School Newsletter
12.2.21
Mission:
St. Anthony of Padua School Community
engages students in academic excellence
while guiding them to live as a reflection of Jesus.
From Mrs. Pudelko:

It's good to be back! December is always a busy, but festive month! Thank you to everyone who contributed today for our Santa Hat Jean Day. Our St. Anthony community is and continues to be so generous and supportive.

The Advent season is upon us! This year our theme for Advent is "Break the Chains of Complacency." This first week we focused on our prayer lives. Our students were asked to focus on the following three questions this week:
  • Do you attentively pray or just say the words? 
  • Do you pray often or only when you “need” something?
  • Do you try different forms of prayer?
We will continue to focus on how our Faith has the power to change our lives during this Advent season without becoming complacent. I encourage you to discuss these questions at a family dinner, on the way home from school or at a time that is convenient for your own family.

Congratulations to our 2nd graders who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week. They were all very nervous, but Father Mark did a great job reassuring them. I know they are all looking forward to May when they will make their First Communion. Please keep Father Luis in your prayers. He fell the night of First Reconciliation and needed to have surgery on his ankle. He will likely be in rehab for at least 6- 8 weeks. We will continue to update you regarding his healing process, but your prayers are appreciated.

Our warm weather dress code was extended slightly this year, but winter temperatures are upon us. Beginning Monday, December 6 shorts will no longer be allowed in school. Please see the Student and Family Handbook for the specifics of the Dress Code.

Thank you for your attention to ensuring that you are keeping your children home when they are sick! I pray that we can all continue to stay healthy and in school through the next few weeks. As many of you are aware, the Kent and Ottawa County Health Departments have communicated that the public health order requiring facial coverings in PreK through 6th grade was written to expire 60 days after a vaccine has been made available for 5-to-11 year olds. The current order will expire during Christmas break and before students return to school on January 3. Provided there are no unforeseen changes, on January 3, we will, along with the Diocese of Grand Rapids, continue to strongly recommend the use of facial coverings inside all school buildings regardless of vaccination status.

On December 14th, our elementary students will gather for their Christmas Program. We will have a rehearsal in the afternoon and the program will be at 6:30 pm. We will be live-streaming the program, and are asking that only immediate household members attend due to spacing in the church. Additional details will be included next week in the newsletter.

I've enjoyed seeing many of you at recess duty, lunch duty, and in the car rider lines! Feel free to join us for Mass tomorrow morning, if you are able. I'm excited to hear the voices of our students.

God bless,

Jenny Pudelko, principal
Calendars:

All upcoming dates can be found on the school website or app.  


Google Calendar Subscription (click the + at the bottom right to subscribe)

Noteworthy News:

  • CHRISTMAS DRIVE: This year, the 8th grader's ministry is the St. Anthony Community. Next week (December 6-10) we are asking students to bring in items for those families that are in need in our St. Anthony community.  The members of the Franciscan house will be collecting the items gathered and sorting them. Each class is assigned a specific item(s) found here: Christmas Drive Items

  • CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WEEK: Be ready to dress festive for the week of December 13-17! Find all of the themes here: Christmas Spirit Week 2021
  • BLACKBAUD FINANCIAL AID: Time is running out to apply for the first round of Financial Aid for 2022-2023. Please go to your Blackbaud Financial Aid account at studentfinancialaid.blackbaud.school to apply. Blackbaud Financial Aid applications must be complete and updated for families to be considered for tuition assistance or scholarships. The application deadline for the first round is December 5, 2021!! Visit the website for the online instructions. (Spanish instructions). If you do not already have a Blackbaud / Smart Aid account, please click here to get started.

Notes from last week:
  • CLASSROOM SPELLING BEE WINNERS: The top two students from each homeroom in grades 3-8 are moving onto the School Spelling Bee which is scheduled for Friday, January 7, 2022, following the 8:30 am Mass. Words will be taken from the student's grade lists. If all the words have been used, or there is a tie, words may be taken from other lists. Good luck to students! 2021-2022 Classroom Spelling Bee Winners  

  • SHARE YOUR ST. ANTHONY STORY: If you’re a Catholic school parent, you know how valuable this Christ-centered education is for your children. Sharing a testimonial about your experience at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School can help those considering Catholic schools to know that it’s an excellent choice. Testimonial Form Link
December Hot Lunch Menu:

Click image to bring up interactive live calendar. Please note we will not be continually sending separate blasts with last minute changes due to continued shortages in the supply chain. This link along with the app will be updated automatically as soon as changes occur. (click on the calendar)
AmazonSmile:
Amazon shoppers, this is for you!

AmazonSmile is a great opportunity to raise money for St. Anthony School. If you are planning to make any purchases on Amazon, please look at using AmazonSmile when making your purchases, as St. Anthony will receive .05% for each purchase when using AmazonSmile at no cost for you!

