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In our weekly newsletter, Paw Prints, you will find:
- Wildcats in the News
- Important All-School Announcements, Japonica Announcements and University Announcements
- Links to calendars
- Wildcat Cafe information & links
- Online Campus Store information & link
- Church Information
- Ways that you can help SLES
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OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT ST. LUKE'S
& PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS
Did you know there are multiple ways to support St. Luke's and promote your business? There are opportunities for scorecard signage for football, soccer, and baseball, as well as banners and gym signs for basketball and volleyball. Sponsorship opportunities range from $300-2,500 based on visibility. Customized opportunities are also available.
Please get in touch with Racheal Banks at rbanks@slesmobile.org for more information.
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PLEASE HELP US WELCOME ST. LUKE'S NEW FACULTY!
JOE GILMORE: FOOTBALL COACH
Meet the new Varsity Football Coach, Joe Gilmore! With more than 11 years of coaching experience, Coach Gilmore brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Wildcats! We are thrilled to have him join our St. Luke’s family.
Keep an eye out for Coach Gilmore & give him a BIG St. Luke’s Wildcat welcome!
Click here to meet Joe Gilmore.
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LANEY TAYLOR: ENGLISH TEACHER
Meet Laney Taylor, who will teach 8th and 9th grade English. She has a degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English/Language Arts. She is working to obtain her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English/Language Arts.
When Ms. Taylor is not working, she enjoys quality time with her dog, Dolly, while enjoying a captivating Netflix series.
Ms. Taylor is incredibly excited to start her journey at St. Luke’s and inspire students to discover their passions, hopefully inspiring a love of literature.
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KELSEY ALLEN: 3RD GRADE TEACHER
Meet Kelsey Allen, who is joining St. Luke’s as a 3rd grade teacher! She was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, and graduated from the University of South Alabama with a B.S. in Education in 2012. She also attained certification to teach Early Childhood, Special Education K-6, and Orton Gillingham's Dyslexia Program. In 2016, she graduated with an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from the University of West Alabama. She now has over 12 years of teaching experience.
When she's not teaching, Mrs. Allen enjoys time on the boat or at the beach with her husband, Cody. Although they do not have children of their own yet, they foster and also have two Goldendoodles, Millie and Murphy!
Ms. Allen can’t wait to begin the school year at St. Luke’s & we are thrilled to have her! When you see her, please give her a BIG Wildcat Welcome!
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ASHLEY WATSON: 5th GRADE TEACHER
Meet Ashley Watson, who will teach 5th grade and has 25 years of experience in the Alabama Public Education System. She was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Spring Hill College.
During her 25 years as an educator, she served as a Math Specialist for the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Institute (AMSTI) for the Mobile County Public School System and the Alabama State Department of Education. She has also taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grades, which has allowed her to guide her students through critical stages of their academic and personal growth, helping them develop strong foundational skills across the curriculum while fostering a love for learning and preparing them for future educational challenges.
Ms. Watson loves teaching and finds joy in teaching young children. Teaching allows her to make an impact on young minds during their formative years. She has learned that students learn in various ways, but the most exciting way for students to learn is by “doing,” she feels there is so much knowledge gained in “learning by doing.”
When she’s not teaching, Ms. Watson loves relaxing at the beach or pool and spending time with family and friends. She is an aunt to two amazing young men and recently became a great aunt to a special baby boy.
Ms. Watson is not just excited, but thrilled to join the St. Luke’s community. She eagerly looks forward to meeting the students and parents, as many people have already expressed to her what a wonderful school St. Luke’s is!
We are absolutely thrilled to have Ms. Watson join our St. Luke’s family. Her wealth of experience and passion for teaching will undoubtedly enrich our school community.
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GLEN MUTCHNICK: BIOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Mr. Glen Mutchnick will join St. Luke’s to teach A.P. Biology and Introduction to Engineering! He is an Auburn University graduate with a Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E) degree and a Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) with an M.Ed. from the University of South Alabama.
Mr. Mutchnick has been teaching Physics, Chemistry, and Advanced Biology at the university and high school levels for over 30 years (and was even chosen as a county and regional Teacher of the Year, recognized as one of the top four teachers in the State of Alabama, and a WKRG Golden Apple Award recipient!). He co-authored a Middle School STEM textbook and a commercially published non-fiction book in 2021.
When he's not in the classroom, Mr. Mutchnick enjoys expressing his creativity through painting, writing, and playing and recording various musical instruments. He has been happily married to Sherry for over 43 years and is a proud father of two children, Joshua and Celia, and a doting grandfather to Shoshana Helen and Archer Mendel.
We are delighted to welcome Mr. Mutchnick to our St. Luke’s family. We encourage all members of our warm and welcoming community to extend a BIG St. Luke’s welcome to him when you see him!
