School Newsletter
Summer Edition: August 19, 2021
Mission:
St. Anthony of Padua School Community
engages students in academic excellence
while guiding them to live as a reflection of Jesus.
From Mrs. Pudelko:

Hello all!

I hope everyone is enjoying their last week of Summer. We look forward to welcoming students back into the building next week and seeing our families at the Back to School Night on Monday evening. For any of our new families, we will be assigned an Ambassador family to you soon to answer any questions you may have and welcome you to St. Anthony. If there is anything you need as you make this transition for your family, please do not hesitate to call the office.

Our theme for the school year is "Connect Through Faith." As we selected this theme, we hoped that students would be able to see the presence of the Lord in all that they do and in those around them. As we launch a new Mission Statement and House System (more details to come) our desire is also for our students to see the goodness of the Lord in others!

COVID remains at the forefront of many of our minds. Last week we shared our mitigation strategies to provide the safest environment possible. While it has been determined as a Diocese not to mandate masks throughout all of our schools at this time, at St. Anthony we highly recommend that everyone in the building is wearing masks indoors throughout the day. Current protocols are subject to change at any time.

For more specific details on COVID mitigation strategies and plans, please see our FAQ document, as well as our plan that was submitted to the Kent County Health Department. The Kent County Health Department also updated the toolkit for schools for the 21-22 school year. In addition, flowcharts for determining the next steps when individuals are tested or present symptoms will also guide our decision-making.

My maternity leave is coming quicker than I originally anticipated. Thankfully baby and I are both healthy, but I am currently on limited work hours and anticipating the arrival of Baby Pudelko during the first week of September. My goal is to be at school to greet students and families on the first day of school! If you have questions in my absence, Mr. Wieber is available.

Wishing you many blessings as we embark on this new school year!

God bless,

Jenny
Noteworthy News

  • HOT LUNCH: Hot lunch will be free again this year through federal funding. Families may purchase an extra entree "double" for an additional $1.00. Milk only is available for purchase as well for $0.40. We are requesting all families regardless of financial status to fill out a Free and Reduced Lunch Application found here. Lunch applications assist the school in receiving Title I funding through the state. Title Funds last year helped purchase over 40 Chromebooks and provided funds for tutoring opportunities.
  • August Hot Lunch Menu
  • September Hot Lunch Menu
  • UNIFORM APPAREL: Please use the following Uniform/Spirit Wear Link to place an order for St. Anthony of Padua School uniform apparel. The deadline is Sunday, September 12th at 11:59pm.
  • CHILD CARE: Due to state licensing requirements, childcare registration paperwork needs to be filled out then emailed or dropped off at the school office. If you filled out your paperwork online, we kindly request you fill out and resend the registration as soon as possible. Send the forms linked here information to schooloffice@saparish.com. Child care opens on August 25th, the first day of school. We are working to ensure that we are fully staffed, so if you plan to use St. Anthony Child Care, please submit your registration as soon as possible.
  • MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION FORM: If your child(ren) need to take medication during the school day, you must fill out a Medication Administration form (available in the school office).
  • If it is a prescribed medication, your physician must complete and sign the bottom portion of the form.
  • ALL medications must be kept in the school office.
  • At NO time, should a student have medication on their person or in their locker/desk. Medication - prescribed or over-the-counter - must be in it's original container - not a baggie.  
  • Please contact the school office with any questions.
  • PESTICIDE ADVISORY: Pesticides are applied - after school hours - on the third Wednesday of the month.  Please see the link below if you need FURTHER notification of application.  You may call the school office with any questions. Pesticide Advisory
  • FAMILY FUN RUN: Great News! The Family Fun Run will be Olympic-themed and will be held on St. Anthony of Padua School grounds. We will have a shorter route but will include obstacles on the path. We welcome you to bring your tailgate set up in the parking lot. A picnic-style lunch of hot dogs, chips, apples, and water will be provided with your race registration (here). We will have giveaways and raffle prizes too! **The last day to register and be guaranteed a t-shirt will be Thursday, September 2, 2021. Race registration will be open until Noon on Friday, September 17, 2021,** Family Fun Run Flyer

Notes from last week:

  • RECESS / LUNCH SUPERVISORS NEEDED: We are in need of playground and lunch supervisors this school year (Mondays and Fridays). The school office will work with your schedule. Playground workers are needed from 11:15am to 12:30pm and lunch supervisors are needed from 11:35 am - 12:50 pm. Workers receive a $10 stipend towards tuition each time they work (applied bi-annually). If you are available to help, please contact the school office at 616-453-8229 x 200 or schooloffice@saparish.com.
  • VIRTUS: We plan on having parents back in school to volunteer for the 2021-2022 school year. Any parent who volunteers with children MUST have completed the online Virtus class - this includes coaching, classroom parties, field trips, and playground supervision. Please take some time this summer to take the Virtus class if you plan to volunteer in any capacity during the school year. If you have taken the class in the past, your account should still be active.
  • SUPPLY LISTS: Supply lists are posted on the school website and the St. Anthony App for the upcoming school year.
  • 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
  • REFERRAL SCHOLARSHIP: 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!
  • CHILDREN’S CHOIR: Exciting news! The Children’s Choir will be starting up again this September! The Choir is open to students in Grades 2 through 8. Rehearsals will begin on Thursday evenings beginning Sept 9 (6:00pm-6:45pm). We will meet in the gathering space for a “social” and move into the church to rehearse. The Children’s choir will generally sing the second Sunday of the month at 9:00am Mass (along with the special Christmas and Easter Masses). If you have a child in the upper grades that would like to run the monitor during rehearsals they would be very welcome to join us as well@. Any questions contact Vonnie Clark (vclark@saparish.com) or 616-485-0695. Looking forward to the JOY of the children’s VOICES!
Board of Directors Updates:

Our new Mission Statement:

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

Our Strategic Plan will focus on 5 years of growth and development to continue to make St. Anthony of Padua School the best choice for educating your children in a Faith-filled environment!
Home and School Association Updates:
Please stop by the Home and School Association table on Monday at the open house. Pick up a treat and learn more about what we do and how you can help.
Follow the Home and School Association Facebook page for updates!
Athletic News:

  • COACHES CORNER: St. Anthony is asking ALL COACHES to complete their concussion training this year prior to the start of the appropriate season. Online certification is required every 3 years and can be done online here. Please send the completion certificate to athletics@saparish.com. Additionally, coaches are required to be Virtus trained and have a Volunteer Background information packet on file. Virtus may be done online (here) and the volunteer packet is available upon request. Please email athletics@saparish.com if you have questions or need to check your status of Virtus (required once) or Volunteer paperwork (every 5 years).
  • SPORTS PHYSICALS: All students grades 3rd through 8th are required to have a physical dated after 4.15.2021 on file with the school office before the first day of scheduled practice. Forms can be found here and emailed to athletics@saparish.com or dropped off to the school office.
  • ATHLETIC COMMUNICATION and CALENDAR: The athletic calendar will be updated regularly with practices times, game times and deadlines. Please use the athletic calendar as a reference point for planning. It can be found on the school website and St. Anthony app. All athletic communication should be sent to athletics@saparish.com. **Please note all last minute changes and cancellations will be found on TeamSnap App Notifcations and Chats screen from GRACEAC, coaches, and athletic directors**
  • WESTSIDE YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE K-2 AND 3-4: Flag football is open to students ages 5 to 7. Rocket Football is open to students in 3rd and 4th grade. Additional information can be found on this flyer with signup information here.
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.


St. Anthony of Padua School | 616-453-8229 x 200
schooloffice@saparish.com | www.saparish.com