St. Gabriel Newsletter
11.29.2023
St. Gabriel Newsletter
January 24, 2024
SMCS Mission
Preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives, rooted in the teachings of Christ and our Catholic tradition.
Greetings from the Principal
We are one week away from celebrating Catholic Schools Week! This year, CSW takes place from Sunday, January 28th to Saturday, February 3rd. This is an amazing time to celebrate the excellence and impact of Catholic schools. We will begin with family-led masses on Sunday (please see the sign up below) and continue throughout the week with dress up days and fun activities to celebrate and acknowledge that we attend a school that is rooted in Jesus Christ. How amazing to come to a place every day where we expect and encourage prayer!
Lord,
Thank you for the many people who have dedicated their lives to Catholic Schools. Thank you for the teachers, administrators, Priests, Deacons, parishioners, and communities who sustain our schools. Thank you for the parents who choose St. Gabriel to instill a love of learning and a continuous relationship with Jesus into all our children. Thank you for our students who are inspired to grow, develop, and witness to others. May all Learn, Serve, Succeed, and Shine in your name. We pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Mrs. Jennifer Giombetti
Associate Principal-St. Gabriel Elementary School
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Elementary parent-teacher conferences will be on Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 16 from 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Mrs. Rodman will be at SG on Tuesday, Feb. 13th from 3:30-6:30pm
Mrs. Carmany will be at SG on Tuesday, Feb. 13th from 3:30-6:30pm
Mrs. Schneider will be at SG on Friday, Feb. 16 from 9:30-11am.
Miss VanBoxtel will be at SG on Friday, Feb 16 from 8:00-11:00
Miss Rutz has a sign up link listed below.
Mrs. Lepak-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47381228-conferencesmrs
Mrs. Siems-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47381998-conferencesmrs
Mrs. Roloff-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47382041-conferencesmrs
Ms. Plumb-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47382047-conferencesms
Mrs. Slavinsky-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47382039-conferencesmrs
Miss Athey-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47382093-conferencesmiss
Mrs. Rennie-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47382095-conferencesmrs
Mrs. Olsen-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47382084-conferencesmrs
Mr. Hickey-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47382130-conferencesmr
Ms. Rojas-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47382138-conferencesms
Ms. Wilkinson-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47382131-conferencesms
Mrs. Semrow-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47382179-conferencesmrs
Mrs. Rutz-Guidance Counselor-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47386390-conferencesmiss
Classroom Spotlight!
4K-Mrs. Roloff, Mrs. Marston, and Mrs. Wagner!
Mrs. Roloff's 4K students experimented with ice water and a baggie covered with shortening and inside another baggie. The students predicted what would happen before testing out the insulated glove. They used their clipboards to record their predictions and what the results were and whether or not their predictions were correct. Some predicted the mitten would make a difference and some did not think the mitten would make a difference. After experimenting, all agreed that mittens indeed make a difference.
Barlow Planetarium
The St. Gabriel and St. Marys third grade students joined together for an educational and fun field trip to the Barlow Planetarium at the UWO Campus in Menasha. They learned about our solar system, planets, constellations, atmosphere, and movement in the solar system.
Servant Sunday for Kindergarten, 7th & 8th Graders
Calling all Kindergartners!!! 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. In February, our Kindergarten students will have the opportunity to participate in mass, along with 7th and 8th grade students. Our February Servant Sunday is taking place on Februry 11th. There will also be a social to follow. If you have a Kindergartner, 7th or 8th grader who would like to participate, please sign up! Please plan on joining us for this special day!
***Please click HERE if you would like to sign up for a special part at Mass!
Catholic Schools Week Mass
We are still in need of help for the 8:00 mass on Sunday, January 28th. Could this be you?
We are asking for St. Gabriel families to participate in mass to help us kick off this fun-filled week! Individual students or entire families may sign up for a mass part and participate!
Saturday morning masses (8:00 & 10:00): We are looking for multiple mass spots to be filled.
Saturday and Sunday evenings: We are just in need of a student or family to read an introduction at the beginning of mass.
I highly encourage you to not only join us for mass, but to also sign up for one of these special opportunities! During the Sunday morning masses, Father Bob and Deacon Tom will be acknowledging all of our wonderful students. Each child will have the opportunity to come forward and state what they love about attending school at St. Gabriel!
