We are continuing to embrace our school‘s Lenten theme by “Loving our Lord throughout Lent.” Each morning since Lent began, I have been reading a Bible story to help Jesus‘s story come to life and be more kid-friendly. Each morning starts with a short Bible story and an explanation of the story. During February, in celebration of Black History Month, I had been spotlighting an “interesting person“. During this introduction, I shared a background on the person, including their accomplishments and famous quotes. We had displayed these influential people in our main lobby and also on a bulletin board in the stairwell. This went along with many of the projects happening during Black History Month throughout the school. Many of our older students researched Black leaders, artists, musicians, activists, inventors, etc. It was wonderful to see the work done by your children.
What a fantastic and fun week we had last week! We celebrated the 70th birthday of our school with ice cream and cupcakes for all students on Thursday. We also gathered in the gym to sing “Happy Birthday” to our school. The video is posted on our Facebook page. It was pretty entertaining and most definitely not in sync. We had the entire student body form a 70 and took pictures from the gym balcony. They all earned tiger paw print stickers on their way out of the gym. Classes decorated for our Birthday Party Open House last Saturday for graduates, former teachers, and administrators. The students were proud to show off their school and their classrooms. Our Open House was a tremendous success, and many visitors complimented the student work and the fact that this building has held up so well. I am a proud graduate of the Class of 1984. I was thrilled and so excited to welcome folks back into the building that hadn‘t been here in many years. It brought me great joy and pride. My mother was here to join me and greet her former classmates. She was in the first graduating Class of 1954. She now has her fourth grandchild following in her elementary school footsteps. He is in Kindergarten. (And no, he is not mine. I do have a younger brother.) I am old enough to be this one’s grandmother 🙂
Thank you to all who donated to our Day of Giving! We raised $29,298.57. We just spent over $70,000 to upgrade our entire smoke detector and fire alarm system, so I am sure Mr. Shields will join me in thanking everyone for their generosity. Every little bit helps! We are leaving our Day of Giving donation link up for anyone who missed the opportunity. We would still like to have 100% participation. This is in place of book bills and mandatory fundraising, and it is 100% tax deductible! No amount is too small.
Wear a GREEN SHIRT this Friday for Great Schools, Clean Streams! Help us earn 100 more points and a chance to win $1500 for supporting the Great Schools, Clean Streams contest/initiative. Your child can wear a green shirt in place of their school uniform shirt. This is not mandatory. We are currently in the lead. Thank you to all who have pledged. Check out our Facebook page for more information. You can pledge through March 15.
Noon Dismissal/School Closed
This Friday, March 8, is a noon dismissal with NO AFTERCARE. School is closed for students on Monday, March 11, as our staff attends a Diocesan-wide Professional Development Day at St. Mark’s High School. We will be learning more about current trends in artificial intelligence.
Joe Corbi Delivery is Tuesday, March 20
Please arrange to pick up your order at dismissal. Feel free to come in as early as 2 pm to avoid the crowd.
Renaissance Testing Has Begun!
We are excited to see the growth since our last testing window in December. Please be sure your child is on time for school this week and next week. Once the testing session has begun, we do not interrupt the classroom for late arrivals.
The Living Stations
On Wednesday, March 27, at 1:30 pm, please join Mr. Fisher (former PrinciPAL) in the school gym. He has been working with middle school students to bring back this tradition.
Via Crucis
If you have yet to see the Stations of the Cross (Via Crucis), I highly recommend you check it out this Friday night or one of the next 4 Fridays. The last performance is on Good Friday. It takes place in our church and begins at 7:30 pm. Students of all ages (some adults) act out the Stations. The acting is silent, but the Stations are narrated and accompanied by timeless music. I had the pleasure of doing this when I was a student in our school. Check it out! All are welcome and there is no fee. It is a wonderful Lenten tradition. It makes you feel like you are walking along Jesus’s side on his journey to the cross.
Report Cards
Report Cards will be distributed the week of March 11th. More information will follow.
Registration is open for the 2024-2025 school year! Forms are available at www.sapgs.org or by contacting the main office.
Easter Break
There will be no Aftercare on Wednesday, March 27, so everyone can begin their Easter Break. School will be closed for Easter Break from March 28 – April 7. We will reopen on Monday, April 8. If I do not personally see you before then, I hope this break is a peaceful one for you and your families. The Easter season is my favorite part of the Liturgical year. I look forward to the celebration of the Sacrament of First Eucharist (Holy Communion) and the beautiful tradition of May Procession. More details will follow after our break.
Lenten Blessings,
Mrs. Judith J. White, Principal
“During this season of conversion, let us renew our faith, and receive with open hearts the love of God.”
~ Pope Francis