Family Learning

Student-Led Celebration of Learning Conferences

We are excited for our Student-Led Celebration of Learning Conferences on Friday, October 27th. There is no school but your student(s) are required to attend the conference with you as they have been preparing to share their growth as a learner during the first quarter of school. Just a reminder that the Student-Led Celebrations of Learning are a time for students to share their learning and celebrate their growth as a learner. If you need to discuss specific concerns or sensitive issues, we ask that you schedule a separate parent conference with your child’s teacher(s).  Please click here to read a letter from Mr. Matthews with more information regarding the conferences.

NWEA MAP Growth Assessment 

Beginning of Year Assessment Result Going Home

As previously communicated, we administered the NWEA MAP Growth assessment to your child (Kinder through 8th grade) to measure growth. You will be receiving the Family Growth Report for your child on Monday, October 16. 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.   

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.

Living Rosary Recording

Unfortunately, there were issues with the live stream being able to be broadcast during the Living Rosary on Wednesday. However, a recording was made, and you can watch it here. Please note – the ceremony begins at the 10:20 second mark of the recording.

Cross Country

A fantastic fall season for the Cross Country team culminated Wednesday at the GHCAA Championship Meet at Challenger 7 Memorial Park in Webster. Eighth grader Diego A. and seventh grader Graeme D. were top 20 medalists in the 1.5 mile middle school boys' race, and both the boys' and girls' teams finished strong. It was an impressive season for our cross country runners in third through eighth grades, with top finishes across five local meets. Congratulations to the team and their coaches!

Volleyball Playoff Information

Congratulations to our Volleyball team for making the playoffs as the #1 seed!

The first round playoff game is at home on Monday, October 23rd at 5:00 PM. If we win, their second round playoff game will be at home on Wednesday, October 25th. If we win the second round, the Championship Game will be held at St. John XXIII College Preparatory on Saturday, October 28th at 11:30AM. 

Please view our school's Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter pages for more information regarding the playoff schedule.

Field Day 2023

Prize Room Wish List 

The Prize Room is a St. Cecilia Field Day tradition that kids love and look forward to each year! A space in the school is transformed into a toy store, and it is the first “attraction” that opens before the actual Field Day. It features many exciting prizes such as candy, stuffed animals, games, toys, gadgets, Legos, and more! If you would like to help support Field Day and the Prize Room, you can buy items from an Amazon Wishlist, which will be shipped directly to the school. Please click here for the wish list.

T-Shirt Waiting List

If you were unable to pay the flat fee and get your child’s t-shirt order in by the deadline, we have an online form for a waiting list. We ordered a limited number of extra t-shirts, and they are available on a first come, first serve basis, depending on the sizes needed and available inventory. Please click here for the waiting list form. 

Field Day Volunteers Needed

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer to help with Field Day! We need assistance with pre-Field Day setup, Prize Room setup, and plenty of help on Field Day as well. There is one Sign Up Genius with all the volunteer opportunities (please see the individual tabs across the top of the Sign Up Genius page).

• Pre-Field Day Setup
• Prize Room Setup
• Field Day Morning Games
• Field Day Lunch Distribution
• Field Day Afternoon 

Please click here for a Field Day FAQ document with additional details about the event. 

Red Ribbon Week – October 23rd – 27th 

We will celebrate National Red Ribbon Week the week of October 23rd. This is a time we reflect and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle for ourselves and our children. Our students will be participating in dress up days during the school week to signify their commitment to making the choice to be healthy and live drug free. As we lead our community in making this commitment, let us keep the children worldwide in our thoughts and prayers. School uniforms can always be worn instead of doing the dress up days listed out below. 

Monday, October 23rd - Follow Your Dreams

Dress in PJ Bottoms and T-Shirts (must wear athletic shoes with PJ’s) 

Tuesday, October 24th - Team Up Against Drugs

Wear your favorite team gear with jeans or uniform bottoms

Wednesday, October 25th - Sock It To Drugs

Wear Mass uniform with crazy socks

Thursday, October 26th - Every Day is A Holiday When You're Drug Free

Wear clothing celebrating Any Holiday with jeans or uniform bottoms

Friday, October 27th - Celebrations of Learning Conferences (No School)

School uniforms can always be worn instead of dressing up.

