A Message from Administration

Dear St. Albert Families

As parents, it’s natural to want to protect your child from emotional distress. Whether it's fear before a big test, nervousness before a sporting event, or frustration with a tough homework assignment, many of these experiences fall within the realm of typical childhood stress. Worry and stress are part of life. Children, like adults, face daily challenges that can trigger emotional reactions. This is a topic that has been discussed many times in the past, but teachers and counselors are seeing and hearing an increased number of students talking about their “anxiety” daily and feel it’s necessary to remind families about the difference between worrying and anxiety.

Worry is usually specific and situational. Children may worry about an upcoming test, or a disagreement with a friend. It is short term and decreases once the situation is resolved. Stress is the body’s response to demands or pressure and it can actually be motivating like preparing for a test or big game. Both of these are temporary and usually manageable with support, rest, or coping strategies like talking, drawing, or problem-solving. But when these feelings become overwhelming, persistent, and start interfering with daily life, it may be more than just worry.

Anxiety is more than just feeling nervous. It is a chronic condition that can affect a child’s thoughts, emotions, and physical well-being. It is persistent fear or worry that doesn’t go away, even when the situation is resolved. It can manifest in different ways: avoidance, physical symptoms, or seeking reassurance excessively, to name a few. Anxiety can show up in different forms—social anxiety, separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, or specific phobias—and can begin as early as preschool age.

Understanding the difference between everyday stress and anxiety is important because the way you respond can impact how your child copes. For stress or worry, your child may benefit from encouragement, structure, and reassurance. For anxiety, your child may need more support, such as therapy, meditation, or mindfulness strategies. Over-reassuring an anxious child can unintentionally reinforce their fears. Instead, helping them build coping skills and face fears gradually can be more effective.

Parents and teachers can help by listening and validating feelings, modeling healthy coping skills, providing routines, and by not avoiding but helping with facing fears.

Anxiety is common—about 1 in 8 children experience it—but it is also highly treatable. The earlier it's recognized, the easier it is to manage. By understanding the difference between normal worry and anxiety, you’re taking an important step toward supporting your child’s emotional well-being.

With the end of the school year approaching, children may feel more pressure with final exams, spring sports, and hectic family schedules. Please take time to slow down and give your children time for free play and enjoying the things they love.

Julie Kane

School Counselor

SCHOOL NEWS 🍎

May Crowning

Throughout history, Catholics have long honored the Blessed Virgin Mary during the month of May to symbolize Her significance in the Church and in our lives.  In honor of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Albert the Great Catholic School will honor and celebrate Mary with a "May Crowning" on Thursday, May 8th at 9:30 AM.  Each class will participate in the procession, the second graders will recite a special poem, and we will crown a statue of the Blessed Virgin with a garland or crown of flowers honoring Her as “the Queen of May." 

• Students in each class are asked to bring stems of flowers that day (Thursday, May 8)  so that we can make vases of flowers for our special procession. 

• Students are also asked to wear their white school uniform shirts if they have one. 

• Any students who have PE that day will be allowed to change into their PE clothes after the service.

 Please join us for this beautiful tradition. We honor our Blessed Mother and our earthly mothers on this special day!

Bus registration is open from April 22 to May 9- ENDS NEXT WEEK

Bus riders for this past school year must register if they wish to ride the bus in the upcoming 2025-26 year. May 9 is the final deadline, and no registrations will be accepted after this date. Once routes are set, families can ONLY be added if there is space on the bus AND if they use an existing stop on a current route. We will not add or change routes or stops to accommodate late registrations between May 10 and the start of school. No exceptions. Link to register.

Library Important Dates!

JK-7th Grade- The last week to check out books is the week of May 5-9.

ALL books are due back the week of May 12-16.

Coffee and Conversations

Join our administrators for a spring Coffee & Conversation session. This is an informal gathering to talk about anything related to St. Albert. There is a session for JK-4th and one for 5th-8th.  Click this link to see available dates, sign up for a session, and submit your topics or questions anonymously through the Google form. For questions, contact Janelle Richardson at jrichardson@stalbert.org. 

St. Albert Summer Enrichment Program

Incoming 3-8th graders can attend the Summer Enrichment Program with Mrs. Melton and Mrs. O'Keefe. Click here for more information.

Grades 5-8 sign-up link

Grades 3-4 sign-up link

Summer Solutions Order Now!

Order Summer Solutions Books for your students to keep their skills sharp over the summer break. Order the level your child has just completed. Use promo code SHIPFREE for any book order or BESTDEAL for 15% off your order of 3 or more books. Promo code offers end July 15, 2025. Click here to order books. 

Spring STEM Club ~ Grades 1-4 

Link for families to register. 

NASA Astro Summer Camp 

Click here for more information.

