Mustang Memo
A Newsletter for Saint Ann School Families
January 15, 2023
Table of Contents
- Spiritual Reflection
- Remembering Msgr. Cini
- School Health Advisory
- Re-registration for 2023-24 School Year Required
- 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
We are now in Ordinary Time. It does not mean that Ordinary Time is unimportant. Remember, God’s Spirit is in each of us. The Spirit helps us to pray well and see God’s love in our lives. Quite often God calls a person to teach others how to live. We have so many examples in the lives of the saints. Their lives are an inspiration for all of us.
On Monday, January 16, we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He encouraged people to be fair and good to others. He tried to win justice without using violence.
Friday, January 20, is the memorial of Pope Fabian. Saint Cyprian, a great friend of Fabian, tells us he was a very holy man. He must have been, because he was chosen to be pope even though he was a layperson. Fabian divided the city of Rome into seven parts and appointed a deacon for each part. The deacons were given the job to care for the poor. Fabian died for his faith in the year 250.
We cannot forget our beautiful child saint, Saint Agnes. We celebrate her on Saturday, January 21. She died for her faith when she was 12 years old. In the Greek language the name Agnes means “pure.” But in the Latin language, the name Agnes sounds like “agnus” which means “lamb.” St. Agnes reminds people of lambs and of purity. On this day in Rome, several lambs are blessed. Their wool is used to make stoles for the new bishops.
Once again, we remind everyone that the Spirit of God is in all of us. We are all called to pray and do good, love our neighbor and be there for them in times of need.
Please pray for the sick, especially Father Mink, Father Jasper’s mom, Patrick Flanagan, and all the sick of our parish. Remember those who have died, especially Monsignor Cini, who died on January 4, 2023. Our Armed Forces and First Responders need our prayers. Please pray for them.
Please note that the Mass of Christian Burial for Monsignor Cini will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 16, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church.
Remembering Msgr. Cini: A Reflection from Fr. Mink
Our parish and school community are saddened by the announcement of the death of our former pastor, Monsignor J. Thomas Cini.
Monsignor served our parish from 2003-2012. While he served as our pastor full time, he also served the diocese at the same time as Vicar General, the chief administrative officer on behalf of the bishop. Monsignor was very interested in providing continued support for St. Ann School. He was instrumental in initiating the Pre-Kindergarten 4 Year Old Program. Previously, our school started with Kindergarten. Monsignor's pastoral concern for students and parents as well as his financial management helped put our school on solid financial ground. He also served as principal of both St. Mark's and St. Elizabeth high schools and was very dedicated to Catholic schools and their students.
Please remember him in your prayers this weekend that the Lord will reward his faithful service to the Church as a priest for 54 years and to our parish in particular. His Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11am Monday January 16th at St. Elizabeth, his first assignment, where Mass will be preceded by a visitation from 9:30-10:45AM. May his soul rest in peace.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
Amen.
May almighty God bless us with his peace and strength, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Read more here: https://thedialog.org/our-diocese/msgr-j-thomas-cini-retired-diocese-of-wilmington-administrator-and-pastor-dies-at-80/
School Health Advisory
This past week, SAS was made aware of 11 cases of Covid-19 in our student body, plus several cases of the stomach flu. In order to keep these highly transmissible viruses to a minimum, please remember to encourage students to:
- wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds,
- sneeze/ cough into elbows,
- and stay socially distanced when possible.
Please also remember that students:
- may not report to school if they have a fever of 100 degrees or higher (and may not return to school until fever-free for 24 hours),
- may not take medication unless it is administered by the nurse,
- should remain at home if they are feeling unwell,
- and require a doctor's note to return to school after an absence of 3 or more days.
We encourage mask-wearing as an effective way to prevent transmission of these viruses. If there is a positive case of Covid-19 in the household, students should be wearing masks at school. Anyone may receive a free Covid-19 test at any time in the nurse's office.
Questions may be directed to Nurse Kerr: mailto:dkerr@thesaintannschool.org.
Thank you for your help in keeping our community safe and able to operate normally by taking good care of your health!
Re-registration for 2023-24 School Year Required
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
Restaurant Fundraiser: Thank you to the folks at Stitch House Brewery and everyone who joined us for last week's restaurant fundraiser! We were able to raise more than $500 for SAS!
If you know of a restaurant that would like to partner with HSA for a fundraiser, please contact Katie Messner at katieanne.messner@gmail.com.
Trivia Night: Saturday, January 28 will be here before we know it! Please contact Brian Klous at bklous@gmail.com or klousb@dnb.com to register your table or if you have any questions.
Student Life Notes
Middle School Students are preparing for Midterm Exams this month, which will happen according to the following schedule:
- Tuesday 1/24: ELA Exam
- Wednesday 1/25: Math Exam
Core classes will be one hour in length on these dates. Teachers will share detailed information, including a study guide, study plan, and list of approved support materials permitted for use during the exam period with students.
Please look to class websites and teacher communications for more; future Mustang Memos will also include additional information and resources to support student preparation.
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!
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!
January 16: NO SCHOOL - MLK Jr. Holiday
January 19: Church & School Musical Rehearsals begin, 6:00-7:30 pm (Mondays & Thursdays)
January 20: Casual Day for Students; $1 to support Missions
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 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