St. Louis Catholic School Newsletter |
|
March 25, 2022
Dear St. Louis families,
Today is a special day for many reasons. It is the Solemnity of the Annunciation where the Angel Gabriel declared to Mary she would conceive of the Holy Spirit, the Word made flesh. Pope Francis has announced that he will consecrate Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and churches around the world have been asked to join in prayer to mark this special occasion. Our students joined together during Mass to pray the prayer of consecration to Mary for Peace in Ukraine. Here is the link to the Act of Consecration. And lastly, we completed the re-accreditation process. We look forward to hearing the visiting team’s commendations and recommendations after dismissal today. Know that it has been an exciting week, and from conversation with members of the team throughout the process, they have been very complimentary and validating.
From now through the end of April, our Annual Fund is in full swing. The Participation Challenge is on---this year’s participation challenge is called, "Mountain Quests"---and families, friends, and relatives can participate. Gifts of prayer, time, talent, or treasure count and we look fun to a spirited competition between the classes. Along the way teachers have offered some fun incentives, and we hope that you will consider making a donation of prayer, or time, or treasure. Each year, the Annual Fund raises funds that are put towards tuition assistance, technology and a major school improvement need. Our HVAC has been problematic this year as many units are aged and in need of continuous repair. Additionally, the floors are wearing down due to the continuous stripping, waxing, buffing, ad polishing—this is a substantial cost and will require a multi-year approach to fully replace all of the flooring in the buildings. Know that every penny donated to the Annual Fund goes straight into our budget and is used for the school. We are truly appreciative of every gift!
Some fun facts about the Participation Challenge from last year:
- The current 8th Grade class has remained undefeated in the participation challenge since they were Kindergarteners. Last year they exceeded their own personal best of 78% with 98% participation. If they win again this year, it will be the 9th consecutive win for them.
- For the first time in participation challenge history, ALL classes had well above 63% participation.
- The 2020-21 campaign received 380 pledge cards from school families, faculty and staff as well as grandparents, alumni and parishioners.
- The additive power of small giving makes a BIG impact! 46% of all donors gave gifts under $250 totaling $20,204.69. That's enough to purchase a Chromebook for every student in 2 classrooms!
- Does your company match gifts/donations? With matching gifts, you can double or triple your donation. Last year, Corporate & Matching Gifts were valued at $16,243 with gifts from local businesses and organizations.
Everything you do for our community matters, and we appreciate YOU simply because you are here. Together, with a little faith, we can move mountains. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Peace,
Anne M. Dyke
Principal
|
|
Stations of the Cross - Every Friday during Lent |
During Lent, parents are welcome to join St. Louis students at Stations of the Cross on Friday's at 2:30pm in St. Louis Church.
If you must sign your child out early on a Friday during Lent, please do so before 2:15pm. Our office staff will not interrupt Stations of the Cross to locate students for dismissal.
|
|
|
|
Guest Speaker - March 31st, 9AM ZOOM
Building Children's Resilience and Confidence with Phyllis Fagell, LCPC
Please join us March 31st via Zoom at 9am. This session will not be recorded.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 885 0909 4651
Passcode: Smile
Phyllis Fagell will share with us her research and professional experience offering parents a menu of practical strategies that will help children and young adolescents acquire the key skills they need to manage the social complexity, academic challenges and intense emotions that characterize these critical years. The added challenges inherent in raising our children through a pandemic, the influence of social media, and the increase in mental health issues also will be covered.
|
|
The Annual Fund Participation Challenge kicks off on Monday with weekly "mountain quests." Look for a special email on Monday with all of the details on how you and your family can get involved. Help us reach our goal of $75,000! |
|
WATER BOTTLE REMINDER - Parents, please remember to send a refillable water bottle with your student (especially those in the lower hall) on a daily basis.
|
|
New Family Coffee
Wed., March 30, 8:30am
Parents new to St. Louis this school year are invited to join Mrs. Dyke and Mrs. Matheis for coffee and conversation in the cafeteria on Wednesday, March 30 at 8:30am. We'll discuss what to expect in the final trimester of the school year. Younger siblings always welcome.
|
|
Food Drive for Christ House
Throughout Lent, St. Louis School is collecting food items for Christ House in Alexandria, VA. We encourage students to consider giving up something and using the money instead to purchase any of the food items needed for Christ House. Below is a list of food items the pantry is in need of:
- canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
- peanut butter
- jelly
- tuna
- canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
- individual fruit cups (low sugar)
- canned fruit (low sugar)
- cereal (low sugar)
- pasta (regular and gluten-free)
- instant potatoes
- macaroni & cheese kits
- coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
- Giant, Safeway and Walmart gift cards
Donations are being collected until April 8th. Baskets will be outside each classroom for students to place non-perishable items into.
|
|
Hawk Happenings - Week of March 28, 2022 |
|
Saturday, March 26
- Yay Lunch! order before midnight!
