Weekend ... Virtual Backpack
St. Gabriel School ............. February 15, 2016
Developing our God-given souls, minds, talents and gifts .......................................... as servant leaders .......................................... in the community of the Body of Christ.
That's the St. Gabriel Advantage ...
WEEKLY LITURGICAL READINGS AND REFLECTIONS
First Sunday of Lent
Sacred Scripture ROM 10: 8 - 9
“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we preach), for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Message of Mercy
Why Must We Return to God?
The exhortation which the Lord addresses to us through the prophet Joel is strong and clear: “Return to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12). Why must we return to God? Because something is not right in us, not right in society, in the Church, and we need to change, to give it a new direction. And this is called needing to convert!
Once again Lent comes to make its prophetic appeal, to remind us that it is possible to create something new within ourselves and around us, simply because God is faithful, always faithful, for he cannot deny himself, he continues to be rich in goodness and mercy, and he is always ready to forgive and start afresh. With this filial confidence, let us set out on the journey!
Reflection
What's not right with you at the moment?
This message of mercy and reflection material is generously provided by Our Sunday Visitor, publisher of A Year of Mercy With Pope Francis: Daily Reflections.
7 Corporal & Spiritual Works of Mercy & 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
Dear Parents,
We hope you have all received the special small posters your children brought home last week of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching, Throughout this Lenten time of focus on prayer, fasting, and giving, we will be integrating these in our daily school life and learning in meaningful ways. Reminder:
- Please have your children hang or place them in a special place in their rooms or other special place in your home.
- In response to Pope Francis' call, St. Gabriel will be celebrating the Jubilee Year of Mercy in a special way through understanding and living these works of mercy and themes of social teaching.
- Pope Francis explains, "There is an important relationship between justice and mercy. Encase mercy with justice. There are not two contradictory realities, but two dimensions of a single reality that unfolds progressively until it culminates in the fullness of love."
- It is the goal of St. Gabriel School to more deeply instill these virtues of compassion and equality throughout the school year, not just this Lent, but into next fall. Each month our school will be focusing on one or more Corporal and Spiritual works of Mercy, and one of more of the Catholic Social Teachings.
STANDARDIZED TESTING continues second week, February 16--19
- We will are continuing our standardized testing of Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) in all grades, 1-8, and Cognitive Abilities Tests (CogAT) in grades 3, 5, and 7.
- The bulk of the testing will be completed this week. Next week, in the third week, mostly make-up testing will be done for those absent or missing any of the beginning days.
- Testing is taking place in the first 2 morning hours of school. Teachers and staff have been getting all in place for preparations for the tests so our students will have as optimum an experience as possible.
- You can help your children as always by having them rested and having good nutrition before they leave to come to school. If your child is ill please do not let them come to school. We have a few days at the end of the testing for makeups for illness absences.
NOTE: You can check out the Standardized Testing tab on the school website www.st-gabrielscool.org to get more information about these tests.
Enrollment Forms/Fees Due March 1st!
Puxatony Phil saw his shadow and you know what that means... only 2 more weeks till the 2016.17 enrollment form/fees deadline of March 1st.
Please return your 2016.17 enrollment forms/fees to the School Office by March 1st. If you have NOT received your packet please contact the School Office.
Additionally 2016-17 PSAS forms are now available on-line on the school website.
If you have any questions, please let the Office know!
Thank you!
February 15, 2016 through February 21, 2016
- Cognitive Abilities Testing (CogATs) - Gr. 3, 5, 7
- Iowa Test of Basic Skillts (TBS) - Gr. 1-8
February 16
- Brownie Mtg. (Malinas) Church Basement (MR1) 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Daisy Mtg. (Bender) Church Basement 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
- Grizzly Academy 2:40 pm - 4:00 pm
February 17
- ALL School Mass in the Church 8:05 am
- Grizzly Academy 2:40 pm - 4:00 pm
- Grizzly Growler (Press Club) 2:45 pm - 4:00 pm
- Math Club Grade 6-8 (Rescheduled from 2/10) 2:45 pm - 3:30 pm
- Student Council Meeting 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm
- Chess Club 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
- Student Council Mtg. (ALL) 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
- Power of the Pen - CANCELLED
February 18
- Daisy Mtg. (Coode) MPR 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
- Grizzly Academy 2:40 pm - 4:00 pm
- Play practice 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Regional Spelling B at Auburn Career Center
- Art Club 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm
February 19
- St. Gabriel Community Fish Fry 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm, PC & MPR
February 21
- Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for 8th Grade Class Trip (MPR) 7:30 am - 2:00 pm
Looking Ahead ...