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TRACY STEINER: ENGLISH TEACHER
Mrs. Steiner will teach 10th-grade honors English, 11th-grade English, and AP Language and Composition. Mrs. Steiner has more than 25 years of experience teaching in Mobile County. She is a proud graduate of the University of South Alabama, where she earned a B.S. in Secondary Education and an M.Ed. in Gifted Education. Mrs. Steiner enjoys spending time with her husband and their sons when she's not in the classroom. She looks forward to inspiring our next generation of literary enthusiasts!
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DANIEL HELTZ: ALGEBRA TEACHER
Daniel Heltz is joining St. Luke’s as an Algebra teacher! He was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology. He is completing his Master’s in Secondary Education at the University of West Alabama.
Mr. Heltz is very excited to share his love of math with students at St. Luke’s—his teaching style centers on building relationships with students that help them thrive in their learning journeys.
When he’s not in the classroom, Mr. Heltz enjoys watching sports, going bowling, playing disc golf, and traveling across the country. He just celebrated his first anniversary with his wife, Madison. Together, they have a dog, Maverick, who also goes by the name “Crazy Man.”
Mr. Heltz is looking forward to meeting everyone and having a successful year! When you see him, please give him a HUGE Wildcat welcome!
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MS. COBAS: SPANISH TEACHER
Ms. Cobas was born and raised in Cuba. She brings a rich cultural heritage and deep appreciation for the Spanish language, which are reflected in her dynamic and engaging teaching approach.
In her classes, you will find a mix of Cuban culture, music, and literature designed to make learning enjoyable and meaningful. You'll likely find Ms. Cobas reading or crafting when she's not in the classroom. Ms. Cobas is thrilled to join our special St. Luke’s family and is eager to establish a personal connection with the students and parents, sharing her passion for Spanish in a way that resonates with each individual.
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LINDA SEALE: MATH AND SCIENCE
We are thrilled to announce that Mrs. Seale will be joining St. Luke's as a math and science teacher. Mrs. Seale holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of South Alabama. She has worked as a senior lab analyst for 13 years. She brings a wealth of experience to our school as her connections run deep—she has been a parent, a substitute teacher, a full-time tutor, and a private tutor within our community.
Mrs. Seale is a proud mother of two grown daughters and a delighted grandmother to two young granddaughters, who keep her and her husband occupied. In her free time, she loves treasure hunting, reading mystery novels, and solving puzzles.
We eagerly anticipate the positive impact Mrs. Seale will have on our students and school. Please join us in giving her a warm Wildcat Welcome when you see her!
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DEREK HYDER: HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Derek Hyder joins St. Luke’s as an eighth-grade United States History and Physical Education teacher. He graduated from Murphy High School, joined the military, and graduated from the University of South Alabama with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Secondary Education.
Mr. Hyder began his career in the Mobile County Public Schools, teaching Social Studies and electives. He retired from MCPSS in 2018 and realized his desire to help others succeed was in his DNA. He continued his teaching journey, instructing the GED curriculum at the YMCA and tutoring student-athletes for the USA Department of Athletic Services.
He believes the three most important areas of personal development are spiritual, mental, and
physical, and he’s grateful to be given the opportunity to work at St. Luke’s, where these three areas of development are emphasized in the educational curriculum.
His teaching philosophy has always been to work in the best interest of students. In the classroom, this means having high expectations, promoting higher-order and critical thinking skills, and providing instructional activities that are motivational, meaningful, and relevant. In the gym, fitness and sports represent a microcosm of life – “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” Athletic competition teaches discipline, instills humility, promotes the value of teamwork, builds character and confidence, reinforces hard work, and improves one’s overall health and happiness. Whether in the classroom (history) or the gym (PE), teaching and learning are FUN!
When he’s not teaching, Mr. Hyder enjoys reading, experimenting with culinary delights, staying updated on current events, visiting family, and watching ESPN and the History Channel. A fun fact about him is that he's a big country music fan!
Mr. Hyder is excited to join the St. Luke's community and looks forward to meeting everyone. He encourages you to stop by his room or the gym to introduce yourselves. He is grateful for the opportunity to work at St. Luke’s. Let’s give him a warm Wildcat welcome when you see him around!
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EMILY CUMPTON WILL SERVE AS LOWER SCHOOL COUNSELOR
"I am so excited to be the new Lower School Counselor! As a faculty member and a parent, I know and realize how important this role is to our school. I look forward to serving our students and helping them with communication, emotional regulation, and coping skills for the ever-present social and emotional issues that our children are facing. My focus is to help our students grow and develop the skills needed to be the best students and members of our community they can be! I was fortunate to attend the American School Counselor Association annual conference this summer and I'm excited to bring new ideas and implementation of tools to help and guide our students!"
