Dear Families of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School,

Last night, we finished our intro meetings (Meet the Teacher and Parent Info Nights) for the kick-off of the 2023-2024 academic year. I hope that you found the information helpful and that you feel well-informed heading into the year. I also know that sometimes these meetings can feel overwhelming. I found myself taking notes during the 5th grade info session for my sons and thinking of lots of things I needed to relay to them and that I should be doing. 😊

A “What’s Brewin’” will also be offered at every grade level. The schedule for these is found below in this issue of The Messenger. In these informal meetings, administration shares highlights of the upcoming year and opens the meeting up for questions that parents might have. These are held on Wednesdays so that you have the option to join us for Mass if your schedule allows.

As I mentioned in the general session at the start of the Information Nights, we take our partnership with parents very seriously. We want your students to have a good year and we want you to have a good year. If you have a concern with something, please first reach out to the teacher. If you need further assistance or clarification, please reach out to the Assistant Principal or myself. We are all here to help. 

Only by His Grace,

Veronica Tucker

Principal

If you were unable to attend Mrs. Tucker's "State of the School" address during Parent Info Night - it is available online at: https://youtu.be/Gw7nMCcHtEI .

DISMISSAL UPDATE

In anticipation of another week of high-temperatures during dismissal time, we will continue with Severe Weather Dismissal (Pre-K3-3rd Grade picked up in classrooms, 4th-8th Grade in the gym) until further notice. We are sorry for this inconvenience.

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!

SEPT. 11-15 - 1st Quarter Stewardship Project

Refugee Backpack Drive

Our 1st Quarter Stewardship Project is supporting our refugee brothers and sisters with Catholic Charities by helping provide school supplies for a great school year! We will be collecting items from Sept. 11-15.

Collecting the following new items: Backpacks (this is the largest need, at least 15 inches), Folders, Pencils, Pens, Erasers, Kid scissors, Pencil Sharpener, Crayons, Colored Pencils, Markers, Rulers, Composition Notebooks, Spiral Notebooks, Socks

ANGELS CHEER CLINIC - KINDERGARTEN-5TH GRADE

Saturday, September 16 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the Gym.

• Participants will learn two cheers, a chant and a dance to perform with the Angels at the Homecoming game on September 20th.
• Participants will receive a STAOPCS Homecoming T-shirt and a bow.
• For the clinic, participants need to wear school-appropriate athletic shorts or dance leggings, t-shirt and gym shoes.
• Bring a disposable sack lunch and water.
• At the Homecoming Game, participants will need to wear school-appropriate athletic shorts (navy or black), their homecoming t-shirt, gym shoes and cheer bow.
• Fee is $50 if you register by Friday, Sept.1; After Sept. 1 a $10 fee will be added for a total cost of $60. No registrations accepted after Sept. 8.

HOMECOMING T-SHIRTS - FINAL DAY TO ORDER

We are selling Homecoming Week T-shirts to benefit our Athletics Department!

NOTE: All participants in the Angels Cheer Clinic will receive a t-shirt included with their registration fee. All Homecoming shirts must be ordered by Sept. 1st.

HOMECOMING SPIRIT WEEK - Sept. 15-22

Friday, Sept. 15 (Pep Rally Day) | Mickey & Minnie Day – Wear homecoming t-shirts & jeans or uniform bottoms with Mickey Mouse ears

Monday, Sept. 18 | Sleeping Beauties – Comfy Cozy PJ Day. *Must follow Free Dress Guidelines*

Tuesday, Sept. 19 | Monsters U – Wear College shirts with uniform bottoms.

Wednesday, Sept. 20 | Wonderland Wednesday – Crazy Hat Day. *Hats must be removed for Mass*

Thursday, Sept. 21 | Ohana Day – Hawaiian shirts with uniform bottoms.

Friday, Sept. 22 | GO ASTROS – Wear Astros shirts with jeans or uniform bottoms.

MIDDLE SCHOOL JOHN 15 RETREAT

Saturday, Sept. 23 | 9 AM - 1 PM | St. Anthony of Padua Youth Room

All Middle School students are invited! Come join us for food, activities, and spending time with each other and the Lord! Cost is $5 per student. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Martin at kmartin@ap.school.

