Dear School Family,
Fall has arrived! We are all enjoying this cooler weather, but are even more surprised to realize we have already completed two whole months of school. The next few weeks always seem to move quickly as we prepare for Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Advent season. I hope you are all able to take some time to enjoy this beautiful weather with your families.
For November and December, we will be focusing on our third theme of Catholic Social Teachings – Rights and Responsibilities. This theme teaches that all humans have rights and responsibilities to themselves and their fellow human beings. We will spend these next two months helping students learn the rights all humans have and how we share in the responsibilities of helping others.
8thGrade Shout out – I want to thank the Class of 2023 for putting together a very fun day for Halloween. They created and decorated a haunted house that really entertained everyone, even having scary and non-scary options so all our students could experience their amazing work. Games and crafts were set out on tables and each class was able to spend one period having fun. I also want to thank Mrs. Miller for her supervision and guidance with all aspects of this event. This short event was a scaled down version of the large Home and School Halloween event of the past.
Congratulations to our October Students of the Month! These students were recognized by their teachers for being respectful to everyone in our building. Congratulations to Leo Casale (PK3), Selah Eure (PK4), Olivia Thompson (K), Miliany Peralta (1st), Jillian Krevchuck (2nd), Ivy Price (3rd), Sara Barker (4th), Matt Brown (5th), Neela Pulliam (6th), Allison Kornsey (7th), and Natalie Krevchuck (8th). Way to go!
All Saints Day – On Tuesday, November 1st, we celebrated the Solemnity of All Saints by attending the parish Mass at 8am. Third through Eighth grades were in attendance. Their behavior was excellent during this community Mass.
All Souls Day – Wednesday was All Souls’ Day (also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed). It is a day of prayer and remembrance for the faithful departed, which is observed by Roman Catholics and other Christian denominations annually on November 2nd. Let us please remember Katherine “Katie” Thompson, who was laid to rest on All Saints Day. Katie is the mother of students Kevin, Olivia, and Savannah. May she rest in peace. May her soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Thank you! – This week was another busy week at St. Anthony’s. In the spirit of one of our patron saints, St. Francis of Assisi, we were able to make a nice donation to Faithful Friends animal shelter. This donation included pet toys, food, bedding, and blankets. We thank you for your generosity.
Thanksgiving Food Drive – In the month of November, we begin our annual food drive for the St. Patrick’s Center in Wilmington. Help us to help our neighbors in the community. This is a nice follow up to October’s theme of calling to family, community, and participation. Please refer to the flyer sent home. We are asking for specific non-perishable food donations from each grade.
- PreK – 1st – Canned Vegetables
- 2nd – 5th – Mashed potatoes/Dessert (cake or pie mix, pudding)
- 6th – 8th – Stuffing and Gravy
Outerwear for Students – Please be sure your child is bringing some type of outerwear as the days get colder and windier. Classes go outside every day for recess unless it is raining/wet outside or the temperature is below freezing. Your child will go outside with their class in whatever outerwear they have. We do not have additional supervision for students without outerwear who wish to stay inside during recess.
YAC News:
- Congratulations to the JV Girls Volleyball team on an undefeated season! They also won the St. Mary Magdalen Volleyball Tournament. This team has a huge heart. They were excellent sports and encouraged each other to be their best selves. Thank you to Jennifer Graham and Angel WIse for coaching both JV and Varsity this year. This is a tremendous time commitment. Please know that you are appreciated!
- Time is running out to register your little ones for Kindergarten through Second Grade Basketball. Registration is still open. Please visit the YAC website which has a direct link from our school website, sapgs.org.
Exploring Catholic Social Teaching Workshop – I will be out of the building all day on November 10th. I will be attending the Sophia Institute workshop to learn how best to help our students learn how they are called to serve God and neighbor. We will explore topics such as human dignity, justice, and our call to care for the poor and vulnerable. I hope to return to share best practices with our teachers.
Home and School Board – I want to thank the Home and School Board for hanging with us throughout the pandemic and agreeing to serve again this year, as we try to revive some of our traditions and family activities. Look for more details soon. We had our first meeting this week and are excited to share some ideas with you shortly. Please remember that what makes our school so special is the volunteerism and partnership with parents. We are a small staff. Parent partnership and participation are vital to our success. Those who serve on the Home and School Board give life and energy to our school and parish community. I thank all those who have served this board in the past and those who agreed to do so again this year. Your 2022-2023 Home and School Board Members are: Roseann Detlefsen, Teren Stokes, Melissa Farrell, Ryan McLaughlin, Gina Teasdale, Kim Carroll, Stephanie Sargent, Stephen Beals, Erin McGready, Gabe Pabon, Angela Arters, and Lauren Mercante.
No First Friday Mass in December: There will be no First Friday Mass on December 2nd due to a wedding in the church. However, we will celebrate Mass at 8am with the community on December 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Feel free to join us. Parents are always welcome to attend any Mass.
Eucharistic Revival and Vocations Awareness: Father Jasper will be coming on December 9th to do a Eucharistic Revival. He will meet with students in 3rd through 8th grades at 2pm. Parents of any grade are welcome to attend. The plan is to hold this discussion in our church.
Financial Aid Deadline: Please don’t forget to apply for financial aid. In order to receive financial assistance from the Diocese of WIlmignton or from our parish, you MUST meet the deadline. A new application must be completed every year. A financial award for one year does not guarantee a financial award the following year. Applications are due through FACTS no later than January 31, 2023.
Upcoming Important Dates
- Wednesday, 11/9 – Restaurant Spirit Night – Chipotle; more information will be sent home
- Tuesday, 11/22 – Trimester One ends; NO AFTER CARE
-
- Wednesday- Friday, 11/23-11/25 – SCHOOL CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK
- Sunday, 11/27 – First Sunday of Advent
- Monday-Wednesday, 11/28-11/30 – Secret Santa Shop – more information will be coming home as we get closer to the date.
- Monday, 12/5 – Friday, 12/9 – Report Cards will be sent home during the week
- Scholastic Christmas Book Fair – Ballad Room/Cafeteria – more information will be coming home as we get closer to the date.
- Wednesday, 12/7 – Wednesday, 12/14 – Five Below Spirit Week – more information will be coming home as we get closer to the date.
- Thursday, 12/8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Parish Community Mass – Church – 8am
- Friday, 12/23 – NOON DISMISSAL; NO AFTER CARE
-
-
- Christmas Program – 10:30 – Gym
- Saturday, 12/24 – Monday, 1/2 – SCHOOL CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK
-
- Tuesday, 1/3 – School Reopens
Blessings,
Mrs. Judith J. White
“To be able to offer thanks, to be able to praise the Lord for what He has done for us: this is important!” ~ Pope Francis