How it works:
  • Go to https://smile.amazon.com/, and then log in to your Amazon account.
  • Click the "Get Started" button.
  • When looking for the charity name, type in "St. Anthony of Padua Church" - please make sure the location is listed as Grand Rapids, MI.
  • Begin shopping!

**Please note that each time you are making a purchase on Amazon, be sure to always start at https://smile.amazon.com. We suggest creating a bookmark directly to your smartphone screen.**
Athletic News:

  • WINTER II SEASON - GIRLS BASKETBALL: Registration for GRACEAC winter II is now open. Girls basketball is available for 5th-8th graders. Please register HERE by Friday, December 3rd for team formation. Practices can begin Monday, January 3rd with games beginning Saturday, January 15. Reminder sports' physicals must be on file to begin practice (see information below).

  • GIRLS BASKETBALL COACHES NEEDED: If you are interested in coaching girls basketball, please contact Lisa Barnum at athletics@saparish.com. Coaches must have a current concussion training certificate on file before the season starts. 

  • WINTER I SEASON: Please remind your students of their grade responsibility for eligibility. Activity eligibility is reviewed weekly by teachers. Please see the Athletic Handbook on the school website for specific details. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Barnum, Interim Athletic Director or Chad Wieber, Dean of Students.

  • SPORTS PHYSICALS: All students grades 3rd through 8th are required to have a physical dated after 4.15.2021 on file with the school office before the first day of scheduled practice. Forms can be found here and emailed to athletics@saparish.com or dropped off to the school office.

West Catholic HS Athletics News:

  • WEST CATHOLIC BASKETBALL BOYS AND GIRLS YOUTH CAMPS: Starting December 18th! K-4th grade. Learn more and sign up here.

  • WEST CATHOLIC YOUTH CHEER CAMP: Spend time stunting, tumbling, jumping, and cheering! Receive a holiday gift and invitation to attend a competitive cheer invitational after attending cheer camp at WC! Find all of the details including how to sign up HERE.

  • WEST CATHOLIC ESPORTS LEAGUE: Calling all middle schoolers interested in E-Sports! Participate in 1-2 hour practices each week with one-hour matches against other middle schools in the state of Michigan. Sign up HERE!
Home & School Association Updates:

  • APPLEBEE'S RESTAURANT NIGHT: Join us for dinner at Applebee's on Lake Michigan Drive on December 14, 2021, from 1:00-6:00PM. Please visit Applebee's and they will take your order from their storefront or takeout. When purchasing your meal, mention your group's name to receive 20% of your meal's price donated back to St. Anthony's. See the attached flyer HERE.

  • FIVE BELOW: Shop at Five Below between December 12 and December 18 and 10% of your purchases will be donated back to St. Anthony's! Please present the flyer attached HERE to the cashier at the time of purchase.

  • JANUARY MEETING: Join Home & School for the January meeting. January 19 at 6:00 PM. Come hear about upcoming events, meet new people, share your ideas, and more!


  • COOKBOOKS FOR SALE: Cookbooks can be purchased in the school office. These make a nice holiday gift for $10.

  • SNOW BAGS: Winter is quickly approaching! Snow bags are for sale in the school office for $5. If you are interested, please contact the school office at schooloffice@saparish.com or 453-8229, ext. 200.
SCRIP Office News:
Take a peek at the Cash and Carry list for some $5 and $10 cards. These are great for gifts and stocking stuffers!

If you haven't already downloaded the RaiseRight App, do it today! You can purchase and download eCards instantly and keep them all in one place.

If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to us. Call or text us at Cherie 616.915.4192 or Mary 616.291.3336

Thank you and Happy Shopping!
Parish Office News:

  • LIVE NATIVITY: Join St. Anthony’s For Our Own LIVE NATIVITY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM Drive-by viewing for everyone’s safety. Hot chocolate for everyone who attends!

  • LIVE NATIVITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Middle school students: do you want to earn points for your household? We are still in need of several middle school students to help hand out hot chocolate, booklets, or flyers to cars driving by during our Live Nativity on Saturday, December 18, from 5:30-7:30 PM. Click the SignUpGenius link to sign up or contact Ben Novitsky in the School Office by calling 453-8229, ext. 201 or email bnovitsky@saparish.com.

St. Anthony of Padua App:

Please search "St. Anthony of Padua School" in the App Store or follow one of these links to download it. From here, all school information will be at your fingertips! The push notifications will allow you to stay connected to all important information, quick calendar access, staff contacts, and much more!


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St. Anthony of Padua School | 616-453-8229 x200
schooloffice@saparish.com | www.saparish.com