September 28, 2023 Newsletter

St. Louis Catholic School Newsletter

September 28, 2023

Dear St. Louis Families,

It is hard to believe September is ending. In some ways September is the longest month in school, and then in other ways, the time is flying by. The colder mornings are here so please be sure your students have jackets as we do go outside for PE class, recess, and to use the outdoor classrooms.

At Mass with K-5 students this week, Fr. O’Hare asked the students what they saw 12 of in the church, and before he could finish his question, students had hands raised. They were quick to point out the 12 altar candles. Father pointed out this is not coincidental, just as the 12 apostles were chosen to spread the word of God, students can be disciples through love and prayer. As we continue our focus on the virtue of charity, opening hearts so our students see love, this is a beautiful reminder of the power of love and prayer.

Our favorite month of the year, Hawktober, begins this weekend. There are some great events coming up during “Hawktober”, we hope to see many of you at these events. I do want to highlight the Hawks 5K is on October 14^th which is such a great family event and runners are needed. Please don’t forget to sign up!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend-

Anne Dyke

Principal

School Announcements

Expired Ice Cream Tickets

Please note, ice cream tickets from last year are now expired and will no longer be accepted in the cafeteria.

If you still have some on hand, please send them in (attn: front office) to be exchanged for the 2023-24 tickets.

Questions? Contact office@stlouisschool.org

K-8 Picture Day October 3rd

K-8 Student Picture Day is Tuesday, October 3rd.

All K-7th Grade students are required to wear the regular school uniform for pictures. student who have PE on Tuesday may wear sneakers with their regular uniform.
Eighth Grade students have the privilege of wearing their Sunday best for their graduation picture. Please be mindful of the out-of-uniform guidelines in the handbook - no make-up, leggings, ripped clothing, or clothing with offensive images/words.

Families are not required to pay for any pictures before they are taken. All students will be photographed. Families will be able to review proofs and online portrait galleries of your child’s portraits before selecting which photos they would like to purchase.

Counseling Parent Survey

HUGE thank you to all the parents who have already filled out our quick survey. We are looking for feedback on topics that may be of interest to help you as parents. Here's the LINK if you haven't filled it out yet. We will start planning soon and will bring you programming every 6-8 weeks or so. If you have any questions or concerns about your children, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of us.

jcotnoir@stlouisschool.org | tmiller@stlouisschool.org | coconnor@stlouisschool.org

ICYMI: Purple Star Bulletin

Yesterday, we launched the first issue of our monthly Purple Star Bulletin. We are proud of this designation and are excited about the activities we have planned for the upcoming year. Whether you are a military-connected family or not, we invite you to get involved in upcoming events and activities in which you and your family can participate, notably:

St. Louis Military Family Survey

Military families, we invite you to take our STL Military Family Survey. We look forward to learning more about you and your families and how we can support you. You enrich our community in so many ways, and we are thankful for your service.

Purple Star Project - Grades 6-8

The "Purple Star Project" will offer military-connected students the opportunity to participate in three service projects throughout the year that will enhance and enrich the St. Louis School community on military topics. This group will meet monthly during the middle school lunch period to plan, prepare, and assist with our military outreach initiatives. If your child is interested in participating, please sign up HERE by October 6th.

Adopt-a-Soldier

Perhaps you know a young soldier or someone who is deployed, or deploying who could benefit from prayers, letters, or a care package from our students. All St. Louis families can refer a service member - whether it be a family member, friend, or neighbor in your community that you feel would benefit from our love and support. Please submit referrals by October 6th.

Wall of Honor Submissions

Our school community is full of parents and family members who have served our country, and we are proud to honor their service here at St. Louis. If you or a loved one served and would like to be included, please submit this FORM and a 4x6 photo by October 20th.

Preschool Corner

Preschool Parent Date Night Postponed

Dear Parents,

We have decided to move the “Date Night Dinner” event to a later date - a number of you wanted to attend but this Saturday was not convenient for you. Stay tuned for a future email with the new date! (Those of you who registered and paid will be considered pre-registered for the new date.)

