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Welcome to November!
November is here--we can all hardly believe how fast this year is flying. Soon it will be time for Thanksgiving and celebrating Advent and the Christmas season--one of the best times of year to be a Catholic school educator!
You may have heard one of the St. Alphonsus trustees, Alan Close, speak at a recent Mass about the 2026 Annual Appeal to support St. Alphonsus Parish. One of the exciting things he was able to talk about is our growing school! With that in mind, I want to tell you about some potential changes that could occur for next school year. Our proposal is that we would open another 3K classroom, which would be full day, either two or three days a week (T-TH/MWF). This gives families who aren't quite feeling ready for 5 days-a-week, full-day school, a sustainable option to choose from that differentiates us from other area preschools (most of which offer part-time on a half day basis). We are also considering opening another section of full time 4K, depending on numbers. Being in this position as a school to discuss growth plans is a wonderful thing! Enrollment this year will begin at the end of January, so I will update everyone regarding School Choice as well as Growth Plans prior to that.
A couple of other quick reminders this week:
- A reminder about the update made last week to the school calendar: Friday, December 19 will be early dismissal at 11:30am, as is the tradition from years' past. You can find updated calendars below and on our website that reflect this update. Please also note that Las Posadas is on THURSDAY, December 18 this year so that we can have Mrs. Greco with us to play the music! More details coming soon about this beloved St. Alphonsus tradition.
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Don't forget to check out the details below on our Girl Scout Troop's Pajama Party and on the new Home & School event, the Stuffy Sleepover! Your child's stuffy will have a fun "adventure" at school and you'll get some cute photos to share with your kiddo at the end of it! The Pajama Party is for a great cause and I know our Girl Scouts would love some support! In addition, our older Girl Scouts are going for their Silver Award and are hosting a Pet Food Drive! You can find all the details about this below.
- If you or someone you know is a veteran of the armed services, please join us on Wednesday, November 12 for our Veterans Day Mass at 8:00am. We would love to honor and recognize the veterans in our lives. Thank you for your service!
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In conjunction with the Home & School Association, this year we plan to publish a Parent Directory! If you would like to opt out and NOT have your information included, there is a form for you to return. If you do want your information included there is nothing you need to do! You can find all the details below.
This newsletter is our number one communication tool to you as parents. We ask that you please read it thoroughly each week. Our school website is also a great resource for you and has lots of information available under the PARENTS tab at the top of the page. You can also always find an archive of our school newsletters on our website here.
Have a great week!
Best Regards,
Megan Sagat
Principal
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| November Virtue: Generosity | | |
Our November Schoolwide Virtue is Generosity!
You will see teachers displaying this virtue in their classrooms, talk about what this virtue means at home and at school, and we will infuse this virtue into things like our morning announcements and prayers, as well as classroom and buddy activities. We also like to show students how to LIVE the virtue each month, and November is the perfect time to focus on generosity when we all have so much to be thankful for.
To that end, please join us in helping to support the St. Alphonsus Food Pantry this month! On Tuesday, November 11, please bring a monetary donation (minimum of $1 per student) which will go directly to the Food Pantry here at St. Al's. All students who bring a minimum donation of $1 can be out of uniform on Tuesday!
The St. Alphonsus Food Pantry currently serves over 90 clients, and monetary donations are used for things like purchasing in bulk at discounted rates, procuring meat and fresh produce to include in the boxes, and more. To learn more about the St. Alphonsus Food Pantry, please click here. If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, please call our Food Pantry phone line at 414-514-4400 for assistance.
Thank you for helping us live out the virtue of Generosity this month!
| | Other Important Reminders | |
New! St. Alphonsus Parent Directory
In conjunction with the St. Alphonsus Home & School Association, we are working on compiling a Parent Directory! This is a new annual publication that is a valuable communication tool for all St. Alphonsus families. It will contain an alphabetical listing (by grade) of all parents. It will include parent/guardian names, phone numbers and primary emails. Faculty, staff, and other important school contact information is also provided. Student names will not be listed.
This information used to be widely available in the TADS/Educate system, but since moving to our new PowerSchool Student Information System, it is no longer available to families. We wish to provide this service so that you may easily facilitate birthday invitations, playdates, etc. as this type of information cannot be provided by your classroom teacher.
All parents will be included in the directory, unless you return this form by Friday, November 14. This form tells us that you do not wish your information to be published in the Parent Directory. If you do NOT return this form, your information will be included.
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Calling all St. Alphonsus Girls! Come join Troop 13690 for an afternoon of fun at our Pajama Party!
The troop is working towards their Bronze Award and hoping to donate pajamas to foster kids in the Milwaukee area.
RSVP to Dawn Eisold by November 17th.
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Girl Scout Troop 11412 Hosts Pet Food Drive!
Hello! We are Girl Scout Troop 11412. Did you know that over 1 million households are forced to surrender their pets each year? According to the ASPCA, 30% of pet owners would find it helpful to have basic needs, like pet food, at a lower price. For our Silver Award project, we will be adding a pet section to the St. Alphonsus Food Pantry, and we need your help!
From November 10-21 we will be collecting…
- Wet or dry cat and dog food
- Treats
- Money donations
Please bring any food donations to the corresponding box outside of the school office, or any money donations into the school office. Please consider helping us keep pets in their homes.
Thank you in advance!
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School Office Supplies!
The school office can always use some help keeping office supplies stocked. Please check out our Amazon wishlist to see some of the supplies that are always needed.
Thank you for your donations!
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Return Library Books Every Week!
