Learning, Loving, and Leading through Christ | |
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From The Desk of Mr. Johnston Mrs. Schermetzler! | |
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Greetings from the new school library!
While Mr. Johnston is out on paternity leave, I am stepping in to keep you updated on everything that is going on at school this week.
First, a quick note from our temporary administrator, Mrs. Bruhn, who writes, "I am happy to report that our students have been behaving wonderfully and have been very busy learning. All of our students have been learning about Advent. Others are studying Shakespeare, while some are learning algebra, multiplication, and division. Our youngest students are learning some of the most important skills of all - how to treat one another with respect and kindness. Our St. Alphonsus Catholic School staff would like to wish all of our families a blessed Advent!"
Second, the LIBRARY RENO IS FINISHED! As with any reno, there are still a few small details to work out, but I welcomed students back into the library this week with a ribbon cutting ceremony for each class, and we are all enjoying the new space. Look for some before and afters and video coming up on our social media channels and in this newsletter next week.
Our 2022 St. Alphonsus Catholic School Annual Appeal is mailing out this week! What is the Annual Appeal? It is your chance to help us fund the cost of educating our students and is a key piece of our financial puzzle. Did you know that your tuition doesn't cover the whole cost of educating your children? We rely on support from the parish and fundraisers like the Annual Appeal to make up the difference. This year, our goal is to raise $15,000. If every school family donated $121, we would make our goal. This breaks down to just $0.68 per day over the course of the 180 day school year--not per student, per day. You can donate online here, and the best part is that you can break up your donation over the course of the year! We know this is a big ask, so consider setting up a recurring monthly donation. Thank you in advance for your support!
Ms. Armstrong's last day is today and although we are so sad to see her go, we know she is going to be so successful in her next venture. We wish her the best, and we are excited to welcome back Mrs. Ligocki next week. Mrs. Hoeppner also returned to St. Al's full time this week, and we are so happy to have her "home" as well.
Lastly, did you see my silly Ugly Sweater reel on Instagram last week? It's to remind you that on Tuesday, December 6 we are celebrating Christmas Spirit Day! Bring $1 to donate and wear your best crazy, festive outfits. The money will go to the St. Alphonsus Food Pantry to purchase turkeys and hams for Christmas dinners. Get festive for a good cause--more details below.
Thanks for hanging in there to read this long letter--it's been awhile since we've been in your inboxes. Please check out all the great stuff happening this holiday season at school below!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mrs. Schermetzler
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Pack the Church!
This weekend is "School Weekend" at church! We will have student lectors and gift bearers at the 9:00am Mass, and once again we would love to pack the church with school families. Please wear your Joy shirts or another St. Alphonsus shirt to share our school pride!
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More Yard Signs Now Available!
Our second batch of yard signs is in! We will hand some out in the car lines next week, but if you specifically want one, please send Mrs. Schermetzler an email.
Thank you for your enthusiastic support of our school!
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Important Dates to Remember | |
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12/6
Ugly Sweater Day
Details Below
12/7
Dine Out Night
Cousins' Subs
12/13
Christmas Program
Dress Rehearsal
1:00pm
12/14
Dine Out Night
Noodles & Co.
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12/15
Christmas Program
10:30am &
6:00pm
12/22
Las Posadas
8:15am
12/22
Early Dismissal
11:30am
12/23 - 1/2/2023
No School
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Christmas Break
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St. Alphonsus Catholic School 2022 Annual Appeal | |
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Our Annual Appeal Campaign is on!
Help us continue to Spark Joy at St. Alphonsus Catholic School by donating to the Annual Appeal!
The total cost of education for each student at St. Alphonsus Catholic School is $8,549. Tuition payments, Home & School funds, and parish support provide a portion of this, but we depend on donors like you to fully execute our vision to the highest degree.
Please consider making a gift in support of St. Alphonsus Catholic School today. Scan our QR code to donate online today or look for the mailer coming to your home soon!
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Donate today!
Thank you for your support of our school!
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Please join us for Parents' Night Out - Music Bingo
A musical twist on the traditional favorite!
Saturday, January 7th at 6:30pm in the St. Alphonsus Community Room
Players will be given bingo cards where the traditional numbers are replaced with song titles & artists. The host plays clips of music and you mark the spots off on your bingo card to win.
Parents, reserve your spot today! No cost--bring your own snacks & refreshments. It will be a great night of singing, fun and laughter you won't want to miss!
Any questions or to reserve your spot, please email Dawn Eisold.
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Student Spotlight: Congrats, Max C! | |
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We have a budding actor on our hands! 7th Grader Max C. is currently performing in the Jolly Holiday Show at Skylight Theater.
His entire 7th grade class was able to attend one of the matinee performances. Congrats, Max, we are all so proud of you!
You can still see the show, ongoing through December 31. More information and tickets can be found here!
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Mrs. Hoeppner is introducing a new art program this year. Sign up for Artsonia to stay up to date on your child's art classes and view & interact with what they're working on! You can share with family & friends and even order some of their artwork! Scan the QR code below or click here and enter Parent Code 66ZP9388. | |
Teacher Wishlists Now Available | |
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Are you looking for a unique way to gift your teachers this holiday season? Why not buy them something off their Amazon wishlists?
We've asked teachers to make a wishlist of items they'd love to have in their classrooms. You can check them out below. Don't see your child's teacher? Encourage them to make one! We will continue to share these throughout the month of December, and we added a few new ones this week!
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8th Grade Poinsettia Sale Pickup This Weekend | |
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The 8th Grade Poinsettia Sale Pickup is this weekend!
