Monday Memo
Week 25 | Feb. 25 - March 1, 2019
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE WENT OUT THIS PAST WEEKEND WITH INFORMATION REGARDING TUITION RATES FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
Reminders
- Tuition Assistance Deadline is THIS THURSDAY, FEB. 28
- Terra Nova Testing begins
- Ash Wednesday is March 6th
- 3rd Quarter ends Wednesday, March 13th
- March 16th is St. Baldrick's at 6PM
- Spring Break is the first week of April (1-5)
- Good Friday (April 19th) is a 12:30 dismissal day
- No school Easter Monday (April 22)
- No school Friday, May 3rd (Derby Weekend)
- Wednesday, May 8th is a 12:30 dismissal day
- As of now, the last day of school is Thursday, May 23rd which is a 12:30pm dismissal day
--- From The School Office ---
We're Halfway there
We had a wonderful pep rally on Friday where Charlie Muller, one of our second graders, had his head shaved to kick off St. Baldrick’s. We also recognized our winter sports and academic teams and their accomplishments. We have so much to celebrate!
As we are halfway through our school year and spring is on our horizon, I want to keep you updated on changes that will be occurring with staffing for the 2019-2020 school year. I am so sad and I know you are too, that our second grade teaching team will not be joining us in the fall next year. They are such a great team and each of them will definitely be missed. While I have tried to talk them into "one more year", their smiles and sparkly eyes don't hesitate to decline the offer. :)
I also wanted you to know that we have hired our new Junior Kindergarten teacher! Heather Hunt, who is currently the assistant in 2B, has accepted the Junior Kindergarten teaching position. Heather has several years of experience as a Junior Kindergarten teacher and even has experience in getting a Junior Kindergarten started. We are very excited to have her expertise in expanding our St. Albert Community. We will keep you updated with our new hires and teacher movement as positions become succurred. With a team of administrators and teachers, we will find the best people to “fit” our needs and high expectations.
With spring around the corner, I would like to review student class placement. At the end of each school year, teachers spend a lot of time and thought in placing students in appropriate classes for the following school year. Taken into consideration are: gender distribution, mixture of ability levels, learning styles, teacher/student personalities. Because of this, we discourage parents from requesting specific teachers for their children. (Taken from our handbook section 15.3.1) As always, the St. Albert Administration is always open to listen and discuss your questions and concerns. If you feel that there are situations that we need to be aware of in placing your child for the 2019-2020 school year, or any other concern you may have, please contact the Administrative team.
Terra Nova testing begins next week, please see the message below from Ms. Short.
The sun is shining! It’s going to be a great week!
Ellen Martin
PrincipalTerra Nova Testing Begins Next Week
Dear Parents,
Our Terra Nova testing will begin next week, March 4- March 8 for grades 2-7. We will begin testing on Tuesday and continue each morning through Friday. Our testing time is from 8:00- 10:55 a.m.. Please try to schedule any appointments after the testing time period. We will be completing most of our testing in one week, as we did last year. But, Wednesday is Ash Wednesday so our testing time will be shorter that day so some of the classes may need to continue to the following week. The second week will be used for make up tests for those that were absent or had to leave early due to illness.
For some students, and their parents, this time brings feelings of anxiety and stress. It is important to put this in perspective. We give the test each year. This allows our teachers and parents to see the progress that our students are making. (Not all Catholic Schools give the test each year. The only mandated grades are 3,5,7) We work hard to make up missed tests due to illness, but sometimes the student is just too sick to complete it all. That is okay. We can still see year to year the student’s progress. Please remember: We will TRY to make up any missed tests.
Sometimes students have test anxiety. We can help them by letting them know that this is not a “graded” test. It is more for the teachers and administration to plan for the upcoming year. They do not want to let us down, so taking the pressure off of the student and putting it on the teachers may be just enough for the student to relax and do their best.
Below you will find a few important reminders to help make the testing time for our students successful.
REMEMBER:
- Be sure your child gets a good night’s rest. Maybe even try going to bed one half hour earlier.
- Eat a healthy breakfast. Be sure it is not filled with sugar. Sugar gives us a great spike of energy and then we become tired and lethargic. A breakfast with protein can be very helpful in keeping our body and mind working on a steady level.
