November is Military Families Month, and we honor all of our military-connected St. Louis families. It takes a family to serve, and we salute you for your selfless dedication and many sacrifices to our country.

NOVEMBER 2023

In the words of John F. Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our military-connected St. Louis Veterans who we recognize especially this month. We were honored that you were able to join us for mass for our Veterans Day celebration. We continue to pray for all of our Veterans both at home and abroad and thank you for the many contributions and sacrifices you have made to provide our everyday freedoms.

You can help us reach our goal to provide 250 wreaths before November 28th by sponsoring one HERE.

We're almost at goal! As a Purple Star school, we are honored to participate this year by helping Arlington National Cemetery to remember and honor our veterans with Remembrance wreaths for the graves of our country's fallen heroes.

Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring a wreath in honor of or in memory of a veteran. Upon purchasing a wreath, Wreaths Across America will give $5 back to St. Louis School & Preschool to benefit our programs and initiatives for our military-connected families.

Military Family Survey Results

66% of St. Louis School Active Duty Military families participated in the 2023 Military Family Survey representing the following:

How can we support you?

Parent Connections - 20% of respondents indicated that parent connections were important for them. In addition to the trimester-based Coffee & Connections hosted by the school, we encourage all St. Louis families to reach out and extend a warm welcome to our military families who have joined us this year.

Student Connections - 30% of respondents indicated that student connections were impornat for their children. The newly formed Purple Star Project group is for middle school only students this year, and we will explore ways to expand that group to other grade levels for next year.

Military Family Activities - 36% of respondents indicated interest in family activities. Our monthly Purple Star Bulletin aims to include family friendly activitis in the DC area. As a school, we are happy to receive your suggestions on how we can host a military family event outside of our traditional Veterans Day Mass and Reception.

Connecting with the School Counseling Team - 10% of respondents indicated a desire to connect with the counseling team. These families have been shared with the team. Mrs. Cotnoir, Mrs. Miller, and Mrs. O'Connor are always happy to connect with students and parents. Do not hesitate to reach out.

Connecting with Saint Louis Pastoral Staff - 4% of respondents indicated they would like to connect with Saint Louis parish. Fr. O'Hare, Fr. Thompson, and Fr. Mulaney and the rectory staff may be reached at 703-765-4421.

Additionally, there was a write-in response regarding reduced rates for military families who utilize EDC. St. Louis EDC is an approvedprovider in the Operation Military Child Care (OMCC) Program. Military families may qualify for financial assistance through the Child Care Aware of America Military Fee Assistance program. For more information, please visit Child Care Aware .

Adopt-a-Soldier

We are looking forward to spreading some holiday cheer through Christmas Care Packages. Thank you to the many families who have already donated items for the care packages. Students will also be inlcuding personal messages and holiday greetings to their adopted soldier. There are still a few items on the Sign Up Genius wish list. Students will be assembling these care packages when we return from Thanksgiving break.

Purple Star Project

On Thursday, October 26th our first Purple Star Project meeting coincided with the National Day of the Deployed and provided us with the opportunity to open with a topic familiar to our military-connected stduents. We paused to reflect and express gratitude to the brave men and women in the military who are currently deployed and those who have been deployed across the globe. We concluded our meeting with tying a yellow ribbon around an oak tree at the school entrance.

We welcome more military-conencted middle school students to join the Purple Star Project. If your child missed the initial sign-up, please add them here.

Military Spotlight: The USO

The USO DC Area Locations: USO Mid-Atlantic

TicketLine: USO Mid-Atlantic TicketLine connects community organizations, companies and individuals who would like to donate tickets to the local military population, who in turn can register to receive them for free. TicketLine opportunities are open to active duty, reservist, and active National Guard service members as well as their military dependents (with military ID) within the Washington-Baltimore region. Sign up here.

Holiday Opportunities for Military Families in the DC Area:

Turkeys for Troops • USO Mid-Atlantic

Christmas Spirit Foundation - Trees for Troops - Base Deliveries

Project USO Elf • USO Mid-Atlantic

Nov. 28

Last day to sponsor a wreath

Nov. 30

Adopt-a-Soldier care package donations due

Dec. 7

A Holiday Pops! with Norm Lewis

Dec. 16

Wreaths Across America

Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military A Holiday Pops! with Norm Lewis at The Kennedy Center

Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military invites all current, retired, veteran, and prior service members and their families to a special FREE performance of the hottest holiday bash in town—A Holiday Pops! Get ready to sing along, laugh, and warm your spirit at our sparkling celebration as Broadway superstar Norm Lewis lights up the stage with holiday showstoppers, Broadway favorites, and more! Please note: you must present a valid military ID along with your reservation voucher(s) to attend. Reserve tickets here.