Saint Gabriel School Weekly Newsletter for Parents
Saint Gabriel School Weekly Newsletter for Parents
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We are on Unit 6 of Friendzy: I Get to Be Me, You Get to Be You. During this unit, students discover that beauty is found in the different ways God has made each and every one of us. By the end of this unit students will see how He made all of us unique for a reason and that our differences make us stronger!
Catchphrase (main point for students to catch on to):
I Get to Be Me, You Get to Be You
Key Verses (Biblical anchor points):
1 Corinthians 12:18-19
“But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part!”
1 Corinthians 12:26
“If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.”
Encourage your student(s) to recognize their strengths this month. Once we come to a place where we know who we are in Christ, and what strengths we carry, then we can celebrate the strengths and gifts of others. This is how we can live out the Catchphrase: I Get to Be Me, You Get to Be You! Here are some ways you can continue the conversation at home this month:
We are designed to be different. Our differences make us a stronger classroom. What one person is good at, another is not. We need each other and are better together.
Celebrate your strengths. There is no one else in the world just like you. You are the only person able to fulfill the potential of your life. Stop and consider your strengths, what you are good at. You get to be you!
Celebrate your friends’ strengths. Stop and consider what your friends are good at. Thank God for them.
Stop comparing and competing. Comparison destroys friendships and teams. When we compare and compete with each other, everyone loses.
Download and review the Strengths Finder chart. You can use this to have intentional conversations with your student(s) about the strengths you see in them. Also, take time to model recognizing your own strengths. What strengths do they possess? How are those different or the same as yours? Consider how the people you know are different from each other and from you! Discuss how individual differences are actually a strength. Have fun building your students up and create meaningful points of connection!
Your students are learning relationship skills that will benefit them for a lifetime!!
Have a great weekend,
Mrs. Sarah Eaton
School Counselor
Each Lent, Catholic families across the country unite to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through CRS Rice Bowl, families learn about how our sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and climate change, and how through Lenten alms, we have the power to make the world a better place for all.
Rice bowls were sent home this week. On Fridays during Lent, students are invited to bring in coins for our Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Penny Challenge. Each homeroom will have a jug in the cafeteria during morning carpool. Individual rice bowls returned the week of March 25 will earn extra points towards the homeroom total. Please label with child's name and homeroom.
The 8th grade students will lead K-8 students in the Stations of the Cross during Lent on Fridays, March 1, 8, and 22. All sessions will begin at 1:45 p.m. in the church.
March will be our 3rd annual Celebrate Our Differences month. The goal of Celebrate Our Differences month is to build awareness of populations who are different from ourselves and gain an appreciation for each other. Each grade level will hear from a guest speaker. Topics range from disabilities to diversity. For a complete schedule of speakers, click here.
Students in K-5 and their families are invited to participate in Spring Into Math night hosted by Mathnasium. Event will be Wednesday, March 6 from 6-7 p.m. in the primary classrooms (this is a change). Flyers with RSVP information were sent home this week. Please RSVP so we can make sure we have enough materials.
This year parents/ guardians are invited to eat lunch with your child on designated days. The next designated day is Friday, March 8. If you would like to purchase lunch from the cafeteria, please email cafeteria@stgabriel.net by Monday, March 4 so they can adequately prepare. Please do not bring outside food from another vendor. This event is for lunch only, not recess.
Please note there is no school on Friday, March 15. This will be a staff professional development day. For students, this means a day off of school but for our teachers, this provides time to learn new skills to implement in their classrooms, collaborate with others, and further develop their expertise.
Saint Gabriel is excited to offer a new literacy program for students in K-8. Lexia Core 5 supports students in K-5, and PowerUp supports students in 6-8. Each student has an individual login and will be placed according to his reading level. Students may also access this program at home! Teachers will be sending home login information.
To log in, visit: https://www.lexialearning.com/logins
It's time to register for summer camp for students entering K-5 for 2024-25 school year. Students entering grades 6-8 are eligible to apply to be junior counselors. Junior counselor application deadline is March 1. Summer camp start date is June 3.
Please email Christy Holt at cholt@stgabriel.net ASAP to reserve your spot. Please include your child’s first and last name, current grade, and DOB. Placement will be officially announced in March when you have paid the $115 registration fee and signed your Summer Camp Tuition agreement. This will not be electronic but the traditional paper packets that will be sent home.
