Hello St. Gabriel Families,

Check out the following headlines and links to stay updated on everything happening at St. Gabriel Parish School.

The headlines that are highlighted are NEW or UPDATED for this Gazette.

As you scroll towards the bottom of the Gazette, there are various messages/events/needs from our parish and school committees like the HSA (Home and School Association), ATHLETICS, ADULT & YOUTH MINISTRY, etc. Please continue to scroll down to the end of this email to see all that is happening at our vibrant school and parish!

Meet and Greet:

Our back-to-school Meet and Greet is scheduled for this Monday, August 25, 2025, from 3-6 p.m. There is much to do to get ready for the school year.

• Meet your teachers and pack your desks/lockers with all of your school supplies for the year.
• Meet some of your classmates, old and new.
• Step into the gym while you are here to get your school picture taken. 
• Please use this PrePay picture link to order your picture packages. Yearbooks will be sold at a later date. They are not included in the packages.
• Visit our uniform swap tables that will be set up in the parish hall. If you have uniform items that your child has outgrown, bring them along and swap them for a bigger size, or just pick up a few gently used items that your child could use during the upcoming school year.  

We look forward to seeing everyone again!!!

6th Grade Orientation:

The transition to middle school can be overwhelming! Let us help settle your nerves and answer any questions you and your child may have. Our middle school teachers will be meeting with our new 6th graders on Monday, August 25 (before our Meet and Greet) from 2-3 p.m. Please bring your school supplies and your questions.

Business Office Update:

St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School offers a prepayment discount for families who pay tuition in full by the first Monday of the school year. This option provides a cost savings while supporting the school with early funding for the year ahead. Families who choose this plan are asked to have payment submitted to the school office by that date (this year, due to Labor Day, the due date is Tuesday, September 2) in order to receive the discount.

• $100 per K4 (per enrollment)
• $100 K5-8 One Child
• $175 K5-8 Two Children
• $250 K5-8 Three Children
• $325 K5-8 Four or More Children

School Communication System:

St. Gabriel Parish School has a communication system connected to our database that allows us to text, email, and/or call families efficiently. We will be using this system when we need to send out messages to all families, certain grade-level families, teachers/staff, etc. This system is particularly helpful in emergencies and when school is canceled due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. 

If you are new to the school, you will need to opt in to this program once you receive the first message. After that, you will receive all texts, emails, and phone calls without needing to opt in. The system is set to use the contact information in our system, which is the information from your registration form. If you would like to add or change contact information in our messaging system, please contact the school office / (262) 628-1711 and let Linda know.

Bussing:

If your family is within our bus service area and would like to receive bus service this school year, please contact Riteway Bus Company (germantowncharters@goriteway.com) if you have not already done so. Riteway is in the process of creating bus routes and would like to complete the routes as soon as possible. If you do not notify them of your wishes, your family will not be added to the bus routes. Please list your child(ren)'s name and whether they will be riding AM, PM, or both. You can reach Riteway directly at (262) 677-8739 and speak with Becky or AJ.

Please also notify Linda in the school office so we can plan accordingly.

Parent Meeting…Save the Date: Thursday, September 18 at 6:15 p.m.

Our mandatory parent meeting date has been set. This year, our parent meeting is for all school families, regardless of grade level. We will answer any remaining questions you may have about the school year. Our school committees will be available to answer questions about activities and volunteer opportunities. Representatives will be available to talk about fundraising, SCRIP, and volunteering. Our teachers will also be available to share more information regarding their classroom procedures and specific grade-level activities. (At least one parent must attend)

Playground/Lunchroom Volunteer Program:

Interested in earning a tuition rebate? It’s Simple! We still need some volunteers!! You can earn up to $1,000 towards your tuition just by volunteering to help on the playground or in the lunchroom during the 2025-2026 school year.

• Commit to a specific shift each week (ex., every Monday) for the school year
• Complete a short training session
• Earn $500 toward your school tuition (per shift: maximum of 2 shifts per family)
• Grandparents of enrolled students are welcome to apply. Tuition discounts will be applied to the grandchildren’s account.

