MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Howdy, Partners…and… HAPPY FESTIVAL WEEK! As we prepare to saddle up, we are eagerly looking forward to a wonderful weekend filled with family, friendship, fun, an abundance of frolicsome festivities, and LOTS of “Yee-Hah!” Your participation—whether you are volunteering your time or talent, dancing to the music, feasting on the delicious food, winning prizes in the game booths, bidding enthusiastically on awesome auction items, or watching your children scream at the top of their lungs on a thrilling ride—will be greatly appreciated!! Tarnation…you’re gonna have to hold on tight, because this SPA rodeo is just getting started! Please take some time to read the following FESTIVAL WEEK INFORMATION so that you have a clear understanding of everything that is happening this week, and all of the procedures that must be followed in order for everything to proceed as smoothly as possible. Let’s all have a rootin tootin good time!

Monday, September 30th

Normal drop-off and pick-up procedures before and after school for students in grades Kgn. – 8.
DK students should be dropped off and picked up in the Enrichment Classroom by the Health Office.
Yes, there will be After-School Care.

Tuesday, October 1st

DROP-OFF: All students MUST enter campus through the Selby gates as the back gate to the yard will not be accessible. Students will remain in the courtyard/patio from 7:15 -7:30 a.m. and then sent to their classrooms.
NO OHIO AVENUE DROP-OFF.
DK and Kgn. students will eat lunch and enjoy play time in their classroom. Students in grades 1 – 8 will eat and play on the LDS/Mormon Field for lunch. PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN THE MORMON FIELD PERMISSION SLIP WITH YOUR CHILD(REN).
DISMISSAL: Regular afternoon pick-up schedule; DK students may be picked up in the Enrichment Classroom by the Health Office.
Everyone entering and exiting the campus MUST utilize the Selby front gates.
There will be After-School Care. Be aware that we will not have access to playing on the yard Tuesday through Thursday so homework completion, indoor games, a possible movie, and crafts will be the planned after-school activities.

Wednesday & Thursday, October 2nd and 3rd

DROP-OFF: All students MUST enter campus through the Selby gates as the back gate to the yard will not be accessible. Students will remain in the courtyard/patio area from 7:15 -7:30 a.m. and then sent to their classrooms.
NO OHIO AVENUE DROP-OFF.
DK and Kgn. students will eat lunch and enjoy play time in their classroom. Students in grades 1 – 8 will eat and play on the LDS/Mormon Field for lunch. PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN THE MORMON FIELD PERMISSION SLIP WITH YOUR CHILD(REN).
DISMISSAL: Regular afternoon pick-up schedule; DK students may be picked up in the Enrichment Classroom by the Health Office.
Everyone entering and exiting the campus MUST utilize the Selby front gates.
There will be After-School Care. Pick-up will either be in the gym or in the Enrichment Classroom by the Health Office.
The Library/Media Center will not be open after school on Thursday due to Prizes and Inventory being stored in that area.

Friday, October 4th

Students should wear their FESTIVAL SHIRTS, comfortable and appropriate bottoms, and closed-toed shoes to school.
DROP-OFF: All students MUST enter campus through the Selby gates as the back gate to the yard will not be accessible. Students will remain in the courtyard/patio from 7:15 -7:30 a.m. and then enter their classrooms.
DK, Kindergarten, and 1st grade students will be released to their parents beginning at 11:45 p.m. These students may not be released to older siblings. Older siblings may not be the sole caregivers of these students after they are checked out.
The Festival will open at 12:00 p.m. with the 8th grade students going first. The remaining classes will be dismissed by the Vice-Principals!
Students in grades 2 – 4 will meet their teachers at the main tent at 2:30 p.m. Parents may sign out 2nd – 4th grade students at the main tent in the parish lot.
Students in grades 5 – 8 will head to the gym with their teachers at 2:30 p.m. Students in 5th grade must be signed out by parents or their siblings.
Students in 6th – 8th grades may sign themselves out if they have permission to do so on regular school days.
All students MUST be signed out by 3:00 p.m., at which time the Festival becomes open to the public. We respectfully request that parents who might be working the Festival at dismissal be given a few minutes to go and sign their children out.
There is NO AFTER-SCHOOL CARE today!

Sunday, October 6th

All of our SPA families and guests are cordially invited to join us for our “Festival Family Mass” at 9:30 a.m. as we gather to give thanks for the many blessings in our wonderful parish community!

