St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School 1 The Messenger, Weekly Newsletter
December 17, 2014 Est. 2001
Excellence...Strengthened by Faith!
VISION STATEMENT
The vision of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School is to guide the mind, body, and spirit of the next generation of Catholic leaders to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet their full potential as people created in the image of God.
Rev. Tom Rafferty Pastor
Reneé B. Nunez Principal
Susan Leddy Assistant Principal Kendall Shamas Dean of Middle School & Auxiliary
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School
Dear School Families, There are only two days until Christmas Break! We often remark on how quickly time has flown by since August. But we also talk about how wonderful the year has been, how much we have accomplished already, and how we see and feel God’s presence with us each and every day. Our culture of discipleship is alive and well. Sunday marks the 4th week of Advent and we are all anxiously awaiting Christmas and the celebration of Christ’s birth. Our discipleship message this week is about setting aside time to be holy. Advent is a great time to change old habits and begin new ones that bring us closer to Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God.” Holy doesn’t mean being perfect or thinking of our-selves as better than others. Being holy simply means setting ourselves apart for sacred use – for Jesus to work in and through us. Jesus wants us to spend quiet moments with Him so He can work in our hearts and minds. It is during those quiet times that He is creating the person He designed each one of us to be. When we take time to be holy, our hearts become clean tem-ples for the Holy Spirit. Jesus is able to do more in and through us than we could ever ask for or imagine. January will be busier than ever. We will be gearing up for our celebration of National Catholic Schools Week at the end of the month and for the opening of registration for ’15-’16. Our work on the revision of our strategic plan and the writing of our accreditation self-study will continue to be priorities. Thank you to those who have participated in the school survey. We appreciate your input. As always the start of a new year will bring the opportunity to start fresh, to make resolu-tions that make us better people, and to live out our call to be disciples. We want to thank everyone for the generosity shared during the holidays. We, along with the members of our staff have received such wonderful goodies, treats, notes, gifts, prayers, etc. All are reminders of how blessed we are to be a part of the SAOPCS community. We are all looking forward to the spring semester and what 2015 will bring. May God’s blessings be yours through Christmas and the new year! Sincerely in Christ, Reneé B. Nunez Susan Leddy Kendall Shamas Principal Assistant Principal, PreK-5th Dean of Middle School
SPOTLIGHT ON DECATS—
MENTORS NEEDED
The DeBusk Enrichment Center for Academically Talented Scholars (DECATS) is looking for teachers to
join our team this June. DECATS is a dynamic summer program for gifted 3rd-6th grade stu-dents held at St. Rose of Lima, Strake Jesuit and Northwoods Schools. To learn more about DECATS, please visit www.decats.org. If you are interested in joining the DECATS team, you can find the required dates and mentor application at http://decats.org/about/join.php.
FAMILY SURVEY
Our Family Survey closes this Friday, December 19. Your opin-ion matters to us! Please take a moment to participate in this important survey. There are a number of convenient ways for you to access it: 1) Log on to your Edline account and follow the prompts from the pop-up link; 2) Go to our school web site, click on Parent Access then click on the “Parent and Staff Accredita-tion and Self-Study Survey” link; or 3) Access it directly at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SAOPCS_Family_survey. If you prefer a hard copy you can find a printable version of the survey by clicking here: FAMILY SURVEY PDF. After you com-plete the survey, turn it in at the front office, or you may drop it anonymously in the “survey box” in the school’s office lobby. We thank you in advance for your input.
The second edition of our school newspaper, The Dolphin Chronicle is complete! Please visit our school web site to view it: www.staopcs.org > Student Life > The Dolphin Chronicle, or click HERE.
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School 2 The Messenger, Weekly Newsletter
PTO has placed a Christmas card and treasure box in the school lobby for our auxiliary teachers and school staff. These faculty and staff members work with our chil-dren every day, whether it’s in elective classes (i.e., Music, P.E., Art, etc.) or ‘behind the scenes’ (i.e., Office), but they do not have homerooms. We will be collecting monetary donations to dis-tribute among them. If you would like to make a donation please stop by, sign the card, and place your donation in the box by Thursday, December 18 at 10:00 AM—cash or check donations only. Checks can be made payable to “SAOPCS”. Thank you!
