Family Learning

NWEA MAP Growth Assessment 

Middle of Year Assessment Result Going Home

As previously communicated, we administered the NWEA MAP Growth assessment during the month of January to your child (Kinder through 8th grade) to measure growth. You will be receiving the Family Growth Report for your child on Monday, February 12. Be sure to check your child’s backpack for this valuable report; if you would like more information, click here for the Family Guide to the NWEA MAP Growth Assessments. 

Smart Families Coffee and Donut Social

Parents, join us on Monday, February 12th, at 8:15 am in the Learning Commons for coffee, pastries, and community as we share more about the Smart Families pledge, whose mission is “to help parents and schools create a safer, healthier, and happier life for our children and families by creating a community where it’s easy to live without smartphones.” Whether you’ve signed the pledge or have not yet heard about it, we are happy to have you! Please RSVP using this form. Learn more about Smart Families here.

Learning Commons Literacy Corner

Please click here for our weekly Learning Commons Literacy Corner updates including the quote of the week, vocabulary word of the week, and the high frequency words of the week.

Re-Enrollment for Returning Students

Families with returning students received the Annual Tuition and Re-Enrollment Announcement email on

February 1st. Please make sure to read and review, as the re-enrollment deadline is Monday, February 12th at 3:00PM. Please visit the Re-Enrollment Resources page on the school website for additional links and information.

We have created a new Re-Enrollment Checklist document to help families keep track of the completion of the steps of re-enrollment. Please click here to download the checklist.

8th Grade Musical - Annie Jr.

On Friday, February 23rd & Saturday, February 24th the Class of 2024 present their performance of "Annie Jr."

We will again be using the Eventbrite ticketing system to offer both tickets available for sale and free tickets to both performances. If you would like to attend either show, please use the links below to reserve seats. There are a limited number of seats still available for purchase. If you want free tickets, you still need to reserve your seats using the Eventbrite links below so that we can make sure everyone has their assigned seat for the performances.

• Friday, February 23rd 7:00PM Performance Seating 
• Saturday, February 24th 2:00PM Performance Seating

We Are Hiring!

We currently have several open positions to fill for the 2024 - 2025 school year including:

• Elementary Science and Social Studies Teacher
• Part-Time Literacy Coach
• Pre K - Classroom Teacher
• Elementary Classroom Teacher
• Religion Teacher
• Middle School ELA Classroom Teacher

If you are interested in working alongside our amazing teachers and staff, check out the open positions currently available and apply today! Please contact Cindy Orlando if you have questions.

Steps For Students – Saturday, February 10, 2024

The Archdiocesan Steps For Students 5K run returns for its 19th year on Saturday, February 10, 2024. You can either register to participate in the run, or you can “Hit Snooze for Students” – both options support St. Cecilia Catholic School by having a portion of the registration fees to help support various campus programs. The run begins at 8:30AM downtown at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, and participants can visit the St. Cecilia Catholic School tent for snacks and drinks in the Catholic School Village beginning at 7:00AM.

• Click here for a full Steps for Students schedule 
• Click here to register to either participate in the race or “Hit Snooze for Students”

Book Fair and Read-A-Thon 2024 – February 16th – 23rd  

The Annual St. Cecilia Catholic School Book Fair and Read-A-Thon – “Wild About Reading” will take place Friday, February 16th – Friday, February 23rd.

Class Schedule and Volunteer Sign Up

• Class Schedule: Please click here to view a detailed class schedule of grades and homerooms and when they will be visiting the Library during Book Fair. Volunteers: We would love volunteer help in making our Book Fair a success. Parents interested in helping with setup, helping students shop, or clean up can please use this Sign Up Genius.

Book Fair Vendor Update

This year’s Book Fair will look a little different from previous years. Our Book Fair this Spring will be with Literati, which is associated with the Follett Publishing Company. Several schools in the Archdiocese and nationwide have made this switch. Literati provides books from many different publishers, including smaller publishing houses. It focuses on providing high-quality products and titles. It is easy to shop Literati’s online catalog, and it has an equivalent to the EWallet from Scholastic. More information is available on our website here, and there will be more updates in the Insider about how to set up shopping for your students. 

