Eagle's Edge
January 5th, 2024
Best Time of the School Year (Maybe)
As it is officially spring now, as of March 19th, mother nature decided to bless us with gorgeous weather, at least for a week there. As a school, we got through accreditation with flying colors (see next section for more info). It is the fifth week of Lent, and we prepare for Holy Week and look forward to Easter. Maybe it's the sunshine, maybe it's the relief of 8th grade students getting into high schools of their choice, or maybe it's the collective relief that we feel as a school to be finished with accreditation and for the remarkable results, but it just feels like there is happiness and hope in the air, and it feels AMAZING!
Many teachers and school administrators may disagree, but I have loved this time of year for as long as I can remember, as far back as my days as a Catholic school student, and to this day as the Principal of St. Therese. It feels like we are hitting our stride as a school, and now the hurry is to make sure that we hit all the marks before June!
There is much to look forward to this spring, so please take the time to read through all the notes in the newsletter. As we head into spring break which falls on Holy Week, I wish everyone Lenten and Easter blessings, as well as best wishes for a restful, safe and fun break!
All the best,
Principal Schoning
Fifth Week of Lent: "Collect Prayer"
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent: Be near, O Lord, to those who plead before you, and look kindly on those who place their hope in your mercy, that, cleansed from the stain of their sins, they may persevere in holy living and be made full heirs of your promise.
Holy Week Schedule at St. Therese Church.
Please join us for Masses and liturgies during Holy Week.
- Palm Sunday (March 23/24). 5 p.m. Vigil Mass, 10 a.m. Sunday Mass
- Holy Thursday (March 28). 6 p.m. Mass of the Last Supper
- Good Friday (March 29th). 3 p.m. Stations of the Cross, 6 p.m. Liturgy of the Passion
- Holy Saturday (March 30) 12 noon Seven Sorrows of Mary, 8 p.m. Easter Vigil
- Easter Sunday (March 31) 10 a.m. Solemnity of Easter
Accreditation Was a Great Success!
Click the link below to view the final presentation from the WCEA accreditation team. It speaks to the strengths of our school and community!
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇That big blue button down there is the link. 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
👆 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆
That one, right up there.
What's 4th Grade doing this week?
STEM Project in Science
Students have been following the progress of the great Iditarod Dogsled Race! Students became so interested in it that Mrs. Hayes encouraged them to try their hands at making their own sleds. They explored, tinkered, and determined what changes affected the sleds, then they raced them!
First Annual St. Therese Tech Fair
Thursday April 11th, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Saint Therese Gym (MPC)
Mr. Rymer and all St. Therese students have been working hard, and having fun all year, learning about computer science, engineering, robotics, and many other things. They are inviting the whole St. Therese community to come check out the results. This is open to all, including friends, grandparents, neighbors and anyone you would like to bring. I personally promise you that you will not be disappointed. Come see what all the kids are raving about!!
Gianna and Hoodyia learning the ins and outs of electric engineering!! Mr. Rymer's tech classes are empowering young ladies by providing them the opportunity to learn the basics in a hands-on fashion. The next generation of scientists, engineers, coders, and jobs coming from STEM and tech may well be dominated by women, and should be!!
Vote for Mrs. Baumbach for National Teacher of the year!
A little bird told me that Mrs. Baumbach was selected by her students, though none wants to admit their thoughtful and kind good deed. If you know Mrs. Baumbach, you know exactly why her students elected her to win this national competition as teacher of the year! If you don't, I encourage you to consider taking 1 minute to vote for her anyway. In addition to the honor and a personal award to Mrs. Baumbach, the school of the chosen teacher will receive $10,000 (!!!) to go towards technology in their school. Let's each do our part and secure the win for our very own, Mrs. B.!!
https://2024rrsteacherofyear.cmpgn.page/g62WSr?sre=wN69VZIvmZzAX
P.S. Anyone can vote, they don't have to be a student or even have any affiliation with St. Therese School. So please help us out!
Upcoming Dates and Events
Please understand that the numerous half days are accommodations for our School Accreditation Process. They will be fewer and farther between next year.
- March 22 - Half day of school, noon dismissal.
- March 17 - 22 - Outdoor School for 6th grade students
- March 25 - 29 Spring Break, no school.