__________________________________
Monday, March 28
- Parent Rosary Group, 8:05am, Bell Tower
- Annual Fund Participation Challenge Kick-off
Wednesday, March 30
- New Family Coffee, 8:30-9:15am
Thursday, March 31
Friday, April 1
- Stations of the Cross, 2:30pm
__________________________________
Saturday, April 2
- Hawk's Hippity Hop, 2-4pm
- PTO Used Uniform Sale, 2-4pm
- PTO Bake Sale, 2-7pm
__________________________________
Saturday, April 2
- Yay Lunch! order before midnight!
__________________________________
Sunday, April 3
- PTO Used Uniform Sale, 8am-noon
- PTO Bake Sale, 8am-2pm
|
|
Did you know you can subscribe to our school calendar for real-time updates, convenient links to SUGs and flyers, and more? Subscribe to auto-populate your iCal, Outlook 2007+ or Google calendar
|
|
|
We’d like to recognize the entire faculty and administration for their efforts in preparing the school for this week’s DFE visit. There has been a tremendous amount of behind the scenes work, and we are so thankful for your time.
|
|
2nd Annual Hawk’s Hippity-Hop Egg Hunt – Saturday, April 2, 2-4 PM
HOP TO IT! Spots for this EGGstra special event are almost gone! The Easter Bunny will be leaving eggs on the school grounds again, and we need children to help collect them. A special Easter craft and photos with the Easter Bunny will also be available.
Reservations will be required and space is limited, so sign-up NOW for one of three egg hunts on Saturday, April 2 between 2-4PM. This is a private St. Louis School and Preschool event. The Egg Hunt is free, but reservations are REQUIRED. Walk-ins not permitted.
We still need volunteers and donations to make this event special. Please consider signing up here to help!
|
|
Spring Used Uniform & Bake Sales - April 2 & 3
Our Spring Bake Sale and Used Uniform Sale will be held in McClunn Hall on Saturday, April 2 and on Sunday, April 3rd. We are looking for volunteers and donations for both sales. See volunteer opportunities below for sign-ups.
-
Used Uniform Sale - Hours: Saturday, April 2 from 2pm – 4pm & following the 5:30pm Mass and on Sunday, April 3 from 8am – 12pm
-
Uniform Donations - If you have used uniforms that you’d like to donate, they can be dropped off anytime in the school office, or on Saturday, April 2 between 10:30am and 6:30pm in McClunn Hall. We are especially in need of youth small and medium PE uniforms.
-
Bake Sale - Hours: Saturday, April 2 from 2pm – 7pm and Sunday, April 3 from 8am – 2pm and after 3pm
|
|
Sponsor a Gaming Table at the Silent Auction
Did you know that you get two tickets with a sponsorship of a gaming table at the Silent Auction? Starting at $250, your family or small business could be recognized at a blackjack or poker table! For $350 you could have prime real estate at the craps or roulette table in "McClunn Casino"! Grab a group of friends and grab one while they last. These sponsorships are limited - we have 9 left at the $250 level and just 2 at the $350 level.
Gaming table sponsorships offer the following benefits:
- 2 tickets to the auction
- logo/name on all printed materials and on the website as a table sponsors
- logo/name displayed on the gaming table
- logo/name displayed on the Auction slide show
- additional gaming chips
You can purchase $250 poker, blackjack or wheel of fortune table sponsorships here, $350 craps or roulette table sponsorships here, or email Katie Schubert at hawktion.chair@gmail.com. Table locations offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
|
|
VOLUNTEER
COORDINATORS
Jannette Amedome
Juliette Theroux
Don't forget to log your volunteer hours!
|
|
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
NON-VIRTUS:
Egg Hunt - April 2
Donations and volunteers, sign up HERE.
