Parent Correspondence Oct 2023
10-30-2023 Halloween Update - please read!
Good Morning, Knights!
We are so excited for Halloween tomorrow! We have been Trunk or Treating for 17 years and in all but 2 years we have had beautiful weather. This looks like it might be a chilly one - but sunny! So even though we adults get cold, our students will be warmed by the excitement of the parade and the opportunity for candy!
Car decorators: we will offer the option of decorating a table in the gym if it is too chilly to decorate your vehicle. If you opt to brave the weather, when you need a break, come inside! We will have some warm cider in the main hallway for you! We are opening the playground at 12:30 and will allow cars to get onto the playground until 1:30. We need everyone in place prior to the beginning of the parade at 2:00.
Route Adjustment: We will shorten our route. We will leave from the playground promptly at 2:00. We will travel west across the crosswalk, then turn south to 10th Street. We will turn right (west) onto 10th Street and head to Buchanan. At Buchanan, we will turn right (north) and head to 8th Street. At 8th Street, we will come up the east side of Buchanan back to 9th Street. At 9th Street, we will turn left (east) and head back to Clay. At Clay, we will turn South to return to the playground and begin our Trunk or Treating. We will trunk or treat in the playground, enter the front door to trunk or treat in the gym, then exit the gym on the south side.
Rolling Schedule: We will begin promptly at 2:00. We will walk the parade route and then immediately begin Trunk or Treating. Our students trunk or treat by Houses so that we have plenty of older students to help our younger Knights. When the Knights have finished, our Child Care Center will trunk or treat. We need about 15 minutes after our Knights finish to let them have some juice and a salty snack. Then we need to move them back to their homerooms. After they have returned to their homerooms, we will allow early dismissal. We don’t know the exact time when we will dismiss the students. Please be patient and allow our students to transition back to their homerooms and wait for our dismissal cue. We know that you are eager to get a start on your fun evening, but we all must prioritize the safety of our students. Holding for 15 minutes before dismissal allows the parking lot to clear out and our staff to transition from parade supervision to dismissal supervision. Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation.
Regarding costumes: all students are asked to dress in costume or they may dress in uniform. It is not a free dress down day (please do not choose “public school student” as your costume and dress down). Students may dress as traditional Halloween monsters (Dracula, Frankenstein, etc.); however, please do not dress as serial killers (Freddie, Jason, the “Scream” villain, Pennywise (the clown from It), etc.). Please call Mrs. Hillebert if you have any questions or concerns regarding costumes. Your student cannot be a “dead _____,” i.e. a dead cheerleader, a dead clown, etc. Use good judgment regarding “props” and “weapons” with a costume. Please be aware that some of our students, especially the younger students, are frightened of scary costumes. We have so many other options that are funny, creative, or clever. Of course, students can always dress like their favorite saint!
“Layers” is the word of the day! Your student will thank you for a layer (or 2) of shirts and leggings underneath that costume! Layers create an “air block” that traps the wind and keeps it off the skin. Gloves and hats will also help keep everyone warm!
If you volunteered to bring juice boxes or candy, please send those to the office today!
We love this day and we love celebrating with you!
Andrea Hillebert
10-27-2023 Halloween and your 10-Day Forecast!
Good Afternoon!
Check your email on Monday for updated Trunk or Treat Information. I am attaching the previous document with all the details. PLEASE pay attention to the costume guidelines. We will call you to change your student’s costume if it does not meet our expectations.
Here is our 10-Day Forecast for October 30 - November 8, 2023 (with some bonus reminders for this weekend)!
Friday, October 27, 2023
Soccer plays at 5:40 at Topeka Collegiate
Hayden Catholic High School hosts Track or Treat (see the flier below for all the details)
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Gaudeamus - the Mater Dei Drumline will perform!
Saturday and Sunday, October 28-29, 2023
Weekend Masses are at the Mater Dei Holy Name Church at the following times: 5:00 PM on Saturday;8:00 AM and 10:30 AM on Sunday. The 5:00 PM Mass on Sunday is at the Mater Dei Assumption Church. All are welcome!
