The Defender
October 7, 2022
Important Upcoming Dates
- October 10, 2022 Vision and Hearing Screenings
- 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
We have had a wonderful week at St. Michael the Archangel! This morning at our all-school Mass, we recognized our first group of Christ’s Light Awards. Etched in stone on the front of our school are the Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance. Prudence or correct judgment is our ability to use our minds and will to make right choices. Justice recognizes the rights of other people. Justice involves respect and responsibility. Fortitude is moral courage. Moral courage helps us do what is right. Temperance is self-control. This can be accomplished when students are honest, respectful, and grateful. Thank you to the students pictured below for displaying attitudes and actions which are in keeping with these important virtues.
This afternoon, our 8th grade students led our school in a beautiful all-school rosary. Fr. Luke discussed the importance of this powerful prayer during his homily this morning, so it was extra special to be able to pray this powerful prayer as a school. Because our students are so respectful and reverent, it made our first rosary that much more special.
I pray for our SMA community every day. Lord, watch over our SMA community. Be our source of strength. Let your peace fill our hearts. Let our trust be rooted in you. We glorify you always because your will is perfect in our lives. Amen.
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.
Message from the office
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
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
VSL Information
Special Defender’s gear ordering opportunity
The DFNDRS hat in navy or white available for purchase. Order yours and show your school spirit. Looking for a lady’s shirt? Lady Defender Spirit Shirts are available for order through October 15.
Living the Liturgical Calendar in Your Home
St. Teresa of Avila was a Spanish nun and member of the Carmelite order. She was the first female Doctor of the Church. Her feast is October 15.
Quick: Watch this video with your family and learn more about this important saint.
Easy: St. Teresa was a prolific writer. Her books are widely available and worth a read. Grab one of these from your favorite bookstore and stash in the car for those times when you are waiting for kids.
There are lots of great quotes from St. Teresa that will resonate today. Read a few with your kids and help them chose one to carry with them and think about this week.
Super Fun: St. Teresa wrote a book called “The Interior Castle,” and in it she described our path to holiness through a series of rooms in our soul. Our journey through the rooms brings us closer to Christ. Learn more on the Interior Castle for adults and big kids.
Kids of all ages should contemplate the Interior Castle while building a fort or castle. Choose materials that suit you from Legos to couch pillows. Go old school with Lincoln logs or tech with Minecraft. The important bit is to reflect on how you and your family can best build a life with Christ.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
Dennis Uniform
SMA School Activities
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