Father O'Hare

Hawk Happenings: Sept. 29 - Oct. 6, 2023

Friday, September 29

Lunch: Pizza*
October lunch orders due, 9pm

Sat. Sept 30 & Sun. Oct. 1

PTO Used Uniform & Bake Sales

Monday, October 2

Lunch: Swedish Meatballs*
All School Mass

Tuesday, October 3

Lunch: Pizza Pasta Bake*
Ice Cream Available
K-8 School Pictures

Wednesday, October 4

Lunch: Chicken Nuggets*

Thursday, October 5

Lunch: Cheeseburger Meatloaf*
Ice Cream Available

Friday, October 6

11:30 DISMISSAL
PM EDC open until 4pm

FULL SCHOOL CALENDAR

Did you know you can subscribe to our school calendar for real-time updates, convenient links to SUGs and flyers, and more? Subscribe to auto-populate your iCal, Outlook 2007+ or Google calendar

*Hot lunch must be ordered monthly in advance.

Order October hot lunch HERE.

Orders accepted until 9pm September 29, 2023.

Tickets may be pre-purchased to redeem for ice cream on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Order ice cream tickets HERE.

PTO

Hawks 5K & Fun Run and Pit Stop - October 14th

Last year’s fastest times for the Hawks 5K were 19:49 (male) and 23.45 (female). That’s pretty fast, but will this year’s runners be faster? Be there on October 14th to find out! Register now for the 5K or the 1.5 mile Fun Run.

To register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Alexandria/StLouisHawks5K.

And don’t forget about the Post-Race Pit Stop. The alpacas will be back for another year and there will be lots of fun and food for all. You won’t want to miss this! Join us from 8-noon on the school grounds.

All funds raised will directly benefit St. Louis School. Thank you for your support!

Volunteer for the Hawks 5K & Fun Run

And speaking of the Hawks 5K & Fun Run–we need volunteers to help make this annual race a huge success. There are lots of jobs to fit whatever schedule you have, and these all count towards your family’s volunteer requirement. Take a look at Connect1 to see how you can help.

Just a reminder that ALL families need to register for Connect 1, our school volunteer app/website. Registration is a quick, two-step process:

1. Visit https://app.connect1.io and click “Sign Up with School Code:”

Our code is QF15M6. This works best from a desk/laptop computer.

2. Verify your email address, then log in to finish creating your new account!

Connect 1 will be used for volunteer opportunities (field trips, class parties, etc.), class wish lists, parent-teacher conference sign-ups and more! Register now so you don’t miss important opportunities: 5K Race opportunities now added!

Not sure how to log hours? Don’t worry! When you sign up to donate or volunteer at an event your points are automatically added! Already volunteered? The PTO is working on backlogging hours from previous events. Stay tuned; you’ll see that rainbow start to fill up soon! We appreciate your patience!

SAVE THE DATE! Trivia Night November 9th

Trivia Night is back and this time it's happening holiday-style! Put together a team of up to 8 people, register with a partner or as an individual and join us on Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 6:30-9:30 in McClunn Hall. We'll have standard trivia and some holiday categories too. Dinner from El Paso Mexican Restaurant's food truck and beverages will be available for purchase. Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas or even St. Patrick's Day, we are going to be celebrating all holidays! Registration information is

forthcoming. Please contact Meghan Roberts (meghans.roberts@gmail.com) or Laura Cheney (laura_pyzik@hotmail.com) with questions.

Fall Bake Sale and Used Uniform Sales

Hi STL Families, the Bake Sale and Used Uniform Sale is coming up on September 30th & October 1st, just in time for winter uniforms (which start October 10th!) and tasty Fall treats! Please see links below to sign up to volunteer your time and/or bring some of your favorite tasty goodies! All sales will be Cash or Check Only. Thank you, Annemarie, Monica & Sharon

Bake Sale Donations sign up HERE

Bake Sale Volunteers sign up HERE

Used Uniform Volunteers sign up HERE

Miss the PTO Meeting?

