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!

March of the Hawks (Formerly the Catholic Schools Walk):

Thank You for Making Our First Annual March of the Hawks a Success!

School-Wide Behavior Program:

We are including details of an all-school behavior management program in our discipline policy. We will begin to pilot this program in our middle school after Christmas break. It is our intention to have the policy fully implemented, school-wide, by the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.  

We decided to add this program to our discipline policy in an effort to be more consistent in recognizing those students who display the Christian values that we seek to instill in them and to more diligently document concerning behaviors that need to be addressed by staff and parents immediately. This was NOT a result of increased behavioral issues in school. We just wanted to add a school-wide policy for everyone to use that would provide consistency throughout the grade levels.

Discipline Policy/Behavior Management Program

2026-2027 School Admission/Registration Revisions:  

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!!

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.  

A waiting list will be started once enrollment in a grade reaches 18. The last 2 seats will be reserved for new families with multiple students. Our current school enrollment is 145. Please see the current enrollment numbers for each grade level.

We are hoping to open the current family registration period at the beginning of January, a few weeks before the new family registration opens at the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. I am asking for everyone's help in spreading the word because this will be new to all of our school families.  It is important to emphasize that if current families do not register during the current family registration period (beginning of January - beginning of Catholic Schools Week), their child's seat will not be guaranteed. All remaining seats will be open to new families beginning January 25th this year.

Class Size/Admission Policy

From the Business Office:

• Tuition Statements - We thank you for your tuition payments! Please watch your email accounts for an emailed Tuition Statement from the Parish Office sent on November 6. This email comes from: St. Gabriel Catholic Parish and School, quickbooks@notification.intuit.com. If you are not receiving this monthly email, please contact Laura Rogacki in the parish office. 

• After School Learning Program Statements - We thank you for your ASLP payments! Please remember that this program is a sign-up and pay-in-advance each month. Then, at the end of the month, we send a statement that includes the payments and a monthly invoice. These statements were also sent on November 6, and also come from: St. Gabriel Catholic Parish and School, quickbooks@notification.intuit.com.

Year-End Giving:

As we approach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support of St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School. Your generosity has a lasting impact on our students and allows us to provide a faith-centered education that shapes future leaders.

 As we reflect on 2025, we invite you to consider making a year-end gift to help us finish the year strong and start the New Year with renewed hope and purpose. Your donation directly supports our school’s mission to nurture both the academic and spiritual growth of our students, ensuring that we continue to provide a transformative educational experience for all.

In addition to supporting our school, your year-end gift may also provide tax benefits. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, donations to St. Gabriel School are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. There were many changes to current tax laws this year regarding charitable giving. Please contact a tax professional or financial advisor to determine the best plan for you. A gift made before December 31 may reduce your taxable income for 2025, making it an ideal time to contribute. Please contact Connie Helm, Director of Development at chelm@stgabrielhubertus.org if you have questions or would like to donate to the school.

 Thank you for being a vital part of our school community. Your faithfulness and support are deeply appreciated. May God bless you and your family abundantly in the coming year!

Dress Code Reminder:

2025/2026 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

2025-2026 School Calendar:

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

2025-2026 School Year Calendar

Get involved; 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:

• Lunch and Playground Helpers
• Library Helpers
• $crip Volunteers after weekend Masses
• Become an HSA Elf and Sign Up to Help Wrap Gifts for the Wrap-a-Thon!

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🎉

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 St. Nick's Day, Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, or for use at your favorite retail shops, gas stations, or restaurants.

There will be NO $crip sales after Mass on December 27-28, 2025. $crip orders for the upcoming Christmas season will need to be purchased by December 14, 2025, online or in the Parish/School Office in order to be received prior to Christmas.

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.

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. 

Volunteers are needed to help sell Scrip on weekends after Masses. It is a great way to volunteer within the school and parish, and it only takes approximately half an hour of your time per shift. If you are interested, please contact Linda Schuh at lschuh@sgabriel.org or (262)628-1711 for more information.

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 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!

mini OPEN HOUSE THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who helped promote our mini Open House on Sunday, November 16.

