Summer Insider – August 25, 2023 | |
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Meet The Teacher Night - Thursday, August 31st – 6:30PM
Meet the Teacher Night at St. Cecilia Catholic School is an opportunity for our parents to meet their child(ren)’s classroom teacher(s) and visit their classroom(s). It is also an opportunity to hear from our Principal, Mr. Matthews regarding the new school year. Meet the Teacher Night is intended to give parents (this is a parent-only event) a realistic understanding of the expectations, procedures, routines, and learning experiences their child(ren) will have this year. Parents will be experiencing first-hand what makes our school so special.
Meet the Teacher Evening Timeline:
- 6:30PM - 6:50PM – Meet the Principal in the Auditorium
- 7:00PM – 7:40PM – Session One
- 7:45PM – 8:25PM – Session Two
- 8:30PM – Meet the Teacher Night Ends
Early Childhood and Elementary:
- Session One: All three homerooms will meet together in one of the grade level homerooms.
- Session Two: A repeat of session one for any parents with children in multiple grade levels.
Middle School
Session One:
- 6th Grade – In 6th Grade Science Room (Mr. Rodriguez)
- 7th Grade – In 7th Grade ELA Room (Mrs. Drake)
- 8th Grade – In 8th Grade Science Room (Mrs. Dupree)
Session Two:
A repeat of session one for any parents with children in multiple grade levels.
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Early Dismissal – Friday, September 1st
As a reminder, Friday, September 1st is an Early Dismissal day with school ending at 12:00PM with the Oldest and Only dismissal for PK3 – Kindergarten students at 11:40AM. Please see the Carpool page for additional information.
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Family Learning
NWEA MAP Growth Assessment
St. Cecilia will be administering the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) Growth Assessment to all students in K-8 grade. NWEA is a computer- based adaptive assessment that is challenging, appropriate, and dynamic. It is administered three times a year (beginning, middle, and end). If you would like to learn more about this new assessment, click here for a guide to the Catholic School’s Office “Family Guide to MAP Growth.” Teachers will be administering these assessments during class throughout the month of September. Individual grade levels will communicate to families regarding specific testing dates.
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.
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Student Safety Drill
Tuesday, August 29th - Lockdown Drill
On Tuesday, August 29th the school will conduct a Lockdown Drill. During our August inservice, Faculty and Staff had updated trainings and reviewed our Crisis Management plans. The drill on August 29th will be an opportunity for us to test our crisis management plan and also an opportunity for families to talk to their students regarding these drills in advance. Please click here for some helpful information on how to talk to your children about these drills.
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Java With Jeff Sessions
The annual beginning of the school year “Java With Jeff” sessions will be held on the following dates below for the grades listed. All parents are invited to attend. The meetings will be recorded and shared the Friday of each week in the Insider.
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The Smart Zone: The Smart Families Shaping Souls August Newsletter
Smart Families Shaping Souls is excited to be a part of your 2023-2024 school year and to be launching Smart Families Shaping Souls at 18 schools in the Archdiocese this fall. Throughout the year, parents and children will be given information and tools to identify how their God given human dignity is under attack from common forms of manipulation utilized today. The heart of the program is the Smart Pledge, where they ask all parents to agree to keep their school smartphone free and only buy their children a smartphone or device after 8th grade. Please check out their August Newsletter here.
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Technology & The Developing Brain – September 12th at 8:00AM
In this presentation, Dr. Collier empowers parents to learn the neurodevelopmental effects of technology on the growing brain, including how exposure to screens impacts academic, attention, emotional, and relational functioning. She'll discuss brain-based parenting and the application of screen time guidelines. The presentation will take place on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 8:00AM in the Auditorium. More information can be found on this flyer.
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Cafeteria and Setting Up Dining Pay
Please download and read the 2023 – 2024 ECI letter to parents here with information on their cafeteria program for St. Cecilia Catholic School. You can setup and manage your child’s Dining Pay account on ECI’s Dining Pay system.
If you need to setup a new Dining Pay account, you will need your child’s Student ID. In order to access a list of Student ID’s please login to FACTS. Under “School” select “Resource Documents”. The list of the student names and ID#’s is available on that list called “Student ID Report August 2023”.
