Learning, Loving, and Leading through Christ | |
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From the Desk of Mr. Johnston | |
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Dear St. Alphonsus Catholic School Families,
What a great first week of school! It has been so amazing have all of the students back in the building.
I wanted to touch base with you briefly about our Back to School Night, which will take place on Wednesday, September 6 from 5:30 to 7:00pm. This event is for Parents Only, so please do not bring your students.
There will be 3 sessions to choose from for all grade levels. Middle school parents should use all three sessions to visit with each of the three homeroom teachers. All other grades are free to attend any ONE session in their student's classroom. Mr. Johnston and Father Kevin McManaman will speak to the families from 6:35pm - 7:00pm in the Community Room to end the evening. I will announce the move from session to session about 2 minutes before each one ends. The format is as follows:
ALL GRADES:
5:30 - 5:50
5:50 - 6:10
6:10 - 6:30
Middle school attend all three in any order, all other grades choose one session to attend.
Principal Talk—in the Community Room
6:35 - 7:00
We hope to see you at this event so you can learn more about what your children will be learning this year!
The only other thing I have for you this week is a quick reminder about our school dress code as it pertains to shoes. Our dress code states the following: students should wear closed toe and closed heel shoes. Flip flops, jellies, sandals, and Crocs are not allowed. Please be sure you are sending your student to school wearing proper footwear. Thank you for your cooperation on this! You can read our dress code rules fully on pages 39 & 40 of the family handbook which can be found on our website here (please note this is our 2022-2023 handbook. Our 2023-2024 handbook will be released soon, but the dress code will remain the same!).
As a last reminder that I'm sure no one needs, there is no school on Monday due to the Labor Day Holiday. Have a great long weekend!
Yours in Christ,
Mr. Russ Johnston
Principal
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Photo Opt-In and Unity T-Shirt Forms | |
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If you did not sign the photo opt-in form or fill out a unity t-shirt order form at Meet & Greet, please do so ASAP.
As a a reminder, the photo opt-in gives St. Alphonsus permission to share your student's photo in our school newsletter, on our social media, and on our website. Without a signed form, your student CANNOT be shown in any capacity. You can find the form here. Please complete one form per child and return to Amy Schermetzler by Wednesday, September 6.
Unity t-shirts are worn every Wednesday for mass. School will provide the first t-shirt to your child, but you may also order additional. Please find the order form here. EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT ORDERING EXTRA SHIRTS, YOU NEED TO FILL OUT THE FORM SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT SIZE SHIRT TO ORDER YOUR CHILD. Return to Amy Schermetzler, again by Wednesday, September 6. Please do not send money, your PowerSchool account will be charged.
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Upcoming Dates to Remember | |
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09/04
Labor Day
No School
09/06
Back to School Info Night
Parents Only
5:30 - 7:30pm
09/06
Dine Out Night
Cousins Subs
Details Below
09/06
Fun Run Kickoff
09/15
Fun Run
Details Below
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09/20
Dine Out Night
MOD Pizza
Details Below
09/22
Fundraiser Lunch
No Hot Lunch Provided
Details Coming Soon!
09/22
Uniform Closet Open
7:45-8:30am
09/24
Pack the Church
9:00am Mass
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We are pleased to also now offer you a comprehensive yearly calendar that has school events, closings, special events, and Home & School events all in one place. A PDF version is attached here for your reference. This calendar will be updated throughout the year to aid you in your planning purposes! The current rev is REV1, published 08.21.23. | |
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Dear Parents,
Welcome to another school year! A special welcome to all of our new families in the school! I am so grateful to have all of you here. Please know that I will be holding all of you in my prayers as we journey through this academic year. Being a parent is a tough vocation, please be assured of my spiritual support for each you. I want to take this opportunity to let you know of some opportunities for prayer and formation this coming year.
Rosary and Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions
every Tuesday at 6:30pm in the Chapel
Every Tuesday evening at 6:30pm, parishioners gather to pray the Rosary and the Mother of Perpetual Help devotions (this is a devotion that St. Alphonsus Ligouri promoted heavily).
Eucharistic Adoration
every Thursday from 7:30am-8pm
Every Thursday the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for Adoration in our chapel. If you are looking for an opportunity for silence in your hectic day, consider spending a bit of time with our Lord in the Eucharist.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
every Wednesday 5-6pm and Saturday 3-4pm
Interested in Becoming Catholic?
