Dear Parents of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School,

This week, I want to share an article with you that was sent to me from one of our parents. (How Parents Are Robbing Their Children of Adulthood) I love it when parents share articles like this! 😊 I found it so powerful because it is something we can easily fall into a habit of doing. This article discusses an evolution of what has previously been coined as “helicopter parenting” to “snowplow parenting”. “Snowplow parenting” is described as “machines chugging ahead, clearing any obstacles in their child’s path to success, so they don’t have to encounter failure, frustration or lost opportunities”. When this topic arises, I’m always reminded of how different things used to be. My brother and I would ride bikes for hours and all was fine as long as we got home before dark. My parents were not usually aware of what my homework was and were eager to let me learn things “the hard way” while loving me through the journey. Today, it’s so easy for us, as parents, to be tempted to do too much for our children. I can fall into this too. It can be easy to do things for our students when they may be capable of doing it themselves: packing lunch, carrying backpacks, waking in the morning, solving friendship struggles, and more. After reading this article, I’m reminded again of the importance of teaching our students to be independent so they can experience the joy of accomplishing feats on their own as well as the satisfaction from recovering from an error and learning and growing from it.

Only by His Grace,

Veronica Tucker

Principal

SNACK REMINDERS – Many of you have asked about snacks. We continue to ask that you try to bring dry non-messy snacks as we strive to take care of our new carpet. Some have asked about fruit. Students may bring sliced apples, applesauce squeeze packs, grapes, etc. Please refrain from strawberries, squeeze yogurts and anything that needs a utensil and may be prone to making a mess. 😊

BABYSITTERS – If you are looking for a babysitter, we have some 8th graders interested in providing babysitter services to Dolphin families. If you want more information, please pick up a flyer at the front desk. 

OCTOBER FAMILY ROSARY

The month of October is dedicated to the Rosary, and after the Mass, the Rosary is the most powerful prayer at our disposal. Please sign up for a day that your family will pray the Rosary together. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F45A8AF29A6FC1-44641712-october

WHAT'S BREWING WITH MRS. TUCKER

Informal grade-level meetings with Mrs. Tucker. Meetings start at 8:15 AM in the Paduan Center/AMR (unless otherwise noted). Bring your own coffee!

Wednesday, Oct. 18 | 6th Grade

Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 3rd Grade

Wednesday, Nov. 1 | 5th Grade

Wednesday, Nov. 8 | 4th Grade

Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 1st Grade

CLASS GROUP PICTURES & PICTURE RE-TAKES

Class group pictures and retakes will take place Wednesday, November 15th.

LIFETOUCH COUPON

Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures! ENJOY 10% OFF your order with this coupon code! CODE: F202310OFF | EXPIRES: May 1, 2024

2023-2024 YEARBOOKS

Order your '23-'24 Yearbooks now! Yearbooks are $45 and will be delivered at the start of next school year.

You may also create your own page! Commemorate your student's school year!

• Full page ad - $150
• 1/2 page ad - $75
• 1/4 page ad - $50

All orders will be placed online using this link:

https://www.balfour.com/texas/the-woodlands/st-anthony-of-padua-catholic-school

2023-2024 BASKETBALL COMMITMENT - 6th, 7th, & 8th Grades

St. Anthony needs to know how many student-athletes are interested in participating in Boys & Girls Basketball - 6th, 7th & 8th grades.

• Practices will start the week of October 23 for players not involved with fall athletics.
• The games will start mid-November and the season will run thru January.
• Due to the anticipated number of teams – teams may be scheduled to practice in the evenings and possibly some Saturday mornings.

St. Anthony would like to have a Varsity, JV & C-Team team for both Boys & Girls Basketball. Parents, it is important for you and your student-athlete to review the commitment details, the SAOPCS Athletic Handbook, and decide if it is something that you can choose to commit to by Friday, Oct. 13. At that time, we can see where we are numbers-wise and determine how teams St. Anthony will have.

All players MUST have a current Physical Exam on file BEFORE they will be able to participate. An athletics fee of $150.00 will be charged to your FACTS account.

NURSE NOTES

For 10/10/23-10/13/23:

Reports coming from long weekend (classmates may not have had exposure due to the date of diagnosis):

Pre-K3: One report of Strep Throat

Kindergarten: One report of Strep Throat

2nd Grade: Two reports of Strep Throat 

DOLPHIN ATHLETICS UPDATE

10/4/23: Volleyball at St. Anthony vs. St. Theresa - Varsity B, Lost 0-2, Varsity A, Won 2-0

10/4/23: Volleyball at John Cooper - C-team, Lost 0-2

10/4/23: Football vs St. Ambrose at St. Pius HS, Dolphins-45, Hornets-0

10/10/23: Volleyball at St. Anthony vs. St. Rose of Lima-Varsity B lost 0-2, Varsity A WON 2-1.

