The Messenger
A Publication of St. Gabriel the Archangel School 10/27/2021
Dear Fabulous Families -
- Our virtual Book Fair is open! Click on the link below in the newsletter to go shopping and find some great books. Book fair closes on Sunday!
- DQ Treats will be delivered to Kindergarten through 5th grade tomorrow, Thursday October 28th, and to 6th through 8th grade on Friday October 29th.
- On Friday, October 29, students can have a Halloween Add-on Day. Halloween shirts, socks, hats can be worn with the uniform. We are not wearing full costumes; save those for trick-or-treating.
- Monday, November 1st there is NO SCHOOL.
- Picture packets were sent home. Lifetouch printed two copies on accident. Feel free to enjoy the second copy and share with family!
- Looking ahead! K-2 students will be kicking off a service project at their parade on October 30 to collect socks and underwear while students in grades 3-8 will be taking donations, Nov. 2-5, for veterans through Operation Sunscreen like we did last year. Look for more details next week.
Peace and Joy -
Tonya McEnery
Principal
St. Gabriel the Archangel
Dan Winkeler
Assistant Principal
St. Gabriel the Archangel
High school conversation summary
When our students graduate from St. Gabriel, they are well prepared for their high schools academically. Many schools reported how well our current high school students are doing.
Schools suggested that one area of improvement would be student executive functioning skills, especially organization. With the newness of high school, lockers, larger campus, etc. schools want to make sure students are organized for their day.
Schools are understanding of Standards-based report cards. They recognize the impact standards-based report cards have on merit based scholarships and have figured out a way to accommodate the report card so your student does not miss out on the opportunity to receive a scholarship. For any questions, admissions directors encourage you to reach out to them directly for clarification.
Schools will administer some form of a placement test for incoming freshmen before they graduate from St. Gabriel (typically late February through May).
We are looking to add an Algebra component to our course offerings for the 2022-2023 school year. We are actively working with the middle school teachers and the textbook company to determine implementation and identification of students for next school year.
As we look at adding an Algebra class, high schools want to communicate that taking an Algebra class in middle school is not an automatic exemption from Freshman Algebra at their school.
Students will still need to perform on their placement test accordingly in math.
Schools are also requiring students to test out of Algebra I. Families will need to speak to the admissions representative for more information on testing out.
What we are doing is working well for our students and their success overall. Many of our students are testing into honors/advanced classes, taking AP classes/tests, or even taking college classes through local colleges/universities.
Dine Out night!
Dine out at JJ Twigg's on Tuesday, November 2nd, and support St. Gabriel!
Tuesday, November 2
12 pm to 9 pm, dine-in and carry out
Mention St. Gabriel when you dine in or carry out. Check out the menu!
Mrs. Crofts Class with their pumpkin investigation
Our Book Fair is open- FINAL DAYS!
Shop the fair from the link below. Share the link with your family and friends. All purchases ship to your home, and purchases of $25 or more ship for FREE! Supporting our fair directly benefits St. Gabriel.
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/stgabrielarchangelschool1
Questions about the Book Fair? Contact:
Jane Bene' - Parent Chair Person - janebene75@gmail.com
Jen Ronshausen 8R - Teacher Chair Person
PE classes prepare for halloween
Last week students in all grades began preparing for Halloween. Kindergarteners and first graders learned how to get rid of those scary germs by washing their hands properly. Nurse Ceigel joined us in the gym to teach about germs, share some magic lotion with students that made germs show up on their hands under a black light, and then had students practice washing their hands to see if they could take care of all those scary germs. The kindergarteners and first graders enjoyed a game of “Germ Tag” to end the lesson.
Operation Sunscreen - Donations Accepted Next Week
Operation Sunscreen is a non for profit organization that was founded years ago by Karen Irwin, the wife of a Retired Missouri Guard General, General David Irwin. Karen started this organization once she became a general's wife and began to interact with the wives and families of deployed soldiers. She listened to their concerns and needs and found that one of their greatest disappointments was to think of their loved ones away during the holidays. She then worked with the Missouri Guard and enlisted their support in sending care packages from the Missouri Community so the troops would have a touch of Christmas delivered to them. She asked what was most needed overseas and found that having simple things like sunscreen, mints, gum, chapstick, or knapsack treats are what they crave the most. So, our organization does just that.
St. Gabriel was asked to donate granola bars, cheese crackers, and candy for the Christmas care packages. We will collect from Tuesday, November 2nd, until Friday, November 5. This is a great way to get rid of extra Halloween candy.
Auction Volunteers Needed - Get Involved!
Please contact Mary Luzecky (mary.luzecky@gmail.com) or Katie Irwin (katie.irwin2010@gmail.com) if you have any questions or would like to help but are unable to attend the meeting.
Students Are Invited to Participate in Drawing God Day
Students are invited to share the book with their parents and how they encounter God in their lives. Students can draw, paint, take a photograph, or create some sort of product to share their idea about God.
From the website, http://www.drawing-god.com, "It all started when…Emma returns from a field trip to the art museum and is inspired to draw like Picasso. Emma wanted to draw something beyond spectacular and decides to draw God. Find out what happens when her classmates can’t see God in any of her drawings until they find inspiration in her contagious faith."
Short video: https://video.link/w/kpPFc
Background video with the author: https://video.link/w/GHPFc
Students should bring in their artwork on Wednesday, November 3.
Please insure the child's name is on it as well as the teacher's name.
If any student needs paper, they are welcome to pick up a piece of paper in the office.
Dear Parents,
We hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween. Here is a link to a resource on All Saints Day and Halloween.
In October, we focus and learn about the Catholic Social Teaching of:
Care for God’s Creation.
