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!

Exemplary Recognition Awards:

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School is being recognized for all of the hard work we have done over the past few years. I was recently notified that we have earned the Exemplary Recognition Awards for both Mission/Catholic Identity and Academic Excellence from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. 

In the area of Mission and Catholic Identity, we were commended on the following:

• The connection and integration between the school community and the parish community are exceptional. Each stakeholder group, in their own words, described how this is a singular community where the parish supports the school, and the school supports the parish.
• School and parish leadership for mission, including Fr. Tim and Mrs. Lestina, were identified by parents, students, and staff as critical to the faith formation of the community. The relationship between the leaders appeared honest, supportive, and showed a genuine mutual investment. Fr. Tim’s embrace of the school, its students, and parents, and his support for staff are exceptional.
• St. Gabriel offered multiple examples of how it is aligned with its mission when making critical decisions. The school’s mission statement was designed with an accessible and creative conclusion that is undeniably Catholic. It invites young students to know, understand, and live the school’s mission.
• The school’s leaders are focused on mission and Catholic identity when making decisions. Efforts have been made to integrate religion into all subject areas. Texts and reading materials were chosen because of faith. The Spirit Group program is fully integrated into the school’s culture, with the school schedule being designed around the Spirit Group program.

In the area of Academic Excellence, we were commended on the following:

• One of the most notable strengths identified by the Committee was the faculty and administration’s thorough, schoolwide curriculum review. By carefully addressing both horizontal and vertical alignment, St. Gabriel has ensured that learning objectives progress logically and meaningfully across grade levels and content areas. This intentional work has resulted in a cohesive, standards-aligned curriculum that supports academic growth for every learner and demonstrates the school’s commitment to excellence.
• The school’s work in developing and refining its Response to Intervention (RtI) program is equally commendable. Committee members were especially inspired by the faculty’s dedication, expressed through the significant time invested in professional development, data analysis, and collaborative planning. Teachers spoke passionately about their collective responsibility for every student’s success, and this passion was reflected in the effective use of data to guide instruction and interventions. Parent feedback confirmed that families feel well-informed and supported—testament to the school’s strong communication practices and whole-child approach.
• The integration of data-driven instruction at St. Gabriel is particularly impressive. Through the strategic use of tools such as MAP and IXL, teachers differentiate instruction in meaningful ways, providing appropriate support for students who are struggling and targeted enrichment for those ready to be challenged. This adaptive, learner-focused practice ensures that every student is both seen and stretched toward their full academic potential.
• Finally, and most importantly, Catholic identity is unmistakably present and alive at St. Gabriel. The integration of Catholic Social Teachings across subject areas and the authentic witness of Gospel values by students and staff alike provide a strong foundation that anchors the school’s academic mission in faith.

This was a true team effort and a tremendous accomplishment. Our entire school community—teachers, staff, and families—came together with dedication and purpose to achieve these goals. As we move into the 2025–2026 school year, we do so with much to be proud of. Thank you for your continued support!

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 to the St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School family. We will be updating their webpages in the coming weeks, so stay tuned and visit our website often!

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

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

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

I would also like to announce a couple of changes with our current teaching staff. As of next 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 and will be preparing over the summer. We appreciate their hard work and dedication to St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School. Please help me in welcoming and supporting them in their new roles.

Interviews are underway for a teacher/interventionist to help support our RtI program. This individual would begin the school year in our second-grade classroom for Mrs. Schmidt, who is on maternity leave until the beginning of October. They would then shift to the RtI position and would work with teachers and students to help support learning.

We have begun a search for an Assistant Director for our After-School Learning Program. Mrs. Ditscheit will be stepping down from this position at the end of this year. This person would assist Mrs. McAleer in managing after-school care each school day from 3:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.  

We are also looking for a kitchen assistant to work one day a week (Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) to help cook, serve, and clean up the kitchen during our lunch hour. No experience needed, and training will be provided. This position is paid hourly. Please contact Lanae Weyer (lweyer@sgabriel.org) if you are interested.

If you know of anyone who may be interested in any of these positions, please have them contact the school office at 262-628-1711 or me directly at klestina@sgabriel.org.

2025-2026 School Registration:

Our school family continues to grow. 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 directly at klestina@sgabriel.org.

Please join us in welcoming this new family to our school:

• Anisha D'Silva and Ryan Erickson with Zane in 1st grade and Ariana in K4



Thank you for entrusting us with the education and growth of your children. 

