Monday Memo
Week 14 | Nov. 26-30, 2018
Amazon Smile
This Cyber Monday, do your regular Amazon shopping at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/61-0568020 and AmazonSmile donates to St. Albert the Great!
--- From The School Office ---
December is almost here!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! I have so many things to be thankful for. I am especially grateful this year to have enjoyed a restful week with family. We (my husband and two daughters) traveled to Ohio to spend time with our parents before taking on Chicago’s Black Friday. All this followed by an Ohio State football upset. I am grateful to be returning from my fun week to a school family that God has graced me to be a part of. We have so many blessings to be thankful for, and most importantly, we are thankful for God’s unending love.
December will be a busy month and I am looking forward to accomplishing many things!
- Our Accreditation team will make a quick follow up visit on Monday, December 3. They will be observing sixteen of our classrooms as well as following up on the recommendations they made during their visit last year.
- I am looking forward to sharing the results of the Archdiocese surveys that many of our faculty, parents and students participated in earlier this fall.
- Our faculty will continue to work toward our Catholic Identity goal as well as identify ways of improvement in our Language goal.
- I am excited to see all of the preparations and celebrations of this Christmas season.
As we move toward “the most wonderful time of the year”, I hope that you will join me in looking toward Him and enjoying and appreciating each step we take toward Christ’s birth. It’s so easy to get caught up in the rush of activities, decorations, gifts and holiday treats. While enjoying these, please do not lose focus on your many blessings and the focus of Jesus’ birth. Let’s take a deep breath and move forward in joy and gratitude for this glorious season.
Ellen Martin
Principal--- Around The School ---
Don't Forget: Gifts From The Heart
This year for Christmas, St. Albert School will be collecting and donating “Gifts from the Heart” to St. Vincent de Paul. St. Vincent de Paul converts the Family Success Center into a mini mall filled with new donated toys, clothing, sports equipment and all kinds of treats for parents to shop for their families. Every new gift helps to make a difference. Please see the following list and if you would like to participate, bring your gift to school by Monday, December 3.
- Preschool: Gift cards: Target, Walmart, Fast Food, Kroger
- Kindergarten: Infant clothes
- First grade: Boys shirts
- Second grade: Girls tops
- Third grade: Sweatshirts: Both boys and girls
- Fourth grade: Sweatpants: Both boys and girls
- Fifth grade: Sweaters: Both boys and girls
- Sixth grade: Mens clothes or toys/sports equipment for children ages birth - 5 years old
- Seventh grade: Pajamas/Sleep pants: Both boys and girls
- Eighth grade: Blue jeans: both boys and girls or toys/sports equipment for children 6 years old - 10 years old
Thank you for considering to help.
Technology Showcase Website
Here is the link to the website created to showcase the work our students are completing in class. Please keep in mind this is updated often and not all classes have examples uploaded at this time. I will keep you posted on class updates via my Facebook page- Ms. Finley's Technology Class. Join my page if you have not already!
Eight Grade Midterms
The Eighth Grade will be taking Midterm exams during the last week of school before Christmas Break. It will be a great way to prepare for the high school experience. Below is the schedule.
St. Baldrick's is coming!
As we gear up for the 2019 St. Albert St. Baldrick’s event we are looking for volunteers to share their talents and fill a few key roles. Join us as we March (16th) to $2 million dollars raised to help children fighting cancer! If you are interested in one of these volunteer options, or want to explore other opportunities to help, contact us at stbaldricks@stalbert.org.
- Barber Recruiter
- Shavee Recruiter
- Recognition Coordinator
- Honored Families Coordinator
- Silent Auction Coordinator
- Bake Sale Coordinator
--- From The Library ---
Did you know?
There are two great places to find resources that support library learning: The St. Albert the Great Library Webpage (https://school.stalbert.org/viking-library/) and the St. Albert the Great Library Policies & Procedures Manual (https://sites.google.com/stalbert.org/library/home). These are your gateways to everything library! The webpage includes literary resource links and the mission that captures the heart of our learning. The manual includes circulation policies, library-sponsored club dates, literacy celebrations, and more.
Storytelling Club
Rehearsal: Tuesday, Nov 27, 2:45-3:45
Performance: Saturday, December 1. (Meet in library at 10:45.)
