October 4, 2019
Dear Families of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School,

Happy Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi! Today we honor St. Francis of Assisi, one of the better known saints of our church. While maybe best known for his renunciation of wealth and his love for animals and all of creation, St. Francis’ devotion and life of service goes much further. St. Francis experienced a conversion at the church of San Damiano during which Christ on the crucifix instructed Francis to “repair my church”. Francis’ mission to rebuild the Church consisted of some radical actions: giving away all his possessions, begging, sleeping outdoors, preaching to Muslims and more. St. Francis is believed to be the first to receive the stigmata allowing him to bear the same markings which Christ endured on the cross. Especially significant to us, our namesake, St. Anthony of Padua was one of the most well-known disciples of St. Francis. They were both passionate about the importance of deep prayer and contemplation. My last school was a Franciscan school. Each week we closed Mass with the Prayer of St. Francis. This beautiful prayer reminds us of our roles as peacemakers, friends and caretakers. Today, we ask St. Francis to intercede for us as we offer up our petitions for ourselves, our families and our school.

St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals and all of Creation, Pray for Us. 

Only by His Grace,
Veronica Tucker

STAR TESTING RESULTS
STAR testing results will be sent home in Green Folders on Friday, October 11th. The STAR assessments are nationally normed tests used by parents and educators to determine students’ strengths and areas needing improvement. This assessment is given three times a year to track student progress. These results help drive instruction and determine how to best meet the needs of students to be sure each is reaching his/her academic potential. Specific questions about your child’s results should be directed to the teacher. 
ALL-SCHOOL NEWS
SCHOOL-WIDE STEWARDSHIP PROJECT
1st Quarter

We are supporting the Meals on Wheels Breakfast Bags program. Meals on Wheels is a meal delivery service that responds to the critical needs of food-insecure seniors.

PRE-K-2ND GRADE & MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL BRING IN THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
Pre-K3 – Box of Raisins
Pre-K4 – Packets of Instant Oatmeal
Kindergarten – Peanut Butter or Cheese Cracker Sandwich Packets
1st Grade – Breakfast or Cereal Bars (no hard granola bars)
2nd Grade – Box of Raisins
6th Grade – Packets of Instant Oatmeal
7th Grade – Peanut Butter or Cheese Cracker Sandwich Packets
8th Grade – Breakfast or Cereal Bars (no hard granola bars)
3rd-5th grade will be decorating and assembling the bags to be delivered.

Thank you for considering donating to this great cause. By contributing to this project we all will be helping to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and give alms to the poor. Thank you for all that you do and may God bless you.
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OCTOBER - ROSARY MONTH

The month of October is dedicated to the Rosary, and after the Mass, the Rosary is the most powerful prayer at our disposal. St. John Paul II often said that the Rosary is a prayer of peace, and he encouraged families to pray the Rosary together. Please sign up for a day that your family will pray the Rosary together.
NURSE NOTES
For the week of Sept. 30-Oct. 4th:

10/01/19 | Kinder-B | Strep Throat

There are still a few viruses around. Some with fever/cold symptoms and some with stomach issues, but they are not confined to one specific grade.
LOST & FOUND
Lost & Found is OVERFLOWING! Please have your students check it for their missing items. The front desk is also holding several pairs of glasses. All remaining items after Oct. 14th will be donated or thrown away.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL - FRIDAY, OCT. 25TH
Leave the classrooms and textbooks behind and spend some time in fun and fellowship with fellow middle school students! Please return the Permission Slip to be billed in your FACTS account.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL
6th, 7th & 8th grade Boys & Girls Basketball Commitment Forms are DUE to Coach Quickel by Friday October 11th.
TODAY'S DNN BROADCAST
We will begin inserting each Friday's DNN broadcast in The Messenger each Friday, pending no technical difficulties. Enjoy!
COUNSELOR'S CORNER by Janay O'Connor
The character trait for October is Responsibility.

