Saint Gabriel School Weekly Newsletter for Parents

Week 4 - September 5

Upcoming Events

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

Student Council Bake Sale

Student Council bake sale is September 16 & 17. They need your help! Please donate individually wrapped goods that they can sell. Items may be dropped off before school in the lobby next week. Students who donate may have a uniform break on Wednesday, September 24.

Feast of St. Gabriel Spirit Week

We are excited to celebrate our patron saint and 72 years of faith, family, and tradition. Here are more details on some of our events.

We'd love for you to join us for one of our four masses (4pm, 8am, 10am, 12pm) during the weekend. Wear blue to show your spirit!
Saturday: We have amazing volunteers who support our community. At the 4pm mass, we will recognize this year's service awards winners.
Sunday: Join us after mass for the Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast.
Decorate your front door at home to show your spirit! One lucky winner will get a visit from Big G! Post a picture of your decorated door and tag @stgabriellouisville by Monday, September 29 at noon to enter.
Monday: All-school mass followed by a Eucharistic procession through the school!
Tuesday: Decades Day! What's your favorite decade? Show us with your attire that day!
Wednesday: Say cheese! It's picture day. Follow the picture day uniform break guidelines.
Thursday: Spirit Day! Show your school spirit for our Pep Rally to celebrate fall sports and clubs! Leave your backpack at home and bring something else for Anything but a Backpack Day (see guidelines below)
Friday: Walk-a-thon! Dress in your class colors.

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

Technology Resources

Dear St. Gabriel families,

This year, we have made several improvements to streamline how families access information about student learning. One of the biggest updates is the addition of class courses in Schoology, which now serve as a one-stop shop for classroom updates, assignments, and resources. Parents can quickly find everything they need to stay connected to their child’s learning. If you are having trouble accessing the "Class of course", click here.

To further support families, our team has created technology resources to help parents navigate the systems we use most. These resources are designed to make technology easier and more accessible for everyone. The guide for Schoology family access can be found here, and the guide for navigating a Schoology course can be found here.

To support learning both at school and at home, students use a variety of educational apps. Here’s a quick overview and pocket guide (complete with log-in information) of what each does and how you can support your child:

FACTS – Used for grading, attendance, and communication. Parents can view report cards, check student progress, and receive important school updates.

Schoology – Our learning management system where students access assignments, resources, and class updates. Parents can view grades, announcements, and homework.

DreamBox – An adaptive math program that personalizes lessons to your child’s level. Great for practicing skills and building confidence in math.

Lexia – Helps students develop reading and language skills through personalized lessons. Tracks progress in areas like comprehension and vocabulary.

Savvas – Provides interactive lessons and resources aligned to curriculum standards for multiple subjects. Helps reinforce concepts learned in class.

Seesaw (K-1) – A student portfolio app where students can share their work, reflect on learning, and receive feedback from teachers. Parents can send and receive messages to the teacher.

We also recognize that while technology is a powerful instructional tool, it is equally important for parents to help monitor its use at home. Encouraging balance, setting boundaries, and keeping an eye on online activity are essential for student well-being and academic success.

Here at school, we’ve taken an additional step by introducing Apple Classroom, which allows teachers to keep students safe, focused, and on task during instructional time. This tool helps ensure that technology enhances learning rather than distracts from it. You can learn more about the capabilities of Apple Classroom here.

Tips for Monitoring Technology at Home

Set time limits for recreational screen use.
Charge devices in common areas so students are not taking them to bed.
Encourage tech-free times (such as family meals and before bedtime).
Check in regularly on what your child is doing online and facilitate open conversations about safe use.

Together, by using technology responsibly both at home and at school, we can create a supportive digital learning environment for every student.

If you have questions or need help troubleshooting technology issues, please contact support@stgabriel.net.

Jessica Lefevre

Instructional Support Specialist

HIGHLIGHTS

QUICK LINKS

Mock Schedule Night 9-4-25

State of the School Recap

Thank you to those of you who attended our Mock Schedule Night. In case you were not able to make it, please see slideshow for overview of updates and reminders for this year. Feel free to contact your child's teacher if more information regarding specific classes is needed.

School Board

The St. Gabriel the Archangel School Board, is a consultative board, assisting the administration in achieving its mission and providing quality Catholic education to students of the school.

This year's school board includes:

Members:

Chair: Erica Hodge

Vice Chair: Joan De La Cruz Miller

Secretary: Erin Young

Members at Large:

Joey Brown

Brandon Lewis

Brigitte Mader-Urschel

Angela Nolan

Jordan Oros

Christina Szymanski

Bethany Dages (alternate)

Ex-Officio Members:

Fr. Jason Harris, Pastor

Lara Krill, Principal

Jennifer Schulz, Assistant Principal

Lisa Mattmiller, Faculty/Staff Representative

School board meetings are on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the art room and St. Gabriel families are welcome to attend. Approved minutes are posted on the school website.

School Board Website

📘 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.

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 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
November 3- Fall Into Reading Night

From the PTSO

Walk-a-thon Giving is Live

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.

Walk-a-thon giving is now live! Visit https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/SGWALK102025 to get started.

Two Ways to Give:

Click on "Become a Champion" to set up your own fundraising page*. Click on "Join a Team" to join your homeroom team. You can then personalize your page and share your direct link with family and friends!

Donors can register on the main page and select “Donate”. The form will ask donors if they want to attribute to a child or homeroom.

Family goal is $150 to win awesome prizes!

2025 Walk on the Wild Side Parent Letter

2025 Walk-a-thon GiveSmart Directions

Walk-a-thon GiveSmart Website

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

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

Link Your Kroger Card

Choose St. Gabriel for your Kroger Community Rewards! This can be done easily by selecting our program on your digital account.

St. Gabriel ID # is: QA178

Learn more at https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

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

From Athletics

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.

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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