If you are not Catholic but have felt the desire to explore our faith, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the place to begin. The RCIA is the process through which non-Catholic or unbaptized adults and Children over the age of 7 enter the Church or receive the Sacrament of Baptism. There will be an informational get together on Wednesday, September 20th at 7pm. Don’t fret if you can’t make this meeting, as Sr. Eileen or Fr. Kevin are happy to chat with you individually if need be. You can contact the parish at 414-421-2442 or Sr. Eileen at eileen@st-alphonsus.org with questions or for more information.
Need the Sacrament of Confirmation?
If you di not receive the Sacrament of Confirmation when you were younger but wish to now, the formation for the Sacrament of Confirmation also begins on Wednesday, September 20th at 7pm. Please note that having received the Sacrament of Confirmation is a requirement to serve as a Baptismal Sponsor (otherwise known as a Godparent) in the Church. If you anticipate being asked to serve in this role in the future, now is the time to receive this Sacrament. You can contact the parish at 414-421-2442 or Sr. Eileen at eileen@st-alphonsus.org with questions or for more information.
Blessing for Expectant Mothers
A blessing for all expecting mothers will be held on Sunday September 17th after the 9am Mass. Meet in the front of the Church at 10:15am.
See you at Mass!
Fr. Kevin
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Car Line Safety Reminders | |
Please do not cross the car lines to drop off or pick up students.
3K, 4K, & 5K students AND THEIR SIBLINGS should be dropped off and picked up in the school courtyard car line. All other grades, 1-8, should use the main car line by the gym doors.
In the back courtyard in particular, please do not cross the carline to pick up your students. This presents a major safety concern, as the car lines move quite quickly, and cars may not always see you as you're crossing. There is NO parking on the spots across the courtyard under the trees for parent pickup. Stay in the carline and pull forward when the next spot in line becomes available. Thank you for your cooperation!
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Out of Uniform Pass Sale is On Now! | |
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The St. Alphonsus Home & School Association is sponsoring the Out-Of-Uniform Pass sale this year!
Passes are $15 each and are good for the last Friday of each month. Order forms are available here and can be sent to Amy Schermetzler via backpack mail by Friday, September 8th. Please include cash or check for payment (no change will be given. Checks can be made out to St. Alphonsus School). Passes will be sent home before the end of September!
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Room Parents Still Needed! | |
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We are still in need of room parents for the following grades:
3K, 4K, 5K, 3rd, 4th and 7th
Room parents provide valuable assistance to our teachers by being the classroom liaison between the teacher and classroom parents. If you are interested in being a room parent, please email Dawn Eisold and include your name, phone number, email, child’s name and grade.
Thanks for volunteering!
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St. Alphonsus Morning Care is available for students in grades 3K - 8th each day that St. Alphonsus School is in session.
It opens at 6:45 am and closes when the morning bell rings at 7:30 am. At 7:30 am, the students walk to their classrooms.
St. Alphonsus Morning Care is held in Room 330 and lead by our first grade teacher, Mrs. Kathy Ramion. Parents may park their cars in the parking lot on the east side of the Parish House and enter via the 'back porch" of the school that is across from the Parish House garages. Please walk your child up the stairs and ring the doorbell. Mrs. Ramion will come and open the door for your child. Please do not leave your child unattended while waiting for the door to open.
While in Morning Care, students may draw, play games, play with Legos, do puzzles, read, study, and talk with one another. Breakfast and snacks are not served and may not be consumed during Morning Care.
The fee is $2.00 per student per day and is due each day when you arrive with your child. For questions, please contact Kathy Ramion.
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Our Cougar Club after school program is hiring!
We are looking for someone with availability between the hours of 2:30 and 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays--we can work with your schedule!
Experience with children is helpful. Responsibilities include ensuring the students' safety; engaging and playing activities with students, such as arts, crafts, and games; as well as helping students with their homework needs if necessary. Contact our Cougar Club Coordinator Stacey Pagac if you're interested.
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Cantors Needed for School Masses! | |
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Children in grades 3-8 are eligible to be cantors at school masses!
To sign up, please have your student notify their teacher that they would like to be a cantor. Practices are once a week during the school day for that week's cantors only.
Our new Director of Music & Liturgy, Mr. Zelinka, is also interested in working with students who play an instrument that might be want to perform occasionally at mass. Again, please have your student let their teacher know and staff will provide a list to Mr. Zelinka.