Shifts are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Linda Schuh in the school office to sign up for this program.

If you are not able to commit to a shift each week, day-to-day volunteer opportunities may be available throughout the school year on iVolunteer. While these shifts are not a part of the tuition reduction program, it is still an opportunity to get involved.  

Day-to-Day Lunchroom iVolunteer Link

Library Volunteers Needed!

Library volunteers are needed on Wednesdays for library day. We have two shifts every Wednesday that will help our volunteer Librarian, Katie Martinez. 

• The morning shift (4K and Grade 1) goes from 8:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (It's OK if a volunteer needs to come later due to Mass attendance.) 
• The afternoon shift (Grades 5K, 2, 3, 4, and 5) goes from 12:30 to 3 p.m. 

We could have as many as three people sign up for any one shift, though technically two would work out fine. No experience is necessary, just a passion to help our school and students.

CLICK HERE to help!

How to get involved:

Volunteers help our school run smoothly and are greatly appreciated by our teachers and staff. Please check iVolunteer for various opportunities throughout the school year.

Current opportunities include:

• Lunch and Playground Helpers
• HSA Room Parent
• Calendar Raffle Sale Helpers

The parish also uses iVolunteer, so be sure to check the parish tab if you are looking for even more ways to give back. Currently, volunteers are needed for the Fish Fry on September 12, GIANT Flea Market on Saturday, Sept. 13, and helpers to sell $crip after Mass.

Did you know...Research shows there are many benefits of volunteering, below are a few...

1. Helps create a sense of community
2. Get to know the teachers and staff
3. Allows you to share your strengths or learn a new skill

Join us and get involved with the St. Gabriel School and Parish community! You'll be glad you did. iVolunteer Link

NOTE - Adults who work exclusively with other adults do not need to undergo safeguarding measures. However, if a minor is involved at any point, safeguarding protocols as outlined by the Archdiocese must be followed. 

All volunteers who volunteer during school hours are required to be certified in the Archdiocese Safe Environment Education Class. Please visit this webpage for more details.

Below are dates for classes around the Archdiocese of Milwaukee:

• August 26 – St. Dominic
• Sept 03 – St. Anthony on the Lake
• Sept 07 – Holy Angels
• Sept 10 – St. Charles
• Sept. 16 – Cabrini
• Sept. 30 – St. Gabriel

2025-2026 Staff Update:

I am happy to introduce our new staff members who will be joining our team as of the 2025-2026 school year. Please join me in welcoming them again to the St. Gabriel Parish School family.

Mrs. Kelly Roloff - K4 Teacher (kroloff@sgabriel.org)

Mrs. Shelby Hummel - K5 Teacher (shummel@sgabriel.org)

Ms. Silvia Schilling - Grades 1-8 Spanish Teacher (sschilling@sgabriel.org)

Mrs. Traci Zupke - Teacher/RtI Interventionist (tzupke@sgabriel.org)

Donna Sheppard - Kitchen Assistant

I would also like to announce a couple of changes to our current teaching staff. As of this school year, Mr. DeMers will be taking on the 8th-grade homeroom, middle school Math, and middle school Science teaching positions. Mrs. Wasserman will continue teaching art and will also be teaching music next year.  

They are both excited to take on these new roles. We appreciate their hard work and dedication to St. Gabriel. Please help me in welcoming and supporting them in their new roles.

Part-Time Job Opportunities:

We are happy to announce that Ms. Lucy Rappis will be stepping in as the Assistant Director for our After-School Learning Program. She will be assisting Mrs. McAleer in managing our program.

We are still looking for an Early Childhood Aide to work with our K4 and K5 students 3 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday), 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Please contact Kim Lestina at klestina@sgabriel.org or call us at 262-628-1711 if you are interested.

2025-2026 Enrollment/Welcome to Our New Families:

Our school family continues to grow. Our current enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is 143. We are still accepting registrations and giving school tours. If you know of any families interested, please direct them to either call the school during school hours (262-628-1711) or they can email me at klestina@sgabriel.org.

