Family Learning

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.

Catholic Schools Week 2023

St. Cecilia Catholic School is proud to celebrate Catholic Schools Week 2023 – January 29th – February 3rd. Our schedule of special events and themes for each day of celebration is listed below.

Saturday and Sunday, January 28th – 29th

Students who attend either the 5PM Mass on Saturday, January 28th, or the 8AM, 10AM, or 5PM Masses on Sunday, January 29th and wear their school Mass Uniform will get a free dress pass to be used on Monday, February 6th.

Monday, January 30th

Celebrating Our Students – Focus On Faith

• All students can wear appropriate free dress.
• Ice Cream Social at Lunch.
• No homework Monday Night / No Tests on Monday or Tuesday.

Tuesday, January 31st

Celebrating Our Teachers – Focus On Serving

• Teachers can wear free dress.
• Student Council provides snacks to Teachers.
• Administration provides lunch to Teachers.

Wednesday, February 1st

Celebrating Our Parents

• 8:15AM All School Mass with Parents Invited
• 9:15AM Parent Reception in Learning Commons

Thursday, February 2nd

Celebrating Our Community – Focus On Succeeding

• Classes and grade levels deliver Thank You Cards and/or treats to Community groups.

Friday, February 3rd

• Weekly Spirit Day – Students can wear spirit wear
• 8:15AM Assembly and All School Rosary
• 12:20PM Early Dismissal
• 6:00PM – Neon Night Dance

Re-Enrollment, Tuition, 2023 - 2024 Calendar, and Admissions

Re-Enrollment for 2023 - 2024

Our Re-Enrollment Process for currently enrolled students who will be returning to St. Cecilia Catholic School for the 2023 - 2024 school year will begin on Wednesday, February 1st, and conclude on Monday, February 13th at 3:00PM.

• There is nothing you need to do at this time, and families will receive a separate email for the Re-Enrollment Process on Wednesday, February 1st, 2023.

Re-Enrollment: Special Medical Forms

If you have a child that has any of the following: Asthma, Food & Life Threatening Allergies, Seizures, or Diabetes you will need to submit required Archdiocesan updated medical forms during the re-enrollment period. Many of these forms need information from physicians so we wanted to make the forms available now to download and begin to fill out to get a head start. These forms are all fillable .pdf files, and if you download the forms to your computer, you can type in them and save them, and even send them to your physician for electronic signatures as well. Please go to this Google Drive folder to download the forms. Please note, you won’t be able to upload the completed forms back to the school until the re-enrollment process in FACTS begins.

2023 - 2024 School Year Calendar and Tuition

The annual Re-Enrollment email that will be sent out on Wednesday, February 1st will contain the one page school calendar for the 2023 - 2024 school year, and also information on the Tuition for next year. 

New Student Admissions 

The process for new student applications for the 2023-2024 school year remains open and will continue through the deadline of Friday, February 3, 2023 (all new student applications must be fully completed and submitted by Friday, February 3, 2023). If you are interested in applying for a sibling, or if you know someone interested in applying to St. Cecilia Catholic School for their child(ren), please visit our Admissions Process page on our website or contact Tori Hicks to schedule an in-person tour.

• Please note, the Application Process is only for interested students who are not currently enrolled in St. Cecilia Catholic School at this time.

Girls and Boys Basketball Playoffs Information

Congratulations to both our girls and boys basketball teams for making it to the playoffs again this year! All of the information we have at this time is below. As we have more information, we will post updates on our school social media pages. 

First Round Games

Both the girls and boys basketball teams will have first round home playoff games on Monday, January 30th at St. Cecilia. The girls game will be at 5PM, and the boys game at 6PM. 

Second Round Games

If the teams progress onto the second round, those games will both be held on Wednesday, February 1st. Locations and times TBD.

Championship

If the teams progress to the Championship games, they will be played at St. Thomas High School on Saturday, February 4th - times TBD.

Updates

Please watch our school social media pages to keep up with updates regarding possible next round games.

Neon Night - Friday, February 3rd - 6PM to 8PM

Are you ready for a GLOW-UP? Neon Night is a crazy, fun, glow-in-the-dark dance party -- for all grades -- that your kids cannot miss! Come dance to all your favorite hits and play games while you glow in the dark.

The St. Cecilia Auction "Neon Night," party is on Friday, February 3, 2023, from 6:00PM-8:00PM.

• Who: All current St. Cecilia students and parents are invited!

• Why: NEON NIGHT is a blacklight-glow-up dance party! It's fun for kids (and parents) of all ages! AND it's a great way to support our school! All proceeds from NEON NIGHT go towards the school auction.

