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!
| | |
2026-2027 School Admission/Registration:
We currently have 85 families/148 students registered for the next school year. Our 5th-grade class is currently “closed,” and we have 3 families on the waiting list for a seat. Our 2nd-grade class is at 18. The 2 remaining seats are reserved for new families who also have students in other grades that have open seats.
We have a few other grades at 16 or 17, so if you know of a family considering St. Gabriel for their children, please encourage them to reach out as soon as possible.
Please join us in welcoming these new families and students to our school:
- Aaron & Devon Butterbrodt with Madelyn in K4
- Sean & Emily Rafferty with Finn in K4
- Clint & Hannah Banfield with Evelyn in K4
- Mark & Michelle Islinger with Clare in 7th grade & Scarlett in 5th grade
- Aaron & Rachel Vorpahl with Landon in 5th grade & Skylar in 4th grade
- Derek & Elizabeth Detampal with Owen in K4
- Mike & Erin Diederichs with Collin in 7th grade
- John & Corrine McGreal with Ruth in K5
| | |
Faculty Update:
We are thrilled to welcome Linda Reinowski to the St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School family this fall as our new K5 teacher!
Mrs. Reinowski brings 22 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business from Cardinal Stritch University, along with a Teaching Certificate for Pre-K through 6th grade from Carroll University. Throughout her career, she has taught 4K, 5K, and 1st grade.
Linda and her family have lived in Merton for 29 years. She and her husband have two children, James and Elizabeth, and are excited to become grandparents this September with the arrival of a baby girl. In their free time, they enjoy spending time in Boulder Junction and operating an iconic summer drive-in.
Please join us in giving Mrs. Reinowski a warm St. Gabriel welcome!
| |
Private Summer Tutoring Options:
Are you looking for private tutoring sessions this summer for your child? If so, Mrs. Zupke will be tutoring this summer! Please contact her directly if you are interested.
HSA Read-a-Thon FINAL Results:
We are excited to share the final results of our 2026 Read-a-thon! Thanks to the incredible support of our school families and friends, we raised an amazing $14,485!
Thank you to everyone who encouraged, supported, and sponsored our readers. Your generosity continues to make a difference in the lives of our students!
Top Fundraising Class:
The 1st-grade class's pizza party is tomorrow, Friday, May 15!
Top 3 Classes (highest avg mins/student):
The top 3 classes (2nd, 4th, & 5th classes) enjoyed a sweet visit from an ice cream truck last week. Check out the pictures below!
| | |
Special Presentation by Mr. DeMers:
We invite all parents to a special presentation by Mr. DeMers about his trip to the Philippines that he took with the World War II Museum in February. The presentation will be held next Monday, May 18, at 2 p.m. in the parish hall. He would like to share his incredible experiences with you and how it related to history, economics, science, and literacy.
When Mr. DeMers visited the Philippines, he visited Manila, Bataan, Baguio, Corregidor, Leyte, and Palawan. He will be discussing the prosperity of the Philippines before the war, how it held an important role in the offensives of the Japanese, the Americans later in the war, and the destruction of civilian life that took place during the war.
Mr. DeMers will also be discussing many of the historic places and introduce some of the last survivors of the Battle of Manila. He also has a few artifacts from the Americans' last stand on Corregidor to share, so you can touch a piece of history as well as some of the sand from the beach MacArthur returned to.
Lastly, he will be sharing how the post-war reconstruction both helped and hurt the Philippines and show the relationship between many subjects, including volcanology, fossils, and geology.
If you are not able to attend, he will be live-streaming the presentation on his YouTube account, and it will be recorded to watch at a later time.
We look forward to seeing you next Monday!
2026-2027 Student Supply List:
Please see the link below for next year’s school supply list.
2026-2027 School Supply List
| | |
News from the Business Office:
Tuition and ASCL statements will be sent out this week. Please watch your emails for more information.
In support of our mission, St. Gabriel Parish remains committed to helping eligible families by providing tuition assistance, ensuring that a St. Gabriel education remains accessible to all who seek it. The tuition assistance application deadline date has been extended to tomorrow, May 15. If you are interested in applying, visit this page.
While the availability of school resources, the number of qualified applicants, and overall budgetary constraints influence tuition assistance decisions, St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School is committed to making grants available to qualified families to the best of our ability.
Dress Code:
2026/2027 Dress Code Policy (Including Out of Uniform Day Guidelines)
Our Lands End school account has been updated with new items that comply with our school dress code. Our school number is 900129099.
Lands End School Account Info
Lands End Website
2026-2027 School Calendar:
Please see the link below for the calendar for the 2026-2027 school year.
2026-2027 School 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.
| | |
$crip (Raise Right) Certificates & Volunteer Need:
$crip cards make perfect gifts for graduation, Father's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, or for use at your favorite retail shops, gas stations, or restaurants. You may buy your certificates in the school office during office hours, online order form, or after the weekend Masses.
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.
| | |
Interested in learning more about buying online certificates using the RAISE RIGHT app? Please contact Finance Manager, Angela Hauert in the Parish Business Office at (262) 628-1141 or ahauert@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:
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!
Schedule Dates for Building Use:
If you lead a committee, a reminder to please reach out to Maryrose Wolf in the parish office to reserve your committee's use of the parish hall or gym as soon as possible. Availability is limited, and dates are filling quickly, so early scheduling is encouraged.
| | |
Peace and Blessings,
Mrs. Kimberly Lestina
Principal
| | We nurture academic excellence while we Proclaim the Word, Form Disciples, Live a Sacramental Life | | PLEASE KEEP SCROLLING... | | |
In The Classrooms!
