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!

2025-2026 School Registration:

Our school family continues to grow. We are still accepting registrations and giving school tours. Our current enrollment for the next school year is 138 students. 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.

The late registration deadline is approaching quickly. Registrations after May 15th will be charged a late registration fee of $200 per student.  

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 other 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. 

Please join us in welcoming these new families and students to our school:

• Steve Kalinoski & Beth Fischer and Lillian Kalinoski, who will be in 6th grade & Rosaleigh Kalinoski, who will be in 3rd grade
• Sean & Jessica Lentz and Nova, who will be in 2nd grade, and Knox, who will be in K5
• Shaun & Kendra Kalscheur and Logan, who will be in K4
• Brad & Katherine Jansen and Ada, who will be in K4
• James & Cara Feind and Hank & Remington, who will be in K4
• Justin & Kourtney Viste and Hudson, who will be in K5 & Ryley, who will be in 2nd grade
• Angela Smith and William, who will be in the 8th grade

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



2025-2026 Staff Update:

This is a very busy time of year for staffing and interviews. We are still working on filling a couple of our positions for next year. We have an accepted offer for one of our early childhood positions. We are still working on finding one more early childhood teacher. We are also still accepting applications for a part-time Spanish teacher.  

• If you know anyone who may be interested in either position, please have them contact the school office (262-628-1711) or me directly at klestina@sgabriel.org.

2025-2026 School Calendar:

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

2025-2026 School Calendar

After School Care:

After-school care for MAY is now available. Please remember to sign up as we need time to plan accordingly to have adequate staffing.

Playground/Lunchroom Volunteer Program:

We still need help during our lunch hour. Please consider helping us out on a day-to-day basis. All available opportunities are listed in iVolunteer. Please see the link below for more details.

Day-to-Day Lunchroom/Playground Volunteer Sign-Up

$crip Certificates:

$crip certificates are the perfect gift ideas for graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, and thank yous. $crip is available for purchase after the weekend Masses, and in the school office from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., or online.

NOTE - $CRIP WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE EASTER WEEKEND (APRIL 19/20) MASSES.

There are also additional opportunities to volunteer to assist with the selling of $crip after weekend Masses or to assist with order entry of $crip on Monday mornings in the office from 9 a.m. -11 a.m. Please visit iVolunteer to sign up or contact Linda Schuh in the school office at (262) 628-1711.

$25 Shady Lane gift certificates are back for a limited time until May 31. Order yours today from the school office or after a weekend Mass. They make a perfect Mother's Day gift and are just in time for spring plantings!

New this year… Shady Lane Gift Certificates have a 25% rebate. If you purchase $100 Shady Lane $crip, you receive a $crip Tuition Credit of $12.50. The more you sell, the more you earn. In fact, consider taking our $crip Order Sheet to your Easter celebrations and selling gift certificates to your family and friends.

Reminder that our $crip year ends on April 30, 2025. Rebates earned through the end of the $crip year will be applied to your 2024-25 tuition statements. $crip rebates earned in May-August will be applied to your 2025-26 tuition statement. Please see Mrs. Schuh in the school office for more information about the Scrip program and how to turn gift card purchases into tuition credits.

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: Thanks to all the school families who are participating in this fundraiser. 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.

iVolunteer Opportunities - YOU Make a Difference:

• A couple more volunteers are needed for an hour to help at the Archbishop's reception next Wednesday, April 30, and at Miss Littel, Mrs. Piotrowski, and Mrs. Skowbo's reception on Wednesday, May 7. Please prayerfully consider helping for an hour. CLICK HERE to help!
• Help at a Fish Fry
• Donate to the HSA Snack Shack for the teachers!!
• Help in the library on Wednesdays (the 2025 schedule is available here)
• Help on the playground or lunchroom

https://stgabrielhubertus.ivolunteer.com/

On the Calendar...

