Dear Families of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, 

As mentioned in last week’s Messenger, in this month of December, in the liturgical calendar, we celebrate Advent and excitedly anticipate the birth of our Savior. With the students, this week, I shared the following about our December, character trait, Honesty. Put simply, honesty is telling the truth. It sounds so simple, but sometimes in the heat of the moment, being honest can be so hard. It can be so tempting to tell a quick lie which might get us out of trouble, get us out of being grounded, or get us out of an infraction. Often in my office, I see students struggle with the choice to be honest or not. No one wants to be dishonest or untrustworthy, but when scared, a wrong choice can be tempting. We have to remember the 8th commandment when God tells us not to bear false witness. We all want to be trustworthy. We want others to tell us the truth and we want our friends to know they can count on us. Even when we do something wrong, it feels better to own our mistakes. One of the top traits we look for in a friend is honesty. In his Letter to the Ephesians Chapter 4, Paul challenges us to “speak the truth… for we are member one of another”. I told the students that I pray that they strive to be honest in their interactions with friends, teachers and family. I pray that honesty is something we will all be known for. 

Only by His Grace,

Veronica Tucker

Principal 

CALENDAR CHANGE REMINDER

A holiday has been added to our calendar on Monday, March 20 (the Monday after spring break) as a reward for hitting 90% participation for the Fund for St. Anthony! Thank you to all who gave!

2ND QUARTER STEWARDSHIP PROJECT

Thank you to everyone who donated for our 2nd Quarter Stewardship Project to benefit Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. If you missed today's drop-off the final collection day with our parish will be Sunday, December 11th.

• Please refer to this list when choosing something to donate. (Gift list)

Thank you for all that you do and may God bless you and keep you safe during this Advent season.

SPREAD THE WORD!

ENGRAVE A BRICK!

Help St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School finish paving our playground area, and build a legacy! All proceeds will benefit the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School Endowment. You may individualize a brick for you, your family, honor a loved one, or make a memoriam. The donated bricks will become a part of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School as a lasting tribute, paving the way for generations to come. Ordering will close April 1, 2023 and bricks will be installed in the summer of 2023.

2022-2023 YEARBOOKS

Order your '22-'23 Yearbooks now! All orders will be placed online using the button link below. Yearbooks are $45 and will be delivered at the start of next school year.

You may also create your own page! Commemorate your student's school year!

• Full page ad - $150
• 1/2 page ad - $75
• 1/4 page ad - $50

NURSE NOTES

For 12/2/22 to 12/9/22:

• Pre-K4: 1 reported case of influenza
• 1st: 2 reported cases of conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• 2nd: 1 reported case of covid
• 3rd: 1 reported case of covid
• 6th: 2 reported cases of strep throat and a reported case of Influenza
• 7th: 1 probable case of strep throat

Please continue to monitor your children and if you have any concerns of illness, please keep them home. Remind them to wash their hands frequently! Trying to make it to the holidays as healthy as possible!  

DNN (Dolphin Network News) - 12/9/2022

PADUAN PARENT COLLECTION

Dear St. Anthony Families,

To thank our faculty and staff for their endless energy, caring ways, and amazing creativity, Paduan Parents is coordinating a one-time collection to provide Christmas and End-of-the-year gifts for the 2022-2023 school year. Because our children have different teachers on a regular basis at St. Anthony, the Paduan Parents Collection offers an optional opportunity for you to contribute towards a school-level gift to thank all faculty & staff who support your children. If you would still like to participate, please send in your contribution in an envelope to the front desk of the school as soon as possible. Cash or checks (made payable to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School) are accepted. Thank you for your support of our faculty & staff!

Sincerely in Christ,

Ileana Amparan, Middle School Parent Coordinator                                 

Allie Landry, Elementary Parent Coordinator                                     

Andrea Aertker, Early Childhood Parent Coordinator

MAXPRO BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Please see the flyer below from MaxPro Basketball regarding their Premier Youth League. This is a great place for young students to be introduced to basketball, or continue building their skills. 

Anyone who signs up will be placed on a team, but specially for St. Anthony, MaxPro has agreed to put all of our SAOP players on the same team if we can get at least 8 players and a volunteer coach for any (hopefully all!) age groups. This will be a great way for our students to have fun together!! It will also be more convenient for parents with an opportunity to carpool to games/practices.

It is a FUN and POSITIVE atmosphere for EVERYONE, no matter the skill level or experience. Also, it is only a 6-week season, so it is a great opportunity for those that are already involved in other sports (baseball, soccer, etc.) to diversify their skills and try a new sport. It is for boys and girls, so it would be great to have at least 8 players signed up from each grade at SAOP. Here are the age divisions:

All Divisions are Co-ed:

• 1st-2nd Boys and Girls (8ft Goals) (4on4)
• 3rd-4th Boys and Girls (9ft Goals/28.5 Ball) (5on5)
• 5th-6th Boys and Girls (10ft Goals/28.5 Ball) (5on5)

In order to be sure we get our SAOP players on the same team, please contact our SAOP basketball coach, Dustin Zander (dustin.zander@sbcglobal.net) by December 12 if you want to sign up. Coach Zander coaches at MaxPro, so he can also give additional information if you have questions. We will also need coaches for our SAOP teams. Don’t be afraid to become a coach if you have any interest – it is one of the most rewarding things you can do!!  There will be training for coaches through MaxPro, and our SAOP basketball coaches will also help you if you want it. 

