Monday Memo
Week 15 | Nov 30 - Dec 4, 2020
NEw In this Week's Edition:
Some Encouragement from To Write Love On Her Arms
Picture Day has another date since we are on NTI
Teacher recognition for milestone years of service
Proud of our Scouts!
PTO Christmas Collection is Online This year!
Grades 7-8 Basketball Team Assignments are posted
Quick Updates
Re-Entry Handbook has been updated as of 09/17/20 (LINK)
Online Textbook Logins
Generic Logins are available for our online textbooks. Find the logins at the link below.
Welcome Back!
I hope you had a relaxing and peaceful Thanksgiving week. It was definitely not like any other holiday I have experienced before. I missed being with my parents and my brother and his family.
I know this is not the way we would like to be back at school. It is so quiet here as I type this letter. I definitely would prefer to have the students bustling through the building. But, I know that this is for the best so that we can all come back together, hopefully in the new year. The following is from To Write Love on Her Arms. It is a non profit organization dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self injury and suicide. It exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and invest directly into treatment and recovery. If you are interested you can visit their website at www.TWLOHA.com.
Sincerely,
Stacie Short
Pause, breathe, try again.
“You are brave to go forth into this season knowing what challenges lie ahead. You are strong for choosing to live and meet and conquer them anyway.” – Xander Bell
For some, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. For others, it’s the hardest. Regardless of where you fall on that spectrum, the upcoming holiday season is going to be unlike any other, and we want to acknowledge a few of those hurdles.
ISOLATION
It can be heartbreaking and lonesome. For some of us, that’s what we’re enduring to keep ourselves and others safe. We hope that you will honor your need for connection by picking up the phone to talk, text, or video chat with those who fill your heart. It may not be the holiday setting you’re used to or wished for, but take comfort in their presence, even in the digital form. You are never truly alone.
ANXIETY & DISCOMFORT
Our anxieties have reached new heights this year. We get nervous about social interactions that didn’t bother us before, or perhaps your anxiety around seeing people has increased. No matter what, it’s valid. You are allowed to be concerned or uncomfortable. But take heart in knowing that you have every right to set boundaries that ensure your safety. And while you can’t control the reactions of others, remember that you are not an inconvenience or a disappointment for needing personal space or respect.
FOOD
Maybe the meals and elaborate dishes are your favorite part of the holiday season, but for others, they’re the place where stress emanates. Eating disorders impact countless people of all shapes, ages, genders, and races. Eating could be a coping mechanism or it could be a challenge to simply finish a meal. Humans need food to live, and our hope is for you to never deny yourself something you need. We understand that it’s hard to show yourself grace and love, especially in the midst of the commotion of a special gathering, so when you are faced with a moment that feels insurmountable, please find a safe space to pause, breathe, and try again.
GRIEF
To those who have lost a parent, spouse, sibling, child, or friend—your grief does not have an expiration date. The pain and loss you have felt and may continue to feel are real, and this time of year may amplify it. If there is an empty seat at the dinner table or on the couch where your loved one could once be found, we hope that space can be honored through sharing funny stories or memories, expressing your heartache, and allowing room for your grief to exist.
(If your student is experiencing difficulty with NTI or in other areas and needs help please reach out to me. I am available during NTI. We can schedule a google meet to talk. My email is sshort@stalbert.org.)
Picture REtake Day Rescheduled (AGAIN)
Please note, the Picture Retake Day has changed again (due to the new NTI schedule this time). Mark your calendar for Jan. 13, 2021!
--- Around the school ---
Milestone Years of Service
Each year the Archdiocese of Louisville recognizes and celebrates elementary & high school level faculty who have achieved milestone years of service. We congratulate the following St. Albert the Great faculty for their dedication, passion for teaching, and commitment to a Catholic School education!
Proud of our scouts
Thanks again to everyone who participated in Scouting for Food. The SATG Cub Scout Pack 327 had 18 adults & 23 Scouts put in 86 hours to deliver 1680 flyers. The SATG BSA Troop 327 had 15 adults & 18 Scouts put in 62 hours to pick up over 2,070 food items from over 165 houses & delivered them to local food banks. We followed new safety protocols of course & were still very successful in a year of additional need. What a great job by all! Proud of our Scouts.
--- From The ParisH ---
--- FROM YOUR PTO ---
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.
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.
This year we have sent up an online payment option to make it easier. Please see link below.
You can also send your check (made out to the St. Albert PTO) to the school office in an envelope marked: “PTO Teacher’s Christmas Collection”. Deadline is Dec.14th.
Secret Santa Shop Goes Virtual
Santa Secret Shop Virtual Style is coming soon. This special PTO event is available to give the kids an opportunity to shop for their family and friends. While receiving gifts is fun, this shop is an opportunity for the kids to learn the joy of giving to others. The virtual shop will be open soon! More details to follow. Kids it is time to start earning money to shop!
--- FROM YOUR SPORTS MINISTRY ---
2020-2021 Basketball Team Assignments (Grades 7-8)
Click the link below to view the 2020-2021 Basketball Team Assignments for Grades 7-8. Congrats to all the players! GO Vikings!
Support SAAM
Buy a Mask or Water Bottle
SAAM is selling St. Albert branded face-masks and water bottles that will be available for pick up while supplies last, place your order online to reserve yours today. More details at the link below.
!!! UPDATED !!!
Spirit wear STore Now Open
Are you ready for basketball season? Click below to order your gear before the season starts!
Catholic High School Placement Test Prep
The Catholic High School Placement Test will be administered to 8th graders at the Catholic High School of their choice on Saturday, December 12. Educational Resources will offer a test prep course again this year. The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with the test format and question types, show students how to eliminate answer choices, utilize effective test-taking strategies, and reduce anxiety. The teaching goal is to enable students to maximize their potential! Our test prep course can be in-person or online. Download the registration form at https://www.ertutor.com/test-prep/catholic/.
Trinity Soccer Winter Holiday Clinic
December 28-30, 2020
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday from 1:00-3:30 p.m.@ Shamrock Hall Gym
Finish 2020 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 25 players & COVID restrictions will be in place. Masks MUST be worn to and from the clinic, and all participants MUST be screened with a temperature check upon arrival each day. (REGISTER NOW AT: https://www.trinityrocks.com/rock-the-summer/trinity-soccer-camp/ )
Cost is $100.00 before December 1st; $130.00 after December 1st
For Boys Grades 6th - 8th
QUESTIONS? CONTACT: Coach Helfrich at 502-445-3482 or helfrich@trinityrocks.com