August 2024 NEWS & UPDATES | STPHILIPS1600.ORG | |
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Summer Camp
Finale
As summer draws to a close, we want to give a big shout-out to our camp scholars and coaches who made this season unforgettable. Every day, they arrived with smiles, ready to make new friends and dive into exciting learning experiences. This year's projects were art-focused, and the creativity on display was truly inspiring! From crafting paper deserts and creating intricate doodles to captivating musical and theatrical performances, our scholars demonstrated impressive artistic skills.
The final day of camp was a special one, as parents joined us for a unique showcase that celebrated the year's achievements. Students performed cheers and chants, and even presented original rap songs they had written! It was a day filled with joy and laughter, highlighting the incredible work of our scholars, summer camp staff, parents, and volunteers. Thank you all for making this another fantastic summer!
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Community Stories - Meet Fay!
Ms. Fay is a cherished neighborhood resident who frequently attends activities hosted by St. Philip’s. The photo captures her at our 2024 Fancy Hat Tea Party, an annual gathering for the seniors in our community. Ms. Fay brings us immense joy. We first got to know her through her regular attendance at our monthly community meetings, where she always greeted us with her beautiful smile. She is a gift from God and reminds us that the blessings we receive from working at St. Philip’s far exceed those we hope to give others through our work.
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Welcome to Sunny South Dallas!
Hans Smith, the proud owner of Mine&Yours Barbershop, is thrilled to join the revitalized MLK community. The barbershop, located at the newly renovated space at 1628 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., represents a fresh start for both the business and the neighborhood. "Being part of the renovation of the neighborhood is awesome," Hans remarked. "We love the partnerships that we have established with Men of Nehemiah and St. Philip's”.
Hans and his team are eager to make a difference in this community. They are hosting the shop's Grand Opening and Back to School Celebration on Saturday, August 10th. The event will feature free food, music, games, and a school supply giveaway, offering a fun and supportive start to the new school year for local families. Stop by between 10am-2pm to join the fun!
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Back to School Bash
St. Philip's School and Community Center is thrilled to invite families to its annual Back to School Bash on Sunday, August 18th, from 3 PM to 5 PM. This exciting event will feature a variety of fun activities, including games, delicious food available for purchase, and the chance to meet the school's dedicated staff and teachers. Families can also take advantage of the convenient supply drop-off area to bring in school supplies before the first day of school. It's a perfect opportunity to celebrate the upcoming school year, connect with the community, and ensure a smooth start to the academic year.
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Professional Development
Exploring STEM in Early Childhood: A Transformative Training Experience
In today's rapidly advancing world, fostering a love for STEM from an early age is essential and the educators at St. Philip's know it! Mrs. Booker-Wallace, an Early Childhood instructor, recently had the opportunity to lead a training session focused on integrating STEM into early childhood learning centers. This experience was both enlightening and rewarding, with activities geared toward imaginative play.
Participants learned innovative ways to incorporate STEM in everyday learning. The science center offered simple experiments and observation activities. The reading and writing centers included STEM-themed books and daily journals. Morning learning tubs with Lego sets introduced engineering concepts, and the block center, transformed into a fire station, allowed children to explore engineering through play. A highlight was the Freedom Fun STEM Learning Food Friday, where children created simple recipes, blending math, science, and creativity.
We are so proud of you, Mrs. Booker-Wallace, for your dedication to growing young minds and educating your peers!
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Why I Do What I Do - AGAIN
Dr. Flowers is back with more words of wisdom!
"As the curtain goes up AGAIN for a new 2024-25 school year, let's all stand reminded that educating a child is not a rehearsal. Let us ALL pray for A God Anointed Instructional Nation."
Read the Full Blog!
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Eagle Scout Khalil Selders
St. Philip’s alumnus Khalil Selders is making a significant impact in his community through his Eagle Scout project by revitalizing Gwen's Garden at St. Philip’s School and Community Center. The project honors the late Gwendolyn Satterfield Barjon, a former St. Philip’s principal and passionate gardener, ensuring her legacy of love and growth continues. Khalil, who experienced Ms. Barjon’s influence as a student, collaborated with St. Philip’s leadership and her family to incorporate their vision and preferences into the project.
Khalil embarked on his project with the help of family, friends, and community volunteers, successfully completing it by June 20th, 2024. His work included building a prayer and meditation area adjacent to Gwen's Garden. This space, designed to nurture the spiritual, mental, and physical well-being of students, staff, and community members, fosters a sense of community and connection with nature. It will serve as a place for solitude, reflection, and mental breaks, promoting wellness among those who use it.
The most rewarding part of Khalil’s project was seeing the positive impact it had on the community. Located between the school playground and the garden, the new space quickly became a beloved addition, with students eager to use it and adults expressing gratitude for its beauty and purpose. For Khalil, a former student of St. Philip's and someone close to the Barjon family, the project was a deeply fulfilling way to honor Mrs. Barjon and contribute to the well-being of the school and community.
If you went to school or participated in Athletics at St. Philip’s School and Community Center, we want to hear from you! We would love to stay in touch and continue to support you in all your future endeavors. Please send updates, graduation announcements, and contact information to Breanna Turnley bturnley@stphilips.com
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Lacrosse Takeover
The July Lacrosse Clinic was an exciting and educational experience for all participants. The event brought together students of various skill levels to learn the fundamentals of lacrosse, guided by experienced coaches who emphasized teamwork, sportsmanship, and skill development. Athletes in 2nd through 8th grade are invited to join us on the field on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm for practice!