4/18 - 4/21 Easter Break

4/22 - Earth Day/Spirit Groups Day - afternoon activity

4/25 - Fish Fry - Pre-order available NOW. Dine in & To-Go is open from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

4/30 - Archbishop Grob will be joining us for our all-school Mass at 8:30 a.m.

There will be a brief reception afterward in the parish hall - ALL ARE WELCOME for doughnuts, coffee, and juice.

5/7 - Reception after Mass to celebrate Mrs. Skowbo & Mrs. Piotrowski’s retirements and to

recognize Miss Littel’s 25th year of teaching at St. Gabriel Parish School. All ARE WELCOME!

Light refreshments will be served.

5/9 - Fish Fry - Pre-order available NOW. Dine In & To-Go is open from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

5/9 - Collection Ends for the 8th Grade Service Project

5/14 - Spirit Groups Day

5/15 - May Crowning at School

5/21- Grandparents Mass

5/23 - Inservice Day - No School

5/26 - Memorial Day - No School

6/3 - Spirit Group - Field Day in the afternoon

6/5 - 8th Grade Graduation at 7 p.m.

6/5 - HSA will be providing lunch for students

6/6 - HSA will be providing lunch for students

6/9 - HSA will be providing lunch for students

6/10 - Last Day of School - 11 a.m. Dismissal

Happy Easter,

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!!

7th & 8th Grade Students Lead Annual Living Stations of the Cross today -

Holy Thursday

The students reverently presented the annual Living Stations of the Cross. This cherished tradition allows students to prayerfully reflect on Christ’s Passion and share it with the greater school and parish community.

With deep reverence and thoughtful preparation, each student took part in portraying the final hours of Jesus’ life, from His condemnation to His crucifixion and burial. Their prayerful presence, solemn narration, and moving reenactment served as a powerful reminder of the significance of Holy Week.

This tradition not only deepens the students’ understanding of Christ’s sacrifice but also offers a profound and prayerful experience for all who attend. We are grateful for the dedication of our students and teachers who bring this tradition to life each year.

SAVE THE DATE

JOIN US!

Next Wednesday, April 30 (Father Tim’s birthday), Archbishop Grob will be at St. Gabriel to celebrate with us at the 8:30 a.m. Mass.

There will be a short reception after Mass with light refreshments.

All are Welcome!

If you would like to help the HSA and MARRC committees for an hour or two, please click here!

Join Us for a Special Celebration!

St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School is thrilled to invite everyone to a joyous celebration in honor of three incredible educators who have dedicated their lives to shaping young minds and hearts in faith.

✨ Miss Littel – Celebrating 25 years of unwavering dedication and service at St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School!

✨ Mrs. Piotrowski & Mrs. Skowbo – Honoring their well-earned retirement after decades of shaping generations of students with love, wisdom, and faith.

Collectively, these remarkable women have devoted over 50 years to Catholic education, leaving a lasting impact on our school community. Their commitment to faith-filled learning, kindness, and excellence has enriched the lives of so many students and families.

Let’s come together to show our gratitude and appreciation for their years of service. Join us as we celebrate their legacy and share memories.

📅 Date: Wednesday, May 7, after daily Mass

📍 Location: St. Gabriel Catholic Parish & School Hall

We look forward to celebrating with you!

If you would like to help the HSA and MARRC committees for an hour or two, please click here!

IN THE CLASSROOMS

Dream, Laugh, Love – Our 8th Grade Project is Underway!

Our 8th-grade students are putting their faith into action through the "Dream, Laugh, Love" service project.

On Monday, April 14, they began collecting clothing, shoes, and soccer equipment for their annual service project, which will help support the children living in the Kibagare slums in Nairobi, Kenya.

They are also reaching out to local businesses for monetary donations to help ship the collected clothing and supplies.

You may recall earlier this year we shared about the class meeting Itotia Karanja, a friend of our music teacher, Mr. DeMers, who lives in Nairobi. They were able to personally ask Mr. Karanja about the needs in his community.

Mr. Karanja has a passion for soccer (this is how he met Mr. DeMers) and realized the positive role the sport plays in his community.