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Trunk or Treat! Please see the attached letter for all the details!
If you volunteered to bring juice boxes or candy, please bring them to the office on Monday, October 30! Then we will know if we need to grab a few more! Thank you so much!
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
All School Mass for the Feast of All Saints Day, prepared by the 7th Grade
Starbase for 5th Grade
Mass for the Holy Day of Obligation will be at 8:00 at Mater Dei Holy Name; noon at Mater Dei Assumption; 5:30 at Mater Dei Assumption
7/8 Boys basketball practice from 6:00 - 7:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Girls basketball practice from 6:00 - 7:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
Friday, November 3, 2023
All School Mass prepared by 4th Grade
Saturday and Sunday, November 4-5
The Mater Dei Fall Bazaar is Saturday and Sunday!
Weekend Masses are at the Mater Dei Holy Name Church at the following times: 5:00 PM on Saturday;8:00 AM and 10:30 AM on Sunday. The 5:00 PM Mass on Sunday is at the Mater Dei Assumption Church. All are welcome!
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Girls basketball practice from 6:00 - 7:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
All School Mass prepared by 6th grade
5th Grade will attend Starbase!
Open PTO Meeting and Soup Supper
Supper served at 6:00
The meeting will begin at 6:30 and we will be finished at 7:30.
If you are able to attend the PTO meeting, your child will have a free dress down day on Thursday, November 9!
Save the Dates (more info next week):
Friday, November 10 - All School Mass prepared by 3rd grade
#MDStrong
Thank you for all you do, God bless you, and have a great day!
Andrea Hillebert
10-25-2023 Halloween Update and MORE!
Good Morning!
Okay, Knights, it is getting serious. The weather forecast for Halloween is 44 and partly cloudy. Trust me when I say, the children are excited and they will be okay because they are moving (and getting candy). Here are some adjustments we will make (unless we get a forecasted high above 50):
Car decorators, we will have some warm apple cider for you and you can hang out in the building when you get chilly. If it is ridiculously windy and brutally cold, we can move to the gym. We have done that one time in the past, so we know we can make that work. We’ve got this, Knights!
We may shorten the route, and if we do, I will send that to you on Monday
What YOU can do! Make sure your student is dressed for the weather, with a long sleeved shirt underneath the costume and some leggings or running pants as an extra layer. At 44, you might also consider some gloves to keep fingers warm. The key to keeping warm is layers - you don’t have to make it bulky, just create the air pockets in between the layers.
One more thing! If it is 44 for the high, it will be a cool evening for trick or treating. So a BIG THANK YOU to our car decorators - because of you, our Knights have visited 23 “houses” while the sun is still shining!
Action Items:
Attention, volleyball players! Congratulations on a great season!
Thursday, October 26, we will be retaking team photos - we had some people absent the first time and the B Flight (who had everyone here) had their photo taken in vertical mode and that won’t work for the Memory Mates.
So (1) wash your uniforms tonight, please; and (2) bring them tomorrow for the photo; and (3) then be prepared to turn them in after the picture.
Please click here to sign up to work Bingo - each Mater Dei family is asked to work 3 Bingo sessions a year. If you do not begin your Bingo hours before December 1, we will charge you for one of your required hours. We do not want the expense to become prohibitive and we can really use the help with this very important fundraiser for our parish and school. If you have a plan to work all your hours in the second semester, please contact Mrs. Hillebert.
The Mater Dei Parish Bazaar is scheduled for Saturday - Sunday, November 4-5! This fun community event is an opportunity to celebrate together and to raise money for our parish and school. It is also an opportunity for our students and our alumni to get service hours.
We need everyone’s help to make this event a success and to make it possible for our parish to meet its commitments to our churches and our school. Please click here if you can help the weekend of the Bazaar or if you can help prepare the turkeys for the dinner. Can you spare 2 hours to support our parish? Thank you for your consideration!
