Panther Press
May 19, 2022
ICCS Mission Statement:
A MESSAGE FROM MRS. TADLOCK
At ICCS, the 8th grade class selects a scripture based theme to reflect on throughout the course of their last year at our school. For many students, they have been with us for 10 years and in this last year as the leaders of our school, the theme helps guide them as they count down the days to their 8th grade closing ceremony, which happens to be this evening. Our 8th grade class for the 2021-2022 school year selected their class theme from the Book of Proverbs.
“The human heart plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.” - Proverbs 16:9
This is a beautiful theme selection at this transitional time in these students’ lives and I can say that this class has grown in their reflection on it this year.
It is also a beautiful reminder to us all that while we may have the most meticulously crafted plans that our human hearts desire, these plans only come into true being with the will of the Lord. With out Him, what are our plans? God puts meaning to the plans that the human heart desires and in that patience is often required. No doubt these 8th grade students have great plans for their lives. I have no doubt they are going to rise to all challenges and have great success in life. I love that at this time in their lives they have had such an opportunity to plan for great things and also have had the blessing and opportunity to learn that humility and patience are required on this beautiful journey through life. With their faith in our Lord, they are ready for what is to come.
We will miss them dearly. They will always be ICCS panthers. I would like to thank all of these families for their commitment to Catholic education. In particular, I would like to say a special thank you and farewell to our families who also end their journey at ICCS this evening with their last student graduating. To the families of the following students, I sincerely thank you, we will miss your presence at our school, and please know that just as your students are, you too will always be our part of our ICCS Panther family! Grace Adams - Morgan Baron - Holden Bertrand - Carter Brinkman - Sam Chung - Margeaux Darbonne - Joseph Devall - Kathryn Devall - Nicholas Devall - Cora Diedrich - Hiram Durousseau - Cara Henry - Grayson Hobgood - Kaleb Katoch - Noah Katoch - Rowan Lejeune - Alexander McCall - Grayson Palermo - Bailee Papadimitriou - Owen Richert - AJ Schlang - Reagan Traylor - Kyle Wilfer
Yours in Catholic education,
Blair Moses Tadlock
ICCS Principal
8TH GRADE CLOSING CEREMONY TONIGHT AT CATHEDAL
We wish our 8th Grade students the very best of luck as they move on to high school in August. May God bless these students and their families during this special time and in the years to come.
IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR ALL PARENTS
Please ensure your ICCS student comes to school with a reusable water bottle every day through the last day of school.
LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL DETAILS FOR PARENTS & STUDENTS
The following information will help all PK-7th Grade parents and students navigate through the last days of school. For more details, please call (337) 433-3497.
Friday, May 20, 2022
- 6th and 7th Grade final exams (Noon dismissal for 6th & 7th Grade students ONLY)
*If your 6th or 7th Grade student is unable to dismiss at noon due to your work schedule, please email Blair Tadlock (btadlock@iccsweb.com) by Thursday, May 19, so that we can arrange for study hall coverage until 3:00 p.m. - 4th Quarter Accelerated Reader program ends
- 5th Grade DARE Graduation: 1:05 p.m. in the ICCS Gym
Monday, May 23, 2022
6th and 7th Grade final exams (Noon dismissal for 6th & 7th Grade students ONLY)
*If your 6th or 7th Grade student is unable to dismiss at noon due to your work schedule, please email Blair Tadlock (btadlock@iccsweb.com) by Friday, May 20, so that we can arrange for study hall coverage until 3:00 p.m.Last day for after school care for all students
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
- 6th and 7th Grade final exams
- PK and Kindergarten class picnics: 10:30 a.m.- 11:45 a.m. (last day for PK/K students)
PK and Kindergarten students ONLY may wear an ICCS spirit t-shirt with jeans or uniform bottoms on this day
12:00 p.m. school-wide dismissal for ALL students
Last day for school lunches
No after school care
Records afternoon for teachers
Kindergarten Closing Ceremony: 6:00 p.m. in the ICCS Gym
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
ICCS spirit t-shirt day with jeans or uniform bottoms for 1st-7th Grade students
1st-7th Grade class picnics: 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
No school lunch served in the cafeteria
Used Uniform Sale: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the ICCS Lobby
12:00 p.m. school-wide dismissal for ALL students
No after school care
Records afternoon for teachers
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Mass and Report Cards/Awards Ceremony: 8:00 a.m. in the ICCS Gym
Dismissal following awards ceremony
No after school care
Records day for teachers
ONE LAST FACTS FINANCIAL ACCOUNT REMINDER
All accounts including cafeteria, aftercare, and tuition balances must be cleared out in order to participate in the end-of-the-year closing ceremonies and to receive report cards and awards on May 26. Please contact Melissa Mathew with questions at mbmathew@iccsweb.com.