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Join Guitar & Ukulele Club! | |
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Ms. Webber, our Music Teacher, is offering a Guitar & Ukulele Club this year!
You can find out more information in the attached letter.
Please sign up by Friday, September 8.
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Band & Orchestra Registration Open | |
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Gateway Organization Milwaukee, a local non-profit organization, is happy to return to St. Alphonsus with our ever-popular Band and Orchestra Program.
Students who sign up for music lessons will receive:
- A 20-minute private lesson once a week for 30 weeks throughout the school year. Private lessons are scheduled during the school day and rotate weekly so students do not miss the same 20-minute block of time each week. If your child has a class that they cannot miss please communicate this to their band or orchestra teacher at the time of registration.
- A weekly 45-minute (depending on enrollment) group class, either before or after school.
- The opportunity to perform at various school functions throughout the year.
Orchestra lessons are available to students grades 3-8. Band lessons are available to students grades 4-8.
More information and registration info can be found here.
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Is your child interested in adventure, learning new skills and having fun? Join Cub Scout Pack 596!
Pack 596 is open to boys and girls in grades 5K-5th grade. Join us for our New Scout Night Pack Meeting September 14th at 6:30pm in the St. Alphonsus Community Room. For more information about Cub Scouts or Pack Registration, contact Pack Committee Chair Chelsea Gates. You can also visit beascout.org.
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Coding, Chess & STEM Clubs Are Back! | |
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Registration is now open for Chess, Coding, & new this year, STEM Club!
We are again partnering with After School Enrichment Solutions to offer these clubs to St. Alphonsus students. Check out the flyer below for more information and register here.
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It's Back to School which means it's time to think about enrolling in SCRIP!
What is SCRIP?
SCRIP is an easy-to-use gift card fundraiser. You purchase gift cards at face value, and your family & our school earn a rebate that can be used towards school tuition or as a donation to our school. For example, if you spend $500 in groceries each month, $250 in gas, and have a $100 Kohl's charge bill, you could be earning $40 a month alone. And many restaurants offer higher rebates! There are 100s of SCRIP vendors available, including many local vendors. Check out this listing to see all the different brands.
Signing up for SCRIP is easy, and there is even an app to use! Register here, using the enrollment code 855F1LF31943. You can also check out our Enrollment Forms and FAQ on our school website.
SCRIP is sold in-person in the Community Room prior to Saturday evening's mass, as well as on Sundays from 8:30 to 11:00am. Local gift cards will be available for purchase right away, and all others will be be ordered and delivered through backpack mail here at school.
ALL you have to do is order thru the app, or email our SCRIP coordinator, Vickie Major, here.
This info sheet also has some of the many ways you can use SCRIP! Purchase SCRIP during the month of September and you will receive an entry for every order into a raffle for a $10 Cousin's gift card...and remember to purchase SCRIP for Dine-Out Nights! It's a WIN-WIN for you and St. Al's School!
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Pack the Church & Student Lector Program | |
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The Student Lector Program is back!
Our popular student lector program is back at Sunday masses this fall on these dates:
Sunday, September 24 at 9:00am Mass
Sunday, October 15 at 11:00am Mass
Sunday, November 5 at 9:00am Mass
St. Alphonsus students in grades 2-8 are eligible to be lectors. Students in all grades can be gift bearers. You can sign your child up here. Parents, when signing up please include YOUR email so that we can contact you the week of your students participation.
Lectors will practice with Mrs. Schermetzler on Fridays before the weekend masses!
In addition, all of our student lector dates will be Pack the Church dates for school! We would love to have the church filled with St. Alphonsus School families on these dates. Students should wear their Unity shirts or another St. Alphonsus shirt so that they are easily visible as St. Al's students. We hope to see you there!
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The Fun Run Kicks Off Next Week!
St. Alphonsus Catholic School’s ONLY fall fundraiser - the FUN RUN - is just around the corner!
Students will participate in a Pep Rally on September 6th and bring home materials to help you reach out to donors over the following 9 days. The Fun Run will take place on September 15th in the parking lot, weather permitting.
Registration is now open on mybooster.com! All students registered before September 7th will earn an out of uniform day on September 8th! Also, keep an eye out for nightly challenges where new donations can earn students incentives like an extra recess.
Our goal is to raise $20,000 for new playground equipment.
