Mustang Memo
A Newsletter for Saint Ann School Families
January 22, 2023
Table of Contents
- Spiritual Reflection
- Re-registration Deadlines Approaching
- Home & School Association News
- Student Life Notes
- Mark Your Calendars!
One Body in Christ: Our Spiritual Theme
Preferential Option for the Poor
Spiritual Reflection
Miss Sheila O'Callaghan
During January cold winds blow. Nature can be very harsh. For all of us winter can seem long. For many people January is not just long, it is the hardest time of the year. This is a time when we should think about the hungry, homeless, and poor, as they need our help.
We have several saints to remember this week. Let us follow their good example and reach out to help others.
On January 23, we remember St. Vincent, Deacon and Martyr. He was killed for being a good Christian. Saint Augustine said of Vincent that he “struggled for truth, for justice, for God, for Christ, for the faith, for the unity of the church” and also for “undivided love.” Augustine also thought that Psalm 43 was a perfect prayer for Vincent. It says, “Defend me, O God. Take my side against people who have no pity.” Perhaps there are times when we need to say that prayer.
We also remember Saint Marianne Cope on January 23. She worked on the island of Molokai and served and helped the lepers.
St. Francis de Sales is remembered on January 24. Francis was a gentle, caring person. He is called the “Gentleman Saint.” He was born in France in 1567. Francis became a priest and later a bishop. He traveled throughout his diocese caring for others. Francis loved children and taught them to be considerate and respectful of others. Francis inspired all people to live as holy people of God’s Kingdom. He is the patron saint of the Diocese of Wilmington.
Most people know of St. Paul. We celebrate him on January 25. Paul was an important missionary of the early Church. He wrote many letters. They became part of the Christian Bible. You can read about Paul’s conversion in the book of Acts 22: 4-8, 11-16.
There are two companions of Paul, Timothy and Titus, who are remembered on January 26. They went on missionary journeys with Paul. They both had important responsibilities in the church. Timothy became the first bishop of the city of Ephesus and Titus was the first bishop of the island of Crete.
Angela Merici, an Italian woman, is remembered on January 27. She founded a religious community called the Ursuline Sisters. When Saint Angela Merici lived, only boys could go to school, so Angela decided to start schools for girls.
As we are about to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, let us use Saint Angela Merici’s wise spirit to pray for all our Catholic school students and all children, especially the children of Ukraine. Speaking of Ukraine, our Casual Day money has gone to support the children of Ukraine.
Thank you, parents and students, for supporting our Mission Day. We are so grateful.
Please pray for the sick, especially Father Mink, Father Jasper’s mom, Patrick Flanagan, and all the sick of our parish. Our Armed Forces and First Responders need our prayers. Please pray for them.
Re-registration Deadlines Approaching
REMINDERS:
- Re-enroll your child(ren) for the 2023-2024 school year by completing and submitting this form along with a $100 non-refundable re-enrollment fee per family by February 3, 2023.
- Enroll a new student sibling for the 2023-2024 school year by completing this short pre-registration form to begin the application process. Sibling new student applications completed by February 3, 2023, will receive priority.
- Refer a family friend with school age children to St. Ann School through our Spread the Word program. Your family could be eligible to receive a $1,500 tuition credit for the 2024-2025 school year! Click here for program requirements and details.
- Vision for the Future Tuition Assistance applications and documentation for the 2023-2024 school year must be received by FACTS no later than January 31, 2023. Click here for application instructions.
Questions can be directed to Mrs. Bonnie Tsaldaris at: btsaldaris@thesaintannschool.org.
Home & School Association News
Final Call to Register for Trivia Night: Saturday, January 28! Please contact Brian Klous at bklous@gmail.com or klousb@dnb.com to register your table or if you have any questions.
Mother/Son Night at the Blue Coats: The mother/son night at the Blue Coats game will be on Friday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Tickets are $18 per person and include a hotdog, chips, and a drink. We will also be able to stay after the game to shoot free throws on the court. All grades are invited to attend and students are welcome to bring their mother, grandmother, aunt, or another special person. To reserve a ticket, please complete the Google Form and send payment via PayPal. When sending payment, note it is for the Blue Coats game and include the family name used to register.
Student Life Notes
- Tuesday 1/24: ELA Exam
- Wednesday 1/25: Math Exam
Sat. & Sun., January 28 &29: Celebrating Our Parish
- Show your SAS pride by attending Mass in your formal school uniform!
