School Newsletter

12.01.22

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

School Calendar:


The school calendar for the 2022-2023 school year is up-to-date. All upcoming dates can be found on the school website or app.


Printable Calendar


Web-Based Calendar


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

From Mrs. Pudelko:

Dear St. Anthony Families,


Advent is upon us! I hope that several of you were able to get a copy of the "Holy Moments" book offered by the parish this year as an Advent reflection. This book talks about seeking out Holy Moments as we prepare for Christ's birth.

If you didn't get a copy, you six copies for free on Dynamic Catholic's Website. Our focus of Advent is "God Moment Ahead." You will notice the traffic sign in the front of the church as a reminder to look for "God Moments" both in times of joy, but also in troubling times. Ask your children during dinner what their "God Moment" for the day was - I would be curious to hear what they are sharing with you!


Thank you so much for your generous donations for Auction for Education. We are continuing to finalize the financial statements, but we are nearing the halfway point for our Fitness Path. If you are looking to make a year-end donation, there are still opportunities to be part of this exciting project. Click here for giving opportunities - a letter for tax purposes can be sent to you!


We have a lot of fun ahead throughout the next couple of weeks before the much-awaited Christmas break:


  • Five Below Fundraiser - Week of December 3
  • 8th Grade NET Retreat - December 5
  • Restaurant Night @ Uccellos - December 6
  • Toys for Tots School Spirit Challenge - December 9
  • Breakfast with Santa and Santa's Workshop - December 11
  • Christmas Spirit Week - December 12
  • Christmas program - December 13
  • Christmas parties - December 16


Thank you for your generosity for Santa Hat Jean Day - your support of our staff is always appreciated.


God bless - 


Mrs. Pudelko


Please note the Mass changes for the next two weeks - December 8 and December 12.

Newsletter Attachments / Quick Links:


Financial Aid Letter from Mrs. Pudelko


Financial Aid Instructions | Login Page


Live Nativity Flyer


Food Service Deposit Instructions


Hot Lunch Menu


Uccello's Restaurant Flyer


2022-2023 COVID Information Folder

Noteworthy News:

  • FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS: Today is the last call for the first round of Financial Aid & Scholarship Awards! It is important to get your application done as soon as possible to ensure that you receive financial aid for the upcoming school year as scholarship awards are given on a first-come, first-served basis. The first round of scholarship awards is due TODAY, December 1, 2022.
  • A letter from Mrs. Pudelko
  • Financial Aid Instructions
  • Blackbaud Financial Aid Login


  • TOYS FOR TOTS COLLECTION: St. Anthony Middle School Houses will be collecting Toys for Tots this Christmas season. Be on the lookout for new toys to be donated to those in need. Thank you for your generosity! As of December 1, we have collected 195 toys! We have 105 toys to collect to meet our goals!


  • GIVING TUESDAY 2022: Thank you, thank you, thank you! We had a successful #GiveCatholicWM Giving Tuesday 2022. Numbers are still being finalized by the Diocese of Grand Rapids - we received $1,000 in challenge grants!


  • RECESS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Parent volunteers are an important part of our recess coverage each year. Please prayerfully consider this great opportunity - we are in need of more recess volunteers starting in January. Volunteers should report outside by the playground no later than 11:10 am, and you will be wrapped up by 12:30 pm. Volunteers will receive a tuition stipend paid out twice yearly for their assistance. Please contact the school office if this is something you would be willing to do.


Notes from last week:


  • HOT LUNCH ACCOUNTS: Please make sure you are checking your child(ren)'s hot lunch account balance in Infinite Campus weekly. Attached are the instructions on how to add funds.
  • WEE WILDCAT TIME (TODDLER TIME): Toddler Time, formerly known as Laptime is back at St. Anthony! On each Wednesday from 10:00-10:45am, St. Anthony School welcomes you and your future Wildcat to Wee Wildcat Time! Come and join us for story time, prayer, music, craft, and playtime!
  • VIRTUS: Any parent who volunteers with children MUST have completed the online Virtus class - this includes coaching, classroom parties, field trips, and playground supervision.

