The Messenger
A Publication of St. Gabriel the Archangel School 11/3/2021
Dear Fabulous Families -
- Thank you to everyone who came out and supported St. Gabriel at the JJ Twig's dine out night. We greatly appreciate your support!
- Thank you to everyone who supported our virtual book fair!
- Operation Sunscreen is in full swing. Please see the information below on how to support our troops.
- Thanks to everyone who wrote sweet messages on the leaves for us! You all are unbe"leaf"ably awesome!
Peace and Joy -
Tonya McEnery
Principal
St. Gabriel the Archangel
Dan Winkeler
Assistant Principal
St. Gabriel the Archangel
covid-19 Vaccine Information
Yesterday, the CDC expanded it’s Covid vaccine recommendations to children ages 5-11 years old. The Pfizer vaccine has been given emergency use authorization and providers may begin vaccinating as soon as possible.
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect children ages 5 years and older from getting COVID-19.
Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccination and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected.
Vaccination can also help keep children from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19.
Vaccinating children ages 5 years and older can help keep them in school and help them safely participate in sports, playdates, and other group activities.
Help protect your whole family and slow the spread of COVID-19 in your community by getting yourself and your children ages 5 years and older vaccinated against COVID-19.
Vaccination appointments for 5-11 year olds are currently available at select Walgreens and CVS locations. More options to obtain the vaccine are anticipated through our local health systems and departments of health in the near future.
Press release by St. Louis City Department of Health
Christmas Poinsettia and Urban Candle Fundraisers
This year there are two exciting Christmas fundraisers to support the 8th grade class; the annual poinsettia sale as well as a special Urban candle sale!
Order forms were sent home today in the yellow envelopes. Images of the order forms are shown below.
Operation Sunscreen - Donations Accepted this Week
Operation Sunscreen is a non for profit organization that was founded years ago by Karen Irwin, the wife of a Retired Missouri Guard General, General David Irwin. Karen started this organization once she became a general's wife and began to interact with the wives and families of deployed soldiers. She listened to their concerns and needs and found that one of their greatest disappointments was to think of their loved ones away during the holidays. She then worked with the Missouri Guard and enlisted their support in sending care packages from the Missouri Community so the troops would have a touch of Christmas delivered to them. She asked what was most needed overseas and found that having simple things like sunscreen, mints, gum, chapstick, or knapsack treats are what they crave the most. So, our organization does just that.
St. Gabriel was asked to donate granola bars, cheese crackers, and candy for the Christmas care packages. We will collect from Tuesday, November 2nd, until Friday, November 5. This is a great way to get rid of extra Halloween candy.
Lunch at St. Gabriel
Below is the link for the lunch order for November 15th-December 10th Orders are due by Monday, November 8th.
Payments should be by check (or cash) made out to Chris' Pancake and turned in to school in a marked envelope by Thursday, November 11th. If you have any questions regarding lunch orders, please feel free to contact us at stgablunch@gmail.com . If you do not receive your confirmation email after you placed your order, please check your SPAM folder. Also be sure to add "google forms" to your safe senders list.
If you haven't used your credits from last month please do so this month. It is your responsibility to keep track of your child's credits.
Suppliers have had a difficult time keeping items in stock this year. We will do our best to keep the menu items the same, but substitutions may have to happen from time to time. You may want to prepare your children just in case this may occur in the future.
Lunch Menu - November 15th-December 10th
Week 1 - Mon - Pretzels; Tues - Mac N Cheese; Wed Pepperoni Pizza; Thur - Chicken Tenders; Fri - Hamburger or Cheeseburger
Week 2 - Mon - Chicken or Cheese Quesadilla; Tues - Hot Dog w/ Fries; Wed - Fri - No School
Week 3 - Mon -Bosco; Tues - Tacos; Wed - Cheese Pizza; Thur - Toasted Ravioli; Fri - Chicken Sandwich
Week 4- Mon -Mac N Cheese; Tues - Chicken Tenders; Wed - No School; Thur - Pretzels; Fri - Hamburger or Cheeseburger
Attached is a lunch calendar for you to print out for your convenience. It is just for home use and is not to be brought back to school or used as an ordering form. Please use the link above for ordering
High school conversation summary
When our students graduate from St. Gabriel, they are well prepared for their high schools academically. Many schools reported how well our current high school students are doing.
Schools suggested that one area of improvement would be student executive functioning skills, especially organization. With the newness of high school, lockers, larger campus, etc. schools want to make sure students are organized for their day.
Schools are understanding of Standards-based report cards. They recognize the impact standards-based report cards have on merit based scholarships and have figured out a way to accommodate the report card so your student does not miss out on the opportunity to receive a scholarship. For any questions, admissions directors encourage you to reach out to them directly for clarification.
Schools will administer some form of a placement test for incoming freshmen before they graduate from St. Gabriel (typically late February through May).
We are looking to add an Algebra component to our course offerings for the 2022-2023 school year. We are actively working with the middle school teachers and the textbook company to determine implementation and identification of students for next school year.
As we look at adding an Algebra class, high schools want to communicate that taking an Algebra class in middle school is not an automatic exemption from Freshman Algebra at their school.
Students will still need to perform on their placement test accordingly in math.
Schools are also requiring students to test out of Algebra I. Families will need to speak to the admissions representative for more information on testing out.