Everyone has been super busy!!!
| | |
1st Grade:
Our 1st graders proudly presented their animal research projects last Friday, showcasing their hard work, creativity, and public speaking skills.
Students enjoyed learning about a variety of animals, creating informative displays, and confidently sharing fascinating facts about God’s amazing creatures with classmates and families.
Great job, kids, on your wonderful presentations and enthusiasm for learning!
| | |
4th Grade:
Our 4th-grade students have been learning about US regions and resources unique to each region. This week's lesson was focused on trading resources. Each group had to design a solution to a geographic trade challenge: how to get resources across a river?
| | | | | |
They put their science knowledge to work to design, test, and explain design solutions. There were so many unique designs and so much learning taking place!
Great job!
| | |
3rd & 4th Grade:
Our 3rd and 4th graders had a wonderful time on their field trip to Richfield Historical Park yesterday! Students rotated through hands-on stations and learned what life was like in the olden days. They visited a blacksmith, explored a grain mill, made flatbread, and discovered how maple syrup is made at the “sugar shack.” What a fun and educational day of learning!
| | |
Destination Imagination:
Our April DI challenge (4/23 for grades 4-6; 4/30 for grades 1-3) was to create an edible animal habitat for their "mystery pet."
Students received a small plastic animal in a paper bag along with materials to create a realistic habitat for the animal using food materials provided: graham crackers, marshmallows, hard candy, licorice, M&Ms, Skittles, pretzels, sesame sticks, coconut flakes, and gummies. The students showed incredible amounts of creativity as they opened their bags to see what type of animal they would be creating a habitat for. And at the end, they could take their creations home to eat!
| | | | | Thank you to all of the students who participated in Destination Imagination this year. Mrs. Burns and Mrs. Kohls were impressed by your creativity, teamwork, and perseverance. These are lifelong skills that will help you be successful in whatever the future holds for you. | | | | |
PHY ED:
Congratulations to these middle school students who broke the school record for the Presidential Fitness Challenge this year! We are so proud of your hard work, determination, and commitment to staying healthy and active.
Keep being fit and shining bright, kids!!!
| | |
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.
The S.A.C. is looking for 3 new members for the 2026-27 school year. 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.
SAC Roles & Responsibilities
Please reach out to the members below to get further information:
2025-2026 School Advisory Commission Members:
- Chairperson: Heidi Woelfel
-
Vice Chair: Matt Marcellis
- Secretary: Jessica Ditscheit
-
Members: Meghan Berndt, Amber Chycinski, Jake Lechusz, & Ryan Lusher
- Parish Council Liaison: Rebecca Hartzel
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.
| | | |
HSA NEWS & EVENTS
2025-2026 Board Members
-
President: Jenny Fenzl & Kristen Burg
-
Co-Vice Presidents: Brooke Marcellis & Kelsey Berger
-
Secretary: Ashley Long
-
Treasurer: Shari Waggoner & Lisa White
Email us: hsa@sgabriel.org
READ THE MONTHLY MINUTES HERE
| |
|
HSA has several open positions for the 2026-2027 school year. Get involved with this fun committee! Meet new parents and have fun planning events throughout the year for our students, families, and teachers.
Board Members:
- Brooke Marcellis & Kelsey Berger, Presidents, term ends June 2027
-
Open & Open, Co-Vice President, term ends June 2028
-
Open, Secretary, term ends June 2028
- Lisa White, Co-Treasurer - term ends June 2027
-
Open, Co-Treasurer, term ends June 2028
If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to any of the members by using the email above.
| | |
St. Gabriel is looking for all St. Gabriel Day School and religious education students entering 4th-8th grade in the fall who are looking to have fun learning a sport that they can play the rest of their lives!
-
Practices begin August 10th
- Boys’ games will be held on Friday nights, September 11 – October 30
- Girls’ games will be held on Saturdays, September 12 – October 31
If interested, please email peggysenglaub@gmail.com by June 8th.
| | |
Altar Servers – New and Seasoned!
New Altar Servers: Is child/ren interested in Altar Serving? Are they feeling called to assist Father at Mass? St. Gabriel continues to welcome 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.
We have updated all the training and procedures for our seasoned servers. 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
| | Area High Schools, Parishes & Community Partners | |
|
Fine Arts Festival:
Join us for an afternoon of art and Movie Music performed by talented student artists and musicians at the Living Word Fine Arts Festival on Sunday, May 17.
📅Sunday, May 17 at Living Word High School
🖼 Art Show: 3:30 PM
🎵Concert: 4:30 PM
🎟 Free to attend
Bring family and friends and come see what our students have been working on within the Living Word Performing Arts Program.
| |
Summer Camps
Get your kids involved this summer at our 2026 Youth Summer Camps at Living Word Lutheran High School! Camps are open to ALL kids in the community in 1st-8th grade, plus some camps are open to incoming LW 9th graders. Sign up online at www.lwlhs.com/camps
Our camp lineup includes:
Boys & Girls Basketball, Band, Dance, Football, Run Club, Soccer, Spanish, Speed & Agility Training, Tabletop Role-Playing Games, Theater, Girls Volleyball & Wrestling
| | |
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.
😄
| | How do you know flowers are friendly? | | |
🎉Congratulations to the last Gazette Winner🎉
Amanda Lee
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.
| | | | |
