April 30, 2021
Dear Families of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School,

Tomorrow we enter the month of May, also known as the month of Mary. The dedication of May to Our Blessed Mother traces back to the Baroque Period with Mary being honored in a variety of ways including daily rosaries, novenas, Bible studies, devotions and more. One traditional way to honor Mary this month is May Crowning which will take place on our campus this Wednesday, May 5th. Students will be encouraged to bring flowers which will then be presented during Mass to Our Lady by the second-graders who have recently received their First Holy Communion. In this ceremony, we remember many of the royal titles of Mary: Queen of Heaven and Earth, Queen of All Saints, Queen of Peace, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Queen of Angels and more. Each Wednesday, to honor Our Lady of the Rosary, our students are encouraged to met at 7:15 am in the Fellowship Hall to pray the rosary together. Parents are also welcome! 

"During this beautiful month of Our Lady, let us crown her with fragrant flowers – the flowers of love, gentleness, meekness and humility for one another, and ask Jesus to be truly a cause of joy to her as He was." - From the Letters of St. Teresa of Calcutta

Only by His Grace,

Veronica Tucker
Principal
NOTE: As some of you know, our beloved Middle School Social Studies teacher, Mr. Robert Barnes, has been out since the start of February as he has battled a cancer diagnosis. He is doing very well and is able to return on Monday (May 3rd) and then resume treatment after school is out for the summer. As a surprise for Mr. Barnes, we are giving students the option to wear a Red, Blue or White shirt with uniform bottoms in honor of his alma mater, SMU, and our awesome country which is a core of the subjects he teaches. This will be a surprise as we welcome him back on Monday. Your student may also wear his/her regular uniform. Please also offer up a prayer of thanksgiving for Mr. Barnes and his recovery.
SCHOOL NEWS
PADUAN POINTS REMINDERS
  • Each family will be billed $10 for each uncompleted Paduan Point (maximum of $200) on your family’s FACTS account on May 1st. See the section below for more information about entering your Paduan Points in ParentsWeb. Please enter your points before end of day TODAY - April 30th so you are not wrongfully charged.
ARRIVAL REMINDERS
  • If your students arrive using Park & Walk (at the back entrance), please leave immediately after drop-off so that we can close the back gates for campus safety.
  • If you need to visit the Front Desk during morning arrivals, please use the back Park & Walk entrance. Any Front Desk questions can also be addressed to attendance@staopcs.org.
LOST & FOUND
The Lost & Found cart is overflowing! The cart is always available at the walk-in entrance for you to look through. Please remind your students to check lost and found for any missing items. Unclaimed items will be added to used uniforms at the end of the year.
2020-2021 YEARBOOKS
May is your final chance to order a 2020-2021 YEARBOOK! Yearbooks are $45 and will be delivered in August. Link to order: https://www.balfour.com/texas/the-woodlands/st-anthony-of-padua-catholic-school
STEWARDSHIP PROJECT - 4TH QUARTER
Our 4th Quarter Stewardship Project will benefit Pregnancy Assistance Center North. We will be collecting items to benefit PACN from May 3rd to May 14th. Families will be encouraged to bring in any of the following items to benefit this ministry. 

  • Similiac Advance Formula (Blue Top) 12.4 oz cans
  • Baby Wash
  • Baby Lotion
  • Wipes
  • Diaper rash cream
  • ABC & number first reader children's books
  • Baby monitors
  • Pacifiers
  • Sippy cups
  • Bottles
  • Individual size granola bars and trail mix
  • Diapers size 4-7 

Thank you for considering donating to this great cause! By contributing to this project you will be helping to give alms to the poor and comfort the afflicted.
ONLINE SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
April 30-May 13, 2021

St. Anthony of Padua invites you to shop our Online Book Fair and support our school! The Fair runs from April 30-May 13, 2021. Our Fair will feature a Virtual Fair walk-through so you and your kids can experience the magic of the school shopping experience: Browse titles by grade, meet popular authors, and much more! All purchases will benefit our school directly (25% back in rewards!). Don’t miss these two weeks of events, fun, and books. Link: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/stanthonyofpaduasch
2021-2022 ATHLETICS INTEREST
The Fall Sports season is just around the corner. We need to know who is planning to participate in a SAOPCS Fall Sport.
  • 5th thru 8th grade Boys & Girls Cross Country
  • 6th thru 8th grade Boys Football
  • 5th thru 8th grade Co-ed Soccer
  • 6th thru 8th grade Girls Volleyball

Please be reminded that participating on a SAOPCS athletic team involves a commitment by players to the team, coaches and teammates. Players are expected to attend ALL SAOPCS practices and games. Each student-athlete must maintain the required academic and conduct levels.

Please click on the link below to learn more about each sport and fill out the Commitment form.
DNN - APRIL 30
TEACHER APPRECIATION - MAY 3-7
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

Friday, April 30th
  • Help us stock the snack bar & create spa bags for each staff member. Click the Sign-up Genius to help and drop off items today (or Monday if you forgot)! SIGN-UP GENIUS
  • Students will bring home Dolphins to color, write & cut-out for their favorite teachers. Each Dolphin will be added to our "Wall of Thanks". Click for a PDF.

