Saint Gabriel School Weekly Newsletter for Parents

Week 3 - August 29

Upcoming Events

Mock Schedule Night

Parents/ guardians of grades 1-8 are invited to attend our Mock Schedule Night on Thursday, September 4 at 6 p.m. Come hear about what your child is learning this year! The event will begin in the church with a State of the School address by Mrs. Krill followed by two sessions in the classrooms to accommodate parents with multiple children. (Due to low attendance, we are eliminating the third session.) Grades 5-6 will meet in the cafeteria. Grades 7-8 will meet in junior high commons.

6:00 p.m. State of the School Address by Mrs. Krill (Church)

6:30-6:55 p.m. (Session 1- classrooms)

7:00-7:25 p.m. (Session 2- classrooms)

Kindergarten Grandparents Day

Kindergarten grandparents are invited to join us for mass, donuts, and a craft on Tuesday, September 9 from 8-10 a.m. Please meet in the gathering space of the church. (If your child’s grandparent is unable to attend, any special adult will be fine!) No RSVP required. Grandparents Day will be offered for Kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 8th grade this year.

Save the Dates!

2nd grade Grandparents Day: April 23

8th grade Grandparents Day: May 7

Trunk or Treat

Save the Date! Trunk or Treat will be Friday, October 24 from 6-8 p.m. All ages are welcome.

Letter from Administration

Counselor Programming

Dear Families,

My name is Allison Armstrong, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new school counselor. I will be stepping into Mrs. Eaton’s role and continuing the same classroom programming she implemented, along with supporting students and staff needs as they arise.

Beginning in September, we will begin Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe, an evidence-based child abuse prevention curriculum designed for students in grades K–8. This program teaches children how to recognize safe adults in their lives—such as parents, relatives, teachers, or any trusted adult they feel comfortable speaking with.

During our counseling lessons, students will be encouraged to identify their own safe adult(s). I invite you to continue this important conversation at home by asking your child who they selected as their safe adult. Open communication is key to reinforcing these safety strategies.

The topics discussed and depth of concepts are tailored with age-appropriate language for students to understand. Over the course of two lessons, all students will be taught the five safety rules:

Safety Rule 1.) “It’s MY body!”

Safety Rule 2.) “Ask an adult if I am safe.”

Safety Rule 3.) “I have choices.”

Safety Rule 4.) “Tell someone.”

Safety Rule 5.) “It’s NEVER my fault.”

If you would like more information on Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe, and how to prevent child abuse, you can visit www.childhelp.org/SpeakUpBeSafe.

For the fifth year, the Archdiocese is using a program called Signs of Suicide (SOS). Through two lessons, the program teaches 6th-8th grade students about suicide and encourages them to seek help for themselves or a friend. SOS is geared towards teaching your child(ren) how to save a life!

Through the program, students learn:

How to identify potential suicide risk within themselves or a friend
To ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend

Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about themselves or someone else. Following the video, students will complete a response slip which asks whether they would like to talk to a teacher or counselor about any concerns.

For additional information regarding SOS, please visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent regarding information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.

Lastly, we will continue with Friendzy, a weekly faith-based social-emotional learning program for students K-8th which focuses on teaching skills for building healthy relationships, managing emotions, and improving academic focus. This program helps students develop character traits such as respect, confidence, and empathy while offering teachers and parents resources to help support their student(s) in personal and academic growth.

If you have any additional questions regarding any of these programs, or you would like to opt your student out of participation, please contact me directly at aarmstrong@stgabriel.net.

Have a great weekend!

Allison Armstrong,

School Counselor

HIGHLIGHTS

QUICK LINKS

📘 Schoology Family Access Guide

Schoology Family Access Guide

We've put together a Schoology Family Guide to help parents/ guardians get started using Schoology. This year every grade has a "Class of" course where teachers will post homework, resources, links, and photos. This course will follow the students from year to year and provide a one stop shop for key information.

Bus Changes reminder

This is a reminder that bus fees are non-refundable and will not be prorated if you choose to no longer use the bus service after August 31. If after this date you decide to no longer ride the bus, you will still be charged the full bus amount. Any questions about routes, please direct to Shirley Wolf at shirleywolf@wedeliverbest.com.

Carpool reminders

Thank you to our families for working with us during carpool. Here are some friendly reminders to keep everyone safe and things moving as quickly as possible:

As you enter for morning arrival, please make two lanes in front of play park. Left lane is for preschool drop-off; right lane is for K-8.
Please drive slowly, especially in the back by the play park.
If you are picking up a preschool student, please make sure that you are checked in before leaving your car to do so.
Please pull all the way up to the cones and pull in close to one another so we can maximize our space.
Make sure to use the app or at least have your number readily available.
If you are in wave 2, patiently remain in your car. Students are not allowed passed the cones.
Please follow directions of staff politely.

Upcoming change to FACTS Pricing for Credit Card Payments

Beginning September 1, 2025, the fee for credit card transactions will move to 3.05%. This slight change reflects the rising costs imposed by credit card companies and ensures we can continue to offer convenient payment options while maintaining the quality of our services.

As always, alternative payment methods, such as ACH, are available at no additional cost.

Tuition Policy Update

The tuition policies for the school have been updated and are now available to view on our website. These policies are in effect beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Changes of note:

After a family has had 3 unresolved payments, in addition to any fees charged by FACTs, Saint Gabriel will charge an additional return fee of $25.00 per return.

If a family has an invalid payment on their FACTs account, they must set up a new valid payment account within 5 business days. If they do not set up a new valid payment in FACTs after 5 days, then their child will be held out of activities and school programs until the new payment account is set up and valid.