We are called to care for all that God has made.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
Please pray for Pope Francis' intention for October:
Please keep our 2nd graders and their families in your prayers as the 2nd graders prepare to receive God's forgiveness and healing mercy in the sacrament of Reconciliation.
Act of Contrition
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You, whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen.
Important Dates for Sacraments:
First Reconciliation Parent Meeting-Thursday, October 14th at 6:30 pm in church
First Reconciliation- Thursday, November 11th at 7:00 pm
First Communion Parent Meeting- Thursday, April 7th, at 6:30 pm in church
First Communion- Sunday, May 1st
Confirmation:
Tuesday, October 19- Parent Meeting in the church at 6:30 pm
Wednesday, November 10- Confirmation Rite of Enrollment at 8:00 am Mass
Tuesday, April 26- Confirmation Day of Prayer
Thursday, April 28- Confirmation at 7:00 pm Mass at SGA
We continue to celebrate our Thursday, All School Masses, on the school parking lot. It is our hope to hold our all school Masses outside as the weather permits so that we can gather in a safe way.
For our level Masses on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we have changed from rotating two grade levels at a time to having one grade level attending at a time so students can be safely distanced. The grade level of the homeroom that is planning will be in attendance at the Mass. The schedule below is updated to reflect this new change. Parents are always welcome to join us for Mass.
Mass Days:
October
Thursday, 10/28 5S
November
Tuesday, 11/2 2O
Wednesday, 11/3 7A
Thursday, 11/4 6B
Tuesday, 11/9 1K
Wednesday, 11/10 8S
Thursday, 11/11 5A Veterans' Day
Tuesday, 11/16 3P
Wednesday, 11/17 6J
Thursday, 11/18 4S
Tuesday, 11/23 All School Mass Joan House
Tuesday, 11/30 4P
Peace and blessings!
Deborah DaLay
Coordinator of Religious Education
Our Faculty is unbeLEAFable
In today's folder, each student will be receiving a blank leaf. We are asking each family to write a little note or draw a picture for their unbeLEAFable teacher. Please return these completed leaves to teachers by Friday, October 29th for Feel Good Friday.
Were you one of the lucky ones to get an extra leaf? Please fill one out for one of our amazing administrators, support staff, or specials teachers.
Halloween Parade for K-2 Students
Calling all ghosts and goblins, St. Gabriel will not be hosting a Trunk or Treat event this year. Instead, PFA is focusing on a smaller-sized event for our K-2 students, a Halloween Costume Parade! The event will be Saturday, October 30th at 3pm. More detailed information has been sent to our K-2 families.
PFA’s Community Outreach Committee will be hosting a drive for the Little Bit Foundation at the Halloween Parade. Little Bit is committed to breaking down barriers to learning for students living in poverty through programs that serve the whole child. They are currently in need of new kids’ socks and underwear which will be collected at the event. If you cannot attend, but would like to participate in the drive, feel free to donate using the link below and enter St. Gabriel School Little Bit Foundation Halloween Drive in gift receipt space.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/genericItemsPage/10JGJ9IG1Z9PY
Year at a Glance
November 1- All Saints' Day- NO SCHOOL
November 10- Confirmation Rite of Enrollment for 8th Grade at 8:00 am Mass
November 11- First Reconciliation for 2nd grade at 7:00 pm
November 12- School Picture Make-Up Day in the morning
Teacher Planning and Collaboration - NOON DISMISSAL
1st Trimester Ends
November 24- NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Break
November 25- NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Break
November 26- NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Break
December 8- Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Holy Day - NO SCHOOL
December 15- Vocal Concert 7pm
December 16- Band Concert 7pm
December 20- January 2- NO SCHOOL- Christmas Break
January 3- School Resumes
January 14- Teacher Planning and Collaboration - NOON DISMISSAL
January 17- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
January 30-February 5 - Catholic Schools Week
January 30- Catholic Schools Week - Prospective Student Open House
January 31- Catholic Schools Week - Writing Celebrations, 7:30 am - 8:30 am
February 4- Catholic Schools Week- NOON DISMISSAL
February 14- Valentine's Day- Valentine Parties @ 2:05
February 18- Teacher Planning and Collaboration - NOON DISMISSAL
February 21- Presidents' Day- NO SCHOOL
February 25- End of 2nd Trimester
March 5 - Auction
March 13- March 19- NO SCHOOL- Spring Break
March 30 - Student-led Conferences
April 7- First Communion Parent Meeting at 6:30 pm in church
April 14- Holy Thursday- NO SCHOOL
April 15- Good Friday- NO SCHOOL
April 18- Easter Monday- NO SCHOOL
April 28- 8th Grade Confirmation 7pm
May 1- First Communion- 2nd Grade
May 7- 8th Grade Follies 7pm
May 10- Vocal Concert 7pm
May 11- Band Concert 7pm
May 13- Field Day- NOON DISMISSAL
May 20- 7th Grade Leadership Day and 8th Grade Mystery Day
May 24- 8th Grade Graduation 6:30pm
May 27- Last day of school- NOON DISMISSAL
Calling All ADULTS of the Parish
Calling All High School Teens of the Parish
You are invited to SGYG Nights! These occur on Wednesday evening from 7-9pm in Gabriel House. Feel free to bring a friend (they don't have to belong to St. Gabriel Parish) and see what SGYG is all about!
(Masks are required.)
*On Wednesday, Dec. 8th SGYG will be attending the evening Mass to celebrate the Immaculate Conception. Any high school teens interested in helping with the Mass as servers, readers, cantors, choir members, etc. should contact Sarah by Nov. 12th.