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The Saints are R-E-D RED, H-O-T HOT!
The Saints cheerleaders are known for their spirit, hype chants and sharp moves. Girls ages 5 to 14 are invited to join our cheer and dance squad for the 2024-25 school year. Stop by the Snyder Activity Center on August 8th at 5pm or register online to become part of the legacy of winners!
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Gridiron Glory
Saints football programs are a blend of fun, teamwork, and athlete development. Our experienced coaches are dedicated to providing top-notch training in a supportive and energetic environment. Join the Saints football team and start your journey towards becoming a champion both on and off the field! Open to athletes ages 5-14.
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Volunteer at Gwen's Garden!
You're invited to join us in Gwen's Garden on the second Saturday of each month.
Volunteering in the garden is a wonderful opportunity for individuals and groups to enjoy the outdoors, meet new friends, and make a meaningful impact. Whether you have a green thumb or are just eager to help, your contribution will be greatly appreciated. Let's cultivate a vibrant and flourishing garden of vegetables and herbs together! Produce harvested from Gwen's Garden is distributed to clients at Aunt Bette's Community Pantry.
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HPUMC Students
We extend our heartfelt thanks to HPUMC students for their outstanding volunteer efforts at Aunt Bette's Community Pantry. Your team’s energy, compassion, and commitment were so refreshing!
We encourage other groups to follow in HPUMC students' footsteps and join us in making a positive impact. Volunteering at Aunt Bette's is a rewarding experience that brings people together to help our neighbors. Sign up your group today and be a part of this vital community service! Call us at 214-753-5600.
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TREC Young Guns & Friends Move Furniture
Josh Tellifero, a dedicated member of TREC Young Guns, recently led a team of interns from Brasfield & Gorrie in a day of service at The Hub. The group worked diligently to improve the space, tackling tasks like pulling weeds and transporting and assembling furniture. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Josh and the interns for their hard work and continued support. Their commitment to giving back exemplifies the spirit of community and collaboration that drives our mission forward.
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Affordable Housing Units Available
Did you know St. Philip’s is building affordable housing units, right here in our neighborhood? We’ve partnered with the City and County of Dallas, TREC Community Investors, and Matthews Southwest, for this transformative community development project. This initiative aims to provide accessible and affordable housing in South Dallas with seven new housing units within a 4-block radius of our campus.
Interested parties are invited to join us in shaping the future of our community; for more information about owning one of these homes, contact Nicole Raphiel via email at nraphiel@stphilips.com.
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Environmental Justice Grant | |
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Our Community Development team is always working to make our neighborhood a safer and more beautiful environment. Their recent efforts include a collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce environmental impact and improve public health by removing and preventing illegal dumping. This will result in decreased air and water pollution, decreased exposure to hazardous substances, and reduced prevalence of disease-carrying rodents and insects, resulting in a healthier and more enjoyable community. This project comes with the support of a substantial Environmental Justice Grant of $500,000 from the EPA to be spent over three years. We will follow the steps below to address the concerns of our neighbors
1. Identify sites within the Forest District exhibiting issues with nuisance dumping
2. Collect data about the sites based on reported information
3. Assess the contamination and clean the properties
4. Develop and implement preventative measures
If you or someone you know would like to support St. Philip’s efforts to report and eliminate illegal dumping, please email community@stphilips.com.
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Afterschool Programs Open to the Community
St. Philip's afterschool program registration is now open to the community! Students learn how to express themselves creatively through the visual and written arts and receive homework help, all while being immersed in a family-friendly environment. Programming begins on August 26th. For more information visit our website.
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Admissions Team in Atlanta
Our admissions teams attended the FACTs Elevate conference in Atlanta, which offered over 20 sessions daily for three days, covering various aspects of independent school functions. The sessions provided valuable insights and strategies relevant to St. Philip's enrollment management department. The admissions team is now armed with new skills that will enhance efficiency in retention, reporting, and organization using SIS (Student Information System) tools, making admission and enrollment a smother process.
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Bingo & Bites
Save the date for Bingo & Bites, a bi-annual event hosted by Friends of St. Philip's! Join us for a lively night of bingo games, delicious bites, and wonderful company, all while supporting our mission. Sponsorship opportunities are now available, providing a unique chance to promote your organization while contributing to a meaningful cause. Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable event that brings our community together. Visit our website for more information.
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HR NEWS - WELCOME TO ST. PHILIP'S | |
It is with joy that we get to welcome our new teachers! Each one brings a special blend of the Love of God, Love of Self, Love of Learning and Love of Others that sets St. Philip’s educators apart from the rest. As we continue to cultivate a nurturing and dynamic environment, our new faculty members are ready to inspire and guide our students on their educational journey. We look forward to the exciting contributions they will make, helping to enrich our academic programs and support the holistic development of our students. Welcome to the St. Philip's family! | |
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Experience Feedback Box
We want to hear from you! We now have an anonymous form that can be submitted electronically to offer feedback regarding your experience, suggestions, or compliments.
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How You Can Help
For those who have asked what you can do to support St. Philip’s – PRAY and DONATE. Our needs and that of those we serve continue and grow daily. You can make an online charitable donation here to support our families.
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