SCHOOL BOARD 📋

Click here to visit our School Board webpage.

The last school board meeting of the year will be on Monday, May 5th, starting at 6:30 in the school cafeteria.  We invite anyone interested to attend!  Please see the school board link on the school website for past meeting minutes.  

The school board is also looking to fill the following open committee chair spot:

Data & Security Committee Chair

The data committee collects data on enrollment, testing, state of the school, alumni and current school families. It assists the other standing committees needing survey information and data to develop their goals, in particular the planning and development committees. This is a great committee if you love to organize or have experience in market research and data analysis.  

Standing Committee Chairs

RESPONSIBILITIES:  Each Standing Committee Chair shall be willing and able to actively:

• Oversee his or her Standing Committee.

• Conduct regular meetings with committee.

• Maintain minutes and records of Standing Committee meetings.

• Circulate meeting minutes and report of activity to the entire Board before each Board meeting.

• Build upon existing Work Plans from previous year and draft new items, if needed, for approval.

• Maintain most recent Work Plans, notes and progress reports including development of any budget needed to accomplish full implementation of Work Plan no later than the date designated by the Executive Committee.

• Present an update of committee activity at each Board meeting, including new items which require consensus.

• Facilitate the transition to successor Standing Committee Chair.

• Understand substantive duties of Standing and Special Committee Chairs.

• TERM:  Standing Committee Chairs shall serve a three-year term beginning July 1st.

If you have any additional questions regarding school board or the open committee position please reach out to school board president, Jaimie Weiss, at jaimiedweiss@gmail.com

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:

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

PTO has the following positions open for the 2025/2026 school year. If you have any interest in leading one of these committees starting next year or know of someone who is looking to get involved, please reach out to pto-exec@stalbert.org

2025/2026 Exec Board Openings (1 year prior PTO committee chair experience required):

-Executive Board President

-Executive Board Vice President

2025/2026 PTO Committee Availability

-Christmas & End of Year Teacher Luncheons (Co-Chair 25/26, take over 26/27)

-Gala 2027 (Chair & Co-Chair)

-Secret Santa Shop (training position 2025 to chair the following year)

-Spring Showcase (Chair)

-Teacher Conference Dinners (Co-Chair 25/26, take over 26/27)

-Yearbook (Co-Chair 25/26, take over 26/27)

Teacher Appreciation Week Donation

Our PTO is collecting flowers and plants to distribute to our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. They are asking each family to bring in one plant (potted flowers, flower flats, or hanging plants) on Wednesday, May 7th, during morning carpool. Thank you! Please email Kelsey Norcia with questions at kelsey.scott1120@gmail.com.

Save the Date- Field Day

Field Day will be held on Thursday, May 22.

Volunteer sign-ups for both parents and 8th graders will go live on 5/8 via link in that day's Viking Voice.

Mark Your Calendars – May 9th is Student Celebration Day!

The PTO is hosting a fun-filled Student Celebration Day on May 9th—and it’s going to be a blast! There will be a DJ, Kona Ice, adorable puppies to snuggle, and maybe even a few surprises in store. Lunch will be held picnic-style outside, so please send your kiddo with a blanket or towel to sit on. Students can bring their lunch from home or purchase a sack lunch from the cafeteria that day. We’re also partnering with a local animal rescue organization, Southern Indiana Animal Rescue! If your child would like to contribute, donations of paper towels, bleach, dog treats, laundry soap, or a small monetary donation are greatly appreciated.

Let’s celebrate all their hard work this year—with fun, sunshine, and giving back!

SAAM NEWS (Sports Ministry) 🏆

Saint Albert Athletic Ministry website link

Positions Available | We Need You!

• 8th Grade Sports Pictures/Banners Coordinator 

• Trivia Night Coordinators (Shadow current coordinators in 2025; ownership in 2026)

If you are interested or have questions, please contact Ashley Taylor Ashley.Taylor623@yahoo.com

PARISH NEWS ⛪

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

Summer Picnic

Thank you for supporting the Summer Picnic by selling the $2 Blue Raffle chances. The raffle proceeds go toward making this year’s picnic a great success. Every little bit helps—and we truly appreciate your support! We’re also looking for friendly faces to help sell the $100 Gold Raffle raffle chances after Mass in the weeks leading up to our Summer Picnic. If you’re available to lend a hand for just a few minutes after Mass, please sign up using the sign-up link. Every little bit helps—and we truly appreciate your support! 

Saturday Vigil Mass Time Change – May 3rd

In the spirit of balancing faith and fellowship, please note the Saturday Vigil Mass will be celebrated at 4:00 PM this weekend to accommodate those planning to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. In addition, we will NOT be offering Confession before Mass. (We will celebrate our morning daily Mass at 8:30 AM followed by Confession at 9AM)

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 .