Let us come together as a community to support our 8th-grade class as they help the children in the Kibagare slums.



Collection Ends May 9

5th Grade Lenten Activity

Our 5th-grade students created beautiful Resurrection Gardens during Lent—just in time for Easter! Each garden was carefully planted with grass seed, decorated with rocks, and featured a handmade cross.

Watching their gardens grow became a joyful and meaningful experience, as students witnessed new life emerge throughout the season. These miniature gardens served as powerful reminders of Christ’s Resurrection, becoming perfect centerpieces for Easter brunch tables.

A wonderful hands-on way to reflect on the journey from death to new life—the heart of our Catholic faith. Happy Easter!

Real-World Learning in Action!

Our 5th & 6th graders recently participated in the Junior Achievement Biz Town experience in Milwaukee — a dynamic program that brings classroom lessons to life!

Students stepped into a simulated town, taking on roles such as CEOs, CFOs, business owners, and even mayor, learning what it takes to run a business, manage money, and contribute to a functioning community.

Meanwhile, our 7th & 8th graders dove into JA Finance Park, where they applied their classroom learning to real-life financial scenarios!

Students tackled the challenge of budgeting, learning the difference between gross and net income, how taxes affect earnings, and how to make smart spending choices based on a unique life scenario. From researching expenses to paying bills, our students showed great focus and financial savvy!

Through this hands-on learning opportunity, our students learned:

• Explored their roles as citizens, workers, and consumers
• Practiced money management and banking
• Gained insight into the free enterprise system
• Strengthened teamwork and leadership skills
• Learned the importance of civic responsibility
• Practiced real-world soft skills essential for future success

We are so proud of the responsibility, creativity, and collaboration our students displayed. The future is bright.

D.E.A.R. DAY

On Monday, our 1st through 5th grade students participated in D.E.A.R. Day—Drop Everything and Read! The students enjoyed a cozy and relaxing time curled up with their favorite books and blankets, celebrating the joy of reading.

D.E.A.R. is a national celebration designed to encourage families to prioritize reading in their daily lives. It is held annually on April 12th in honor of author Beverly Cleary’s birthday.

At St. Gabriel Catholic Parish School, we are proud to foster a love for literacy and a lifelong love of reading and learning in all our students!

Reading Round Robin

Our K4 & K5 students had a blast again during last week’s Reading Round-Robin! Parents joined in the fun, sharing favorite stories and bringing them to life. It was a joyful time filled with laughter, learning, and special memories. Thank you to everyone who made this event so special!

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 schoolcommission@sgabriel.org.

The next meeting is Monday, April 21, via ZOOM. Click here to view the agenda and get the Zoom meeting link. Hope to see you there.

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

Exciting news! Nominations are officially open for Vice President of the Home and School Association (HSA)! 🎉

💡 Want to make a difference, meet amazing people, and be a champion for our school? This is your chance! The VP role is a one-year term with a two-year commitment, as you’ll step into the President role in your second year.

Whether you’re ready to dive in yourself or know someone who’d be perfect for the role, we’d love to hear from you!

👉 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. 💛

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



The Hawks teams had a great year! Looking forward to seeing everyone next year.

Cub Scout Pack 139 and Boy Scout Troop 139 took part in the annual Scouting for Food event last month, successfully gathering 1,992 food items and $767 in cash donations for the St. Gabriel/ St. Boniface Food Pantry! This year, the collections were conducted differently, with Scouts filling tents near the entrances to Piggly Wiggly locations in Hartford and Richfield.

A heartfelt thank you to all the Scouts who participated and to the community for their generous contributions to those in need. Special thanks to Piggly Wiggly for providing the space and to Digital Edge for assisting with flyer printing!

ALUMNI NEWS

We are thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of two of our outstanding alumni.

Cassidy, a student at Hartford Union High School, has been inducted into the National Honor Society—an honor that reflects her academic excellence and commitment to service.

