School Newsletter
11.18.21
Mission:
St. Anthony of Padua School Community
engages students in academic excellence
while guiding them to live as a reflection of Jesus.
From Mrs. Pudelko:

Dear St. Anthony families,

Time sure flies when you are taking care of a newborn! Our lives are forever changed for the better - I am so blessed to be part of the “parent club” now. Alice Ruth is a healthy, happy baby with a fun personality already!

Thank you to everyone who stepped up during my maternity leave! Chad has done a wonderful job steering the ship in my absence. Behind the scenes, so many others have picked up additional tasks to ensure a smooth start to the school year despite some VERY challenging moments. While I’m not up to speed on everything, I’ve been in regular communication with the school and parish office so I have a good idea about what has been happening!

I’m preparing for my return to the building on Monday, November 22nd. Alice is lucky to be able to stay home in the great care of Grandma! I’m going to miss her terribly during the day, but I’m excited to see the kids, hear about the start of the school year, and jump into the day-to-day school life!

Thank you all for your prayers, support, and kind words! I look forward to seeing you soon.

God bless,
Jenny Pudelko, Principal
Calendars:

All upcoming dates can be found on the school website or app.  


Google Calendar Subscription (click the + at the bottom right to subscribe)

Noteworthy News:


  • St. ANTHONY THEATRE CLUB PRESENTS "Help Desk": a hilarious comedy presented by St. Anthony students about customer service that spirals out of control. Come join us this Friday and Saturday in the school cafeteria!

  • SNIPPETS: One Book, One School All Student Project - St. Anthony of Padua School’s One Book - One School choice for Fall 2021 is Snippets by Diane Alber. This week the students worked on looking for random acts of kindness around St. Anthony School. Students wrote the kind act down and put it in the kindness jar.
  • The last activity for this book is for each student at St. Anthony to create a Bio Poem using a short google form (link attached). The filled-out form will then create a printed Bio Poem that will be cut into a snippet and arranged into a work of art that showcases both individual uniqueness and our connectedness! 
  • We are asking parents of students in grades PK through 3rd to assist their child(ren) and fill out the form no later than Saturday, November 20th.
  • Students in 4th through 8th grade will complete at school with teacher assistance.
  • Our goal is to have every student represented as a unique, important “snippet” of our school community.

  • BLACKBAUD FINANCIAL AID: Time is running out to apply for the first round of Financial Aid for 2022-2023. Please go to your Blackbaud Financial Aid account at studentfinancialaid.blackbaud.school to apply. Blackbaud Financial Aid applications must be complete and updated for families to be considered for tuition assistance or scholarships. Please submit all of your information and documentation by November 30th so that any last minute adjustments can be made if needed. The application deadline for the first round is December 5, 2021. Visit the website for the online instructions. (Spanish instructions). If you do not already have a Blackbaud / Smart Aid account, please click here to get started.

Notes from last week:
  • PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHY YOU LOVE ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL: If you’re a Catholic school parent, you know how valuable this Christ-centered education is for your children. Sharing a testimonial about your experience at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School can help those considering Catholic schools to know that it’s an excellent choice. Testimonial Form Link

  • 8TH GRADE SHADOW NIGHTS:
  • WEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL:
Remaining Fall 2021 Semester Dates for WC:
  • Friday, November 19, 9-12:30 p.m.
  • Monday, November 29, 9-11:55 a.m.
Click HERE to sign up!

  • PESTICIDE ADVISORY: Pesticides are applied - after school hours - on the third Wednesday of the month.  Please see the link below if you need FURTHER notification of application.  You may call the school office with any questions. Pesticide Advisory
November Hot Lunch Menu:

Click image to bring up interactive live calendar. Please note we will not be continually sending separate blasts with last minute changes due to continued shortages in the supply chain. This link along with the app will be updated automatically as soon as changes occur. (click on the calendar)
AmazonSmile:
Amazon shoppers, this is for you!

AmazonSmile is a great opportunity to raise money for St. Anthony School. If you are planning to make any purchases on Amazon, please look at using AmazonSmile when making your purchases, as St. Anthony will receive .05% for each purchase when using AmazonSmile at no cost for you!

How it works:
  • Go to https://smile.amazon.com/, and then log in to your Amazon account.
  • Click the "Get Started" button.
  • When looking for the charity name, type in "St. Anthony of Padua Church" - please make sure the location is listed as Grand Rapids, MI.
  • Begin shopping!

