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Dear St. Alphonsus Families,
Our Fun Run kicked off last week and we are already almost halfway to our goal! Through the generous support of our parents and the greater community, we are able to continuously offer an exceptional school experience for our students. Another huge shout out to Dawn Eisold and Olivia Hartley from our Home and School Association for their planning of this event! Keep up the amazing work everyone and we can't wait for the inflatable race for reaching our school goal of $25,000!
A few other short reminders this week:
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Please save the date for Grandparents Day! Grandparents and Grandfriends are invited to join us on Wednesday, October 7. You can find the RSVP information below and we will have even more details next week.
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This is the last week to sign up for some of our extracurricular offerings! Consider signing up for Smart Start Art or Stage Stars, in addition to our very popular Chess Club. You'll find more information about all of these below, and you can follow this link to sign up. In addition, Battle of the Books and Rosary Club sign-ups are now open! Find more details below.
- Our Athletic Director has asked us to remind you that basketball registration is open, but will be closing soon! As the deadlines approach, please remember that once registration is closed, rosters are submitted to the league and no new registrations can be accepted. Find all the details below to get your players signed up today!
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Our Picture Retake Day will be this week Thursday, September 24. Find more information about this below. If your student will be having a retake, please let their homeroom teacher know by Wednesday.
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 wonderful week!
Best regards,
Mrs. Sagat
Principal
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A Message From Father Kevin: the 2026 School Sacramental Guide is Now Available!
Father Kevin McManaman has asked us to share the 2026 School Sacramental Guide with all school families. This document is a comprehensive guide to all the ways you can grow your faith with our parish.
Please check it out here! See you at Sunday Mass!
| | | | The Fun Run is Almost Here! | | |
It's Almost Here! The St. Al's Fun Run is THIS Friday!
Keep spreading the word to help us reach our goal! Thank you so much to our families who have registered and shared their donation pages to get us to this point - keep up the great work!
***Tonight’s Challenge: Any student who gets a new donation of at least $10 before Tuesday, Sept 22nd, will earn a Pajama Day on Monday, September 28th!
Please continue to share our fundraiser with family, friends and neighbors through text, social media and email. Every little bit helps us to reach our goal. The teachers are eager to participate in our inflatable costume race and the students are even more excited to see it! Let’s make it happen St. Al’s!!
Watch your inboxes for the last challenge this week, as well as details for Friday.
The Fun Run will take place on Friday, September 25th. Weather permitting, the run will be held in the parking lot. St. Alphonsus families are invited to come out and cheer our students on!*
Grades 3K through 3rd will run at 8:15am.
Grades 4th through 8th will run at 9:15am.
*In the event of rain, the Fun Run will be held in the school gym. We kindly ask that parents stay on the bleachers at all times for the safety of our students and staff.
If you have any questions about this year's Fun Run, please contact our Fun Run Co-Chairs, Dawn Eisold and Olivia Hartley.
Thanks in advance for your support of this FUN event!
A HUGE thank you to our T-shirt sponsors:
Platinum:
Oak Creek Wood Products
Cousins Subs
Gold:
Leon’s Frozen Custard
Educators Credit Union
Bronze:
Biltrite Furniture
| | Other Important Reminders | |
School Pictures Are Now Available to Order!
Proofs were sent home last week via backpack mail. Pictures are now available at this link.
Your password is your Student's ID Number which was listed on your proof along with a personalized link. If you cannot find your student ID number to access, please contact Mrs. Schermetzler for assistance.
Ordering is available until September 29. Orders placed after September 29 will be shipped to the school with the Absentee and Retake packages.
Parents interested in a retake should send their proof back on retake day and notify the homeroom teacher of interest. Please note that retake images will replace the original image, parents will not be able to select the original image after a retake!
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Picture Retake Day is this Thursday, September 24!
If you decide your student needs a picture retake or if they did not have their picture taken at our Meet & Greet Night, the picture retake day will be Thursday, September 24. Students having their picture taken may be out of uniform that day to wear their picture clothes. Any parents interested in a retake should contact their homeroom teacher by Wednesday and send your original proof back to school with your student on Thursday.
Please note that retake images will replace the original image, parents will not be able to select the original image after a retake!
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Middle School Assignment Tracker
This year we have a Middle School Assignment Tracker, to help keep parents better informed on daily assignments in grades 5-8.
The tracker has recently been updated! NO MORE SCROLLING! There are now tabs on the side of the document for each day. You can click the date and it will take you right to that day to see the assignments.
The assignment tracker can be found by clicking the link below. It is also posted on the school website under the Parents tab. This link will take you right to the assignment page.
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Reporting Absences & Appointments
Student absences & appointments can be reported in two ways:
- Call the office directly at 414-421-1760. Listen for the prompts and leave a message.
- Email our Attendance Secretary. The email address is attendance@st-alphonsus.org.