10/10/23: Soccer vs Regis at SAOPCS - JV tied 3-3 and Varsity lost 1-3.

10/11/23: Football at JPII- Dolphins Won 65-39.

10/12/23: Soccer at St. Anne TB, JV at 4:30 PM, Varsity at 5:30 PM



UPCOMING DOLPHIN SPORTS:

10/16/23: Vollyball at Epiphany. C-Team - 4:30PM, B - 5:30PM, A - 6:30PM

10/17/23: Varsity Soccer at St. Theresa at 4:30 PM

10/18/23: Football vs Assumption at SAOPCS - 5:00 PM

GHCAA Cross Country Meet at Challenger Park at Girls - 5:00PM & Boys - 5:30PM

10/19/23: Soccer vs Epiphany JV-4:30PM, Varsity-5:30PM at George Bush Park

STEPS FOR STUDENTS - EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION

Registration is now open for this year's annual Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk supporting Catholic education!

• Saturday, February 10, 2024 | Downtown Houston

Price increases after Oct. 31st! Students who join our team by Oct. 30th may wear a Halloween shirt with jeans or uniform bottoms on Oct. 31st! Join our team at:  https://runsignup.com/apschooltx

DNN - 10/13/23

October 20 - EARLY CHILDHOOD PUMPKIN DAY - Sign-up Genius to volunteer will be sent out to Early Childhood families! Early Childhood Pumpkin Day is happening on Friday, October 20th from 9:00-11:00 am. This is one of the most fun days of the year! The students go through 10 differents stations with pumpkin activities and crafts. We need volunteers working at each station, moving with groups of students from station to station, and helping to set up/tear down before and after. There are items to be donated as well. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. 

There is also a sign up for Wednesday, October 18 from 8-11am to help prepare the activities for Friday.

November 1 - ALL SAINTS STREAM DAY – All Saints STREAM Day will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 1st from 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM, and volunteers will be needed to assist students at each station. Supplies and details for every activity will be provided. Volunteers will need to stay at each station until the end of their sign-up time to assist with all classes passing through. ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST BE SAFE-ENVIRONMENT COMPLIANT!

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School relies on annual, tax-deductible gifts, in addition to tuition, to balance the budget each year and continue to provide greater opportunities and facilities for our children. This year, we need your help to continue providing faculty development, offer current technology and resources, and add additional security (a full-time dedicated deputy)! Please consider increasing your gift in 2023-2024 to support this critical need. Thank you for your prayers and support of this effort!

PARTICIPATION UPDATE

Thank you to our early supporters to the Fund for St. Anthony - as of today we are at 15% family participation. Once we reach 90% participation, the whole school will earn an added day off on Friday, March 8th (the day before spring break)!

WHY NOT JUST RAISE TUITION RATHER THAN SOLICIT GIFTS?

Raising tuition to the actual cost of educating each student would place a large burden on many families, making it impossible for their children to attend St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. By containing tuition costs through your support of the Fund for St. Anthony, we are able to fulfill its commitment to attracting talented as well as diverse students. Additionally, donations to Fund for St. Anthony are 100% tax deductible, and many donations qualify for additional contributions from corporate Matching Gift Programs.

WHAT ARE GIVING LEVELS?

Giving levels are an approach to securing a number of gifts at all levels. If the Fund for St. Anthony is to be successful, it must reflect the balance between leadership gifts and broad participation. We want 100% participation, but we also need for those families that can afford to lead to do so. The Leadership Society has been formed to recognize all families who give $2,000 or more, but even small contributions make a big difference.

MONDAYS - Chess Club, 3:45-4:30 PM, Library. 

MONDAYS - Strings Club, 3:45-4:30 PM, Band Hall.

MONDAYS - ZUMBA® Kids Jr. Club, 3:45-4:30 PM, Spanish classroom.

TUESDAYS - Student Rosary Group, 7:15 AM in Paduan Center.

TUESDAYS - Parent Rosary Group (English) 8:15 AM, PLB Room 204. 

TUESDAYS - Awakening! Bible Study, 7:15 AM, enter through Fellowship Hall

WEDNESDAYS - Mass Choir, 6:45 AM, Sheltz Hall. 

WEDNESDAYS - Sacred Soles Run Club, 3:30 PM, Sports Fields.

WEDNESDAYS - Art Club, 3:45-5:00 PM, Art Room.

THURSDAYS - Parent Rosary Group (Spanish) 8:15 AM, PLB Room 204.

