Family Learning

The Skilled Student Dr. Harrison Presentation 

Please click here to see the presentation Dr. Harrison from The Conative Group gave on Thursday, September 7th. The presentation is not a recording but a slide show on the next phase of The Skilled Student initiative currently being implemented. 

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.

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.

HSA Updates

September HSA Meeting – Monday, September 11th - 8:15AM

The HSA September Meeting is on Monday, September 11th, at 8:15AM. The September 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.

HSA Wheel of Fortune Booth at Fall Fest

HSA supports St. Cecilia Fall Fest through the Wheel of Fortune Booth on Sunday, October 1st. Traditionally, we ask school families to help with this booth by donating online or volunteering to staff the booth. Your donation is tax-deductible and will be credited to your parish account. It’s easy to donate - please click here to sign up to volunteer to staff the booth, and please click here to donate online. Thank you for your contributions and continued support. The deadline for your donation is September 25th.

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.

Fall Day of Service – Saturday, September 23rd

St. Cecilia families are invited to participate in a Fall Day of Service on Saturday, September 23rd, supporting "Undies for Everyone," whose mission is to provide new underwear for over 200,000 U.S. children living in poverty or crisis. With newfound confidence and self-esteem, students are ready to learn and grow. Join us for a two-hour shift from 9:00AM to 11:00AM in the air-conditioned Undies For Everyone warehouse. You'll sort, pack, and sticker endless pairs of undies that will end up in underwear drawers around the country. Please click here to register to attend. Please note volunteers can include children six years and older.

• Saturday, September 23 - 9:00AM to 11:00AM
• Location - 3610 Willowbend Blvd, Houston, TX 77054
• Children 6 years and older may attend and volunteer.
• 30 spots available.
• Please click here to register

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!

Honor Choir Opportunity for Middle School Students

The Texas Private School Music Educators Association will hold a state-wide Honor Choir Festival on November 3rd and 4th. Any St. Cecilia 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grade student can audition. The audition registration form must be completed by Wednesday, September 13th. Please click on this link for more information.

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

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.

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.