Helpful Cafeteria & ECI Links
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Yearbooks
Yearbooks were sent home on Friday, August 18th. Please note: if you had an 8th grader that graduated last year, your book will be held for a special yearbook signing party for that class (more information to come). If you would like your book sent home with a sibling, please email. Click HERE for a list of those families that have already purchased a copy of the yearbook. There are a limited number of copies available for those that did not order yet. Click HERE to order!
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St. Cecilia Church & School Youth and Children’s Choirs
Register now! Rehearsals begin Wednesday, Sept. 6th.
Ms. Crittenden, the St. Cecilia Catholic School music teacher, will be directing the choir and looks forward to working with a fabulous group of young singers. No audition or prior choral singing experience is necessary. Come and make a joyful noise!
Youth Choir (Grades 4th - 8th)
The Youth Choir is a ministry of the Church and School. We invite all youth in 4th through 8th grades from St. Cecilia Catholic School and the parish to join the choir. The choir sings once a month at the Sunday 10:00AM Mass, and students who attend St. Cecilia Catholic School have the opportunity to minister at the Wednesday school Mass. Rehearsals are on Wednesday afternoons from 3:45PM to 4:45PM in the Music Room and begin on September 6th. A student enrollment donation of $10 per student is requested to help cover the cost of supplies and parties during the year.
For more information and to register, click here.
Children's Choir (Grades 2 - 3)
Children in 2nd and 3rd grades can join the choir seasonally for Christmas, Easter, and Mother's Day.
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After School Enrichment Opportunities
We offer a variety of fee-based programs each year, such as Gymnastics, Martial Arts, Chess, Art, Dance, Fencing, and Soccer are offered from outside vendors. Please click here to see the opportunities that we have confirmed for the year so far. The list is currently being updated, and the page on the website will be updated over the next few days with additional vendor information.
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Heat and Outdoor Activities
Please view this guideline - Heat and Heat Index and Cold Weather Guidelines for Elementary and Middle Schools - that the Archdiocese sent to all of the schools regarding the current weather and heat advisory warnings.
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Moms In Prayer
Moms! Want to make an eternal difference in your children’s lives? My name is Melinda Lynch, and I would love for you to join me for a power hour of prayer! Moms in Prayer is a ministry where we pray with another mom for our kids and our school, impacting them for Christ! This hour will change your prayer life forever, and you will find peace and relief from anxiety and worry as a mom.
What’s unique about a Moms in Prayer group?
- We start and end on time and pray for one hour. (We can visit afterward!)
- We pray our children’s names in the scripture verse so we know we are praying God’s will!
- We keep what we pray confidential!
Please watch this powerful video about the impact of this ministry.
Join us on Friday mornings beginning September 8th after drop off from 8-9:00AM in the Youth Room because if you’re not praying for your kids, who is? Learn more about this international prayer ministry here. Babysitting will be available. For questions, please contact Melinda Lynch at (713)569-4385.
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RCIA Registration
Registration for RCIA is taking place until August 31st. Formation will begin Tuesday, September 5th. If you are interested or would like more information, call the Church office and speak with Claudia Somerville.
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Walking with Purpose Catholic Women's Ministry
We have an open chair for you. Come as you are! Join us for Walking with Purpose Catholic women's ministry, where we will journey through Scripture together starting Thursday, September 7th at 9:00 AM or Tuesday, September 12th at 7:00 PM in the Community Center. Click here to register and read more about the different studies offered.
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St. Thomas High School Mini Eagles Cheer Clinic
Come cheer with the St. Thomas Cheerleaders! Participate in the 2 hour cheer camp and then perform with the St. Thomas Cheerleaders during halftime at the 2023 JV St. John's Game! (For ages: Kindergarten - 8th Graders) Click here to register.
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If you are experiencing a hardship of any kind please contact the HSA Caring Committee for support or prayer requests. They are here to help!
The HSA Caring Committee is a volunteer group that supports St. Cecilia Catholic School families who are dealing with illness, death, or crisis.
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Our mission at St Cecilia Catholic School is the ongoing Catholic formation and education of the whole child in mind, heart, and spirit, in preparation for an adult life of commitment and service. | | | | |