Monday, October 7th

Please note that school will NOT be in session on Monday, October 7, due to ride and booth dismantling, Festival clean-up, and general restoration of the campus property. Classes will resume Tuesday morning.

JUST A REMINDER: Please remember to return the attached permission form so that our students may utilize the LDS/Mormon field for lunch recess this week.

Permission Form

We look forward to enjoying this special event with you, and we extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who has made this Festival possible in any way, big or small.

Peace and Blessings,

Crystal Pinkofsky

Principal

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1ST TRIMESTER STAR REPORTS

The STAR reports for the 1st trimester will be sent home with the students this Thursday. If the report is not given to you, please check your children’s backpacks. If your children are absent on Thursday, they will receive the report when we return to school after the Festival.

It is important to bear in mind that, at the outset of the academic year, students are not anticipated to have fully mastered grade-level skills. The educational journey unfolds progressively over the course of the school year, with students gradually acquiring and honing their skills. As you review the assessment results, you may notice certain standards denoted in red below your child's overall score. It is imperative to understand that these standards may not have been introduced or thoroughly covered yet, given that we are in the initial stages of the school year.

We appreciate your ongoing support and collaboration in your child's educational development. Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education, and we look forward to a productive and enriching school year ahead.

THANK YOU

A heartfelt THANK YOU is extended to the Sr. Stella Foundation for their wonderful efforts in helping us celebrate Sr. Stella’s birthday! The colorful balloons, beautiful photographs, delicious cupcakes, and the pink pencils were very much enjoyed by our SPA community. The love for Sister, gratitude for her leadership, and fond memories were very much felt throughout that special day. Sr. Stella was a beautiful gift to the SPA community, and one that will always be remembered and treasured.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

St. Paul the Apostle Parish will honor the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with a “Blessing of the Animals” this Friday, October 4, beginning at 7:30 a.m. on the front steps of the Parish Center. Families are invited to bring their pet dogs, cats, turtles, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, or whatever pet you might have for a special blessing before school begins. Stuffed animals are also welcome! Our wonderful Paulist Priests will be present to bless all of the animals. Please note that all of the beloved pets must return home after the service. If you cannot attend the blessing at 7:30 a.m., another blessing will be held at 6:00 p.m. in front of the church. All are welcome!

STUDENT BODY MASS!

This Friday, we will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi at our 8:30 a.m. student body mass. St. Francis is the patron saint of ecology. Although he grew up very wealthy, he wanted to give his life to a noble cause and get involved in works of charity. Francis dressed in old clothes and traveled through the countryside doing manual labor and helping the poor. He visited hospitals, took care of those who had no one to care for them, and gave money and clothing to beggars. He refused to own anything so that he would be reminded of God's love and care for everything He has created. He chose to live a very simple life. The life of St. Francis can help us to remember that serving God does not necessarily mean doing great deeds. We can always serve God by being thankful for the good things that He has given to us. Like Francis, we should look for ways to use our talents in the service of God and one another. Francis realized that the best gift we can give to God is the gift of ourselves. Let’s reflect on the meaning of this wonderful gift, and then put a ribbon on it!

ADLA PRESENTATION: EMPOWERING PARENTS

The Technology Dept. of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will be hosting a FREE webinar for parents and guardians on Tuesday, October 8, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. The focus of the technology webinar will be “Digital Citizenship and iPad Management Tips.” During this webinar, parents and guardians will learn:

Best practices for protecting your child’s privacy and securing their online presence
How to set up and manage parental controls on iPads
How to guide children in becoming responsible digital citizens
Tips for managing screen time
Tools to monitor and manage your child’s app usage
Effective communication techniques to discuss iPad use and online behavior with your child

The presenters will cover information for children in grades K-12, and the webinar will be recorded if you're registered. You can save your seat for free, and watch the recording at a time that is most convenient for you!

Webinar Flyer and Sign Up Link

SPA SUNDAY SCHOOL

As shared in the parish bulletin last week, we are excited to start our childcare and preschool Sunday School class on Sunday, October 20, during the 9:30 a.m. Mass…but we need your help! We are looking for adult volunteers to sign up for this 1- hour ministry where you will help with childcare (no diaper changing!), read bible stories, sing songs, and assist with arts and crafts. It's a fun and easy way to get involved! Service hours will be offered for high school students.

Please use the button below to sign up, or send an email to littleones@sp-apostle.org with any questions you might have. Thank you for your support!