A special thanks goes to our K4 and K5 teachers — Mrs. Roloff and Mrs. Hummel — and to our K4 aide, Patty Berg, for generously giving their time on a Sunday to help showcase our outstanding early childhood programs.

We were pleased to welcome four families who toured, along with an additional family who toured this week.

We also extend our thanks to our Marketing Committee Members & Parent Ambassadors, Katie Muth and Melanie Staudt, for helping St. Gabriel shine throughout the event.

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 for all grades during the fish fry on Friday, January 30, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

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.

Our Marketing Committee (MARRC) will be releasing a volunteer sign-up soon. We will be looking for volunteers to help during the fish fry/open house and to help Father with Mass the weekend before. Please watch the Gazette for more information!

On the Calendar...

11/27-11/28 - Happy Thanksgiving Break - No School

12/5 - HSA Middle School Dance (see below)

12/13-14 - HSA Wrap a Thon (see below)

12/18 - Christmas Concert at 6:30 p.m.

12/19 - Spirit Groups Meet - Nativity Pilgrimage

12/22 - Inservice Day - No School

12/23 - Inservice Day - No School

12/24-1/1 Christmas Break

1/ 3 - Inservice Day - No School

1/16 - End of Semester

1/25-1/30 - Catholic Schools Week - More information coming soon!

1/30 - Open House and FAMOUS Friday Fish Fry! VOLUNTEER NEEDS COMING SOON!

Peace and many Happy Thanksgiving Blessings,

Mrs. Kimerly Lestina

Principal

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

In The Classrooms!

NEW Middle School Club!

We are so excited to introduce an exciting addition to student life at school — the Knowledge Lounge: IXL Club, a new program designed to support growth, confidence, and a love of learning in our middle school students.

This weekly after-school club creates a dynamic, welcoming space where students can build their academic skills, set meaningful learning goals, and celebrate their progress. With guidance from our 6th & 7th-grade teachers, Mrs. Jungwirth and Mrs. Erdmann, students explore IXL at their own pace, take on challenges, and enjoy friendly competitions that make learning both engaging and rewarding.

This new club reflects our commitment to providing strong academics, fostering confidence, and helping every child shine.

Middle School Science:

Our 6th graders have been hard at work in science, researching diseases that have either affected someone they know or sparked their curiosity.

Each student delivered an excellent presentation, explaining how their chosen condition impacts the body’s systems and thoughtfully answering questions from their classmates.

Many were inspired by the experiences of family and friends, seeking to deepen their understanding through study of physiology, risk factors, symptoms, and available treatments.

Middle School Science!

Our eighth graders explored Newton’s Third Law of Motion last week by recreating a Newton’s cradle and illustrating free-body diagrams to demonstrate how forces act upon objects. Their hands-on work brought science concepts to life and sparked great conversation in the classroom.

Our 5th graders have been super busy these past two weeks!

They recently wrapped up their unit on matter with a creative and engaging culminating activity. Working in teams, they developed their own recipe for the “best pancake,” explaining how each ingredient and step connected to key concepts from the unit.

The project finished with a panel of enthusiastic volunteer taste testers—featuring several parents and Mrs. Lestina—who enjoyed sampling the final results.

What a wonderful way to blend hands-on learning with scientific understanding!

They have also been exploring the rich history and culture of the Native American tribes for their research projects.

Each student studied the geography, customs, daily life, and traditions of their chosen tribe, then brought their learning to life by creating detailed dioramas featuring the food, tools, and environments.

Last Friday, the students shared their findings with classmates and family members, offering thoughtful summaries of what they learned. Check out some of the pictures!

K5 was diving into place value, building strong math skills one step at a time, last week.

Learning is truly fun and hands-on at St. Gabriel!

PLEASE KEEP SCROLLING

FUNdraising

Questions? Please contact the auction team by emailing them at auction@sgabriel.org

Or visit our website

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our annual Holiday Boutique on Saturday, November 15!

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces. We welcomed over 1200 guests, and three carloads full of food items were donated to the St. Gabriel/St. Boniface Food Pantry.