Sign-up at: https://ap.school/john15

NURSE NOTES

For 8/28/23 - 9/1/23

• Kindergarten: One reported case of strep throat
• Pre-K4: One reported case of hand, foot and mouth

Please continue to encourage frequent handwashing.  

ART CLUB

Wednesdays | 4:00-5:00 PM | Art Room

Open to 4th & 5th Grade

Starting Sept. 6. 4th & 5th Grade students are invited to join Art Club! Fee is $20 and will include a t-shirt. Due to overwhelming interest this club is limited to 12 students per semester and students may only sign-up for 1 semester. Possible projects include: batik, tie-dye, acrylic pour painting, marbled paper, book making and basketry. ART CLUB REGISTRATION

AWAKENING! BIBLE STUDY

Tuesdays | 7:15 AM in Paduan Center

Open to 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

Starting Sept. 12. This is an optional and non-commitment Bible Study that will occur every Tuesday morning at 7:15 AM in the Paduan Center. Students who want to attend are asked to meet outside the Paduan Center doors with their Bible and a notebook. If you have any further questions please email Mrs. Martin at kmartin@ap.school.

CHESS CLUB - FACILITATED BY USA CHESS

Mondays | 3:45-4:45 PM | Library

Open to 1st-8th Grade

Starting Monday, Sept. 11. All 1st graders and up are invited to join Chess Club with USA Chess. Cost is $130 per semester. All skill levels. Learn tactics and strategies. Rank up and earn prizes! CHESS CLUB REGISTRATION Questions? Contact info@usachess.com

MASS CHOIR

Wednesdays | 6:50 AM | meet in Fellowship Hall

Open to 3rd-8th Grade

Started August 23. Meet every Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall at 6:50 AM, rehearse in the church before school, and sing during Mass. The commitment continues through the academic year. If your child would like to participate, please fill out the online form. Questions? Contact Mrs. Lienhard at jlienhard@ap.school.

Important Dates

August 23: First Mass Choir Practice & National Anthem Demo Recording Day.

September 22: National Anthem at the Astros Game

December 9th: Lessons and Carols at Frassati

SACRED SOLES RUN CLUB

Wednesdays | 4-4:30 PM | Sports Fields

Open to all students. 

Starting September 27 (dependent on weather).

• FUN. A simple and effective program that gets kids moving.
• GOALS. Opportunities for kids to learn effective goal setting.
• EXCITEMENT. Fueling kids so they’ll be active in other areas of life.
• CERTIFICATES. For completing a ½ marathon and a full marathon.

Cost is $15. RUN CLUB REGISTRATION FORM. Any questions, contact Mrs. Koett.

STUDENT ROSARY GROUP

Tuesdays | 7:15 AM in Fellowship Hall

Open to 2nd-8th Grade

Starting Sept. 12. We are offering a great way for your student to start their school day! This will be a wonderful opportunity for our school family to pray the rosary together. No need to register, just show up!

STRINGS CLUB

Mondays | 3:45-4:30 PM

Open to 3rd-8th Grade

Starting Sept. 18. Calling all beginning violinists and experienced musicians who play violin and other string instruments! St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School strings club ensemble will be meeting on Mondays from 3:45-4:30 PM. Join Mrs. Verspieren (11:00 AM Mass violinist and Frassati Catholic High School Teacher) and Mrs. Lienhard to learn and make music together. Instrument rental information will be available at the first meeting. Cost is $40. Questions? Email Mrs. Verspieren at: Verna.email@gmail.com. STRINGS CLUB REGISTRATION

ZUMBA® KIDS JR. CLUB

Mondays | 4:00-4:30 PM

Open to 3rd-5th Grade

Starting Sept. 11. A high-energy class for boys and girls packed with kid-friendly routines that combine choreography and aerobics. Based on original Zumba® choreography, we’ll dance to culturally diverse music from around the world (reggaeton, salsa, merengue, cumbia and hip-hop). Join Señora Johnson as we improve our endurance, instill healthy habits, and develop strength and coordination! Cost is $20. ZUMBA REGISTRATION

More information about Robotics coming soon!

LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS

Interested in volunteering in our library? All volunteers must be in compliance and complete Safe Environment Training. Please contact Ms. Morgan at dmorgan@ap.school for orientation schedule and available volunteer times.