Technology & The Developing Brain – October 23rd

Dr. Crystal Collier will be doing the second phase of the "Technology & The Developing Brain" talking with our students on Monday, October 23rd. She will be speaking at 8:00AM to 6th - 8th Grades, and at 9:00AM with 4th & 5th Grades. She'll discuss brain-based parenting and the application of screen time guidelines. More information can be found on this flyer.

October Smart Families Newsletter

The October Newsletter from Smart Families is now available and can be viewed here.

Astros Spirit Wear

Students can wear Astros tops or t-shirts while the Astros are in the post season / playoffs each week on Fridays instead of Spirit Day.

Yearbook Photos Retakes - Wednesday, October 25th

Freeman Photography emailed parents the direct link to the proof of your child’s photos. If your child was absent or needs to retake the photo, the make-up Yearbook Picture day is on Wednesday, October 25th.

Dia de los Muertos Altar – October 30th through November 3rd

We have a wonderful opportunity to participate in a beautiful faith-based and cultural event at the school this year! In partnership with 5th Grade Spanish class, we invite all in the St. Cecilia community to be part of the school’s Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) Altar (Ofrenda/Altar de Muertos) this year. This is a great way to educate our children spiritually and culturally connect with All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd).

All students, faculty, and staff can participate in the altar’s decoration by sending a 4” x 6” free-standing, framed photo of a loved family member who has passed. The frame has to stand alone and be clearly labeled with the student’s name, grade level, and homeroom on the back of the frame. Picture frames need to be brought to school by your child no later than Thursday, October 26th. All students will visit the altar throughout the week of October 30th through November 3rd.

Halloween (October 31st) and All Saints Day (November 1st)

On Tuesday, October 31st students are allowed to wear their Halloween costumes to school. If they do not want to wear their costume, they may also wear a Halloween shirt with jeans/uniform bottoms, or their regular school uniform. Restrictions: school-appropriate costumes, no inflatable costumes, nothing overly scary (keep early childhood students in mind), no face paint, no makeup, no hair paint.

On Wednesday, November 1st for All Saints Day Mass - students may come dressed as their favorite Saint for All Saints Day (or wear Mass attire).

Eucharistic Procession – Wednesday, November 8th 

The Eucharist Revival is a call to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the Holy Eucharist, recognizing it as the source and summit of our Christian life. St. Cecilia Catholic School is participating in a few key aspects of this Eucharistic Revival. You are invited to join us on Wednesday, November 8th for the following:

• 8:15 a.m. Mass as we celebrate and participate in the Liturgy as called for by the revival. 
• Eucharistic Procession - Following Mass, we will process from the Church to the auditorium, following Jesus in the Monstrance for Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration.
• Adoration - Parents are asked to join us throughout the day to pray as Jesus waits for us in our school the entire day. Please sign up for a prayer time slot here.
• Click here for more information on the Eucharist Revival. 

Grandparent and Grandfriends Day

The St. Cecilia Catholic School annual Grandparents and Grandfriends Day will occur on Friday, November 17th, from 12:30PM to 2:30PM. Click here to find the full schedule of the events for the day and online registration. 

The invitations are currently being printed and mailed. In the interim, please either send the information and registration link to your child’s Grandparent or Grandfriend now so they can register online, or you can complete the registration for them.  

Please note that if a grandparent cannot attend, a “Grandfriend” (i.e. an aunt, uncle, or family friend) is welcome to attend in their place. We kindly ask that parents and siblings not attend as the Grandfriend. If a Grandparent or Grandfriend needs assistance, we understand that accompaniment may be necessary by parents.

Faculty Nursery Hiring

Who wants to hold some babies? The St. Cecilia Faculty Nursery is looking to hire one full-time or several part-time caretakers. The Faculty Nursery is a fantastic advantage for recruiting and retaining teachers and serves faculty and staff children under the age of three.

Aside from wanting to spend time with our lovely infants and toddlers, the only requirements are a willingness to serve and be current on your safe environment CMG training and clearance. This position can serve as either a volunteer or paid job. Full time employees are eligible for Archdiocesan benefits.

For inquiries, contact Samantha Thompson and see the full job posting on Applitrak.

