August 31, 2023 Newsletter

St. Louis Catholic School Newsletter

August 31, 2023

Dear St. Louis Families,

We had such a great turn out for our FEAST-ival in celebration of our patron saint, St. Louis King of France. The heat did not dissuade any of our kiddos from enjoying the face painting, the bounce houses, the train ride, or partaking in the wonderful food. This was truly the work of a team and wonderful to see so many enjoying the company of one another. Thank you to Mrs. Roman, Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Parmiter, Mrs. McBride, and Mr. Roberts for partnering with the parish to create an awesome beginning to our school year---God is Good!

Our week has been full of building classroom communities. Do not be alarmed if your Friday folders are not full of academic work the next couple of weeks. We are focusing on establishing procedures and reviewing classroom expectations as well as building a family community. All the science of learning supports the importance of connection and relationships before rigor and learning. Before students arrived to campus, our staff participated in 2 days of Kagan Cooperative learning which fosters teamwork and community building, and we are looking forward to the implementation throughout the school year.

Next week, we will welcome parents to campus for Back-to-School Nights. Our Kinder-5th grade families are invited to attend on Tuesday, September 5th at 7pm. We will have 2 sessions for those who have multiple children in K-5. The first session will run 7:00pm-7:20pm and the 2nd session will run from 7:22pm-7:42pm. Parents should go straight to the classroom. Middle School Back-to-School Night is Wednesday, September 6th at 6:30pm. You will get to run through a day in the life of your middle school child.

Our spiritual theme this school year is all about charity—Open Hearts, See Love. Inspired by the words of Sr. Clare of Assisi, we are seeking to build an awareness of one another, to help our students see the goodness in each other and to support one another which ties beautifully in to our mission of empowering students to love, learn, and lead others to Christ. We always end each morning prayer challenging students to be the face of Christ to one another. I found this blessing from Sr. Clare that I thought might be something you pray together each day with your children:

What you hold, may you always hold.

What you do, may you always do and never abandon.

But with swift pace, light step and unswerving feet,

so that even your steps stir up no dust,

Go forward, the spirit of our God has called you. Amen.

Wishing you and your families a blessed Labor Day weekend!

Peace,

Anne Dyke

Principal

School Announcements

Reminder – There is no EDC tomorrow afternoon Friday 9/1.

Please plan for pick up through carpool at 11:30.

Uniform Reminders

Mass Uniform

Students who do not have PE on their Mass day are required to wear the appropriate Mass uniform:

K-8 Boys must wear the navy blue pants; walking shorts are not permissable
K-8 Girls must wear the age-appropriate jumper, skirt, or navy blue pants; walking shorts are not permissable

PE Uniform

Students may wear the uniform gray t-shirt or the approved CYO spiritwear t-shirt for PE with the optional quarter zip fleece or uniform sweatshirt.

The following shirts are NOT permissable:

Hawks 5K t-shirts from previous years
Running with the Hawks t-shirts from last school year
First Communion Retreat t-shirts from previous years
Hoodies of any kind, including CYO spiritwear

2023-24 Family Directory

St. Louis publishes an online directory for K-8 families via DirectorySpot. The 2023-24 directory has not yet been released. We anticipate it to be available soon. Note, some returning families may still be able to view the 2022-23 directory. Please be aware that this directory is no longer current and accurate.

DUE NOW: St. Louis School 2023-24 Handbook Agreement Form

2023-24 Handbook

Handbook Agreement Form for K-5 Parents

Handbook Agreement Form for MS Parents and Students

All K-8 parents and Middle School students are required to sign the Handbook Agreement Form stating they have read the rules and policies outlined in the 2023-24 Handbook, and they agree to abide by those policies. New this year, the agreement form is an online form with electronic signature. There are 2 versions - one for K-5 parents and one for MS parents and students. Please be sure to sign the correct one.

PAST DUE: FCPS Home Language Survey Form

Home Language Survey Form

All K-8 families are required to complete and return the FCPS Home Language Survey for EACH child enrolled at St. Louis School (i.e. if you have 3 children enrolled, please complete 3 forms). A hard copy of this completed form may be sent in with your child to the attention of the front office. E-mailed forms will not be accepted.