What we are doing is working well for our students and their success overall. Many of our students are testing into honors/advanced classes, taking AP classes/tests, or even taking college classes through local colleges/universities.
Auction Volunteers Needed - Get Involved!
Please contact Mary Luzecky (mary.luzecky@gmail.com) or Katie Irwin (katie.irwin2010@gmail.com) if you have any questions or would like to help but are unable to attend the meeting.
Dear Parents,
Next week on Thursday, we will celebrate a Veteran's Day Mass. All family members that are Veteran's are welcome to join us.
In November, we focus and learn about the Catholic Social Teaching of:
Dignity and Rights of Workers
We are called to protect the basic rights of all workers: the right to engage in productive work, fair wages, private property, and the right to organize, join unions, and pursue economic opportunity.
Please pray for Pope Francis' intention for November:
We pray that people who suffer from depression and burn-out will find support and a light that opens them up to life.
Please keep our 2nd graders and their families in your prayers as the 2nd graders prepare to receive God's forgiveness and healing mercy in the sacrament of Reconciliation.
Act of Contrition
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You, whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen.
Important Dates for Sacraments:
First Reconciliation- Thursday, November 11th at 7:00 pm
First Communion Parent Meeting- Thursday, April 7th, at 6:30 pm in church
First Communion- Sunday, May 1st
Confirmation:
Wednesday, November 10- Confirmation Rite of Enrollment at 8:00 am Mass
Tuesday, April 26- Confirmation Day of Prayer
Thursday, April 28- Confirmation at 7:00 pm Mass at SGA
We continue to celebrate our Thursday, All School Masses, on the school parking lot. It is our hope to hold our all school Masses outside as the weather permits so that we can gather in a safe way.
For our level Masses on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we have changed from rotating two grade levels at a time to having one grade level attending at a time so students can be safely distanced. The grade level of the homeroom that is planning will be in attendance at the Mass. The schedule below is updated to reflect this new change. Parents are always welcome to join us for Mass.
Mass Days:
November
Thursday, 11/4 6B
Tuesday, 11/9 1K
Wednesday, 11/10 8S Rite of Enrollment for Confirmation
Thursday, 11/11 5A Veterans' Day Mass -We will pray for and acknowledge Veterans that are present.
Tuesday, 11/16 3P
Wednesday, 11/17 6J
Thursday, 11/18 4S
Tuesday, 11/23 All School Mass Joan House
Tuesday, 11/30 4P
Peace and blessings!
Deborah DaLay
Coordinator of Religious Education
Learn More About Black Catholic History Month
On the Road to Sainthood: https://www.usccb.org/committees/african-american-affairs/road-sainthood-leaders-african-descent
Timeline of Black Catholic History: https://nbccongress.org/black-catholic-history-timeline/
Short Video: Black Faith Matters https://youtu.be/XAmzyXxcKeg
Halloween Parade for K-2 Students
Year at a Glance
November 10- Confirmation Rite of Enrollment for 8th Grade at 8:00 am Mass
November 11- First Reconciliation for 2nd grade at 7:00 pm
November 12- School Picture Make-Up Day in the morning
Teacher Planning and Collaboration - NOON DISMISSAL
1st Trimester Ends
November 24- NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Break
November 25- NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Break
November 26- NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Break
December 8- Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Holy Day - NO SCHOOL
December 15- Vocal Concert 7pm
December 16- Band Concert 7pm
December 20- January 2- NO SCHOOL- Christmas Break
January 3- School Resumes
January 14- Teacher Planning and Collaboration - NOON DISMISSAL
January 17- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
January 30-February 5 - Catholic Schools Week
January 30- Catholic Schools Week - Prospective Student Open House
January 31- Catholic Schools Week - Writing Celebrations, 7:30 am - 8:30 am
February 4- Catholic Schools Week- NOON DISMISSAL
February 14- Valentine's Day- Valentine Parties @ 2:05
February 18- Teacher Planning and Collaboration - NOON DISMISSAL
February 21- Presidents' Day- NO SCHOOL
February 25- End of 2nd Trimester
March 5 - Auction
March 13- March 19- NO SCHOOL- Spring Break
March 30 - Student-led Conferences
April 7- First Communion Parent Meeting at 6:30 pm in church
April 14- Holy Thursday- NO SCHOOL
April 15- Good Friday- NO SCHOOL
April 18- Easter Monday- NO SCHOOL
April 28- 8th Grade Confirmation 7pm
May 1- First Communion- 2nd Grade
May 7- 8th Grade Follies 7pm
May 10- Vocal Concert 7pm
May 11- Band Concert 7pm
May 13- Field Day- NOON DISMISSAL
May 20- 7th Grade Leadership Day and 8th Grade Mystery Day
May 24- 8th Grade Graduation 6:30pm
May 27- Last day of school- NOON DISMISSAL
Calling All ADULTS of the Parish
Calling All High School Teens of the Parish
You are invited to SGYG Nights! These occur on Wednesday evening from 7-9pm in Gabriel House. Feel free to bring a friend (they don't have to belong to St. Gabriel Parish) and see what SGYG is all about!
(Masks are required.)
*On Wednesday, Dec. 8th SGYG will be attending the evening Mass to celebrate the Immaculate Conception. Any high school teens interested in helping with the Mass as servers, readers, cantors, choir members, etc. should contact Sarah by Nov. 12th.