Mass – Thursday, December 8th

Please note for this coming week – Mass will be on Thursday (and not Wednesday) as we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Please have students wear Mass attire on Thursday, December 8th, and not on Wednesday, December 7th. 

Family Learning

Family Learning – Struggling in Math

In our last two Family Learning articles, we’ve discussed how parents can help their children learn their math facts. As we move further into the school year, math class can increasingly be full of new, deep learning that seems to move quickly from one new concept to the next. Students can become frustrated and struggle. How can you, as parents, help your child learn to persevere and not give up when the going gets tough? Here is a link to a blog post with some suggestions.

Learning Commons Literacy Corner

Please click here for our weekly Learning Commons Literacy Corner updates including the quote of the week, vocabulary word of the week, and the high frequency words of the week.

Middle School Midterms

Middle school midterms are right around the corner. Click here to find a schedule of the “Exam Prep Days” and the specific content area test(s) that your child will be taking each day. Students will be given 1 hour and 15 minutes for each midterm with a 30 minute break in between midterms.  

The Skilled Student

“Strengthening the executive functions for success in school and life.”

We are excited to announce that St. Cecilia will be partnering with Dr. Kimberly Harrison and Lauren Fink with the Conative Group to strengthen the executive functions of our students.  The goal is to develop and implement systems, awareness and structure for improving executive function skills in students, and better prepare students for meeting the rigorous academic challenges both in the present and in the next stages of education and beyond. Stay tuned for more information about an opportunity in the Spring for parents to learn more about how they can support their student(s) with executive functioning skills.  

Giving Tuesday and Annual Fund Update

What an incredible day of giving! Thank you to our dedicated community for coming together on #GivingTuesday in support of our school’s Annual Fund. In just 24 hours, we raised a total of $23,035! Thank you not only for your support on Giving Tuesday but for your support of St. Cecilia Catholic School every day. If you haven’t made your gift to the Annual Fund just yet, you can do so here! 

Annual Fund Incentive Update: 

PK3K- 54%

PK4H- 63% *Ms. Hicks's class is in the lead!

KJ- 52%

1S- 45%

2L- 58%

3O- 60%

4A- 57% 

5R- 47%

6R- 44%

7D- 39%

8T- 42%

Click here to see the total Annual Fund progress and click here to see how the homeroom participation standings have changed! 

Current Grade Level Leader:

PK4 remains in the lead with 53% participation! 

All School Family Participation - 37%

Auction T-Shirt Now Available for Students and Adults!

The 2023 "An Interstellar Evening" Auction T-Shirt is out of this world! We have sizes for both kids and adults. Auction t-shirts can be worn on school spirit days. **The deadline to order shirts is Monday, December 19th** 

Thank you to our generous Auction T-Shirt Sponsor - Lot & Block Properties - Betsy Sherman, Lauren Box, & Vanessa Ellis!

HSA December Events

Sweet Treats - Sign Up Genius – December 7th

There are a limited number of spots still available for families to join in our annual Sweet Treats tradition this coming Thursday, December 7th! HSA is asking parents to bring sweet treats for faculty and staff to enjoy throughout the day. Please drop off treats at the front office. Please click here to review the available slots and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

December Meeting – December 13th

Save-the-date for the December HSA Meeting on Tuesday, December 13th. The meeting will be at school in the Maker Space lab starting at 8:15AM with social time, including hot cocoa and an Ugly Christmas Sweater contest. The meeting will begin at 8:45AM and will be recorded and posted later that week. Please click here to register to attend. 

8th Grade vs. Faculty Basketball Game Benefitting Catholic Charities - Thursday, December 15th

The faculty is once again challenging the 8th grade basketball players to a "friendly" basketball game on December 15th at 9:30AM. All 4th through 8th grade students are invited to watch the game.

This event is fun to watch and serves as a good cause benefiting Catholic Charities. We are kindly asking each student to bring in a wrapped and labeled gift as entry to the game. The gift should be for a child of the same age and gender as your student. For example, a St. Cecilia 5th grade girl should bring a gift for a 5th grade girl; students should label the gift (i.e. "5th-grade girl"). There will be a collection area for the wrapped gifts in the gym. If you have any questions contact Coach Kinnick!

2022 Christmas Program Information 

We are excited about our upcoming Christmas programs. The students have been working hard to learn their songs and speaking parts. We can’t wait to share them with you!

