Saint Gabriel School Weekly Newsletter for Parents

Week 14 - November 14

Upcoming Events

Thanksgiving Mass

We are thankful for our students, staff, and families! You are invited to join us for All-School mass led by 6th grade on Thursday, November 20 at 8:15 a.m.

Candy Cane Sale

The Student Council Candy Cane sale will be taking place December 9-10. We invite you to bring money to school to purchase the candy canes. They will be sold for $1 each. The Candy Cane sale will be held in the cafeteria during lunch and recess. Thank you for your support!

Note: There will not be a toy drive this year. The hope is to focus our fundraising efforts to fewer requests.

Letter from Administration

Celebrating Kindness Day at Our School

World Kindness Day, celebrated every year in November, reminds us that even the smallest kind action can make a big difference. Started in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, the day encourages everyone to pause, focus on goodwill, and look for simple ways to brighten someone’s day.

This week, our students joined in the celebration with a fun and meaningful project. Each student wrote a personal “kindness commitment” on a colorful strip of paper — anything from helping a friend to sharing a smile. Once finished, we linked all the strips together to create our long and cheerful Kindness Chain! It’s now hanging in our hallway as a joyful reminder of the promises our students made and the kindness they plan to spread.

The students were excited, creative, and fully engaged as they added their links to the chain. Be sure to visit our school’s Facebook page for pictures of this uplifting activity and to see our growing chain of kindness in action.

Kindness looks good on everyone — and our students proved it!

Be kind today and everyday,

Allison Armstrong, LPCC

Guidance Counselor

Principal

HIGHLIGHTS

IMPORTANT ENROLLMENT INFORMATION FOR 2026-2027

It is time to start thinking about enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year. We will continue to use FACTS enrollment.

Current Students

We will assume all current students (grades K-7) will return for next school year unless we receive written notification that your child is not returning. Please email school@stgabriel.net by December 1, 2025 if your child will not return. Current families will complete re-enrollment packets through FACTS in March.

New Students

Applications for next year are now open. Families will complete an online application through FACTS. Visit our website for more information. Priority deadline to apply is January 15, 2026.

Tuition Assistance (K-8):

Financial Aid applications for students in grades K-8 for the 2026-2027 school year are now available. We are committed to assisting families who need financial aid to make a Catholic education a reality. Last year, over $400,000 in total financial aid was provided to school families from St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, the Archdiocese of Louisville, the Catholic Education Foundation, and their partners. There is one financial aid application to apply for all aid sources. This application can be found at www.factsmgt.com/aid. This is a separate login from your FACTS Family Portal. Apply through FACTS Management System by November 30, 2025. For more information, please visit www.ceflou.org or contact aid@stgabriel.net or the FACTs family Helpline at 866-315-9262 .

Thank you for choosing to partner with Saint Gabriel School for your child(ren)’s education.

QUICK LINKS

Continuous Improvement Survey

In our commitment to continuous school improvement, we will regularly administer perception surveys, certified through Cognia©, our accrediting organization and trusted partner in school improvement. The purpose of the survey is to solicit feedback from our stakeholders. This year, as a part of our celebration of Discover Catholic Schools Week, we are asking you, as well as our students (grades 3-8) to complete a stakeholder survey. At the end of this paragraph, you will find a link to the questionnaire. Your feedback is a valued and crucial component of our continuous improvement planning, so we thank you in advance for taking the time to thoughtfully respond to the survey by Saturday, November 22.

Parent Survey Link

Angel Award Nominations

Seeking nominations! The Angel Award recognizes a Saint Gabriel School employee who serves as a role model and is a positive influence in our community. Alums, current parents, past parents, students, faculty, and staff are invited to nominate a current administrator, faculty, or staff member who has made a significant difference in their lives. Previous winners include Mr. Freeman Parker, Mrs. Susan Adams, and Mrs. Jennifer Schulz.

Nominations are due by Monday, December 8, 2025 and must include a description (two paragraph minimum) supporting your nomination. The award will be presented at the Catholic Schools Week all-school mass on Thursday, January 29, 2026. If chosen, your nomination submission may be read at mass.

Click Here to Nominate

Closing/ Delayed Opening Policy

The first snow day will be a regular day with no work. Distance learning will begin Day 2. 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 be notified via the Saint Gabriel Parent Alert program.

Updates on campus closures and delays can be found here: www.gabrielweather.com

Report Cards

We are pleased to share that the school year is off to a strong and successful start as we conclude Trimester 1. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our teachers, families, and all stakeholders for your partnership and dedication to ensuring each student’s success during this important beginning phase.

T1 report cards will be emailed to families and will be available to view in your FACTS family portal. An email blast and text alert will be sent when report cards are ready to view.

Canned Food Drive

Student Council will be holding our annual Canned Food Drive! This will go on November 3- November 21. Please bring donated items to the music hallway during morning carpool. This will help prepare Thanksgiving food baskets for Fern Creek Highview United Ministries. We will be collecting different items for each grade.

Preschool- Canned gravy/ canned soup

Kindergarten- Green Beans

1st Grade- Peas

2nd Grade- Cranberry Sauce

3rd Grade- Corn

4th Grade- Carrots

5th Grade- Boxed Brownie/ or Cake mix AND icing (we need some more icing!)

6th Grade- Boxed Stuffing mix

7th Grade- Boxed Mac n Cheese

8th Grade- Canned Yams

2026-27 Tuition Assistance

It's time to start thinking about the 2025-26 school year. Tuition assistance applications are now available. Parents/guardians will need their 2024 federal tax return and 2024 W-2’s; (additional documents may be requested if they have additional income). Deadline to complete the application and provide all documentation is November 30, 2025 for consideration in the initial round of funding. These families will receive award notifications no later than March 1, 2026.

