St. Louis Catholic School Newsletter | |
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September 14, 2023
Dear St. Louis Families,
Thank you to those who came out for the PTO meeting Tuesday evening. It was great to see so many of you supporting our fundraising and community building efforts this year. Please do not forget to register in Connect 1 for managing volunteer hours. Service comes in many forms and is the heart of our school community, so much of what we do relies on the time and talents of our families. “…the fruit of love is service; the fruit of service is peace.”~St. Teresa of Calcutta
Tomorrow is our birthday---St. Louis celebrates 67 years of Catholic education, and we are having a party. With the support of PTO, our students will get to participate in some birthday fun beginning with assembly in the morning and culminating with inflatable obstacle courses. We remain grateful for your generosity to make these events possible.
Fall assessments began this week. A reminder that the diocese requires students in grades 3-7 to take NWEA Map growth assessments 3 times per year to assist with progress monitoring and data for determining instructional goals. Results will be shared with parents during the November parent conferences. Our K-2 students will be taking a new assessment this year for literacy skills—STAR assessments are a universal screener for literacy that help us monitor growth and progress for our younger learners. They will be offered in October to those grades and those results will be shared with p[parents during conferences as well.
With the end of our third week of school we continue to get to know our students and develop class goals for learning as class communities. We also continue to practice safety evacuations and drills. Today, students and staff participated in both a fire drill and a Code Yellow drill in accordance with state and diocesan requirements. Next week, we will be conducting a Code Red Drill. Code Red is called when there is imminent danger or threat in the school. We will provide communication when we practice this drill.
Every day we get the awesome benefit of helping one another be the best version of him or herself. #LoveLearnLead
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Peace,
Anne Dyke
Principal
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Important Reminders About After School Extracurricular Activities
- Please use the carpool B pick up procedures to pick students up from all after school activities. Cars should pull behind the church and line up as normal procedure, students will be brought to the circle for pick up at the end time.
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It is imperative that parents remain in their cars at all times while waiting to pick up students from after school activities. Due to state licensing requirements for our Extended Day program, we cannot have adults wandering the campus especially near the soccer fields or play areas.
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Please be mindful about holding spots in EDC during/after extracurricular activities—we have had parents indicate their child will be in EDC after an extracurricular event and then pick them up early. This prevents other families from utilizing EDC and we currently have a waitlist daily. We are seeking additional employees for EDC, if you know of anyone please direct them to Mrs. Travis (edcoffice@stlouisschool.org)
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Carpool Reminders
For the safety of all families, students, and staff, all parents must follow the traffic pattern of down the first row of the upper parking lot and around the back of the church regardless of what time you arrive. Do not drive around the circle/bell tower even if you are running late.
Please do not drive more than 5mph at ALL TIMES in the parking lot. It is better to be tardy than unsafe.
Cell phone use is prohibited in carpool. Do not use your phone while driving in the carpool line.
Pedestrians have the right of way, that includes the parishioners walking across the parking lot, the parish priests, and the people who cross the parking lot entrances (mostly Bryant students) in the morning. Please be aware of the walkers and YIELD to them instead of trying to dart across traffic to get into the parking lot.
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Reminder: FCPS Home Language Surveys
A reminder that the FCPS Home Language must be completed and submitted for every K-8 student. If you have not already done so, please send yours in ASAP. Thank you!
FCPS Home Language Survey
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We'd like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves. We are Mrs. Cotnoir, Mrs. Miller and Mrs. O'Connor and are blessed to serve as your School Counselors here at St. Louis School. We are here to support you and your children. We do this by teaching lessons in classrooms, meeting with students individually and in small groups, talking with parents, teachers and administration and collaborating with mental health professionals outside of school. It is important to us to provide educational opportunities and supports for parents. If you didn't have a chance to complete our survey at the PTO meeting this week, please do so now. Here's the link: https://forms.gle/FVf6uUC9nZfyWVno8
If you would like to reach out to us, you can call the main office or email us at jcotnoir@stlouisschool.org; tmiller@stlouisschool.org or coconnor@stlouisschool.org.
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October Lunch Bunch and Enrichment Sign-Up
October Lunch Bunch
Register HERE by September 24th
See flyer for more information.
We Are Artists & Fall STEM Fun Enrichment Sign Up See flyer for class descriptions and more information.
Register HERE by September 24th.
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Fr. O'Have invites all preschool parents to a Date Night Dinner...
Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Little Way Cafe
Hosted by Fr. O'Hare, come enjoy a catered dinner and meet and mingle with fellow St. Louis Preschool parents. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Make your "Dinner reservation" HERE.
Babysitting for children ages 3-12 will be available for a small fee.
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Hawk Happenings: September 15-22, 2023 | |
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Friday, September 15
- Lunch: Pizza*
- Happy Birthday St. Louis School! - popsicles @ lunch
Saturday, September 16
- Strings registration closes
Monday, September 18
- Lunch: Chicken Patty Sandwich*
- MS Mass
Tuesday, September 19
- Lunch: Chicken Nuggets*
- Ice Cream Available
- Spirit Dinner @ El Paso
Wednesday, September 20
- Lunch: Beef Nachos*
- K-5 Mass
- Spirit Dinner @ El Paso
Thursday, September 21
- Lunch: Meatball Sub*
- Ice Cream Available
Friday, September 22
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FULL SCHOOL CALENDAR
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
*Hot lunch must be ordered monthly in advance.
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Order October hot lunch HERE.
Orders accepted until 9pm September 29, 2023.