Pick up your plants this Saturday, December 3rd in the Community Room between 3:00 and 6:00pm.
Please direct any questions to Wayne Nelsen.
The St Alphonsus Class of 2023 thanks you for your support!
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The Cookie Walk is coming!
Thank you for returning your Cookie Walk forms! It's almost time to get to baking.
Cookies can be returned in both car lines on Friday, December 9. Look for our volunteers who are collecting!
They do not need to be bagged or packaged a certain way, but if you would like your container back, please be sure to label it with your name. We are not passing out containers for collection this year.
Forgot to return your form? That's ok! Consider volunteering to help us at the Cookie Walk itself. We will need some additional assistance with set-up and selling after all masses. School is also hosting Hospitality after all masses during Cookie Walk weekend, and we need some additional volunteers for that. You can sign up to volunteer for all of these jobs here! If you already signed up via your participation form, you do not need to sign up again. Just be sure to show up for your shift!
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DECEMBER DINE OUT NIGHTS - MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
December is such a busy month, so we've got two Dine Out Nights to help you get dinner on the table fast. Each of these restaurants will donate 20% of their profits to St. Alphonsus. And remember, bring in a receipt (one per student) and your student can be out-of-uniform the following day.
Cousins Night
Wednesday, December 7th
3:00 to 8:00 p.m.
7700 S. Lovers Lane Road, Franklin
Noodles and Company Night
Wednesday, December 14th
4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
5794 S. 108th Street, Hales Corners
Dine Out Nights - the easiest and most delicious fundraisers around!
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Don't miss your opportunity to earn money for your tuition. Start your holiday shopping! To start purchasing Scrip, register on www.RaiseRight.com, using the enrollment code 855F1LF31943.
The St. Al’s Scrip program NEEDS volunteers to man the table on both Saturdays and Sundays! We would like to add Saturday sales but cannot do that without volunteers. SCRIP raises money not only for tuition reimbursement but as part of the school’s annual budget! To volunteer, please contact Vickie by phone at 414-704-0526 or via email here.
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Don't forget that we are still looking for students to get involved at Sunday Mass!
We are looking for lectors and gift bearers for these upcoming masses:
- Sunday, January 29
- Sunday, February 19
You can sign your student up here. Practices will be held during the week before your student will participate, and we will remind you!
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Parish News & Service Opportunities | |
Next Parish Womens' Group Meeting - this Saturday!
Have you ever wanted to go to Eucharistic Adoration, but were unsure what to do? Feel free to join the Women's Group this Saturday morning December 3 at 9:30 in the Community Room as Fr. Patrick joins us to discuss the importance of Eucharistic Adoration followed by Adoration in the chapel. It's a great opportunity to spend quiet time with the Lord this Advent. Please join us!
Any questions, please reach out to Lauren Miller.
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Love Begins Here (LBH) helps middle and high school teens encounter Jesus Christ through a week of local service lived in a joyful, Catholic community. Inspired by the life and witness of St. (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta, LBH invites teens to serve those in need in their own homes and communities, thus continuing Christ's work on earth.
Help out at a food pantry, paint a fence, or plant a garden during the day. Follow that up with ice cream, swimming, prayer, and a ton of fun while making friends with teens from all over the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
There are four spots available on June 20th-23rd for middle schoolers and four spots available high schoolers on July 16th-21st. Students who are going into ninth grade can choose to go to either the middle school mission trip or the high school mission trip (since they are on the cusp).
Hours of service gained here do work towards Confirmation Service hours. An informational meeting for parents and students will be announced soon. Any questions, please contact Karen Farrell.
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The Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally is coming up on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 10am to 6pm.
Join us for this powerful and prayerful day-long worship experience where students can strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ alongside hundreds of teens from around the Archdiocese. This dynamic and meaningful event will allow students to know and connect with Jesus in new, personal ways. Through Adoration, prayerful worship and joyful community, students will leave this event inspired to share the love and light of Jesus with others.
There will be $35.00 fee (including bus fee) if registered by December 19th
Price will be $40.00 after that (including bus fee). You will be asked to purchase your own ticket at that time and either give us the different to cover the bus or get your son or daughter to the event on your own.
Checks are due on or before December 19th as well.
Please sign up here!
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Steubenville Youth Conference
(For students graduating 8th grade only)
The Catholic Church has been greatly blessed by the youth rallies coming out of the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, OH. These conferences happen all over North America. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee will be taking a group to St. Paul, MN from July 28-30. These events have greatly helped to shape the faith of countless teens.
We are gauging interest on a group possibly attending alongside the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Going with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee allows us to be able to spread the cost of transportation over a larger group of people.
If you are interested in learning more specifically about the Conference, please check out the Conference website.
If you know you are interested in learning more, please fill out this google form.
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World Youth Day - Portugal (For students graduating eighth grade)
St. Alphonsus is partnering with St. Mary's in Hales Corners for kids to attend an international gathering of young people with Pope Francis.
Grow closer to Jesus and His Church and pray with the pope alongside 1 million other young people from around the world!
A nonrefundable deposit of $1,500 is due upon registration. The total cost per person is $4,249, which includes airfare from Chicago. Fundraising opportunities will be available!
For more information, please see the attached flyer which includes a link to a website with more details or contact Julianne Elouadih, Youth Evangelization Coordinator, by email or via phone at 414-425-2174 ext. 246.
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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 5:00pm Wednesdays.
Did you make it all the way to the bottom of the newsletter? Email Mrs. Schermetzler with the subject line Merry Christmas and your student(s) will receive a little prize.
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