Dear Families,

This Sunday, we celebrate the Sixth Sunday in Lent known as Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. It is on Palm Sunday we enter Holy Week as we welcome Jesus into our lives and ask him to allow us to share in his suffering, death, and Resurrection. Holy Week presents to us the actual events of the dying and rising of Jesus. As we prepare for Holy Week’s events, we are allowing Jesus to forgive our sins and also deepen our relationship with God and strengthen our Faith as disciples of Jesus. I remember when I taught 5th grade for eight years and Holy Week was such an important topic and event with my students. In the classroom, Mrs. Talevich and I would read reflections of what Jesus went through from the time of Palm Sunday until his death and resurrection on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. As a class, we would read, “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” based upon a true story of a young lady, Sadako Sasaki who have been diagnosed with leukemia caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The story relates to life, death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Holy Week was a time for me to ask for forgiveness of my sins but also a time to think about how Jesus suffered for our sins. As we prepare for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and the Triduum, I ask that you reflect on what Jesus sacrificed for us, knowing that he did this for our salvation for the love of us and for God. 

2023-2024 – Important Dates

I will officially finalize the calendar in the next few weeks and will have the calendar set in May but here are some important dates you can put in your calendar now:

• Passport Day (Drop off Supplies and Meet Teacher), Thursday, August 31st, 2023.
• Labor Day Holiday Weekend, Friday, September 1st – Monday, September 4th, 2023 (School Office Closed)
• First Full Day of School: Tuesday, September 5th, 2023
• Thanksgiving Break: November 22nd – November 24th, 2023
• Christmas Break: December 18th, 2023 – January 1st, 2024
• Mid-Winter Break: February 19th – February 23rd
• Easter Break: April 1st – 5th, 2024
• Last Day of School: June 14th, 2024

Planned Absence – Easter Break

Families who will be extending their Easter Break by- three or more school days will need to fill out a planned absence form. You may find the planned absence form for K-3 here and 4-8 here. Planned absence forms should be completed ahead of time and no later than 5 days before the absence begins. Thank you to adhering to our planned absence policies. 

Faculty and Staff Updates

It is the time of year where I update the school community on any changes within our school staff and faculty. Kaitlin McKenna has done a great job as our long-term substitute in kindergarten but will be pursuing her Master’s degree and Teaching Certification next year. Christine Tubb has decided to move down to kindergarten and will be working alongside Cherie McIntosh as our new Kindergarten Teacher in KB next year. Here is a message from Christine:

For the past two years I have been so lucky to work alongside the marvelous Dianna Portolese. Knowing that of my 17 years in education, only two were spent in 1st grade, Dianna took me under her wing, and I was (and am) continually inspired by her passion and commitment to her students. However, while I have loved teaching 1st grade with Dianna, I have missed kindergarten, so next year I will be joining the kindergarten team as the teacher in KB. It is bittersweet to leave 1st grade, but I am excited for new adventures next year in kindergarten. 

We wish the best for Ms. Kaitlin McKenna as she pursues her advanced degree and certification, and we welcome Mrs. Christine Tubb as part of the Kindergarten Team. 

Another announcement I would like to make is that our SEL Specialist, PreK Lead Teacher, and Director of Extracurricular Activities, Maria Zambrano will not be returning next year. Here is a letter to the St. Louise community:

Dear St. Louise family,  

It is with a heavy heart that I announce my departure from St. Louise School. 

This has been, by no means, an easy decision. But I feel God is sending me down a path that I can no longer ignore. So many pieces are falling into place, and they are calling to me.  

First, as most of you know, my aging parents are in need of constant care requiring me to be closer. I’m grateful for the honor to share this time of their lives with them.

Secondly, I plan to go back to school to become a school counselor.  It wasn't until I initiated my Spiritual Director program and became the Social and Emotional Learning specialist that I realized God’s new calling for me. I light up when I see the impact I can have on children, and I want to do more to help support and guide them. 