Please check the calendar and/or communications from club advisors regarding cancellations or changes. 

10/16/2023 - Morning Assembly in the GYM

10/17/2023 - SPIRIT DAY: Gringos, The Woodlands - Dine In or Take Out, ALL DAY

10/18/2023 - 5th Grade Retreat

10/18/2023 - Mass (4A), 9:00 AM, Church

10/18/2023 - What's Brewing with Mrs. Tucker- 6th Grade, 8:15 AM, Paduan Center

10/19/2023 - First Grade Field Trip to the Oil Ranch

10/20/2023 - Early Childhood Pumpkin Day, More information to come.

10/20/2023 - St. Thomas and Incarnate Word | 8th Grade Visit

10/23/2023 - Red Ribbon Week - October 23-27

10/23/2023 - Red Ribbon Week: Peace Out to Drugs – Students may wear peace or tie-dye t-shirts with uniform bottoms.

10/24/2023 - Red Ribbon Week: Heroes Don’t Do Drugs – Students may wear super hero shirts with uniform bottoms.

10/25/2023 - Mass (7-1), 9:00 AM, Church

10/25/2023 - Red Ribbon Week: Be a Smartie, Say No to Drugs – Students should wear official Mass uniforms. Everyone gets a Smartie candy!

10/25/2023 - What's Brewing with Mrs. Tucker-3rd Grade, 8:15 AM, Paduan Center

10/26/2023 - Red Ribbon Week: Team Up Against Drugs – Students may wear sports shirts or jerseys with uniform bottoms.

10/27/2023 - Spirit Shirt & Jeans Day

10/27/2023 - Red Ribbon Week: Use Your Head, Don’t Do Drugs – Crazy hair day! It’s also a Spirit Shirt & Jeans day!

10/27/2023 - Middle School Social, 6:30-8:30 PM, Gym

11/01/2023 - All Saints Day: Mass, 9:00 AM, Church

11/01/2023 - All Saints STREAM Day

**Athletics events are featured on the full calendar in FACTS or in the app!**

Full Calendar available in ParentsWeb!

Frassati Catholic Applications Open for 2024-25

Applications are open for the 2024-25 academic year at Frassati Catholic High School! For current 8th grade students or those interested in transferring, this is the first step to becoming a Frassati Falcon - and families can get started today. Simply log in to the SchoolAdmin admissions portal, click "begin admissions process" and you'll be on your way! Following the completion of the application, applicants will have access to the applicant checklist, providing the ability to upload documents, see their application progress, and even schedule a shadow visit on campus this fall.

Middle School Football Night - October 13

Friday, October 13, is Frassati Catholic High School's Middle School Football Night. All middle school (and elementary) students get in free as Falcons Football takes on All Saints Episcopal. We'll invite athletes, cheerleaders, band and choir members to join us at points throughout the game. Gates open at 6pm, with the National Anthem at 6:50pm, and kickoff at 7pm. Tickets for adult family members on sale HERE on the Athletics page of the Frassati Catholic website. See you there! Located at St. Michael the Archangel Field at Frassati Catholic High School.

Frassati Catholic Open House - Nov. 8

The Frassati Catholic Open House is the perfect event for 6th-8th grade students and families interested in becoming Frassati Falcons. On Wednesday, November 8, from 6-8pm you're invited to the Frassati Catholic Open House for an info session and tours of campus. Learn more about Frassati Catholic, meet current students and faculty, and take the opportunity to see what life is like at a Frassati Falcon. RSVP at https://www.frassaticatholic.org/openhouse.  

PRIEST MEALS

A Meal Train has been created to help feed our priests at the rectory weekly. If you would like to sign-up to provide a meal, please click the link, review the instructions and pick a date to sign-up! https://mealtrain.com/e17zoe

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA CHILI FEST

Catholic Daughters of America is holding their annual Chili Fest here at St. Anthony of Padua on Saturday Oct. 14 at 6 PM. If you are interested in putting together a chili team, it only costs $25 to enter. More info at: https://ap.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1906279

GEN VERDE IN CONCERT

Join us for an evening with music from the International Performing Arts Group “Gen Verde” on Saturday, October 21! Doors open at 6:30 PM, Concert starts at 7 PM in the Gym. More info at: https://ap.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1906625

ST. ANTHONY ALL SAINTS DAY FESTIVAL

Please see the attached flyer for information about attending, and also information about volunteering! Volunteering includes signing up for a very easy (and very clever) saint-themed activity, or various other ways to donate your time/efforts/gifts to our parish community. Please click the link below to check out what options are still open! https://ap.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1898576

Thank you very much in advance, and may your patron saints continue to pray for you always!