Trash Bag money is due to the office as soon as possible.
Upcoming Events:
The 5th grade is headed to Starbase on Friday, October 27. Mrs. Carlson has provided information about bringing lunch and what students should wear. We are so excited that our 5th graders have this opportunity!
Hayden Catholic High School is hosting Track or Treat this Friday! Please see the flier for all the details!
Please click here and select 10-20-2023 for a more detailed calendar of events!
Counselor’s Corner
Absent students are missing a lot
Attendance is always important. The consequences of missing classes in the second quarter can be especially tough on your child. That’s because:
Remaining instruction time is limited and every class is packed with essential material to help students stay on track.
The pace of instruction often picks up after the first quarter.
Your child may have more schoolwork to do as a result of faster instruction and review. The more class time your student misses, the more schoolwork piles up, which can be overwhelming.
To help ensure attendance:
Allow absences only in cases of illness or emergency.
Schedule appointments for your child for non-school hours.
#MDStrong
Thank you for all you do, God bless you, and have a great day!
Andrea Hillebert
10-19-2023 Your 10-Day Forecast, Knights!
Good Afternoon!
Thank you for your participation in Parent Teacher Conferences - you know your child better than anyone and your insights are invaluable! Plus, we love to celebrate our Knights!
Here is our 10-Day Forecast for October 23 - November 1, 2023 (with some bonus reminders for this weekend)!
Friday, October 20, 2023
There is NO SCHOOL for students or staff!
The Hayden Dance and Cheer Clinic Performance is during the Hayden football game.
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Basketball practice begins! Girls practice from 11:00 - 12:00 and boys A Flight (grades 7/8) practice from 12:00 - 1:00! Please click here if your middle school student (grades 6-8) is interested in playing basketball! Mater Dei will have an A Flight team that is comprised of 7th and 8th graders. We have some interest in a 6th grade team. If we do not have enough players for a full team, we will invite students from other schools to join us. A reminder: boys basketball games begin in January. The girls season begins in November and ends in December.
The Mater Dei Altar Society is pleased to host the 2nd annual Chili Cook Off and Fest!
Chili for everyone and this is a FREE family event! (A donation will be accepted).
Saturday and Sunday, October 21-22, 2023
Weekend Masses are at the Mater Dei Holy Name Church at the following times: 5:00 PM on Saturday;8:00 AM and 10:30 AM on Sunday. The 5:00 PM Mass on Sunday is at the Mater Dei Assumption Church. All are welcome!
Monday, October 23, 2023
6th Grade C Flight Volleyball plays in the TPL tournament at 6:00 PM at St. Matthew
7th Grade B Flight Volleyball plays in the TPL tournament at 7:00 PM at St. Matthew
8th Grade A Flight Volleyball plays in the TPL tournament at 6:00 PM at the Balandran Activity Center (the Holy Family Gym). If they win, they play at 8:00 at the same gym
Girls basketball practice from 6:00 - 7:15 in the Mater Dei Gym
Boys A Flight basketball practice from 7:15 - 8:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Middle School attends the Topeka Symphony performance at TPAC
6th grade volleyball practice from 3:15 - 4:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
7th grade volleyball practice from 5:00 - 6:00 in the Mater Dei Gym
8th grade volleyball practice from 6:00 - 7:00 in the Mater Dei Gym
Soccer practice from 5:30 - 6:30 at the fields just east of the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
All School Mass prepared by the 5th Grade
Volleyball tournament Championship Wednesday!
Faith in the Family: Parents as the first teachers of the faith will be held at Hayden Catholic High School from 7:00 - 8:00 in the Chapel
Girls basketball practice from 6:00 - 7:15 in the Mater Dei Gym
Boys A Flight basketball practice from 7:15 - 8:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Girls basketball practice from 6:00 - 7:15 in the Mater Dei Gym
Boys A Flight basketball practice from 7:15 - 8:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
Friday, October 27, 2023
All School Mass prepared by the 8th Grade
5th Grade will go to Starbase
Soccer plays at 5:40 at Topeka Collegiate
Hayden Catholic High School hosts Track or Treat (see the flier below for all the details)
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Gaudeamus - the Mater Dei Drumline will perform!
