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!
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New Year’s Blessings:
Happy 2026 from our St. Gabriel School teachers and staff!! Wishing you all a peaceful New Year. May your days be calm, your nights restful, and your soul filled with faith and positivity.
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2026-2027 School Admission/Registration Revisions:
The registration link for the 2026-2027 school year was sent via email to current families on January 1, 2026. Please look for it and register before January 25th to secure a seat for your child(ren).
With enrollment increasing and the possibility of needing to start waiting lists for some of our grades, we have revised our registration policy to include a new current family registration period and more detailed registration priority guidelines. We have also adjusted the numbers of our class size policy to more accurately portray the number of students we are able to serve in our classrooms.
It is important to emphasize that if current families do not register during the current family registration period (January 1 - January 25), your child's seat will not be guaranteed. All remaining seats will be open to new families beginning January 25 this year.
Class Size/Admission Policy
Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences:
Input from our end-of-year survey showed that some families would be interested in having time set aside in the spring for parent/teacher conferences. While all of our in-service days are already booked with professional development activities, we will be able to set aside the afternoon of Friday, February 6th, if you would like to schedule a time to meet with your child’s teacher. While the fall conferences on the 23rd and 24th of October were mandatory, the spring conferences will be optional for families. More information will be sent out to families in classroom newsletters.
With that being said, our early childhood teachers will be out of the building that day for professional development at the Archdiocese office, so early childhood conferences will need to be scheduled on a different day. We are still working out some of the details. More information will be sent out to families via classroom newsletters.
Order Your 2025-2026 Yearbooks Now:
Network Photography has opened an online link for ordering the 2025-2026 St. Gabriel yearbooks. Yearbooks can only be ordered online through this link. Network Photography will only order the number of books ordered, so extras will not be available. The link will close February 13 and will not reopen, so please order now!
25-26 St. Gabriel Yearbook Store Link
Mid-Year Survey:
We are grateful to the 30 families who participated in our recent parent Mid-Year survey. Your thoughtful feedback affirms what makes St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School special—and helps guide our continued growth.
Parents shared a strong appreciation for our faith-filled environment, dedicated teachers and staff, small class sizes, and strong academics. Many expressed how meaningful it is to see faith lived daily in the classroom, through Spirit Groups, service opportunities, and weekly worship. We are especially encouraged to hear how supported, known, and cared for students feel at school.
Families also offered helpful suggestions as we look ahead. Common themes included a desire for more individualized academic feedback, expanded arts, music, and enrichment opportunities, clearer communication around fundraising and volunteering, and continued focus on fairness, transparency, and consistency in athletics and student culture.
Please know that your feedback is valued and is already helping shape future conversations and planning. We are thankful for the partnership we share with our families as we continue to educate hearts and minds, rooted in faith.
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Save the Date — New This Year!
Instead of kicking off Catholic Schools Week with a pancake breakfast, we will be closing Catholic Schools Week by partnering with the wonderful team behind the Friday Fish Frys to host our BIG Open House Showcase during the fish fry on Friday, January 30, beginning at 4:30 p.m.
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!
Invite new families to RSVP for a tour during our Open House Showcase and receive 30% off their Fish Fry dinner.
www.sgabriel.org/open-house-new-touring-family-rsvp
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In addition to greeting prospective families, we invite ALL St. Gabriel Parish and School families to enjoy our famous fish fry dinner, visit classrooms, and experience the vibrant learning taking place each day. We kindly ask that kids stay with their parents during this event.
Our Marketing (MARRC) & Fish Fry Committees are also looking for volunteers to help during the open house/fish fry and to help Father with Mass the weekend before.
Please prayerfully sign up for a spot. A few more positions are open and are only an hour or two. We simply cannot do this event without your help!
Please use the buttons below to help us make St. Gabriel SHINE!😁👏🥳
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Want to help out but unable to volunteer on Friday, January 30? 🙋♀️🙋♂️🙋
Be social, and help us spread the word! Right-click the image 👇download it, and share it on your social network.
#catholiceducation #stgabrielcommunity #learningisfunatStGabriel #iloveourstgabrielfamily
REMEMBER - When you recommend St. Gabriel to other families, and they enroll their children at St. Gabriel, YOU receive a $500 tuition credit up to $1,000.
