag. Gr. 6-8 students should also bring a simple "P.E. uniform" in a bag. (See page 47.)
Please note that on this first day of school, Kids' Club does not begin, but instead Tuesday is when all families in both morning and afternoon Kids' Club should visit the Kids' Club staff at the Lavelle Center when touring with their passports.
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Today Is First Chance to Buy Cards in Person
Charger Cards will be selling at their
sales-window in the central wing of the original school today, Thursday, from 3:30-5:30. This is the same afternoon that Used Uniforms and Charger Gear will be selling just down the hallway starting at 4:00.
If you place a "Standing Order" before September 30, and include at least one "Groceries or Gas" category store. you will receive a $5 Starbucks gift card with your first order!
Find the Standing Order Form on our webpage.
Don't Do Back-to-School Shopping Until You Have Charger Cards in Your Wallet
Shop
for uniforms and school supplies now and you will be ready to start the school year right. Stay ahead of the class and place your order today!
We have in stock a limited supply of high rebates gift cards that are perfect for back to school shopping.
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Brands
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Rebates
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Amazon
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4.25%
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Bath & Body Works
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17%
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Chipotle
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12%
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Gap/OldNavy/Banana Rep/Athleta
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18%
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Home Depot
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7%
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Panera Bread
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10%
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Target
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3.5%
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TJMaxx/Marshalls
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9%
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Make
the Grade in Summer Shopping
Every family
needs to register online (if you haven't already!) Here's why!
- Online registration provides each family with ability to track their family rebates and see order history.
- Online registration enhances record keeping for St. Louise so we have easier, more accurate information
- Ordering online provides access to full amount of gift cards available (hundreds of additional choices)!
- Rebate bonuses are available for online purchases
- Order ScripNow/printable gift cards, reloadable gift cards in addition to traditional plastic cards
- Friends and family can create their own online account and purchase cards that credit your family account
- Use the mobile wallet/app for unplanned purchases from your smartphone
- See the Online Registration Directions page for step by step info to register online and get started!
Use Charger Cards for the Summer
Learn how to use Charger Cards this summer and earn a Starbucks $5 gift card for rebates earned over $50 and Krispy Kreme Gift card for rebates over $100 when you buy ScripNow and RELOAD Charger Cards online!
Promotion Ends August 31.
The Charger Cards sale office in the central wing of the original school is open on school-Fridays from 8:15-9:00AM.
Charger Cards...It's simple, it's thoughtful and it's truly the gift that
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How Is Your Child Doing with Summer Work?
As you are aware, to combat "summer slump," St. Louise teachers expect their incoming students to do some "homework" over the summer. If kids can be kept out of a slump in math, reading and keyboarding, then not much time has to be spent on review in the fall.
You will find recommendations or requirements (based on the grade level your child will be entering) for summer work for your children at our
website. Students should bring any required, completed summer work to their teacher on the first day of school.
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Rest in Peace, Sheri Halling
We were saddened to hear earlier this week that former school parent, Sheri Halling, passed away after her sustained fight with a brain tumor and other cancers. Sheri and her husband Dave have two daughters, Clara (St. Louise Class of 2017) and Christina (former St. Louise student). Thank you for praying to our Heavenly Father for the repose of her soul along with asking our Lord to comfort Dave and the girls.
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WE ARE ONE
Auction News
Th
e
DEADLINE
for all families to turn in the physical items they have procured for their
auction donations (and the deadline for newly enrolled families to turn in their procurement forms) is coming up in a few weeks.
These are due on Monday, September 16.
Forms may be filled out
online
, or paper forms are still available in the school office.
We are hoping to complete our Amazon Registry to allow our Silent Auction to be EPIC. So, please consider purchasing from our Registry by clicking here. These items will be shipped directly to St. Louise, so it is super convenient and helpful!
Thank you, again, for working to make
We Are One
a success! If you have any questions, please reach out to me.
~Julianne Read
St. Louise Parent & Auction Director
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Subscribe to the School Calendar
A virtual version of the school calendar may be downloaded to your computer and/or phone by clicking on the "Subscribe" link found on our website's Events/Calendar page.
Also, it is recommended that you print out a hard copy of each individual month. To do that:
2)
Click on the "Calendar View" link on the right side;
3)
Click on "Print" for each calendar you scroll to, using the arrows in the upper left corner.
4) Insert these 12 calendar pages inside your red binder or hang them on your frig.
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St. Louise Parish is very fortunate to have newly ordained Father Carlos Orozco as one of our priests, assisting our Pastor, Father Gary Zender. Many of our students and teachers remember Father Carlos when he was "Seminarian Carlos" two years ago. He spent one of his seminarian years at St.Louise, and visited classrooms to give talks to the kids. Find out more about Father Carlos in these two articles:
Welcome, Father Carlos!
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S
AINT OF THE
W
EEK
please read this with your kids
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See what's happening on our St. Louise Facebook page
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