We are very thankful to all of the volunteers who made this event possible. We THANK YOU for sharing your gifts and for being an important part of the festive day.

Final numbers will be posted soon.

THIS IS THE LAST WEEKEND to get your Shady Lane gift certificates after Mass.

They are also available in the parish office until Monday, December 1.

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.

S.A.C. is happy to assist parents and families with any concerns or questions they have during the school year. Email them at stgabrielSAC@sgabriel.org.

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

Rules & Procedures:



Time: The dance is from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Drop off: Students may arrive at 7 p.m. Drop off at the Parish Hall doors (where students eat lunch - not at the front of the school)

Pick up: Please plan to pick up students promptly by 9 p.m. Pick up will also be at the Parish Hall doors. If your child is getting a ride home from another family, please include written permission.

Check-In Process: When students arrive, they will check in. Only students who have turned in their permission slips and money prior to the dance will be allowed entrance. Students will also turn in their cell phones. Phones will be placed in a paper bag labeled with the student's name. Students are welcome to check their phones throughout the evening. The objective is for students to socialize with one another, so the limited use of cell phones is put into place for this event.

Dress Code and Conduct: Students are welcome to dress in theme inspired apparel. Students should dress appropriately (i.e. NO tight mini-skirts, tank tops, or inappropriate logos). Basic school rules and expectations apply to this event (student conduct regarding behavior, language, etc.)

Snacks & Refreshments: HSA is happy to provide refreshments and snacks for students during this event. Students do not need to bring money for concessions.

Volunteers: We would love your help to make this a fantastic event. If you are interested in volunteering to chaperone, set up, serve refreshments, or clean up, please view openings in Ivolunteer!

Thank you for volunteering your time!

🏀 Be the Heart of Our Basketball Program!

We are still in need of a Basketball Coordinator (and Assistant) to help run our thriving basketball program.

This role is the key connection between our coaches, the league, our school, and the athletic director. You’ll help with uniforms, practice schedules, gym availability, and coordinating volunteers for home games. Without a coordinator, our program simply can’t run at its best—this is a chance to make a HUGE impact!

Whether you’re passionate about basketball or just want to give back in a meaningful way, this role is central to our athletes’ success.

🍿 Join the Team Behind the Scenes: Concessions Assistant

Love being part of the game-day atmosphere? We’re looking for a Concessions Assistant (Basketball Season Only) to support our Concessions Coordinator.

You’ll help with setup and cleanup for home games while our coordinator continues to manage supplies and inventory. It’s a short-term, season-only role that directly supports the fun and energy of basketball season!

This is a perfect way to get involved without a big-time commitment.

👉 Interested or curious to learn more......Reach out to Athletic Director Jeff Poff for more information.

PARISH NEWS

Sacrament of Reconciliation for Advent

The Catholic Church values the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As we prepare for Christmas in society with time spent shopping, baking, and putting up decorations, the church invites us to prepare ourselves spiritually for the Celebration of Christmas through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

In addition to the weekly Saturday option from 3:30-4 p.m., St. Gabriel is offering an additional evening opportunity to individually receive this sacrament on Tuesday, December 2, from 7-8 p.m. There will be several priests available for you to speak with.

Please consider taking this time to experience the forgiving presence of Christ.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on December 8, which is nine months before the celebration of the birth of Mary on September 8.

This Marian feast is a holy day and reflects the plan of salvation, in that Mary was conceived without sin. Because the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is the Patronal Feast of the United States of America, only when the solemnity falls on a Sunday is the obligation to attend Mass lifted.

So, St. Gabriel will celebrate Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation, on Monday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Christmas Memorial Flowers:

Anyone who wishes may make a donation for Christmas flowers in memory of their loved ones. Your donation will help offset the cost of decorating the church for the Christmas season. Please enclose payment (checks made out to St. Gabriel Parish) with this form and drop in the Collection Basket or leave it in the Parish Office by December 15. You may also fill out the same information through GiveButter at https://givebutter.com/SGChristmasFlowers25

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

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?

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

😄

What key can’t open any doors?

🎉Congratulations to the last Gazette Winner🎉

BETH HALEY

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.