Theme Days

• Friday, February 16th - “Cozy Up With A Good Book / Pajama Day” (must wear athletic shoes with pajamas) or regular Friday Spirit Day attire

• Monday, February 19th - Inservice Day – No School

• Tuesday, February 20th - “Wild About Reading” – wear a shirt or pants with your favorite animal or animal print (an example would be a t-shirt with an animal athletic mascot on it). This is not an animal costume day.

• Wednesday, February 21st - “Read To A Friend” – Bring a stuffed animal to school. Mass attire is required for all students.

• Thursday, February 22nd - “Book Character Day” – dress as your favorite book character.

• Friday, February 23rd - “Go Texan Day” – since Friday is our annual Go Texan Day, that will be the theme for this day. As a reminder regarding our standard rules for Go Texan Day - all students are allowed to wear their rodeo gear to school. They may wear jeans, boots, western-styled shirts, and belts. Note: Students must wear tennis shoes for PE. Of course, our young caballeros should leave their pistolas, lariats, and livestock at home.

More information on how to participate in the Book Fair and Read-A-Thon will be coming over the next few weeks in the Insider.

January HSA Meeting – Tuesday, February 13th - 8:15AM

The HSA February Meeting is on Tuesday, February 13th, at 8:15AM. The February meeting will be in person at school in the Maker Space Lab. The meeting will be recorded, and a link to the recording will be in next Friday’s Insider. All are welcome to attend.

Auction Updates

Auction Tables and Tickets On Sale - Thursday, February 15th

Save-The-Date for Thursday evening, February 15th, when tables and tickets will go on sale for our “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” Auction - featuring a Live Performance from legendary Texas singer / songwriter Gary P. Nunn!

• A very limited number of sponsor tables will be available to purchase that include a VIP Meet and Greet with Gary P. Nunn before Auction begins that evening.
• Please make sure and view our Digital invitation and Auction FAQ links for all the sponsor table information.

Commemorative Auction Bandanas

Just in time for Rodeo season - a commemorative "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys - St. Cecilia Auction 2024" bandana!

• A fun way to support St. Cecilia and our Auction - these are Rodeo and Cook-Off ready!
• These can be ordered for students and/or the whole family.
• They will be delivered to school before "Go Texan Day" on Friday, February 23rd and the Kinder Rodeo Roundup on that day - perfect for dressing up the kids on that day.
• We will deliver the bandanas to the oldest / only student in each family. 
• Supplies are limited - please click here to order yours now!

2023 Calendar Year Charitable Giving Tax Letters

The annual calendar year charitable giving tax letters are being printed and mailed out this week and families should have received them within the next few days. Thank you for your support of St. Cecilia Catholic School.

Staff Nursery Part-Time Substitute Openings

We are looking to hire a few part-time substitutes for our staff nursery. This opportunity is perfect for parents looking for a casual chance to work a few hours during a given week. Click here to apply. For more information, please contact Mary Yokubaitis. 

8th Grade Basketball Nights

Join us next Monday and Tuesday as we celebrate the 8th Grade students on our Basketball teams. Both games are in the Gym at St. Cecilia and start at 6:30PM.

• Monday, February 12th - Boys Basketball 8th grade night vs. St. Thomas More
• Tuesday, February 13th - Girls Basketball 8th grade night vs. St. Michael

Track and Field

Track will have its first practice on Wednesday, February 14th at school. Students will meet the coaches on the athletic field at 3:30PM. Parents meeting will follow at 4:30PM. 

Piano Lessons Now Offered at St. Cecilia

Beginning in February 2024, our Principal Organist, Borja Flores, will teach piano lessons for students on our campus. Borja has been the Principal Organist at St. Cecilia since November 2021. Originally from Valencia, Spain, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music-Piano Performance Cum Laude from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Sacred Music in Organ from the University of Saint Thomas. Borja is also available for in-home piano lessons. For more information, including hours and rates, please email Borja at borjapianostudio@gmail.com.