No problem! Check out these DRAFT minutes and let us know if you have any questions. Minutes will remain in DRAFT form until formally approved at the next meeting on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

Upcoming events:

September 30th/October 1st–Used Uniform/Bake Sale
October 14th–Hawks 5K/Pitstop
October 26th–Trunk-or-Treat
November 9th–Trivia Night
November 25th–Pictures with Santa

Trunk-or-Treat for Preschool - 5th Grade

Preschool - 5th Grade families are invited to join us for a spook-tacular Trunk-or-Treat parking lot party, on Thursday, October 26, from 5:00-7:00pm. Bring a bag and let your preschool through 5th graders collect treats from class-sponsored trunks, tailgates, and enjoy dinner from Chalkboard Wings & BBQ.

Please RSVP on Connect 1 so we can ensure enough treats are on hand. St. Louis families only please, and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Costumes are encouraged, but please ensure they are appropriate for school and leave

full facial masks and weapons at home. If you would like to host your own trunk at this

event space is available and encouraged! Contact Carla Rothgery at

carla.gazlay@gmail.com to secure your spot. We look forward to celebrating with you!

CYO & Extracurriculars

JOYFUL NOISE Choir - Grades 4-8

Students in Grades 4-8 are invited to join the St. Louis JOYFUL NOISE Choir. A $15 fee will go toward the purchase of choir T-shirts which will also serve as perfromance uniforms. Rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30pm. The first rehearsal will be Wednesday, October 4th. Sign up HERE.

CYO Cross Country, Track, and Cheerleading Teams

Calling all athletes in Grades 3-8! Registration is still open for the CYO Track and Field, Cross Country, and Cheerleading teams. Go to SportsPilot to register now. Go Hawks!

CYO Winter Sports Are Coming!

CYO Basketball registration will open on Sports Pilot this week! Basketball is open to girls and boys grades 3-8 (3rd Grade is a clinic that will take place on Sundays). Registration available via SportsPilot.

If you have any questions or are interested in helping coach or volunteer, please contact saintlouiscyo@gmail.com.

Parish & Community

Sept. 29: Confession Swap

“In order to bring true peace back to my soul, the only way that there exists on the Earth is Confession, because Jesus awaits me with His immense heart.” –St. Gianna Molla

On Friday September 29th from 7:45-8:15am, join fellow St. Louis School parents for a Confession Swap. Preschool children are welcome and will be minded in front of the church to give parents some time for Confession. All parents are welcome!

Oct. 1: Bishop O'Connell Open House

Sunday, Oct. 1 (1:00 - 3:00 PM) - OPEN HOUSE - Tell your friends and neighbors to stop by our Open House to find out more about the Catholic high school experience here at O'Connell. Current families are our BEST ambassadors!

Find out more and RSVP at bishopoconnell.org/openhouse.

Questions? Contact admissions@bishopoconnell.org.

Oct. 5: Bishop Ireton Volleyball Dig Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Don't miss Bishop Ireton Volleyball Dig Pink games on Thursday, October 5th against Bishop McNamara HS. The Dig Pink games raise funds through the Side Out Foundation for breast cancer research and education. Show your support for the BI teams and this important cause by wearing pink to the games. This spirited evening includes special breast cancer awareness concession items PLUS a raffle for the chance to win 1 of 2 Gift Card Bundles - each includes a gift card to Lululemon, Starbucks, Great American Restaurants, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Crumbl Cookies!

Games begin at 5pm (JV) and 6:30pm (Varsity) at Bishop Ireton. Make plans to cheer on our St. Louis School alumni Sofia Dooley ('21) and Kyla Matheis ('22) on JV; and Varsity players Maddie Cunningham ('20), Ashlyn Davis ('20), Emma Lentini ('21), and Mackenzie Lodewick ('20).

Oct. 14: Bishop Ireton Cheer Clinic

Girls in 1st-8th grades are invited to spend an unforgettable day learning cheerleading and performing with the 2016-2023 Christian Cheerleaders of America National Grand Champions. The clinic on October 14th includes lunch and a halftime performance at the BI Varisty Football game. Please see the flyer for registration information.

Oct. 27: Saint Louis Parish CYO Cheerleaders to Host Dance

The Saint Louis Parish CYO Cheerleaders are hosting a Spooky Halloween Dance in McClunn Hall on Friday, October 27, 7-10pm for middle school students. The cost is $20 with all proceeds going towards the purchase of new cheer mats, equipment, and signs. More information to follow; mark your calendars and plan to join us!

Love | Learn | Lead