Parent Bulletin
September 2, 2021
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One of the reasons St. Louise School is such a wonderful place is our teachers and parents communicate well and often. You parents are your children’s primary educators, and the St. Louise teachers take over for about seven hours a day as your children’s other educators. It’s obvious parents and teachers need to communicate effectively with each other since they both need information from the other party in order to maximize their teaching. For example, teachers need to know if...
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Tomorrow through Monday, September 6
- School office closed for extended Labor Day holiday
Tuesday, September 7 - School Begins!
- Passport Day begins in the parish hall beneath the church
- Families are to arrive based on the letter of their last name - see article below
Wednesday, September 8
- Grades K-1 attend from 8:30-12:00
- Grades 2-8 attend from 8:30-3:00
- Grade PreK does not attend; PreK parents (no children) attend 8:30AM Curriculum Meeting in St. Louise Room (in the central wing hallway of the original school)
- Kindergarten parents (no children) attend Kindergarten Curriculum Night in school lobby at 6:30PM
- Kids' Club begins today; the schedule for the week is: AM childcare from 7:00-8:15: PM childcare begins at 12:00 for grades K-1 and at 3:00 for grades 2-8
Thursday, September 9
- Grades K-1 attend from 8:30-12:00
- Grades 2-8 attend from 8:30-3:00
- Grade PreK students whose last names begin with A-L attend from 8:15-11:45
- Grade 7-8 parents (no children) attend Junior High Curriculum Night in parish hall beneath the church at 6:30PM
Friday, September 10
- 7:30AM Mass celebrated this day; this is an opportunity for families to attend Mass together prior to the 8:20 entry ball (please, no children left alone in church; they must be sitting with parents or with carpool drivers
- Grades K-1 attend from 8:30-12:00
- Grades 2-8 attend from 8:30-3:00
- Grade PreK students whose last names begin with M-Z attend from 8:15-11:45
- Opening Week Prayer Service in church for grades K-8 at 11:15; parents welcome
Saturday, September 11
- Saturday Spruce-Up of parish/school grounds from 8-11AM - see article below
CHECK OUT OUR COMPLETE SCHOOL CALENDAR HERE
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OPENING DAY - PASSPORT DAY - TUESDAY
On Tuesday, September 7, each grade PK-8 student and at least one of his/her parents are to gather in the PARISH HALL at their assigned start time (based on the first letter of your last name).** This gathering will include a welcome from Principal Mr. Fitz and directions for how students and their parents are to take approximately 60-90 minutes to walk around the school campus together to tour the various school rooms, to meet the teachers, and to put away school supplies in desks. While doing this, each student will have a “Passport” which must be completed and turned in before leaving school. We will give prizes later in the week to students whose completed Passports we randomly draw from the box.
Students should be in full school uniform on Passport Day, and this includes following proper rules for hair length/color. However, sweaters do not have to be worn if it’s too hot. Students should also bring all school supplies, including their p.e. shoes in a durable, plastic or washable bag. The supplies list is on the school website under the “Parent Info” link.
ASSIGNED TIMES TO REPORT TO THE PARISH HALL
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Beginning at 8:30 a.m., school families whose last name begins with A-B (students and at least one parent) are to head to the parish hall (beneath the church) so the students may pick up their “Passports.” You will then walk around the school campus as a family to tour the classrooms, to meet your teachers, and to put away school supplies in desks.
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Beginning at 9:30 a.m., school families whose last name begins with C-D (students and at least one parent) are to head to the parish hall (beneath the church) so the students may pick up their “Passports.” You will then walk around the school campus as a family to tour the classrooms, to meet your teachers, and to put away school supplies in desks.
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Beginning at 10:30 a.m., school families whose last name begins with E-G (students and at least one parent) are to head to the parish hall (beneath the church) so the students may pick up their “Passports.” You will then walk around the school campus as a family to tour the classrooms, to meet your teachers, and to put away school supplies in desks.
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Beginning at 11:30 a.m., school families whose last name begins with H-L (students and at least one parent) are to head to the parish hall (beneath the church) so the students may pick up their “Passports.” You will then walk around the school campus as a family to tour the classrooms, to meet your teachers, and to put away school supplies in desks.