Perpetual Adoration is Returning at St. Cecilia 

We are delighted to announce that Perpetual Adoration will return to St. Cecilia in 2024. Adoration will be open from 9:00 am Monday through 8:00 am Friday.  

Before reopening Adoration, we must have at least two adorers for each hour. Some hours already have complete coverage, but others have only one adorer or no coverage at all. 

If you are interested in taking an hour to adore our Lord present in the Eucharist every week and to see the hours that still need coverage, please visit our website or contact Leo de Leon.

Lenten Parish Service Day - Saturday, February 17th

Please join us on Saturday, February 17th from 9AM to Noon in the Community Center for a Lenten Parish Service Day. Please sign up here.

Weekly Stations of the Cross 

Our Campus Ministry team will once again be praying the Stations of the Cross weekly during Lent. We will meet on Wednesday mornings at 7AM in the main hallway right next to the teachers' lounge. We welcome any and all students and their families to join us on Wed. mornings during Lent to share in this glorious prayer.  

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry - Feb. 16, 23., March 1, 8, 15, & 22

Join us for a Lenten tradition at St. Cecilia's Community Center, our annual Friday Night Fish Fry! We start serving at 5:30PM and stop at 8:00PM on Fish Fry Fridays. Eat-in, take-out, and now a drive-thru option! Plates are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $7 for kids (under 10), and $3 extra to add shrimp to your meal. Meal includes fried or baked fish, fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw, & Mac and cheese. Tea, lemonade, coffee, and dessert are also available.

St. Agnes Academy Arts Presents Aida - Feb. 29 - March 3, 2024

Winner of four 2000 Tony Awards, Elton John and Tim Rice's timeless love story is an epic tale of love, loyalty and betrayal, chronicling the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her country, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love. The talents of SAA and SJ students combine in performances at 7:00pm on February 29, March 1-3, and 2:00pm on March 2 in Meyer Hall at St. Agnes Academy. Come be our guest and see St. Agnes Academy’s spring musical AIDA for FREE! Use code artsforall24SCS at checkout.

Pathways To Independent Learning at St. Thomas 

St. Thomas High School is pleased to announce details for its Spring Academic Skills Camp, Pathways to Independent Learning. In this course, students are given tools and strategies to take charge of the learning process. They will be able to take full responsibility for choosing effective approaches to long-term learning. Students need the skills and strategies of independent learning to excel in any learning environment or situation. Research has proven that facility and practice of executive functioning skills and critical thinking is a greater predictor of student success than IQ. Students who develop the skills of independent learning are better able to adapt and succeed when they encounter obstacles. Parents can click here to view course information and registration.  

Math+ at Strake Jesuit 

This Spring, the Math+ program will be focused on Logic and Proofs. In Mathematics, logic and proofs represent the most rigorous way to ‘solve’ a problem and form the backbone of advanced math. These critical skills have become increasingly tested in standardized exams with ~20% of SAT Math questions testing basic logic.

Incarnate Word Academy Daddy Daughter Dance – February 10th

The Incarnate Word Academy Impact Dance Team is excited to present the 1st Annual Daddy Daughter Dance. Dads, they grow up so fast! Treat your princess to a night out at the Valentine's Day Ball, featuring music and fun with a DJ, a photo booth, snacks, princess activities, and much more! It's a wonderful opportunity for fathers and daughters to create cherished memories together on this special occasion. Pre-school and up are invited!

Details:

Dress: Sunday dress, Valentine’s holiday attire, or your favorite princess outfit

Dads: Business casual or suit, tie optional

Saturday February 10, 2024

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Incarnate Word Academy

$40 per couple, $10 additional daughter

For questions contact Mrs. Leppard at cleppard@incarnateword.org

Prayer Requests for our St. Cecilia Catholic School Community

Healing Prayers

"LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress." ~ Isaiah 33:2

• Patricia Darvishi, Grandma of Quinn and Elise Darvishi

Prayers for the Faithful Departed

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

• James Metzger, Grandfather of Madelyn Metzger