Saturday and Sunday, October 28-29, 2023
Weekend Masses are at the Mater Dei Holy Name Church at the following times: 5:00 PM on Saturday;8:00 AM and 10:30 AM on Sunday. The 5:00 PM Mass on Sunday is at the Mater Dei Assumption Church. All are welcome!
Monday, October 30, 2023
Girls basketball practice from 6:00 - 7:15 in the Mater Dei Gym
Boys A Flight basketball practice from 7:15 - 8:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Trunk or Treat! Please see the attached letter for all the details!
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
All School Mass for the Feast of All Saints Day, prepared by the 7th Grade
Starbase for 5th Grade
Mass for the Holy Day of Obligation will be at 8:00 at Mater Dei Holy Name; noon at Mater Dei Assumption; 5:30 at Mater Dei Assumption
Girls basketball practice from 6:00 - 7:15 in the Mater Dei Gym
Boys A Flight basketball practice from 7:15 - 8:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
Save the Dates (more info next week):
Friday, November 3 - All School Mass prepared by 4th grade
Saturday and Sunday, November 4-5 - Mater Dei Parish Bazaar!
#MDStrong
Thank you for all you do, God bless you, and have a great day!
Andrea Hillebert
10-18-2023 Parent-Teacher Conferences and MORE!
Good Morning!
We are so excited to welcome you to conferences and celebrate our Knights and their hard work!
Action Items:
Parent-Teacher Conferences are Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 and Thursday from 11:00 - 2:30; and then 3:40 - 6:00 (that is today and tomorrow). We will begin conferences today promptly at 4:00, but we will not begin early. Please understand that our teachers have full schedules tonight and they need time between the end of the school day and the beginning of conferences to eat and to make final preparations. We will open the doors at 3:55 this afternoon.
Middle School Parents! You will receive a second email with an overview of our student-led conferences. Please check it out!
Students who attend after care today will follow the same procedures as they do everyday.
At Conferences, you will receive a snapshot of outstanding items, balances, and completed Bingo hours. If you have any outstanding items, please make plans to address them. If our records do not match yours, please contact the office.
Please click here to sign up to work Bingo - each Mater Dei family is asked to work 3 Bingo sessions a year. We will have an update of your Bingo hour commitment the week of Parent-Teacher Conferences.
The Mater Dei Parish Bazaar is scheduled for Saturday - Sunday, November 4-5! This fun community event is an opportunity to celebrate together and to raise money for our parish and school. It is also an opportunity for our students and our alumni to get service hours.
We need everyone’s help to make this event a success and to make it possible for our parish to meet its commitments to our churches and our school. Please click here if you can help the weekend of the Bazaar or if you can help prepare the turkeys for the dinner. Can you spare 2 hours to support our parish? Thank you for your consideration!
Trash Bag money is due to the office as soon as possible.
Upcoming Events:
The Volleyball Teams are starting tournament play tonight! Our 7th Grade B Flight plays at 6:00 at Christ the King. Our 6th Grade C Flight plays at 7:00 at Christ the King. Admission is capped at $5 per family.
Friday, October 20, is the Dance and Cheer performance if your student attended the clinic last Saturday.
Saturday, October 21, is the Chili Cook-Off and Fest! Enter a chili or just enjoy a bowl (or 2) at 6:00 in the Mater Dei Event Center (right after the 5:00 Mass).
Please click here and select 10-13-2023 for a more detailed calendar of events!
#MDStrong
Thank you for all you do, God bless you, and have a great day!
Andrea Hillebert
10-13-2023 Beware Friday the 13th, Knights!
Good Afternoon!