There are more images to download and share on this page. AND if you see one of our Facebook posts/ads - please like it and share it with your network! :)
#easypeasy
P.S. Interested touring families can RSVP by visiting our website at www.sgabriel.org/open-house-new-touring-family-rsvp
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Winter Weather is Here:
We all knew that the time would eventually come when we would have to talk about the cold temperatures and snow. That time is upon us. The snow is beautiful, but it comes with some additional safety precautions. Here are a few reminders about our winter weather protocols.
- Please make sure that your children come prepared to go outside for recess each day during winter. They will need boots, hats, and mittens. If the temperature, including the wind chill, is below 10 degrees, recess will be indoors.
- The sidewalks may be slippery! During drop-off and pick-up times, please remind your child(ren) to be extra careful getting into and out of your car. Also, please do not allow your children to walk behind the cars. We have had “fender benders” in the line and do not want anyone getting hurt.
- Please remind your children that playing and building in the snow at school is ok; however, they cannot throw snow. Unfortunately, for safety reasons, snowball fights will need to be saved for home.
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If we need to close school due to inclement weather, a notification will be sent to parents via email and text. The notification will also be posted on our website and Facebook page. In addition, we will report our school closing on TMJ 4, FOX 6, and WISN 12.
Cold and Flu Season is Upon Us:
We are doing all we can to prevent the spread of germs here at school, but ‘tis the season. Please help us prevent the spread of colds and the flu bug in our school. If your child is not feeling well, please keep them home. A student should not be in school if they need medicine to make it through the day.
Reminder: Students should be fever-free (without medication) and have no instances of vomiting for 24 hours before returning to school after an illness. If they are experiencing discomfort (headaches, persistent cough, sneezing, etc.), they should stay home. Please contact the school office as soon as possible whenever your child will be absent. If your child sees a physician for their illness, please remember to request a medical excuse for their absence from school. This should be turned in to the office upon their return.
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2025-2026 School Calendar:
Please see the link below for the 2025-2026 school year calendar.
2025-2026 School Year Calendar
Get involved; VOLUNTEER - Enrich your life by giving back
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:
Did you know...
Research shows there are many benefits of volunteering, below are a few...
- Helps create a sense of community😉
- Get to know the teachers and staff🙌
- Allows you to share your strengths or learn a new skill🎉
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.
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$crip (Raise Right) Certificates & Volunteer Need:
$crip cards make perfect gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, or for use at your favorite retail shops, gas stations, or restaurants.
Double your rebates with RaiseRight.com/Shop-Online.
- Download the RaiseRight App today and select “Shop Now” on a brand’s page.
- Use your gift card from RaiseRight as payment to earn extra on your purchase.
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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.
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.
Box Tops:
WAY TO GO! Boxtops for Education program sent us a check for $215 for our participation in the program from March to October 2025. Keep scanning; it's a super easy way to earn extra money for our school!
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.
Private Facebook Parent Group:
Our private St. Gabriel Parent Facebook Group is open for everyone (parents and teachers alike) to post and connect!
- Have a question for other parents? Ask it here.
- Want to share a proud moment, a helpful tip, or a favorite recipe? This is the place!
Let’s build community, share ideas, and show our St. Gabriel Spirit together!
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On the Calendar...
1/10 - HSA Candy Bar Bingo
1/16 - End of Semester
1/25 - Registration opens to ALL families for the 2026/27 school year
1/25-1/30 - Catholic Schools Week - More information coming soon!
1/30 - Open House & FAMOUS Friday Fish Fry from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
2/2 - Early Bird Auction RSVP ends - Price increases $50 after Feb. 1
2/6 - No School - Inservice Day
2/17 - Flipping for Faith - Shrove (Fat) Tuesday Pancake Dinner (see more info below) - FREE EVENT - RSVP HERE
3/5 - End of Trimester
3/6 - No School - Inservice Day
3/14 - Parish and School Auction - RSVP HERE
3/19 - Doughnuts with Dad to celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph
4/3-4/10 - Easter Break
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Peace and Blessings,
Mrs. Kimberly Lestina
Principal
| | We nurture academic excellence while we Proclaim the Word, Form Disciples, Live a Sacramental Life | | |
K5
Our K5 scholars have been busy this week practicing their addition skills—and they are clearly having fun doing so!!!
