The Defender
September 30, 2022
Important Upcoming Dates
- October 11, 2022 11:00 AM -9:00 PM (8th grade fundraiser at Jose Peppers at 143rd and Metcalf 20% of proceeds go back to SMA)
- October 20th Parent Teacher Conferences 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- October 21st Parent Teacher Conferences 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- October 24th No School
A Message from Mrs. Tate
Thank you to our generous SMA community for providing enough food donations for 176 backpacks at Our Lady of Unity in KCK. Understanding the bond between our two schools is humbling and exciting. As Companions in Faith, we look forward to reconnecting in more ways this year than we’ve been able to in the past couple of years. A food drive is just one way to support Our Lady of Unity Catholic School. Their principal and I are working together to create meaningful ways to get our kids and families together to support one another. Most importantly, we regularly pray for them in our intentions. Thank you to our many parent volunteers who have made this week a wonderful success!
Our teachers began their preparation for conferences this week by sending out Sign-Up Genius links to their classroom parents/guardians. Please sign-up for a fall conference to connect with your child’s teacher and partner for continued progress and success. There are links in the newsletter to sign-up for a conference with Integrated Arts teachers, as well. We are here to work together for each child’s success. If you are unable to attend one of the designated days, please reach out to your child’s teacher to find a time to meet or speak on the phone.
I will hold a mini-seminar for parents/guardians of students grades 3-8 who are interested in learning more about the MAP test reports available to parents. The mini-seminar will be held on Wednesday, October 19 from 6:30-7:30 at the school; enter through the courtyard doors. I’ll cover topics like: What does RIT mean? How is the test normed? How do I know if my child is on track academically? What can I do to help my child’s academic growth? What tools are available to families? If you plan to attend, please click here to register so we can have enough materials prepared and enough space for participants. Registration will close at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17.
I hope you and your families can get out this weekend and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. Nature reveals God’s beauty, power, and glory in each living thing on earth and in heaven. “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” (Psalms 96:11-12) As we enjoy the change of seasons, may we also enjoy the reflection of our Lord.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Diana Tate
From the Health Room
Vision and Hearing Screenings Monday October 10
Vision screening will be for all students in grades K-2, 4-5, and 7, as well as students new to the district, and those who did not pass last year. The hearing screening will include students in grades K-2, 5 and 7, as well as students new to the school, and those who did not pass the exam last year. These screenings will be conducted by a team from the Blue Valley School District.
If you do not want your child to participate in either of these screenings, please send a written note to the school nurse.
Please remind your son/daughter to wear his/her corrective lenses or glasses to school that day as they will be screened with their corrective lenses on.
If you have any questions please contact Cathy Rysavy, school nurse, at 913- 402-3953.
Mini-Seminar – How do I read my child’s MAP test results?
Mrs. Tate and Mr. Huber will hold a mini-seminar for parents/guardians of students grades 3-8 who are interested in learning more about the MAP test reports available to parents.
- Wednesday, October 19
- 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- School Library
- Enter through the courtyard doors
- Topics: What does RIT mean? How is the test normed? How do I know if my child is on track academically? What can I do to help my child’s academic growth? What tools are available to families?
If you plan to attend, please click here to register so we can have enough materials prepared and enough space for participants. Registration will close at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17.
Integrate Arts Conferences
If parents would like to sign up for a Parent Teacher Conference with any of our Integrated Arts Teachers (IAT), please see the links below:
- Mrs. Beth Moore, Art: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044AAAA92EA0FF2-mrs
- Mrs. Ann Adams, PE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044AA5AB2CA6FC1-parent3
- Mr. Thane Woods, Computers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044AA5AB2CA4F49-parent3
- Mrs. Raquel Kirk, Foreign Language: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44A5A92FAAFDC07-parent
- Ms. Emily Walling, Music: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084CACA722A1FC1-parent4
VSL Information
Sign up today to be a Guardian Angel
A Guardian Angel volunteer has the unique opportunity to serve the school during the time children are in Mass or attending other religious activities within the church. This is a person who volunteers to be in the Narthex during these times to keep an extra eye on the doors of the church looking for suspicious behavior.
Please consider signing up for as multiple shifts. The children love to see familiar faces! Thank you for volunteering your time to ensure our children are safe!
Grades 5-8 Mass is on Tuesday. Kindergarten- 4th grade Mass is Wednesday. All school Mass is Friday.
Living the Liturgical Calendar in Your Home
John Paul 2 teachings on the theology of the body, the dignity of the human person and the feminine genius have shaped generations of Catholics.
Quick: JP2 was devoted to the Blessed Mother. Pray the Luminous Mysteries (established by JP2 in 2002) or the Mysteries of Light. John Paul said they demonstrate the Light of God through the work of Jesus.
Easy: John Paul loved children and the outdoors-- fishing, skiing, hiking, camping. Take a walk with your family and talk about how crazy it would be to run into the pope on your next family adventure. What would they say? What questions would they ask?
Super Fun: There are so many wonderful things to celebrate about the life of JP2. It is really hard to pick just one. Here is a list of awesome facts about John Paul the Great that you can read through with your family.
A few activities to consider:
John Paul was from Poland. Try some amazing Polish recipes.
John Paul traveled to 129 countries when he was pope. Print out a world map and see if your family can find them all.
John Paul canonized 482 saints while pope. Go thru the list and see if any speak to you.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
Dennis Uniform
SMA School Activities
Parish News
Sock and Sneaker Drive
Throughout the month of October, the Foster Care Ministry will be collecting new socks and gently used or new sneakers to benefit foster children through KVC. While all sizes of shoes will be accepted, please consider donating shoes in adult sizes for the teen foster care children as they are the group most in need. If you are donating gently used sneakers, please wash them in advance of donating. A collection will be placed in the Parish Hall starting October 1st. We thank you in advance for your generosity!
Questions? Contact: Maria Proctor at maria_proctor@hotmail.com
Companions in Faith Volunteer Opportunity at OLU School
Have some free time during the school day? We are looking for volunteers to work with teachers and students at Our Lady of Unity School for the 2022-2023 school year. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. but we can accommodate almost any schedule. The day of the week is flexible and as well as the frequency of your volunteer visits. You must be VIRTUS trained to volunteer but no teaching expertise is needed, just a willing heart to work with students.
If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, please visit http://companionsinfaith.weebly.com/volunteer-at-our-lady-of-unity-school.html or e-mail Ann Ekis at ann.ekis@yahoo.com
Can You Help?
We need YOU to help make the Our Lady of Unity Catholic School Hog & Grog for Scholarships event at Boulevard Brewing Co. a success! Many hands will help to make the load light as we have volunteer opportunities for Adults 21 and older for Thursday, October 13, 2022. Find the volunteer slot that works best for YOU and partner with us to benefit student scholarships for Our Companions in Faith. Volunteer at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49AFA62EA64-ourlady1
Christmas in October is here!
If you love painting, scraping, cleaning, yard work (and just hard work in general) and knowing that you're helping someone who really needs it, then this service project is for you. We will join hundreds of others around Kansas City on Saturday, October 8th, to spend a day of outdoor service in our community.
Time: 7:30am-5pm (approx.) Come for some or come for all of the day.
Location: This will be emailed to you. (Please carpool if possible.)
Who can help: Any parishioner. (ALL minors under the age of 18, MUST be accompanied by an adult)
Food: Breakfast and lunch are provided. Please sign up below so we can make sure to have enough food.
Note: wear good working clothes, bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and work gloves. Please dress in layers and for the weather.
To sign-up, visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FABAD2DABFB6-christmas9