October 20, 2023

Dear Saint Andrew Catholic School & Church Community,

It was a pleasure seeing you all of you yesterday and today during Parent/Teacher Conferences. We hope you found the meetings productive and worthwhile as teachers shared your students’ progress with you. If you were unable to attend conferences, please contact your student’s teacher(s) directly to arrange an alternative time.

This Sunday is known as World Mission Sunday, a day of prayer for the Church’s missionary activity throughout the world. As we begin the last full week of October, the month of the Most Holy Rosary, students will come together Monday morning in the Outdoor Learning Center to pray a special World Mission Rosary.

Next Friday, 10/27, Home & School will host our annual Trunk or Treat for students in the front parking lot, 2:00PM – 3:00PM. Students have loved the event the last two years and we are looking forward to another great and fun-filled afternoon! Homeroom Coordinators sent information to parents over the last week or so asking for donations of treats and an explanation of how to get involved. Please note: since the Trunk or Treat takes place in the front parking lot, we will have an Indoor Dismissal that afternoon.

It's hard to believe that it’s almost November! Students of all ages have been busy preparing for our All Saints Day celebration which will of course take place on All Saints Day, Wednesday, November 1, 2023. We will have a Parade of Saints beginning at 9:00AM, followed by an all-school Mass at 9:30AM. The 7th & 8th Grade students will also be presenting a Living Saints Museum. More details about the All Saints Day celebration will be communicated next week.

I pray you all have a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to welcoming all Wildcats back on Monday!

Saint Andrew, Pray for Us!

Blessings,

Ms. Laura Behee, M.Ed.

Principal

National Junior Honor Society Tutoring For 2nd - 6th Grade Students

Does your student (2nd - 6th grade) need help with homework, studying, or organization?

The National Junior Honor Society "Junior Ments" can help! Tutoring will take place every Monday in Mrs. Pennell’s classroom from 3:30pm – 4:00pm.

Parents can pick up in front of the cafeteria entrance at 4:00pm. Anyone left by 4:10pm will be taken to after care.

You must sign up each week at the following link. We have a limited number of spots available that changes each week, and we need to make sure we have a tutor for each student.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054DAEAA2FAAF58-44342586-junior

Private School Interscholastic Association (PSIA) Coaches Needed!!

We are very excited that Saint Andrew Catholic School will once again be participating this year in the Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA) extracurricular academic program for elementary and middle schools. Participating in PSIA provides an exciting opportunity for private school students to engage in academic competition with their peers throughout the state of Texas.

PSIA offers about 18 different contest categories covering a broad range of disciplines in 59 academic contests. This year, we hope to compete in 14 academic events and will again offer the program to 2nd - 8th Grade students.

In the past, teachers have volunteered to serve as academic coaches, working with students who register to participate in the program. However, due to additional duties afterschool including academic tutoring and moderating other clubs, many of our teachers are unable to coach PSIA this year. Therefore, we are asking for parent volunteers to coach this year!

The commitment is minimal, involving 30 - 45 minutes after school one day each week working with a small group (4-8) of students leading up to the District Meet, which will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Saint Andrew Catholic School. All materials are provided and no lesson planning, preparation, or experience is necessary. We hope to begin practices the week of November 13, 2023.

2nd-3rd Grade Coaching Opportunities

Creative Writing

2nd grade only

Mathematics Coach

2nd-3rd grade

Spelling Coach

2nd-3rd grade

Storytelling Coach

2nd-3rd grade

4th-6th Grade Coaching Opportunities

Dictionary Skills Coach

4th-6th grade

Listening Skills Coach

4th-6th grade coach

Maps, Graphs & Charts Coach

4th-6th grade

Mathematics Coach

4th grade

Mathematics Coach

5th-6th grade

Ready Writing Coach

3rd-4th grade

Ready Writing Coach

5th-6th grade

Spelling Coach

4th-5th grade

Spelling Coach

6th-8th grade

7th-8th Grade Coaching Opportunities

Dictionary Skills Coach 7th-8th grade

Listening Skills Coach 7th-8th grade

Maps, Graphs & Charts Coach 7th-8th grade

Mathematics Coach 7th-8th grade

Ready Writing Coach 7th-8th grade coach

Spelling Coach

6th-8th grade

Please consider coaching a PSIA team so that we are able to continue this exciting and worthwhile program at Saint Andrew Catholic School. See the form here to learn more about the subject/categories and grade levels where we need coaches and to sign up to volunteer!