The dates and times for the performances are as follows:

• PK3, PK4, Kindergarten, and First Grade students will present their program for the parents on Thursday, December 15th at 12:45PM in the Auditorium
• The Second, Third, and Fourth Grade students will present their program for the parents on Thursday, December 15th at 2:00PM in the Auditorium 

Information was sent out yesterday regarding the seating for both Christmas Programs (for both free and available to purchase seating). Please note that all attendees need to use the Eventbrite system to get their seats. There will not be any arrival and congregating in the front office for hours in advance. All seating will be pre-reserved. 

As your children are preparing for these programs, please help them memorize their song lyrics and speaking parts, if they have one. All songs and speaking parts need to be memorized. There will not be a screen with projected lyrics. Each grade level has a Google music classroom where the songs and recordings are posted for students to practice outside of music class.  

Please see this letter from our Music teacher Carol Crittenden regarding student attire and other additional important information about the Christmas Program. Thank you for your support. We are looking forward to two fabulous Christmas programs!

After School Enrichment Opportunities

The following after school enrichment opportunities will be available next semester.

American Robotics Academy - Both classes will be held on Mondays this spring, with classes held concurrently. Grades K-2nd will be “Imagineers” and work with Legos to be creative and problem solve. Grades 3-5th will build LEGO battle bots. Click here to register.

Academy for Fencing Education - 1st grade and up have the opportunity to participate in fencing classes on Tuesdays, hosted by Benoit Bouysset, a second level master of arms, three-time world champion fencing master, and the former resident coach at the Olympic Training Center and national coach for the USA men’s epee team at the 2012 London Olympics. Students do not need to buy a fencing mask - it will be provided. Register here!

MoveNation Dance Academy - Early childhood dance continues on Tuesdays this spring, starting at 4:15 pm. Students will continue preparing for an end-of-year recital. Register here!

St. Cecilia Martial Arts Team - The St. Cecilia Martial Arts Team led by Strake Jesuit’s martial arts coach, Tyler Sowers, continues on Wednesdays in the spring. Spaces are limited. Please see this flyer for more information and a registration link.

Glass Gymnastics - The Ultimate Gymnastics Learning Experience –Where the fun never stops! Ages 3 and up are welcome to continue training with Coach Glass on Thursdays. Click here to register online.

Abrakadoodle Art Program - Abrakadoodle’s fun and educational art program continues on Thursdays, focusing on a different artist, medium, and style each week. Grades PK4-and up! Register here!

Basketball Christmas Break Camp 

Join Coach Da'Shawn for a "New Year, New Skills" Basketball Camp. This camp is open to both boys and girls in grades PK4 through 5th Grade over the Christmas Break. The camp will focus on ball handling, shooting, passing, defense, agility, fun games, and more. Click here to view the flyer. 

Dates:

• December 26th - December 30th

Times:

• PK4 - 2nd Grade - 11:30AM - 1:00PM
• 3rd - 5th Grade - 1:00PM - 2:30PM

Click here for more information and to register online.

Parish T-ball/Baseball/Softball Information

Calling all Pre-K 3 through 5th grade students. Spring parish T-ball/Baseball/Softball registration is now open! Registration will remain open from 12/2 – 2/1. We look forward to a wonderful spring season and hope to see you there!  

Sing In The Children's Choir For Christmas!

The St. Cecilia Church and School Children/Youth choir is accepting new members for the 4:00PM Children’s Mass on Christmas Eve. Students in grades two through eight are welcome to participate. Younger students must be able to read.

In order to participate, you must attend all of the following rehearsals:

• Wednesday, December 7 & 14 from 4:00 to 5:00PM
• Wednesday, December 21 from 2:00 to 3:30PM

For more information, please contact Carol Crittenden or Andrew Meinen.

The 34th Annual Performance of the Holiday Vocal Arts Concert featuring Handel’s MESSIAH - December 9-10, 2022

The tradition returns for its 34th year! Come celebrate the holidays with the St. Agnes Academy and Strake Jesuit Mixed Chorus, Triple Trios, and Performance Workshop as they perform sacred and secular holiday favorites, culminating with Part 1 "The Christmas Portion” of Handel’s choral masterwork, Messiah. This magical event takes place on December 9th and 10th. Several St. Cecilia alumni perform in these groups and would love to see you! Tickets range between $5-$15 (including special pricing for students, alumnae, and faculty/staff), and you can purchase in advance.