- Class fees have been invoiced and will automatically draft on Wednesday, June 15. Parents have the option to make this payment sooner through their online FACTS account if they wish.
- Technology fees have been invoiced and will automatically draft on Friday, July 15. Parents have the option to make this payment sooner through their online FACTS account if they wish.
- All 2022-2023 FACTS financial accounts have been set up. Parents with questions regarding these accounts can email Melissa Mathew at mbmathew@iccsweb.com.
PTO PAYMENTS DUE TOMORROW
All PTO point balances are due no later than tomorrow, Friday, May 20. PTO statements went home with students two weeks ago. Parents owing a PTO balance for the 2021-2022 school year were also notified of their balance via email on Friday, May 13.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: ICCS will bill FACTS accounts for any outstanding PTO balance on Monday, May 23. Parents with questions regarding their PTO statement can contact Melissa Mathew by email at mbmathew@iccsweb.com.
CLASS SUPPLY AND TECHNOLOGY FEE DETAILS PROVIDED
Just a reminder, the 2022-2023 Class and Technology fees have been billed through FACTS Financial. The class fee will automatically draft on Wednesday, June 15, and the Technology fee will automatically draft on Friday, July 15. Parents can log in to their FACTS Financial account and choose their 2022-2023 account and make a payment anytime prior to the draft dates. Any remaining balance on these accounts will be drafted on the set dates. Parents with questions regarding these charges can contact Melissa Mathew by email at mbmathew@iccsweb.com
NEW ICCS ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCED
We congratulate and welcome ICCS parent, Kelly Hurt to the 2022-2023 School Advisory Board. Kelly has been elected to serve a 2-year term as a parent representative. A list of all 2022-2023 ICCS Advisory Board members and officers is provided below. We appreciate their time and dedication to our school community.
Matt Keating, Parent Representative
Carey Blevins, Parent Representative
John Gregory, Parent Representative (2022-2023 President)
Christy Papania-Jones, Cathedral Parish Representative
Robin Austin, Cathedral Parish Representative
Katie Devall, 2022-2023 PTO President
Newly Elected: Kelly Hurt, Parent Representative (President-elect for 2023-2024)
Principal, Blair Tadlock
Pastor, Father Rommel Tolentino
2022-2023 FACTS FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS
Attention ICCS Parents:
Your 2022-2023 school year FACTS Financial accounts have been finalized. Please check your email for a communication from FACTS containing your 2022-2023 account summary and details. These emails could potentially go to your spam folder, so be sure to check there if the email is not in your inbox. Please review this information thoroughly. Parents have the ability to update their information through the online account. Instructions for accessing the FACTS Financial website are listed below. Please email Melissa Mathew at mbmathew@iccsweb.com with questions regarding your payment plan, payment dates, etc. Parents are reminded that ICCS does not have access to usernames and passwords for FACTS Financial. Parents needing help should choose the “forgot password” option, or call 866-441-4637 for assistance.
FACTS Financial Website:
Choose Parent Login
Choose Payment Plan/Financial Aid
This will load the login screen for FACTS Financial
2022 ICCS SUMMER CARE STARTS MAY 31
The ICCS Summer Care Program will officially kick off on Tuesday, May 31, and conclude on Friday, July 29. The registration deadline was last week. Important details will be sent to all registered families soon. For more information, please contact Wendi Fournerat, ICCS Summer Care program coordinator, at wfournerat@iccsweb.com, or by phone at (337) 433-3497.
USED UNIFORM SALE NEXT WEEK
A variety of gently used boys and girls school uniform pieces and approved ICCS outerwear will be available for purchase at the upcoming Used Uniform Sale next Wednesday, May 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon in the front lobby area. All proceeds benefit the ICCS Student Council.