Fall Festival Raffle Updates

Saint Andrew Catholic School would like to thank all of our parishioners, grandparents, alumni, parents, and friends for their support of the Fall Festival Raffle that brought in $48,055. Congratulations to our Raffle 2023 winners!!!

1st place ($1000 Visa Gift Card) - Daniella Jenkins, aunt of SAS students Adam and Ella Ray.

2nd place ($500 Tuition Credit to SAS) - Janie Peterson, grandmother of Charlie, Amelia, Mary and Blake Conine.

Congratulations to the following homerooms for having 100% participation selling their Fall Festival Raffle Tickets this year:

Mrs. Bland (2nd Grade)

Mrs. Thompson (4th Grade)

Mrs. Duman/Mrs. Oliver (7th Grade)

They will be receiving a Chick-fil-A party on Thursday, October 26 during their lunch and recess time, in the Parish Hall. Also, Mrs. Bland, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Duman, and Mrs. Oliver will each receive a special lunch from Cafe Bella on Thursday!!!!

If you have a student in Mrs. Bland, Mrs. Thompson, or Mrs. Duman/Mrs. Oliver's homerooms, please click HERE by Monday, October 23rd to let us know what option your student would like for lunch!!

Click HERE if you would like to volunteer to help with the party.



Advisory Council Open Session

All parents are welcome to join us Wednesday evening, October 25, from 5:30pm - 6:00pm, in the SAS library (please enter through the back door) for our Advisory Council Open Session. We ask that you submit any questions you would like addressed by noon on Tuesday, October 24 via this linked form.

Month of the Holy Souls

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”



Among the many important and meaningful traditions in the Catholic Church is the upcoming observation of All Souls Day on November 2nd. We invite you to join us in prayer during the month of November in gratitude for the memories we hold in our hearts of our dearly departed. In the Catholic tradition, we recall them through our shared presence of God as we pray for the pray for the repose of their souls. Praying through the great Communion of Saints with the Holy Souls, we lift our minds, our hearts, and our own souls, with them, to the Lord.

This is a time purposely set aside to call to mind those we have known: beloved family and close friends who have touched our lives deeply and significantly. We also remember neighbors, teachers, clergy, other religious, and all who have contributed to our social, physical, intellectual, and spiritual formation. We also honor those we may not know personally but who are worthy of our prayers and remembrance, as well as the lives lost to violence, and unrest in the world.

Please click HERE to send us the names of deceased friends and loved ones. These names will be entered in our Book of Remembrance and we will be praying for them throughout the month of November, specifically during Adoration, praying the Rosary, during morning prayers and Holy Mass.

We give thanks to God for you and for all who have generously and lovingly touched our hearts and lives.



October Virtue of the Month

Parental Choice in Education

Parental Choice, also known as “school choice” is a public policy that financially assists parents in choosing the best educational environment for their children by allowing their tax dollars to be used outside of the public school system. Click on the link below to learn the Why, What, Who, & How!

Parental Choice Information

Join us in asking our #TXLege House Representatives to support parental choice in education and help pass a bill so families have more options, especially those who need it most. @tpcetx @txcatholic

SAS Basketball Sign Up - Fall 2023

Is your child interested in playing basketball for SAS?

• Three divisions of play for each gender: 5th/6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade.
• Games may be held on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday starting 1/13 - 2/24. 
• Depending on the number of teams in the league, we may need to schedule some Fridays.

Practices may begin on November 13th. Typically 1-2 practices per week. Basketball Athlete Participation Fee of $80 plus a $5 gate fee for each game will be charged to FACTS. SIGN UP ENDS NOVEMBER 29.

Veterans Day Celebration - Save the Date

We invite all Veterans and their families to attend our celebration as we honor the men and women who have served our country.