What a fantastic, busy day! Thank you to everyone who has donated prizes for Principal’s Monopoly Madness! We can always use more! And thank you to everyone who has signed up to help with Trunk or Treat! We currently have 16 cars and multiple volunteers. When it comes to Trunk or Treat, the more the merrier for sure!
Land’s End is having a sale on “layers,” like sweatshirts. Please see the flier below for more information.
Here is our 10-Day Forecast for October 16-25, 2023 (with some bonus reminders for this weekend)!
Saturday - Sunday, October 14-15, 2023
Weekend Masses are at the Mater Dei Holy Name Church at the following times: 5:00 PM on Saturday;8:00 AM and 10:30 AM on Sunday. The 5:00 PM Mass on Sunday is at the Mater Dei Assumption Church. All are welcome!
Saturday, October 14, Hayden is hosting the Dance and Cheer Clinic. Please click here to register.
The Knights of Columbus are hosting breakfast Sunday, October 15, after the 8:00 and 10:30 Masses. All are welcome!
Monday, October 16, 2023
6th grade volleyball practices at 3:15 - 4:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
7th Grade B Flight Volleyball plays at 6:00 PM at the Most Pure Heart Gym. Our opponent is Most Pure Heart (White).
8th Grade A Flight Volleyball plays at 7:00 PM at the Balandran Activity Center (the Holy Family Gym). Our opponent is Most Pure Heart.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
6th grade volleyball practices from 3:15 - 4:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
7th grade volleyball practices from 5:00 - 6:00 in the Mater Dei Gym
Soccer Practice from 5:30 - 6:30 at the soccer fields just east of the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Gage Park
8th grade volleyball practices from 6:00 - 7:00 in the Mater Dei Gym
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
All School Mass prepared by 2nd Grade
We are IN SCHOOL - conferences begin at 4:00.
Parent-Teacher Conferences from 4:00 - 6:40. Please click here to schedule your conference.
NO VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE because the gym is not available
The Topeka Parochial League Volleyball Tournament begins today! We will not know the exact schedule until the end of League play on October 16. Stay tuned!
Thursday, October 19, 2023
NO SCHOOL for students!
Parent-Teacher Conferences from 11:00 - 6:00
Friday, October 20, 2023
There is NO SCHOOL for students or staff!
The Hayden Dance and Cheer Clinic Performance is during the Hayden football game.
Saturday, October 21, 2023
The Mater Dei Altar Society is pleased to host the 2nd annual Chili Cook Off and Fest!
Please see the flier below for all the details AND the RULES, in case you are going to try your hand at the cook off!
Chili for everyone and this is a FREE family event!
Saturday and Sunday, October 21-22, 2023
Weekend Masses are at the Mater Dei Holy Name Church at the following times: 5:00 PM on Saturday;8:00 AM and 10:30 AM on Sunday. The 5:00 PM Mass on Sunday is at the Mater Dei Assumption Church. All are welcome!
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Middle School attends the Topeka Symphony performance at TPAC. Permission slips were sent home this week.
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
All School Mass prepared by the 5th Grade
Save the Dates (more info next week):
Friday, October 27 - All School Mass prepared by 8th grade; 5th grade to Starbase; Soccer game at 5:40 PM at Topeka Collegiate
Saturday, October 28 - Gaudeamus - the Mater Dei Drum Line will be rocking the house!
#MDStrong
Thank you for all you do, God bless you, and have a great day!
Andrea Hillebert
10-12-2023 Trunk or Treat 2023!
Good Morning, Knights!
I know that Thursday is not a usual Messenger day, but I wanted to reach out for 3 reasons:
(1) Tomorrow (Friday, October 13) is Picture Day! See the last 2 Messengers for more details! Fall athletes, bring your uniforms!
(2) It is time to turn in trash bag money - thank you for participating in this important fundraiser!
(3)The BIG reason - it is time to share the details for Trunk or Treat 2023!
Trunk or Treat is Tuesday, October 31!
ALL the details are included in the attached note - please read it!