Walk like a Wildcat Fitness Path

The St. Anthony Fitness Path is a ¼ mile paved path with outdoor exercise equipment stations installed along its length, designed to promote physical fitness training suitable for adults and children, parishioners and students, young and old. The 9 ft wide asphalt path can accommodate walkers, runners, and other fitness enthusiasts. The path will be located on the east side of the property, behind the playground and storage garage.

Donate here!

December Hot Lunch Menu:


Click the image to bring up an 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)

Home & School Association Updates:


  • December Meeting:
  • The next general Home and School meeting is next Wednesday, December 7th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm in Meeting Room C. Please plan to come and join in the conversation on upcoming events and opportunities. Click HERE to view the Agenda.
  • Five Below Fundraiser:
  • It’s Christmas shopping that gives back! Shop the Five Below store at 3330 Alpine Ave NW between Saturday, December 3rd through Friday, December 9th, and 10% of all purchases will be given back to school. The paper flyer sent home this week must be presented to the cashier. Click HERE to print from home and share with friends and family.
  • Uccello's Restaurant Night:
  • Due to a scheduling conflict, we had to move our Mr. Burger night to January. Instead, please join us at Uccello’s Standale for dinner on Tuesday, December 6th. Flyers will be sent home on Monday so be sure to present either the paper copy or digitally (click HERE!) from your phone in order for school to receive 15% back from your dine-in or takeout food purchases. Follow us on Facebook to receive event info and reminders!


Mary, Lisa, Michelle, and Debbie

homeandschool@saparish.com

Friendzy - December News:


We are finishing up our catchphrase “Stress Less and Breath Easy.” The students will get their bodies moving and learn breathing strategies to calm down. They will also listen to relaxing music and color with friends. We will learn about “Mindful Eating” in Building Healthy Communities and have a discussion about different types of hunger and how certain types of food will make us feel. We will finish the month with a Christmas celebration!


Mrs. Maxim

AmazonSmile:


Calling all Amazon shoppers!


AmazonSmile is now available through the Smartphone App!


Smartphone Instructions:


1. Find settings: Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app, scroll to the bottom of the page, and tap into 'Settings'.


2. Turn on AmazonSmile: Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the activation.

Desktop Instructions:


20+ Best Gift Ideas to Engage Children in STEM Learning


There are many STEM-related gifts on Amazon that allow kids to have fun while engaging in career-centered learning. Based on authentic and popular trends with STEM education we have three focus categories: prototyping, computer science, and building curiosity within content. 


Read More

Need assistance activating AmazonSmile? Contact Ben at (616) 453-8229, ext. 102 or bnovitsky@saparish.com.

Coca-Cola Rewards:


Coca-Cola rewards are another great opportunity to raise money for St. Anthony School. 


How it works:


  • Simply cut off the code/insert on the packaging, and bring it to the school office.

Athletics News:

  • SPORTS PHYSICALS: Sports physicals must be on file with the athletic director before starting practice. Please see the attached form and return to school office or email athletics@saparish.com.


  • CONCESSION STAND HELP: Reminder: part of the athletic handbook requires parents to help in the St. Anthony concession stand or gate table. Please watch TeamSnap for more information when we receive game schedules.


  • ATHLETIC HANDBOOK: A copy of the 2022-2023 athletic handbook can be found HERE.

St. Anthony School Social Media Pages:


Be sure to stay up-to-date with us on our social media pages! See photos from classroom activities, field trips, etc. We encourage all parents to share our Facebook posts to spread the word about our great school.

Follow us today!



St. Anthony of Padua Mobile App:


Thank you for your patience this week as the school calendar was not functioning in the app. The issue has been resolved!


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!



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
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The school newsletter is sent weekly on Thursday. Any items to be submitted for the newsletter must be submitted by Tuesday via email to Ben Novitsky: