A Message from Administration

Dear Parents,

In our work with children, mental health professionals are often told by parents and teachers who are seeking help that their student is angry. Anger may be what appears on the surface, but there could be more underneath. I recently came across some information from mindfulmazing.com about how anger isn’t always what it seems. What’s hiding underneath can be one of many other emotions.

Sometimes anger hides fear - fear of failing, getting hurt or losing control. It’s like our brain’s way of protecting us when we feel scared. Anger can also mask sadness because it feels safer. Instead of showing tears, we might lash out, even when what we might need is comfort. Frustration can bubble up and turn into anger when we’re stuck or blocked from what we are doing or trying to achieve. When we feel embarrassed or ashamed, like when someone laughs at us or we make a mistake, we might get angry to hide how uncomfortable we feel. Anger is a way to cover up that feeling of shame. And lastly, when we feel hurt or betrayed, anger can jump in to defend and protect us. It’s a way of saying “I’m not okay” without showing our vulnerability.

By understanding these feelings, we can respond with kindness and support. When we see our children lashing out in anger, it can be helpful to try to explore their feelings to determine if something else may be going on that they’re reacting to. 

If you would like information on helping children with anger, please click here.

Julie Kane

School Counselor

SCHOOL NEWS 🍎

Saint Albert the Great Parish School Parents and Coaches

As we continue to work together for the success and well-being of our students, we are writing to kindly remind everyone about an important policy in our school handbook regarding student attendance and participation in extracurricular activities.

The handbook policy on absences clearly states:
"Students who are absent are not permitted to attend extracurricular activities, including any school-sponsored sporting events (practices or games). This also includes any student who is ill and leaves during the school day."

This policy is grounded in fairness, accountability, and, most importantly, the health and academic priorities of our students. The importance of being in school every day cannot be emphasized enough. Absence should be kept to a minimum, as consistent attendance lays the foundation for learning and personal growth.

While we know that illnesses and unforeseen circumstances do arise, students must prioritize their school day responsibilities before engaging in extracurricular activities. Allowing students who are absent from school to participate in extracurricular events creates inconsistencies and inequities among peers. It also sends a message that school attendance is secondary, which is not in alignment with our shared goals.

In an effort to remain consistent and ensure fairness for all, the administration is committed to adhering to this policy. We kindly ask for your partnership in reinforcing these guidelines by encouraging your child to focus on their recovery and return to school when they are healthy, or to fulfill their full school day if they are present.

These guidelines not only maintain equity and fairness but also protect the health and well-being of our school community. We appreciate your cooperation in helping Saint Albert the Great Parish School uphold these important principles.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the school office or administration. Together, we can ensure that our students are set up for success in both academics and extracurricular activities.

Jr. Kindergarten and Kindergarten- NO SCHOOL JAN. 10, 2025

On Friday, January 10, 2025, our JK and Kindergarten educators will conduct readiness assessments for new students entering JK or Kindergarten for the 2025/2026 school year. As a result, there will be no school for current JK and Kindergarten students on that day. However, Preschool and grades 1-8 will still be in session. We are notifying parents early to allow for any necessary adjustments. Thank you for your understanding.

School Board Meetings and Minutes

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for January 13, 2025. Meetings are from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Viking Room. (Enter through the gym door. The Viking Room is on the 2nd floor.)  You can learn more about the School Board and review minutes of past meetings on the school website.

Save the Date: Mother Son Carnival Night! 

Step right up and join the fun! Save the date for a special mother/son event on January 18, 2025! Ticket sales and more information coming soon! Link to flyer. 

SATG Alumni in the Military

As part of our celebration of Catholic Schools Week, the students of St. Albert the Great are writing letters to the military. We would love to send some to SATG alumni and close family/friends of our families. If you would like to have letters sent to an active member of the military, please provide their full mailing address below. Complete this form as many times as you would like! We want to reach as many alumni as possible.

Catholic Schools Week is January 26, 2025 - February 1, 2025 and cards will be mailed around that time. Click this link to add a mailing address. 

PTO NEWS❤️

Click, HERE, to visit our PTO webpage.

2024-2025 PTO Executive Committee:

President - Jennifer Boyle, ptopresident@stalbert.org

Vice President - Sarah Stahl, ptovicepresident@stalbert.org

Secretary - Lauren Biagi, ptosecretary@stalbert.org

Treasurer - Emily Rives, ptotresurer@stalbert.org

Past President - Christine Newman, pto-past-president@stalbert.org

2024-2025 PTO Meeting Dates:

November 21st, 7:00pm-8:30pm, Visitation Hall (Cafeteria)

January 23rd, 7:00pm-8:30pm, Visitation Hall (Cafeteria)

April 24th, 7:00pm-8:30pm, PLC

Boxtops

As you do your holiday shopping, don't forget to scan for box tops and earn money for our school!

PTO Student Appreciation Committee

The PTO Student Appreciation Committee is ready for the holidays, and we can’t wait to celebrate our students! Get ready to groove into the holiday season with our Silent Disco & Christmas Cheer event on December 19th! Students will dance to their favorite tunes through wireless headphones in a festive silent disco experience. To add to the holiday fun, each student will receive a scratch-off card for a chance to win a special prize, with winners in every grade. It's the perfect way to celebrate the season with music, dancing, and a little extra holiday magic!

Viking Gala 2025: Gold & Glam presented by Fun Masters!

Join us Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at the Louisville Marriott East from 6 to 11 p.m.! 

Ticket Info:

There are very few remaining individual tickets still available at VikingGala.org! Tables are now sold out. Don’t delay, grab your tickets now!

Win a Trip for Two to Costa Rica!

The 2025 Gala Trip Raffle presented by Kaiman & Crahan is a 5-day trip for two to Costa Rica including airfare! Raffle Tickets are now on sale at VikingGala.org! Tickets are $50 each and only 400 will be sold! Spread the word to your friends and family! The winner will be drawn at the Gala, and you do not need to be present to win! Charitable Gaming License # ORG0000407

We Need Event-Day Volunteers!

It takes many hands to create a fun and successful fundraising event for 500 guests! Please consider signing up for a volunteer shift on the day of the event. There are several shifts that you can do even if you are also attending the event as a guest.  Sign Up to Volunteer

2025 Fund a Need Project

This year’s Gala Fund A Need is presented by Stealth Field Hockey! At the November PTO Meeting, the PTO voted on and approved this year’s fund-a-need project, which is installing security laminate to doors and priority windows (as determined by law enforcement professionals) both outside and inside our school and church campus. The laminate is designed to prevent unwelcome entry. It helps keep glass firmly in its frame, delaying intruders and allowing time for police to reach the campus.

Visit VikingGala.org to learn more about the project and how you can help!

Find out how to help at VikingGala.org!

• Donate bourbon to the Pet Station Country Club Bourbon Pull by emailing gala@stalbert.org

• Donate fabulous items to our auctions

Email questions to Julie Kruer and Allison Gotting at gala@stalbert.org!

SAAM NEWS (Sports Ministry)🏆

Saint Albert Athletic Ministry website link

Spirit Wear Pop-up Store

Need some last minute gift ideas? There will be a Viking spirit wear shop set up in the gym lobby during basketball games on Saturday, December 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 15th from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Water bottles, cinch sacks, car decals, hoodies, crew necks, t-shirts, etc. will be available for purchase while supplies last. Stop by and do some shopping. A portion of sales go to benefit SAAM.

PARISH NEWS⛪

Please read the Parish Post to stay up to date with events and opportunities. 

Advent Schedule 

Prepare your heart and mind for the celebration of Christmas by engaging in prayer and reflection!

Evening Advent Mass: Wednesday, December 18, 5pm

Join us for evening Mass during the season of Advent on Wednesdays at 5pm. Confession will be offered before and after Mass beginning at 4pm. 

Gaudete Sunday – December 15th

The congregation is invited to join Fr. Schultz in wearing pink or rose colored clothes to Mass for an Advent "Pink Out." The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete, or “rejoicing” Sunday. The priest may wear rose colored vestments instead of purple and we light the rose colored candle in the Advent wreath signifying the anticipated joy of the birth of Christ. 

Bambinelli Sunday – December 15th

All children and teens are invited to bring their baby Jesus to Mass on December 14th & 15th for a special blessing and tradition. St. John Paul II began a tradition early on in his papacy where he invited the children of Rome to bring their little statue of the baby Jesus that would be placed in their Nativity set at home. He blessed the figurines of those present of prayer. Children can also wrap their Bambinelli in paper, place it under their Christmas tree, and open it as the first gift on Christmas morning. 

Family Friendly Eucharistic Adoration - Thursday, December 19th, 6:00 pm

Families and individuals of all ages are welcome! This holy hour will take place in the church and will include prayers, music, scripture and time for silent reflection.

Need to add something to the Viking Voice? 

Click HERE to enter your submission. 

*Entries need to be submitted on the Tuesday BEFORE the Thursday print date .