Since Friday, 1/19/24 was a snow day, distance learning will begin on the next snow day! Click here for more information about distance learning.
When weather conditions cause school openings to be questionable, one of the following announcements will be made for the Catholic Elementary Schools in Jefferson County.
“All Catholic Elementary Schools in Jefferson County are open” – Saint Gabriel is open.
“Catholic Elementary Schools in Jefferson County will be open, but on a delayed schedule.” Saint Gabriel will be on a two-hour delay. Buses will run two hours late. Doors will open at 9:25 a.m. for student arrival. Students are not allowed in before this time. Classes will start at 10:00 a.m. Dismissal will be at regular time – 2:45 p.m.
“All Catholic Schools in Jefferson County are closed.” – Saint Gabriel is closed. In the case that Saint Gabriel is closed, Saint Gabriel Preschool will make every effort to offer full-day care for registered participants. Notification will be sent separately.
All morning activities, including detention, are cancelled for that day. Detention will be served the following scheduled day. You will also be notified via the Saint Gabriel Reach Alert program. It is the parent’s responsibility to sign up for Reach Alert and to make any changes to their account.
We will have 1 regular snow day before Distance Learning days start. You will be notified via the Saint Gabriel Reach Alert program.
NEW: Updates on campus closures and delays can be found here: www.gabrielweather.com
Bingo is one of our largest fundraisers. Funds are used to offer tuition assistance and capital projects. A schedule for this year has been created to assist with staffing volunteers. Please sign up using NEW LINK: Sign Up Genius
Mar. 6, 7- KCO
Mar. 13, 14- KCS
Mar. 20, 21- KHA
Field Trip chaperones and special event volunteers need to have a background check on file and have attended the Safe Environment Training. For more information, visit https://www.stgabriel.net/background. Not sure if we have your information? Contact background@stgabriel.net. To view upcoming Honor Thy Child trainings, visit https://www.archlou.org/about-the-archdiocese/archdiocesan-policies-guidelines-and-handbooks/restoringtrust/safe/. Background checks and safe environment training refresher must be completed every five years.
March 1- Report cards mailed
March 1- Deadline for summer camp junior counselors applications
March 4- Archdiocese Accrediation visit
March 8- Eat Lunch With Your Child Day
March 15- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (Staff Professional Development Day)
April 11- Grandparents Day (8th)
April 13- Confirmation
May 14- 8th Grade Graduation
Thank you to all parishioners who have completed and submitted your Transformed in Faith Commitment Card. We invite all faithful parishioners to complete a card as our parish goal is 100% participation! You may return your card by:
• mailing it using the pre-addressed envelope
• or bringing it to Mass next Sunday.
• or you may visit our parish website at www.stgabriel.net/giving
All cards need to be returned to the parish by Sunday, March 31. School parents who have registered as a parish member, completed a stewardship commitment card, and donated to our parish over the last year, do qualify for the Member school tuition rate. If a family has not meet one or all of these criteria, the family will qualify for NON-MEMBER school tuition rate.
Saturday, March 16
9 am to Noon
Help us spruce up the landscaping on our campus this spring, just in time for Easter. We will pull weeds, pick up trash and spread mulch throughout the campus. Many hands make light work. Bring a shovel and/or wheelbarrow and some gloves. Look for our crew on the Hudson Lane side upon arrival to campus. Contact maintenance@stgabriel.net f you need more details.
Let the games begin. Register your Trivia Team today. First come, first serve. Up to forty tables will be sold. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 16th.
The “Interim Stage” for the Synod on Synodality is the period between Synod of Bishops’ meetings in October 2023 and October 2024. All are invited to participate in consultation that will contribute to preparation for the October 2024 Assembly in Rome. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has recommended that dioceses conduct two to three listening sessions during Lent.
Upcoming Listening Session Dates: March 7, March 13
Click link for more information.
This event takes place at Mercy Academy on Saturday, March 9th from 9-11. Cost is $10 a person. Families with 4 or more people receive a $10 discount on the total. CASH OR CHECK ONLY.
For planning purposes, please try to RSVP by Monday, 3/4 at 10 PM.
**This event is sponsored by Mercy's Future Business Leaders of America Chapter students**