Crusader Newsletter
April 2024; QUARTER 4
Don't forget- Scheduled eLearning Day on Election Day, May 7!
We are looking for volunteers to take on Vacation Bible School this year! If you are interested in being part of a team and heading up VBS please email Josie Ball at josie.ball@stlouisb.org.
Bright School Kits are ready to order!
2024/25 SY Family Tuition Letter
Click image below to access Letter, Scholarship & Active Parishioner Forms
From the Cafeteria
Staff Change: *New Assistant Principal for 24/25!
Please join me in welcoming our own Katie Hoffman to the role of Assistant Principal beginning in August for the 24/25 School Year! Katie has served as our 5th grade teacher for the last six years. She is known for her contagious positivity, amazing rapport with all SLA students, professional and collaborative relationships with peer teachers and staff, and open clear and supportive dialogue with parents. We can't wait to see what God has in store for SLA through this wonderful addition to our administration team!
π£ WE'RE HIRING!
We are seeking a teacher for a self-contained 5th grade classroom. This candidate must have a positive attitude, quality organizational skills, and a desire to contribute to a positive, collaborative, and solutions-oriented culture.
Candidates can reach out to Principal Diller at vdiller@stlouisacademy.org for more information.
*SLA Community- please join me in a prayer of thanksgiving to God in advance for sending us the right person for this position!
6-8 Grade Mass Servers
All students in grades 6-8 attended mass server training this week. It is Father's desire for all students in grades 6-8 to be trained and serve at daily mass. If you would like your 6-8 student to remain off the server rotation list please email Principal Diller (vdiller@stlouisacademy.org) with a brief reason why you don't want your child to serve. These will be provided to Father and he may ask for more information or to meet with you to better understand your request.
This has repeatedly been an area of discussion at School Board meetings with parents holding varying opinions on the matter. We welcome all opportunities to be thought partners with you to help all students understand their important responsibility in serving the Church through altar serving, lectoring and singing in the choir.
All parents and staff are encourage to attend the Tweens, Teens & Screens Events!
Register here: https://diocesefwsb.org/screens/
From the Athletics Meeting 04/23/24
Click the image below to view the SLA Athletic Handbook
π Upcoming Events
MAY CALENDAR CHANGES- SCHEDULED ELEARNING
Tuesday, May 7 is election day. Our school gym will be a voting site. With so many visitors on campus and in our primary building, we have decided that our safest option for school is to have a SCHEDULED ELEARNING DAY. Please watch for additional information coming home in preparation for this day towards the end of April.
APRIL
25- Reports of Progress communicated with parents
29- 24/25 7 and 8 grade parents Class Trip Mtg
MAY
1-3- ARK assessment window (Grades 2-8)
3- May Crowning Mass
6- SLA School Board Meeting, 6:30-8PM
7- eLearning Day; Election in the School Gym
14-17- Spring NWEA Benchmark Assessment
13-June 28- Summer IREAD Retake Window
20- Field Day
22- 8th Grade Graduation, 6PM
23- Last Day of School, 12:30 Dismissal- HASA Picnic Lunch for families at 11:30!
Next Scheduled eLearning Day, 05/07/24
If your child will need to borrow a Chromebook, please complete the form and return it no later than FRIDAY, May 3. Please reach out to Mrs. Diller if you have any questions.
Consider Lending Your Voice for School Choice Expansions!
The Institute for Quality Education and My School Options are headed back to the Statehouse next week to push for a new expansion to school choice! The expansion this year will grow the ESA program beyond the special needs requirement, implement rolling enrollment, and add new qualified expenses for families. These changes will add increased flexibility for families and will allow schools to offer their services to new students.
We need as much help as we can get to pass this expansion. We are only getting a couple months to pass this into law and keeping school choice in a constant state of expansion is crucial as we aim for universal school choice in 2025.
Please help by sharing our ESA Coalition call info, passing along our Action Alert emails, and sharing our Legislative Update calls that will start up this month. Getting this expansion passed just takes consistent small actions for a couple months to show the larger support school choice has in Indiana.
Sincerely,
Ely
ESA Coalition Call
Tuesday, January 9th
7:00pm EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85602725086?pwd=bkFxQzU2dEFZcTRtaWhYMHVMWmlWdz09
π April Lunch Menu
π May Lunch Menu
π‘ Courtesy Reminders
Phone-Free Campus
Just a reminder that students are not to bring any phones on campus during the school day this year. Phones will be confiscated by Mrs. Diller if found on campus and kept until the parent and student can coordinate a time with Mrs. Diller to view the Screenagers video. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out directly to Mrs. Diller at vdiller@stlouisacademy.org.