A Reminder on Diocesan/State Attendance Policy

Reporting an absence is a two-step process: The first step is to notify the office by phone call (703-768-7732) or email (attendance@stlouisschool.org) prior to or on the day of the absence to let us know where your child is and the reason for the absence. The second step is to send written notification on the day that the child returns to school, confirming the days of and reason for the absence. This can be hard copy written notification sent in through kidmail or electronic copy sent to attendance@stlouisschool.org. Thank you for your assistance with this policy – Mrs. Schymanski is happy to help you with the process!

Welcome back to the 23-24 school year! I am excited to be back and see all the students!

I just wanted to give some updated information from the Virginia Department of Health and discuss the sick policy here at St. Louis. Earlier this week the health department sent out information of a meningitis outbreak in VA. I have attached the letter from the Health Department. The most common symptoms of meningitis are, high fever, nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light, severe headache, neck pain. To date there have been no cases in Northern Virginia.

Sick Policy: Children with fevers, contagious, or infectious diseases will be sent home promptly and excluded from school while in that condition, per Virginia Department of Health regulations. Once the student is confirmed to be free of communicable illness by a healthcare provider OR is fever free/symptom free for 24 hours without taking anti-fever medications, the student may return to school, after school, and extracurricular activities. St. Louis is a wonderful community, and teachers/staff/students may be dealing with compromised immune systems, so we are asking for continued observance of our sick policy.

Medication: I am asking if your student is on any daily medication, either prescription or OTC, to please let me know. All that information will stay locked in the clinic. If there was an emergency, I will need to be able to let emergency services know if the child is taking any medication.

I am always free to talk to or answer any questions. nurse@stlouisschool.org

Blessings,

Megan Aguilar, BSN, RN

Preschool Corner

Preschool Back-to-School Night - TONIGHT!

Thursday, August 31st 6-7:00 PM - in the cafeteria and your child’s classroom. This is a parent only event. Please no children. See the schedule for the evening below.

6:00 pm - Panda and Monkey classes meet in the classroom @ 6:00 PM for a brief presentation from your child’s teacher.
6:15 pm - Preschool Parent Meeting: Meet with Beth Burke, Director for a welcome and an overview of our program.
6:45 pm - Zebra and Lamb classes meet in the classroom for a brief presentation from your child’s teacher.

Hawk Happenings: September 1-8, 2023

Friday, September 1

11:30 Dismissal
No PM EDC
No school for Preschool Pandas

Monday, September 4

No School - Labor Day

Tuesday, September 5

Lunch: Swedish Meatballs*
Ice Cream Available
K-5 Back-to-School Night, 7pm
First day preschool lunch bunch

Wednesday, September 6

Lunch: Chicken Nuggets*
K-5 Mass
MS Back-to-School Night, 6:30pm

Thursday, September 7

Lunch: Cheesburger Meatloaf*
Ice Cream Available

Friday, September 8

Lunch: Pizza*

FULL SCHOOL CALENDAR

Did you know you can subscribe to our school calendar for real-time updates, convenient links to SUGs and flyers, and more? Subscribe to auto-populate your iCal, Outlook 2007+ or Google calendar

*Hot lunch must be ordered monthly in advance.

Order September hot lunch HERE.

LATE orders accepted until 9pm tonight. Late fees will apply.

Tickets must be pre-purchased to redeem for ice cream on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tickets leftover from last year may be used through the end of September.

Order ice cream tickets HERE.

PTO

Thanks a million to Lindsay Little and Liz Schwieterman for putting together amazing treat bags to welcome the teachers and administrators back to school! And thanks to Lynn Michaels for arranging fabulous welcome back lunches for the staff!

St. Louis FEAST-ival!

Thank you to all our hardworking volunteers who made the St. Louis FEAST-ival such an amazing success last Friday, despite a few raindrops!