February 23 -- Principal Parent Circle, 5:00--6:30pm, GLDen
February 24
- 8:05am All School Mass
February 26 -- St. Gabriel Community Fish Fry 5:00--7:30pm, PC & MPR
February 27 -- Learning Loft Reverse Raffle Fundraiser
March 2
- 8:05am All School Mass
March 4 -- St. Gabriel Community Fish Fry 5:00--7:30pm, PC & MPR
March 9
- 8:05am All School Mas
March 11 -- St. Gabriel Community Fish Fry 5:00--7:30pm, PC & MPR
March 12 -- St. Gabriel BOK Food Fast
March 16
- 8:05am All School Mass
March 18 -- St. Gabriel Community Fish Fry 5:00--7:30pm, PC & MPR
March 23
- 8:05am All School Mass
- 1:15pm Living Stations
March 24--April 1 -- Easter Break NO SCHOOL
April 4 -- Classes Resume
April 6
- 8:05am All School Mass
April 9 -- District Power of the Pen Regional Competition
April 13
- 8:05am All School Mass
Aprl 14 -- PTU Spring Fling, Moms Night Out
- Location off campus, TBA
- Vendor items
April 15 and 16
- Performing Arts Group "Cinderella"
- 7:00pm
- Pahler Center
April 16
- Gr 2 First Eucharist Retreat
- 9:00am
April 17
- Performing Arts Group "Cinderella"
- 3:00pm
- Pahler Center
May 2 & 3
- Kindergarten Screening
May 9
- 8:15am May Crowning
May 11
- 6":30pm 8th Grade "Academy Award Night"
May 16
- 7:00pm Grades 4-5 Music Program
May 26
- Young Authors, Young Artists Night
- 6:30-8:00pm
8th Grade Pancake Breakfast
All proceeds go to support St. Gabriel’s 8th grade class trip
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Serving breakfast from 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
St. Gabriel School Multi-Purpose Room
Adults: $7
Children (10 & under): $5
Serving pancakes, sausage, cinnamon apples and beverages.
Pancakes are all-you-can-eat!
PLUS! 50/50 Raffle, Chinese Auction, and Bake Sale
Can’t attend the breakfast? No problem! Stop by and pick up a cup of coffee and some bake sale items to go.
Tickets are available at the door and after masses starting January 30.
For more information, please contact Lisa Petersen at: lisampetersen21@gmail.com
BRIGHT SPOTS
St. Gabriel Building and Grade Level 2015 Diocesan Performance Percentile Scores
POWER OF THE PEN UPDATE
For the next tournament in the region, Sophia will be competing along with a few other of our jr hi Power of the Pen team students. We will keep you posted about when that will happen and who will be attending.
Great thanks to Ms. Liz Moore and Mrs. Beth Paskey for their many hours of great coaching and guidance to the students!
Catholic Schools Week Projects across grades ... stay tuned
Grade 4 Catholic Schools Week Project
They collected food and money for the St. Gabriel Food Bank and they collected hats, scarves, gloves, and socks to donate to Little Annie's Hope Train, a local non-profit that works with the needy and homeless in Lake and Cuyahoga County. Here are their final totals for the week:
66 Cans and $68 for the St. Gabriel Food Bank
(This equals 338 cans for the food bank!)
28 hats
11 scarves
18 pairs of gloves
6 pairs of socks
WALKATHON is coming ...... Full STEAM ahead!
Snow Day reminders
"THE SNOW DAY 3"
- Students are expected to do work that was already assigned or regularly expected for the day that became a snow day(s). if a quiz or test was scheduled, it will be taken on the first day back after the snow day(s).
- No new instruction or new work or new assignments will be given. As with homework normally, if students have questions or problems, they can ask the teachers when they get back to school.
- Teachers will post on their web pages by noon on each snow day, any news, information, instructions or changes students and/or parents need to know about classwork, homework, or other assignments or events. Students and parents must check teacher web pages each snow day.
St. Gabriel School on Twitter
2) Donna Lee Saladino @PrincipalStGabe
If you have any questions about our school Twitter accounts, or need help setting up one for yourself to be able to access and follow our Twitter accounts, contact Mrs. Joyce Gravagna, our school Technology Integration Coordinator: joyce.gravagna@st-gabrielschool.org
Parish
Please make special places in your hearts and prayers for all persons in our St. Gabriel Community:
For the Gromack family, for prayers of comfort in the loss of Mrs. Gromack's brother, uncle to students Ava and Gianna.
For Mrs. Mann and her children, for prayers of comfort in the loss of Mrs. Mann's mother and the children's grandmother.
For comfort and healing to the Bill Koenig and Keith Koenig families with the loss of their grandparent/great grandparent.
Please keep in your prayers, general intercessions for all in our community, especially all of our students who have suffered losses of loves ones over the last few years. And I know there are many needing both big and little prayers here and there, for many reasons. I was once read an anonymous quote:
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
A very special expression of appreciation and thanks to our wonderful school parent Sunshine Committee who strives to lead reach out efforts of love and support and help for those in our community in suffering!
Submitting School News, Memos, and Information
If you wish to have something included in the Weekend Virtual Back (VB) or the Weekday News and Notes, or any of our shorter email memos, please contact our Communications Coordinator, Michelle Clarke, at michelle.clarke@st-gabrielschool.org. All items must be approved by the principal and follow our policies. Thank you!!
NOTE: Also, if there are technical obstacles or difficulties in preventing you from accessing a linked item, or getting the correct information, please let Mrs. Clarke know, and she will get you the document or item or information you need!
St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School
Email: donnalee.saladino@st-gabrielschool.org
Website: www.st-gabrielschool.org
Location: 9935 Johnnycake Ridge Road, Concord Twp, Ohio 44060
Phone: 440-352-6169
Twitter: @stgabrielschoo1