If you have any questions, please contact Fun Run Chairperson Olivia Hartley.
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Thank you to our amazing Fun Run Sponsors!
Platinum:
Wilke Wealth and Investment Planning
Oak Creek Wood Products
Gold:
Cousins Subs
Educators Credit Union
Murphy & Prachthauser
Silver:
St. Alphonsus School Staff
St. Thomas More High School
Mike Juneau’s Brookfield Buick GMC
Bronze:
Milk Can Diner
Biltrite Furniture
Schlossmann’s Honda City
Ricely Restaurant Group
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Help Needed to Promote the Fun Run After Masses!
With the Fun Run fast approaching, we are asking for a few families to volunteer after each mass the weekend of September 9th and 10th at a Fun Run donation table that will be set up in the gathering space.
Parishioners are able to make donations to the Fun Run, and we’d love to have some families there to help explain what the Fun Run is and answer any questions.
We ask that there is at least one adult, but children are welcome! Thank you for your help! Sign up here.
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Safeguarding Requirements and Upcoming Trainings | |
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Do you plan to go on field trips this year, volunteer as a room parent, volunteer at special events, or coach athletics?
Then you must be safeguard-certified through the Archdiocese. ANYONE who plans to go on field trips or volunteer at school this year in ANY capacity must be up to do that on their safeguard certification.
Luckily, our Director of Christian Formation, Karen Farrell, is a safeguard trainer! The next available session is on September 7th in the community room here at St. Alphonsus, starting at 6pm.
To get started with your safeguarding requirements and register for a session, please visit the Archdiocese's CMGConnect website, and here are the complete instructions for completing your Safeguarding requirements. If you have questions about your certification, you can contact Ms. Parey in the school office.
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Dine Out Night At Cousins Subs!
Next Wednesday, September 6th is our first Dine Out Night of the school year 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 next day.
Come support our school and let Cousins do the cooking that night!
Dine Out Nights - the easiest and most delicious fundraisers around!
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OUT OF UNIFORM DATES FOR SUMMER COUSINS DINE OUT NIGHTS ANNOUNCED
For those that participated in any of the summer Dine Out Nights at Cousins Subs, you are eligible to be out of uniform on three selected Mondays in September. Please note that your student must turn in a corresponding receipt to their teacher in order to be out of uniform on these days, no exceptions. The dates are:
June Dine Out Night - Out of Uniform on Monday, September 11
July Dine Out Night - Out of Uniform on Monday, September 18
August Dine Out Night - Out of Uniform on Monday, September 25
If you have any questions, please contact Kyla Mrazek, Dine Out Night Coordinator, at (262) 498-2780 or via email. Thank you for participating this summer!
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Get Free Tickets to the New Paw Patrol Movie! | |
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Get FREE TICKETS to the new PAW PATROL movie!
See it first at a private screening at AMC Mayfair on Saturday, September 23. Limit 4 tickets per family. To claim your pass, visit the website here.
There is no deadline to order, but only a limited number of tickets are available, so it is first come, first serve! The site will tell you once all the tickets have been claimed.
Screenings are usually slightly overbooked so it's best to arrive early the day of. This private screening also has some preshow fun & activities prior to the movie start time so come early and enjoy!
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Join the St. Alphonsus Women's Group on Saturday, September 23 at 9:30, in the Parish Ministry Center, Room 101.
We will discuss the idea of "Beauty in the Catholic Faith." There are so many examples throughout history and in our own lives of how our faith encourages, inspires and depicts beauty through churches, fine art, and in simple and small ways in our homes!
This drop-in group is for all women in the St. Alphonsus parish. We meet once a month or so. For questions, contact group leader Maggie Ensing.
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Kinship Community Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunity
Please come and join us on September 16, 2023 from 7:30 to 11:30am at the Kinship Community Food Pantry located in the RiverWest Neighborhood at 924 E Clark Street, Milwaukee.
It is a great place for families to volunteer! Young children are welcome, but they do need to be able to last the morning.
The day will begin by arriving around 7:30 a.m. at St. Casimir's. You can park in the lot (if space allows) and enter to the west of the main building (between the school building and the church). You can get more information and sign up to attend here.
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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.
Happy First Week of School! Did you read all the way through?
Then Mrs. Schermetzler has a prize for YOU!
Email amy@st-alphonsus.org with the subject line Yippee! for a little surprise.
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