Drop Off
Students are not to be dropped off until 7:35. There is no supervision for them as teachers have other responsibilities between 7:20 and 7:35. Please help us prepare for the best day by waiting to drop off your children until 7:35.
If you are running late, we get it- it happens to all of us sometimes! If you are dropping off later than 7:50, please check in with Miss Angie with your child at the main building. Teachers have typically already done attendance and lunch count before heading to mass. We want to ensure all students are accounted for, and communication is made to the cafeteria for all students to get lunch.
Thank you for your support and your diligence in following these procedures.
Crosswinds Returns to SLA!
Are they Shoes or Slippers?
With the cold weather and the return from Christmas Break, some students are displaying some unique "shoes" that can also be categorized as "slippers". All acceptable shoes should have tread on the bottom and appropriate for outdoor wear. These remain the parameters for shoes as outlined in the handbook provided at the beginning of the year:
Shoes (for girls):
Flat heeled, leather, tie, loafer, and gym/tennis shoes are acceptable. Heel height of girlsβ shoes should be no more than one (1) inch high. [To check heel height, set the shoe on a flat surface and measure the heel from the surface to the heel of the shoe. If it is higher than one inch, save it for wearing out of school.] Separate gym shoes are to be kept at school for students in Grades 3-8, and used only in gym classes. These styles are examples of those not permitted: High heeled or pump styles; sandals; backless shoes; clogs; jellies; flip-flops; water shoes. Shoes with eyelets must have laces and must be tied.
Shoes (for boys):
Flat heeled, leather, tie, loafer style, gym/tennis shoes. Separate gym shoes are to be kept at school for students in Grades 3-8 and only used for gym classes. These styles are examples of those not permitted: Cowboy boots, sandals, clogs, flip-flops, water shoes, backless shoes and Teva sandals. Shoes with eyelets must have laces and must be tied. Shoes with straps must have the strap correctly fastened.
Socks for both boys and girls:
Socks must be worn at all times, even on βdress downβ days. Solid color socks of white or black may be worn. Socks must be easily visible. Knee-highs or opaque tights may be worn in white or navy blue. These are not permitted: Socks with lace, bows, decorations or trim, footies, socks with logos.
For Girls:
Leggings must be worn during the school day with jumpers or skirts between November 1 and April 1. Leggings are to be plain in color β red, white, navy blue, and black.
Early Pick Up/Late Drop Off Procedure
Please note our streamlined procedure to ensure student safety and supervision.
If a student is being sent home due to illness:
- Miss Angie receives word from the classroom teacher that a child is ill. Miss Angie makes the call home and arranges for the parent to come and pick up. Angie then communicates with the teacher that a parent is on her way. At that time, the teacher gets the student packed up and arranges for supervision to walk the student over to the main building. The student is signed out by the parent at the main building.
If a student is leaving early due to an appointment (other):
- The teacher remains focused on teaching as usual until Angie calls for the student to begin getting packed up and sent over to the main building. It is important that any early dismissal for appointment etc is communicated with Miss Angie at the front desk. At that time, the teacher gets the student packed up and arranges for supervision to walk the student over to the main building. The student is signed out by the parent at the main building.
**ALL STUDENTS WILL BE PICKED UP AT THE MAIN BUILDING ONLY FOR EARLY DISMISSAL!
If a student is coming to school late (anytime after 7:50):
- The teacher remains focused on teaching as usual. The parent signs the student into school at the main building. Then, Miss Angie requests supervision to escort the student to the primary building.
**ALL STUDENTS WILL BE DROPPED OFF AT THE MAIN BUILDING ONLY FOR LATE ARRIVALS!
βοΈ Parent Resources
Parenting in the Screen Age book preview: https://www.screenagersmovie.com/book-preview
Mental Health Resources (on our website) for social media and substance use. If you have additional resources on this topic please send them to Mrs. Diller to look at and add to this resource page.
LEARN After Care Enrollment Links
SLA Library Resources: Just a reminder that the SLA Library is totally transparent and can be viewed online at:
https://www.libib.com/u/slalibraryPlease do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Fenker (library@stlouisacademy.org) with any questions or concerns. Parent input is welcomed and valued!
Website to Help Protect Youth Online
This is a great website for parents to visit to get information on how to protect kids online. It has topics that include cyberbullying, computer security, mobile phones, video games, chatting online, social media, etc.
https://consumer.ftc.gov/identity-theft-and-online-security/protecting-kids-online
Principal Vanessa Diller
Phone: (419) 203-1081
Email: vdiller@stlouisacademy.org
Website: www.stlouisacademy.org
If someone you know is considering St. Louis Academy, please encourage them to reach out to me for a personal tour either during or after school hours. Thank you!