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Beginning at 1:00 p.m., school families whose last name begins with M-O (students and at least one parent) are to head to the parish hall (beneath the church) so the students may pick up their “Passports.” You will then walk around the school campus as a family to tour the classrooms, to meet your teachers, and to put away school supplies in desks.
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Beginning at 2:00 p.m., school families whose last name begins with P-S (students and at least one parent) are to head to the parish hall (beneath the church) so the students may pick up their “Passports.” You will then walk around the school campus as a family to tour the classrooms, to meet your teachers, and to put away school supplies in desks.
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Beginning at 3:00 p.m., school families whose last name begins with T-Z (students and at least one parent) are to head to the parish hall (beneath the church) so the students may pick up their “Passports.” You will then walk around the school campus as a family to tour the classrooms, to meet your teachers, and to put away school supplies in desks.
**Please note that “mentor families” to newly enrolled school families are welcome to attend the session that corresponds with the new family’s last name, so that the two families may tour together.
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Looking Forward to Seeing All Parents at Our Curriculum Nights |
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The Curriculum Meetings for various grade levels will be held at the following dates and times. These meetings are for adults only, so thanks for securing childcare at home if needed. Additionally, attending your child’s teacher’s Curriculum Night is required; we need to please have at least one parent attending.
- The Kindergarten Parents’ have their unique Curriculum Night on Wednesday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. Please gather in the main school lobby.
- Curriculum Night for grade 7-8 parents is on the Thursday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m. Please gather in the parish hall, directly beneath the church.
- Grade 1-6 parents have their own Curriculum Night on Monday, September 13, at 6:30 p.m. Please gather in the parish hall, directly beneath the church.
- Pre-K parents have a daytime curriculum meeting. It is on Wednesday, September 8, at 8:30 a.m. This meeting is mandatory for all Pre-K families (at least one parent) and is for adults only. You will gather first in the St. Louise Room, which is in the central wing hallway of the original school. (Pre-K parents, please note on the school calendar the specific day when your child will attend class for the first time.)
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The St. Louise community is deeply saddened by the news that school parent Remalyn Osorio passed away. She is the wife of Jesus Osorio and mother of Olivia Osorio, who was in our kindergarten class last year and will be in our 1st grade class this fall. The Osorios also have a preschool-age daughter.
Thank you for offering up your prayers for the response of the soul of Remalyn, and for God to comfort Jesus, Olivia, and family.
Along with your prayers, you could help out by considering donating to the purchase of a permanent, memorial plaque in Rem’s name that we will place underneath one of our beautiful trees on campus. This will serve as a permanent remembrance, and we will have Father bless it with all our 1 st grade families in attendance later this school year. To contribute to this memorial plaque fund (with any leftover monies going to help support the Osorios with other, future school needs) please go HERE. Make sure you type in " The Rem Osorio Fund" when you complete the donation form. Thank you in advance!
The death of a mother/wife is an extremely difficult event to get through, but St. Louise is a loving community that will be there for Jesus and Olivia during this difficult time.
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We have dozens of new students joining St. Louise School this year, and that means many new school families will now be a part of our wonderful St. Louise community! Two of those families are the Angus clan (above left) and the McCraw family (above right).
If you want to know more about these two families - and dozens of others - please check our our St. Louise Instagram page or Facebook page! You'll be able to scroll through all the postings of our new St. Louisers.
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Get Your Volunteer Hours on a Saturday |
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One week from Saturday - on September 11 - we have a big event that calls for a lot of volunteers. It's our first Saturday Spruce-Up of the year, when volunteers from the school and parish help rake leaves, spread bark, and pull weeds in an effort to beautify the St. Louise grounds.
One or both parents are invited to volunteer, and children can come if they are old enough to help out. We ask you to please arrive with your yard gloves and as many yard tools as you can bring. We especially need people with wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes for this particular Spruce-Up, as we'll be spreading wood chips under the BigToy.
Please gather outside the north wing of the original school at 8:00AM on the 11th, and the yardwork will end at 11:00.