If you have not registered yet, please use the link below to do so. The form has links to the tuition information and a link to pay the $200 registration fee. Your registration is not complete until the fee is paid. The $200 fee will be deducted from your tuition bill. Please use the link below to register your children.

2025-2026 St. Gabriel Parish School Registration Form

Also, review the tuition-reducing programs listed on the form and consider getting involved by volunteering, becoming a member of one of our amazing committees, and/or joining us for one of our energetic school or athletic events. Check out all the opportunities on iVolunteer, and/or visit our school website. 

We are excited that our St. Gabriel family is growing and hope that your family continues to be a part of all we have to offer. 

Faith Drives School Success:

We are honored to be featured in Superintendent Ed Foy's recent article, “Faith Drives School Success,” in the Catholic Herald.

The piece highlights how St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School fosters a vibrant faith community through shared prayer and joyful traditions.

This recognition underscores our commitment to integrating faith and academics, cultivating hearts, minds, and souls.

2024-2025 End of Year Survey:

We'd love to hear about your experience at St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School this year. Please fill out this survey by Friday, June 13. Your feedback is essential for us to continue to grow and improve.

We are truly blessed that you have entrusted St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School with your child/ren's education.

Thank you and have a wonderful summer!

-St. Gabriel Catholic Parish & School Administration & MARRC Team

Spring Test Results:

IOWA Tests (Grades 3, 5, and 7)

Grade 3 Skills Profile

Grade 5 Skills Profile

Grade 7 Skills Profile

MAP Tests (Grades K5-8)

Spring 2024/2025 Testing Session: % of students At or Above Grade Level Expectations

Math: 80% Reading: 88% Language: 90%

2025-2026 School Calendar:

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

2025-2026 School Calendar - New Parish & School Auction Date and Marketing Event Dates

2025-2026 School Supply List:

Already planning for the next school year? Take a peek at the student supply list so you can start shopping and organizing.

2025-2026 Student Supply List

$crip Certificates:

Effective Monday, June 9, 2025, $crip will be sold only on weekends due to the end of the school year and the summer break.

For your convenience, you can 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.

$crip sales will not be available the weekend of 07/26/2025 – 07/27/2025 and 08/23/2025-08/24/2025.

$crip is a great way to support St. Gabriel Parish and School, as a portion of all $crip sales directly benefits St. Gabriel Parish and School. Thank you and God bless!

Hot Items:

• Summer brings lots of travelling and fun. If you are staying over at a Marcus hotel or going to movies, consider purchasing one of our $100 Marcus $crip cards.
• We also have $20 Copper Dock certificates available for your summer dining out, to be used before 6/25/2025. If you plan on eating out in the near future please stop by to purchase these.
• SALE EXTENDED: $25 Shady Lane gift certificates. Purchase yours by June 22. They are just in time for summer plantings and must be used by June 30.

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. 

Already have an account with RaiseRight? Online orders will be filled on Mondays and available to pick up after the weekend Masses. For any questions about the $crip program, please email Laura Rogacki.

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 your school without scanning receipts! See the app for more details.

Holiday Boutique:

Planning has begun for the annual Holiday Boutique on Saturday, November 15. Sign up to have your student entrepreneur participate in our student vendor section. Please click here to sign up. Update from the last Gazette: There are only 5 spaces available, and they are first-come, first-served.

Parades:

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

iVolunteer Opportunities - YOU Make a Difference:

• $crip sellers after weekend Mass

https://stgabrielhubertus.ivolunteer.com/

On the Calendar...

7/8, 15, 22, 29 - VBS (see below) DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS FRIDAY, JUNE 13 - We need 8 more child/ren to hold this program, or it will be canceled.

7/31 - Volleyball Registration Deadline (see below)

8/4-7 - Basketball Camp Registration Now Open (see below)

8/12 - Save the Date - Ice Cream Social at 6:30 p.m. - RSVP HERE

Happy Summer,

Mrs. Kimerly Lestina

Principal

St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School

We nurture academic excellence while we

Proclaim the Word, Form Disciples, Live a Sacramental Life

PLEASE KEEP SCROLLING

A lot is happening at the School and Parish and

check out what's happening in the classrooms!!

FUNdraising

IN THE CLASSROOMS & AROUND

ST. GABRIEL CATHOLIC PARISH SCHOOL!