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KRISTEN PEREZ: GOOGLE EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION LEVEL 2
We are thrilled that Mrs. Perez achieved Google Educator Certification Level 2! This advanced certification is a testament to her commitment to integrating innovative technology and digital tools into our classrooms.
Congratulations to Mrs. Perez on her accomplishment. We are excited to see the many creative and inspiring lessons ahead!
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STEPHANIE MAJEWSKI & VICTORIA NGUYEN ATTEND GET YOUR TEACH ON IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA
Mrs. Majewski and Mrs. Nguyen attended GYTO, a four-day conference with research-based workshops to help teachers create rigorous and engaging lessons! They enjoyed learning from influential educators and motivational speakers and had training specific to their grade level by experts in their craft.
Mrs. Majewski said, "In one session, I learned from Apples and ABC's Michelle Griffo, who shared her approach to play-based learning in math and classroom management of poor penmanship. I will share the tools I learned with other colleagues, as I believe this will help St. Luke's students in their academic mastery of mathematics and literacy."
Thank you to Mrs. Majewski and Mrs. Nguyen for being dedicated and inspiring teachers!
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EVELYN CUMMINGS: 2nd PLACE HUMOROUS INTERPRETATION AT STATE & QUALIFIES FOR NATIONALS
We couldn't be prouder of Evelyn for winning second place in Humorous Interpretation at the Speech and Debate state level; it speaks volumes about her talent, dedication, and hard work! She competed in Humorous Interpretation and Storytelling at Iowa's National Speech and Debate Competition. Congratulations to Evelyn on her outstanding achievement while representing St. Luke’s!
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SOPHIE BITZER ATTENDS ALABAMA GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL
Sophie attended the Alabama Governor’s School at Samford University for two weeks in June.
The Alabama Governor’s School provides academic, creative, and leadership experiences for a limited number of rising high school juniors and seniors who have demonstrated exceptional ability and achievement in their studies.
Sophie, we are so proud of your commitment to excellence and passion for learning!
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CASINO NIGHT 2023 SNAPPER TRIP WINNERS SET SAIL
The winners of the Casino Night snapper trip reeled in victory with great catches on High Adventure Charters. Thanks to Coastal Solutions for donating the trip and supporting St. Luke's!
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ST. LUKE'S VARSITY CHEERLEADERS SUCCESS AT CHEER CAMP
Our cheerleaders had an unforgettable experience at LSU's cheer camp, and their hard work paid off! During evaluations, they earned blue ribbons for sideline, cheer, and camp routine. In the final competition they earned second place overall in sideline and camp routine. In addition to their competitive success, our cheerleaders were honored with the prestigious Traditional Award. This special recognition is given to teams that demonstrate inspiring leadership on and off the field. Our cheerleaders exemplified this through their teamwork, positive attitudes, and unwavering support for one another.
Also, congratulations to our 2024 All-American cheerleaders: Hallie Dickinson, Kennedie Olson, Maddie Banks, Evelyn Cummings, and Caroline Hooper.
With camp behind them, our cheerleaders eagerly look forward to bringing their new skills and enthusiasm to the sidelines to cheer on the Wildcats! We can’t wait to see them in action! Go Wildcats!
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ST. LUKE'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM EXCELS ON AND OFF COURT
Congratulations to St. Luke's volleyball team for earning the 2024 AVCA Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT! Even more impressive, they've made it to the AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll, representing the top 20% of GPAs nationally by division. Way to excel both on the court and in the classroom!
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PAW PRINTS & SUMMER OFFICE HOURS SCHEDULE
The office will resume regular business hours on 8/5.
You will receive the next edition of Paw Prints on Friday, August 23. After that, new issues will be delivered every week while school is in session!
We are looking forward to seeing everyone SOON!
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BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION 2024-2025
It’s never too early to begin preparations for the upcoming school year. Below are links to the Back to School Guide and the Uniform Guide for your convenience. Should you have any inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact your director.
Click here for the Back to School Guide 2024-2025
Click here for the Uniform Guide 2024-2025
Japonica Campus Summer Assignments (K5 - 5th Grade)
University Campus Summer Assignments
University Campus Text Books
Middle School Supplies
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MESSAGE FROM NURSE JULIE RE: CHECK-UPS & VACCINATIONS
Don't forget to schedule your child's well checkup and get their vaccination requirements completed before school starts!
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UNIVERSITY CAMPUS - WILDCAT WELCOME (AUGUST 7)
Are you new to the University Campus? All rising 6th graders and any new students in 7th-12th grade (and their parents/guardians) have orientation on Wednesday, August 7th, at 6:00 p.m. Please bring your laptop for setup. A new family dinner will be in the dining hall immediately following orientation.
If you have any questions, please email atillman@slesmobile.org.
We look forward to seeing you!