We are putting together a slide show for our Veterans Day Celebration on Thursday, November 9 and would like to honor you or a family member. Just click HERE and let us know the name, rank, branch of service of the Veteran,and relationship to student. You will also be able to upload a picture of the Veteran. This can be a recent picture. We need the information by Thursday, November 2.

Please email Lisa Harrington at lharrington@standrewsch.org if you have any questions.



#iGiveCatholic - Save the Date

Let us show everyone that our Catholic community is full of generosity! On Tuesday, November 28th, from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM, help us celebrate #iGiveCatholic. If that date doesn’t work, there is an Advanced Giving Day phase for donations beginning at 12:00 AM on Monday, November 13, running through November 28 at 11:59 PM. 

By investing in Saint Andrew Catholic Church and School now, you are ensuring that our school remains at the center of faith for generations to come.

All #iGiveCatholic donations go to the 2023-2024 Annual Fund. https://fortworth.igivecatholic.org/organizations/saint-andrew-catholic-school.

Thank you for your support!

New Student Applications

Grandparents Day - Save the Date

Save the Date for our annual SAS GRANDPARENTS/GRANDFRIENDS DAY on Friday, February 2, from 8:00am-11:00am. This special day is for grades Preschool 3 and 4 to 7th Grade and their grandparents. Our 8th graders will serve as our Ambassadors for the day.

October Faculty/Staff Birthdays

Please help us celebrate our amazing teachers and staff with October birthdays on Thursday, October 26!

October 1 - Brittany Grady

October 4 - Catherine Dunbar

October 11 - Lane Simmons

October 19 - Anna Crawford

October 21 - Stephanie Fenyes

October 23 - Robin Brown

October 27 - Father John Shanahan, TOR

Click HERE to sign up to provide a favorite treat for a faculty/staff member. Thank you for taking care of our wonderful teachers on their birthdays.

Please reach out to Stephanie Matous at smatous74@icloud.com with any question.

Trunk or Treat

The Trunk or Treat celebration is next Friday, October 27 at 2:00 p.m. in the parking lot in front of school. Each homeroom will have a decorated trunk and candy/treats for the event. Please contact your homeroom coordinator(s) to volunteer to help at the event and/or to donate candy and treats.

Thank you to all the families who have volunteered to bring candy/treats for your homeroom’s trunk. Please note the following:

• Candy/Treats must be labeled with the homeroom teacher’s name.
• Candy/Treats should be delivered to the homeroom.
• If your child cannot carry the items to the homeroom, please leave in the front office ONLY if the bags are labeled. If the items are not labeled with the homeroom name, they will not be delivered to the homeroom for the celebration.
• If you already dropped off unlabeled candy/treats, please contact your homeroom coordinator to let them know what was dropped off and when it was left.

We are excited for this “Spooktacular” celebration!

Uniform Resale

Our next weekly uniform resale will be on Wednesday, October 25 from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. Please park in the main parking lot in front of church if you are coming to the Wednesday uniform resale. There is no space available in the school’s back parking lot. 

Our next monthly Saturday Uniform Resale is Saturday, November 4, from 10 to noon.  

Uniform Resale is located in our new “Resale Portable” (enter at the gate near the back entrance to the library). All items are $5. If you have outgrown uniforms, please consider donating to the Uniform Resale by placing your items in the bin in the front office.

Home & School Save the Dates

• Mother Son Dance – Saturday, December 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the SAS Gym (for moms with boys in Kindergarten through 8th Grade)



• Preschool and Kindergarten Christmas Party – Saturday, December 16 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the SAS Gym (for all students and siblings in preschool and kindergarten)

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the winners of the TCU Football tickets, Texas Ranger tickets, and Dallas Cowboys tickets at the SAS Fall Festival.

Luke Conlon, SAS 3rd grader, won 2 tickets to the Cowboys game at the Football Toss Booth. Dylan Smith, a 10th grader at Brewer High School, won TCU Football tickets/parking pass at the Basketball Freestyle Booth and 4 Texas Rangers tickets at the Baseball Throw Booth. Way to go boys!!!

• Thank you to Dugas and Circelli, PLLC for Texas Rangers tickets. 

• Thank you to The Circelli Family for donating TCU tickets.