- Tell us that you plan to do so & volunteer for additional greeting duties here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfL-9H3EJxEdgmLLVTaxcmw4h68gQhR_9vy4T8FxoFGNHzHLA/viewform?usp=sf_link
- Encourage families you know to schedule a tour of our school during one of three available times during Catholic Schools Week, including after the 10:30 am Mass: https://forms.gle/aiAHeLspZ2nVbRXK6
Monday, January 30: Celebrating Our Neighborhood
- Each class will take on a “thank you” project for a neighborhood partner, ranging from restaurant fundraising partners to community police and fire departments to Kentmere Rehabilitation & Healthcare Facility
Tuesday, January 31: Celebrating Our Students
- Casual Day: Students are invited to dress down in school colors and sporting SAS Pride
- Students will enjoy a special treat at lunch
- No Homework! Teachers are not allowed to assign it!
- Students in 1-5th grade will attend a special in-house field trip with Stars on the Move! An inflatable planetarium! We ask all students to supply a $5 fee to attend - cash or PayPal/ Venmo, memo: Stars Field Trip - due by 1/31. All students will enjoy a special experience this week....
Wednesday, February 1: Celebrating Our Parents & Grandparents
- The HSA will provide a special appreciation gift for all parents!
- Parents are invited to stop in for an Open-House Style Coffee with Ms. Casey from 7:30 am - 8:15 am in the Social Hall! Enjoy some coffee/ tea and chat with the principal.
- SAS would like to honor parents & grandparents in a special recognition slide show. Please submit digital photos to sasphotos@thesaintannschool.org. If you contributed pictures in the past, no need to re-submit; we will include them in this year's show. Our technology coordinator Dawn Alvord will organize the slideshow. Please contact her with any questions: dalvord@thesaintannschool.org.
Thursday, February 2: Celebrating Vocations & Volunteers
- Students will attend Mass & participate in a Religion Bee
- Volunteers will be invited to the Social Hall at 2:15 pm for a special thank you treat
- Pre-K 3 & 4 and Kindergarten classes will enjoy a special Mustangs Move! field-day style event in the gym
Friday, February 3: Celebrating Our Faculty & Staff
- Faculty will enjoy a dress down day and enjoy a special luncheon provided by the HSA!
- Middle school students will attend a field trip to the Franklin Institute!
Last year, St. Ann's joined Catholic schools across the U.S. in a National Day of Giving fundraising campaign and the community came together to raise an impressive $40,000! This year, the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) has moved the National Day of Giving campaign until next November, so we will NOT host this fundraiser during Catholic Schools Week as we have in the past.
We want to ensure the SAS community that we haven't forgotten your generosity and that we intend to run this fundraiser again to support our wonderful students and staff!
In good news, our Annual Fund and Jeep Raffle fundraiser have been very successful so far. Thank you for taking every opportunity to keep our school well funded! Please keep promoting these opportunities to friends, family, and neighbors!
The CYM Office is thrilled to welcome Damascus Camp as we bring a brand-new event, Jesus Night, to the Diocese of Wilmington. This night of fellowship, fun, witness, and worship is open to young people in grades 6 through 12, plus parents and ministry leaders. We hope you can join us on Friday, February 3rd at the Church of the Holy Cross, Dover, DE!
For more information and to register: https://www.cdowcym.org/events/detail/damascus-camps-jesus-night
January Jeep Raffle Incentive
All students who sell tickets will have their names entered into a drawing to win a casual day EVERY Friday in February!
Please consider selling tickets to family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and teammates! They can be purchased as single tickets - $10 each - or in ticket books of 6 - at the discounted rate of $50 per book.
Learn more & purchase online here: https://www.thesaintannschool.org/winajeep
Contact the main office with questions!
Mark Your Calendars!
Week of January 23: Middle School Midterm Exams
January 28: Rescheduled Trivia Night
January 29: Confirmation Session #5
January 29 - February 4: Catholic Schools Week
February 3: Blessing of Throats, Feast of St. Blase
February 10: Father & Daughter Dance
February 16: Half-Day, no After Care
February 17 & 20: School Closed, Presidents Day Holiday
February 25: SAS Ice Skating Party at Fred Rust Ice Arena, 5-7 pm