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JAPONICA BACK TO SCHOOL DATES (AUGUST 8 & 9)
K2-5th grade parents have Parent Preview on Thursday, August 8th at 5:30 p.m. (parents only). Parents will meet in the chapel before being dismissed to the classrooms. A new parent reception in St. Luke's Library will be from 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.
K2-5th grade students have a meet-and-greet on Friday, August 9th. Drop in anytime between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. to "SEE" your teacher! Email pcummings@slesmobile.org with any questions.
If you have any questions, please email pcummings@slesmobile.org.
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K2-12th GRADE PARENTS: OPT-IN TO RECEIVE TIME SENSITIVE TEXT ALERTS
Parents (only), please click the link below for instructions on opting in to receive time-sensitive text message alerts (weather, etc.). You must manually opt-in each school year! If you have any questions, please email cjackson@slesmobile.org.
Click here for more information to opt-in for text message alerts.
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ST. LUKE'S COMMUNICATION PLANS 2024-2025
Our communication plans aim to provide a simple roadmap of how and when St. Luke's will communicate various information to our school community.
Click here for the Japonica Campus Communication Plan
Click here for the University Campus Communication Plan
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ST. LUKE'S FOOTBALL NIGHT FUNDRAISER AT TACO MAMA WEST - AUGUST 12
Support our football team on August 12th from 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Taco Mama West. All orders (including dine-in, to-go, and online) help our football team!
As always, thank you for supporting St. Luke's!
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BOOSTER CLUB PEP RALLY (AUGUST 20th AT 6:00 P.M.)
Mark your calendars for August 20th at 6:00 p.m. as the Booster Club hosts the first pep rally of the school year. This exciting event is not to be missed! It's the perfect way to unite students, parents, faculty, and community members to celebrate our athletes and generate school spirit. Whether you're a die-hard sports fan or just looking for a fun evening out, the pep rally promises an experience filled with energy, enthusiasm, and Wildcat pride.
Wear your favorite Wildcat gear and come ready to cheer loudly and proudly. Go Wildcats!
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BOOSTER CLUB MEDIA GUIDE WILDCAT PRIDE PAGES & BUSINESS ADVERTISEMENTS (AUGUST 23)
Support your Wildcat and support St. Luke's! The Wildcat Pride pages are reserved for parents, grandparents, family, friends, faculty, and administration to show Wildcat pride and cheer on their favorite Wildcats!
Promote your business and support your favorite Wildcat with our business advertisements! Our sporting events attract students, faculty, families, and spectators from many local schools.
The annual Media Guide is distributed and available at all fall and spring sporting events while supplies last. Payment and forms are due by August 23rd.
For any Athletic Booster Club questions, please contact us at slesboosterclub@slesmobile.org.
Thank you for supporting St. Luke's K3-12th grade athletics!
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If you are interested in joining our Booster Club, register by August 23, 2024, to have your name listed in the 2024-2205 Sports Media Guide. If you have any questions, please email slesboosterclub@slesmobile.org. | |
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HEALTHCARE PARENTS & FRIENDS - SUPPLIES REQUEST
Our Biomed program would love to have expired or used medical equipment/supplies for our skills labs. We are particularly in need of bandages, tape, wound care supplies, casting material, sutures, PPE, and anatomical models. If you have any of these or other items you would like to donate, we would appreciate it.
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FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL SIGNS FOR K2-12th GRADE
Do you need a First Day of School sign for photos to commemorate this milestone in your child’s educational journey? Print your keepsake sign to celebrate the beginning of a new school year, and don’t forget to tag us on social media!
Click here for the First Day of School Signs
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ST. LUKE'S ONLINE CAMPUS STORE
**PLEASE NOTE: The online spirit store is remodeling and will be back up and running soon! Stay tuned for exciting news!
All proceeds of the Online Campus Store go to school programs and supplies.
We will deliver purchases to your student unless you request to pick-up.
*Please don't forget to leave your student's name and grade level during the checkout process so that we know which campus to deliver to. Thank you for having Wildcat Spirit and supporting SLES!
Click here to shop!
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NEED ST. LUKE'S ATHLETIC WEAR? SHOP HERE!
Click the link below to shop for additional St. Luke's merch!
***Please note, BSN is not owned by St. Luke's. The shipping tends to be longer than average - reach out to their customer service with any questions. ***
Click here for link to BSN Store
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ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH WEEKLY NEWS
Sunday Schedule
Worship Services – 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Adult Education Class – 8:45 a.m.
Children’s Sunday School (k4-5th grade) – 10:00 a.m.
Youth Sunday School (6th-12th grade) – 10:00 a.m.
Youth Outing every Sunday at 11:15 a.m. (bowling, laser tag, mini golf, explore downtown, and more!)
Weekly Services:
Mondays: Morning Prayer at 8:30 a.m.
Wednesdays: Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m.
First Wednesday of every Month: Healing Service at 12:00 p.m.
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