Dear Parents/Guardians,
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a terrific break and enjoyed the time with family and friends. We have a very busy January ahead of us. I am including a longer list of activities than normal because there is so much going on. Please be sure to regularly check your child’s folder/white envelope for important papers. Be sure to check our school website and individual teacher’s websites for important information.
Important Reminders:
- Friday, January 17th is a noon dismissal with NO AFTER CARE. Please be here on time for dismissal.
- There is no school Monday, January 20th in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Contacting Administration – If you have a concern or question that requires a speedy resolution, please call the main office and ask to speak with me. You can also stop by school to see me. I am here every day, all day and will be happy to see you and speak with you if needed. I am in classrooms and meetings throughout the day. Much like my teachers, I am not able to check my email on a regular basis during the school day. I receive 200 emails per day. I do not always see these emails until 24 hours later. That is how long it takes me to go through a day’s worth of messages. I try to catch up on email from 4-11:00 P.M., and will typically respond the following day. Making a phone call to the main office or stopping in to see me is the quickest way to receive answers.
St. Anthony’s Open House/Movie Night – St. Anthony’s is rethinking the traditional open house. Please come join us on Thursday, January 16th for a movie night! We will be showing a movie in the Ballad room with pizza and popcorn for everyone. This is an opportunity for new families to come and visit our school, meet our staff, and see all we have to offer. Please share this information with anyone who is interested in our school. All are welcome!
Congratulations to our December Students of the Month! December’s virtue was “helping others in need.” Congratulations to our respectful students: Riley Beach (PK3), Evelina Arcaro (PK4), Ezra Pabon (K), Daniel Caesar (1st), Jeremiah Robinson (2nd), Jun Chen (3rd), Chase Willard (4th), Kevin Reed (5th), Michael Vadden (6th), Sirriya Cruz (7th), and Eva Pellegrino (8th). Keep up the good work!
School Closings/Cyber Snow Days – As we are coming into the colder, snowier months, we want to send home a few reminders. In the event of a school closing, a Facebook post will be made immediately. (Please follow us!) We will send out a School Messenger notification next, and the school website will be updated as well. In the event of a school closing due to snow, students are aware of the Cyber Snow Day protocol; particularly Middle School. Don’t let anyone fool you! All work from a snow day is due one week after it is assigned, so please allow them to actually enjoy the snow day if they get one. Let them play, make memories, and have fun!
Financial Aid for the 2020-2021 School Year – Financial aid packets are now available in the main office. All parents applying for financial aid to our school MUST apply to the Diocese first. Please be aware that without a completed application to the Diocese, a family will not be considered for financial aid through our parish education fund. Please contact Mr. Shields or Mrs. Serio with any questions.
*Reminder – Financial aid packets have to be completed and submitted by March 4th.
Catholic Schools Week – Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated from January 26th – February 1st. The theme for Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: Believe. Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” Students are allowed to wear their gym uniform or spirit wear all week. Please note that hoodies/hooded sweatshirts are not allowed to be worn during school due to safety concerns. We will be having activities during the week. A full schedule was sent home on Wednesday. A short list of events and activities for the week are:
- Sunday, January 26th – Catholic Schools Week Opening Mass – Church – 11:00 A.M.
- Monday, January 27th – Teacher Appreciation Day
- Tuesday, January 28th – Go Orange Day!
- Spelling Bee – Gym – 1:50 P.M.
- Wednesday, January 29th – School Spirit Day
- Thursday, January 30th – Student Appreciation Day
- PK-5th – Movie trip to see “Dolittle”
- 6th – 8th – Bowling trip to Main Event
- Friday, January 31st – 8th Graders vs. Parents Volleyball Game in Fournier Gym at 1:30 P.M. Admission to the game is one canned good which will be donated to the St. Patrick Center.
Yearbooks – Yearbooks for the 2019-2020 school year can be purchased online by visiting http://jostensyearbooks.com/?
School Spelling Bee: Our school spelling bee will be held on Tuesday, January 28th at 1:50 P.M. in the Gym. Winners of the classroom spelling bees from 4th to 8th Grade will compete.
Upcoming events:
- January 13th – Pajama Day – $3
- Band Concert – Gym – 2:15 P.M.
- January 14th – Diocesan Visit
- January 16th – Movie Night/Open House – Ballad Room – 6:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
- January 17th – Noon Dismissal – NO AFTER CARE
- January 20th – No School –MLK Day
- January 22nd – Bishop Malooly visit – 10:00 A.M.
- January 24th – Trimester 2 Midpoint
- January 26th – January 31st – Catholic Schools Week (See above for events.)
- February 3rd – February 13th – Renaissance Testing
Please be sure to follow us on Facebook! I realize we have repeated this information many times, but Tiger Talk communication is only bi-weekly. See all of the exciting things that are happening with your children on a daily basis. Teachers submit pictures to me, or I try to catch fun lessons in action. If you haven’t followed us yet, look for St. Anthony of Padua Grade School Families, Alumni & Friends.
Blessings for a healthy new year,
Mrs. White
“True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice.” ~ St. Francis de Sales