St. Peter's Postings
Called to be Saints! October 2019
Finally...Fall!
Our potential "sainthood" has been challenged these last couple weeks with the extreme and late-season high temperatures! But one thing is certain about our students, they bring a smile to each other and to all around them with their continued positive attitudes. With cooler temperatures back this weekend, we were happy to have a reprieve from the heat for our first ever outdoor Mass on Friday, October 4th for the Feast of St. Francis. Pastor, Fr. Patti, led the service and thanks to our wonderful Maintenance Staff who got everything set up, it was a joyous and special way to share Mass together. October is the month of the Rosary and we also kicked off our Faith Families for 2019-2020 during October. Students spent some time getting reacquainted with their Faith Families and our Kindergarten friends met their families for the first time. There was a "Saints" Memory Game and a mystery envelope that helped each family choose a patron saint for the year. Be sure to ask your children who their patron saint is for Faith Families. This would be a great time for each family at home to also choose a patron saint to call their own. There are some excellent resources available about the saints. A few of our favorites are included below for adults to "refresh" their own understanding of saints and their role in our lives and to maybe create some interest in choosing a family saint. Without a doubt we are given opportunities to be "saintly" to each other in what we say and how we act in person and on technology and social media every day. But with one small act...one kind word...we can be those saints! In addition to the links below for older students and adults, check out Brother Francis videos and Christian Kids TV on youtube for kids.
Some Saint Feast and Memorial Days Coming Up:
- October 15: St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church
- October 17: St. Ignatius of Antioch
- October 18: St. Luke (one of my favorites!)
- October 22: St. Pope John Paul II
- October 28: St. Simon & St. Jude the Apostles
St. Peter School ARISE Season 3 - Faith in Action Across the World!
St. Peter School began its participation in Season 3 of the Diocesan ARISE program this week. The schools across the Altoona Johnstown Diocese are learning about the seven principles of Social Justice in the Catholic Church through an educational program through Catholic Relief Services. Catholic Social Teaching (CST) 101 is a collaborative 7-part video and discussion guide series presented by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services on Catholic social teaching. The videos bring the themes of Catholic social teaching to life and inspire us to put our faith into action. Helping our students understand their role in the world and even in their own community as they grow up, is essential to the church's mission to love one another and be Christ to each other. For more information about this wonderful series that we will be covering in grades 1-6 for the next six weeks can be found at the link below. We encourage parents and families to talk about the seven principles at home and how you can live them out as a family. "Many Catholics do not adequately understand that the social teaching of the Church is an essential part of Catholic faith. This poses a serious challenge for all Catholics, since it weakens our capacity to be a Church that is true to the demands of the Gospel. We need to do more to share the social mission and message of our church. (USCCB, Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions)
Spaghetti Dinner..."That's Amore!"
TEACHERS SAY THANK YOU!
The teachers and principal at St. Peter School recently received their brand new MacBook Air laptop computers purchased for them by the St. Peter School PTA this summer. We are grateful beyond words to have this school resource to augment and expand technology opportunities in the classroom and for future trainings and other school based tasks. The current and past leadership of the PTA as well as all those that raised funds through countless events and all who voted to make this a priority for teachers have our deepest gratitude. Our school parents rock!
Faith Family Kickoff
Teachers Honored!
Three St. Peter School teachers received their awards from the Diocese on Friday, September 27th from Bishop Mark Bartchak. Mrs. Kelly Mateljan and Miss. Juliann Isgan were recognized for 5 years of service and Mrs. Sheila Ulerich was honored for her 30 & 1/2 years of service. God bless you, ladies!
Yard Sale a Huge Success
St. Peter School First Outdoor Mass
Meet Author Kathy Miller
Renown author, Kathy Miller, of the "Chippy Chimpmunk" book series will be visiting St. Peter School on Tuesday, October 15th. After conducting writing workshops with students during the day, she will be available to meet with parents and younger siblings in our school library 45 minutes before dismissal. All are welcome! Reminder that if you wish to purchase any of Mrs. Miller's books to be received and personally signed on the day of her visit, book orders are due by Friday, October 11.
Tuesday, Oct 15, 2019, 02:00 PM
St. Peter School Library
PTA News!
- St. Peter School's PTA has been very busy this fall. Along with purchasing the MacBook Air laptops for teachers, they have held a very successful first sub and pizza sale, planned a second Halloween dance and put this year's Spaghetti Dinner into full swing. Our first Marianna's Sub and Pizza Sale was a huge success and made over $1300 for the PTA! The next sale is scheduled to kick off on Friday, October 18th. Order forms and money will be due November 5th and items will be delivered on Friday, November 15th.
- Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 7th for the annual PTA Craft & Vendor Fair in the Parish Hall. Multiple vendors will be on hand for all you Christmas shopping needs.
- The Fall Crop for St. Peter's has been postponed to possibly January due to scheduling conflicts. Stay tuned for further details.
St. Peter School 2nd Annual Halloween Dance for Grades K-3
Sign up soon for your child to attend the 2nd Annual Halloween Dance on Friday, October 18th. Only St. Peter School students in those grades are to attend and all parent attendees or chaperones must have all clearances and trainings completed and turned in before the 18th. Wear Halloween Costumes and come enjoy this fun evening!
Friday, Oct 18, 2019, 06:00 PM
St. Peter Parish Hall
A Few Tidbits & Reminders
- Fall Pictures will be sent home this week. Any child who was absent for Fall pictures or anyone wishing to have a picture retaken, our Retake Day is ..... Please be sure to return portrait packages to school if you wish to have a picture retaken. Students having their pictures taken on this day are. permitted to dress nicely for the day.
- Shorts No More. Thursday, October 17th will be the last day students are permitted to wear uniform shorts to school on any regular or gym day. This also includes the navy shorts for girls.
- Wreath Sale Friday, October 11th is the last day to purchase coupons for the 2019 Christmas Wreath Sale.
Safe Schools & Youth Protection
St. Peter School works hard to protect all students with its participation in all state and diocesan guidelines and requirements for students and volunteers and employees. All volunteers must have all necessary background checks, clearances, paperwork and trainings on file prior to any volunteer opportunities or employment. Students in grades 5 & 6 are also given training in the Safe 2 Say anonymous reporting system. Links below will take volunteers to the diocesan Youth Protection site for all required items and the second link gives parents more information about the Safe2SaySomething training.
St. Peter School
Email: principal@stpetersparish.com
Website: www.stpetersschoolsomerset.com
Location: 433 West Church Street Somerset PA 15501
Phone: 814-445-6662
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaintPeterSchool1/
Twitter: @StPeterSchool1
St. Peter School Mission Statement
The mission of St. Peter School is to first spread the Good News. By providing an educational and spiritual environment rich in knowledge and experiences, students will be empowered to achieve academic, social, physical and spiritual excellence. Our mission is to create lifelong learners that are guided by their faith and commitment to “be the good” and “do good” throughout their lives. We model the Master Teacher, Jesus, by encouraging students to challenge themselves academically and to follow their faith in all of their life’s decisions.