• Where: Gym - Dance, Pavilion, and Cafeteria (Food & Water setup)

• How: Register to attend online here 

• Attire: Anything that glows in the dark or that glows under UV blacklight. The best colors that glow under blacklight are bright white and neon or fluorescent colors -- especially neon yellow, green, pink, aqua, and orange. Prizes will be awarded to the best NEON NIGHT costumes -- Individual costume and Group costume -- so get creative!

Neon Night Volunteers Needed!

We need volunteers to make this a fun and safe event! Please sign up for a shift here.

Please contact Janine Hergesell if you have any questions.

We hope to see your glowing faces at NEON NIGHT on February 3!

8th Grade Musical - Walk On Role Auction

Once upon a time, there were two lucky St. Cecilia students who won parts in the 8th grade musical production of "Into the Woods." You can bid on a chance for your child to have a "walk-on" role in the Class of 2023's performance of "Into The Woods."

Choose between two parts, the goose that laid the golden egg or a stolen cow the Baker is trying to pass off as Milky White. A cast t-shirt and an invitation to the cast party is also included! Open to any student in 2nd grade and up.

Must be available to attend rehearsals on Friday, February 3rd and Saturday, February 11th and the performances on February 14th, 16th, 17th, and 18th.

Please enter your assigned bidder number (provided by the school) and the amount of your bid (no dollar signs are necessary). You can fill out this form and bid as many times as you would like.

Bidding for Walk-On Role:

This will be a closed bidding process and only open to St. Cecilia families with 2nd grade students and older. In order to bid, please contact the Director of Community Engagement, Tim Scalzitti. You will be assigned a unique bidder number and then sent a link to the bidding form and instructions. Bidding begins today, Wednesday, January 25th and runs through 3:30PM on Monday, January 30th.

Save-The-Date – Book Fair and Read-A-Thon

The annual St. Cecilia Catholic School Book Fair and Read-A-Thon will take place Friday, February 17th – Friday, February 24th. More information about how to participate in Book Fair and Read-A-Thon will be in coming Insiders over the next few weeks.

Skilled Student Initiative – Java With Jeff and Carpool Update

Java With Jeff

Save-the-date for Tuesday, February 28th at 8:15AM in the Auditorium for the 3rd Quarter Java With Jeff. The topic will be “The Skilled Student” executive functioning program from The Conative Group and how St. Cecilia will be implementing this initiative. Dr. Kimberly B. Harrison, Clinical Psychologist and founder of The Conative Group, has over 12 years of research and clinical practice focused on improving executive functions. She has developed a treatment approach, which combines Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Executive Function Coaching. To underscore the importance of parents attending this Java with Jeff, we will be issuing free dress passes to the students whose parents attend. Please RSVP online to attend.

Carpool Update

As we continue to support our students' development of executive functioning skills through our Skilled Student Initiative, we are encouraging our students and teachers to better utilize our afternoon homeroom time to organize and prepare materials for homework and upcoming projects. Therefore, beginning on Monday, February 6, students will not be dismissed from homeroom until 3:20PM. Regular carpool will begin shortly thereafter.

Steps For Students – Saturday, February 11, 2023

The Archdiocesan Steps For Students 5K run returns for its 17th year on Saturday, February 11, 2023. You can either register to participate in the run, or you can “Hit Snooze for Students” – both options support St. Cecilia Catholic School by having a portion of the registration fees to help support various campus programs. The run begins at 8:30AM downtown at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, and participants can visit the St. Cecilia Catholic School tent for snacks and drinks in the Catholic School Village beginning at 7:00AM.

• Click here for a full Steps for Students schedule 
• Click here to register to either participate in the race or “Hit Snooze for Students”

Daddy Daughter Dance - Saturday, February 18th - 6:00PM to 8:30PM

Daddies get dapper, and Daughters get ready to be swept off your feet! Please join us for our "Forever Valentine" annual Daddy Daughter Dance. Party will include DJ entertainment, dancing, photo booth, dessert and drinks and is open to all 1st through 5th grade girls.

Saturday, February 18th, 6:00PM - 8:30PM

St. Cecilia Community Center

Unlimited spots available for 1st - 5th Grade daughters

$75 for one, $125 for two, $40 each for over 2

Online registration is now available here.

Hosted by the Box, Christian, Cropper, D'Aquin, Darvishi, Day, Drake, Duffield, Esslinger, Gussett, Lindsey, Lister, Manuel, Marks, McCullough, McGinnis, Metzger, Nugent, Nunez, Perilloux, Podsim, Schmella, Sherman, VandenBout, Washington, Winkler families.

