Dear Families of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School,

In your mailbox this week, you should have received a letter regarding this year’s Fund for St. Anthony. If it hasn’t come yet, it should be in your mailbox soon! The Fund is more important than ever! As was mentioned at Parent Information Night, we have raised the goal for The Fund for St. Anthony to $350,000 to help cover the new expenses focused on security particularly our full-time armed security guard. Last year, we had many families passionate about providing this for our campus. This passion was shared by our staff and myself. Having Deputy South on campus has been such a blessing and provides a level of comfort and safety that we would not otherwise have. This presence comes with a price tag of $170,000 for the first year and then about $100,000 each year once initial expenses are covered (patrol car, personal cameras, uniforms, vests). In partnership with the Finance Council, we will work to determine how to cover this expense in future years. This year, we need your increased commitment. Last year, 97% of our school families and 100% of our faculty and staff contributed to the Fund for St. Anthony. This is an inspiring statistic. Our families and staff never fail to come through. If you are able, please consider increasing your gift to provide this added level of protection to our campus. If you would like to meet to discuss a gift or how to support this initiative, please reach out! Thank you, in advance, for all you do to support and protect our Dolphins!

Only by His Grace,

Veronica Tucker

Principal

GRATITUDE REPORT - 2022-2023

It is our pleasure to share with you our annual Gratitude Report - an account of our school's fiscal year finances and gratitude to our supporters for the past school year. Thank you!

WHAT'S BREWING WITH MRS. TUCKER - PLEASE NOTE CHANGES!

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!

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE PROCEDURES

Sign-up: Sept. 21-28 | Conferences Date: Oct. 5

How do I schedule a conference?

• Sign-ups will take place online until Thursday, Sept. 28 at 12 PM. The sign-up link was emailed to all parents.
• Registration for conferences will be done through Sign-Up Genius. If you already use Sign-up Genius and have an existing account, you do not need to register again - use your existing username and password. New Users will need to register.
• Click on your grade level tab or drop-down on mobile devices. Find the teacher you want to conference with. Choose from the available time slots.

When are the parent-teacher conferences?

• Conferences are in-person, and will take place on Thursday, Oct. 5 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Oct. 5 is a student holiday.

Is a parent-teacher conference mandatory for everyone?

• Conferences are optional. Parents may schedule a conference if they would like to discuss their student's progress at this time.
• Teachers may reach out to parents if they feel a meeting would be helpful.

Which teacher do I conference with?

• PreK3-5th Grade: Parents must conference with their student's homeroom teacher. 
• 6th-8th Grade:  Please choose only ONE of your child's core subject teachers to conference with. 
• All Grades:  Auxiliary teachers are also available for conferences if desired.
• If you wish to meet with additional core subject teachers, please contact those teachers directly to schedule a conference with them on a different day.-UP

NURSE NOTES

For 9/18/23-9/22/23:

• Pre-K4: One report of strep throat (from last week – reported after The Messenger went out)
• Kindergarten: One report of strep throat
• 2nd Grade: One report of strep throat

If your child has a doctor’s appointment for a well check and receives immunizations, please remember to turn in an official (signed/stamped) copy to the school/clinic.  

Grab your cowboy boots, bring your partner, and join us for dancing and fun at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School Mother-Son Dance! There is no cost to attend and light refreshments will be served. Due to space constraints, this event is for enrolled students and mothers only. Thank you kindly for letting us know if you plan to attend!

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

DOLPHIN ATHLETICS UPDATE

9/18/23: Volleyball at St. Anthony vs. Trinity Klein - C team, 0-2; Varsity B, 0-2; Varsity A, 0-2

9/18/23: Soccer at Trinity Klein Lutheran - JV 2-2 Tie, Varsity 3-3 Tie.

9/19/23: Volleyball at Christ the Redeemer - Varsity B; 0-2; Varsity A, 0-2.