Just a reminder that library books should be returned during your child's library class every week. Our older students know how to renew their books, and it is ok to keep chapter books for multiple weeks, but our younger classes should please return picture books weekly.
Students cannot check out a NEW book until they return their OLD books. 3K & 4K check out 1 library book per week. 5K and up may check out up to 2 library books per week.
Thank you for helping us keep the circulation in the library going!
| | | | Important Dates to Remember | | |
11/05
Dine Out Night
Cousins Subs
11/12
Veterans Day Mass
D
11/19
Dine Out Night
Raising Cane's
11/20
Parent/Teacher Conferences
4-6pm
11/24
No School
Parent/Teacher Conferences
8am-1pm
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11/25 - 11/28
Gobble Gobble!
No School
Thanksgiving Break
12/01
Advent Wreath Blessing & Prayer Service
Details Coming later in November
12/04
Christmas Concert
10:30am & 6:00pm
12/05
Poinsettia Sale Pickup
More Details Coming Soon
12/07 & 12/08
Cookie Walk
More Details Coming Soon
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The Student Lector Program Returns!
We are happy to announce that our Student Lector program is returning again this year! Do your students in grades 2-8 love to read at Mass? Consider signing them up to lector on select Sundays!
Our fall dates are now available here. We will also need gift bearers!
Students practice with Mrs. Schermetzler on the Thursday before weekend Masses.
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Out of Uniform Dates - November
We thought it might be easier for you to have a list of days that are Out-Of-Uniform either with a pass or with special circumstances for the whole month, so here are the remaining Out-of-Uniform Days for November:
11/06
Out of Uniform with Dine Out Night purchase on 11/05 (receipt required)
11/11
Food Pantry Donation Day!
Out of Uniform with minimum $1 donation to the St. Alphonsus Food Pantry
(Details Above in the Virtues Section)
11/20
Out of Uniform with Dine Out Night purchase on 11/19 (receipt required)
11/21
Last Friday of the Month
Out of Uniform with Purchased Pass
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Our Next Pizza Lunch Fundraiser of the Year is coming up next week on Friday, November 14!
Please remember that NO hot lunch or milk are served on pizza lunch days. Order forms went home last week and are due back by Friday, November 7. You can find a copy of the order form here.
We also need volunteers to help serve the pizza lunch to students. This is an easy one hour commitment! You can sign up here. All volunteers must be safeguarded.
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Cousins Dine Out Night
This week Wednesday, November 5th is Dine Out Night at Cousins Subs and we hope to see you there! Dine in or carry out from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Franklin location, 7700 S. Lovers Lane Road. 20% of the sales will go to support St. Alphonsus. Remember to get a receipt (one per child) so that your student can be out of uniform the following day.
Come support our school and let Cousins do the cooking!
Dine Out Nights - the easiest and most delicious fundraisers around.
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The Cougar Carnival Committee is Looking for Volunteers!
The committee is in the early phases of preparation for our annual Cougar Carnival which takes place February 20, 2026. This is a big event and we need all hands on deck to make it happen! The committee would love any help, especially someone who is interested in taking charge of the concessions. Please contact Cougar Carnival Co-Chair Erica Scherbarth via email if interested!
| | | | Local High School & Alumni News | | |
St. Alphonsus Parish is hosting a coloring contest for Advent this year!
See the instructions below and fill out the entry form. Turn entries into your classroom teacher by November 19. The winner will be put on the cover of the Christmas bulletin!
For questions, please contact Rachel Kroes, our Associate Director of Child Ministry.
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Join St. Alphonsus Parish for a Bingo Night!
Saturday, November 8 at 6:30pm in the Community Room
This is a free, social gathering! We’ll provide bingo and the prizes, you bring your own snacks and beverages (no alcohol, please). All ages are welcome. We hope to see you there.
Walk-ins are welcome but to help us plan, please call the Parish Office to sign up or click on this link: Bingo - St. Alphonsus Parish and School
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sue Ruedinger.
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TRIVIA NIGHT IS BACK!
Join us on November 21st and 22nd!
Reserve your table for 8-10 people for a walk down memory lane. It will be the "Best of Trivia Night" as we ask questions from our 20 years of archives. Yes, St. Al’s Trivia Night is 20 years old, and there has been no inflation either! The cost is still $10 per person.
There will be door prizes and a 50/50 raffle to raise money for our Human Concerns groups around St. Al’s.
Email Vickie Major here with questions or to reserve your table.
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Join the St. Alphonsus Moms Group!
Looking for other Moms to share in your journey of faith and motherhood?
Come to the Wiggle Room above the church at 10:00. Moms are welcome to bring their little ones with them!
We would love to get to know each other better and help one another grow in our faith. Motherhood isn't easy. Let's share the load! Contact Darleen Zelinka with any questions.
First Semester Dates:
- November 4 at 10 a.m.
- November 18 at 10 a.m.
- December 2 at 10 a.m.
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Join the St. Alphonsus Women's Group!
So... who is in your tribe?
We all need one! Why not make St. Alphonsus' Women's Group YOUR tribe?
This group is a little different than the Moms Group. This group is comprised of women of all ages and backgrounds. We meet to pray, discuss and enjoy life! Contact Maggie Ensing for more information!
Check us out:
- November 15, 2025 - Join Us for Women of Christ!
- December 12, 2025 - Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- January 24, 2025
- February 14, 2026
- March 21, 2026
- April 25, 2026
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Do you have items for the newsletter? To submit them or for questions and submission guidelines, please contact Amy Schermetzler.
Please note that submissions are due by 12:00pm Fridays.
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