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Tickets must be pre-purchased to redeem for ice cream on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tickets leftover from last year may be used through the end of September.
Order ice cream tickets HERE.
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St. Louis Birthday Bash!
St. Louis School is having is celebrating its 67th birthday TOMORROW! You can donate to help the PTO throw one epic Birthday Bash for our children during the school day on Friday.
Comfy clothes, popsicles, bounce houses, and more!
Click HERE to check out all the ways your donations can suppurt the fun or future PTO initiatives.
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Register for Connect 1
Just a reminder that ALL families need to register for Connect 1, our school volunteer app/website. Registration is a quick, two-step process:
1. Visit https://app.connect1.io and click “Sign Up with School Code:”
Our code is QF15M6. This works best from a desk/laptop computer.
2. Verify your email address, then log in to finish creating your new account!
Connect 1 will be used for volunteer opportunities (field trips, class parties, etc.), classroom donation requests, and more! Register now so you don’t miss important opportunities.
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Spirit Dinner
Join us NEXT WEEK September 19 and/or 20th at El Paso on Cooper Road for our first Spirit Dinner of the school year! Bring the flyer with you to help St. Louis PTO raise funds while you connect with new and old classmates.
Contact Katie Schubert kgodburn@gmail.com if you have any questions.
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Hawks 5K & Fun Run and Pit Stop - October 14th
Now that summer has come to a close, it’s time to look forward to crisp fall weather that’s perfect for running. Back for its 10th year, the Hawks 5K Fun Run is a favorite St. Louis tradition that’s fun for the whole family. Whether you are in it to win it or in it to finish it, you won’t want to miss this fun event. Don’t delay - register now! And stick around after the Run to enjoy food, friends and fun at the Post-Race Pit Stop!
To register, complete and return the Fun Run registration form or sign up online at: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Alexandria/StLouisHawks5K.
This event is open to the entire family and Saint Louis Parish community. Proceeds benefit St. Louis Catholic School and Preschool.
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Sponsors Needed for Hawks 5K
We are still looking for a few great sponsors to support the 10th Annual Hawks 5K Fun Run. Being a sponsor comes with lots of great perks, from having your logo on shirts and mile markers to free Hawks 5K Fun Run registrations. Please consider signing up before September 20th to ensure your spot on the T-shirt. All funds raised will directly benefit St. Louis School. Thank you for your support!
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Fall Bake Sale and Used Uniform Sales
Hi STL Families, the Bake Sale and Used Uniform Sale is coming up on September 30th & October 1st, just in time for winter uniforms (which start October 10th!) and tasty Fall treats! Please see links below to sign up to volunteer your time and/or bring some of your favorite tasty goodies! Thank you, Annemarie, Monica & Sharon
Bake Sale Donations sign up HERE
Bake Sale Volunteers sign up HERE
Used Uniform Volunteers sign up HERE
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Strings Program - Register by September 16th
Strings instruction is offered through Old Town Music School to students in K-8th grades interested in playing the cello, viola, violin, and guitar. Information packets have been sent home to families who completed the interest form. The interest form is not the registration form. To register your child in the strings program, please do so with Old Town Music School directly. Registration closes September 16th.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to class scheduling, students in 4th-8th grade may not participate in both Band and Strings.
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Trail Life
Have a son interested in joining Trail Life? Visit troopva2907.org for more information or come to Join Trail Life Night TONIGHT. Get in on the adventure!
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CYO Cross Country, Track, and Cheerleading Teams
Calling all athletes in Grades 3-8! Registration is still open for the CYO Track and Field, Cross Country, and Cheerleading teams. Go to SportsPilot to register now . Go Hawks!
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Monday Rosary Group
The Monday Rosary Group meets after morning drop off when school is in session in front of the Mary statue next to the main entrance. Start the week praying with and for our school community. No experience necessary!
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Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge
The Soccer Challenge is coming to St. Louis School on Monday Sept 25 & Tuesday Sept 26! Interested contestants ages 9 and up will be able to give it their best shot to see how many penalty kicks they can make! If your child is interested in participating, parents MUST fill out the Entry Form. For any questions or concerns about the event, please contact John Michael (703)587-3901.
NOTE: One entry per student. Students who participated at the Good Shepherd International Festival may not participate again at St. Louis.
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SEPT 20-21: ED Games Expo
ED GAMES EXPO, an annual showcase of innovations in education technology developed through programs at the U.S. Department of Education, its Institute of Education Sciences, and across government.
The 9th annual ED Games Expo will occur in Washington, DC, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts REACH on Wednesday, September 20 and Thursday, September 21, 2023. Click here to view the ED Games Expo agenda, which provides an overview of all Expo events as well as registration information. Local community members, including families and students of all ages, should register to attend the ED Games Expo for the Public taking place on Wednesday, September 20, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Attendees will be able to demo 180+ learning games and EdTech innovations as well as meet the developers who created them! This is a family-friendly event. There is no cost to attend the ED Games Expo. For more information, contact EDGamesExpo@ed.gov.
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Oct. 7: Diocesan Pilgrimage to Emmitsburg, MD
Join Bishop Burbidge on a pilgimage to the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on October 7th. Please see the attached flyer for the schedule of events.
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Oct. 14: Bishop Ireton Cheer Clinic
Girls in 1st-8th grades are invited to spend an unforgettable day learning cheerleading and performing with the 2016-2023 Christian Cheerleaders of America National Grand Champions. The clinic on October 14th includes lunch and a halftime performance at the BI Varisty Football game. Please see the flyer for registration information.
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