**Please note that each time you are making a purchase on Amazon, be sure to always start at https://smile.amazon.com. We suggest creating a bookmark directly to your smartphone screen.**
#GivingTuesday:
Giving Tuesday is an opportunity for Catholics and others to #GiveCatholicWM in support of our diocese’s parishes, schools, and other ministries. During 24 hours of giving on November 30, we encourage you to donate to St. Anthony with the goal of accomplishing good things together with others through the power of generosity.

The opportunity to give begins at 12 a.m. on Nov. 30.

From 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., you’ll be able to give securely online through the diocesan giving website (donate link will be made available here starting at midnight on Nov. 30). Individuals have the option to give in general or to designate their gift for a particular parish, school, or other ministry. Credit card fees will not be charged which means 100% of your designated donation will go to St. Anthony!
Athletic News:

  • WINTER II SEASON - GIRLS BASKETBALL: Registration for GRACEAC winter II is now open. Girls basketball is available for 5th-8th graders. Please register HERE by Friday, December 3rd for team formation. Practices can begin Monday, January 3rd with games beginning Saturday, January 15. Reminder sports' physicals must be on file to begin practice (see information below).

  • GIRLS BASKETBALL COACHES NEEDED: If you are interested in coaching girls basketball, please contact Lisa Barnum at athletics@saparish.com. Coaches must have a current concussion training certificate on file before the season starts. 

  • WINTER I SEASON: Please remind your students of their grade responsibility for eligibility. Activity eligibility is reviewed weekly by teachers. Please see the Athletic Handbook on the school website for specific details. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Barnum, Interim Athletic Director or Chad Wieber, Dean of Students.

  • SPORTS PHYSICALS: All students grades 3rd through 8th are required to have a physical dated after 4.15.2021 on file with the school office before the first day of scheduled practice. Forms can be found here and emailed to athletics@saparish.com or dropped off to the school office.

  • WEST CATHOLIC BASKETBALL BOYS AND GIRLS YOUTH CAMPS: Starting December 18th! K-4th grade. Learn more and sign up here.
SCRIP Office News:

We have some new cards in the Cash and Carry Box!

  • Bath and Body Works- $25
  • Logan's- $25
  • Macy's- $25, $100
  • Panera Bread- $25
  • Starbucks- $25
  • Target- $100
Take a peek at the Cash and Carry list for some $5 and $10 cards. These are great for gifts and stocking stuffers!

If you haven't already downloaded the RaiseRight App, do it today! You can purchase and download eCards instantly and keep them all in one place.

If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to us. Call or text us at Cherie 616.915.4192 or Mary 616.291.3336

Thank you and Happy Shopping!
Parish Office News:

  • LIVE NATIVITY VOLUNTEERS: Join us for our drive-by Live Nativity once again this year on Saturday, December 18, from 5:30-7:30 PM. We are in need of middle school students to help hand out hot chocolate, booklets, or flyers to cars driving by! Click the SignUpGenius link to sign up or contact Ben Novitsky in the School Office by calling 453-8229, ext. 201 or email bnovitsky@saparish.com.

  • PICTORIAL DIRECTORY: It's not too late! Don't forget to sign up to have your pictures taken for our parish directory. Just follow the link on the parish webpage www.saparish.com.

Our church number is:
mi1615
password: photos
St. Anthony of Padua App:

Please search "St. Anthony of Padua School" in the App Store or follow one of these links to download it. From here, all school information will be at your fingertips! The push notifications will allow you to stay connected to all important information, quick calendar access, staff contacts, and much more!
Newsletter / Emails Resubscribe:

Please take caution when viewing the School Newsletter via a tablet or smartphone, that you do not 'unsubscribe' to the school emails. While 'swiping' with your finger to view the newsletter, it is easy to hit on the 'unsubscribe' button at the bottom of the page. When this is done, you will no longer be able to receive newsletters or email blasts from the school.

If you find you are no longer receiving emails from school, please call the school office at 453-8229, ext. 200. We will send you a 'resubscribe' email. After we get confirmation from you that you accept it, you can be added back to the contact list.
St. Anthony of Padua School | 616-453-8229 x200
schooloffice@saparish.com | www.saparish.com