Monday Memo
Week 16 | Dec 2-6, 2019
--- From The Office ---
Mindfulness
Recently I attended a professional development on teaching resiliency. One way to develop resilience is through mindfulness. I am sure many of you are familiar with this technique or have at least heard about how important it is. Mindfulness is the cultivating of the presence of the moment through meditation, mindful breathing, etc., anything which you make a conscious effort to be present with what you are thinking, feeling, or doing.
One technique I teach to the kids is the use of our 5 senses for reducing anxiety and helping us focus on the present. I ask them to take each of their senses one at a time and spend some time just thinking about it. For example, what do you smell? Just focus on the smells that surround you at this moment. Then we discuss what we smell. Then we move on to what we see, hear, taste, and touch. As we go through each of the senses it causes our minds to focus on the present instead of worrying about what is coming up.
With Christmas rushing upon us I have to remind myself to practice mindfulness. I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of what is next on my list of things to do instead of enjoying this Christmas season. As we begin this Advent season I hope that you can stop and enjoy each moment as we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord.
Stacie Short
School Councilor
Gifts From The Heart
St. Albert School will be collecting and donating “Gifts from the Heart” to St. Vincent de Paul again this year. 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 9.
- Preschool: Gift cards: Target, Walmart, Fast Food…
- Kindergarten: Infant clothes
- First grade: Boys shirts, underwear, socks
- Second grade: Girls tops, underwear, socks
- Third grade: Sweatshirts, jackets, coats: Both boys and girls
- Fourth grade: Sweatpants, Thermal shirts and pants: Both boys and girls
- Fifth grade: Sweaters: Both boys and girls
- Sixth grade: Mens clothes: all sizes up to XXL
- Seventh grade: Pajamas, Sleep pants, Slippers: Both boys and girls
- Eighth grade: Blue jeans: both boys and girls, Wristlets/Wallets
Thank you for considering to help.
Season of Advent
The Beginning of our New Liturgical Year is December 1 - the Season of Advent - the Four Weeks before Christmas. Advent can come as a surprise to us sometimes, beginning right after the busy Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. It’s not unlike the surprise of Mary when she received news that she was pregnant with Jesus. Like her, we take the season of Advent as a time for pause, reflection, and preparation for the gift of God’s love coming to us through the baby Jesus.
A Christmas Spiritual Preparation
JOURNEY TO BETHELEHM: A Christmas Spiritual Preparation
Join Fr Albert in the Church Friday, Dec. 6 from 6:00-7:30 pm for a Christmas Reflection, Discuss Advent, hear about God's gifts and love given at Christmas and learn ways to better prepare our hearts for Christ's birth!
--- Around The School ---
Art Classes
New classes posted- Christmas Canvas and Hot Chocolate Ornaments with Stirring Spoons!
Textbook Logins
Online Textbook logins for students can be found at the spreadsheet linked below.
--- From The ParisH ---
Inclement Weather Policy
Echo the Story Bible Study
Calling all interested 6th-8th grade youth! Starting in November on select Sundays from 4:30-6 PM, 412 Youth will gather for a 12 session Bible study that will take us from Genesis through Acts in an imaginative way. It will allow us to engage the Bible using storytelling, creative reflection, and dialogue. See the flyer or visit https://stalbert.org/youth-ministry/ for more information. Click the link to RSVP!
Save the Date: Picnic 2020
SAVE THE DATE
St. Albert the Great Parish Picnic
Family Night: June 18th
June 19th & 20th, 2020
--- FROM YOUR PTO ---
TEACHER LUNCHEON AND COOKIE EXCHANGE
Please help us send the teachers and staff of St. Albert school and parish off to break in style. On December 20th the PTO will host a luncheon for all staff members immediately following dismissal. We need volunteers to assist on the day of, as well as volunteers to drop off cookies for the cookie exchange, and drinks for the luncheon. Please see the signup genius for specific requests
PTO Teacher Christmas Collection
Is your Christmas To-Do List getting overwhelming? Running out of time to buy all your Christmas gifts? Don't know what to buy that extra special teacher?
Don't worry- The PTO has you covered. We are collecting money that will be divided out among our outstanding teachers and presented to them during their Christmas Luncheon.
Instead of receiving 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.13th.
Secret Santa Shop
The PTO is preparing for the Santa Secret Shop and card making event in the Parish Life Center December 3-5. The Santa Secret Shop is a special place where you can buy gifts for family and friends. Start earning your money! Gifts in all price ranges & every child can make as many cards as they want during their scheduled time.
Please also consider giving your time to help help our kids learn the valuable lesson of giving to others during this season. It is always exciting to help the kids find just the right present to surprise their loved ones!