- Send in a nutritious snack each day during testing ( Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) Snacks such as raisins, fruit, carrot sticks, etc are good sources of energy.
- Water bottles with a closed cap will also be permitted during the testing time.
- We will allow those students in grades 4- 7 to chew gum during the tests. Research has shown that this helps improve testing scores. Each student will be responsible for bringing in his/her own gum for the test. All gum will be thrown away before the student leaves the classroom after the tests are completed. Any gum found on the floor or stuck under the desks will forfeit the opportunity to chew gum during the test again.
- Send in two sharpened #2 pencils.
Thank you for your support!
Stacie Short
School Counselor--- Classroom Spotlight ---
Ms. Debbie's class has been transformed into a space center this week with a space control center, rocket ship , and NASA t-shirts. The science center is also a hub of space activity with view finders on space and planet games. The students will be learning about the planets this week as they also have fun launching into space.
Ms. Penny and Ms. Debbie were responsible for this wonderful transformation of the classroom dramatic play area.
--- Around The School ---
Any St. Albert student that signs up to shave their head or donate a pony-tail by March 15th will be entered into a drawing for a $20 Dave & Buster’s Gift Card.
We have 53 signups already! Don’t delay – sign up today!
https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/stalbert2019
If your family is not braving the shave or donating a pony-tail, no worries, please join us on March 16th . You will see students and families giving of themselves like you have never seen before. It is AMAZING!
Questions? Want to Donate? Want to Volunteer?
E-mail us: StBaldricks@StAlbert.org
St. Baldrick's Bake Sale
Bake Sale for St. Baldrick's: Saturday, March 16, 2019- Calling all bakers and volunteers to bake goodies to sell at St. Baldrick's. Please drop off at the school office on Friday, March 15th BEFORE 1:00pm OR bring to the event on Saturday night. All proceeds will be donated to St. Baldricks.
We also need adult and student volunteers to work the bake sale booth the night of St. Baldricks, Satuday March 16th.
Please sign up below if you can help with either or both.
Contact Peggy Hertel with any bake sale questions. Peggy.hertel1971@gmail.com
School Board Wants you!
School Board is now seeking volunteers and nominations for the open Voting Member positions for the upcoming 2019-20 school year. We are seeking individuals to fill the following positions: Vice Chair, Planning Chair, Development Chair, Technology Chair
Contact Ann Abrams, School Board Secretary, at schoolboard-secretary@stalbert.org for more information or click on the link below.
Drumming Workshop
For Grades 4-8 only 10 spots available
Ms. Peake and Mr. Billy Masterson will host Session #3 on Mondays, 3:00 - 4:30, starting March 4 thru March 25. Fee is $60 per student payable by the first class, with check made to Charlotte Peake. No refunds for missed classes. Student may bring snack and drink. Pickup by music room breezeway. Parents may arrive at 4:15 on final day of class for an informal performance.
Tuition Assistance Deadline is February 28, 2019
for the 2019-2020 School YearNow is the time for all families with one or more children (Kindergarten-8th grade) enrolled in or applying to a Catholic elementary school in the Archdiocese of Louisville to apply for tuition assistance for the 2019-2020 school year. Families must submit their application, 2017 Federal tax return, 2017 W-2’s, and other non-taxable documentation along with the $25 processing fee by February 28, 2019.
Parish membership is not required to receive tuition assistance. Preschool students are not eligible for financial assistance.
Tuition assistance applications must be submitted between December 15, 2018 – February 28, 2019. Go to www.ceflou.org to apply. For assistance in filling out the online tuition assistance application please contact FACTS via their helpline at 1-866-441-4637. For St. Albert specific questions regarding tuition assistance please contact Lisa Kleyer at (502) 425-3940, x103 or lkleyer@stalbert.org.
--- From The Library ---
Storytelling Club Remaining Meetings
- Feb 26
- March 19, 26
- April 9- Last Meeting
Student Library Council Remaining Meetings
- Feb 28
- March 28
- April 11, 25
--- From The ParisH ---
Help Our Neighbors in Appalachia!