Trunk or Treat is an AMAZING Mater Dei tradition - half of our families expressed an interest in helping out or decorating a vehicle! Our students and parents enjoy this time together and I hope that you will join us if it works in your schedule.
It takes some volunteers to make this special day happen! Please click here to sign up to decorate your car or to help in other ways!
Tomorrow's Messenger will include your 10-Day Forecast and a look ahead to the Fall Bazaar!
#MDStrong
Thank you for all you do, God bless you, and have a great day!
Andrea Hillebert
10-10-2023 2nd Tuesday Eat and Earn is TONIGHT - and MORE!
Good Afternoon!
I hope you enjoyed your long weekend! We are glad to have our Knights back at school!
Action Items:
TONIGHT is a Mater Dei 2nd Tuesday Eat and Earn at Chick-Fil-A! See the information in the attached flier!
Please click here to sign up to work Bingo - each Mater Dei family is asked to work 3 Bingo sessions a year. We will have an update of your Bingo hour commitment the week of Parent-Teacher Conferences.
And speaking of Parent-Teacher Conferences, please click here to sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Then you need to select your student’s grade to sign up. It is an expectation that all Mater Dei parents attend conferences. If you have a conflict, please contact the office. Middle school students (grades 6-8) are required to attend their conferences as they lead the conversation.
We will reach out to parents who have not signed up beginning this Thursday.
Trash Bag money is due to the office on Thursday, October 12. Thank you for your participation in this fundraiser that supports our PTO!
Thursday is a Mater Dei Spirit Day! Students may wear the following spirit wear with appropriate pants or shorts: Mater Dei Spirit Wear, Hayden Spirit Wear, Mater Dei/Saints fall sports jerseys, and IrishFest Spirit Wear.
Appropriate pants or shorts include: jeans with no holes in them, capris, shorts that extend past the tips of the fingertips AND below any shirt that is being worn; leggings ONLY IF they are worn with a shirt that comes past the end of the fingertips; pajama pants are not appropriate spirit day attire (we will host a pajama day during Catholic Schools Week). As with all matters related to the dress code, the administration reserves the right to determine appropriate implementation of the policy.
Friday is Picture Day!
Students may wear a dress down shirt with uniform pants, shorts, or skorts for their picture. Girls may wear a dress, if they would like.
Attention, Fall athletes! Please bring your uniforms because we will take sports pictures on Friday as well.
Upcoming Events:
Please click here if your child in grades K-6 would like to participate in the Hayden Dance and Cheer Clinic. This clinic is this Saturday, October 14, from 6:00 - 7:30 PM and the performance is Friday, October 20, during halftime of the football game.
Please click here and select 10-06-2023 for a more detailed calendar of events!
Counselor’s Corner:
Strengthen self-control
You want your child to thrive in school, both academically and socially. One way to help is to encourage accountability. Teach your child that we are all accountable for what we do. You might suggest that your child repeat aloud each day: “I can’t control others. But I can control my choices and my actions.”
#MDStrong
Thank you for all you do, God bless you, and have a great day!
Andrea Hillebert
10-6-2023 Your 10 Day Forecast and a Secret Surprise!
Good Afternoon!
SHHH. It’s a secret! Beginning October 24, we are kicking off a whole school (faculty, staff, and students) game, Principal’s Monopoly Madness! We could use your help with some of our daily prizes. If you are able, please consider donating one of the following small prizes: a small gift card ($5 - we would rather have more gift cards of smaller donations so that we can have more winners); a small prepackaged treat (like a rice crispy treat, or a Little Debbie snack); hot wheels car, travel games (like travel Trouble or mini Etch-a-Sketch); perhaps a free pass to an activity or a coupon for a free ice cream, etc. Think small and simple! Again, we would rather have a bunch of small prizes so that more people can win! Please send your donation to the office marked Attention: Mrs. Hillebert. Thank you for your consideration - and don’t say anything!!
Here is our 10-Day Forecast for October 9 - 18, 2023 (with some bonus reminders for this weekend)!