9/19/23: Soccer at Christ the Redeemer - Dolphins-7, Crusaders-1

9/20/23: HOMECOMING. Football vs. St. Anne Tomball, Dolphins-56, Crusaders-26

9/21/23: Soccer at St. Anthony vs. St. Anne Tomball. JV, Crusaders-2, Dolphins-0; Varsity, Crusaders-2, Dolphins-1

DOLPHIN SPORTS NEXT WEEK:

9/23/23: SAOPCS Cross Country at the Woodlands Christian CC Meet #3 - TBA

9/23/23: Football vs. St. Mark Lutheran School at St. Anthony, 2:00 PM

9/25/23: Volleyball at St. Anthony vs. St. Martha - Varsity B, 4:30 PM; Varsity A, 5:30 PM.

9/25/23: Volleyball at Woodlands Christian - C-Team; 4:30 PM.

9/26/23: Volleyball at Christ the Redeemer - C-Team; 4:30 PM.

9/26/23: Soccer at St. Anthony vs. St. Theresa - Varsity, 4:30 PM

9/26/23: Soccer at St. Anthony vs. Regis - JV, 5:30 PM

9/27/23: Football at St. Theresa, 5:00 PM

9/28/23: Soccer at St. Anthony vs. Epiphany. JV, 4:30 PM; Varsity, 5:30 PM

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

We are currently seeking applicants for Substitutes – Classroom (PreK-3 through 8th Grade). If you are interested and would like to be considered for a substitute position, please contact Veronica Tucker, Principal, at vtucker@ap.school.

DNN - 9/22/23

First broadcast of Dolphin News Network!

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.

CONFERENCES DAY DESSERTS & SNACK BAR FOR TEACHERS

Help keep our faculty fueled for their long day of conferences! Paduan Parents will be providing a catered lunch, but we could use parent help providing desserts and stocking the snack bar. Click the button to sign-up!

• Consider donating desserts, snacks or beverages for our Faculty and Staff on Conferences Day.
• Items may be dropped off on Wednesday, Oct. 4th. 
• Carts will be available for drop-off during arrivals and dismissals.

CAR LINE VOLUNTEERS STILL 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.

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. The Fund for St. Anthony provides our school with the financial flexibility to make investments that would not be possible through tuition revenue alone. Last year the Fund for St. Anthony allowed us to update our social emotion learning program, purchase new furniture in the Science Lab and Early Childhood classrooms, upgrade doors throughout campus for better security and more! 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 5% 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)!

2023-2024 WISH LIST

If you are interested in making an immediate impact, consider purchasing an item off of our Wish List! 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!

MATCHING GIFTS

Does your employer (or your spouse's employer) have a matching gift program? If so, you can ask your company to match your support for St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. You can double or even triple the value of your donation simply by notifying your employer of your gift.  Please contact your employer’s personnel office for eligibility requirements and to obtain a matching gift form. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Katie Tressel, ktressel@ap.school.

PADUAN POINTS: Families earn 5 Paduan Points when you contribute to the Fund for St. Anthony!

SHOULD I WAIT TO MAKE MY DONATION ON DOLPHIN DONOR DAY? Dolphin Donor Day (November 15, 2023) is a 24-hr fundraising event designed to encourage all alumni, faculty, parents, and friends to support the Fund for St. Anthony. Many families wait to make their gifts on Dolphin Donor Day because of matching opportunities available, but you are free to give when it's convenient for you!

MONDAYS - Chess Club, 3:45-4:45 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 (location change).

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. Starting Sept. 27.

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. 

9/23/2023 - Middle School Retreat | John:15 Retreat, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Youth Room.

9/27/2023 - Mass (8-B), 9:00 AM, Church

9/28/2023 - Fall Conferences sign-up closes at noon.

9/30/2023 - Mother-Son Dance, 6:30-8:00 PM, Gym (RSVP)

10/03/2023 - Living Rosary

10/04/2023 - Mass (5-A), 9:00 AM, Church

10/05/2023 - School Conferences | NO SCHOOL / STUDENT HOLIDAY

10/06/2023 - Staff Development | NO SCHOOL / STUDENT HOLIDAY

10/09/2023 - SCHOOL HOLIDAY

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



EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES EXHIBIT

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 6 PM - 8 PM & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 8 AM - 8 PM

• English & Spanish Exhibits will be in the Gym

With these few words, Carlo Acutis, the boy who died of leukemia, outlines the distinguishing feature of his brief existence: to live with Jesus, of Jesus, and in Jesus. This international exhibition was created and designed by Blessed Carlo Acutis in 2002. More info at: https://ap.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1782640

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