As a teacher, it has been an honor to help shepherd your children into learning and Christ. I will always carry with me the love and energy of my PreK kids! On my worst days, they were my light. On my best days they helped me soar to heights of joy I never knew were possible. Add in Kids’ Club, recess supervision, summer camps and extracurricular activities, and my cup runneth over with love. I thank the parents who have chosen Catholic education and shared their children with us. This blessed place called St. Louise will always hold a special place in my heart. May God continue blessing this amazing school we love. 

I look forward to my next chapter. If you see me at Starbucks or Costco, PLEASE stop and say hello. I especially love seeing kids who were once as high as my knees, all grown up, talking to me at eye-level! I love hearing about your success and know in my heart, I played a small part in your beautiful futures. 

I leave you with one of my favorite quotes, one that sings to my heart and all of my being: 

“Dance like there’s nobody watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like there’s nobody listening, And live like it’s heaven on earth.” William W. Purkey.

¡Muchas Gracias, St. Louise!

Maria Zambrano

During the next few weeks, I will be posting positions looking for a primary grade teacher as well as a School Counselor with specializing in SEL.

Please continue to pray for Dr. Liz Cruickshank as she continues with her treatments. Also please pray for our Instructional Assistant and Recess Supervisor, Ann Marie Sweeney as she recovers from knee surgery. A couple weeks ago, Mrs. Sweeney was retrieving a ball in the plant area, and she stepped back on ice and hit her knee hard on the ground. She will be recovering at home from her surgery. During her absence, we have many instructional assistant substitutes that will rotate throughout the week to help in the classrooms and on the playground. 

The first and seventh person to e-mail me the correct answer to the question below will win a Charger Card.

Quiz Question: How many years did Mr. Fuerte teach 5th grade at St. Louise Parish School?

Have a Blessed Weekend,

Mr. Mike Fuerte

Principal

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Parish

Dear Friends at St. Louise,

Today we begin Holy Week. Christians give time to follow the path of Jesus in his passion, death and resurrection, especially with liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday – what we call the Triduum (“three days” in Latin) – and Easter Sunday. We fast and abstain from meat on Good Friday. Here are some prayers for each of these days that you can pray at home: 

Palm Sunday

Leader: Blessed are you, God of Israel, so rich in love and mercy. Let these blessed branches remind us of Christ’s triumph. When we look upon them, may we rejoice in his cross and sing your praise for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Leader: Let us bless the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Holy Thursday

Leader: Lord, on this Holy Thursday, we thank You for the gift of Your Son. May our entry into the mysteries of his life, death and resurrection give us the confidence to live with unshakeable faith in Your faithful and abiding love. We make this prayer to You in his name. 

All: Amen.

Good Friday

Leader: May abundant blessing, O Lord, we pray, descend upon your people, who have honored the death of Your Son in the hope of their resurrection: may pardon come, comfort be given, holy faith increase, and everlasting redemption be made secure. Through Christ our Lord. 

All: Amen.

Holy Saturday

Help me (us), dear Lord, to enter into the sorrow and the silence of this Holy Saturday. Today no sacraments are celebrated. Today the world waits, in mourning, in anticipation of the glory of new life! As I (we) keep vigil, awaiting the celebration of your Resurrection, fill me (us) with hope.

All: Amen. 

Next week I will give you a prayer to use at home for Easter Sunday. I hope these simple prayers will help you to live Holy Week as the “domestic church” and to take the wondrous love of Christ to others. 

Happy Holy Week! 

Fr. Gary Zender 

“Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself.”

-St. Francis de Sales

Stations of the Cross school prayer service assisted by the 4th grade class.

Yesterday, was the first-ever District Battle of the Books tournament. Team Lightning Readers, which consists of Brooke, Satyana, Sophie, Maria, Jose and Alejandra, went up against teams from six other Eastside Catholic Schools. Way to go Chargers! 👏

Peter Pan Jr. Performance

Second Grade Maker Space

Fr. Franck Rouleau during our St. Anne du Hyacinthe Mass.

In Religion class, KB baked their own pretzel to remind us of arms crossed in prayer, and was a fun Lent treat for us to share.

Widodo Karli Family

Morris/Herber Family

Antezana Garvizu Family



Coles Family