8th Grade Graduation Week:

As they wrapped up their final days at St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School last week, our 8th graders continued to lead with heart and purpose!

On Monday, they planted a beautiful Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea tree—generously donated by Hartford Landscape Supply—and are gifting the school an outdoor volleyball set for the playground!

On Wednesday, our 8th graders celebrated their final Mass as St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School students and received a special blessing from Fr. Tim.

After Mass, students and families gathered for our beloved family reception.

It has been a true joy watching these young leaders grow in faith, knowledge, and character.

On Thursday, our incredible 8th graders graduated!

A special shoutout to Kendall Schulteis, the St. Gabriel Messenger Award recipient, honoring knowledge, integrity, wisdom, and leadership. Way to go, Kendall! Kendall will be attending Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in the fall.

We are so proud of each of them and can’t wait to see the amazing things they will accomplish as future leaders.

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful 7th-grade families for hosting the reception and to our 8th-grade families for beautifully decorating the parish hall.

Future Doctors at Work in 5th Grade Math Class!

Our students transformed into surgeons for the day—complete with hospital name tags, surgical attire, and a series of “operations” at organized stations.

Working in teams, our young “doctors” performed critical procedures like heart surgeries and liver transplants—solving math equations every step of the way! It was incredible to see their collaboration, creativity, and enthusiasm shine through.

What a fun and engaging way to bring math to life!

Middle School Science Showcase Highlights!

Our middle school students wrapped up their final PLTW science modules with an exciting Science Showcase that put their learning into action! We're so proud of the innovation and teamwork our students displayed! Check out what each grade explored:

6th Grade – Students worked in teams to design and build solar ovens! Their goal? To determine the most effective way to transfer thermal energy through radiation—by browning a marshmallow to perfection!

7th Grade – Each student created a program using micro:bits, coding them to respond to real-world temperature inputs. For example, if the temperature read 50°, the micro:bit displayed “Wear a coat.” If it dropped to 30°, it advised, “Put on a hat and gloves!” Smart science in action!

8th Grade – Groups of three took on the challenge of building Rube Goldberg machines, applying their knowledge of simple machines, forces, and motion. Their machines had to complete a basic task in 15 steps—such as parking a toy car in a box garage, popping a balloon, or knocking down a circle of dominoes. So creative and fun!

Field Day Fun:

Field Day was packed with fun, laughter, and energy! All of our students had a blast thanks to the creative and engaging games planned by our PhyEd teacher, Mrs. Schulteis.

A special shoutout to our amazing 8th graders who led the way and our fantastic parent volunteers who helped to make the day extra special.

Even a little rain couldn’t stop us—we wrapped up the day with a cool treat and a movie in the parish hall. It was a great day to be a St. Gabriel Hawk!

Zoo Field Trip:

Our K4, K5, 2nd, and 3rd graders had a wild time last Monday exploring the Milwaukee County Zoo! From spotting lions and lemurs to enjoying a sunny picnic and making memories with new furry friends, it was a day full of smiles, learning, and laughter.

A big THANK YOU to our amazing parent chaperones who helped make the day unforgettable!

Alumni News:

It was an absolute joy to welcome back several alumni to walk the halls of St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School on Friday—what a beautiful reminder of the lasting impact our school community makes!

A heartfelt thank you to parent and parishioner Jessi Butzke for organizing this special visit.

We wish all our St. Gabriel Catholic School AND Parish graduates many blessings and successes as they begin their next chapter!

St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School

Parent Groups

School Advisory Commission Members

• Chairperson: Matt Marcellis
• Vice Chair: Heidi Woelfel
• Secretary: Jessica Ditscheit
• Members: Meghan Berndt, Jake Lechusz

Any questions, concerns, and/or suggestions may be sent to

stgabrielSAC@sgabriel.org

🌟 Join the Fun – Be Part of the HSA Team! 🌟

HSA has two open positions for Co-Treasurer and Co-Vice President. These positions have a two-year term. 

👉 Nominate yourself or a friend today by emailing us at hsa@sgabriel.org. Let's keep making St. Gabriel’s a fantastic place for our students and families. 💛

Any interested individuals should reach out to any current HSA members, as we are happy to fill them in on the roles, responsibilities, and commitment. 

Feel free to reach out — we’re happy to chat!

