St. Gabriel Newsletter
10.18.2023
St. Gabriel Newsletter
October 18, 2023
SMCS Mission
Preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives, rooted in the teachings of Christ and our Catholic tradition.
Greetings from the Principal
Dear St. Gabriel Families,
We continue to celebrate Respect Life Month. Last week, we prayed each morning for all the beautiful lives we encounter each day. This week, the students are making cards which will be delivered to new mothers. Next week, we will be collecting diapers and wipes for newborn babies. Thank you for any contributions you are able to provide!
We are looking forward to seeing all of you at conferences this week! This is such a great opportunity for parents/guardians and teachers to discuss academic progress, social development, and overall performance in school.
We are excited to be hosting Trunk N Treat on Thursday, October 26th! Please join us for this exciting Halloween celebration! Please see the flyer below for more information.
Have a blessed week,
Jennifer Giombetti
Associate Principal ~ St. Gabriel
Servant Sunday!
Calling all 4th graders!!! We are so excited to announce this new collaboration between our school and parish. Each month, a different grade will be encouraged to not only attend, but also take part in the 10:00 Sunday Mass. Our November Servant Sunday is taking place on November 12th. There will also be a social to follow. Please plan on joining us for this special day!
***4th Graders ONLY-Please click HERE if you would like a special Mass part on November 12th!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher conferences are just around the corner. They will take place on Thursday, October 19 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Friday, October 20 from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. All conference sign up links have been closed. If you still need to schedule a conference, please do so directly with your classroom teacher. We are looking forward to seeing everyone this week!
Classroom Spotlight!
Kindergarten!
We are so blessed to have 17 beautiful kindergartners at St. Gabriel! Our classroom teacher, Mrs. Slavinsky, is joined by our teacher aides, Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Nackers. Kindergarten has been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. They have heard stories, listened to music, and learned about the celebration of El Dia de Los Muertos. Our kindergartners are classroom buddies with our 5th grade leaders. This past week, the two classes gathered to learn how to dance the Samba and the Cha-Cha!
Picture Day
Picture Day will be on Tuesday, October 24th! Your child may be out of dress code for Picture Day! Smile!!
Halloween
On October 31st, students may wear Halloween colors to school. We will not be wearing Halloween costumes during the school day. Halloween costumes may be worn to our Trunk N Treat event planned for Thursday, October 26th. We hope everyone can join us!
Please RSVP HERE if you plan to join us so we can plan for food. Thank you!
Fire Safety Month
The Neenah Fire Department gave an amazing fire safety presentation to our first-third graders. These students were encouraged to complete a fire safety booklet at home with their families. Two winners were drawn from the completed booklets. Leo Schmitt (2nd grade) and Katharine Reitz (1st grade) will have breakfast at the fire station this Thursday and receive a ride to school on a fire truck! Thank you to all the students who completed their booklets!
Speech Services Update
Students who need speech and language services receive them through the Neenah Joint School District (NJSD). Ms. Laura Mason, NJSD speech language pathologist (SLP), provides virtual speech services for our students in grades 2-5. NJSD has just this week been able to hire a retired SLP who will serve as a long-term sub to provide services for our students in grades 4K-1. Speech services for students who already have a speech plan will begin soon and they will process referrals and complete evaluations for students who do not yet have a speech plan.
Teacher Wish List
If you would like to support your child's classroom and teacher, please check out how you can donate to our teacher wish lists. Use the link below:
After School Care
Our students have usually worked up an appetite by the time our school day is over. If your child is attending after school care, please feel welcome to send a snack for them.
Also, please remember that any child attending after school care needs to be signed up ahead of time. Space is limited to 40 students each day. Thank you!
Private Tutoring
If you are interested in private tutoring for your child, please see the attached flyer.
Lunchroom Volunteer Incentive
Come and volunteer in our lunchroom! You can earn an out of dress code pass for the student of your choosing after you volunteer three times in the cafeteria! Please call the school office if you would like to volunteer!
PTO NEWS
DINNER FOR THE TEACHERS!
Conferences are this Thursday evening and Friday morning. We are doing a sandwich bar for our teachers! Please have anything you sign up for dropped off in the office by 2:00 so I have time to set it up before their sessions start. If there’s anything else tasty you’d like to add, feel free to bring it along! Thank you so much for helping! Don't hesitate to text me with any questions, 920-740-1669. If you would still like to contribute, please use this link
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FADAB2EA6FA7-45266161-teacher#/
Let's fuel our teachers for the start of the school year! There are two opportunities to help.
Stock the teacher's lounge: An Amazon wish list has been created with our teacher's favorite treats! https://a.co/etllV7E You can either order directly from Amazon and everything will be delivered directly to the school, or purchase them locally and drop them off yourself. Either way is greatly appreciated. The list will be kept up to date so check back throughout the year as well.
Lunchroom Volunteers - Volunteers are always welcome to come and help with lunchroom and recess duties. Lunch times run from 11:40-12:40 with students split between the playground and lunchroom. If you would like to volunteer and have completed all VIRTUS and background check requirements, please don't hesitate to come in and help.
Happy Birthday!
We will celebrate birthdays and half birthdays (for students with summer birthdays). Your child may be out of dress code on their birthday!
St. Gabriel Parish News
Please click on the calendar to view upcoming events at St. Gabriel Parish!
St. Gabriel Parish Mom's Group
Looking to grow in faith, fellowship and friendship with other mothers and children? All are welcome to join our St. Gabriel Parish Mom's Group! We meet two Wednesdays a month following the school Mass from 9:15-10:45am - meet us in the cafeteria. We also offer free childcare (thank you, Casey)!
Please mark these dates in your calendar: 10/11; 10/25; 11/8; 11/29 and concluding on 12/6, the feast of St. Nicholas, for an end of the semester social, social location TBD. This year we'll start by reading the book "Be Healed" by Bob Schuchts, a prominent Catholic therapist. The cost is $13.50, and we will have it pre-ordered for you to purchase and pick up. Please contact Rebecca at rebecca.a.reitz@gmail.com with any questions. We hope to see you there - invite a friend!
Elementary Breakfast & Lunch Menu for October
Upcoming Events
Thursday, October 19 - Parent / teacher conferences
Friday, October 20 - No school, parent / teacher conferences
Saturday, November 11 - All Aboard for Christmas
Helpful Links
Contact Information
Phone: 920-725-4161
Associate Principal: Mrs. Giombetti, jgiombetti@smcatholicschools.org
Elementary Principal: Mrs. Cihlar, acihlar@smcatholicschools.org