Morning Carpool Safety Patrol

Students in 6th-8th grade will have an opportunity to apply to be part of our St. Cecilia Safety Patrol for the Fall Semester! They will help with opening vehicle doors at the Community Center carpool in the mornings and assist younger students as they arrive at school.

Qualifications:

• Students must demonstrate responsibility in the classroom with managing their own behavior independently, completing classwork and homework assignments and are able to interact with peers and adults appropriately
• Students must be able to arrive to school by 7:25 am on days they plan to volunteer
• Volunteer hours will be able to be counted for NJHS

Please return this form to Ms. Mejia to be considered for Safety Patrol. For questions, please email Ms. Mejia.

2023 Christmas Card Design Contest

It’s time to design this year’s Christmas card for St. Cecilia Catholic School and EVERY student is eligible to submit an entry. Please click here for the required Design Template.

Important design guideline information:

1. Must be a religious theme.
2. Must include the words: St. Cecilia Catholic School (please do not abbreviate the school’s name as SCCS).
3. Design layout can be horizontal or vertical.
4. Design must be submitted on the required design template.
5. Design must be uploaded to this online form. 

The Entry Deadline is Monday, November 6, 2023. Please scan, save as a .pdf, and submit your student’s design entry using this online form to upload the design.

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Art Competition

It’s time to kick off the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Art Competition! If your child would like to participate, please read the information below thoroughly.

Important information to note:

• Participation: Prek- 8th grade
• Rodeo theme: Western Art- art that depicts the heritage, lifestyle, and landscapes of the West.
• 2D surface only:
• Colored drawing (colored pencil, pastels, crayon, chalk, charcoal)
• Mixed Media: mixture of two or more materials (ex: crayon with watercolor)
• Monochromatic: one hue with the addition of white and black
• Paint: watercolor, acrylic, tempera
• Dimensions of paper- Min 8.5x11 Max 15x21 
• NO second surface (collage, gluing, cutting will be disqualified)
• NO slogans, trademarks
• Labeled on the back of art in pencil:
• First/last name, homeroom, title, mediums used (Please be creative when choosing a title)
• Mrs. Poche will matt and tag all qualifying pieces.
• All art is due to Mrs. Poche by November 3, 2023
• Click here for more information.

Winter Sports Sign Up & Pre-Participation Medical Physicals

Boys and Girls middle school basketball (6th-8th) is beginning. The first day of practice for both boys and girls will be Monday, October 30th. Parents, please fill out the interest form if your son or daughter wants to join.

Please remember that all our sports require an annual Pre-Participation form filled out by a doctor and parent before your son or daughter may participate in the first practice. Participation includes any team tryouts, so please complete this form and scan and upload it on the school website as soon as possible.

Girls' Team Practice information:

Monday-Thursday mornings from 6:20 - 7:30AM

Boys' team practice information:

Monday-Thursday 3:30-5:00PM

All games are tentatively on the school calendar. Feel free to email Ashley Gomila if you have any questions about athletics.

St. Cecilia Parish Basketball

Parish Basketball registration for Kindergarten through 5th grade is now open until November 15th.

Instructions for Registering Players:

• Parents should register players using the link provided above.
• Please note: on the “Player Page” of the registration form, include a statement in the “Special Instructions” field "that this is a St. Cecilia Catholic School player who wants to be on a St. Cecilia team."
• On the “Player Page” of the registration form, enter the “Grade” as the grade level of the player’s preferred team. If the player’s school grade is different, then provide the school grade and a (very) brief explanation in the “Special Instructions” field. (Players are not allowed to play down without special permission from the TKB Executive Director.)

Coach Registration:

• All coaches must register for the purposes of authorizing background checks, confirming Code of Ethics agreement, and providing contact information.
• Instruct HCs to register as soon as possible (so a team number can be promptly assigned) and to confirm their affiliation with “Tallowood” when prompted during the registration process.
• Assistant Coaches (enlisted by the HC) should register as soon as their HC provides them with a team number (and not before).
• Detailed instructions and coach registration links: COACHES | Kingdom Basketball.

Please go to our Parish Sports page on the website for more information and to register.

University of St. Thomas Spirit Clinic

The University of St. Thomas Dance Team is hosting their first ever kid's clinic for kids in Kindergarten through 8th Grade on October 28th. Please contact cierra.bonds@stthom.edu for additional information.