DOLPHIN SPORTS RESULTS

12/5/22: Girls at St Anne TB: JV Dolphins-11, Crusaders-6; Varsity Crusaders-31, Dolphins-27

12/6/22: Boys vs Epiphany at SAOPCS: C-Team Dolphins-27, Magi-9; JV Magi-23, Dolphins-21; Varsity Dolphins-56, Magi-53

12/7/22: Boys at St Martha: JV Dolphins-38, Crusaders-8; Varsity Dolphins-48, Crusaders-30

12/8/22: Girls at St Martha: JV Dolphins-32 Crusaders-6, Varsity Dolphins-29, Crusaders-5

SPONSORSHIPS & TICKETS

We have a variety of sponsorship levels that include after-party tickets for some or all guests!

• This year's gala after-party includes a live karaoke band, light bites, and bar. It is expected to sell out, so be sure to purchase your after-party tickets early!

GALA TICKET PRE-SALE

Paduan Patrons - $650 (Available for $600 until Dec. 16th ONLY!)

• Two seats at the Gala
• Two tickets to after-party
• Recognition on the sponsor page of program
• Recognition in the Annual Report

Individual Ticket - $200 (Available for $175 until Dec. 16th ONLY!)

Individual After-Party Ticket - $125

NEW SIGN-UP PARTIES

Gala Sign-up Parties are hosted by faculty or families and can be adult, family or child-centered—and most importantly, FUN! All proceeds from Gala Sign-Up Parties benefit our school and students. Thank you to all of our hosts for working hard to plan these parties for our school!

Friday, January 28

LEGO PARTY

For 1st - 4th Grade Students

Saturday, Jan. 29

SQUEEZE & FREEZE

WELLNESS PARTY

For St. Anthony Moms

WINNER'S CHOICE RAFFLE

For the 5th year, we are hosting a Winner's Choice Raffle as a part of our Gala! Raffle packets went home in Green Folders with Youngest/Only students today. Please be sure to read the letter thoroughly to answer your questions.

This is the Greatest Show Gala: WINNER’S CHOICE RAFFLE • PRICE: $20.00 each. One (1) Grand Prize Winner will win a choice of one (1) of three trips:

• FAIRMONT BERMUDA 4-Night Stay at Select Fairmont Locations in Bermuda with Airfare for 2
• GLAMPING GETAWAY 3-Night Luxury Camping Adventure near Yosemite or the Russian River with Airfare for 2
• THE LINKS AT SPANISH BAY Round of Golf at The Links at Spanish Bay (Pebble Beach, CA), Golf Cart Rental, Hyatt Regency Monterey 3-Night Stay with Airfare for 2

NOTES: **Winspire Booking & Concierge can assist winner with extra hotel nights, airfare upgrades, and additional guests at winner’s expense.

Raffle tickets may also be purchased on our gala website at: RAFFLE TICKETS

Thank you to Tachus Fiber Internet for sponsoring this year's Raffle!

Have you heard the news? Father Jesse has joined our team and will be running with us! Join our St. Anthony team to be a part of Steps for Students on February 11, 2023.

St. Anthony of Padua's Steps for Students team will be raising funds to upgrade sound and lighting in our gym to improve our student programs and fine arts presentations. 

MONDAYS - Chess Club, 3:45-4:45 PM, Library

TUESDAYS - Parent Rosary Group (English) 8:15 AM, PLB Room 204 

TUESDAYS - Awakening! Bible Study (Middle School) 7:15 AM, Paduan Center 

THURSDAYS - Parent Rosary Group (Spanish) 8:15 AM, PLB Room 204

THURSDAYS - ROBO Fins Robotics Club, 4-5 PM (7th & 8th Graders)

WEDNESDAYS - Mass Choir, 6:45 AM, Sheltz Hall 

WEDNESDAYS - Run Club, 3:30 PM, Sports Fields

WEDNESDAYS - Art Club, 3:45-5 PM, Art Room

FRIDAYS – Quiz Bowl, 3:45-5:00 PM, Mrs. Sturgeon's Room

Please check the calendar and/or communications from club advisors regarding cancellations or changes. 

12/10/2022 - Frassati Lessons and Carols, 2:00 PM, Frassati Catholic High School

12/12/2022 - Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

12/13/2022 - Midterms

12/14/2022 - Mass (6-1), 9:00 AM, Church

12/15/2022 - Beyond the Bell Closes at 5 PM

12/16/2022 - Spirit Shirt & Jeans Day or Christmas shirts & Jeans Day

12/16/2022 - NOON DISMISSAL | Beyond the Bell closes at noon

12/19/2022 - 1/3/2022 - CHRISTMAS BREAK

12/29/2022 - Boys Basketball Open Gym, 3:30 PM- 5:30 PM

12/29/2022 - Girls Basketball Open Gym, 3:30 PM- 5:00 PM

12/30/2022 - Boys Basketball Open Gym, 3:30 PM- 5:30 PM

12/30/2022 - Girls Basketball Open Gym, 3:30 PM- 5:00 PM

1/2/2022 - Staff In-service

1/3/2022 - Classes resume

Full Calendar available in FACTS and on the App!

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS

Do you have athletics or school event photos that you'd like to share for possible use in our yearbook or in school media? Please upload photos to our school Dropbox at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/request/UW0oqUAV9OySKlqlOShr. Photos can be uploaded at anytime before the end of the school year. Thank you for helping us showcase our athletes and students! If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Tressel at advancement@ap.school.