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Reminder of Hairstyles for All |
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For a listing of our approved school uniform pieces, including our policy for allowable hairstyles, please go to the "Uniform" page of our policy handbook.
Please pay particular attention that your child's hair is what is considered "uniform." If the summer hairstyle is too long, colored, or somehow goes against the uniform policy, please visit the hair salon/barber before the first day of school. Thanks for your support!
The rules for hair styles include:
- Hair for both boys and girls must be kept neatly trimmed and combed. A boy’s hair must not hang below his eyebrows or ears and not touch his shirt collar. A girl’s hair must be off her face, be it through side-swept bangs or hairclips/headbands.
- No facial hair is allowed.
- Hairstyles are to be conservative, with no extreme haircuts or hairstyles allowed. The school administration is the final determinant of what constitutes “extreme.” Typically, an extreme haircut or hairstyle is one in which unnecessary attention is drawn to it because one or more of the following occurs:
- is not a natural, God-given hair color (coloring, bleaching, or streaking is not allowed);
- does not have consistent thickness but is shaved noticeably shorter in some areas;
- an “undercut,” a “fade,” or a “mohawk” are not allowed;
- see the photo as an example of what is NOT allowed;
- is completely shaved on a boy;
- is buzz cut or completely shaved on a girl;
- has designs or lines cut into it;
- excessively uses gels or styling products.
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Mom Colleen and daughter Brooke are so excited to begin Brooke's 8th grade year! We have a super group of 45 eighth graders who will comprise our St. Louise Class of 2022! We are looking forward to them being our student leaders and positive Christian models for the younger students. |
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Auction Procurement for SHINE BRIGHT Is Due on September 14
SHINE BRIGHT is the name of this year's annual school auction, celebrating our 60th Anniversary, to be held on NOVEMBER 13th at the Westin Bellevue.
We appreciated all veteran school families filling out a procurement form by June's deadline and want to remind our newly enrolling families that your deadline to fill out a out a Procurement Form and submit your (minimum $250-value) donation by no later than September 14.
Also for ALL families, September 14 is when we would like to receive all actual, tangible Items in the Auction office. Thank you in advance for sending in your items!
Thank you for all you do in support of St. Louise! Let's have another great auction! If you have any questions, please contact Julianne Read.
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Please Familiarize Yourself with School Policies and Guidelines |
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Each August, the Policies and Guidelines document for St. Louise School is updated on our website. Please go HERE to see the updated 2021-22 policy handbook.
You will find some sections have been updated since last year, such as:
- Car Pools/Traffic
- Catholic Faith, Moral Values, and Teaching on Sexuality
- Community Expectations
- Library
- Recess Rules and Procedures
- Student Support Plans and Learning Specialists
If you have questions about school policies, please talk to Mr. Fitzpatrick or Mr. Fuerte. Policies may also be agenda topics for School Commission meetings, and thus, parents may contact School Commission members if they would like to have a policy discussed at a future meeting.
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COVID-Communication from Mr. Fuerte |
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Keep an eye on the transforming center courtyard between the wings of the original school. First a fence went up. Then the trees were trimmed. Next you will start seeing some exciting additions provided by alum Ben Goett, who will be leading a project for his Eagle Scout advancement. All of this is to create a private, safe, fun recess area for our PreK students. |
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Please Return Your Fieldtrip Driver Information Sheet |
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In your August postal-mailing, you received a form that every parent must complete and return to the school office if he/she might be driving on a class fieldtrip this year. All indications are we will be able to schedule some fieldtrips in various grade levels, especially outdoor ones like to the pumpkin patch, the zoo, or the Mercer Slough.
We can only allow parents to drive on these if their fieldtrip form is sent to us, confirming insurance. A digital copy of this "Driver Information Sheet" form may be found on our website. If you have questions, please talk to Mindy Morgan or Tracy Brown in the office. |
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Charger Cards Sales-Window Open All Day for Opening Day
The Charger Card window will be open for the entire day on Passport Day this Tuesday! Any family who stops by and purchases cards will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 gift card of their choice!