Liam, currently attending Germantown High School, has been named Student of the Month in the Business School, showcasing his dedication, kindness, and his approach to learning.

We are incredibly proud of both Cassidy and Liam for continuing to shine and represent St. Gabriel with excellence. Keep up the great work!

SUMMER CAMPS & EVENTS AROUND MKE

PARISH NEWS

Parish Staff Retirement Announcements:

Announcement: Retirement of Director of Liturgy

After many years of dedicated service, Roy Spieckerman, our beloved Director of Liturgy, has announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2025. We are deeply grateful for his commitment and contributions to the spiritual life of our parish. Roy has played a critical role in enriching our worship and liturgical practices. Thank you, Roy!

Announcement: Retirement of Director of Child Ministry

After twenty-five years of dedicated service, Bonnie Schoofs, our Director of Child Ministry, has announced her retirement, effective June 30, 2025. We are deeply grateful for Bonnie, bringing Catechesis of the Good Shepard® (CGS) to our parish. Bonnie has been a driving force in the implementation of this program, and we are doubly blessed that Bonnie has agreed to continue to volunteer her time in teaching this program to our children. Thank you, Bonnie

Thank you, Dawn! Please join us in thanking Dawn Jorgensen for her 5 ½ years of service to St. Gabriel Parish as our Accounts Payable Accountant. Dawn has been a great teammate in our parish office, always willing to take on a new challenge. We have accepted her resignation as of the end of this school year, and we wish her the best in all future endeavors.

We're Hiring! Join Our Team!

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

Please place your Lenten Rice Bowls in the baskets in the Gathering Space by Sunday, April 26. Online donations are being accepted until Monday, May 5 using this link.

PRE-ORDERS are now OPEN for Spring 2025 Fish Frys!

Our Parish Hall will open at 4:30 p.m. for indoor dining. Serving hot and fresh with a smile until 7 p.m., or while supplies last! Come dine with us; we hope to see you there!

Menu - 2-piece Cod Dinners are $13.

An additional piece of fish is $2.

• Fried & Breaded Cod
• Baked Cod (pre-order only - will not be for sale at the door)
• Potato Pancakes or French Fries
• Coleslaw
• Rye Bread
• Applesauce



Children’s Meal $6 - Homemade Mac & Cheese, Applesauce, Coleslaw, and Rye Bread.

All dine-in meals include a drink (milk, water, or coffee).

Cash bar and homemade desserts will also be available for purchase.

Pre-Orders (dine in or to go)

1) Visit our website to ‘Pre-Order'

2) Make your Selection and Checkout. Make sure to select the correct date for your order.

3) You can show your email confirmation on your phone when you arrive for dine-in or drive-thru. A printed copy is also accepted.

Dine In/To Go

1) Please park in our main Church Parking Lot and enter through the church front doors.

2) Follow the signs to the Parish Hall.

3) You may choose to dine in at our Parish Center or take your order to go.

Come dine with us; we hope to see you there!

Any questions, please reach out to Connie Helm at chelm@stgabrielhubertus.org

Volunteers are also needed to make this event a success! Visit iVolunteer HERE to help out.



SECURITY UPDATE:

For some time, we have been dedicated to enhancing security measures at our school to ensure a safe environment for our children. Now, we are extending these efforts to our parish buildings to provide the same level of safety for our staff and parishioners. This is a long-term project that will require collaboration and careful planning. As we begin, we are implementing simple, cost-effective changes that will immediately enhance security.

New Security Measures – Effective Weekend of April 5/6:

• Weekend Masses: Exterior doors to the church will be locked at the completion of the Psalm. Doors will be reopened between Masses.
• Wednesday Weekday Masses: Exterior doors will be locked when the readings begin.

We recognize that these changes may require some adjustment, and we appreciate your patience, cooperation, and understanding as we work together to make our parish a safer place for all. Thank you for your support!

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.

😄

We're BAAAAACK!

Why did the jelly bean go to school?

Thank you to everyone who reached out to say they missed the joke last week.

🥰

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 your own 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.