If a family has been notified multiple times that they are in violation of our payment policies, and fail to rectify the situation, then Saint Gabriel has the option to ask the child to withdraw from our programs.

Any questions regarding tuition or financial policies may be directed to our Co-Director of Finance, Pam Terwilliger, at pterwilliger@stgabriel.net.

Tuition Policy

Tuition and Fees Delinquency Policy

Safety Patrol

St. Gabriel School invites all 4th, 5th , or 6th (NEW) grade students to become School Safety Patrols. This stewardship project is a great opportunity to participate in our school community. Each morning, a group of approximately three students along with several adults, will greet students arriving during carpool drop off and assist Kindergarten and Pre-K students. For more information, see Ms. Lauder.

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

September 4 (6-8 p.m.)- Mock Schedule Night (1-8)- parents only
September 9- Grandparents Day (Kindergarten)
September 26- Eat Lunch With Your Child Day
September 29- October 3- Spirit Week
September 29- Feast of St. Gabriel All School Mass
October 1- Picture Day
October 3- Walk-a-thon
October 24- Trunk or Treat

From the Cafeteria

Cafeteria Payments

Online Meal Payments

My School Bucks provides a simple way to keep up with accounts and meal purchases. Through www.myschoolbucks.com, you can view account balances, monitor meal purchases, make one-time payments* or schedule automatic payments*. (*subject to a convenience fee) My School Bucks accepts credit or debit cards. You can even download an app for your Android or iPhone.

Charging Policy

Students are allowed to charge meals up to $25 (approximately 5 meals). After this point, students must bring lunches from home and will not be allowed to charge anything further to their account including drinks or snacks. If these students forget to bring their lunch, we will provide them with a cheese sandwich or PB&J.

*If there is a different email you wish to use, please let us know. We will also send physical letters home once a week.

Account balances at the maximum charge limit not paid within ten (10) days (or contact with the Cafeteria Manager) will be considered delinquent and may be subject to collection.

Questions pertaining to policies regarding charges and/or payments can be directed to Angie Kordis, Food Service Manager, 502-212-4058 or cafeteria@stgabriel.net

From the PTSO

Walk-a-thon Sponsors Wanted

Saint Gabriel will be hosting its annual PTSO Walk-A-Thon on Friday, October 3rd. Funds raised help provide student scholarships, school enrichment, teacher requests for their classrooms and student and teacher appreciation throughout the year. Our goal this year is to raise $43,000.

We are looking for community businesses to help support our walk this year through various sponsorship levels. This is a great way to promote a local business.

Family and individual donations will open in September. We will use the GiveSmart online giving platform again. Online giving eligible for prizes will be open 9/5/25-9/30/25.

If interested, please return forms by 8/31/25.

2025 Corporate Sponsorship Form

2025 Walk on the Wild Side Parent Letter

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

Volunteers Wanted

Please consider volunteering for PTSO! There are lots of opportunities to be involved.

Officer
Walk-a-thon Chair
Walk-a-thon Committee
Father-Daughter Dance Chair
Father-Daughter Dance Committee
Mother-Son Chair
Mother-Son Committee
Paint Night Chair
Santa Shop Chair
Teacher Appreciation Chair
Teacher Appreciation Committee
General volunteer throughout the year

PTSO Volunteer Interest Form

PTSO GroupME

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

BTFE_Overview_2025.pdf

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 September 22.

Our school ID is ID: 393279.

From the Parish

Letter from Fr Jason on Adoration.pdf

Letter from Fr. Jason on Adoration

Parents/ families are invited to join for adoration on Wednesdays prior to carpool. Please click on letter to read a message from Fr. Jason.

Service Award Nominations

We are seeking nominations for the 2025 St. Gabriel Volunteer Service Awards. Please submit your nominees for any of the service awards referenced below by Friday, September 12th. Our annual 2025 Service Award Winners will be announced at our 4 pm Mass on Saturday, September 27th - as part of our Feast of St. Gabriel Celebration.

Nomination Criteria:

• Parish member or school/preschool family
• Effort or initiative occurred between July 2024 and June 2025

Please note this is an award for volunteers, not for St. Gabriel employees or contractors, unless the service was performed in a capacity not related to their job duties.

Service Award Categories:

Leopard Leadership Award (School/Preschool Focus)
Unsung Hero Award (Stewardship Focus)
Sports Leader Award (Sports Ministry Focus)
Good Shepherd Award (Faith Formation Focus)
Golden Hammer Award (Facilities Focus)

2025 St. Gabriel Volunteer Service Awards Nomination Form

Confirmation Parent Meeting

There is a Parent/ Guardian Confirmation Zoom Meeting on September 11 at 6:30 pm. One parent should plan to be on the Zoom. This meeting will last between 30-45 minutes.

Families- Sign up for Band to stay up to date on Confirmation information. All calendars and updates will be uploaded to Band, and you will be sent reminders on Band as well. Click the link below or scan the QR code.

Questions? Contact Kathy Abell at kabell@stgabriel.net

Leopard Spot Sports Corner

📢 Basketball & Archery Sign-Ups Are Now Open!

🏹 Archery – Co-ed for 4th–8th graders

🏀 Basketball – Open to all JK–8th graders

👉 Please use GameDay to sign up at https://gameday.loucsaa.net/ .

We are also seeking basketball coaches for this season!

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

Sports Pictures

Sports pictures will be Sunday, September 7 starting at noon in the gym.

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

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