Beginning on September 14, the Charger Card cart will be available from 2:45-3:30pm during pick up for sales every Tuesday afternoon. (The location still needs to be approved and decided upon by you.)
Finally, we would like to give a HUGE thank you to all of the families who have signed up for the Charger Card program through the Raise Right app! Thank you to all that have been purchasing cards over the summer.
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For more information on brands/cards available for purchase 24/7 please go to shopwithscrip.com.
Thank you for supporting St. Louise Charger Cards!
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Cross Country Looking for Student Runners and Parent Volunteers |
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Meets:
Oct. 3rd @ Robinswood Park (K-8th grade)
Oct. 10th @ Lake Sammamish State Park (6th-8th grade)
Coaches are still needed for K-1st and 2nd-3rd grade runners. We are also in need of more volunteers at practices to help with all grades. Please contact Lara Kierlin at lkierlin@gmail.com if interested in helping and/or register as a coach.
St. Louise CYO Cross Country Co-Coordinator Needed - We are looking for someone who is interested in helping coordinate the cross country program, teaming with our current coordinator. Some of the responsibilities include:
- registering the STL team and turning in the roster to CYO
- recruiting coaches for all grade levels
- setting up practice schedules
- communicating with parents
- ordering/distributing cross country t-shirts
- putting cross country blurbs in the school newsletter and Parish bulletin
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Dear Friends at St. Louise,
Dear Friends at St. Louise,
Last week I wrote about reasons for observing Sunday as the Lord’s Day and making Mass the center of our week. This week I would like to address the meaning of “Sunday Obligation.”
Many of you remember that Archbishop Emeritus Sartain is from Memphis, Tennessee. On occasion he would use his Southern way of expressing gratitude by saying, “Much obliged.” In using that expression, he was saying more than just “thank you” in the sense of “you did something kind, I said thank you, so now we are even.” “Much obliged” carries the meaning of “I am thankful for what you did, but I still owe you more than just saying thanks.”
When we speak of our “Sunday Obligation” in the context of the celebration of the Eucharist, it carries a similar feeling and meaning. No matter how often and how sincerely we thank God, no matter how hard we try to reciprocate His love and goodness, we will always, always owe Him more. We are giving thanks to God at the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist, fully aware that none of us can never do enough to truly thank God for all the good He has done for us. It is my duty and obligation (read: the way I unite myself to the sacrificial gift of Christ on the cross) to give thanks to God.
As you know, during this time of the pandemic, Archbishop Etienne lifted the obligation to attend Sunday Mass in person. When this was announced, I thought to myself, “I wonder how many parishioners realized that attending Sunday Mass (either on Sunday or the Vigil Mass on Saturday evening) every single weekend was our obligation as Catholics in the first place?” This kind of lifting of a specific obligation for certain persons or due to particular circumstances is called a “dispensation” from that obligation. Just a month ago there was some talk that the Archbishop might soon lift the dispensation from the obligation of attending Mass in person. Now, with the resurgence of COVID-19 and the rapid spread of the Delta variant, we are less certain when that might happen.
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Regardless, now is a good time to examine the importance of Sunday Mass for us as Catholics.
· Consider the teaching of Holy Scriptures about the obligation to observe the sabbath – this is clear in everything from the Ten Commandments to Jesus saying to his disciples at the Last Supper, “Do this in memory of me.”
· Consider the teaching of the Church, that “[t]he Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), #2181)
· Consider the importance of making a public witness of our faith: “Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church.” (CCC, #2182)
For these reasons and many more, now is a good time to bring to mind the importance of our Sunday Obligation. We might each reflect on a couple of questions:
· Why do I attend Mass? What do I receive and what do I give when I attend?
· What are the reasons that I might miss Mass? Do my reasons align with the teachings of our Catholic faith?
I am much obliged to you for all of your participation in the Mass. Thank you especially to those who are able safely to attend in person and who make the effort to do so. It makes a real difference, especially when our celebrations are nearly full with people who are ready and eager to give thanks to our loving God.
God bless you all!
