Tiger Talk! November 15, 2019

Dear Parents/Guardians,

During this season of Thanksgiving, I would like to share some of the things I am thankful for at our school.  I am thankful for Mr. Shields, who pulls double duty as my vice principal and the parish’s business manager.  I am thankful for the teachers and staff who educate your children, keep them safe, and most importantly, love them. I am thankful to our pastor, Father Mark Wrightson, and all our parish priests and staff, who support our school and our spirituality. I am thankful for our facilities crew who work hard to ensure that we have a clean and safe campus. I am thankful for Mrs. Lynn Kee and Mrs. Anita Palmer, our office staff, who keep us organized and keep things running smoothly. I am thankful for Mr. McMillian who keeps all of our technology up and running.  And I am especially thankful for you and your children.  They bring so much joy into our lives at this school. Thank you for choosing this school to send your children to. I am grateful that you trust us with these precious gifts.

Happy News to Share – Congratulations to Mrs. Kathy Potts who is expecting two new grandbabies this school year! Her children are graduates of St. Anthony’s, so this is another generation of Tiger cubs! Mrs. Jill Orensky is expecting a grandbaby this year as well. God bless them all, and we can’t wait to meet the newest additions to our growing family. I am really starting to feel old this year. I just realized I graduated from this 8th Grade 35 years ago. How is that even possible?  I now have former students coming back to visit me with their new babies. I have one of them attending our preschool already. Last week a former student, Anthony Mazewski, visited from Alabama, where is stationed in the Army. He brought with him his wife and new daughter, McKenzie. Time really does fly! Enjoy every minute!

Home and School’s Thanksgiving Luncheon – Tuesday, November 26th will be our Annual Home and School Turkey Luncheon. Our Home and School Board will be graciously serving all of the students, faculty, and staff, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner during their lunch periods. If your child does not eat turkey breast (sliced fine in cubes), mashed potatoes, or corn, please send a bagged lunch in with them. There will be no cafeteria service that day, and there is no alternate lunch available. This is a delicious meal! My adult children still talk about that being the best turkey dinner. I do not take it personally because I agree. Thanks in advance to all those who will help to prepare and serve this meal. It is always a really nice day and a wonderful way to start our Thanksgiving holiday. School will be closed Wednesday, November 27th through Friday, November 29th. I pray that you and your families have a wonderful and restful holiday together.

Congratulations to our 8th Graders who are receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this Sunday, November 17th.  Please come join our parish and school community as we celebrate this joyous occasion.  The Mass will begin at 11:00 A.M.  Thank you to Mr. Limmina who has prepared them for this blessed event.

Congratulations to our Varsity Girls Volleyball Team! The girls won the Diocesan championship.  Way to go, Lady Tigers!

Spanish/Computer teacher update – I am in the process of finalizing the hiring for this position. Yesterday was Mrs. Hoppenjans’ last day. She shared with me all of her Google Classroom information, and we are ready for a smooth transition. We will have permanent substitutes in the classroom starting Monday. Mrs. Peggy Kennedy is a favorite substitute. The students love and respect her. She will be teaching Computers until Christmas break. Ms. Gabrielle Barone is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She is currently on staff here as an aftercare provider. The children know and love “Ms. Gabby” and will be thrilled to hear that she will be a permanent substitute for Spanish until the Christmas break. You should all be thrilled that I am not substituting from now until Christmas. I was willing to try it, but I am ecstatic that I am no longer needed to do so. Gracias, Senora Kennedy and Senorita Barone! Bienvenidos!

Uniform Reminders –We are moving into the cold weather months so it is necessary to send out some uniform reminders.

  • Hooded sweatshirts, even St. Anthony’s sports or spirit wear, are not allowed to be worn in the school during the day. This includes gym days and dress down days.   This is a safety issue.  Students may still wear them as outerwear, but not in the building when the day has started.
  • Shorts are no longer allowed, both for regular uniform days or gym days. On gym days, all students should be wearing black St. Anthony’s sweatpants.
  • Please be sure your students are dressed appropriately for the weather in the morning.  We will be going outside for recess unless the temperature is deemed too cold to be outside.

Spirit Wear – Parents have been purchasing Spirit Wear from A Stitch in Time. Our Home and School Board picked out some cute styles. The students may replace the gym uniform t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, or sweatshirt with Spirit wear. Spirit wear on gym days is fine. Spirit wear sweatshirts are allowed any day over the top of the official school uniform, as long as they are not hoodies.  A Stitch in Time is accepting orders until December 2nd on their website https://www.customstitch.com

 

From YAC:

YAC Volunteers Welcomed – Our YAC board is in transition. Our President and Vice President willingly offered to assume the additional roles of the Secretary and Treasurer for the remainder of the year. If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, please contact Carole Trzepacz at ctrzepacz@stanthonynet.org or Pam Morabito at pamtrego5499@gmail.com.

From our school nurse:

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL:

  • Fever – temperature of 100 degrees in the last 24 hours. Please do not medicate your child with Tylenol or Ibuprofen and then send him/her to school. The fever may come down, but your child is still contagious and won’t feel well.
  • Vomiting or Diarrhea in the last 24 hours.
  • Conjunctivitis/Pink Eye – white part of the eye or eyelid is red with thick drainage. Your child must have started treatment before returning to school.
  • Headache/Cough/Sore throat/Congestion severe enough to interfere with the ability to perform schoolwork.

***If your child is sent home from school with a fever/vomiting/diarrhea, they are not to return to school the next day per the 24 hour policy. Your child does not feel well enough to perform school work and they are contagious to their classmates.***

Thank you for keeping our school healthy!

Annemarie Russell BSN, RN, CPN

Restaurant Night: Join us at 1000 Degrees Pizza on Tuesday, November 19th, for food, fun, and friends.  They have pizza, wings, and salad.  Try Mrs. White’s creation, the St. Anthony Supreme! Check out their Facebook page for a video of Mrs. White making her pizza at the restaurant.  We hope to see you there.

Thanksgiving Food Drive:  Student Council is holding its annual food drive to benefit the St. Patrick’s Center and the St. Anthony’s Food Pantry.  The Food Drive will run until Friday, November 22nd. The class that collects the most items will be recognized.  The classes are collecting:

  • Preschool – cranberry sauce
  • Kindergarten – instant mashed potatoes
  • 1st Grade –canned corn
  • 2nd Grade – stuffing
  • 3rd Grade – canned string beans
  • 4th Grade – gravy
  • 5th Grade – boxed pasta
  • 6th Grade – cereal (any variety)
  • 7th Grade – canned soup (any variety)
  • 8th Grade – cake/brownie mix

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Christmas Bazaar –On Sunday, December 1st from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., Home and School will be holding a Christmas Bazaar.  There will be two floors of shopping opportunities with lunch and snacks available for purchase.  Santa will make an appearance from 10:30 – 12:30.  There will be 50/50 tickets, crafts and face painting for kids, and poinsettias for sale.  Come and join us for this new tradition!

The next Tiger Talk will be sent out after Thanksgiving.  We have many activities coming up in the weeks of Advent and Christmas.  Please be sure to check your children’s folder and book bags for information being sent home.  Be sure to follow our Facebook page (St. Anthony of Padua Grade School Families, Alumni & Friends) where we post not only pictures of the goings on in school, but also about the events and activities happening.

Please join us for Mass every Friday at 8:00 A.M.  Your children are wonderful and reverent, and the Antonians sing beautifully!

Thanksgiving Blessings,

Mrs. White

“Remember the past with gratitude. Live the present with enthusiasm. Look forward to the future with confidence.” 

~St. John Paul II

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