Monday, May 3rd
  • Teachers & students will be treated to a video highlighting how special they are to our school community.
  • Paduan Parents are helping to stock the snack bar to show our love of each staff member.

Tuesday, May 4th
  • Teachers will be treated to spa bags provided by Paduan Parents. Sign-up to help bring spa supplies. SIGN-UP GENIUS
  • Bulletin board will be decorated with all the Dolphins!

Wednesday, May 5th
  • May Crowning - Students bring in a flower for our Blessed Mother and a flower for their homeroom teacher! Vases will be available in the lobby and the classrooms.
  • Faculty Luncheon will be provided by Paduan Parents. Sign-up to bring desserts for the luncheon. SIGN-UP GENIUS

Thursday, May 6th
  • Breakfast tacos provided by Paduan Parents.
  • Sign-up to bring coffee, juice, and fruit for breakfast. SIGN-UP GENIUS

Friday, May 7th
  • Final video tribute to our Teachers featured on DNN.
Thank you to community partner Hughes & Cozad Orthodontics for sponsoring Teacher Appreciation Week!
NURSE'S NOTES & COVID-19 REMINDERS
SCREENING AND ON-CAMPUS REQUIREMENTS
We will continue to work closely with our local health department officials and the Catholic Schools Office to ensure the safety of our students and staff should the school experience a positive case of COVID-19. Please see the attached documents regarding screening of your students and on-campus requirements should someone test positive for COVID-19.
HAVANA NIGHTS - 20TH ANNUAL GALA
PARTIES & SOCIALS
We still have some fun sign-up parties with spots available! Parties are a great way to get to know other families!

May 8 | CRAWFISH BOIL (Adult Party) (SOLD OUT!)

Click the links above to learn more about each event and purchase your spot(s)! Thank you to all of our hosts for sponsoring these fun events for the benefit of our school!
PADUAN PARENTS & VOLUNTEERING
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERING - NEW DATES ADDED!
The library needs your help!! We are in need of volunteers to help with library inventory. Please feel free to sign up for any time slot available. Volunteers must be compliant with Safe-Environment Training.
SUMMER 2021 - NEW FAMILY AMBASSADOR
Help us welcome new families to our school community and make new friends! You can also earn Paduan Points over the summer! Click the button and select New Family Ambassador if you are interested in this position. We will contact you if we are able to match you with a new family. https://staopcs.org/volunteer-interest
 
2021-2022 VOLUNTEER INTEREST - PADUAN PARENTS
We are beginning to make plans for Paduan Parents Leadership for 2020-2021. Please click the link to indicate your interest in assisting next school year. https://staopcs.org/volunteer-interest
PADUAN POINTS & FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
Family involvement is a vital part of the success of St. Anthony of Padua and volunteers greatly enhance the experiences of our students. Parents are asked to acquire family volunteer hours called Paduan Points annually. Here a reminder on how it works:
 
PADUAN POINTS REMINDERS:
Each family is required to complete 20 Paduan Points for school-related volunteer activities between August 1 – April 30. Volunteering taking place in May must be preemptively recorded (Graduation volunteering, Teacher Appreciation Week, etc.).
  • Service hours are to be completed by parents (or close family members) of the students only.
  • Partial hours of service are rounded up to the nearest half hour.
  • Families may not bank hours for future years.
  • Families may not transfer hours to other school families.
  • Paduan Points tracking is an “honor system”, meaning families enter their own time in ParentsWeb. All volunteer hours are reviewed throughout the year by the school administration to monitor family progress towards the agreed 20 Paduan Points per family per school year.
  • Each family will be billed $10 for each uncompleted Paduan Point (maximum of $200) on your family’s FACTS account on May 1st.
  • Final report cards and school records will not be released until payment is completed.
 
HOW TO LOG PADUAN POINTS:
Volunteer hours* can be logged in ParentsWeb by following these simple steps:
  1. Log in to ParentsWeb.
  2. Select “Family Information ” from the ParentsWeb navigation list.
  3. Select the name of the parent who has volunteered, then select “Service Hours ” (link next to Parent Contact Info).
  4. Select “Add Service Hours”.
  5. Select the Date of service. Select Description from drop down list. Enter Total Hours or points assigned to your duty - list of volunteer positions and points assigned are listed on our website . The Note section is optional and can be used for further detail about volunteer service. If known, indicate who is responsible for the program for which service hours were performed in the Verified By field (leave blank if unknown). Select “Save”. Service hours summary will appear after saving.
 