Please join us in welcoming these new families and students to our school:

Shaun & Kendra Kalscheur

• Logan Kalscheur, K4

Brad & Katherine Jansen

• Ada Jansen, K4

James & Cara Feind

• Hank Feind, K4
• Remington Feind, K4

Justin & Kourtney Viste

• Hudson Viste, K5
• Ryley Viste, 2nd grade

Angela Smith

• William Krasinski, 8th grade

Steve Kalinoski & Beth Fischer

• Lillian Kalinoski, 6th grade
• Rosaleigh Kalinoski, 3rd grade

Sean & Jessica Lentz

• Nova Lentz, 2nd grade
• Knox Lentz, K5

Ryan Erickson & Anisha Dsilva

• Ariana Erickson, K4
• Zane Erickson, 1st grade

Carl & Jodi Birch

• Edward Birch, K4
• George Birch, 1st grade

Nickolas & Hilary Goryl

• Lucas Goryl, 1st grade
• Kaydence Goryl, 5th grade

Steven & Amber Chycinski

• Lillian Chycinski, 5th grade

Roger & Natalie Lee

• Harrison Lee, K5

Craig & Tara Radmann

• Evan Radmann, 7th grade

Thomas & Jennifer Smith

• McKenzie Smith, K4

And please welcome these new students who will join their siblings this year:

• Siena Brusso, K4
• Samuel Lee, K4
• Benjamin Meyer, K4
• Benjamin Muth, K4
• Clay Puestow, K4
• Hudson Staudt, K4
• Isaac Street, K4

Welcome to the world, Charles!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." – James 1:17.

We are overjoyed to share the beautiful news that Mrs. Schmidt, our wonderful second-grade teacher, has welcomed her sweet baby boy, Charles, into the world! Born on August 6 at 10:25 a.m., Charles weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and measured 21 inches long.

Please join us in praying for God’s abundant blessings over Mrs. Schmidt, her family, and our newest future Hawk.

Lunch Menu:

The Aug/Sept. lunch menu is now available on the website.

Did you know that when we serve a hot vegetable on the menu, it is fresh (NOT canned) and steamed right before lunch? Yes! We do so that the vegetable keeps its nutrients. The children then get the best and most nutrients out of the vegetable. Every day, along with the hot lunch option, the children get a fresh garden bar (fresh fruit and vegetables), choices include salad, and 2 other raw vegetables, and a fruit.  We would love to put on the menu "steamed glazed carrots with brown sugar and butter" or "roasted cauliflower with olive oil", but we do not have enough room. So we simply state it as glazed carrots, roasted cauliflower, etc.  Healthy food equals healthy children!

For any questions regarding our lunch program, please reach out to our Lunch Director, Mrs. Weyer at lweyer@sgabriel.org.



Dress Code:

2025-2026 Dress Code Policy (No changes have been made)

2025-2026 School Calendar:

Please see the link below for the 2025-2026 school year calendar.  

2025-2026 School Calendar

2025-2026 School Supply List:

Please see the link below for the 2025-2026 student supply list

2025-2026 Student Supply List

$crip (Raise Right) Certificates:

$crip will only be sold after weekend Masses during summer break. Weekend $crip sales will not be available this weekend.

For your convenience, you may order online at https://www.raiseright.com/shop. Online orders with available inventory will be filled on Mondays for pickup after weekend Masses. Special order inventory will be filled within two weeks, when the cards arrive.

Volunteers are urgently needed to assist with the selling of $crip after weekend Masses. Please visit iVolunteer to sign up or contact Linda Schuh in the school office at (262) 628-1711 to help.

Interested in learning more about buying online certificates using the RAISE RIGHT app? Please contact Finance Manager, Laura Rogacki, in the Parish Business Office at (262) 628-1141 or lrogacki@stgabrielhubertus.org for the program code. Online orders will be filled on Mondays and available to pick up after the weekend Masses.

