St. Louis Catholic School Newsletter |
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Happy Friday St. Louis Families!
We began a new trimester, a new week, a new month, a new liturgical season, and a new virtue all this week—it might have been a short one, but it certainly was a week for us here! Students are marking this Advent season with the Christmas novena, St. Andrew’s special prayer, that we have added into our morning and afternoon prayers. I hope your families are joining us at home praying the novena too. This first week of Advent reminds us we are a people of hope as we wait, prepare, and anticipate for the coming of the Messiah. I always love this time of year with our students as there is an extra buzz of energy in the classrooms, the hallways host a variety of Jesse trees as Kinders count the days with special ornaments symbolizing important biblical events, and older classes explore what joy truly means with Mary’s fiat, her yes to God that made it all possible. Whatever traditions you have in your homes as you prepare and anticipate, I hope that your families are enjoying the togetherness and the joy that comes with the Advent season.
Looking ahead to this week, we have an early release day on Monday, December 7th at 11:30am for teachers and staff to join together in some important collaboration work. And, we have our first ever St. Louis Christmas Lights tour ending in our school parking lot. I understand one of Santa’s elves may swing by for a quick visit between 6:30pm-8:00pm. I hope your family is able to grab some hot chocolate, put on some Christmas music, and take a drive around Alexandria to see the marvelous creativity of our school community in lights—I can’t think of a better way to remember that we are a special community, and we are better together.
Report cards were sent home yesterday and today with the different cohorts. Virtual students’ report cards were mailed out today for the first trimester. We know this has been a different first trimester, but know that there is incredible progress being made by all of our students, and the teachers and I are proud of their hard work. We are grateful to our families for the work you are doing at home in support of you child as well. Don’t forget to peruse the newsletter below, there are great reminders about some upcoming events and important school news. We are so thankful for all of you, enjoy your weekend!
Peace,
Anne M. Dyke
Principal
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Monday Dismissal Time Change to 1pm Starting December 14th
Beginning with this trimester, Mondays will be a slightly shorter day for students and teachers. Dismissal will be at 1:00pm vice 2:15pm (unless otherwise noted on the school calendar) to allow important collaborative time for faculty and staff, in-service professional development/training as needed and time for grading and planning. Extended Day is available for registered families on first come basis for those who need the care. Instruction will be asynchronous for all students - it will be a day for catching up on assignments as needed, small group check-in's with teachers, and project completion.
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Thank you for helping us trim our Christmas tree!
Our Annual Fund Campaign is off to a great start thanks to many generous donors who have joined us in spreading joy, peace and love this holiday season. This week we received $12,500 in donations. We will continue to trim our Christmas tree through the end of December. Select from a wide-range of gifts from our wish list.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - Outdoor Playground Monitors
The Front office is in need of some Outside Playground Monitors. You must be Virtus compliant to volunteer. The hours are between 11:30am - 1:30pm Monday thru Friday. Please contact Para Feisel at [email protected] if you are able to volunteer. Please let her know what days you are available and what hours.
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St. Louis School Bookstore Closes Dec. 7th
While we cannot have our traditional in-person book fair, St. Louis has partnered with Bookworm Central to bring you our Online School Bookstore!
Visit the link above to:
- Browse our recommended reading lists to find great reading for all ages.
- Buy a Christmas gift for the book lovers in your life.
- Buy your homeroom teacher a gift from their teacher wish list.
The Bookstore will be open from November 20th through December 7th. A portion of each sale will support the St. Louis School Library. Please e-mail Mrs. Krut with any questions: [email protected].
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Coffee & Connections - Thurs., Dec. 10
Please join our school counselor, Mrs. Jennifer Cotnoir, for a cup of coffee virtually on Thursday December 10th at 9am. It’s been a difficult year, so let’s connect and see how we can support one another. Parents in preschool through 8th grade are welcome to attend. There is no set agenda for this meeting. This is an opportunity for connection, support, sharing, and listening to ideas for offering more support in the New Year. E-mail [email protected] with any questions.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 772 9027 9407
Passcode: smile
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Make plans to hop in the car, crank up the Christmas tunes and visit some great holiday lights on the evening of December 12th!
Twenty-one St. Louis families have gone all out with their lights displays and are looking forward to sharing the holiday cheer with you! The tour map will be sent to school families on December 11th. The last stop will be at the school where youcan view the class Christmas trees, wave to Santa and pick up your cookie decorating kits!
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Holiday Cookie Decorating Kits!
Support St. Louis School!
St. Louis School is happy to partner with MB Bakery to offer Holiday Cookie Decorating Kits!
Take home some some cookie decorating fun at the conclusion of your STL Christmas Lights Tour! Each kit includes 12 assorted holiday shaped butter cookies, 3 bags of colored icings and 4 kinds of sprinkles. (allergen note: no nuts; icing includes egg product)
St. Louis School will receive 35% back to benefit the Annual Fund!
Pre-order your kits bo December 8th to pick up from Santa and his helpers at the school entrance on December 12, 6:30-8pm.
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The Christmas Season is Upon Us Share with us how your family prepares for Christmas! We'll feature your photos in our "Let Every Hawk Prepare Him Room" social media campaign throughout December.
Send your pics to
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Hawk Happenings - Week of Dec. 7, 2020 |
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Monday, Dec. 7 - 11:30 DISMISSAL
- White (Mass: 4th)
- No PM EDC
- Spirit Dinner @ McAlister's
Tuesday, Dec. 8
- Blue
- All Mass - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- Primo's Lunch
- Spirit Dinner @ McAlister's
Wednesday, Dec. 9
- White (Mass: K, 6-107, 7-104)
- Primo's Lunch
Thursday, Dec. 10
- Blue (Mass: 2nd, 5-7, 6-106)
- Coffee & Connections, 9am
Friday, Dec. 11
- White (Mass: 1st, 5-5, 7-105)
Saturday, Dec. 12
- STL Christmas Lights Tour
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CALENDAR CHANGES
Beginning Monday, December 14th - Monday dismissal time will be 1:00pm.
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Did you know you can subscribe to our school calendar for automatic updates?
Subscribe to auto-populate your iCal, Outlook 2007+ or Google calendar
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Spirit Dinner - Dec. 7 & 8
The last Spirit Dinner of 2020 - moving on!
Come to McAlisters Deli in the Mt Vernon Plaza December 7th & 8th from 4-8PM. Lots of sandwiches, soups, stuff baked potatoes, salads and more! Check out their menu: https://www.mcalistersdeli.com/menu The PTO will receive 20% of sales.
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Help Support St. Louis While Shopping for the Holidays!
If you shop with Amazon regularly, be sure to sign up for AmazonSmile and designate St. Louis Catholic School as the charitable organization of your choice. There are millions of products that are AmazonSmile eligible for donations, and with every purchase of an eligible product, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the organization you select. This is an easy way to support our school! More information can be found here.
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Boy Scout Christmas Wreaths
Date added! Don't forget to purchase your wreath Saturday, Dec. 5, 10am-1pm in front of the bell tower!
St. Louis Troop 680 will be selling fresh, fragrant Wreaths and Centerpieces on Nov. 29, Dec 6, and Dec 13 after 8:45, 10:30, and 12:30 Sunday Masses at the Bell Tower Island. New this year! Order on GiftItForward.com using code TR680VA001 and have your fresh greenery shipped to your front door! Order by Dec. 15th!
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