November 30, 2023

Dear St. Louis Catholic School Families,

Happy Feast of St. Andrew! I hope this message finds you well as we usher in the season of Advent.

I hope that everyone had a restful Thanksgiving break and enjoyed a much-needed respite before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It's always a joy to hear about the special moments families share during this time.

Tomorrow morning, during our regular Friday assembly, we will take a moment to recognize and celebrate the students who went out of their way to be particularly courteous and kind throughout the month of November. It's heartwarming to witness the embodiment of our school's values in our students' actions. We will also welcome the Metropolitan Dance group who will be performing an abbreviated version of "The Nutcracker" for all students, with a special visit to our Kinder classes. It promises to be a delightful experience for our young ones.

As we enter the Advent season this Sunday, let us prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Advent is a time of reflection, anticipation, and hope. In our Catholic faith, it marks the beginning of the liturgical year, symbolizing the waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Our spiritual theme, “Open Hearts, See Love” beautifully resonates with the essence of Advent. Let us strive to open our hearts to love, kindness, and compassion during this sacred time of waiting.

We invite you to share some of your family's Advent traditions with us as part of our "Let Every Hawk Prepare Him Room" initiative. Your traditions may inspire and enrich our school community during this season of reflection and joy. Please send any photos to Mrs. Matheis at development@stlouisschool.org.

A friendly reminder that 1st trimester report cards will be sent home tomorrow in Friday Folders. We encourage you to take the time to review and discuss your child's progress with them. Additionally, the parent portal will reopen on Monday, December 4th, providing you with access to detailed information about your child's academic journey.

May the spirit of Advent fill your homes with joy, peace, and love.

Blessings,

Anne M. Dyke

Principal

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

*Name any intentions or prayer requests and conclude with sign of cross

It is piously believed that whoever recites the St. Andrew Christmas novena prayer FIFTEEN times each day from the feast of St. Andrew (November 30th) until Christmas Eve will obtain the favor requested.

Learn more about the Novena here.

Giving Tuesday 2023...how did we do?

Giving Tuesday presented 3 great giving opportunities for our school families, faculty, parishioners, and alumni. Through the generosity of many, we exceeded our wreath sponsorship goal by 20 wreaths and kicked off our traditional Giving Tree Appeal to beneift the Annual Fund and our kids helping kids Band Aid Drive for pediatric patients at INOVA Children's Hospital and Walter Reed. Both are still accepting donations to meet their respective goals.

Learn More About SmartSocial on Dec. 5th

HUGE THANK YOU to all the parents who have already signed up for the new Technology Resource membership purchased for you by Mrs. Dyke. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can do so HERE (you can insert the link). Sign up is quick and easy and never requires you to remember a password. 

Please join Mrs. Cotnoir via zoom on Tuesday, December 5 at either 9am or 7pm for a 45-minute session (or less) on all that Smart Social has to offer. She’ll be able to give you a tour of the website and show you how you can use the resources to make informed decisions around technology for you and your family. The zoom link is here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84428895226?pwd=YVBocGVFdEhSNkNOeDljSFMwb2V6dz09

Meeting ID: 844 2889 5226

Passcode: smile

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Counseling Team.

jcotnoir@stlouisschool.org | tmiller@stlouisschool.org | coconnor@stlouisschool.org

Christmas Cookies!

Order Deadline Extended to December 5th!

The 4th Annual Christmas Lights Tour is coming up on December 9th. We are happy to be partnering with Maribeth's Bakery once again to offer Christmas cookie decorating kits as well as individual cookie kits. These cookies are great for some family fun or a gift for a neighbor or friend. All proceeds make it possible to provide the class Christmas trees and benefit the Annual Fund. Place your cookie orders HERE by Dec. 5th.

New Parent Coffee - December 7th

Parents new to St. Louis School are invited to bring your coffee and join Mrs. Dyke and Mrs. Matheis for a relaxed and informal conversation on Thursday, Dec, 7 at 8:15am. These coffees are an opportunity for new families to learn more about the school and current happenings, as well as to ask questions.

Lessons & Carols - December 12th

Kindergarten - 5th Grade students will be presenting our traditional "Christmas pageant" Lessons & Carols on Tuesday, December 12th at 7pm. Kindergarten-4th grade students should plan to wear their Christmas Sunday Best (no jeans please). Fifth grade students will be presenting the scripture lessons in costume. Please be on the lookout for more detailed information about this special evening next week.