Box Tops:

Box Tops are worth $.10 each, and they add up fast! Twice a year, our school receives a check to help pay for whatever we need - equipment, supplies, or experiences the kids love! Did you know you can now connect your Walmart account for even easier fundraising? You can earn cash for St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School without scanning receipts! See the app for more details to start earning easy money for the school.

Parades:

The topic of parades was discussed at the June MARRC (Marketing and Recruitment Retention Committee) meeting. If anyone is interested in leading a parade committee for the Hartford Christmas Parade, please reach out to Nikki Packee at nikki.packee@stgabrielhubertus.org.

On the Calendar...

8/25 - 6th Grade Orientation 2 - 3 p.m.

8/25 - Meet and Greet and Picture Day from 3 - 6 p.m. ORDER PICTURES HERE

8/26 - Inservice Day - No School

8/27 - 🎉First Day of School🎉

9/1 - Labor Day - No School

9/3 - 8th Grade Commissioning Mass 8:30 a.m.

9/12 - Famous Fish Fry & 20th Anniversary Celebration. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

9/13 - GIANT Flea Market from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

9/17 - Archdiocese Formal Presentation of Exemplary Awards at 8:30 a.m. All-School Mass

9/18 - Parent Night 6:15 p.m. (at least one parent must attend)

9/26 - Picture Retakes at 9 a.m.

10/3 - Inservice Day - No School

10/7 - Muffins with Mom from 7 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. (RSVP will be available in the Sept. 4 Gazette)

10/22 - Dismissal at 11 a.m.

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences 11:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

10/23 - No School

8:30 a.m. -12 p.m. Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences

10/24 - Inservice Day - No School

Enjoy the last few days of summer break!

Mrs. Kimerly Lestina

Principal

We nurture academic excellence while we Proclaim the Word, Form Disciples, Live a Sacramental Life

What a Sweet Time at the Ice Cream Social:

It was wonderful to see so many families (over 140 parents and kids attended) at our annual Ice Cream Social—welcoming both new families and returning friends.

Smiles were everywhere as everyone enjoyed a cool treat together!

A special thanks to our parent volunteers from the MARRC committee who helped host this event and to our faculty and staff who assisted them with set-up and clean-up!

Faculty & Staff Retreat:

Yesterday, our faculty and staff stepped away from the busyness of preparing for a new school year and gathered at the Catholic Ecology Center for our annual retreat.

We began with the gift of Mass in their beautiful chapel, then shared laughter and connection through team building. Fr. Tim led us in a powerful reflection on our theme, “Shine, Jesus, Shine.”

We returned to St. Gabriel renewed, with hearts set on fire by the Holy Spirit and ready to share Christ’s light with our students and families this school year.

Sister Therese Marie:

We received a beautiful message from Sr. Therese Marie Yank, who has been assigned to Germany by her community, the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary. Before school ended, many of our students wrote prayer petitions for her to carry on her pilgrimage. One student gifted her a tiny Jesus, and he’s traveling with her too—appearing in many of her photos as a symbol of our connection.—and she’s doing just that!

Last week, she shared photos from her visits to Germany and Rome. Click HERE to view them on our website.

PLEASE KEEP SCROLLING

FUNdraising

2025 Cash Calendar Raffle is NOW ON SALE!

64 Chances to WIN

$6,750 in Prizes

Did you know that last year we sold almost 1,200 Cash Calendar Raffle tickets and raised over $22,000 for our parish! Can you help us beat that number this year?

This year’s raffle is bigger AND better:

$ More prize money

$ More chances to win

$ NEW $750 prize drawing on September 29, 2026 — the Feast of St. Gabriel!

Did you also know, parent Matt Lauersdorf, dad to Charlie and Chase, has WON 4 TIMES!!!!

Don’t wait—grab some tickets to take home, to work, sell them to your friends and neighbors, and help us spread the joy.

#onceyouwinitsbackinthebin

St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School

Parent Groups

Our School Advisory Commission (S.A.C) team is a representative parent group of the entire school, from K4 through 8th grade, including the principal and a representative from the Pastoral Council. We work closely with the principal, teachers, and staff to support our renowned programs and curriculum.