October Highlights
  • We kick off the Red Ribbon Poster Contest on Friday, October 11th. Deadline for submitting posters is on Wednesday, October 23rd. Students can stop by the counselor’s office or front office to pick up their poster boards and a copy of the rules for the contest.
  • Red Ribbon Week is scheduled for Oct. 28 - Nov. 1. Our theme for this year is “Rockin' a Drug Free Life.” Join us as we celebrate the importance of making good choices and living a drug-free life! Be on the look-out for information about our theme days and Red Ribbon week activities.
  • Corporal Joel Armstrong and his K9 partner Fila from CISD police will be visiting our students on Monday, October 28th to emphasize the importance of making smart decisions when it comes to saying “NO” to drugs.
  • St. John XXIII Catholic High School will be visiting our campus on Thursday, October 24th to talk with our 8th grade students about their high school and all the wonderful opportunities they have available at their school. 

TECH TIPS
The following article details the most recent list of apps all parents should be monitoring for on their child's phone. ARTICLE
VOLUNTEERING
Thank you to all of our volunteers who helped us make Homecoming a success!! We are so grateful for your time and assistance!

LIBRARY PROCESSING: Please help us with many projects associated with the library on Wednesday, Oct. 16th from 1 - 3 p.m. Sign-up Genius

If you have questions about how to accrue and enter your Paduan Points , please check out: staopcs.org/volunteer-opportunities
FUND FOR ST. ANTHONY
FUND FOR ST. ANTHONY - Every one . Every year .
The Fund for St. Anthony helps sustain programs, activities, and investments that are not covered by tuition. The Fund for St. Anthony is the best way possible for parents, grandparents, parishioners, community members, alumni, staff and friends to help make a financial difference in the future of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School and its students. Your investment on an annual basis, at a level that you are comfortable with, helps raise necessary funds for important school objectives. Psst...A contribution to the Fund for St. Anthony earns 5 Paduan Points!

NEW - RECURRING GIVING
Recurring giving is an easy, automatic way to support St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School that works for your budget and schedule. It is convenient and customizable for your needs!
You can set up your recurring gift by credit card or bank account by clicking below and following the steps:
  1. Enter the amount you'd like to give for each transaction.
  2. Select Fund for St. Anthony
  3. Choose "Make Gift Recurring" check box.
  4. Determine the frequency of your gift.
  5. Determine the number of times you would like to give.
  6. Choose when you would like to begin your giving.
  7. Select Next to finalize your bank or credit card details.
You can edit your giving at any time. Thank you for your support of the Fund for St. Anthony!
GIVING BY LIVING
MARY WITH YOU
New Giving by Living Partner! Great Christmas Idea!

Mary with You is giving back 20% of the sales to support St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School when you purchase a special St. Anthony bracelet and any other products from the store!
  • SAOPCS uniform colors approved bracelet, adjustable and water resistant.

HOW TO GET YOUR BRACELETS?
2. Choose your bracelets and add them to your basket. (All the products in the store are eligible to support the school)
3. Enter exclusive code: SAOPFreeShip at checkout to get free shipping. (You must enter this code)
4. Receive your bracelets at home.

Helping others and being generous increases happiness!
BOX TOPS
It is easy to earn Box Tops Rewards for our school using the new Box Tops App! Note: You can still send in Box Tops that you find on items that haven't expired and we can earn double rewards! Please turn in all clipped Box Tops by Oct. 15th for the next submission deadline!!
UPCOMING DATES
10/7/2019 - English Rosary Group, 8:15 a.m.
10/8/2019 - Living Rosary, 8:15 a.m.
10/9/2019 - What's Brewing with Mrs. Tucker, 7th Grade, 8:15 a.m.
10/9/2019 - Mass, 9 a.m.
10/10/2019 - Spanish Rosary Group, 2:30 p.m.
10/10/2019 - Junior Master Gardener, 3:45 p.m.
10/11/2019 - Early Childhood Pumpkin Day
10/11/2019 - Noon Dismissal
10/11/2019 - Parent-Teacher Conferences, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
10/14/2019 - NO SCHOOL | Staff Development
10/16/2019 - What's Brewing with Mrs. Tucker, 1st Grade, 8:15 a.m.
10/16/2019 - Mass, 9 a.m.
10/17/2019 - Spanish Rosary Group, 2:30 p.m.

More pics from the week are featured on Instagram & Facebook !
AROUND OUR PARISH
(281) 296-0300
7901 Bay Branch Dr.
The Woodlands, TX 77382