SAVE THE DATE! There will be a donation truck here on St. Albert the Great Campus on March 16th. The truck will be here to collect donations for our neighbors in Appalachia at the Pirarist Outreach Center. Needed items include: cleaning supplies (cleansers, bleach, ammonia, mops, sponges, buckets, brooms, etc.), gently-used clothing of any kind, iPads or laptops, school supplies (No Backpacks), diapers, individually packaged snacks, and more. Please help our neighbors in need by dropping off donations on March 16th between 9:00AM and 3:00PM. The truck will be located behind the Sacred Heart Center garage.
2019 Pictorial Directory
ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS HAVE BEEN ADDED! If you are a St. Albert Parishioner, we need your participation in the 2019 Pictorial Directory. Portrait Appointments are still available on March 22, 24 & 25. Click here to signup for your appointment today! We are also in need of Greeters to welcome parishioners to their appointments in the Parish Life Complex. STUDENTS GRADES 7-12 CAN VOLUNTEER FOR SERVICE HOURS (Parents please accompany/assist any student volunteers)! Click Here to volunteer!
Thank you for helping to make this major Parish Event a reality!
Summer Mission Trip
8th Graders!!!
Join the 2019 Summer Mission Trip!
July 6-13th! with CAP - Christian Appalachian Project
ONLY $500 & we have fundraisers!
Contact Cindy McKinley for any questions
--- FROM YOUR PTO ---
PTO Elections
The PTO is now accepting your nominations for the following positions on the PTO Executive Board for the 2019-2020 school year!
We currently have one Executive Board position open for nominations: Vice President has a three (3) year term and requires one (1) prior year of service on St. Albert's PTO. As a parent at the school, you are automatically a PTO member so as long as you have been in the school for a year, you are eligible to run for office.
The positions of Past President (Laura Nash) and President (Chris Wahl) are closed as they are multi-year terms.
All nominees should show a strong commitment to the purpose of the PTO. You may nominate yourself or someone you think will honorably represent the position.
Please send in your nominations by February 15, 2019 to pto@stalbert.org.
PTO Elections Committee
--- FROM YOUR SPORTS MINISTRY ---
Lenten Fish frydays!
The Lenten season is just around the corner, and that means it's time to start planning for the St Albert Fish Fry. This event is a primary fundraiser for the Sports Ministry and popular event for our parish.
We need you to help make the fish fry a success! All families participating in our sports programs are required to volunteer for at least one work shift and help clear tables.
Clearing tables is assigned by grade. Your child should report to work on your child's assigned night. There are two shifts. 6-7pm or 7-8pm.
- March 8th: 1st & 8th
- March 15th : 7th & 2nd
- March 22nd: 6th & 3rd
- March 29th: 4th Grade
- April 12th: 5th Grade
Many hands make light work. Below is the sign up link for all the positions that need to be filled each week. (Adults only in serving lines, food prep and cashiers)
Spring Sports Registration CLOSES TONIGHT!
K-2, 3-8 Girls, Boys & Co-ed Soccer, 5-8 Track, and 3-8 Softball registration will close at 11:59 tonight, February 25. No late sign-ups will be accepted.
Safe Environment Training
If you are interested in coaching an athletic team and have not attended a workshop, St Albert will be hosting a 2 hour Safe Environment Training Workshop on March 11th at 6:30 pm. This is required for all coaches, including assistants.
--- FROM OUR Youth Ministry ---
NCYC
8th Graders!
Did you Know?! You may be a delegate to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) as a Freshman in November!!
St. Albert can take 10 delegates - so grab your spot ASAP! November 21-23rd in INDY! ONLY $250 (about half-price thanks to StAG) and we do fundraising!
DEADLINE is March 11
Prayer & Pizza
Prayer & Pizza! Ash Wednesday! March 6
We will meet 2:45-5:30 pm in Youth Room
Adoration - Pizza - Lenten Activity - Tie Blankets - Bring a Friend
Trampoline Adventure Park!
Field Trip to St James, Elizabethtown Mass & Sky's the Limit Trampoline Adventure Park!
MARCH 10th! 8:45 am - 3:00 pm
Wipeout Zone, Battle Beam, Climbing Walls!
ONLY $20 - includes Lunch! Grab a permission & get it turned in by March 4 to arrange rides!