Please use the following link to sign up
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AC29A4F8C34-47258340-catholic#/
***More specific information regarding Catholic Schools Week will be sent to parents later this week!
Monday - Mismatch Day
Tuesday - Dress like a teacher/student or twin day
Wed. - PJ Day ( K-5 will be changing into pajamas following mass)
Thurs. - Dress like a Saint or wear Catholic college apparel
Friday - Zephyr Spirit Day
4K and Preschool Preview Day!
St. Gabriel Family Skate Night
Please note the time change
On Tuesday, February 6th, from 4-7 pm, St. Gabriel students and their immediate family members are invited to an outdoor ice skating event at The Plaza in Downtown Neenah.
Admission and skate rental are free. More information is coming soon!
Drop Off & Pick Up Safety Reminders
Our first priority is always keeping our students safe. Please review the information below regarding school parking lot safety.
Morning Drop Off
If you will be walking your child into school, please feel welcome to park on the south end of the parking lot and walk your child into school. The continuous drop off line is only for students who can independently get out of the car and walk into school on their own. Parents should not park in this lane and leave their vehicles. We also ask that your do not park in the spaces directly up against the building.
Afternoon Pick Up
Cars can park on the south end of the parking lot and parents/guardians will need to walk to the main doors to get their child(ren). Cars can also form a line in the continuous pick up lane as they enter the parking lot and students will be brought to their car.
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:
PTO News
Please join us in the St. Gabriel library for our next PTO meeting on Friday, February 9th at 8:15.
Let's fuel our teachers for 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.
Upcoming Liturgy Schedule
Wednesday, January 24th @ 8:15 led by 5th grade
Wednesday, January 31st @ 8:15 led by multiple grades for Catholic Schools Week
Friday, February 2nd All System Mass at the HS
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!
Elementary Breakfast & Lunch Menu for January
Pk3-1st grade eats lunch is from 11:40-12:10
2nd-5th grade eats lunch from 12:15-12:40
Order now to get your SMCS Hall of Fame T-shirt. This offer is only available until January 30th. This exclusive edition t-shirt is being offered to promote next month's Athletic Hall of Fame festivities.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held February 16th during the Varsity boys basketball game.
Click here to order today!
Zephyrs Gold Raffle
The Zephyrs Gold Raffle is your opportunity to offset the $200 per family fundraising fee. Tickets are $25 each. A family that buys or sells 8 tickets will not be assessed the fee, as the $200 minimum will be met.
If you choose not to participate in the raffle, the “Fundraising Fee (Z-Gold raffle)” charge of $200 will be placed on your Blackbaud tuition statement in March. The $200 fee will be reduced by your ticket sales up to $200.
Click here to request your tickets now.
Tickets should be requested no later than Friday, February 2, 2024. They must be returned to the school office with payment by Friday, March 1, 2024.
There will be one $1,000 winning ticket, which will be drawn via livestream on Friday, March 15th.
Any questions regarding the Zephyrs Gold Raffle can be directed to Kathleen McCurdy, Director of Advancement at kmccurdy@smcatholicschools.org
All Aboard for Turkey Bowling!
Don't wait... Registration closes January 25.
Date: Saturday, January 27, 2024, 1:00 p.m. Get ready for some kid-free fun on the ice at Payne's Point Hook and Spear Club in Neenah! Bundle up and get ready to throw some frozen foul on our turkey bowling ice lanes!
Arrive at the Clubhouse at 1pm, and bowling will start promptly at 1:30. Bowling is optional, cheering is required! Warm up in between matches in the cozy Clubhouse where there will be plenty of appetizers and drinks available. When darkness hits, the fun doesn’t end! Head inside for dinner, games and live entertainment by Pat Pedersen.
Upcoming Events
- Jan. 28 - Feb. 2 - Catholic Schools Week
- Feb. 6 - Zephyr Spirit Day
- Feb. 9-PTO Meeting @ 8:15
- Feb. 13 - Parent-teacher conferences (3:30-6:30 p.m.)
- Feb 14- Ash Wednesday
- Feb. 16 - No school, parent-teacher conferences (morning), professional development for teachers (afternoon)
- Feb. 19 - No school
Helpful Links
Contact Information
Phone: 920-725-4161
Associate Principal: Mrs. Giombetti, jgiombetti@smcatholicschools.org
Elementary Principal: Mrs. Cihlar, acihlar@smcatholicschools.org