Dear Families of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School,

We enjoyed such a wonderful week on campus as we focused on our blessings with the week culminating in our Grandparents’ Day Mass when at the Eucharist (which means “thanksgiving”) we remember the great sacrifice Christ made for us and the greatest gift of sharing His very self with us in His full presence in the Body and Blood. This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for each of you.

Thanksgiving Prayer

O Gracious God,

we give thanks for your overflowing generosity to us.

Thank you for the blessings of the good we eat

and especially for our Thanksgiving meal.

Thank you for our home, family and friends,

and especially for those extended families able to join us this break.

Thank you for our health, our work and our play.

Please send help to those who are hungry, alone, sick and suffering.

Open our hearts to your love.

We ask your blessing through Christ, your Son.

Amen.

Please enjoy the much-deserved break and I look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday, December 2nd!

Only by His Grace,

Veronica Tucker

Principal 

As a special reward for reaching 95% Fund for St. Anthony participation, the whole school has earned an extended Spring Break Day Off on Friday, March 7th. Please see the revised calendar below!

GRANDPARENTS DAY GRATITUDE

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Amanda & Manuel Rosales, Erin & Paolo Grossi, our amazing Paduan Parent Organization, and all the wonderful volunteers who helped make Grandparents Day so memorable. Special thanks to Nancy Barr for the beautiful photo booth décor—it was a perfect touch for capturing cherished memories.

We are also deeply grateful to all the grandparents who spent this special day with their students, creating moments they’ll treasure forever.

A big shout-out to Stainless Structurals for sponsoring this event and helping us make it a truly unforgettable experience for our students and their families!

DNN - Check our our DNN Broadcast from Grandparents Day!

NOVEMBER WRITING LEADERS

1st Grade - Ben Shaw, Avery Rosenfelder, Sia Pingel, Madeline Mock, Catherine Larkin, Olivia Grober, Grace Belt, Margo Aertker, Scarlett Sizemore, Grace Curtin, Olivia Pina Corral, Elizabeth Dohm

2nd Grade - Ben Hean, Lucia Hess, Elizabeth Laborde, Cece Lehmann, Lexi Pingel, Luke Rosenfelder, Victor Contreras, Robin Grossi, Karina Higham, Valentina Jimenez-Michel, Tarek Akel, Julianna Sabatini,

4th Grade- Lucia Musi, Isabella Ramirez, Karmann Dickey, Augustine Giardina, Quenton Wilson, Sarah Sevilla, Abigail Toomey, Marie Lienhard

PADUAN PARENT COLLECTION

Dear St. Anthony Families, To thank our faculty and staff for their endless energy, caring ways, and amazing creativity, Paduan Parents is coordinating a one-time collection to provide Christmas and End-of-the-year gifts for the 2024-2025 school year. Because our children have different teachers on a regular basis at St. Anthony, the Paduan Parents Collection offers an optional opportunity for you to contribute towards a school-level gift to thank all faculty & staff who support your children. To participate, please send in your contribution in an envelope to the front desk of the school by December 13. Cash or checks (made payable to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School) are accepted. Thank you for your support of our faculty & staff!

Sincerely in Christ,

Jennifer Smithson, Middle School Parent Coordinator                                 

Bianca Shaughnessy, Elementary Parent Coordinator                                     

Mary Mounce, Early Childhood Parent Coordinator

2ND QUARTER STEWARDSHIP PROJECT - The Pulsera Project

During the week of December 9-13, our school will host a pulsera sale to benefit Central American artisans through the Pulsera Project, a nonprofit organization supporting over 200 artisans in Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Students can purchase handwoven pulseras (bracelets) for $5 or bolsitas (small purses) for $15 during lunch periods.

Payment options include:

• CASH: Students can purchase directly with cash at the event.
• ONLINE PAYMENT PORTAL: Use a card, Venmo, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or PayPal to pre-purchase. Students can redeem their purchases by bringing in the receipt provided after payment.

Each sale supports fair trade jobs, funds community programs, and empowers families to achieve better futures.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We’re looking for parent volunteers to assist with selling bracelets during lunch periods from Dec. 9-13. All volunteers must be Safe Environment compliant.

Thank you for helping us support this incredible initiative!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F45A8AF29A6FC1-53439770-december

ATHLETICS UPDATE

Week of November 18th Recap:

Monday, November 18th: The Dolphins Boys Basketball teams traveled to Regis Catholic School to face the Knights.

• C-Team Boys: Lost 23-17, JV Boys: Lost 48-24, Varsity Boys: Lost 69-24

Wednesday, November 20th: The Dolphins hosted the Panthers of St. Martha Catholic School.

• JV Boys: Won 41-15, Varsity Boys: Lost 46-31

Week of December 2nd Schedule:

Monday, December 2nd: SAOPCS Boys Basketball hosts St. Theresa.

• C-Team Boys: 4:30 PM, JV Boys: 5:30 PM, Varsity Boys: 6:30 PM

Tuesday, December 3rd:

Varsity Girls travel to St. Theresa.

• Varsity Girls: 4:30 PM

Boys teams travel to St. Anne Tomball.

• C-Team Boys: 4:30 PM, JV Boys: 5:30 PM, Varsity Boys: 6:30 PM

Thursday, December 5th:

C-Team Boys and Varsity Girls travel to St. Edward.