• Thank you to the Galindo Family for donating the Dallas Cowboys tickets.

Second Spring Campaign

Parish News

To all 2nd Grade Parents: Your child must prepare for Sacramental preperation through the Church to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.

Breakfast Taco Sunday

Breakfast tacos will be served after morning Masses on Sunday, October 22nd. Proceeds will go toward support for our seminarians

Flag Retirement Ceremony

Knights of Columbus Assembly 3222 will be conducting a retirement ceremony for soiled, torn or frayed American flags at 2:30pm on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at St. Francis Village, 4070 St Francis Village Rd, Crowley, TX 76036. All are invited to come retire your US Flags in an appropriate manner with

dignity and respect. Active and retired military service members, law enforcement, first responders, scout groups, and public officials are especially welcome. If you have a flag to retire, you may leave it at the Pastoral Center or

please contact Mark Schreiner at (817) 946-9497.

Mass Transit Cards

Nolan Catholic High School News

Students may dress out of uniform on their birthdays (or on the school day closest to the actual birthday) except for Mass days and field trip days. Summer birthdays may choose a special day to celebrate. Please let the teacher know when the student will be celebrating their birthday. (No sweatpants, athletic pants, leggings, or other athletic wear are allowed.) Thank you for your help in aiding your child in selecting appropriate attire for out-of-uniform days.

Parents are invited to eat lunch with their child on their birthday. We respectfully request that lunch only be brought for you and your child. We will have a special table where students can eat with their parents. Please notify the office no later than the day before you plan to attend lunch so we can make sure space is available and we can have your badge ready.



Safe Environment

We will have a number of volunteer opportunities this school year such as field trips, Fall Festival and other activities. Please make sure you are up to date with your training if you would like to drive or volunteer to help. You can check your training record by going to www.virtusonline.org.

If you do not yet have a profile and would like to take an initial session please create a profile at https://fwdioc.org/training-schedules. You will then be able to sign up for a safe environment session.

Upcoming Renewal Session offered at our Parish:

Monday, November 6, 2023 at 6:00pm in room 105 of the Parish Hall.

Food 4 Life Catering will once again be providing lunch service to our students. 

Students who do not wish to purchase lunch are always welcome to bring a sack lunch along with drinks/milk from home.

NEW OPTION: A side salad is now being offered to students in Preschool - 3rd grades. It will be offered at the same price as the other side items. Also, your preschool - 3rd grade student will have the option to purchase a larger salad as their lunch. No other menu items may be bought with this salad is purchased.

Please click HERE for information on the lunch program and how to sign up for a lunch account.

Please click HERE for the October Menu.



Monday, October 23

• World Mission Rosary - 8:00am

Wednesday, October 25

• Advisory Council Open Session - 5:30pm

Friday, October 27

• Home & School Association Meeting - 8:00am in the cafeteria
• Trunk or Treat - 2:00pm

Wednesday, November 1

• All Saints Day Activities & Parade - 8:30am
• All Saints Day Mass - 9:30am

Thursday, November 2

• All Souls Day Adoration in the Church - 9:00am - 3:00pm
• Spirit Day for students - SAS Spirit Shirt with uniform bottoms & uniform tennis shoes

Friday, November 3

• First Friday Mass - 9:30am

Saturday, November 4

• Uniform Resale - 10:00am - noon - Portable Building near Library

Thursday, November 9

• Veteran's Day Breakfast - 8:15am in the cafeteria
• Veteran's Day Program - 9:00am in the gym

Friday, November 10

• No School - Diocesan Inservice

For a complete listing of activities and events please check out the calendar on our NEW website!! www.standrewsch.org

It is also available in FACTS/RW.

In Need of a Meal Train?

Please bookmark the link below to request a Meal Train from the Saint Andrew community in times of need. You will be contacted once you complete the form by the Meal Train Chair, Loretta Endres, for any clarifications or special requests. You may also call the school office and speak with the office staff (Mrs. Stephanie Fenyes or Mrs. Olga Buster) when a meal is needed. They will help connect you in your time of need.

Click HERE to request a Meal Train.

For questions contact--- Loretta Endres 817.680.6955 - bradandloretta@yahoo.com