Used Uniform Sale - April 2 & 3
Volunteers needed to help set up, during the sale, and tear down. Sign up HERE.
Bake Sale - April 2 & 3
Volunteer - set up, package, sell baked goods, or clean- up/tear down the sale. Sign up HERE
Donate Baked Goods - Sign up HERE
VIRTUS REQUIRED:
Cafeteria Helpers - April
We have a critical need for parent volunteers in the cafeteria in order to continue with hot lunch options. Parent volunteers are needed to assist with receiving, sorting and distributing Yay Lunches and selling ice cream on select days. Ideally, parents are able to commit to a day on a weekly basis each month, but we would be happy to have parents help out even if it's just once or twice a month. Please indicate the date(s) you can help in the comments section.Sign up HERE.
Recess Monitors - April
We are in need of recess monitors during outdoor recess in April. It includes supervising all grades from K-8 between 11:30am and 1:40pm daily. Fill out and send in the interest form.
|
|
St. Louis School Band - Music in the Park Fundraiser
The St. Louis School band is teaming up with other diocesan schools to raise funds for their Music in the Park Festival trip. Any donation is greatly appreciated and would help offset the costs the kids have to share. Your support is appreciated. Donate HERE
|
|
CYO Spring Track
The CYO will be sponsoring a spring track meet, scheduled for May 14. All athletes in 3rd through 8th grades are welcome to join the team. Sign-ups are now open on SportsPilot. The team will practice after school on Fridays and on Saturday afternoons, beginning on April 1. You can email Brian Nienaber at bnienaber31@gmail.com with any questions.
|
|
8th Grade CYO Basketball
Congratulations to our 8th grade boys’ basketball teams. The team coached by Ted Koch made it to the second round of their division’s year-end tournament, and the team coached by Tom and Missy McGuire made it to the final game and lost by just a few points in overtime. Both of these teams, as well as our 8th grade girls’ team, coached by Nick Swetz and Bill Buffaloe, have represented the Hawks so well over these past six years, always living up to our CYO motto of “Virtuous Excellence.” We are going to miss all of these players and coaches next year!
|
|
CYO Year-End Celebration
On Sunday, May 1, we invite all our CYO athletes and their families to join us for a special Mass at 8:45 am and then breakfast and celebration of a great year in McClunn hall directly after mass. This is always a special way to close out the year, thank our coaches, and celebrate our athletes and we hope you can all attend.
|
|
CYO Coach of the Year Nominations
We are now accepting nominations for the CYO Coach of the Year. We will present this award at the CYO year-end celebration on May 1. We invite nominations from all families, and the attributes of our Coach of the Year are spelled out in this description. (Hyperlink to the document that’s attached). All nominations should be sent to cyodirector@saintlouisparish.org.
|
|
Knights of Columbus Free Throw Tournament
Congratulations to 6th Grader Summer Deeds who came in 3rd place in the Virginia State Free Throw shooting tournament held in Richmond, VA last week. We are so proud of you Summer!
|
|
Last Chance to see Annie This Weekend
The worldwide phenomenon and award-winning musical Annie, produced by the Mt. Vernon Community Children’s Theatre, has just three more shows this weekend at Bryant HS, right next door to St. Louis. Shows are at 7pm on March 25, 7pm on March 26, and 3pm on March 27. One of the producers is a St. Louis parent and the show features current St. Louis students, Katie Dunn, Alison Nienaber, and Isaac Nienaber.
|
|
Bishop O'Connell Presents Little Women: The Musical
The Bishop O'Connell High School theatre program proudly presents Little Women: The Musical! With a sweeping score, Little Women brings the touching story of the beloved March sisters to a contemporary audience. Six generations have read this story. This one will sing it. Little Women runs April 8-10, 2022 and is appropriate for audiences of all ages. Shows are Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 7 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are available at bishopoconnell.org/theatre.
|
|
Bishop Ireton Summer Camps
Bishop Ireton High School is excited to offer 6 weeks of Summer Camps from June 13 - July 22, 2022. Come explore what Bishop Ireton has to offer! We’ve added new camps, expanding choices in the areas of Sports, Fine Arts and STEM! There are half day and full day programs all run by Bishop Ireton Coaches, Faculty and Staff. One registered nurse and one certified athletic trainer will be onsite each day. Lunch is available for purchase and before care is an option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