• C-Team Boys: 4:30 PM, Varsity Girls: 5:30 PM

2024-2025 YEARBOOKS

Order your 2024-2025 Yearbooks now! All orders will be placed online by clicking the banner or using the link: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A02187515 .

STEPS FOR STUDENTS - EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION

Registration is now open for the 20th Annual Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk supporting Catholic education!

• Saturday, February 8, 2025 | Downtown Houston

Students who join our team by Dec. 31 will get a Free Dress Pass to use for the 2nd semester - and all the t-shirts! Join our team at: https://runsignup.com/apschool25

SMART FAMILIES NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

Variable Reward, Social Media & Mental Health 

The pervasive influence of social media is reflected in the 5 billion users worldwide. But what drives people to engage, sometimes obsessively, with others on social media? 

In this issue, Smart Families talks about how reward impacts behaviors, cycles of repetitive actions and short form content.  

Check our the Be Not Afraid newsletter archives, a monthly spiritual resource that aligns with Christian values and upholds our God-given dignity.

NURSE NOTES

For 11/18/24-11/22/24

1ST GRADE: Stomach bug (there were two cases of vomiting this week in 1st grade, noting with the upcoming holiday).

There are still plenty of allergy/cough/upper respiratory issues around, but no reports of anything specific this week. Sending Prayers for a healthy, thankful, restful Thanksgiving Break and prayers for all that will be traveling over the break.  

SIGN-UP PARTIES

We are excited about our Gala Sign-up Parties! Gala Sign-up Parties are hosted by faculty or families and can be adult, family or child-centered—and most importantly, FUN! All proceeds from Gala Sign-up Parties benefit our school and students!

THE PULSERA PROJECT - Dec. 9-13

Our 2nd Quarter Stewardship Project is supporting The Pulsera Project by selling pulseras (bracelets) for $5. Proceeds not only sustain jobs for the artists but also fund education and fair trade scholarships, making a meaningful impact. We’re looking for parent volunteers to assist with selling bracelets during lunch periods from Dec. 9-13. All volunteers must be Safe Environment compliant. Thank you for helping us support this incredible initiative!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F45A8AF29A6FC1-book7#/

MONDAYS - Chess Club, 3:45-4:30 PM. Off until after Christmas.

MONDAYS - Spanish Culture Club, 3:45-4:30 PM. Off until after Christmas.

MONDAYS - Violin Club, 3:45-4:30 PM.

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

WEDNESDAYS - Parent Rosary Group (English) 8:00 AM, PLB Room 204.

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

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

WEDNESDAYS - Run Club, 3:45-4:30 PM, Sports Fields.

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. 

11/15/2024 - GALA EVENT | Parent’s Night Out, 6:00-9:00 PM

11/17/2024 - SPECIAL EVENT | Literari Book Fair

11/19/2024 - FIELD TRIP | Kindergarten

11/21/2024 - SPIRIT DAY | Raising Cane's Magnolia, 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

11/22/2024 - MASS | Wednesday of the 34th Week of Ordinary Time | Staff, 10:45 AM, Church

11/22/2024 - SPECIAL EVENT | Grandparents Day Mass, 10:45 AM, Church

11/22/2024 - SPECIAL EVENT | Grandparents Day | Noon Dismissal

11/25/2024-11/29/2024 - SCHOOL HOLIDAY | Thanksgiving

12/02/2024 - COMMITTEE MEETING | The One Gala, 8:15 AM, Paduan Center

12/03/2024 - SPECIAL EVENT | Spelling Bee | Assembly Schedule

12/03/2024 - SPIRIT NIGHT | The Stand, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

12/04/2024 - GALA EVENT | Breakfast with Santa, 7:00-8:00 AM

12/04/2024 - MASS | Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent | 2A, 8:30 AM, Church

12/05/2024 - SPECIAL EVENT | 1st and 2nd Grade Program, 6:30 PM, Gym

12/06/2024 - FREE DRESS | $5 | Supporting 8th Grade Gift

12/06/2024 - GALA EVENT | Middle School Ice Skating Party

12/06/2024 - GALA EVENT | Polar Express Party-Pre-K4

Full Calendar available in FACTS!

To subscribe to our FACTS school calendar copy and paste this URL into your calendar app:

https://saty-tx.client.renweb.com/pwr/school/ical.cfm?u=11371&h=2D672FF8548A&s=&ut=STAFF&f2=0&sc=SAPCS&t=s

FRASSATI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Human Person Course For Adults - Coming January 2025

Frassati Catholic High School is excited to once again offer adults the opportunity to experience The Human Person, the first course in the Ethics & Culture curriculum, taught by Sister Beatrice. Classes will begin in mid-January and occur once a week on campus at Frassati Catholic. Course information and registration form can be found on our website (click here)! All adults, including current and prospective families, friends, and neighbors are welcome. 

Applications Open for 2025-2026!

Applications are open for the 2025-2026 academic year at Frassati Catholic! 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 completed online 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. Details and application process can be found at frassaticatholic.org/apply. Questions? Contact Mr. Tim Lienhard, Director of Enrollment, at admissions@frassaticatholic.org.