Weekly School Newsletter
5.27.2021
Mission:
United by faith and service, 
St. Anthony of Padua School community forms knowledgeable students who are moral and courageous Catholic leaders.
From Mrs. Pudelko:

It is so hard to believe we are approaching the end of the school year! It's been a different year, but it seems to have flown by. I know many of you have questions about what next year will look like for students. I am hopeful that we are able to be back to normal - changing classes, lunch in the cafeteria, using lockers, field trips, etc. . . we are planning for the best case scenario! With all that being said, there is a lot of uncertainty. While we are a private school, we are still bound to public health orders, as well as requirements set by the state and county. I assure you that we will always keep the best interest of our students at the forefront of any decisions that are within our control. As we receive information throughout the summer and guidance from the health department and Diocese of Grand Rapids, I will be sending out communication to our families.

An additional change for the 21-22 school year includes a transition for Mrs. Molly Bergman. Mrs. Bergman has accepted a position as an academic support teacher at West Catholic High School. While we are sad to see her leave our St. Anthony staff, this is a great opportunity for her and her family, and we wish her all of the best through this transition.

I'm so proud of our students performance this year! While many schools have not been fully in session, we have never stopped learning since the shut down last March. Our test scores show it! In most instances, our students out performed the average scores nationally on the NWEA assessment. Individual score reports will be sent home today (5/27) with students. Our school averages compared to other schools in the diocese and nation can be viewed here. In addition to looking at these averages, our teachers are also analyzing the percentage of growth for individual students.

We are planning on a full school Mass on June 4th. Parents and our 8th grade graduates are welcome to join us for this time to celebrate a great school year! Following Mass we will recognize Mrs. Bessert and Mrs. Hillary, as well as our students who are receiving academic awards. Dismissal will be at 11:15 am. If you would like your student to leave with you after Mass, he/she can be signed out in the office. Students are encouraged to wear their "Every Move Counts" shirt on Friday, June 4.

Thank you for your partnership this year! We have so much to be thankful for - everyone has earned a restful summer. I look forward to a great year for 2021-2022. Have a wonderful Memorial Day holiday!

Additional Notes:
  • Exam Schedule (Grs. 6-8): Please see the attached link for the Middle School Second Semester Exam schedule: MS Second Semester Exams. We encourage students to start preparing for their exams in advance to ensure they are prepared. Teachers will be allowing some time in class for review, but it is important for students to study nightly leading up to exam week.

  • Graduation: 8th grade graduation will take place on Wednesday, June 2nd. This will be a full Mass followed by the graduation ceremony where we will recognize all of the accomplishments of the 8th grade class. A small reception will take place outside following graduation. Due to the COVID restrictions being lifted for Mass, there is not a limit to the number of attendees.

  • Free Hot Lunch: It was announced recently that we will be able to provide free hot lunch to all students again next year! This is exciting news for all of our families. In the Fall, all families will be asked to complete the application for Free/Reduced hot lunch regardless of your desire to take hot lunch. These applications help us to qualify for additional funding which supports our intervention programs, tutoring, teacher professional development and additional grants. This year these grants have helped us to be 1:1 with devices and supported teacher education with technology enhancements.

  • We continue to offer our referral scholarship again this year. If you have friends or family who may be interested, please pass along the information. We have openings in all grades levels and would love to welcome new members to our St. Anthony school community!

COVID 19 INFORMATION

  • HEALTH DEPARTMENT TOOLKIT: The Health Department continues to update the School Toolkit. All parents are encouraged to review these updates here.

Dear Parents,

This past year, your child’s school implemented a healthy eating and physical activity program called Building Healthy Communities. An important part of the program is an evaluation at the end of the school year. It means a lot to us to hear from the parents of the students in the schools with which we partnered. This evaluation provides our staff with the necessary feedback to make changes and improve upon our program for the next school year. It also allows us to document all of the positive outcomes of the program.
We understand that due to COVID, some of the programming may not be complete. Please answer each of the questions to the best of your ability.
The survey should only take 2-3 minutes to complete. Just click on the following link to take the survey electronically, by June 1st, 2021. If for some reason the link is not working, please contact Mrs. Pudelko.


The survey will also be posted under the Parent Resources tab on www.bhcwsu.org 

Thank you for your participation and I very much hope your child enjoyed the Building Healthy Communities program! Don’t forget, as a participant in the Building Healthy Communities program, you will have access to www.bhcwsu.org website for future use!

Avoid over-sized portions. Portion sizes have increased over the years and it’s one of the reasons children become overweight. Start meals with small servings and let your child ask for more if they are still hungry. Avoid giving adult-sized plates to younger children – it may encourage them to eat too much. If you eat out at a restaurant, ask for a takeout box to take half or more of your meal home. Oftentimes, restaurants serve meals that are 3-4 times larger than a regular serving size. 


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.
Calendars:

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


Noteworthy News:


  • FOURTH QUARTER GRADES & REPORT CARDS: Teachers are working on report cards for the 4th quarter. Grades are in progress and will be published June 8th. Teachers will be available via email/phone on June 9th or 10th with any questions.