- April 1 - Easter Monday, No school.
- April 11th - Tech Fair - 5:30 pm to 7:00 Don't miss this one!!!
- April 12th - 1/2 day, noon dismissal
- April 19th - 1/2 day, noon dismissal
- April 21st - First Communion at 10 a.m.
- April 26th - Family Fun/Bingo Night
Recurring Events
****Holidays, inservice days, early release days, and other special events will affect these days.
- Choir Practice : Mondays 3:30 - 4:30
- Student lead school Masses: Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. (Holy Days of Obligation will affect these mass times)
- Student Store: Thursdays at dismissal
- Pizza Fridays: for all students, at lunchtime on the last day of the week (Friday)
- Vietnamese Enrichment Classes: Fridays after school
Athlete's Foot. Notes from St. Therese Athletic Board
- Basketball banquet will be Wednesday 4/3 in the PSC. Third grade through 5th grade will be from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Sixth through Eighth Grades will be from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
- Make-up sports photos will be that day as well, for the 6/7 teams who did not make it to the first shoot.
- Jerseys for volleyball and basketball must be returned to the office by April 15th, or a $50 fee will be assessed through FACTS.
- Athletics end of year informational meeting will be the last week of April; stay tuned for the exact date and time.
- If anyone needs their Fair Share hours confirmed from Athletics, please email athletics@stthereseschool.org.
Thank you for a great year of St. Therese athletics!!
Thank you to our Athletic Director, Tobin Whitaker!!
Mr. Whitaker, you sir, are a St. Therese LEGEND!!!
Please Read these Important Odds and Ends
- All Fair Share Hours are to be completed and submitted no later than April 30th, 2024. Hours earned after this will apply to the next academic year. Thank you to everyone for pitching in!
One more month to get your Fair Share Hours in!!
- Drive slowly at all times, not just when it's busy. We have small children, teachers, service personnel and many others who crossing campus throughout the day. The speeds at which some people drive are really out of control.
- Please stop parking on the sidewalk which abuts the front of the main school building, and any other walkways. On top of the oil slicks left which create safety issues and are unsightly, sidewalks are reserved for pedestrians. We have quite possibly the biggest school/church parking lot on the east side of town. There's plenty of room.
- When exiting campus to Halsey, please slow down before stopping before the sidewalk and mind pedestrians/runners/cyclists.
Thank you for your support!!
Outdoor School was a success, and by the time you read this, they will be home!
We can't wait to hear what the kids say upon their return from Outdoor School, this year hosted at Camp Namanu. Mrs. Baumbach reports that the kids were immediately enjoying the experience, being in the outdoors and meeting students from other schools. It was also immediately noted how well behaved our St. Therese students are, compared to those from other schools. No surprise, but it's great to hear!!
Update on 2024 - 2025 School Year Tuition
This year current families will be automatically re-enrolled for the 2024-25 school year, and should contact the office if they do not wish to continue at St. Therese. The annual $200 registration fee will be applied to your FACTS account on April 1st.
We are committed to keeping tuition affordable to all our families and financial aid is available for those who qualify. Our tuition rates are still among the lowest of K-8 Catholic schools in Oregon. Due to inflation and cost of living adjustments for all, our tuition rate for the upcoming school year has gone up to $8,600, which we intentionally kept under a 4% increase.
The deadline was previously posted as March 1st, but the good news is that families may still apply for Financial Aid.
Please use the link to the school website for more information on registration, forms etc.
https://www.stthereseschool.org/grades-k-8
Please call the office at 503-253-9400, or email Mrs. Barnett, barnetta@stthereseschool.org.
Tutoring at a great price! Great way to prevent the summer slide!
Incredible Rates for Summer Tutoring at University of Portland & Scholarships are Available
University of Portland is offering this great deal to our St. Therese students. If you've ever looked into tutoring and associated costs, you know that it can be cost prohibitive for most of us. U of P is offering a great solution to this, in their School of Education. This is open to all students 2nd grade and up, for only $125, for 2 hours per day, 4 days per week. They have scholarships available as well.
(****Please find the red button below for the registration info.***)
Hula Huts in PE with Mr. Neri
From Mr. Neri:
Kids were working on teamwork and fine motor skills. After a completed hut students then had to crawl through the hut without knocking it down.