PARKING & DISMISSALS IN DECEMBER
If you are on campus for classroom parties this week, we ask that you park ready for dismissal. If you will be using personal pickup or park & walk for middle school, please park in those areas. Planning ahead will keep dismissals running smoothly. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Returning Families: Jan. 21-Jan. 30, 2015
New Students: Feb. 2-Feb. 11, 2015
New Student Applicant Screening Day: Feb. 21, 2015
Decisions Letters Mailed: Mar. 13, 2015
Open House for Prospective Parents will be on Thursday, January 29, 2015
TUITION GRANT INFORMATION FOR THE
2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR
If you are seeking tuition grants for the 2015-2016 school year please contact Cathy Russell at [email protected] for information on how to apply. There are two options available – the St. Anthony of Padua Tuition Grant Program and the Arch-diocesan Tuition Assistance Program. The application deadline for the Archdiocesan program is January 30, 2015 and the application deadline for the SAOP program is March 31, 2015.
Great things are happening inside and outside our classrooms...
CHRISTMAS STEWARDSHIP PROJECT For this year’s stewardship project, SAOPCS partnered with the Parish to collect toys for children. We collected a total of 214 gifts and gift cards thanks to your generosity. It’s wonderful to be able to share our bless-ings with those who are less fortunate, especially during this time of year. Thank you for participating!
“He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay
him for his deed.” Proverbs 19:17
2014-15 YEARBOOKS Don’t wait to order your 2014-2015 Yearbooks! The discounted price for yearbooks ends December 31, 2014. Order yours at
www.balfour.com today! If you have any questions, please email Mr. Mattern at [email protected]. Don’t Forget the Memories!!
This Friday, December 19
8:15-9:00 AM
PLB, Room 202
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School 3 The Messenger, Weekly Newsletter
Thu, 12/18 PTO Rosary (Prayed in Spanish), 2:30 PM
Jr. Master Gardener (3rd-5th), 3:30-5:00 PM
Finance Meeting, 5:00-6:00 PM, Conference Room
M&D Meeting, 5:00-6:00 PM, Office Suite
SAC Meeting, 6:30-8:30 PM, Library
Fri, 12/19 EARLY RELEASE - PreK AM dismissal at 10:30; PreK PM arrives at 11:30 AM; dismissals at 2:15 PM for PreK-3rd grade; and 2:30 PM for 4th-8th grade; BAASP closes at 2:15 PM.
Talks with Fr. Tom, 8:15-9:00 AM, PLB Room 202
Mass (Led by 8-1), 9:00 AM
PreK-3rd Grade Christmas Celebrations, 1:15-2:15 PM
4th-8th Grade Christmas Celebrations, 1:30-2:30 PM
Mon, 1/5 NO SCHOOL—Staff Development
1/6-1/9 MS Human Sexuality
Tue, 1/6 PTO Board Meeting, 1:30-3:15 PM, PLB Room 204
Wed, 1/7 Spelling Bee, 8:15 AM, Fellowship Hall
Thu, 1/8 Quiz Bowl Practice, 7:00-7:40 AM
PTO Sponsored Banking Day, 7:40-8:15 AM, School
Lobby
Campus Tours, Starts 10:00 AM
Love & Logic Session, 1:00-3:00 PM, PLB Room 204
PTO Rosary (Prayed in Spanish), 2:30 PM
Jr. Master Gardening (K-2nd), 3:45-5:00 PM
Boys’ Basketball Game (C TEAM ONLY), 5:30 PM @
Woodlands Prep
Girls’ Basketball—St. Agnes Tournament, Details TBA
Fri, 1/9 All-School Mass (Led by 8-2), 9:00 AM
Quiz Bowl Practice, 3:45-5:00 PM
Booster Club Meeting, 6:00-7:00 PM, PLB Room 203
Sat, 1/10 Boys’ Varsity Basketball Tournament, Details TBA
Girls’ Basketball—St. Agnes Tournament, Details TBA
ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION SCHEDULE
2014-2015
Readiness Assessment Interviews—This is to ensure your child is ready to celebrate the Sacrament These assessments will be during Faith Formation classes, during STAOPCS, or by appointment for home school children. Comple-tion dates will be announced in October. “Sacrament of Reconciliation” Sat., 1/10/15 1:00-4:00 PM Last name A-K Sat., 1/24/15 1:00-4:00 PM Last name L-Z
LOVE AND LOGIC PARENT TRAINING
The Love and Logic Parent Training will begin Thursday, January 8, 2015. The training is six weeks long and will be held on Thursdays from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the St. Anthony of Padua Parish Life Building Room 204. Love and Logic helps raise responsible kids and provides sim-ple and practical techniques to help parents with kids of all ages. Love and Logic is a philosophy founded in 1977 by Jim Fay and Foster W. Cline, M.D. It is the approach of choice among leading educators, parents, and other
professionals worldwide. Please contact Janay O’Connor, School Counse-lor at [email protected] or (832) 482-4168 if you are interested in attending.