Archdiocesan Spelling Bee

Congratulations to 8th Grade student Valentina G. for taking home the first place trophy in the Archdiocesan Spelling Bee today! Valentina now moves onto the next round – the 2023 Houston Community College Regional Spelling Bee.

St. Cecilia Science Fair Winners

Congratulations to the following students on winning the 4th, 6th, and 7th grade science fair.  

The 6th & 7th Grade winners will be moving on to compete at the Archdiocesan Science Fair next Friday, January 27th. We are very proud of them and wish them the best of luck.

4th Grade Winners: 

• First place: Santiago G.
• Second place: Mia N.
• Third Place: Hennie P. 
• Runner up: Grant L.

6th Grade Winners:

• 1st: Matthew B.
• 2nd: Madi M. 
• 3rd: Parker F. 

7th Grade Winners:

• 1st: Kelsey W.
• 2nd: Stephen F.
• 3rd: Jackson C.

Reminder – Wearable Technology Policy

As a reminder, please review the school’s policy regarding cell phones and wearable technology. Per the Family Handbook:

• Students are not allowed to use their cell phones on the campus, while under school supervision, and/or participating in a school sponsored activity.
• Wearable technology that allows for Smartphone notifications, such as email, caller ID, SMS, social networking, and messaging alerts are prohibited.
• Fitness trackers are allowed if all text/call notifications are disabled.

All smart watches, including Apple watches, Gizmos, Garmin, and similar devices, or any other wearable technology that have a camera, recording capability, or the ability to send messages, are not allowed to be worn during the school day. These not only pose a concern for student privacy, but also have proven to be disruptive to the learning environment.  

Valentine’s Cookie Decorating Parties with Mrs. Drake

Get in the Valentine’s spirit and celebrate Valentine’s Day with cookie decorating! Mrs. Drake is hosting several cookie decorating parties in late January / early February. 

• Valentines Cookie Decorating Party for EPK-1st Graders - Monday 1/30 or Tuesday 1/31 - 3:30-4:15 in Mrs. Drake’s room
• Valentines Decorating Party for 2nd-8th Graders - Wednesday 2/1 or Thursday 2/2 - 3:30-5:00 in Mrs. Drake’s Room

More information about the classes and online registration is available here. Registration deadline is January 28th. 

Catholic Schools Champion Chess Tournament

As many of you might know, chess has become pretty popular lately here at St. Cecilia Catholic School. Kids of all ages are playing it in the library or during recess, and they’re even teaching each other how to play! In light of this, we wanted to let you know about the Catholic Schools Champion Chess Tournament coming up on February 18th at St. Thomas High School. It’s for grades 1-12, and it costs around $35-40. It’s for students who know the rules and enjoy playing, but that they do not have to be very experienced. If you are interested in this opportunity, please use this link to register.

Parish T-ball/Baseball/Softball Information

Registration is now open for the spring. Click here to register.

Academic Skills Camp At St. Thomas High School

St. Thomas High School is pleased to announce details for its Spring Academic Skills Camp, Pathways to Independent Learning. In this course, students are given tools and strategies to take charge of the learning process. They will be able to take full responsibility for choosing effective approaches to long-term learning. Students need the skills and strategies of independent learning in order to excel in any learning environment or situation. Research has proven that facility and practice of executive functioning skills and critical thinking is a greater predictor of student success than IQ. Students who develop the skills of independent learning are better able to adapt and succeed when they encounter obstacles. Click here to register.

Junior High Youth Rally – Saturday, February 18th

Middle School students from all Catholic grade schools in the Archdiocese are invited to the 2023 Archdiocesan Junior High Youth Rally on Saturday, February 18th at St. Simon & St. Jude Catholic Church in the Woodlands. This annual event provides youth in grades 6th – 8th the opportunity to gather to celebrate their faith as a larger archdiocesan community. It is a high-energy, one-day event that provides younger adolescents from Catholic schools and parish programs the opportunity to hear national keynote speakers, attend workshops, and participate in hands-on activities and liturgy (prayer experiences and Sunday Vigil Mass). This event helps adolescents build their sense of Catholic community, evangelization, and deeper relationship with Christ. The day also features the Grand Midway, which includes games, inflatables, onsite service projects, lunch, dinner, and entertainment.  

Click here to download and submit the event registration packet and several other required forms to attend the event. The registration packet should answer most questions regarding the rally and bringing a group to the annual event. Schools may send a staff member or designated Safe Environment certified parent as the group leader and parental chaperones for your group.