Student Library Council
Meeting: Thursday from 2:45-4:00
We will draw names for the Secret Santa maker-exchange! Members must be in attendance at this meeting to be included. Our Secret Santa Exchange will be December 13, which gives members 2 weeks to make gifts.
--- From The ParisH ---
Confirmation
Parents of Confirmation Candidates - We need Your help for the RETREAT, November 30th! We need 5 adults to help on the Bus at 8:00 am - 10:00 am. And we need 5 adults to help on the Bus at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Please see Signup Genius Below - Please contact Cindy McKinley or Debbie Koeberlein if you have any questions.
RCIA Group Forming
December 1, 2018
Are you or a family member interested in learning more about how to become Catholic? A new RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) group is forming.
The RCIA Inquiry process is a four-step journey where candidates meet together to explore the Catholic faith and discern their readiness for initiation and joining the Catholic Church. Please Contact Fr. Albert at 423-1590 ext. 109 or aanover@stalbert.org for more information.
--- FROM YOUR PTO ---
PTO Teacher's Christmas Collection
Christmas will be here before we know it! We know many of you shop during Thanksgiving break so allow the PTO to alleviate some of your shopping stress by taking care of your teacher gift giving! We are collecting money that will be divided out among our outstanding teachers and presented to them during their Christmas Luncheon. Instead of receiving several small gifts, each teacher will receive a substantial monetary gift that they can spend as they please. The teachers really enjoy receiving these monetary gifts during Christmastime.
Please send your check (made out to the St. Albert PTO) to the school office in an envelope marked: “PTO Teacher’s Christmas Collection” by Dec. 10th.
Santa Secret Shop 2018
The PTO is preparing to host Santa Secret Shop Dec 4, 5 & 6th. The Santa Secret Shop is a special place where the kids can buy gifts for family and friends. All gifts are $10 and under. Time to start earning their money for shopping! Please consider volunteering to experience first hand the joy and excitement the kids have about giving to others!
2019 Viking Gala Tickets!
Don't miss the opportunity to experience My Old St. Albert Home, the Derby themed Viking Gala. Tickets are now on sale for the event, which will be held on January 26, 2019. Tickets purchased before November 30th will be entered into a raffle for the opportunity to win a VIP Gala Experience! Check out this flyer for more information on ticket purchases.
Calling all ParentRAZZI!
The PTO wants all our Vikings in the Yearbook!
Please submit any photos you take throughout the school year from school games, clubs, events, and activities to ptoyearbook@stalbert.org.
Please be sure to include in the email, the students’ names, grades and team/club/event.
--- FROM YOUR SPORTS MINISTRY ---
GATE & CONCESSION DUTIES
Winter Sports Families:
Each family is required work one gate or concession shift. This means if your child is playing basketball, boys volleyball or swimming you need to work a shift in the St. Albert gym. These volunteer hours greatly reduce the cost of all sports at St. Albert. After December 7th, the remaining slots will be randomly filled with families who have yet to sign up. Thanks so much for your support.
Archery Families:
We are offering volunteer spots at our tournament on December 8th-9th as an alternative to gate and concession duty at St Albert gym. In order to put on this great tournament, we are in desperate need of volunteers! We need as many people there to run this tournament effectively. The proceeds from the tournament will help with equipment costs for our archery teams.
1ST & 2ND GRADE BASKETBALL EVALUATIONS
Player evaluations for the 1st and 2nd grade teams will be on Wednesday 11/28
Girls on 11/28 from 6-7pm
Boys on 11/28 from 7-8pm
CSAA ST ALBERT SWIM TEAM REGISTRATION
Registration for the St Albert Swim Team will open in SI Play on Monday, December 3rd. The $35 late fee begins on December 17th. Registration closes at midnight on December 23rd. No registrations will be accepted after the closing date.
SPIRIT WEAR SOCKS
Looking for some stocking stuffers? How about some Viking stockings!
SAAM will be selling blue or white spirit wear athletic socks in the concession stand at St Albert gym during basketball games. $15 per pair. Cash only. Don’t delay. They will sell out quickly.
--- Youth Group ---
Jr High Youth Night
Jr High Youth Night!
Come in your Pajama's (must have long pants) and bring a pillow! Movie Night in the Youth Room!
November 28 from 6:30-8:30 pm
Invite your friends
RSVP (so we can have enough popcorn!)
cmckinley@stalbert.org