OCTOBER 2023
News From Siena
Dear families and friends of Siena,
Perhaps the most important note that I can share this month comes from Pope Francis. In this time of uncertainty and conflict, let us read Pope Francis' prayer for peace.
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have been in vain.
Now, Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: "Never again war!"; "With war everything is lost". Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.
Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness.
Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words "division", "hatred" and "war" be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be "brother", and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!
Amen.
God bless,
Dr. Sue Savaglio-Jarvis
President, Siena Catholic Schools
P.S. As always, follow Siena on Facebook and get an inside view of our schools through "Dr. Sue's View." Videos are frequently uploaded that illustrate the best our schools have to offer.
Mission: Possible!
This month I ask you to ponder this as a parent/guardian, and/or educator:
How does the topic of peace come up as a family?
What does peace look like in your family, in your community, and in the world?
In solidarity with the people of the Middle East, in particular, our Jewish sisters and brothers and all those of good will suffering in the Holy Land, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will join with the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land and Catholic dioceses around the world in a day of prayer, fasting, and abstinence on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
Dr. Sue
Quick Notes
Reminder: NO SCHOOL on...
November 3 (all schools, non-contract day)
Save the Date: STEM NIGHT! Each of our Siena schools will have a table set up to showcase some of their STEM projects on November 8 from 5-6pm in the St. Catherine's cafeteria. The High School will have tours available to the STEM Lab where there will be members of the Robotics Club, coding projects, and 3D prints.
McGuire-Letsch Golf Outing: on Friday, September 29 we welcomed 120 guests for the 23rd annual golf outing honoring legendary St. Catherine's coaches, John F. McGuire and Bob Letsch. Guests raised an outstanding $16,000 to benefit student scholarships and St. Catherine's Athletics. Thank you to all who joined us and mark your calendars to hit the links next year on September 27!
You're invited! Join us in celebrating our newest class of St. Catherine's High School Alumni Hall of Fame inductees on October 28, 2023 from 3-5pm at St. Cat's. Visit our website for event details and to register (https://www.saintcats.org/halls-of-fame). Questions? Call Alia in our Development Office, 262-833-5511.
Admissions News & Notes
Interested in Enrolling for the 24-25 school year?
Siena Catholic Schools is now accepting inquiries for the 2024-25 school year in all grades K3-11. The process is quick and easy! A short Inquiry Form is completed and someone from the Siena Admissions team will be in touch with the next steps. To speak with someone in the admissions department please call (262) 812-0155.
St. Catherine's Open House - October 19, 2023
Looking for a high school for your middle schooler? Why not check out the St. Catherine's Open House on October 19, 2023? Click here to sign up for a time to stop by!
Save the Date! 2024-25 scholarship applications available Oct. 19
2024-25 scholarships will be available online for current and new students beginning on October 19. Here's the link!
Weather Reminders
As the weather cools we need to remind you that in most cases, Siena follows Racine Unified for weather-related closures. Once RUSD communicates a closure to Siena leadership, school principals will be informed and communication will go home via call, text, and email, as well as being posted on social media. We will do our best to make announcements in a timely manner.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Thanks to all for attending our Siena-wide Hispanic Heritage Month event on October 11 at St. Catherine's High School. Congratulations to our Hispanic Heritage Month winners!
Art Appreciation: Azael N. - JPIIA, Linda R.T. - OLOGA, Emily L. - SLS
Aspiring Author: Josh H. - SRS, Reese S. - SLS
Athletics: Sebastian G.R. - JPIIA, Londyn P. - SCHS
Citizenship: Aracely O., Macy T. - SCHS
Kind Classmate: Talia H. - SJS, Syvah P. - SLS, Emmanuel S.D. - SCHS
Outstanding Improvement - Adrian V. - SRS
Teaching Excellence: Ashley Smith - OLOGA, Sonja Mata - SLS, Kris Rivas - SCHS
Feeling Like A Fish Fry?
St. Lucy Parish will be holding a Friday Fish Fry on October 20 from 4-7pm in the school gym. It is dine-in or carryout. On the menu is hand-breaded cod, french fries, coleslaw, bread and butter, coffee/water, and dessert for $13. Also available is a dinner of macaroni and cheese, french fries, coleslaw, and dessert for $6. Soda and beer are available for purchase and free popcorn is available for dine-in.
St. Rita: SC Johnson Kaleidoscope Education Series, Building Thinking Classrooms
On Monday, October 9, SCJ invited Middle Schools to attend the Kaleidoscope Education Series Program at the Golden Rondelle.
This particular day focused on the exciting world of physics. St. Rita's 8th grader, Arlette B-F., was one of the students chosen to demonstrate how electrons flow through objects....in this case...causing her hair to rise!
Thank you to Michelle Sweetman and SCJ for continued funding and making these experiences accessible to our students.
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"Building Thinking Classrooms... exudes enthusiasm for students, how they think, and how those thoughts coalesce into powerful thinking classrooms."
From Cheryl Maraccini: That's what we are trying to build in our classrooms, POWERFUL THINKERS! In 8th grade science, we use these concepts to construct the details of a conclusion in an experiment. In math, we use these concepts to help students think "outside the box" and find answers in various ways. Siena has brought in CESA 6 to help us foster this concept and build a POWERFUL THINKING CLASSROOM within our middle school math programs.
Meme Monday Fun at Our Lady of Grace Academy
Middle school teacher Theresa Erickson decided to have a bit of fun with her students, implementing Meme Mondays. For “Meme Monday” each grade has to come up with a clever meme or two for a picture shown in class. The winners will have their meme displayed in the classroom all year and receive a special prize. Each class has a winner and this has been a real hit with all of middle school and really got them talking and thinking!
Sixth Grade Retreats
Sixth graders across all Siena Catholic Schools recently had their retreats with the theme of "F.R.O.G.: Fully Rely On God." Students focused on building characteristics in themselves that make them better people, the people that God made us to be, centered around scripture readings.
Angels Youth Softball
Angels Youth Softball Association's annual 'Wig Game' on Oct. 5 featured softball stars from St. Lucy, St. Rita, St. Joseph, and various religious education programs within Siena. A great time was had by all!
Off to Ecuador!
St. Cat's Juniors and Seniors will be traveling to Ecuador this summer. If you are interested in learning more about the trip and how you can get signed up, please reach out to Ms. Rivas in Room 111 or email her at krivas@sienacatholicschools.org. The students will be hiking in the Amazon, whitewater rafting in the Napo River, swimming in the hot springs, visiting animal rescue centers, and so much more! Spots are limited.
School Nutrition Program
Looking for breakfast and lunch menus? Did you know that you can view the breakfast, lunch, and snack menus online AND via the Taher app? All menus are located here...just click on the correct school on the upper right. You can download the Taher app here (Apple) and here (Android).
In addition to menus, extensive information about Taher and our school nutrition program can be found on the School Nutrition Website
Free and Reduced Meals application: https://sienacatholic.familyportal.cloud/
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
2023-24 Academic Calendar
You can download the calendar here.
Finalized special event dates will be communicated as they become available!
Looking for your school's Google calendar? They can be found here:
News & Notes, Resources
Siena is looking for Substitutes: If you or you know someone interested in becoming a substitute, please contact bschurman@sienacatholicschools.org.
If you have ideas for the Siena community newsletter, have pictures or stories to share, or just want to say hi, you can email me at kgardner@sienacatholicschools.org.