Weekly Insider – September 1, 2023 | |
Meet the Teacher Night Grade Level Presentations
Please see this Google Drive folder for all of the grade level presentations from the Meet The Teacher Night last night.
| |
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.
| |
The Skilled Student with Dr. Harrison - Thursday, September 7th
Your child has been participating in an innovative program designed to highlight and improve executive function skills called FocusWeek. FocusWeek is part of the ongoing initiative we began last school year called The Skilled Student. This program is designed to help students develop the necessary skills for performing to the best of their abilities in school and life. To support students in developing executive functioning skills involves focused effort from parents, teachers, and of course, the students themselves. The information linked below is provided to help parents gain a big-picture perspective of some of the skills which are being taught for your child’s grade level. To learn more about The Skilled Student and hear from Dr. Harrison, please join us on Thursday, September 7th at 8:15 a.m. Click here to watch a brief video by Dr. Harrison about the Skilled Student Initiative and FocusWeek.
| |
Academic Clubs and Competitions
Calling all students for this year's Academic Clubs and Competitions (ACC)! All academic contests in which our students compete will be under the ACC umbrella. For this year, our competitions include PSIA, St. Pius X Academic Rally, Catholic Schools Academic Junior High Decathlon, and Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. For more information, please read this letter and check out current club offerings here. To register, click here.
| |
Java With Jeff Recordings
The "Java With Jeff" meetings concluded this week. Click on the links below to view the recorded Java with Jeff meetings.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
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!
| |
|
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.
| |
After School Enrichment Opportunities
We offer a variety of fee-based programs each year that are offered from outside vendors. The companies listed below are the options for the after school programs. Please click here to see additional information on these opportunities.
- American Robotics Academy
- Academy for Fencing Education
- St. Cecilia Martial Arts Team
- Chess Wizards
- Glass Gymnastics
- MoveNation Dance
- Abrakadoodle Art
| |
|
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.
| |
GEMs Events
GEMs & Moms in Prayer invite you to join us at the front of the school office after morning drop off on Wednesday, September 6th, to walk in prayer around the school as we say special prayers for our students, faculty, staff, families, and community to have a great year! We hope you can join us!
| |
|
Gracefully Embracing Motherhood is a ministry of mothers seeking opportunities for spiritual growth and building on Catholic family values and traditions in our home. We work together to grow in our faith and fellowship, coordinate and support parish activities, socialize and build a strong community of parish moms, and organize charitable giving and volunteer opportunities for families. Join us as we kick off the new school year with Bunco on Thursday, September 7th, from 7-9 p.m. in the Community Center. No bunco experience is needed! Please bring a pack of diapers, wipes, or clothing towards Gabriel’s Project and RSVP your spot at the tables to gracefullyembracingmotherhood@gmail.com by September 5th. See you there!
| |
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
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.
| |
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
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. | | | | |