MAY VIRTUE OF THE MONTH: PERSEVERANCE
Perseverance means taking the steps necessary to achieve goals, in spite of difficulties. Let’s think about how Jesus practiced this virtue. He carried His Cross all the way to Calvary. He was tired and hurt, but He thought of us and kept going. Do I carry my crosses, the hard things that happen to me during my day, as Jesus carried His Cross? Or, do I complain when things don’t go my way?
Dear Jesus, help me to practice the virtue of perseverance when I face difficulties today. I know that You allow trials in my life to help me grow in trust, love, and perseverance. May I carry my cross as You did, so I can rejoice with You in Heaven one day. Amen.
FINAL ISSUE OF THE PANTHER PRESS
This is the last issue of the ICCS Panther Press for the 2021-2022 school year. ICCS families can keep up with important school news and events via the ICCS Facebook page and school website over the summer months. An official "Back-To-School" e-newsletter will be sent to all 2022-2023 enrolled families over the summer.
For assistance during the months of June and July, please call (337) 433-3497 or visit the ICCS campus during summer office hours (listed below).
CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL NEWS
6TH GRADE STUDENTS "SHAKE THINGS UP"
Mrs. Margaret Obluda's 6th Grade YES Enrichment Class engineers were excited to show off their hard work and extend their knowledge to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade students today. The 6th Graders took time to explain important details about their recent "Shaking Things Up" project. The students also demonstrated how their buildings react to simulated earthquakes using a shake table. The 6th graders also explained the building codes they recommend for the construction of earthquake proof structures based on their use of the engineering design process.
ICCS would like to sincerely thank Mrs. Obluda for committing her time, energy and knowledge to this 9-week Middle School enrichment course.
STUDENTS COMPLETE SPANISH I COURSE
Señora Darcy Garcia would like to congratulate her Spanish I students on a successful school term. The following students will be moving on to Spanish II next year as freshmen in high school: (Pictured L-R): Sean Kelty, Halle Poncho, Caroline Hankins, Natalie Obluda, Ava Borel, Señora Darcy Garcia, Rylee Keating, Elizabeth Austin, Camille Zeringue, and Trip Tadlock.
TRAVELING AROUND THE WORLD
Mrs. Danielle Koenig and Ms. Kimberly Wilson's 1st Grade students are traveling around the world this week! On Wednesday, the students visited Africa. They made African masks and learned more about African animals and their habitats.
FIRST COMMUNION
Congratulations to the following ICCS 2nd Grade students who celebrated their First Communion on May 7 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception: Elliott Bourgeois, Maxwell Bradberry, Preston Bradberry, Erin Broussard, Leia Broussard, Charlie Byrd, Vita Canzano, Anna Carboni, Eleanor Crawford, Lincoln Crookshank, Jacob Duplechin, Veda DuRousseau, Mae Foret, Owen Fusilier, Emma Gilchrist, Louis Harrell, Nora Hess, Eleanor Higgins, Levi LaBove, Leyton Leach, Westin Leger, Sawyer Leonards, Emma Jane Logan, Makenzie Metzger, Sam Mitchell, Emma Morales, Hayden O'Quain, Anders Robertson, Charlie Romero and Weston Stantz.
ICCS REMEMBERS FORMER TEACHER
We are sadden by the loss of former ICCS teacher, Mrs. Cathy Lowery who passed away on April 29. Mrs. Lowery was not only a dedicated educator, but also a talented children's author. She wrote two anti-bullying books titled How the Crawfish Got Its Shell and the sequel Maurice and Claude.
Kindergarten Aide and fellow children's book author, Mrs. Weezy Huber recently read the books to Mrs. Stine and Ms. House's students as a tribute to Mrs. Lowery and to the time she spent at ICCS as a teacher. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Lowery family during this time of loss.
FLOWERS FOR MARY
It is a beautiful ICCS tradition! Throughout the month of May, our students bring flowers for our blessed Mother Mary. Today, Mrs. Verrett and Mrs. Stanic's 2nd Grade students gathered near the Mary statue in the ICCS front lobby to recite prayers as a class, then each student gently laid flowers at Mary's feet.