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7th Grade Science:
Our 7th graders are exploring weathering, erosion, and glaciation in science class. They learned the differences between alpine and continental glaciers, how glaciers shape the land, and how erratics—rocks carried by moving ice—are deposited. To bring the lesson to life, students created an edible model using pancakes, with sausage and bacon as mountains and chocolate chips to demonstrate how glaciers erode and reshape the landscape.
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Questions? Please contact the auction team by emailing them at auction@sgabriel.org
OR
Visit our website
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Announcement: New Part-Time Director of Development Hired
We would like to thank Connie Helm for her commitment and contributions to establishing and developing the role of Director of Development. Connie will continue to assist in the training and transition of the new Development Director, as well as lead the Auction committee until mid-March.
We welcome Mary Gilmeister as our new Director of Development, who started this week. Mary brings a wealth of experience as CEO of an association for 31 years, with responsibilities including managing volunteers and major conferences. She is a nationally recognized expert in electronic payments, financial elder abuse prevention, and regulatory advocacy, which includes grant writing. Mary is certified in Level 1 for the Catechesis of the Good Shepard children’s formation program at our parish since 2019. She teaches children on Sundays. We are pleased to welcome Mary to the St. Gabriel Team.
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St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School
Parent Groups
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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.
S.A.C. is happy to assist parents and families with any concerns or questions you have during the school year. Email them at stgabrielSAC@sgabriel.org.
2025/2026 School Advisory Commission Members:
- Chairperson: Heidi Woelfel
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Vice Chair: Matt Marcellis
- Secretary: Jessica Ditscheit
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Members: Meghan Berndt, Amber Chycinski, Jake Lechusz, & Ryan Lusher
- Parish Council Liaison: Rebecca Hartzel
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HSA NEWS & EVENTS
2024-2025 Board Members
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President: Jenny Fenzl & Kristen Burg
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Co-Vice Presidents: Brooke Marcellis & Kelsey Berger
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Secretary: Ashley Long
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Treasurer: Shari Waggoner & Lisa White
Email us: hsa@sgabriel.org
READ THE MONTHLY MINUTES HERE
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🦅❤️🏀Let’s Go Hawks! 🦅❤️🏀
Let’s continue to pack the stands and show these kids what St. Gabriel spirit looks like! Wear your red, bring your energy, to a basketball game and help us make this a season to remember.
❤️ Want to Get Involved? Volunteer With Us!
If you’re interested in helping at a home game, we’d love to have you.
Volunteering is a great way to:
- Meet new families
- Catch up with old friends
- Support our student-athletes
- And have some fun while cheering on the Hawks!
Volunteer roles are easy, fun, and meaningful—and they help keep our program strong.
👉 https://stgabrielhubertus.ivolunteer.com/hawksbasketball_25_26#
Thank you for supporting our players, coaches, and school community. We can’t wait to see you in the gym!
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ATTENTION: Middle School Parents
Sign up your child/ren for Pizza with Purpose by emailing Lea to let her know your child/ren will attend!
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Altar Servers – New and Seasoned!
New Altar Servers: Are you interested in Altar Serving? Are you feeling called to assist Father at Mass? St. Gabriel is welcoming NEW Altar Servers, 5th grade through high school, to join this ministry.
Seasoned Servers: Thank you for your dedicated service to St. Gabriel as an Altar Server.
As we start another school year, we are updating all the training and procedures for our seasoned servers. This year, ALL seasoned servers are required to go through re-training to remain active in this ministry.
If you have not received information through the school or Christian Formation, please reach out to the parish office. Maryrose Wolf, Director of Liturgy, will contact you for re-training or connect with you to learn more about this ministry and set up a training session for you.
If you are in need of service hours, this ministry is an option for you to consider.
Maryrose Wolf - Director of Liturgy
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You did it!
Thanks for reading to the end.
😁
Who doesn’t love a good laugh?
Check out this week’s joke below and get ready to giggle.
😄
| | What did Adam say to Eve on Dec. 31? | | |
🎉Congratulations to the last Gazette Winner🎉
John Wustrack
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.
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