The Defender
October 21, 2022
Important Upcoming Dates
- October 24th NO SCHOOL
- October 27th Picture Makeup Day
- October 31st Halloween - Fall Parties 2:45 PM
- November 7th NO SCHOOL (Professional Development)
A Message from Mrs. Tate
The positive energy shared by students, parents, and teachers was palpable in the building this week. From 2nd grade Pumpkinology to 3rd grade Presidential pumpkins, it was so fun to celebrate fall through an academic lens. We loved having so many wonderful parent volunteers share in the fun!
Thank you for supporting our students and teachers by attending parent-teacher conferences! We appreciate the opportunity to share student progress and partner with parents for the success of their children. Thank you to our VSL for providing a delicious lunch for our staff during conferences. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity! Our VSL team is amazing and spoils us rotten. Bless you all!
Fr. Brian’s homily on Wednesday highlighted the ways we are stewards in our lives, and the kids gave beautiful answers to his questions about how they can be stewards in their lives…doing their chores, giving their best efforts in school, proclaiming the Gospel, and using their God-given gifts for good. May your long weekend provide time for your family to enjoy each other, the fall season, and the gifts of our Creator.
“As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Diana Tate
Catholic Identifying Characteristics in Our School
SMA Catholic School wants feedback from our parent community regarding our Catholic Identifying Characteristics! Parish members and school parents can go to www.smore.com/em8hx to fill out a survey regarding our Catholic Identity Defining Characteristics. The survey will be open until Monday, October 31 at 8:00 a.m. Thank you!
Picture Retakes are Thursday, October 27, 2022
Health Care Resort of Leawood invites you to Trick or Treat October 26th 7-8 PM
SMA Social needs your photos
As we get further into the school year and begin to have projects and parties at school, snap some pictures and send to VSL so we can post on Facebook and Instagram. We would love to feature more of our kids smiling faces to help tell our SMA story!
CYO Basketball Registration
CYO online registration is open! St. Michael will have teams for 3rd grade through 8th grade girls and boys. To register, go to www.cyojwa.org. Please register by Saturday, October 29. For more information about tryouts, go to stmichaelcp.org/cyo.
Tryouts will be held the week of October 31. Practices will start the week of November 8 and games will start the first weekend in December.
If you are interested in coaching a team, please send an email to Scott Hardgree at shardgree@hotmail.com.
CYO Help Needed
Living the Liturgical Calendar in Your Home
Don't forget the Feast of John Paul 2 on October 22. How will you celebrate with your family?
Looking ahead, the next major feast and Holy Day is the Feast of All Saints Day on November 1.
Historically, Catholics begin preparing for All Saints Day on the Eve of All Saints Day, which is All Hallows’ Eve, which is what “Halloween” is derived from. “Hallow,” meaning “holy,” and “ween,” which means “evening.”
Easy: All Saints Day is celebrated on November 1, it is a Holy Day of Obligation, so don't forget to attend Mass!
Quick: Decorate your home with reminders of the Saints. Print out coloring pages of your favorite saints and have the kids color.
Make Saint themed snacks or foods...Korean noodles for St. Andrew Kim, lasagna for St. Padre Pio or Enchiladas for St. Jose Sanchez del Rio; "Viva Cristo Rey!"
Google your favorite Saint along with “food ideas to celebrate.” This is your chance to celebrate a Saint we may have missed or who is special to your family.
Super Fun: Have your children dress as their favorite Saint. There may be some push back, but there are all kinds of saints! She wants to be a princess? Elizabeth and Margaret. How about a soldier? Tell them about the Crusaders or St. George. An animal? Find a friend who wants to be St. Francis of Assisi and go together.
Once you have your costume, plan to attend the All-Saints Celebration on Halloween at SMA from 6:30-8:30 p.m. We will have candy, games and fun!
Who better for children to dress up as than REAL heroes who actually existed -- the Saints?!
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
Dennis Uniform
SMA School Activities
Parish Activities
Red Bag - bring joy to a child this Christmas!
For those interested in “adopting” a child for Christmas this year, sign ups are available here.
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
Trunk or Treat Volunteers Needed
To ensure a successful and safe Trunk or Treat, we need parent volunteers to direct traffic and assist with parking. Please arrive at 4:15 p.m. on Friday, October 28. Learn more and sign up to help have a great Trunk or Treat 2022!