Emailing a student's homeroom teacher is NOT sufficient notice of absence or tardiness. All absences, early dismissals, or tardies need to be reported to the office.
Please note that per our handbook, any child who has a fever or has been vomiting or experiencing diarrhea should not return to school until 24 hours after that particular symptom is gone in order to avoid a relapse or spreading illness to others.
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Cougar Club Calendars for the entire school year are now available online!
Calendars are always due mid-month for the following month. You can find calendars on our website on the Cougar Club page here. Please also refer to the 2026-2027 Cougar Club packet here so that you understand our late calendar fees. Scheduling staff is difficult when calendars are not submitted in a timely fashion, so please be sure you get those submitted on time in order to avoid late fees. Thank you!
| | | | Important Dates to Remember | | |
09/23
School Mass
Led by 7th Grade
09/23
Dine Out Night
Portillo's
09/24
School Picture Retake Day
09/25
Fun Run!
09/30
School Mass
Led by 6th Grade
10/02
No School
Teacher In-Service
10/05
No School
Teacher In-Service
10/07
Grandparents Day
Details Coming Soon!
10/07
Dine Out Night
Cousins Subs
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10/14
School Mass
Led by 3rd Grade
10/21
School Mass
Led by 5th Grade
10/21
Dine Out Night
Qdoba
10/23
Trunk or Treat
Details Coming Soon!
10/25
Student Lectors & Gift Bearers
9:00am Sunday Mass
Sign Up Below!
10/28
School Mass
Led by 6th Grade
11/04
School Mass
Led by 1st Grade
11/04
Dine Out Night
Cousins Subs
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Join us for Grandparents Day on Wednesday, October 7th!
Grandparents Day is coming up on Wednesday, October 7th and we would love to have you join us! Both grandparents and grandfriends are welcome!
We will have a final itinerary and more details next week, but here is a downloadable copy of the RSVP form, which will also be sent home with students this week.
Please remember that we do need to have grandparents/grandfriends' names ahead of time for our security and check-in procedures, so NO late RSVPs or walk-ins will be accepted. All RSVPs are due by Tuesday, October 7.
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Out of Uniform Dates - September
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 Out-of-Uniform Days for September:
09/24
Out of Uniform with Dine Out Night purchase on 09/23 (receipt required)
09/25
FUN RUN!
Students should wear their Fun Run t-shirts (these will be provided)
and athletic bottoms with good running shoes!
09/28
Fun Run Reward! Pajama Day if you get a donation of
at least $10 by Tuesday, September 22nd!
See Details Above!
10/1
The Last Friday of the Month Out of Uniform Pass for SEPTEMBER may be used on Thursday, 10/1 instead, since we are already out of uniform on Friday 9/25 for the Fun Run. Thanks!
Out of Uniform Passes Still Available!
You can still purchase Out-of-Uniform Passes from Home & School if you missed them at Meet & Greet Night. They are $20 each and good for an out-of-uniform day on the last Friday of each month for grades 5K-8th. Please send your money (cash or check; no change given) to the school office in an envelope labeled Out of Uniform pass and be sure to include your child's name. Checks can be made out to St. Alphonsus School. Passes will be sent home in backpack mail.
| | | | Lunch Menus - September & October | |
Lunch Program Reminder
The lunch program at St. Alphonsus is a pre-paid program, which means you need to add lunch money to your student's account, and balances are deducted every time your student takes hot lunch.
Lunch payments can be made online through PowerSchool. Follow these RevTrak Setup instructions to get your account set up. Please note that you can always pay for your lunch fees via cash or check by stopping in to the school office.
The hot lunch program will notify you when your student's account balance becomes low so you can replenish their funds.
| | | | Other Important Reminders | |
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 3-8 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.
| | | | Fall Extracurricular Opportunities! | | |
This is the last week to register for Stage Stars, Smart Start Art and Chess Club!
Check out all the details on these programs below. Please note that where referenced below, "K" refers to 5K. 3K & 4K students are not eligible for these extracurriculars.
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Battle of the Books is Back!
This is a lively academic competition that improves reading comprehension, builds vocabulary, introduces students to new books & authors, and teaches teamwork, commitment, & sportsmanship. The program culminates in a tournament on Tuesday, April 20 at Eastbrook Academy in Milwaukee, where we will compete against other area schools!
How It Works
Teams of three students each from Grades 4, 5, and 6 read 45 pre-assigned books (15 books each) from October to March. Titles are from varying genres with a wide range of reading levels and subjects. Teams will gather after school once or twice a month for practice battles and to determine St. Alphonsus School’s Tournament Champs (one team per grade level). The Tournament Champs will go to the program-wide tournament in April.
Practice Schedule
The practice schedule/time commitment is progressive. We will meet once per month until January, when we will start meeting twice per month to have practice battles.