Joining the S.A.C provides exciting opportunities to engage with our dedicated community. By volunteering with us, you can contribute to the legacy of Catholic education and help shape the future of generations to come. Let's come together to support our students, teachers, and the values we hold dear.

YOUR GIFT OF TIME: one monthly meeting, 1-2 hours in length, special projects as needed.

2025/2026 School Advisory Commission Members:

• Chairperson: Heidi Woelfel
• Vice Chair: Matt Marcellis
• Secretary: Jessica Ditscheit
• Members: Meghan Berndt, and Jake Lechusz
• TWO POSITIONS ARE OPEN

Representatives from the S.A.C. will be at Parents' Night on Thursday, September 18, to answer questions.

If you are interested in joining this committee, please send them an email at

stgabrielSAC@sgabriel.org or visit with them on September 18.

Thank you very much to those parents who have already signed up to be room parents. We have 1/2 the classrooms filled, and we need only 5 more parents to step up and become a room parent! Do it for the kids!!!!

Role and Responsibilities:

Room parents play a vital role in supporting classroom activities throughout the school year. They serve as a liaison between the teacher, classroom families, and the HSA.

Responsibilities include spearheading each class’s auction basket. Additional responsibilities may include coordinating classroom celebrations, organizing volunteers for events, and sharing important updates. It's a fun and meaningful way to stay engaged in your child's education and help create a connected, supportive school environment.

Sound fun and want to make a difference??

Click HERE to sign up!

🎉🌟 Stay tuned for more information about their fun events 🌟🎉

Our first-ever Basketball Camp was earlier this month, and it was a slam dunk! 19 campers joined us on the court for an exciting week of skill-building and fun. From dribbling drills to defensive plays, the students practiced moves that would make the Milwaukee Bucks applaud.

Led by dedicated coaches, volunteers, and alumni, our young athletes grew in confidence, learned teamwork, and showed great sportsmanship throughout the week. We’re proud of their efforts and can’t wait to see these Hawks in action this upcoming season!

Go Hawks!

STAY TUNED FOR HAWKS UPDATES HERE!

HIGH SCHOOL INFO AROUND MKE

PARISH NEWS

Celebrate 20 Years with Us:

Our famous Fish Fry is back—and this year it’s extra special!! St. Gabriel is celebrating 20 years in our beautiful church, and we want YOU to be part of the fun. Mark your calendars for Friday, September 12, and come hungry for our delicious fish fry, fellowship, and festivities.

Don’t miss this milestone celebration—it’s the perfect time to gather, reminisce, and make new memories together. See you at the party!

A NEW PROGRAM IS FORMING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS

 CALLED BLAZE! CHECK IT OUT!

Save the Date

Our parish’s annual GIANT Flea Market is less than a month away, and we urgently need help setting up beginning Thursday and Friday, Sept. 11 & 12, AND parking volunteers on the day of the flea market on Saturday, Sept. 13. Can you spare a couple of hours? Any questions, please reach out to the volunteer coordinator, Peggy Senglaub.

We are still looking for one more TENT SPONSOR! It's a great way to showcase your business or celebrate a life milestone.

Click the link or image below to learn more!

To view all of our sponsors, please visit HERE.

Visit this link every Tuesday to view the Calendar Raffle winners.

You did it!

Thanks for reading to the end.

😁

Who doesn’t love a good laugh?

That’s why we’re adding a fun little joke of the week to the end of each Gazette.

Check out this week’s joke below and get ready to giggle.

😄

What does an English teacher like to eat for breakfast?

🎉Congratulations to Last Month's Winner🎉

Lindsay Heus

Don't forget, if you click to read the punchline, your name will be put into the hopper for a cool prize as a thank you for reading all the way to the end of the Gazette!

If you want to submit a joke, awesome, email nikki.packee@stgabrielhubertus.org.

We are utilizing Constant Contact for our bi-weekly Gazette. Please mark these emails as "safe" so you receive important updates and news from St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School.