Tiger Talk!
January 11, 201
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a terrific break and enjoyed the time with family and friends. Today at Mass, Father Rinaldi reminded the children that whoever possesses the Son of God has life. He said that if we have Jesus in our minds, hearts, and souls, we will have him forever. He defined “life” as people: our mothers, fathers, teachers, friends, and teammates are all life. Sometimes we think “life” is sweets or toys or video games. Those things are nice, but life is the people we have. Through people, we give and get life. Our life is a treasure to other people, and they can be a treasure to us if we welcome them. Life is not just the people in this world, but also those above this world, the people who have become saints in Heaven.
Father Rinaldi also said to have Jesus in our hearts is to be someone who prays. Prayer can be formal or it can also mean simply talking to Jesus throughout our day, telling him we need help with things, and asking him to help us stay out of trouble. He reminded us that we should be asking Jesus to help us stay focused, to help us be serious, and to help us help our parents and others. Father reminded us to always keep talking to God and to be kind to everyone. Life can be hard, and we should try to help make it easier by simply being kind and helpful. It was a sweet message.
Our music chosen today by Mr. Colligan also reminded us that the Lord made this day and every day, and that we should rejoice and be glad in it. Let’s all try to help spread joy and remember that Jesus is in every person. As the Christmas season comes to an end, let us be a gift to others.
Reminder: There is no school Monday, January 21st in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Safety and Security at the Front Door Entrance – In an effort to tighten security even further, we will be asking for your name and purpose of your visit. We will be asking this of everyone, so please do not take it personally. If you watch the news or read it in any form, you will see that a school can never be too careful. Please help us with this by stating your name and why you are here. “It’s John Smith, and I am here to pick up my son Jack for a dentist appointment.” This is particularly important during the school hours of 7:50 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. From 7:30 A.M. until 7:50 A.M., there are a total of 5 adults between the front door and the hallway. During school hours, we want to be sure everyone coming here has a good reason to be here. We try to limit disruptions during the day. When there have been safety issues at other schools, it is very rarely a stranger. It is almost always someone the school personnel are familiar with and have felt comfortable letting them in. We appreciate your cooperation, as the safety of your children and our staff is a top priority
Contacting School Staff – Please contact the main office, teachers, and administration via telephone for any transportation changes, genuine concerns, and especially in an emergency. Email is never a reliable source for such communication. Teachers are not required to check email during the school day, as they are teaching. If you need to reach a teacher, please call the main office. The teacher will receive the message much faster. I may not see my email for an entire day, so please contact the office, and I will return your call as soon as possible.
St. Anthony’s Open House – Our Open House for potential new students is Sunday, January 20th from 12:00 – 3:00 P.M. Please spread the word! You are our best marketers. I genuinely believe that this school is the best choice for any child/family who desires a Catholic education in a safe and family-friendly environment. I feel blessed to be able to work in a school where we have been given the best of everything we have ever asked for (as faculty and staff) and where the children are kind and loving. My adult children still say that St. Anthony’s was the best time of their lives. They did not realize at the time how much fun they had with the lifelong friends they made here at this school. Their best friends are still the friends they met here.
Congratulations to our December Students of the Month! December’s virtue was “respectful.” Congratulations to our respectful students: Stella Caesar (PK3), Keeley Ferraro (PK4), Tyler Cross (K), Noel Pulliam (1st), Mason Carroll (2nd), Lilliana Stellini (3rd), Riley Winfield (4th), Lakeves Laws (5th), Sirriya Cruz (6th), Eva Pellegrino (7th), and Makenna Sarver (8th). Keep up the good work! Check out Facebook page to see the picture of December’s Students of the Month.
Thank you to Mr. McMillan! – Thank you, Mr. McMillan, for all you do to keep our technology moving and progressing. He is currently working to train Mrs. Gaspari, our Art teacher, and a few older students on the use of our two new 3D printers. They are researching 3D Printing curricula and learning some fun things to create for our students.
School Closings – 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!
Cafeteria Reminder – Please be sure to send in a lunch for your child every day or order on the lunch menu, submitting that menu with payment on the date it is due. The cost of lunch is kept low due to planning and preordering. If your child has charged a lunch, please pay the next day. If you or your child know they will need to order lunch, please either send a note to the teacher or have your child notify the teacher. This gives Ms. Michele a “heads up” when it comes to lunch time. We occasionally have 10-15 students order lunch without a menu or any notification to teacher or Ms. Michele. Please know that food is prepared for each lunch, based on the menu items ordered, with a few extra items. If your child did not order the lunch from the menu, there will be a limited menu to choose from. It typically includes a cheese sandwich, hot dog, or soup.
After Care Reminders – Please be sure to sign students out in the Main Office and walk down to pick up your student. This is a two-way safety check point. Simply walking downstairs to get them or simply signing them out is not safe. Please follow our established procedures and please be prompt! Please remember, After Care closes at 6:00 P.M. every day, unless otherwise noted.
Financial Aid for the 2019-2020 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 27th – February 2nd. The theme for Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: Believe. Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” We will be having activities during the week. A full schedule will be going home next week. A short list of events and activities for the week are:
- Sunday, January 27th – Catholic Schools Week Opening Mass – Church – 11:00 A.M.
- Monday, January 28th – Knowledge Bowl at 1:30 P.M. in the Gym
- Tuesday, January 29th – Teacher Appreciation Day
- Wednesday, January 30th – School Spirit Day
- Thursday, February 1st – Student Appreciation Day
- Friday, February 2nd – 8th Grade 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 2018-2019 school year can be purchased online by visiting http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01128770. Each yearbook costs $25. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Seehusen at cseehusen@stanthonynet.org
Shout out to the Wilmington Police Department! – Thank you for a surprise visit this week and for sharing their K-9 officer, Exo, with our students at recess. Exo and his partner, S/Cpl. Andrew Conine, entertained the crowd. They will be returning to do a demonstration this month. This week and every week, we thank our Wilmington Police and all members of law enforcement, for protecting and serving us.
School Spelling Bee: Our school spelling bee will be held on Thursday, January 24th at 2:00 P.M. in the Gym. Winners of the classroom spelling bees from Kindergarten to 8th Grade will compete. Each grade will have completed their classroom bees by next Friday.
Sacrament Save the Dates:
- March 11th – Confirmation Registration for 2019 – Ballad Room – 6:15 P.M.
- Parents and candidates must attend.
- April 7th – 2nd Grade First Communion Practice –Church – 12:00 – 2:00 P.M.
- April 28th – 2nd Grade First Communion Practice –Church – 12:00 – 2:00 P.M.
- May 3rd – Practice Day for First Communion – School – 7:45 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. – MANDATORY
- May 4th – First Communion Celebration – Church – 10:00 A.M.
- Students must report to school at 9:15 A.M.
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
“Never give up on the people you love. Never give up from being happy. Because life is an incredible show.” ~ Pope Francis