Meetings will be held after school in the library from 3:00-3:30 on the following dates:
- October 19
- November 16
- December 14
Meetings will be held after school in the library from 3:00-4:00 on the following dates:
- January 18
- February 8
- February 22
- March 8
- March 22
- April 12 - finalists only
Tournament
The 2026-2027 Battle of the Books tournament will be held on April 20, 2027 at Eastbrook Academy in Milwaukee. More details will be provided as the date gets closer!
The permission slip and more info can be found here and students will also bring home a paper copy this week! Permission slips are due back by Tuesday, October 6.
Happy reading!
Mrs. Bruhn & Mrs. Schermetzler
The 2026-2027 Battle of the Books Reading List can be found here!
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Rosary Club is Back!
Students in grades 1 through 8 are invited to join Father Kevin Tanel and Karen Farrell, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, to pray the Rosary two times each month.
Here is the permission slip. Please fill out and return to the school office by Tuesday, October 6.
For any questions, please contact Karen Farrell.
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Dine Out Night at Portillo's This Week!
Wednesday, September 23rd is Dine Out Night at Portillo’s and we hope to see you there!
Dine in or carry out from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Greenfield location, 8705 West Sura Ln. Be sure to show our flyer with QR Code (on your phone or printed) and 20% of the sales will go to support St. Alphonsus. You can also order online and use our code PORTILLOS49 to be sure our school gets credit for your order. 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 Portillo’s do the cooking!
Dine Out Nights - the easiest and most delicious fundraisers around.
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Did you participate in our Dine Out Nights this summer? We hope you saved your receipts!
Our Summer Dine Out Night Reward Dates will be as follows:
- June Dine Out Night Reward - Thursday, September 17 (June Dine Out Receipts Only)
- July Dine Out Night Reward - Thursday, October 1 (July Dine Out Receipts Only)
- August Dine Out Night Reward - Thursday, October 15 (August Dine Out Receipts Only)
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Save the Date for the 5th Annual St. Alphonsus Trunk or Treat!
This family friendly Trunk or Treat event will be held on Friday, October 23rd! More details coming soon!
*Please note: You must be safeguarded to host a trunk! This includes ALL adult parties handing out treats at your trunk. If you are not safeguarded and would like to host a trunk, now is the perfect time to take care of that! You can find more information about available Safeguarding Sessions here.
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Basketball Registration Closing Soon!
Please note that we cannot accept registrations after the deadline. Once registration closes, we must submit our rosters to the league, and no additional players can be added after that point.
Don't miss the opportunity for your child to participate in basketball this season! Register today!
Basketball is about so much more than wins and losses. It's about building friendships, growing confidence, developing teamwork and leadership skills, staying active, learning resilience, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Whether your child is picking up a basketball for the first time or returning for another season, our program offers a fun, supportive environment where every player can learn, improve, and be part of a team environment.
Don't miss out on the fun! Register today using this link.
For questions, please reach out to St. Alphonsus Athletic Director, Nick Warrichaiet. Athletics Health Forms can be found on the school website here.
| | Please note that any outside activities are not sponsored or endorsed by St. Alphonsus Parish or School. | | |
Mission Trip Opportunities
St. Alphonsus has two separate mission trip opportunities available this year:
Middle School: Grades 6-8
Join us for Love Begins Here (LBH) - July 12-15, 2027 in Burlington, WI!
Love Begins Here (LBH) helps middle school preteens and 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.
We have limited space - so if you are interested please contact Karen Farrell.
If you would like more information, please come to an information night on October 7, 2026 at 6:30 in the Community Room.
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8th Graders Only
Attention High Schoolers (current 8th-12th graders)! Want to ignite the fire of Christ in your heart? Then Alive In You is just what you are looking for!
June 22-27, 2027 - Duluth, MN!
At Alive In You (AIY), teens experience the love of Christ through the Sacraments, Service, Speakers, Prayer and high energy activities.
While attending AIY, teens will work in the local community of Duluth, MN in a number of ways. Teens could be painting a house, help to maintain a mountain bike trail, and anything in between. These experiences help our faith come alive.
We also go to Mass, receive the Sacraments and have dynamic talks to help us grow closer to God. This week in Minnesota, we will be able to have nationally known speaker, Fr. Mike Schmitz join us as well.
Space is limited. If you are interested, please contact Karen Farrell.
If you would like more information, please come to an informational meeting on September 30th at 6:30 in the Community Room.
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Join the St. Alphonsus Women's Group!
The first meeting will be in the Parish Ministry Center on Saturday, October 3 from 9:30-11:00am.
The dates for the rest of the year are as follows:
November 14
December 5
January 9
February 6
March 6
April 3
May 2
Consider contributing some refreshments each month! This is not a requirement to attend the group, it is just there as a tool to organize refreshments each month. Use this Refreshment Sign Up to let us know if you'd like to bring something.
For questions, please contact Maggie Ensing.
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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.
What do you call a man who really likes autumn?
A fall guy!
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