St. Louis Catholic School Alumni Newsletter |
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Greetings from Your Elementary School Alma Mater! |
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Dear St. Louis Alumni,
Our faith moves mountains! This year we are seeing that actually happen in real time as we have had to overcome a few challenges and obstacles related to Covid, but I can see we are on the other side now and happily moving forward. We are two-thirds through with our school year and I am amazed by the resiliency, strength, and enthusiasm generated by the St. Louis community. I am grateful for the support of our current and alumni families who help make so much possible in our school. The PTO has pivoted a few times due to Covid in order to provide engaging fun and even have switched up fundraisers and added community building events to try something new—Trivia Nights and Hawk's Hippity Hop were huge successes for families. Now, they are in full planning mode for a Casino Night scheduled for May 21, 2022 to raise needed funds for enriching our academic program. I am so very grateful for the thousands of dollars raised for the school through the Annual Fund under the direction of Mrs. Matheis which will enable us to begin some improvements to the physical plant in the coming months. Whether you donated or provided services, or offered the gift of prayer, I thank you, the alumni, for being an important part of our school community.
We have good things happening daily here at St. Louis and much still to accomplish in the weeks ahead in the work we are doing with our students. Despite the Covid-related challenges, teachers are incorporating innovative, creative ways for all God’s children to explore and learn inside the classrooms and outside—we are blessed to have ample green space that teachers have utilized as outdoor classrooms. Your continued support and generosity enable us to stay the course despite the challenges and hardship of this pandemic.
St. Louis School is thriving with full classes, and a growing number of alumni who are enrolling their children here as well as others who wish a Catholic education for their children. I know firsthand what a joy it is to be able to have your own child attend the same school you did, and even better is the opportunity to have taught at the same Catholic school while your own children attend! Many blessings to each one of you and your families as we prayerfully await Easter. If you are in the area, stop by and take a tour - we are always happy to see you!
Peace,
Anne M. Dyke, M.S.Ed, M.Ed
Principal
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UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY 6
May Crowning
8:45am
St. Louis Church
MAY 21
Casino Night & Silent Auction
Please see below for more information.
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Teachers are busy with students in the classrooms! We are now in our 3rd trimester and students are actively engaged in learning daily. Students get to experience all the benefits of a traditional Catholic education with Art history and appreciation, music theory and instrument play, as well as hands-on exploration of a variety of topics. We have taken great measures to increase the presence of digital tools to include new academic software to enhance learning on Chromebooks, iPads, and interactive whiteboards which extend learning beyond the textbook.
Wax Museum
We held our annual Wax Museum during Catholic Schools Week, this loved event is a perfect example of application and synthesis that can happen when students delve deeper beyond the autobiography to do more research to become a famous historian, scientist, author, or musician. We had quite an eclectic group of celebrities, saints, and politicians at this year’s Wax Museum! The greatest part is that learning came alive literally for our younger students as our Wax characters traveled to classrooms to meet with students.
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Love, Learn, Lead
Beyond the classroom learning is an important part of how we empower our students to love, learn, and lead others to Christ. Throughout the 40 days of Lent we have been seeking to prepare our students hearts’ and minds by encouraging kind acts and helping others. Students have been encouraged by Fr. O’Hare to spend 1% of their day, just 15 minutes, in prayer building a relationship with God. And school-wide, the students have been seeking visible and tangible ways to love like Christ, bringing the compassion of Christ to others through their 40 acts of love. Students will be reflecting on the Passion and Death of Christ as a school community during Holy Week, while our 8th graders will re-enact the Stations of the Cross.
Re-accreditation
In March 2022 after a full year of self-study, St. Louis was fully reaccredited by the Virginia Catholic Education Association. During this process, members of the faculty, parents, and parish staff were afforded the opportunity to evaluate our mission and philosophy as well as assess how we measure against the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools. It was a rewarding process and we look forward to the important work of taking the recommendations of the visiting team and creating our strategic plan for continued improvement and growth that will carry us forward over the next five years.
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Every year our Preschool has the opportunity to share in the wonder and awe that new life provides—nothing is more joyous than the pure happiness that ignites watching recently hatched chicks. Every student from our littlest preschoolers all the way to our older middle school has the ability to trace the growth and development of the baby as it develops in the egg and countdown the days to hatching. We were fortunate this year to watch all 7 eggs hatch! |
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The Virginia Department of Education recognized St. Louis for our outstanding commitment to serving the needs of military families and students. This Purple Star designation is the 2nd time St. Louis has been commended. We proudly display our Purple Star on our school website and in our building. We are blessed to have members of our military choose St. Louis! |
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On March 24th, 8th grade students and their teachers, Mr. Liam Schiller, Mrs. Mary Brigid Cahill, and Mrs. Kimberly Crooker attended the annual Vocations Mass with other 8th grade students in our diocese. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Burbidge, and students had the good fortune of posing for a photo with him afterwards |
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Our traditional Annual Fund Participation Challenge has kicked off with a goal of 100% participation from our school families. We're having a lot of fun with our Mountain Mover theme - with a weekly "Hawk is Right" game and Helga Hawker, to Yodels and Mountain Quests! Check out our "game show" (at right) and follow our progress at www.stlouisschool.org/Challenge/
We remain committed to providing a safe, secure and faith-based learning environment for our students in Preschool - 8th Grade, but the wear and tear of an aging building has begun to show. With a campaign goal of $75,000, we plan to replace the floors in our common areas and classrooms through a phased approach as well as upgrade technology and provide tuition assistance to our families most in need. When St. Louis School's doors opened in 1956, 185 students walked the halls. Today, 505 students follow in their footsteps. Our campaign runs through June 30th. All donations and gifts of prayer are appreciated.
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PTO Casino Night & Silent Auction |
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Alumni, You Are Cordially Invited!
After a year off due to COVID, we are back and ready to gather!
Join us for a night of fun, charitable gaming, food, and friends on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 6p at St. Louis Catholic School. Tickets include heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, soft drinks and charitable gaming chips. Try your luck at blackjack, poker, craps or roulette while bidding on items that support our school and students.
Tickets are available here ($50/person or $100/couple). Sponsorships also available!
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CLASS NOTES
Thank you to our alumni families who have shared family news with us. Do you have a life event or photos to share with the school and fellow alumni? We love to hear from our alumni - where you are now and your memories of your time at St. Louis.
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ALUMNI DIRECTORY
Currently our online Alumni Directory has listings for more than 1,000 Alumni from 1963-2019 for whom we have some contact information.
Don't see yourself? Please take a moment to register, and if you've moved, please be sure to update your contact information.
Looking for an old friend? Our Alumni Directory allows you to search for and be located by former classmates. If found, you may be able to connect through a web-based email form.
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ALUMNI SPIRITWEAR
Available through Lands' End, the St. Louis School Alumni embroidered logo is available on a variety of clothing and gear items. Order yours online today!
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