EASY WAYS TO ACCRUE PADUAN POINTS IN 2020-2021:
  • Participate in restaurant Spirit Nights - 1 Paduan Point
  • Make a gift (in any amount) to the Fund for St. Anthony - 10 Paduan Points
  • Volunteer at afternoon car-line - 1 Paduan Point per day
  • Contributed to a Class Basket, party or donated to the Gala - 2 Paduan Points
  • Attended Gala - 3 Paduan Points
  • Contribute to Stock the Snack Bar for Teacher Appreciation - 1 Paduan Point per sign-up.
  • Attended parent meetings (i.e. What's Brewing) - 1 Paduan Point
  • Library Volunteering - 1 Paduan Point per hour
 
THANK YOU for supporting our school! For more information about Paduan Points or volunteering visit: https://staopcs.org/volunteer-opportunities 
SUMMER PROGRAMS
FEARLESS CATHOLIC WRITING CAMP
June 14-18, 2021
Located at University of St. Thomas | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For Grades 3-12, with supportive instruction and a thoroughly Catholic vision in accordance with the Magisterium. All of the faculty are professional educators, VIRTUS or Safe-Haven certified, and writers themselves. Daily Mass is available. Early-bird discount ends May 15!
For more information or to register: https://www.catholicliteraryarts.org/fcwc-summer-2021
Any questions contact: cathla.org@gmail.com or 713-331-9342.
KIDS RACE - JUNE 5, 2021
Don't miss this Summer Kick Off Race for Kids, brought to you by Northside Running Kids Series! Then, enjoy the rest of the day with your family at Big Rivers Water Park following the race. The race starts at 8 am and is run on the grounds of the 45-acre waterpark. This is a USATF Sanctioned timed race, with awards.  Bring the whole family and enjoy the day. This is not just a water park, enjoy other activities such as fishing, petting zoo, axe throwing, mystic forest maze, ziplining, gator show, archery, and rock climbing. The park has locker rentals, and changing areas. No outside food or drink is allowed inside the park.  *** JOIN THE ST. ANTHONY TEAM *** The team with the most registered participants gets a $200 check to their organization or charity.
UPCOMING DATES
4/30-5/13/2021 - ONLINE SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
5/3/2021 - Students may wear Red, White & Blue shirts with uniform bottoms in honor of Mr. Barnes' return.
5/3/2021 - Rosary Group, 2:30 PM, Church
5/3 – 5/7/2021 - Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week    
5/5/2021 - Student Rosary Group (2nd-8th grade), 7:15 AM, Sheltz Hall
5/5/2021 - May Crowning - All School Mass (2A/2B), 9AM, Church, 2nd & 3rd Attending
5/6/2021 - Spanish Rosary Group, Church
5/6/2021 - 8th Grade Field Trip to Galveston     
5/7/2021 - GALA: 3B Class Carnival Party         
5/7/2021 - GALA: 1A Class Carnival Party         
5/7/2021 - GALA: 3B Class Carnival Party         
5/7/2021 - GALA: PK4A Class Carnival Party    
5/7/2021 - $5 Free Dress benefiting 8th Grade gift
5/10/2021 - DEADLINE for Dcn. Mike Mims Family Scholarship Submissions
5/12/2021 - Student Rosary Group (2nd - 8th grade), 7:15 AM, Sheltz Hall
5/12/2021 - Mass (5A), 9:00 AM, Church, 1st, 4th, & 5th Grades attending
5/13/2021 - GALA: 1B Class Obstacle Course Party
5/13/2021 - GALA: KA Class Carnival Party
5/13/2021 - 8th Grade Final Exams
5/14/2021 - 8th Grade Free Dress
5/14/2021 - GALA: 6 - 2 Religion Class Ice Cream Social
5/14/2021 - GALA: PK4A Class Ice Cream Social
5/14/2021 - 8th Grade Final Exams
5/17/2021 - 6th and 7th Grade Final Exams
5/17/2021 - 8th Grade Final Exams
5/18/2021 - Noon Dismissal (8th GRADE ONLY)
5/18/2021 - 6th and 7th Grade Final Exams
5/18/2021 - 8th Grade Graduation Practice, 9:00 AM, Church
5/19/2021 - Student Rosary Group (2nd - 8th grade), 7:15 AM, Sheltz Hall
5/19/2021 - Graduation Breakfast, 9:00 AM, Gym
5/19/2021 - Graduation Mass, 10:30 AM, Church, only 8th grade attending
5/20/2021 - 6th and 7th Grade Final Exams
5/21/2021 - Fun Field Day
5/21/2021 - NOON DISMISSAL
5/24/2021 - GALA: PK3 Class Ice Cream Social
5/24/2021 - GALA: PK4B Class Ice Cream Social
5/24/2021 - Sports Physicals - 3:30 PM - Gym
5/25/2021 - Kindergarten Celebration, 2:30 PM, Gym
5/26/2021 - End 2020-2021 - Q4
5/26/2021 - Last Day of School
5/26/2021 - End-of-Year Awards Assembly, 8:15 AM, Gym
5/26/2021 - NOON DISMISSAL
(281) 296-0300
7901 Bay Branch Dr.
The Woodlands, TX 77382