JANUARY TUITION PAYMENTS
To avoid late fees, tuition payments for January
should be submitted by January 10, 2015.
# OF TICKETS TICKET PRICE AMOUNT DUE
$30 Upper Sidelines
$52 Lower Endzones
$75 Lower Corners
# OF TICKETS PRICE AMOUNT DUE
$27 Upper Endzone
$34 Upper Corner
$49 Upper Sidelines
$60 Lower Endzone
Red Rowdy Romp with Alvin High
School Marching Band The Alvin High School Marching Band, boosters, family and friends are invited to watch the Houston Rockets take on the
Memphis Grizzlies.
Friday, March 30th
, 2012 6:30pm @ Toyota Center
VS
Catholic Family Night With the Houston Rockets
Bring your family and friends to the Houston Rockets game as they take on the
Utah Jazz.
A portion of the ticket prices will benefit the Catholic Schools!
Saturday, January 10th
, 2015
7:00pm @ Toyota Center
Order Your Tickets: By Calling: Josh Massey @ 713-758-7455 Fax: 713-758-7343 Email: [email protected] Online: www.rockets.com/promocode Code: catholic
Name ____________________________________________________ School/Parish ______________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________
City _____________________________ST_______ Zip ____________
Phone (D)_______________________(N)________________________
Email _____________________________________________________
Method of Payment:
□ Visa □ Master Card □ Amex □ Discover
Acct. # _____________________________ Exp. Date ___________
□ Enclosed is a check or money order payable to the Houston Rockets.
MAIL TO: Houston Rockets Attn: Josh Massey
1510 Polk Street Houston, Texas 77002
*All tickets subject to availability and price changes.* For a group price map, log onto www.rockets.com. *Group Prices only available through
the Houston Rockets Group Sales office.
The faculty and staff would like to thank all of our families for your personal and
financial support this year! Your donations enable SAOPCS to continue to provide
each child a Christ-centered education; one of Excellence . . . Strengthened by
Faith.
We are happy to announce that our school Fund is at 64% family participation,
with 100% participation being recorded by your faculty and staff. You can donate
before the end of year through the Faith Direct link on our web page:
www.staopcs.org.
Gala Latin Nights 2015 is waiting for you in the new year. If you wish to purchase
your gala table or purchase sponsorships and underwriting before the end of
2014, visit our gala web site, gala.staopcs.org. You can send in a check over the
Christmas break designated to the gala and we will send a tax receipt to you when
we return.
We wish you all a grace-filled Advent season and a very blessed Christmas.
Your SAOPCS Faculty and Staff
Do Well by Doing Good December 17, 2014
It’s Always Sunny. The only
question is how high you have to go to find it?
The more you value the dif-ferences that make each of us unique, the more you will bring out the best in both
yourself and others.
Merry Christmas from your Advancement Team:
Thank you to ALL of you
for making SAOPCS great!
WE APPRECIATE YOU!
Looking forward to 2015:
Catholic Schools Week, January 25 –31 Annual Gala kicks off with Kid’s Event “FAMILY FIESTA”, January 24
CSW Celebration Mass: 11:00 AM January 25 Alumni Blessings at all Masses January 24 & 25
Prospective Parent Open House, January 29, 6:30 PM Steps for Students, February 21
Annual Fund Update: Faculty 100%
Families 64% over 1/2 way to 100%. What a
great first half of the year!
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