Friday, October 6, 2023 and all through the month of October
Tonight is the First Friday Art Walk and our middle school students are being featured at the Topeka Art Guild in Fairlawn Plaza Mall!
If you are busy tonight, do not worry! They are there all month! Check them out!
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 6,7,8
Assumption Re-Opening Activities! There is an Open House tonight from 6-8 and then again tomorrow, Saturday, from 1-3.
Weekend Masses are at the Mater Dei Holy Name Church at the following times: 5:00 PM on Saturday;10:30 AM on Sunday; 5:00 PM on Sunday. Archbishop Naumann will celebrate 8:00 Sunday Mass at the Mater Dei Assumption Church. All are welcome!
There is a Eucharistic Procession around the Capitol on Sunday, October 8, at 1:00 PM. It will begin and end at the Mater Dei Assumption Church.
The Hayden Theater Department is hosting The Haunted Hall; check out Wednesday’s School Messenger for all the details.
Monday, October 9, 2023
NO SCHOOL! Our teachers are attending an in-service in Kansas City.
8th Grade A Flight Volleyball plays at St. Matthew at 6:00 PM. Our opponent is St. Matthew
6th Grade C Flight Volleyball plays at St. Matthew at 7:00 PM. Our opponent is St. Matthew.
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
6th grade volleyball practice at 3:15-4:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
7th grade volleyball practice at 5:00 - 6:00 in the Mater Dei Gym
Soccer Practice from 5:30 - 6:30 at the soccer fields just east of the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Gage Park
8th grade volleyball practice from 6:00 - 7:00 in the Mater Dei Gym
2nd Tuesday Eat and Earn at Chick-Fil-A - check out the flier below because you need to place an order on the app to get credit. But you can come any time of the day and we will receive a portion of the proceeds!
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
All School Mass prepared by 4th Grade
Soccer Practice from 5:30 - 6:30 at the soccer fields just east of the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Gage Park
6th Grade C Flight Volleyball plays at 6:00 PM at Christ the King (South Court). Our opponent is Most Pure Heart
7th Grade B Flight Volleyball plays at 7:00 PM at Christ the King (North Court). Our opponent is Christ the King
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Mater Dei Spirit Day! Thursday is a Mater Dei Spirit Day! Students may wear the following spirit wear with appropriate pants or shorts: Mater Dei Spirit Wear, Hayden Spirit Wear, Mater Dei/Saints fall sports jerseys, and IrishFest Spirit Wear.
Appropriate pants or shorts include: jeans with no holes in them, capris, shorts that extend past the tips of the fingertips AND below any shirt that is being worn; leggings ONLY IF they are worn with a shirt that comes past the end of the fingertips; pajama pants are not appropriate spirit day attire (we will host a pajama day during Catholic Schools Week). As with all matters related to the dress code, the administration reserves the right to determine appropriate implementation of the policy.
Trash bag money is due - thank you for your support of this PTO fundraiser! We have trash bags available for purchase year round (or until we run out of inventory), so if someone you know asks if they can still buy bags, the answer is YES!
Friday, October 13, 2023
All School Mass prepared by 3rd Grade
Picture Day - check out the details!
Students may wear a dress down shirt with uniform pants, shorts, or skorts for their picture. Girls may wear a dress, if they would like.
Attention, Fall athletes! Please bring your uniforms because we will take sports pictures on Friday as well
Our Kindergarten class has a field trip to the pumpkin patch
It is the end of the first quarter - thank you for your work, Knights!
Mater Dei Soccer plays at 4:45 at Topeka Collegiate. Our opponent is NEK.
Saturday - Sunday, October 14-15, 2023
Weekend Masses are at the Mater Dei Holy Name Church at the following times: 5:00 PM on Saturday;8:00 AM and 10:30 AM on Sunday. The 5:00 PM Mass on Sunday is at the Mater Dei Assumption Church. All are welcome!