Particular thanks to Father O’Hare for making it all possible. We appreciate the support from the parish, especially Carmen Lane, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Knights of Columbus, Grupo de Oracion and the FilAm Ministry.

Many thanks to Mrs. Dyke and the numerous teachers and administrators who helped out. And most of all, thank you to all the families who attended! A great time was had by all; God is good, all the time!

Spirit Dinner

Join us September 19 and/or 20th at El Paso on Cooper Road for our first Spirit Dinner of the school year! Bring the flyer with you to help St. Louis PTO raise funds while you connect with new and old classmates.

We’ll have a variety of Spirit Dinners throughout the year – some will be dine-in (or take out), while others will be pre-order and pick-up in the carpool line or EDC; so stay tuned! Contact Katie Schubert kgodburn@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Monday Rosary Group

The Monday Rosary Group meets after morning drop off when school is in session in front of the Mary statue next to the main entrance. Start the week praying with and for our school community. No experience necessary!

Save the Date! Hawks 5K & Fun Run - October 14th

Mark your calendars now for the annual Hawks 5k and Fun Run, back for the 10th year! Whether it’s the 5k course or the 1.5 mile Fun Run, runners of all ages will enjoy fun and exercise while raising funds for our school. Also returning this year, the Hawks Post-Race Pitstop! Be sure to stop by for Food, Friends, and Fun!

To register, sign up online at: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Alexandria/StLouisHawks5K. Paper registration forms will be coming home in a future Friday folder.

This event is open to the entire family and St. Louis Parish community. Proceeds benefit St. Louis Catholic School and Preschool.

CYO & Extracurriculars

Chess Club - Grades K-8

"Your Best Chess" will be offering their program to our students this school year. YBC trains students of all ages and skill levels, and they've developed a fun, interesting, proven, interactive curriculum--including class tournaments.

Fall Dates: Mondays, Sept. 11 - Nov. 6, 2:15-3:15pm
Grade Levels: K - 8th
Skill Levels: Complete Beginner to Advanced
Cost: $135*/student
*10% discount when 3+ students are enrolled from one family

PSA Fall After School Sports - Grades K-5

PSA is back and will be offering the following Fall after school sports for K-5 students:

Flag Football - Tuesdays, Sept. 12 - Oct. 24, 3:30-4:40pm
Soccer - Wednesdays, Sept. 13 - Oct. 25, 3:30-4:30pm

For more information and to register, visit HERE.

Trail Life

Have a son interested in joining Trail Life? See the attached flier for details. Mark your calendars for "Join Trail Life Night" on September 14th, 6:30-7:30pm in the school cafeteria or visit troopva2907.org for more information and registration. Get in on the adventure!

CYO Spirit Wear Orders

It's time to order your CYO spirit wear for the year. The link to order is www.sewnluv.com/st-louis. The site will be open at 5:00 pm Friday, August 25th through Friday, September 8th at 5:00 pm. The orders take about 2-3 weeks to fulfill. The CYO will contact you when the orders are in. If you have any questions, please contact the St. Louis parish CYO team at saintlouiscyo@gmail.com. Thank you for your support, and Go Hawks!

CYO Hawks Cheerleading

Shout your St. Louis spirit loud and proud as a Hawks Cheerleader!! Hawks Cheerleading is open to all boys and girls in grades 4 - 8 and is a great opportunity to represent your school and support your classmates during pep rallies, basketball games, competitions, and many other fun school events! Practices will begin the week of September 18th. Coach Natalie Salisbury and Coach Maria Driggers will also host a live zoom session to provide interested parents an overview of our cheer program and what to expect for the 2023 - 2024 season.

To attend the session or to learn more about Hawks Cheerleading please email HawksCheerALX@gmail.com and/or fill out this form.

Registration opens on 9/1/2023 at SportsPilot.

CYO Cross Country, Track and Tennis Teams

Calling all athletes in Grades 3-8! Registration is open for the CYO Track and Field, Cross Country and Tennis teams. Practices begin Friday, September 8th–see flier for details and how to register. Go Hawks!

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