October 18, 2019
Dear Parents of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School,
 
Our first quarter has ended. During this second quarter, things often get “kicked up a notch”. Review of previously taught concepts has been completed and new, difficult and more challenging concepts are being taught. As your student faces this new material, they may become frustrated as they are faced with opportunities to extend their thinking and may have to work harder than was previously required. This struggle is important and part of the educational growth cycle. We all grow through struggle and mastering challenges. I had a fantastic 6 th -grade teacher, Mrs. Baker, who often told the story of the importance of struggle in the life of a butterfly. To summarize the story, a man sees a butterfly struggling to free itself from its cocoon. Upset witnessing the struggle, he cuts open the cocoon to free the butterfly. For the remainder of its life, the butterfly never fully developed and was unable to fly. While intentions were good, by preventing the struggle, the butterfly was unable to build the strength needed necessary to fly. I try to remind myself this when I try to “save” my own children. I often want to swoop in and solve the problem for them (and sometimes I still do) but my prayer is that God will help me to serve as their supporter, guide, cheerleader and coach while I give them the gift of the struggle so they are each able to build their strength in the end --- and fly. I hope this imagery helps you as a parent as much as it has helped me.
Only by His Grace,
Veronica Tucker
ALL-SCHOOL NEWS
NURSE NOTES
Nurse Notes for 10/11/19 to 10/18/19:
10-11-19              1A & 2B             Strep Throat
10-13-19              2B                      Strep Throat
10-15-19              KA                      Strep Throat
10-16-19              KB                      Influenza
10-17-19              KB                      Influenza A
10-17-19              1B & 2B             Strep Throat
10-18-19              7B                      Mononucleosis *


Carlin Speech Pathology will be doing their yearly speech screening for us. Forms for sign up were sent home in green folders. The screenings are optional. The cost is $25.00 and will be billed through your FACTS account. Forms must be returned by October 25. Screenings will be held on Tuesday, October 29. Results will be sent home in folders a couple of weeks after the screenings are conducted.  

Please remember to turn in your forms for Speech Screening, if you are interested. 
rosary.jpg
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.
BREAKFAST WITH BOOKS - 4TH - 8TH GRADE
Greetings Readers in 4th-8th grade! Mr. Mattern would like to invite you to join his book club: “Breakfast with Books.” It will be the second Friday of every month, starting November 8th at 7:30 a.m. Please meet Mr. Mattern  at the front of the school by 7:25 a.m. The first book we are reading is Wonder by R.J. Palacio . Please have this book read by meeting time. Watching the movie does not count. :o) Happy Reading everyone!!

2018-2019 YEARBOOKS
There are still some 2018-2019 yearbooks available. If you would like to purchase, contact Mr. Mattern.
DNN BROADCAST - OCTOBER 18, 2019
RED RIBBON WEEK - Oct. 28 - Nov. 1
Rockin' a Drug Free Life

Monday | “Rock your Red-say NO to DRUGS!”
Wear red shirts with uniform bottoms
 
Tuesday | “Hats off to being DRUG FREE”
Wear hats!
 
Wednesday | “SHADE OUT DRUGS”
Wear sunglasses!
 
Thursday | Halloween Science Day!
Students who are registered for Steps for Students by Oct. 30th may wear Halloween Shirts with uniform bottoms. ( steps4students.org )
 
Friday | “SMARTIES CHOOSE TO BE DRUG FREE”
Poster contest winners announced!
Grab your cowboy boots, bring your partner, and join us for dancing and fun at our first-ever Mother-Son Dance!

Thank you kindly for letting us know if you plan to attend by clicking the button to register - there is no cost to attend, light refreshments will be served.
VOLUNTEERING
Thank you sincerely to all the parent volunteers who helped in the Library on Wednesday! They helped moved books and stocked our new shelving. Thank you for your hard work!

COUNTING BOX TOPS - Oct. 24th
Thank you to our families for saving and bringing in your Box Tops. We have gotten so many turned in - now we need your help counting them! If you can help on October 23 at 1:00 p.m., email Rosa Perez . Thanks for volunteering!

PADUAN PARENT STAFF LUNCHEON - Oct. 25th
Our Paduan Parent Coordinators are organizing staff luncheons for the faculty of STAOPCS and we need your help with lunchroom coverage and bringing in desserts & drinks! Thanks for volunteering! Sign-up Genius

HALLOWEEN SCIENCE DAY - Oct. 31st
Halloween Science Day is one of our biggest student activity days! Volunteers are needed to assist with all of the fun. There are a wide-variety of time slots and activities to help with; please use the drop-down menu/tabs to view opportunities at all grade-levels. Volunteers must be compliant with VIRTUS/Safe Environment and may volunteer with any grade-level. Sign-up Genius

If you have questions about how to earn and enter your Paduan Points , please check out: staopcs.org/volunteer-opportunities
STEPS FOR STUDENTS
Steps for Students 5K is an annual Archdiocesan-wide event that raises awareness of Catholic education! Please click REGISTER on the Steps for Students Page to join our team!
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. REMINDER: A contribution to the Fund for St. Anthony earns 5 Paduan Points!

SAVE-THE-DATE: Dolphin Donor Day, November 13th
Dolphin Donor Day is a 24-hour fundraising event to encourage all alumni, faculty, parents, and friends to support the Fund for St. Anthony. On Dolphin Donor Day, generous benefactors will match all gifts up to $30,000 - Doubling your Donation!
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!
UPCOMING DATES
10/21/2019 - English Rosary Group, 8:15 a.m.
10/23/2019 - What's Brewing with Mrs. Tucker, 6th Grade, 8:15 a.m.
10/23/2019 - Mass, 9 a.m.
10/24/2019 - Spanish Rosary Group, 2:30 p.m.
10/25/2019 - T-shirt & Jeans Day
10/25/2019 - Paduan Parents Staff Luncheon ( Sign-up Genius )
10/25/2019 - Middle School Social, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. ( Permission Slip )
10/28/2019 - English Rosary Group, 8:15 a.m.
10/28/2019 - RED RIBBON WEEK - Wear Red Shirts with Uniforms
10/29/2019 - RED RIBBON WEEK - Wear Hats
10/30/2019 - RED RIBBON WEEK - Wear Sunglasses
10/31/2019 - Halloween Science Day - NOON DISMISSAL
11/1/2019 - All Saints Day Mass, 9 a.m.

SAVE THE DATE:
11/13/2019 - Dolphin Donor Day
11/22/2019 - Grandparents Day

More pics from the week are featured on Instagram & Facebook !
AROUND OUR PARISH & COMMUNITY
Frassati Catholic High School - Admissions Open House
Sunday, October 20, 2019 | 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

For anyone interested in a Frassati Catholic education, come join us for the Admissions Open House on Sunday, October 20, 2019 from 2-4pm! Our faculty, staff, and student ambassadors will be on hand to show you around campus and answer any questions. Visit to our website to learn more and register - frassaticatholic.org/openhouse.
Frassati Catholic High School - Blue & Gray Gala
November 16, 2019
To purchase tickets or sponsorships: BLUEGRAY19.givesmart.com
(281) 296-0300
7901 Bay Branch Dr.
The Woodlands, TX 77382