Monday, October 16, 2023
6th grade volleyball practices at 3:15 - 4:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
7th Grade B Flight Volleyball plays at 6:00 PM at the Most Pure Heart Gym. Our opponent is Most Pure Heart (White).
8th Grade A Flight Volleyball plays at 7:00 PM at the Balandran Activity Center (the Holy Family Gym). Our opponent is Most Pure Heart.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
6th grade volleyball practices from 3:15 - 4:30 in the Mater Dei Gym
7th grade volleyball practices from 5:00 - 6:00 in the Mater Dei Gym
Soccer Practice from 5:30 - 6:30 at the soccer fields just east of the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Gage Park
8th grade volleyball practices from 6:00 - 7:00 in the Mater Dei Gym
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
All School Mass prepared by 2nd Grade
We are IN SCHOOL - conferences begin at 4:00.
Parent-Teacher Conferences from 4:00 - 6:40. Please click here to schedule your conference.
NO VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE because the gym is not available
The Topeka Parochial League Volleyball Tournament begins today! We will not know the exact schedule until the end of League play on October 16. Stay tuned!
Save the Dates (more info next week):
Thursday, October 19 - Parent-Teacher Conferences - no school!
Friday, October 20 - NO SCHOOL; soccer bye week
#MDStrong
Thank you for all you do, God bless you, and have a great day!
Andrea Hillebert
10-4-2023 Action Items, Knights!
Good Afternoon!
Thank you for all your work that helped to make Knight on the Town 2023 our most successful event yet! We will share our top seller awards next week!
Action Items:
Please click here to sign up to work Bingo - each Mater Dei family is asked to work 3 Bingo sessions a year. We will have an update of your Bingo hour commitment the week of Parent-Teacher Conferences.
And speaking of Parent-Teacher Conferences, please click here to sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Then you need to select your student’s grade to sign up. It is an expectation that all Mater Dei parents attend conferences. If you have a conflict, please contact the office. Middle school students (grades 6-8) are required to attend their conferences as they lead the conversation.
Our October 2nd Tuesday (October 10) Eat and Earn is at Chick-Fil-A! We will have a flier with all the details attached to Friday’s School Messenger!
Trash Bag money is due to the office on Thursday, October 12. Thank you for your participation in this fundraiser that supports our PTO!
Upcoming Events:
Friday is a dress down day fundraiser! Students may pay $1 to wear a dress down shirt and $1 to wear dress down pants or shorts. The same rules apply as we have enacted for previous dress down days and spirit days. Proceeds will be used for our Thanksgiving and Christmas families. Thank you for your consideration.
There is NO MASS this Friday! The teachers will attend School of Faith and the students will participate in House activities.
Hayden Catholic High School’s Theater Department is proud to present “The Haunted Hall” this Saturday. Please see the flier below for more details. And if your student likes their haunted hall a little less scary, they have a plan for that!
We are excited to re-open Assumption Church this weekend! Thank you to the volunteers who helped prepare the Church for its re-opening! Guided tours are available Friday and Saturday. Archbishop Naumann will celebrate Mass on Sunday at 8:00 AM in the Assumption Church. Mass will be followed by a continental breakfast in Rossiter Hall. All are welcome!
There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 9. The teachers will attend an in-service in Kansas City.
Please click here and select 9-29-2023 for a more detailed calendar of events!
Counselor’s Corner:
Build your child’s literacy skills in a variety of fun ways at home
Literacy involves both reading and writing, so it’s vital that children strengthen both these skills with plenty of practice. Studies show that students who sharpen their literacy skills at home—even with activities that are just for fun—do better in school than kids who don’t.
Play word games. Each round of Scrabble or Bananagrams does more than entertain your child. It strengthens reading and writing skills.
Set an example. When you have some downtime, reach for a book or magazine.
Make reading “anytime” activities. Don’t save reading stories for bedtime or writing for study time. Keep books out where your child can pick them up.
#MDStrong
Thank you for all you do, God bless you, and have a great day!
Andrea Hillebert