HAWKS FALL VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE

I know it seems early to be talking about the fall volleyball season, but the deadline for registration will be here before you know it. We are looking for all St. Gabriel, St. Boniface, and St. Kilian school and religious education 5^th-8^th graders who are looking to have fun learning a sport that they can play the rest of their lives!

St. Gabriel belongs to the Metro Volleyball Conference.

Please click on https://metrovbconference.org/ if you would like to learn more about it. 

Below are the key highlights:

• Girls & Boys 5^th-8^th grade team registrations are due to the MVC by July 31.
• Practices can begin on August 11.
• League games (10 matches, some doubleheaders):

o  Boys’ games will be held on Friday nights, September 5 – October 24

§ New this year: games will begin at 5:30 instead of 6:00

o  Girls’ games will be held on Saturdays, September 6 – October 25

§ Games may be held on Saturday mornings, afternoons, or evenings

• Invite-only Seton tournament for 8^th-grade teams: pool play, October 27 – 31, with the final four held November 8-9.
• The volleyball registration fee is $85 per player (checks made payable to St. Gabriel).
• We are requesting to host games at our school gym, and it will be critical to have volunteers to make that happen. Therefore, each family is required to work in admissions/concessions/scorekeeping for 5 hours. (If you have multiple children playing, we ask that you work 4 hrs /player.)
• Every player will receive a personalized St. Gabriel Hawks warm-up shirt if paid registration is received by June 20.
• There will be a mandatory parent meeting on Sunday, July 27, at 5:30 p.m. in the school hall for any families that are new to the St. Gabriel volleyball program AND anyone whose registration is incomplete.
• Please keep an eye out for details regarding a pre-season volleyball spirit-wear store.

We would love to field as many girls and boys' volleyball teams as possible for the fall. That being said, and sharing the timeline above, we will need your final RSVP decision by June 20. 

If you are interested in registering your son or daughter, I will need three things from you:

1.     Please click on the registration link:  https://forms.gle/v7n9Tx6crtQG51ti9

2.     Complete the packet of forms Arch athletic league forms

3.     Send forms to school or the parish office, along with the $85 registration fee, no later than June 20.

Please note: if you completed the forms for volleyball camp, you do not need to complete those 3 forms again. You WILL, however, need to complete the Parent Sportsmanship and the Athlete Sportsmanship forms, along with the Physical form if expired. (Physical examination taken April 1 and thereafter is approved for the following two years of competition; physical examination taken before April 1 is valid only for the remainder of the current school year and the following year.)

Please email me at peggysenglaub@gmail.com if you have any questions. 

Thank you,

Peggy Senglaub

St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School Volleyball Coordinator 

SUMMER EVENTS AT

ST. GABRIEL PARISH & SCHOOL

Registration Deadline: Friday, June 13 – We need at least 8 more children to register for Vacation Bible School in order to hold the program. Without additional sign-ups, it will be canceled.

PARISH NEWS

Please email Jill in the parish office if you are interested. The cost is $25, which covers the cost of the book. This ladies small group is open to everyone.

Mother’s Day Pictures: For those of you who had your pictures taken by Mark Frohna last weekend for Mother’s Day, you may visit the following link to view and order.

www.frophoto.com/stgabrielmothers25

Save the Date

Our parish’s annual GIANT Flea Market is only 3 months away, and planning has begun!

Volunteer sign-ups will be available soon. If you would like to get involved in planning, please contact the parish office.

Vendor and Sponsorship Opportunity information is now available on our website

www.stgabrielhubertus.org/flea-market

OR

click the image below!

We are hiring!

Director of Child Ministry

Position Overview: The Director of Child Ministry at St. Gabriel will play a key role in fostering the spiritual growth and development of children in our faith community. This position is designed for a passionate, experienced, and creative individual who is deeply committed to nurturing the faith of children and ensuring they grow in the love of Christ through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd® (CSG) Level 1, & Level 2 programs. The Director will work closely with the Pastor and other ministry leaders to implement dynamic, engaging, and age-appropriate programs for children ages 3–11, supporting them as they take the first steps in their lifelong journey of faith.

More information is available on the parish website at the link below. We invite interested candidates to submit their resumes, along with a cover letter detailing their experience and qualifications for this vital role.

Join Our Team!

Visit this link to learn more about the positions open at St. Gabriel Parish.

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.

😄

 🐑Where do sheep go on vacation?🐑

👏Last week's winner was Anna Niemuth👏

Thanks to everyone who read the punch line.

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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