  • A note from Mr. LaPrise: MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND CONCERT: I am pleased to announce that we can now safely have a (Grades 5 thru 8) Middle School Band concert at West Catholic to showcase all of the tremendous work our young musicians have done this year despite it being an incredibly tough year. Here are the details: The Concert will be held at West Catholic at 7 pm on Thursday, June 3rd, in the Cafetorium. The students are asked to dress up nice (business casual is fine). The 5th graders will perform followed by the 6/7/8 Band. Some Band Awards will also be given during the Concert. This Concert will be short but sweet (finished by 8 pm) as I know some students will have to get home to get a good night's rest for exams. This Concert is also sorely needed by these kids who have not had a chance to perform all year. With all of the 8th grade Graduations, Confirmations and the Memorial Day Weekend, this was really the only open date. Thanks for your every effort to make it work; I do so appreciate it. It will be Covid-19 safe as we will be practicing social distancing, and all non vaccinated folks are asked to please wear a mask if possible. We are limiting our audience to 2 members per student. That puts us well below the allowed threshold for indoor gatherings. That being said, we will also have doors open and our ventilation system running for added safety. Please do not hesitate to email me at darrenlaprise@grwestcatholic.org with any concerns. I cannot wait to show you all that these kids have done this year. I am so proud of them and I know you will be, too. I look forward to seeing you all very soon. Darren LaPrise

  • ST. ANTHONY BAND FAMILIES: St. Anthony Band families, please see the attached flyer for summer band opportunities: Summer Band 2021

  • CHECK YOUR SCHOOL PHONE NUMBER: Parents, please be sure that the phone number you are calling is 616-453-8229. For years we had several lines that were accessible, but they no longer are in use. If you have a number to one of those lines stored in your phone, please update with the number above. If you have called the school office and the phone rings continuously - does not get answered or go into voicemail - this is the reason!

  • WEST CATHOLIC ANNUAL GOLF OUTING: The West Catholic Golf Outing is back on and we invite you to join in on the fun on June 4 at Western Greens. This fundraiser directly supports WC Athletics. This is a fun-filled day of golf, prizes and comradery among West Catholic community members! If you have any questions, please reach out to Sue Armstrong at suearmstrong@grwestcatholic.org. We hope to see you there! Registration Form AND Sponsorship Form

  • WEST CATHOLIC & CATHOLIC CENTRAL SUMMER CAMPS: Please see the links below for information on upcoming summer camps offered by West Catholic and Catholic Central:


Your rising K-8 student is invited to participate in summer sports, band, and fine arts camps at West Catholic High School beginning this June.
Options include: 
  • Summer Band (for students entering grades 6-9) 
  • Fine Arts Camp (entering grades 4-8) 
  • Boys Basketball (entering grades 3-8) 
  • Girls Basketball (entering grades 1-9) 
  • Falcon Youth Volleyball Camp (entering grades 3-9) 
  • Camp of Champions (football) (entering grades 1-8) 
  • Soccer Camp (entering grades 3-8)  
  • Stunt & Tumble Camp (entering grades K-8)  
  • Sideline Cheer (entering grades K-8)  

New WC Summer Camp Addition
*Rising 7th and 8th graders Summer Strength and Conditioning
The rising 7th and 8th graders have the opportunity to train during the summer with our strength coach. If your child may be interested in learning the basics of strength training and what will be provided and expected at West Catholic, there is no better time to learn than now! Sign up here!



  • 2021-2022 TRANSPORTATION: Catholic Secondary Transportation is utilizing online registration for the 2021-2022 school year. Please see the attached link to register for bussing for next year: Transportation 2021-2022
  • MAY/JUNE HOT LUNCH MENUS:


  • HOT LUNCH: There will be NO parfaits available next week for Hot Lunch. Also, students are not guaranteed to get doubles. Please plan accordingly.

Organization and Sports News:

  • SPORTS PHYSICALS: Physicals will be required this year. Please find the Sports Physical form here: MHSAA Sports Physical

  • BOYS & GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: Please see the following information for the 2021 Cross Country Season Spring meeting: WHAT: An informational meeting with parents and runners about the upcoming season, including summer training, group runs, and a chance to meet both coaches (Coach Duba and Asst. Coach Boshoven). WHEN: Thursday, May 27, at 5:30 pm. WHERE: West Catholic Alumni Plaza (outdoor football concession area by the track), WHO: Anyone thinking about running this fall!

  • GRACEAC FALL SPORTS: Registration for GRACEAC fall 2021 sports is now open! The following sports are offered for 5th-8th graders in the fall: Girls Volleyball / Girls Sideline Cheer / Boys Football / Boys Soccer / Boys & Girls Cross Country. Registration for 5th-8th grade sports can be completed at the following link: 5th-8th grade sports We are also happy to announce that we will be continuing to offer 3rd-4th grade boys flag football and girls sideline cheer this fall after a successful launch to the two programs last fall. The cost to register is $95.00 per athlete. Registration for 3rd-4th grade sports can be completed at the following link: 3rd-4th grade sports For the Catholic United sports (football, cross country, sideline cheer, and flagfootball), we have created registration flyers that provide some additional information and details on how the programs operate. Those flyers are attached below. GRACEAC requires each student to have an updated physical exam clearance form from their doctor on file at school. Please know that IHM will be offering walk-in athletic physicals next Monday, May 24. Their information flyer is attached. 3rd-4th Cheer / 3rd-4th Flag Football / CU Sideline Cheer / CU Cross Country / CU 5th-6th Football / CU 7th-8th Football / IHM Sports Physicals Info / Sports Physicals Form


  • CAMP SANCTA MARIA: (CSM) is a Catholic camp located in Gaylord, Michigan. At CSM, campers escape the electronics and digital media that are part of their daily lives. Infused into all of their adventures and activities is an atmosphere of faith, as they testify to young people that the greatest joy in life comes from having a personal relationship with the Lord. Sessions run mid-June through mid-August. Please see the attached flyer for more information: CSM Registration Info CSM Flyer

  • ST. ANTHONY COOKBOOK: Cookbooks are still available for purchase in the school office!!

  • BOXTOPS/FUNDRAISING: Just a reminder...you can send in Boxtops, Family Fare receipts or MyCoke reward #'s (found on 12 and 24 pack cartons).
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St. Anthony of Padua School | 616-453-8229 x 200 schooloffice@saparish.com | www.saparish.com