Fr. Gary Zender, Pastor
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Job Opening at St. Louise |
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We are excited to announce plans to hire a part-time School Counselor position for the 2021-22 school year at St. Louise Parish School. The School Counselor will be a newly added position who teams with the administration and teachers in supporting all students' personal growth, spiritual development, and academic achievement as each St. Louise student works at being a faith-filled person who has a unique role in building the Kingdom of God.
The candidate must hold or be applying for a professional license issued in a counseling field and must be a practicing Catholic who lives the Catholic faith in both words and lifestyle. To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to principal Dan Fitzpatrick at danf@stlouiseschool.org. Interested candidates must also apply through the Office for Catholic Schools website at https://mycatholicschool.org/careers-employment/
This part-time position can be for either four or five half school-days or for two or three full school days. This position has the potential to be combined with an open part-time position at another Catholic school to become full-time. If you know of a qualified candidate, please direct them to contact Mr. Fitzpatrick.
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Special Family Mass Opportunity on the First School-Friday Next Week |
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St. Louise Parish's usual 9AM Mass on Friday, September 10, will be moved to 7:30AM. This earlier time will allow mom and/or dad to accompany their kids to Mass prior to the start of the parent's job and the kids' school day. Mass will end no later than 8:15, which allows time for mom/dad to say goodbye to their children after Mass and see them to their waiting area outside school before the 8:20 bell rings.
Going to weekday Mass as a family is a terrific way to start the day and to honor God. Thank you, parents, for not "dropping off" your children at the church, but making sure you or the carpool driver is sitting with them in church throughout the 7:30AM Mass.
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How Do You Log-In Your Volunteer Hours? |
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The process for recording your volunteer hours throughout the school year is a digital honor system. You may read more about it HERE.
Basically, what you do after you begin a reoccurring volunteer position or help out with a one-time event or task, is log in the amount of hours you gave volunteering at the submit hours link.
Remember, your family is expected this school year to volunteer for at least 40 hours from now through next June, 2022. If you have any questions about signing up for volunteer jobs or about volunteer requirements, you may contact Marsha Rampersad Zope of the Parents’ Club at Volunteeradmin@stlouiseschool.org or Mr. Fuerte at MikeF@stlouiseschool.org.
Thanks in advance for the time and energy you give in a myriad of ways to St. Louise Parish and School!
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Father Ben Bray is St. Louise's new Parochial Vicar. He was ordained a priest in June of 2019, and these last two years were spent serving in churches in Skagit County. He returns to his home base, as Ben grew up on the Eastside. In fact, as a youngster, Ben remembers Father Gary at St. Anthony Parish in Renton preaching with passion and conviction, and back then Ben could see himself being a similar priest.
Father Ben enjoys sports, especially college football (go Cougs!), board games, movies, walks, and reading.
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Will Your Child Want Milk or Hot Lunch? |
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Students have the option to pre-order school lunches from a school lunch company contracted to provide lunches to St. Louise students – Lunch Ladies. Find out what they serve and how to order HERE.
Half pint cartons of 1% milk are purchased only through a pre-pay process for the entire year. It is $75 for an entire school-year's supply of milk. If your grade K-8 child (or PreK extended-day child) will be drinking milk at lunch this year, please pre-order and pre-pay online HERE. We ask you to please pre-order milk and pre-pay for the entire year by no later than the end of September.
Daily milk service and Lunch Ladies begin on Monday, September 13.
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Marriage and Children Do Not Come Without Their Challenges |
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“Parenting is demanding. I don’t know anyone who would disagree with this statement. In fact a typical response, even from an adolescent, would be, “No kidding!” As a parent of many children, the word “demanding” often seems like an understatement. Parenting is not for the faint of heart, nor is marriage. Marriage and children are great gifts, and can bring untold joy, yet they do not come without their challenges...."
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For Your Marriage - an initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops - is a website that helps couples at all stages of life to understand and live God’s plan for happy, holy marriages by providing educational and spiritual resources. It communicates the meaning and value of married life for the Church and for society. Each week, an article from For Your Marriage will be highlighted in our school bulletin; please take advantage by clicking above and reading the entire article.
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