April Newsletter
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St. A School NEWSLETTER
March 5, 2024
Good morning!
The 2024-2025 calendar is in the link below. As you will see, eight early release days are new to St. Augustine School. This addition to the calendar allows our teachers time for required professional development, catechesis, and faculty meetings to occur during the school day. Early release days will be the second Friday of each month beginning at 1 pm.
Traditionally, school staff have been expected to attend these meetings before or after normal school hours (without compensation). We are blessed to have such devoted teachers and staff, whose salaries are lower than 50 percent of all earners in the United States; which is one reason I feel so strongly about giving this opportunity to them. This change gives our teachers the professional respect they deserve and allows them more flexibility during after-school hours to their ministries as parents/grandparents and as spouses.
For a fee, there will be After Care available as needed. However, we will have limited spots available, as we do not have the resources for all children to stay at After Care. Those that have transportation should be picked up at 1 pm. The After Care plan is to offer opportunities to complete homework, read, have an afternoon snack, and have some playtime. Staying for extra time with friends will not be an option on Early Release days. I am hoping that this advance notice of the 8 early dismissal days will afford time to plan for alternative pick-up plans for students.
I want to thank you in advance for understanding the importance of this time for our teachers and staff. They give so much to our school ministry and ask for very little in return. As always, you may reach out with any questions or concerns.
Have a blessed and joy-filled day!
Mrs. Nagel
Mass & Eclipse Day - April 8th
During the afternoon of April 8th, our students will participate in 3 forty-minute stations focused on an eclipse. Students will rotate through stations in mixed age-groups (K, 1 & 2 groups and 3, 4 & 5 groups). Then we will have a school-wide Eclipse Watch party between 2:00 and 2:15 p.m. Thanks to a generous donation from Mr. and Mrs. Simmons, who purchased our eclipse glasses! We will end our day enjoying a yummy Moon Pie and a Capri Sun!
Monday, April 8th is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The Annunciation celebrates the coming of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary and announcing to her that she is to be the mother of the Savior. Thus, K to 5th grade students will attend Mass at 8:15. However, students will wear their Eclipse Day t-shirt instead of their regular Mass shirt. If students wish also to wear jeans, they must bring a LIVE FLOWER to school which will be placed in a vase at the feet of Mary.
There will not be bus service, breakfast, or hot lunch available.
Parent Volunteer Hours Form LInk
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HWrp1zhstaNKgxZFlPIM4pryQZEvKmpcNue2A0Gi2aM/edit?usp=sharing
Summer Tutoring Sign-up
I cannot believe it is time to sign up for summer tutoring! This semester has FLOWN by! Mrs. Mangas will offer tutoring to those entering kindergarten in the fall and those currently in K or 1st grade. Mrs. Weigand will offer tutoring to her Title 1 students. In addition, Miss Grace Witvoet, who is in her junior year in Purdue’s elementary education program, is offering tutoring just as she did last summer. Each of these options has limited spaces, so we will do our best to accommodate your reuwest. Please complete the needed information in the link below, and we will get you in touch with the person you requested.
https://forms.gle/S4bBkFEmuxwq2Vg87
PE UNIFORM CHANGE - EFFECTIVE AUGUST 2024
Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, the PE uniform will be mandatory for all students in grades K to 5. Wednesdays will still be PE days for our students. The blue link under the photo below is an example of the type of sweatpants that will be required.
Please refer to the Dress Code link before purchasing new shoes, pants, etc. Thank you!
No bus service, breakfast, or hot lunch is available on Monday, April 8th or on Friday, April 19th because the public school will not be in session. There will still be Early Bird Care (starting at 7 am) and Aftercare (ending at 5:30 pm).
ILEARN Testing
Our 3, 4, and 5th grade students begin ILEARN testing the week of April 15th with the exception of that Friday. Grade 3 will finish testing on April 23rd. Fifth grade will finish testing on April 24nd, and fourth grade will complete testing on April 25th.
Students will test in the mornings only, so PLEASE avoid those times when scheduling appointments. Also, please ensure students have a healthy breakfast and plenty of rest on the nights before testing. Individual HEALTHY snacks may be sent in, but just as we have been able to do all year, there will be a snack option for those who are not able to bring one in.
Below is a link to a parent ILEARN testing information sheet.
Shrine of Christ’s Passion Field Trip
K-5 students and staff will travel to St. John’s, Indiana for a field trip to the Shrine of Christ’s Passion. Students will need to bring a sack lunch for the trip. The bus will leave St. Augustine at 8:10 for a 9:30 start of our self-guided tour. Lunch will follow on their outdoor patio, and then we will head home at 12:30 pm. We have limited seats on the bus, but you would be welcome to drive separately and join us. Please use the link below if you are interested in chaperoning.
https://forms.gle/3UkqcifpaL9xT4Lm9
May 3rd = Special Lunch 4th Quarter
On May 3rd the school will honor Mary with a school-wide May Crowning after Mass. Thus, to continue uplifting Mary in our thoughts and prayers, some of the lunch items will have a Marian theme to them! Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054BAEA62AAAFB6-48887298-4thquarter
May 6th - 10th - Teacher Appreciation Week
PFA - Please let me know what your plan is for this week. THANK YOU!
SECOND SEMESTER SCHOOL MASS SCHEDULE LINK - CLICK HERE
Friendly Reminder of our FAMILY VACATION POLICY
St. Augustine School does not encourage students to miss structured classroom work, class assignments, or the opportunity for individual educational attention. This type of absence always places a hardship on students’ academic performance and success.
- Pre-arranged absences due to family vacations must be in writing at least one week prior to the vacation.
- Requests must have principal approval.
- Students may not miss more than five days per semester due to a family vacation.
- Days missed with pre-arranged approval will be excused up to five days.
- Days missed without pre-arranged approval will be unexcused.
- Missed homework, classwork, and tests will be allowed to be made up if the absence is excused.
- Arrangements are to be made with the classroom teacher concerning when and how make-up work will be completed.
- It may not be feasible for the teacher to give the student assignments prior to the vacation
Holy Rollin' Pizza and Skate
Paula Burrell, our director of evangelization, has planned a skate and pizza night for our pastorate, and as a member of our St. Augustine School family, you are all welcome to attend! It should be a fun evening!!! See the image below for details.
Upcoming Events...
April
- 3rd Paraprofessional’s Day (Mrs. Meeks & Miss Nagel)
- 8th - Eclipse Day - Activities in the PM
- Are you ready? Need anything?
- Remind Students about No Lunch or Breakfast on the 8th
- Practice wearing glasses BEFORE Monday
- 8th - PFA Meeting
- 12th - Battle of the Saints Games
- 24th - Admin Assistant’s Day (Mrs. Simmons)
May
- 2nd - Shrine field trip K to 5
- 3rd- May Crowning after 8:15 Mass
- 4th - First Holy Communion @ 9am at Sacred Heart in Remington
- 6th - 10th - Teacher Appreciation Week
- 13th - PFA Meeting
- 22nd -Spring Concert and Awards Night at 6:30 in the gymnasium
- 23rd - K Graduation at 6:30 pm
- 24th - Last Day for Students - 12:30 pm pick-up at Brookside Park
- Mass at 8:15
- Lunch and Play at Brookside Park 9:30 to 12:30
- 25th—Begin SUMMER BREAK!