CAR LINE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are still seeking volunteers to assist on a regular basis with morning and afternoon car line.

• In the mornings, volunteers will help with directing traffic and assisting students safely out of their cars. Volunteers will need to be present from 7:30AM - 8:05AM.
• In the afternoon, volunteers will assist with lining up cars and directing traffic. Volunteers will need to be present from 2:45PM - 3:30PM. 
• All volunteers must be in compliance and complete Safe Environment Training. More info is available at: https://ap.school/safe-environment-training

If you are able to help once or twice a week, we are extremely grateful! Thank you for being a dedicated volunteer to our school.

WISH LIST - 2023-2024

Are you interested in making an immediate impact for our students? We have created a list of classroom or school-wide items that we would like to purchase! As a school we will be working to fund these items through the Fund for St. Anthony but if you would like to give to specific items, you may give online at the link below. A gift through our Wish List also counts as Fund for St. Anthony Participation (more on the Fund for St. Anthony to come)!

Thank you to an anonymous donor for purchasing the Pre-K3 rug, light table and art trays!

MONDAYS - Chess Club, 3:45-4:45 PM, Library. Starting Sept. 11.

MONDAYS - Strings Club, 3:45-4:30 PM. Starting Sept. 18.

MONDAYS - ZUMBA® Kids Jr. Club, Starting Sept. 11.

TUESDAYS - Student Rosary Group, 7:15 AM in Fellowship Hall. Starting Sept. 12.

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

TUESDAYS - Awakening! Bible Study, 7:15 AM, Paduan Center. Starting Sept. 12. 

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

WEDNESDAYS - Sacred Soles Run Club, 3:30 PM, Sports Fields. Starting Sept. 27.

WEDNESDAYS - Art Club, 3:45-5:00 PM, Art Room. Starting Sept. 6.

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. 

9/04/2023 - LABOR DAY - SCHOOL HOLIDAY

9/05/2023 - Parent Rosary (English), PLB 204, 8:15 AM

9/06/2023 - Mass, 9:00 AM, Church (7-B)

9/06/2023 - What's Brewing with Mrs. Tucker- PreK 4 *Paduan Center

9/07/2023 - Parent Rosary (Spanish), PLB 204, 8:15 AM

9/08/2023 - $5 Free Dress benefiting Student Council

9/11/2023 - Morning Assembly, 8:00 AM, Gym

9/13/2023 - Mass (6-1), 9:00 AM, Church

9/13/2023 - SPIRIT DAY ISLAND FIN POKE-ALL DAY

9/13/2023 - What's Brewing with Mrs. Tucker-7th Grade, 8:15 AM, Paduan Center

9/14/2023 - 8th Grade Frassati Catholic High School Visit

9/15/2023 - SPIRIT WEEK BEGINS: Mickey & Minnie Day – Wear homecoming t-shirts & jeans or uniform bottoms with mouse ears

9/15/2023 - Fall Pep Rally, 2:30 PM

9/16/2023 - HOMECOMING CHEER CLINIC, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Gym.

Full Calendar available in ParentsWeb!

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. It is a lot of fun and great team building opportunity. If you have any questions or are interested, please reach out to Lory Barnhill at barnhilllory@gmail.com. More info at: https://ap.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1906279

ECYD GIRL'S CLUB - FIRST MEETING & INFORMATION

Current 5th - 8th Grade Girls

Friday, Sept. 8 | 6:00-7:30 PM | $140 per year | REGISTER HERE

Sts. Simon & Jude - Youth Room in Event Center

Join us for the first meeting of 2023-2024. Parents please stay to learn more about the group for 2023-2024. ECYD is an international Catholic association of adolescents who make a pledge of friendship with Christ and with each other to build up a new world according to the Gospel. https://www.ecydhouston.com/

FAITH & FLIP-FLOPS AT BIG RIVERS WATERPARK & ADVENTURES

Come out for a day of Praise & Worship on Saturday, Sept. 23rd.

Group Rate of $19.99 per person (minimum of 15 per group). For more information contact Big Rivers Group Events Department at 832-509-1833 or email Events@bigriverswaterpark.com.