ICCS EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS
Congratulations to the following faulty and staff members who are being recognized for their years of service at Immaculate Conception Cathedral School. We appreciate their hard work and long-standing commitment to ICCS!
FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE
TEN TO FIFTEEN YEARS OF SERVICE
SIXTEEN OR MORE YEARS OF SERVICE
ICCS PTO NEWS
NEW ICCS PTO PRESIDENT-ELECT NAMED
A BIG panther thank you to ICCS parent and PTO volunteer, Kelly Serrano for stepping up to serve as the 2022-2023 ICCS PTO President-Elect. Kelly will spend the next year working along side incoming PTO President, Katie Devall before taking over the leadership role in 2023-2024.
SIPPING ON SWEET BAY
2022 PTO Auction News! Over 30 ladies attended the Sipping On Sweet Bay PTO Auction Sign Up Party on Friday, May 13. The gathering was held at the home of Blair and Patrick Tadlock and featured delicious food, cocktails, live music by Brett Welch and a relaxing and fun atmosphere. Many thanks to the hosts for donating and coordinating a great party: Blair Tadlock, Hillary Green, Kelly Hurt, Kelly Henderson and Corlissa Hoffoss.
MS. WENDI FOR THE DAY
2022 PTO Auction News! ICCS 4th Grade student, Tori Clement was "Ms. Wendi for the Day" on Friday, May 13. Tori spent her time helping receptionist, Ms. Wendi Fournerat complete her endless duties and tending to students of all ages throughout the day. Ms. Wendi also treated her apprentice to a delicious lunch!
MRS. HEFFER FOR THE DAY
2022 PTO Auction News! This "Mrs. Heffer for the Day" (AKA Bella Pousson) assisted with shelving books, checking out books, and reading books, and she helped keep the ICCS Library organized on Tuesday, May 17. Mrs. Heffer rewarded Bella for her hard work by treating her to a Chick-Fil-A lunch in the Teacher's Lounge.
ICCS ALUMNI NEWS
GUIDRY RECEIVES ST. LOUIS AWARD
Congratulations to ICCS alumnus, Jalen Guidry on receiving the the 2022 St. Louis Award. The St. Louis Award is the most prestigious award of the school. It is presented to the male and female senior student voted as the outstanding Christian student by their peers and approved by members of the faculty. The announcement of the award was made during the St. Louis Catholic High School commencement ceremony held on Tuesday, May 17, in the Burton Coliseum.
We also congratulate all of our ICCS alumni graduating from St. Louis Catholic High School this week. Click the link below to view a complete list of the SLCHS graduating seniors.
CATHEDRAL NEWS
FATHER ROMMEL CELEBRATES HIS PRIESTLY ANNIVERSARY
Please join us in congratulating Father Rommel Pasion Tolentino on the recent anniversary of his priestly ministry. He was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ on May 14, 2005. Father Tolentino is Rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Pastor of Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, Chaplain for Stella Maris Seafarers Center, and Chaplain for the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.
Father Tolentino said he was inspired by many people in answering God’s call to the priesthood — his grandparents, parents, teachers at the Catholic schools he attended in the Philippines, and the Sisters of the Incarnate Word at St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles where he worked as a physical therapist from 1997-2000.
Father Tolentino said he enjoys celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. He also enjoys sharing the goodness of God, and the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith with the people.
Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests. Grant them wisdom, understanding and strength to follow in the footsteps of Christ.
CATHEDRAL VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Please save the dates! The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception will be hosting Vacation Bible School, June 13-17, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon at ICCS. Registration details will be provided soon.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Adult and teen volunteers are needed to help make the Cathedral VBS session a success. Please prayerfully consider assisting with this week-long VBS session. For more information, or to sign up to help, please call the Cathedral office at (337) 436-7251.
IMPORTANT FACTS INFORMATION AND QUICK LINKS
FACTS FAMILY PORTAL
Parent Portal access to student grades and assignments.
www.factsmgt.comDON'T FORGET TO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST ICCS NEWS AND EVENTS!
Contact Information
Email: kmorgan@iccsweb.com
Website: www.iccschool.org
Location: 1536 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
Phone: 337-433-3497
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iccschool