TUITION ASSISTANCE INFORMATION FLYER (English)

ASISTENCIA DE MATRÍCULA (Español)

Bingo- Volunteers Needed

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 to sell pull tabs. If you volunteer, your child may have a uniform break the next non-mass day! Please sign up using Sign Up Genius link below. Thank you for your support!

Nov. 19- 8DeWitt

Nov. 20- Preschool

Dec. 3- KCollins

Dec. 4- KCombs

Bingo Worker Schedule by Homeroom

Honor Thy Child/ Safe Environment Training

Are you planning to volunteer or attend a school event this year?

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.

Save the Dates

December 16- 3rd/4th grade Christmas program
January 9- Eat Lunch With Your Child Day
January 26-30- Catholic Schools Week
January 24- Trivia Night
January 27-29- First Reconciliation
March 6- Eat Lunch With Your Child Day
March 26- 5th grade Patriotic Program
April 16- STREAM Showcase
April 23- 2nd grade Grandparents Day
April 25- First Communion
May 7- 8th grade Grandparents Day
May 12- 8th grade Graduation
May 19- Field Day

From the PTSO

PTSO Family Paint Night

Join us for Family Paint Night to create lasting memories.

When: Thursday, December 4, 2025

Time: 6:00 - 8:30 pm

Where: St. Gabriel Cafeteria

Who: Open to St. Gabriel moms, dads, grandparents, or other responsible adult AND your child(ren)

Cost: $40 per Nutcracker Door Hanger

Come to the cafeteria on December 4th, and we will provide everything else you need! Please be aware that paint may get on clothes, so dress appropriately!

PTSO Mission

Saint Gabriel PTSO strives:

To promote communication among parents, teachers and administration.
To provide parents and teachers assistance in all aspects of education and student growth.
To promote good will and cooperation between parents, faculty, administration, school board and parish.
To direct and coordinate parental support to the school through specific assistance activities, social functions and fund-raisers.
To organize and conduct fundraisers. Funds raised are given to Saint Gabriel the Archangel School to assist with classroom supplies, student programs, teacher and staff appreciation, social events and other programs approved by the administration

PTSO Events

Walk-a-thon- October 3

Father/ Daughter Dance- November 1

Santa Shop- December 2-4

Paint Night- December 4

Mother/ Son event- March 21

PTSO GroupME

Not on social media but want to stay up to date on PTSO news? Join our GroupMe chat. GroupMe link

Box Tops

Box Tops is a great fundraiser for PTSO! Download the Box Tops for Education app and scan your receipt for a contribution of $1.50 or more. Be sure to enter the name of the child who should receive credit. Our next Box Tops Uniform Break will be November 17.

Thank you for your support!

Our school ID is ID: 393279.

From the Parish

Team Sports Masses

We are pleased to invite all winter sports teams and families to join us for our All-Team Sports Mass on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

This special Mass will include a blessing for all athletes and teams, as we begin the winter sports season together in faith and community. Following the Mass, we will take a group photo of all teams with Fr. Jason to commemorate the occasion.

Your presence will make this celebration even more meaningful. Please encourage all athletes to wear their team uniforms to represent their sport proudly.

Thank you for your support in helping us bring our athletic community together for this special event.

Thanksgiving Baskets

It is time for Thanksgiving Baskets for Fern Creek High View United Ministries. We have a goal of 60 baskets this year to come from the St. Gabriel Community. Can your family sponsor a basket? Can your group sponsor a basket or two?

We are also looking for volunteers to help assemble the baskets! Last year, this service opportunity was so fun, and it was wonderful to see all the intergenerational teamwork happening to provide baskets to FCHUM.

Thanksgiving Baskets Sign-up

Craft Fair

Join us at our large Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair on Saturday, November 22nd. With ample parking and over 70 vendors offering hand-crafted items just in time for the holidays. Vendors are set up in the Gymnasium and Cafeteria.

There is a raffle drawing for a handmade quilt and for items donated by our vendors.

LIC 131

Volunteers needed! Great opportunity for 8th graders.

Parish Directory Update

The parish is updating the parish directory. Have you changed your phone number or email address? Have you moved to a new home? Please submit your updated contact information by 11/28/25.

Update Your Information

From Athletics

Leopard Spot Sports Corner

📣 Sports Sign-Ups Now Open! 🗓️

Get ready for another great season of fun and competition! ⚡

🏐 Boys Volleyball – 5th–8th Grade

🏐 Spring Volleyball – PK–4th Grade

⚽ Soccer – PK–8th Grade

🏊 Swim – 3rd–8th Grade

🏃 Track – 1st–8th Grade

🏌️ Golf – 3rd–8th Grade

🎾 Tennis – 5th–8th Grade

👉 Register here: https://gameday.loucsaa.net/

👟 Coaches Wanted!

If you’re interested in coaching, please email Jamie Pike at 📧 jpike1793@gmail.com

Let’s make it a great season! 💪🎉

From the Community

Mercy Auditions

Student Auditions. Auditions will be held on Saturday, December 6th from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Students should prepare 32 bars of a Broadway or Disney song. No appointment is required. Any questions can be sent to Mercy's Performing Arts Director - Jason Cooper at jcooper@mercyjaguars.com.

High School information

We have added a section on News You Can Use for high school information. Check out this section for upcoming events for prospective students. This section will continue to be updated.

To view information about Catholic high school open houses, visit https://louisvillecatholicschools.com/schools/high-schools/.

Post of the week

Saint Gabriel the Archangel Catholic School(502) 239-5535 | school@stgabriel.net | School Website | Parish Website

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