SAVE THE DATE: Eat & Shop on December 8th
--- FROM YOUR SPORTS MINISTRY ---
Boys Lacrosse
In conjunction with Holy Spirit, St. Albert is proud to offer boys lacrosse again this year! Although our official school league play will not begin until March, there is a winter “club” league that starts in January. The winter league is a great, low intensity, opportunity to get the players (and you) acclimated to the sport.
To participate in the winter league, please email the below coaches directly. We will not be using SI Play for sign-ups for the winter league. The administration of each team will be handled by each team’s coach and any costs will be divided among the participants. Our guestimate is it will be about $75/player not including equipment (which is purchased individually).
If you have any questions, please email Brent Nash.
Details: Pre-season Winter League for Grades 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8
Format: Indoor 7v7
Date: Sundays 1/5/20 to 2/23/20
Time: Games will start at 8am and run every 50 mins. We don't have exact game times but in years past the younger grades played first
Location: King Louie’s Sports Complex
Team Contacts:
- 3rd/4th: Matt Wilmes (Holy Spirit) at mattwilmes@gmail.com
- 5th/6th: Brent Nash (St. Albert) at nashes502@gmail.com
- 7th/8th: Matt Campbell (Holy Spirit) at MattCampbell@usa.com
Winter Gate/Concession Workers
Hello Winter Sports Families!
We once again need your help to support our St. Albert Vikings. Each family is required to sign up for one slot during the season. This means if your child is playing basketball, archery, swimming or cheerleading you need to work a shift in the St. Albert gym. These volunteer hours greatly reduce the cost of all sports at St. Albert.
Please sign up for an available date/time to work the gate or concession stand. First come, first serve and more slots will be added as schedules are confirmed!
When you sign up or sign up a sub, please note the name of the athlete(s) so you will receive credit for working. After December 19th, the remaining slots will be randomly filled with families who have yet to sign up. Thanks so much for your support.
If you wish to have a sub work your shift, contact Kelly Logsdon at kelly.lewis.logsdon@gmail.com. You will be responsible for paying the sub ($20). If you don't find a sub and do not show up for your shift, your child will have to sit out a game. If you do find a sub and the sub does not show up, your child will not be penalized.
If you opted out and paid the $20 on SI play when you signed your child up for a sport this winter, I have your name and no action is required. Thanks!
East End Extravaganza Archery Tournament
The Archery Team is now seeking sponsors for our 2nd Annual East End Extravaganza.
Click below to review tax-deductible sponsor levels.
Thank you for making the East End Extravaganza a huge success!
Swim Team Sign-ups
Swim Team Sign-ups are now live!
Grades 1-8
Click below to sign-up:
http://csaa-stalbert.website.sportssignup.com/
Note: you must sign-up using a computer, not the app!
Late fee starts December 16.
Don't delay! Sign up today!
Student/Parent Paint Night
Come Out and Paint Santa's Legs going down the Chimney. For kids of all ages! Wednesday, December 11 at 6:30 in the St. Albert Cafeteria.
Each 12x16 Canvas is pre-stenciled and instructor led. $30 for a canvas of fun which makes a great gift. Come join the festivities.
Spirit Wear
Don't forget about St. Albert Spirit Wear for the people on your Christmas list! Click below to order today!
The SquadLocker is having a special holiday offer of 15% off all orders using code COZY15 and 20% off Holiday Outerwear! Free Shipping on Orders $125.00
New items for youth are being added this week.
--- OTHER NEWS ---
HOPe & Healing
An Evening of Prayer, Music and Reflection for those affected by the Disease of Addiction
Thursday, December 5th @ 7pm in the church
high School Open Houses & Placement Test Info
Open houses provide opportunities for students and parents to visit Catholic secondary school campuses. Open houses may include tours, special programs, and demonstrations. The format of the open house is interactive, and parents and students will have the opportunity to ask questions. Refer to the listing of secondary schools on the left for the open house schedule for each school.
All students who plan to attend a Catholic secondary school must take the placement test at the secondary school they plan to attend.
Click link below for larger version
Winter Holiday Clinic
December 27-29, 2019
Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 1-4 p.m.
@ Shamrock Hall Gym
Finish 2019 off the right way with the Trinity Soccer Rocks! Clinic will consist of basic skill development, along with a mixture of small-sided games and Futsal. The clinic is a GreaT opportunity to work with Trinity Head Soccer Coach, Dale Helfrich, his staff and team, while helping to cure the winter/holiday blues (and get the boys out of the house).
The clinic will cap at 50 players (REGISTER NOW!!)
Cost is $120.00 before August 1st; $130.00 after August 1st
For Boys Grades 6th - 8th
QUESTIONS? CONTACT: Coach Helfrich at 502-445-3482 or helfrich@trinityrocks.com
